Jewellery Raffle Emergency Fund - Help Needed!

I recently came across an Instagram post by a lovely lady that I was honoured to meet at JeDeCo's 1st Birthday Party last September. The post told of a tragic, sudden loss, and the resulting emergency fundraising effort. I firmly believe that Friend, Colleague, or Acquaintance, we should all help one another where we can, so here's my little drop in the ocean.

Over to you Stephanie...

"Jewellery Raffle!

On Monday this week I had sad news that a dear friend passed away from an unfortunate accident. Since last March, he has been on an adventure to cycle across Europe, before stopping in Hemsedal, Norway, for the Winter season. Unfortunately his insurance ran out two weeks ago and it’s going to cost £8,000 to bring him home. I am holding a Jewellery raffle to help raise funds.

The prize:

Option one: A silver or Gold plated Silver Kite pendant

Option two: Geometric cufflinks

Raffle entry is £1

A maximum of 3x raffle entries per person

You’re more than welcome to donate as much as you like, but only 3 raffle entries will be counted

How to enter:

Visit my Facebook page and find the top entry post. Choose a number between 1-500 and leave your comment below, depending on how many times you have entered, and for which prize(s). Please scroll to see what numbers have already been taken.

Please send your raffle entry payment via PayPal – please send as ‘gift’ to avoid Paypal fees.

The raffle will be drawn THIS SATURDAY afternoon at around 4pm. We are holding a fund-raiser in the evening for Andy at one of our local pubs, so I would like to draw the raffle before this.

This is a short deadline so please share as much as possible, your help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support!"

Stephanie Bates - Jewellery Designer

'The ES in the P' Blog is 2 Today - What a CRAZY Ride!

The second birthday of this here 'lil domain' in the grand blogosphere of things, snuck up on me good and proper. I realised the milestone in conversation at the first birthday party for jewellery boutique +JeDeCo OXO last night - a lovely affair, full of friendly, welcoming designers that I was glad to meet, after reviewing most of their collections during Jewellery Week this past Summer.

It's been a bumpy, addictively interesting ride; the ESP blog has not only created connections, avenues and opportunities that would otherwise, never have presented themselves, and today is no exception!

My very first London Fashion Week in February gave me the chance to interview a childhood icon of mine. Caryn Franklin MBE was gracious enough to give me some 1-2-1 advice on how to approach my first outing, guidance which I have carried over into many other instances since then...

The incomparable Caryn Franklin MBE

As the first day of my second foray begins, I'm also extremely honoured to add the advice of another longtime idol that I met at the start of this month. The wonderful Hilary Alexander was kind enough to advise me on how to get the most out of a catwalk show during a reception I attended at International Jewellery London:

"Don't try to watch the shoes, clothes and bags at the same time - they're all flashing by; I think when you're at a fashion show, it's good to focus on one thing. Decide and say 'Right, I'm going to focus on...the shoes'. 

I think you need to look at colour, shape, inspiration...You just have to watch, write down what you see; is it red? Are more people using green? Is it more gold, or more silver? What do the inspirations look like? Are they 1920s? 1930s? Do they look Victorian? And over time, as you go around the stands, you'll notice that you're writing the same keywords over and again.

Use your eyes, and memory, and notes...and don't rely on a mobile phone!  A pen and a piece of paper...is going to be more valuable to you in the long run, when you want to actually examine what you've seen."

Yours Truly with the GREAT Hilary Alexander, Fashion Forecaster, Trendsetter, ICON!

Well now, if that wasn't an inspirational moment to start off the next season, and the next year with, then I don't know what is!

I just want to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who has ever read, or contributed their time to this humble space of mine over the last two years - like stitching to a hemline, it would not be what it is, without you!

I'm off to my first show of the SS14 season now - Fashion Scout's 'Ones To Watch' at Freemasons Hall, notepad and pen at the ready...

Have a great day all - and stay with me for another 365, you ain't seen nothin yet!

Much Love,

ES ;)

#ESPspotlight REVIEW: LONDON JEWELLERY WEEK, 7-16 JUNE

I broke my own rule prior to London Jewellery Week 2013. I adopted pre-conceived notions of what I thought the whole thing was going to be about, which is something I rarely, if ever, do. Now that the doors have closed for another year; I'm a big enough girl to admit that I was oh so very wrong. The sheer variety of event types that made up this 10-day shine fest was, without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing about it, whilst simultaneously being the most valuable lesson learned. For every pretentious jeweller, not interested in wasting time with a blogger outside of their usual respected publication list, there were 10 more, far more down-to-earth, genuine people, ready to share their creative inspirations and experience at their respective event; in other words - my kind of people! From jewellery making to exhibitions, to utter catwalk beauty; here's my rundown of London Jewellery Week 2013...

As you'll know from my first-day round up, Jewel East at Old Spitalfields Market was my first stop. The opportunity to speak with designers like Ayako Kanari and Michelle Oh directly was brilliant - particularly since I kept seeing their works pop up at different events throughout the week! A really enjoyable opener, I'm glad I picked the 3-day event as my first stop on the tour.

Made In Morley was my second. The chance to go behind the scenes and get a climpse at what actually goes into making the wonderful pieces I would go on to see throughout the various events actually gave me a greater appreciation of what I was looking at. I even got the opportunity to make my own - judge for yourself whether or not it was any good!

The Cold Lillies AW13 Private Press Launch at the Aldwych Hotel, was definitely a highlight of the entire event. Irish Company Co-Directors and Founders Kim Knowles and Ciara McKenna absolutely floored me by being such wonderfully warm and friendly hosts; making what could have been quite an uber-stuffy event, all the more enjoyable. The collections they showcased from 30+ designers were beautifully delicate. The chance to enjoy them in that quiet, intimate setting, afforded time to take in their sumptuous details, and also meet some of the designers on a one-to-one, informal footing; thus providing a brilliant setup for the The Watch Salon and Jewellery Show London taking place just around the corner.

After my first stint at Fashion Week in February, it seemed only fitting to return to Somerset House for my beginner's foray into our Capital's Jewellery and accessory equivalent. There was just far too much beauty to take in at The Watch Salon and Jewellery Show London in one day, so I had no choice but to attend both. Tough as that was; aside from meeting even more hugely talented people, it provided my biggest highpoint of the week - The Catwalk Show. From head-to-toe, every model's attire was positively stunning. It takes the crown for best all-round presentation to-date.

JeDeCo High Street Gems at the Oxo Tower Wharf exhibited an entirely unique collection of designers. What set them apart, was that the boutique was also taking part in the UK Shop Window Competition. It was great to see the creativity brought to life according to the competition brief, and lovely to meet Emma Beane, one of the designers behind the boutique entry's vision.

The Treasure VIP Opening Evening & Press Preview was the last event I attended, and it left me desperate for more than my annoyingly pressing diary would allow. The flagship event of Jewellery Week 2013 - also at Somerset House - was every bit the splendour that I expected; stopping just short of choruses of Marilyn singing about diamonds and the striking resemblance they bore to her best friend...No...wait...Yep, that was definitely her that I heard in my head. From the champagne reception to the jawdropping Swaroski Trail, it was a wonderful opportunity to speak with some of the designers that I read about during the lead up.

Alas, now that it's all done and literally dusted; I must thank LJW Managing Director, Della Tinsley and Comms and Events Manager, Nell Monck for having me along to their absolutely brilliant event. Thank the Heavens above I took a year's worth of photos (all on the ESP Facebook Page) to tide me over until the next; as I now find myself in serious withdrawal. I need shiny, pretty accessories, with fascinating backstories to accompany them...International Jewellery London in September, anyone?!

ES ;)

#ESPspotlight REVIEW: JEDECO HIGH STREET GEMS EXHIBITION, OXO TOWER WHARF, 13 JUNE

The thing that made the JeDeCo High Street Gems showcase stand out the most, was the relaxing, ambient feel, engineered to encourage each buyer's 1:1 personal shopping experience.

JeDeCo Boutique at OXO Tower Wharf, on London's Southbank

30 designers make up JeDeCo - the Jewellery Designers Collective. Luckily for me, the viewing also offered the opportunity to size up a contender for the High Street Gems Competition firsthand. The latest instalment of the 'Challenge Erica Chronicles' - in which I spent over 35 minutes in search of the place, due to inadequate (non-existent) signage and directions, either at the Oxo Tower Wharf location, or on the Jewellery Week website - actually ended up working in my favour. The end of day lull, meant that I had the place to myself and as such; could quietly take in everything on show, and consider the creative inspiration of each artist - my favourite topic once released from the familiar involuntary hypnosis caused by all the sparkly, pretty things on display...

JeDeCo's High Street Gems entry: 'Putting OXO on the Map'

Offering a fresh variety I had yet to see in each of the events up to that point, The print designs from Debbie Carlton Jewellery's brought a unique, colourful, 'carnival', sometimes gritty vibe to the competition centrepiece; entitled 'Putting Oxo on the Map'.

Annika Burman's 'Kaliedo' collection was pure attention-grabbing beauty

Annika Burman led the display case pack, with showpieces from her 'Rain', and 'Kaliedo' collections, making you question how these artists leave vision behind, and turn their imaginations into reality.

Anna Loucah's Fine Jewellery display was a visual tease...

Anna Loucah Fine Jewellery added some serious fire to the bunch, with regal designs that lived up to the name. I fell prey to the pretty as soon as my eyes landed on a bewitching pair of long, gold drop earrings with matching necklace set, that you could imagine being equally at home in Carey Mulligan's Gatsby wardrobe, as well as Patricia Velasquez' saucy get up for any one of The Mummy trilogy. Come to think of it, the gorgeous pair wouldn't look too bad in my own little trinket collection...

Siân Bostwick's 'Springtime' collection

Sian Bostwick's blue butterflies were made purely to tempt me. Shining brightly under those display case lights; the simple pieces were the perfect mix of vibrance through colour, while elegantly understated in design.

All Quarter Angel pieces are inspired by the London outdoors

Quarter Angel's tribute to the London skyline was another fascinating favourite. Like Annette Allen's watch strap at The Watch Salon only a few days prior, there is something unquestionably cool about recreating such intricate detail in a small, confined space.

Mangan is also one half of high-end wedding jewellers, Dennis & Lavery

Art is all about personal interpretation from a piece, and for me personally, I saw something medieval, even a smidgeon Celtic, in Cindy Dennis Mangan's collections. Actually inspired by female mythology. The Princess and the Python and Cleopatra's Curtain have, according to the JeDeCo Chairperson and Founder's website, 'taken the world by storm'. It's wasn't at all hard to see why.

Doreth Jones' variety covers teen style through to 'Mature Couture'

The Shining Star chain rings, and One Love earrings and bracelets by Doreth Jones Jewellery were another understated favourite. Full of youthful vitality, the designs would add that versatile final touch to the wardrobe of a mature teen, or even a stylish twenty-something. Don't think her variety stops there though; the more imaginative Shark Tooth rings, or adaptable silver, gold and green jade petal earrings, mean the teenyboppers aren't the only ones who are covered.

For more works from the JeDeCo boutique, including pieces from Catherine Marche, Dennis & Lavery Platinum, Kareece Peters, Katerina Damilos, Rosemary Lucas, and more; as well as extras from the designers featured above, visit the JeDeCo High Street Gems photo album on the ESP Ltd. Facebook page, and exercise your opinions in the form of that 'Like' button; or even the Comment Boxes on your favourite images.

Until the next folks!
ES ;)