Introducing... Lou Lou's Luxuries

One of the best things about being a part of the fabulous online crafting community is some of the lovely friendships with other designer/makers I have formed over the past 18 months or so. Some are old hands with plenty of experience, on hand to offer help and advice. Then there are others who were relative newbies, setting up around the same time as me and we have watched (and encouraged) each other as we grow and develop our businesses.

One of the first people I started talking to on Twitter was Kerry 'Lou Lou' Milne. She was selling her fabulous range of vintage inspired pieces on Folksy at the time but has since gone independent and set up her own website Lou Lou's Luxuries. To celebrate the launch Kerry agreed to spill the beans a little on her inspiration and aspirations...

So, Kerry, how long have you been making jewellery? Why did you start?

I've always loved making things, my mum has countless cross stitches, pillow covers, plaster casts and bracelets that I've made since I could tie a knot but I never thought I'd do anything remotely crafty in the future.  It wasn't until last year when I had some time off from the day job and started playing around with beads and vintage bits and bobs.  Low and behold...a couple of months later Lou Lou's Luxuries was born!  And she's here to stay (I hope!).

Where do you find inspiration?

My Jewellery is definitely inspired by history, nature and fashions of the past.  I've always been a bit of a history geek and funnily enough one of the first ever books I borrowed from a library was a fashion through the ages book.  I love the style and sophistication of the Victorian era - especially their love of pearls!  I'd love to think that my style encapsulates the feminine style of a by-gone era.

Can you describe a typical Lou Lou's Luxuries customer?

Oooh let's have a think!  The typical Lou Lou's Luxuries customer is someone with a love of vintage fashion, someone who loves to feel feminine and beautiful with simplistic but beautiful accessories.  Probably someone with a lot of shoes too!

Any plans in the pipeline you can tell us about? What does the future hold for Lou Lou's Luxuries?

That's a secret ;)

Describe your style in 6 words

Vintage, feminine, sophisticated, luxurious, beautiful, wearable

Apart from making jewellery are there any other arts/crafts you practice or any you would like to learn?

I have tried my hand at lots of different things over the years!  I've tried card making (nope...not very good at it!) I've made soaps, I've done some wood work, cross stitching and I'm also not too bad at knitting :)  Although I only seem to knit in the winter and every year I have to buy new needles because I loose them during the rest of the year!  But watch out...I may add a line of knitted luxuries to the website in about November hehehe.

What would be your perfect day?

Hmm...my perfect day would probably happen on a Sunday :) And a perfect Sunday doesn't start until about 11:30am.  That's about the time to move from bed onto the sofa and await a delicious bacon sandwich from the other half, followed by a gallon of coffee and and film snuggled up in front of the telly.  Squeeze in a bit of crafting and then a Sunday roast and that's the day sorted!  Oooh and if there could be some sunshine and the scent of fresh cut grass coming in through the window then that's a bonus.

Many thanks to Kerry for taking the time to answer my questions, your website looks lovely!

Now, lovely readers, here's your chance to get hold of your very own Luxury from Lou Lou.

Kerry is giving away a fabulous and bang-on-trend flower ring! 

Measuring an impressive 45mm across, this stunning deep red cabbage rose ring will certainly get noticed and would look gorgeous with this seasons rich, autumnal colours.

Set on an Art Nouveax inspired, gold coloured filigree base that can be adjusted to fit any size. Supplied in it's own little pouch so it would make a lovely gift for someone special, if you can bare to part with it!

So how can you get your hands on this little luxury?

First of all visit loulousluxuries.co.uk and have mooch around. What's your favourite item? Perhaps you like the cute Bouquet Dreams earrings? Or the stunning peacock freshwater pearls of Depths of Beauty necklace.

Next, leave a comment here, tell us which Luxury you would love to treat yourself to. (don't forget to include a way I can get hold of you if you are the lucky winner - email or twitter name is fine)

And that's it!

For extra bonus entry you can like this blog with GFC in the column to the right - and leave a comment to say that you have done so.

If you are on twitter tweet the following for another bonus entry "I want to win a little #luxury from @loulousluxuries and #TalesfromMountPleasant http://bit.ly/ommMkl "

The giveaway ends at 10pm on Monday 12th September and is open to UK residents only. The winner will be drawn by a random generator (ie - my other half ;) )

Good Luck everyone!!

This giveaway is now closed. The winner will be announced at 9pm Tuesday 13th Septempber.