A passion for folklore.

When I was designing my current collection, I took the opportunity to add some more original artworks to the range. I love drawing, and being able to put my illustrations into pendants, and then actually sell them still gives me a thrill. :)

As part of my Mystery and Magic inspired collection, I have included images of a moon gazing Hare and a White Hart, both in a dark forest. I love these mysterious animals, both so associated with myth and folklore. Pagans believed that the moon gazing hare brought rebirth, abundance, and good fortune.

In English Folklore the Hart is associated with many myths and legends. The sighting of a White Hart (the ancient word for Stag) was a sign in Arthurian legends that the knights should embark on a quest. It was thought that the hart could not be caught, and the animal became a symbol of man's never ending pursuit of knowledge and the unattainable. The good omens associated with the magnificent stag led to it being adopted as the personal emblem of Richard II; to this day the sighting of one of these otherworldly animals is said to bring good fortune.

Below is a picture of one of these stunning deer, together with images of the pendants as part of the Mystery and Magic collection - hope you like them! The pendants will be launched in my online shop later today! www.coucouheart.co.uk

 



Global domination (sort of...)

I am just recovering from the London Trade Show I did at the end of January - pretty much all the wholesale orders are now completed. I had a great show, and met up with some of my lovely customers, as well as meeting some exciting new ones.

I am excited to tell you, that Coucou Heart (much like One Direction) have broken the USA! I am now stocked in Manic Panic shop in Los Angeles! How fancy :) Other new stockists of Coucou Heart are in Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as throughout the UK.

I am now busy getting ready for Birmingham Comic Con, which is on 16th & 17th March - maybe see you there!

Ailsa x

Wonderful vintage finds.

As you know, I love to seek out interesting old items for inspiration. These things not only look great, but I love to use them on my displays to give a suitably vintage looking backdrop for my Jewellery!
Anyway, my latest fabulous find is a late Victorian camera / projector. I love anything that really evokes a sense of the past - plus it has lots of twisty turnable wheels and latches to fiddle about with! I think this is a amazing Steampunky find, that I can't wait to show off.

London Edge

Just finished long weekend at trade show London Edge - hard work, but met some great new and existing customers!

Coucou Heart news!

It's about time for a long overdue update on what I've been up to! Things have been busy, busy, busy with events and markets, but there are a couple of particularly exciting things to report.

Firstly, Coucou Heart jewellery is now being stocked in several shops and online retailers across the UK well as in Europe! I exhibited at the London Edge Trade Show in September, and met up with loads of exciting, individual retailers looking for new products. The show was really fun, and I am so pleased to have been able to start supplying my products into shops -a step on my way to world domination?!

My second announcement is that Coucou Heart will be trading at the huge fashion event, Clothes Show Live! The show is at the NEC Bimingham, from 2nd to 7th December. I will be launching some new designs at the show; there are a couple of pics below! For more info on the show go to www.clothesshowlive.com

Hope to see you there!

Ailsa

Update!

Hi all,

I have been a busy bee lately, making new pieces, trading at Brick Lane Backyard market, as well as making plans for the future of Coucou Heart!

With a view to spreading the Coucou Heart message, I can announce that I will be exhibiting at the London Edge trade show in September which I am really excited about! This is a trade only show for alternatic fashions, and is attended by retail buyers from across Europe. Hopefully this will enable me to make contact with approprate retailers for my designs, and begin my world domination!! More details will follow, here is more info from London Edge:

http://www.londonedge.com/

I have been making some new pieces, including these bottle necklaces. I love these little bottles; they remind me of interesting old junk shops and the unusual things you find hidden there. Available now from my Etsy shop.

Some new lovelies!

Hi

I have already had a busy week, and it is only Tuesday! Yesterday I was setting up my stock display in the shop in Croydon that I am now selling in! I have a smallish range there at the moment but will be adding new items later this week, so do please come and take a look if you are in the area. The shop is called Dragon Dreads, and is based on the top floor of Time Bomb, 31 Hight Street, Croydon.

Also this week, I have been sorting through all of my lovely vintage pieces that are crying out to be incorporated into some new beautiful items. Here are some pics of just some of them.

I particularly love vintage ephemera, like this old French postcard - I wonder why it was kept for so long, but then ended up in a junk shop? My over active imagination loves things like this!

Lastly, I have a new listing for customised initial rings in my Etsy shop - they would make a sweet little gift for someone.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67186407/initial-ring

Bye for now,

Love Ailsa