J’adore Elsie Belle!

On my quest to bring you some fabu gift ideas for the gift-giving season, and that includes buying a gift for yourself btw, I have discovered www.Elsiebelle.com, a website of total accessorisation (yes, it is a word…mine!) treasure!

The site of beauty is fit-to-bursting with so many pretty, pretty things like this ‘I love tea’ necklace - tres adorbz and only £6.95, that I not only had to give props to the prods, I simply had to find out more about the site and intro you to the lovely Liz Fennings, the lady behind the label!

J’adore Elsie Belle - what’s it all about? How did the name come about? and why did you set it up?
Thank you very much! Elsiebelle is all about super cute jewels which are like tiny works of art. I always try to create unusual and individual pieces which stand out from the crowd and grab your attention.  Elsiebelle is actually named after my granny, I always thought it was such a lovely name and it seemed perfect for our vintage styled accessories.  The business was started almost by accident after years of not being able to find affordable kitsch vintage style jewellery and experimenting with random knick-knacks to make my own.

What was the first product you ever made?
The first thing I ever made for elsiebelle was a necklace called “Pony Club”.  I found a stash of small brass horseshoes in a charity shop, I don’t know what they were originally for but I loved the look of them and with a bit of drilling they were made into some gorgeous necklaces.

When and how did you realise you were a creative girl able to make fabulous treats that people would buy?
I’ve always loved making things for myself, family and friends and it just kind of grew from there.

Tell us about your product range, what you got to offer? What are your current favourite items? What inspires your too-cute designs?
Anything is possible! A lot of our products are made from original vintage designs stamped into brass. I also use any bits and bobs that catch my eye such as dolls house ornaments,   kitsch plastic charms, old cabochons and guitar plectrums. At the moment I’m obsessed with bows, I can’t get enough!  I love the ‘Ribbons Rock’ (check the pic - it’s £9.95 - love it!) and ‘Bow Tie’ designs and I always fall in love with pretty much anything bird related –  It’s a reoccurring theme at elsiebelle.com as you can probably tell!  I’m inspired a lot by nature, beautiful art and music, all things vintage and anything really that makes me happy can spark an idea for a new design.

What’s the secret to your success?
I’d have to say hard work.  There is always a lot to do and I often end up working 7 days a week but I don’t mind as there is honestly nothing else that I would rather do.

Do you have to be all business-minded too?
It’s about fifty fifty business and creativity.  Customer service is really important for a small business as is keeping on top of all the paperwork that comes with running elsiebelle.

The fun part is definitely the creative side but without the business stuff none of it would happen.

What’s a typical day in the life of Elsie Belle…
Each day is different! Some days it’s all about coming up with ideas or making new designs and other days can be spent updating the website or dealing with the paperwork.  Everyday includes making up orders, answering customers enquiries and a visit to the post office but other than that it’s very varied depending on what needs to be done.

Do you have a style bible – a magazine, book that you love?
I’m a huge fan of Fruits magazine a Japanese publication showing the best of D.I.Y street fashion.  Harajuku style is a great inspiration and the pictures are amazing.

What makes you jump-in-the-air-happy?
My pet cockatiel Cozmo and all birds in general.  I think I’m Bill Oddie’s biggest fan!

What’s your definition of style?
Quirky, individual and cute – I think it’s important to be happy and if you are confident with your look you will always look stylish.

What five tracks would be on a Elsie Belle playlist?
It’s ever changing, but at the mo I’d have to say…

‘It’s a Pity’ by Tanya Stephens
A Oe Like Me Oe’ by The Coconutz - a Hawaiian cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’
‘Deep’ by TC – Roni size remix with mc Jakes – a Bristol drum and bass anthem
‘Not Over Yet’ by Skream – a dub step version of the disco classic
‘Beat that my heart skipped’ Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip

The Pink Ladies love to visit new cities - where are you at? And what would be cool for us to see and do there - please be our tour guide!
I’m based in Bristol and have lived here for about two years.  I love it, there is so much to see and do including a huge street art scene made famous by Banksy.   I could take you on a tour of the city to show you his work if you like?  There are also lots of clubs, cafes, bars and restaurants. Great galleries from the larger more established ones like the Arnolfini to the smaller, pop up galleries in and around Stokes Croft.  I’d probably take you on an arts crawl followed by some shopping in the cute independent boutiques on Park Street and finish with cocktails at my favourite bar “The Woods”…

Who are your Inspir-O-girls and why?
Vivienne Westwood is a huge inspiration.  I love her style and individuality.  Another huge icon is Yuko Yamaguchi the creator of Hello Kitty!

What’s your motto for life?
“The devil is in the detail”

Quick fire round: What’s your favourite…
Book – No one knows where gobo goes – my most treasured childhood possession!
Magazine – Fruits
Boy crush –Josh Holloway (Sawyer from Lost)
Girl crush – Felicity Kendall as Barbara in The Good Life!
City – Bristol of course!
Place to Hang out - Anywhere my friends are…
Food – Sushi or a Sunday Roast!
Website -  Sadly I spend way too much time on Facebook!

Your thoughts on the colour pink…
I love it! It’s the cutest colour ever but sadly my cockatiel gets really scared by anything pink… she’ll come around eventually!

www.elsiebelle.com