La Diosa

The first time I came across the label La Diosa was whilst watching a small news feature on London Tonight interviewing the girls.  They had gained media attention after the then Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown was photographed wearing a necklace of theirs on a number of official occasions. 

Friends from East London, Semhal  Zemikael and Natasha Faith began making their own jewellery after finding great inspiration from travels to Mayan ruins in Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia to name a few. They gained vital important from The Princes Trust and created La Diosa, (Spanish for 'The Goddess'), and each piece lives up to their label name. Each stunning statement piece oozes exoticism, boldness and femininity. I found their story hugely inspiring, not only are they local London girls, but with determination and a genuine love for their ‘hobby’, they’ve managed to make a successful business of their jewellery.

Love this wall art..

Slightly going off the jewellery topic, but in keeping with the art ‘theme’, anyone who knows me really well, knows that I have a thing for collecting ornamental Buddha’s, to the extent where by I’ve managed to gather a small collection of them. Whenever I’m in a shop or a market I always find myself stopping to have an admiring look at a Buddha statue. I’ve accumulated a small number of ‘laughing’ Buddha’s, but my personal favourite are the Thai Buddha’s. I think personally what appeals to me about Buddha artwork are two major factors, the first one being that I just so happen to love what they represent in terms of meditation, serenity, peace and all that good stuff. Secondly I just love the aesthetics of them, from an appreciation perspective of the variety of symbolic mudras, to the bronze, gold or wooden finishing. I’ll be going to Thailand soon, and seeing ancient Buddha statues and authentic artwork in just the cherry on the cake.

My own Thai Buddha

Koh Samui, Thailand

Wooden Beads..

Some smaller coloured beads I use as spacers

At the moment I’m going through a bit of wooden beads phase. I say that as I’ve only just notice that the majority of beads I’ve bought recently have been in fact wooden, for some coincidence. Whenever I’ve been in my local bead shop I’ve felt drawn to them, both the original wooden finish as well as the coloured painted beads. I love the natural appearance and texture to wooden beading, and I also find that even the larger beads are quite light and easy to work with.

Some of my pieces..

Wooden beads remind me of traditional African beading and crafts, a huge source of inspiration for me, and it’s this aspect as to why I love incorporating them within necklaces etc. Another reason as to why I’ve also got a bit of a soft spot for the painted coloured wooden beads, which normally come in rich, warm earthy colours such as reds and greens.

Really love the red and turquoise combo

Akong London

Akong London

I've just discovered this work by the talented London based Nicole Akong. Born and raised in the Caribbean, Nicole moved to London to embark on her jewellery career, and launched her label Akong London.

What really stood out for me are the apparant influence of tribes around the world, refected in the use of her colour, texture and detailing. Her creative pieces are bold, unique and hugely inspiring. My personal favourite collection is Dreams of Miami Beach, for Spring/Summer 2010.. I know, a little old but I love it ;)

Inspiration..

 

African Waist Beads

Waist Beads

 

So awhile ago my Godmother asked me to make some adjustments to a couple of her African waist beads. I must admit this was the first time I’ve actually heard about waist beads, needless to say I had to look them up. Again, I love the cultural symbolism with jewellery and waist beads tick all the boxes.  Thought to have originated from Yoruba tribes in West Africa, and popular within Nigeria and Ghana, the beads can be perceived as a symbol of femininity, sensuality and fertility, not to mention simply as an ornamental fashion item.

Supernatural associations with the beads range from a symbol of protection to pregnant women, and my favourite, a lure used by brides for their new husbands!

I don’t normally use seed beads for anything other than ‘spacers’, but African waist beads have definitely inspired me to do something with 1kg wholesale packet of brown seed beads I’ve been struggling to use!

What to do with these...

Love this!

I found this amazing image of Scarlett Johansson wearing this incredible necklace..I need to be able to make this one day!! Beside that I'm a huge fan of turquoise bead jewellery, which I think looks amazing against any skin tone.

Jessica Rose - London Jewellery School

 

I came across a video about Jessica Rose randomly on YouTube whilst looking for jewellery videos. At such a young age she followed her passion and created a successful business out  doing something she loves..such a huge inspiation.

Moroccan Berber Jewellery

Traditional Berber jewellery

I’ve always loved traditional ‘ethnic’ jewellery from various parts of the world. I love the variety of bold pieces in striking colours and designs, all following similar themes reflecting a great sense of cultural identity, and for the most part can be traced back to various historical traditions and symbolism.

A couple of years back I had the privilege of visiting Morocco. There I discovered the gorgeous Berber jewellery; I’d say my favourite style of bead jewellery. If anyone has ever made a visit to Marrakech, in particular the incredible Jamaa El Fna you will most likely have come across Berber jewellery at some point. Needless to say I bought a fair amount! The bold pieces are mainly beading and silver, with key abstract and geometric patterns, and large, striking centre pieces.

The jewellery is often made by an independent craftsman, and I love the fact that such a unique and beautiful art form has not been exploited and is still very true to its cultural identity and traditions. 

Some of my collection..

Hi!

My first blog post on my first blog!

I’m a London based ‘Creative’,and when I say a ‘Creative’ it’s not to sound pretentious, I just find I just enjoy being creative, or at least appreciating many creative hobbies etc. Some I can purely just admire from afar, so you may find a bit of photography or art sneaking up on this blog at some point. Some I love to get my teeth into, my own personal interests such a fashion, make-up artistry, baking and a great interest of mine, jewellery making. Hence the name of this blog ‘Love La Joya’… Love The Jewel.

I've been casually making jewellery since I was in Primary School, around 7 years old. I remember making lots of beaded earrings for my Mum to sell at her office for a couple of pounds a pair, and my Dad taking me around bead shops, helping me pick out my beads for my next batch. (Just to point out, my parents were working for me, I wasn't working for them ;)) For years I've picked up exotic, unique pieces of jewellery on my holidays, and from random little shops and markets I've come across, and the love for making my own pieces has grown and grown..

I'm about to embark of some professional classes and hopefully through this blog I can share my progress! x