FRESH FEBRUARY

This month in the studio we have been really busy getting ready for Valentine’s / Galentine’s celebrations as well as working upon our Spring & Summer Collection!

We welcome a new Crystal ‘Rhodonite’ which resonates with us so much here this month. The contrast of the crystal against Golden hues in yellow & Rose Gold is really beautiful & we are working on more designs this week to add to this collection as we are so in love!

Rhodonite is known for its capacity to bring emotional healing and to release blocked energy from within the heart chakra. It has strong heart-based energy with a useful healing vibration. These stones are excellent for balancing emotions, and during traumatic times this stone can be used to calm you.

We would like to introduce our NEW Rhodinite double point hoops…

We have lots of exciting things in motion to share with you this year! With the current Covid-19 crisis, it has meant that lots of independent businesses that look like us have had to restructure and develop their journeys in new directions. We have tried to remain positive throughout and keep being productive & innovative, whilst the main segment of our business within the wedding sector has been severely disrupted.

This has lead us to some exciting, natural progressions in business. Reflecting on all our success with the #shopsmallpopupshop, we thought it would be silly not to develop this more within our studio & showroom as more of a permanent structure. Therefore we have been collaborating with some very exciting makers, & we shall introduce a very eclectic new collection of makers to our showroom this year on the lead up to us being able to open our doors to you once again!

Alongside our jewellery design, Little Joy’s ethos as a company is to support makers & increase knowledge & appreciation for sustainable goods & the slow living movement. We also provide a creative hub welcoming various artists & makers to host various creative workshops we have worked on growing for the return to normal life! We shall have lots more to share with you later this month through to the beginning of March so please keep following our journey!

We shall leave you here with another NEW design of ours which is available in two alternative sizes, the standard small hoops as shown here, alongside a new range of Huggies we have been developing! We are also welcoming back our ever-growing minimal collection to the online store with a new twist in how they are worn!!

ETA // Star Hoops with Diamonds.
ETA Hoops are inspired by Eta Ursae Majoris, which is a 10-million-year-old B-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of B3 V. Since 1943, the spectrum of this star has served as one of the stable anchor points by which other stars are classified.

These easy to wear hoops have a post back and butterfly scroll fit easy fitting and comfort. Available in Eco Silver, Yellow, Rose & White Gold variations.

Thank
You for reading !
Have a lovely weekend ✨✨✨

Lauren
@littlejoyjeweller


Valentine's Gift Guide

As we welcome 2021 here at the Little Joy Studio, we wanted to put together for you all our current BEST SELLING designs and products in our Valentine's Gift Guide to inspire your gift choices this season.

We have collaborated with KINSHIPPED to provide you with a range of beautiful cards alongside our luxury gift-wrapping service with Kinshipped Paper wrap, tags and cards. This all brings together your little joy purchases perfectly & enables you to send a complete perfectly wrapped gift to a loved one from the comfort of your own home during Covid-19.

During these uncertain times, we are working hard to bring to you some innovative new designs along side welcoming more beautiful sustainable products to our online shop. Our ethos has never been more relevant & we hope to bring a little joy to you and your loved ones this 2021, whether it be a celebration such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and beyond, to a simple purchase for yourself as a pick me up, because you deserve a little joy now more than ever. And we want to thank you all for your ongoing custom.

As a small independent business provided small scale production, each and every order as little or as much as you purchase all helps us carry on during the pandemic. It’s so important to support small businesses and we shall invite all our fellow craft makers to add more of their beautiful products to our site this year to help support the #shopsmallpopupshop #justacard campaigns.

 

Stay safe everyone,

Lauren
@littlejoyjeweller


LITTLE JOY + SJAELV

Here in the studio + showroom, I am so proud to be welcoming more permanent artists and makers in residence, for all year round "shop small" elements. I adore curating the Shop small pop-up shops here on the Isle of Wight for the last 4 years and due to high demand, it made sense to invite some of my best sellers to permanently supply their works in the UK via a responsible storefront.

I am proud to spend the next few weeks introducing you to some of the work available at the studio & online here at Little Joy, which we hope will help you toward the coming festive season, truly sourcing sustainable, well designed, and made craft from all corners of the world for your perfect gift selections.

“Sjaelv was born out of the desire to create minimal and timeless leather goods that withstand the test of wear and time. All of our bags and accessories stand for clarity in design and the beauty of untreated, natural leather.

We are really passionate about sourcing responsible and believe in thoughtful purchasing. This is why we love to focus on working with pure vegetable tanned leather which will darken and age beautifully with time and wear.

All of our leather goods are entirely designed, hand-cut, and lovingly handcrafted in our small studio in Hamburg, Germany.”

Johanna @sjaelvbags

Their mission is to create, beautiful, and sustainably made products that are made to last. The designs meant to be minimal and functional through time and not just for one season. Sjaelv designs are all about quality over quantity and efforts in sustainable material sourcing and ethical manufacturing. All of our bags are made of really pure and natural, vegetable-tanned leather from Europe which will get better and better with time and wear.


JADE

Reconnecting with crystals within my designs this season has been a wonderful experience for me. Developing processes, techniques, and possibilities in order to incorporate the tactile qualities with the balance of my Little Joy aesthetics has been a challenging but rewarding concept.

Jade has powerful healing properties and can be very effective when working close to the neck and the top of the spine. Jade is a symbol of serenity and purity. It signifies wisdom gathered in tranquility and is said to increase love and nurturing. A protective stone, Jade keeps the wearer from harm and brings harmony. Jade attracts good luck & friendship, stabilising the personality and promoting self-sufficiency. It helps to soothe the mind, stimulate ideas, and release negative thoughts.

A “dream stone”, Jade brings insightful dreams. It aids emotional release, especially of irritability. Jade encourages you to become who you really are.

Introducing our hand-cut POINT & DOUBLE POINT crystals, they are all completely unique, however keeping within the same size specifications. The points encapsulate the harnessed energy required to transmit healing into our environment and space. Crystal points essentially reveal which direction the crystal energy flows from. The exclusive Little Joy double points design is adapted to increase the direction of energy flow.


WELL CURATED COLLECTIVE // WELL CURATED x LITTLE JOY

In harmonious balance with the Little Joy aesthetics, that the WELL CURATED team adore, we have designed and handcrafted a collection of crystal jewellery that harnesses the power and enduring strength of nature.

Combining carefully selected one of a kind stones with a range of bracelet, necklace & earring designs, you can choose your own hand-cut crystal that speaks to you. Each unique crystal is numbered, and each design, simply select & build your own bespoke piece.

The ethos behind this project is combined with the current global Covid-19 crisis. We have developed the collection around healing crystals that will help with our intentions to have a healthy mind and body post lockdown. Now is the time to rebalance and reconnect with ourselves, ready to return to our faster pace lives with the confidence and power to move forward.

Pink Tourmaline

Together we have hand selected a beautiful range of pink tourmalines, consciously sourced and fair mined in Brazil. They have been hand cut in the UK & America, before reaching the Little Joy studio on the Isle of Wight. Each fine fragment and slice displays a beautiful range of soothing pastel colours. Pink tourmaline calms & soothes the heart, especially when dealing with anxiety. As well as being an aphrodisiac, pink tourmaline encourage feelings of safety in love, which in turn instills confidence. It brings compassion & wisdom when dealing with others, and also promotes flexibility of thought.

Choose your bespoke Pink Tourmaline

Tourmaline is thought to attract inspiration, compassion, tolerance & prosperity.

Our designs are a helpful aid in balancing chakras. When worn, the carefully thought designs place the tourmaline in significant areas of the body to release tensions and remove any emotional blockages. The Paraiba Pink Tourmaline slices are also nicknamed the “Rainbow Gem” in Brazil, which we felt in keeping with the current Covid-19 crisis as the rainbow has been a significant emblem of hope, shown by neighbours & communities, spreading joy & compassion to those suffering, and in thanks to the key workers and NHS for their incredible work.


FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK

Here at Little Joy we have taken part in various events for the Fashion Revolution. I would like to tell you a little bit about why it’s so important to us at Little Joy...

Fashion Revolution Movement…

 

WHO WE ARE

We are Fashion Revolution. We are people from all around the world who make the fashion industry work. We are the people who wear clothes. And we are the people who make them.

We are designers, academics, writers, business leaders, policymakers, brands, retailers, marketers, producers, makers, workers and fashion lovers. We are the industry and we are the public. We are world citizens. We are you.

 

OUR VISION

We believe in a fashion industry that values people, the environment, creativity and profit in equal measure.

 

OUR MISSION

We want to unite people and organisations to work together towards radically changing the way our clothes are sourced, produced and consumed, so that our clothing is made in a safe, clean and fair way.

We believe that collaborating across the whole value chain — from farmer to consumer — is the only way to transform the industry.

Our mission is to bring everyone together to make that happen.

 

WE ARE A GLOBAL MOVEMENT

Fashion Revolution is a global movement that runs all year long.

We celebrate fashion as a positive influence while also scrutinising industry practices and raising awareness of the fashion industry’s most pressing issues. We aim to show that change is possible and encourage those who are on a journey to create a more ethical and sustainable future for fashion.

Fashion Revolution strives to be action-oriented and solution focused. Rather than making people feel guilty, we help them recognise that they have the power to do something to make a positive change.

We often call ourselves “pro-fashion protesters” because we love fashion and want to see it become a force for good.

We try to always be bold, provocative, inquisitive, accessible and inclusive. We tend to avoid negative protesting, victimising and naming and shaming. We do not target specific individual companies because we believe that the industry’s problems are bigger than any one company’s actions. We do not advocate boycotting simply because we don’t see it as an effective way to achieve systemic change.[1]

FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK takes place, 20th-26th April 2020

On the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse, which killed 1,138 people and injured many more in 2013, we encourage millions of people to come together to campaign for systemic change in the fashion industry.

We are living in a climate emergency and the fashion & textiles sector is one of the most polluting and wasteful industries. The industry continues to lack transparency, with widespread exploitation of people working in the supply chain. Never before have there been this many people on the planet in slavery, and fashion is a key driver of this reality. Brands and retailers are still not taking enough responsibility for the pay and working conditions in their factories, the environmental impacts of the materials they use or how the products they make affect the health of people, animals and our living planet.

#fashionrevolution

Find other brands and makers and suppliers who support the movement to check out the hashtag and follow @littlejoyjeweller for more information.


MINIMAL. MINDFUL. WELLNESS.

Hello everyone, I am not sure where to start... To say 2020 has thrown us all some obstacles would certainly be an understatement!

I am sending all the love & light I can, to you all. I hope you are keeping well, healthy and safe at home. My huge appreciation goes out to all the key workers out there, keeping our families fed, and well cared for. I cannot express my appreciation for the NHS.

I would like to thank you all for your lovely messages, and genuine concern for Little Joy. As an independent designer, maker, it is for sure my biggest challenge so far in my creative journey keeping things going and staying motivated and calm. My little family and I would like to thank you for your continued support & well wishes, these kind words have really helped my mental wellness & strength in pushing through and not giving up. I have been doing my very best to maintain a creative flow around my family life. It’s now my pleasure to share with you, some exciting news that’s been keeping me focused & I hope it will bring you a little joy!

I have recently connected with the inspirational, Make-up artist, Hair-stylist & Writer, Camilla Hewitt. You may have caught up on our recent collaboration in a shoot with Country & Town House. Camilla is due to launch a new online wellness venture & I am hugely grateful to collaborate with her, designing & making a new collection of jewellery that incorporates healing crystals.
I have been busy researching into crystals from their properties as wearable elements alongside their energies when worn. The collection is focused on the organic crystals leading the designs, combining the Little Joy aesthetic harmoniously to keep you all engaged.

For thousands of years, people have used crystals to attract certain energies as healing tools, to direct and amplify intentions. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with the digital world, there is a growing desire, to reconnect with the natural world. By working organic crystals, into a contemporary jewellery collection, our designs allow the wearer to enjoy their natural beauty, whilst carrying the energy of the stone with them throughout the day.

I would like to share with you the beginnings of this well-curated collection, with the Pink Tourmaline Collective. This Watermelon Tourmaline soothes the heart and calms emotions.

Each piece is unique due to the properties of the natural handcut slices however I have carefully selected pieces that sit within close carat weight & size so they all wear aesthetically the same. These pieces are available to pre-order now, if you would like more information please contact Little Joy here.

I hope you enjoy the new designs, and as normal, feedback is much appreciated at this early stage of the process …. I want to maintain excellence in the journey of this new collection and with viewers and wearers critique this all strengthens the work I produce for you.

Thank you as ever for taking the time to read, I shall share more very soon !!!


STUDIO LIFE

This month has flown by in the studio, I have been so busy talking to new clients about bespoke commissions alongside designing some NEW Little Joy designs!

We have also welcomed new makers work to the studio, “Sjaelv” handcrafted bags, which are handcrafted in Germany by the exceptionally talented, Johanna. After her recent success in the Shop Small Pop Up Shop campaign, I thought best I invite her work, to be on permanent availability here at the Little Joy studio + showroom! Her works now sit alongside a selection of “Roake” Lizzy, brass Hairpins & a selection of beautiful wooden handcrafted products by Thorn & Anchor.

I have been busy this month selecting precious stones from Responsible suppliers in South Africa & Australia. I have carefully selected a range of beautiful diamonds in various cuts & colours for a new body of work I have been concentrating on, suitable for everyday wear alongside some extra special pieces for those bespoke jewellery pieces you have been enquiring about! Due to the nature of the precious stones I have selected, a variety of the designs I shall be making are completely one-off designs, so keep your eyes peeled for updates on new products!

If you should have any special requests or enquires for bespoke designs please get in touch with me as soon as possible. It’s a great time of year for me to select unique stones, and I am so excited with the suppliers, I am currently working with who seem to be able to locate my exact requirements promptly, however times precious as they travel from distant locations so it’s important I source as many precious stones as I can to be prepared for your bespoke desires!

I can’t wait to share with you some new designs! For day to day updates in the studio, please follow me on Instagram @littlejoyjeweller


2020

Happy New year to you all! This January I have been reflecting upon 2019 & developing goal maps for the new year ahead! Each year I set goals for my business, I wish you reach, to help me focus & develop my practice.

I am so grateful for all of your support, without you all I couldn’t be making Little Joy designs become a reality! It seems that buying from independent makers & artists is becoming increasingly more important to the market, and thanks to shop small campaigning & other pop up events, we involve ourselves in, we are so grateful for the support shown to keeping us going!

I am so happy to have the diary all ready filling up with beautiful bespoke commissions for the year ahead, including wedding ring commissions, its all getting vey exciting!
I have been working upon a small selection of completely bespoke designs recently that I shall be sharing in early February, just in time for Valentines & Mothers day!

I have just added the KITE Ring design(no.27) to the shop, as featured in the Curious Wedding Fair Directory 2020.

This completely bespoke Natural Diamond is 1.25ct (8mm x 5.9mm) is handcuff and sits within a simple fine 4 claw design in 9ct Rose Gold. 1.5mm round Gauge Ring tapers toward stone to 1.2mm. It’s highly polished and made to a size L, which is a universal medium UK finger size. This ring can be resized to any specific size requirements on the purchase, at no further cost.

I am really excited to present some new earrings & ring designs to the shop over the next few weeks, including new workshop dates for Spring/ Summer 2020, so you can start planning your relaxing getaway holidays to the Isle of Wight, UK, as soon as possible!

I also wanted to share with you some beautiful photographs from a recent wedding shoot we took part in, by photographers Bamboo Shoots

Venue by: New Barn Farm

Flowers by: The Floral Boutique

Wedding Dress by: Karen Dornellie

I am feeling excited and ready to bring you a wealth of new designs and opportunities to view the collections at a variety of new events we shall be involved in this year! Here we go!!!!!


Made Brighton and Etsy Made Local

We are thrilled to announce we shall be showcasing a range of minimalist fine jewellery and beautiful packages at Made Brighton and Etsy Made Local.  Please see below for more details and remember to put the dates in your diary.

MADE BRIGHTON

22 – 23rd November / 10.30am – 3pm

St Bartholomews’s Church
Ann Street
Brighton
BN1 4GP

WWW.MADEBRIGHTON.CO.UK
Tickets £5 *Available on the door
STAND 25 LITTLE JOY

‘ETSY MADE LOCAL’ FESTIVE MARKET
1st December / 11am – 4pm

The Spark
Solent University
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 0YN

ETSY MADE LOCAL