Storm in a Teacup is an amazing online boutique that sells handmade jewellery all made, packaged, and personalised by one person; Jennifer. The online piece of magic is one of The Dressing Rooms favourite and we were delighted when Jennifer agreed to do an interview. Enjoy...
How long has Storm in a Teacup been running? And what's the story behind the name?
It started as a hobby when I started handmaking pieces for my friend's birthdays and I'd do craft events for fun. That started in September 2008 but it wasn't until a year later in September 2009 that I took the plunge, leaving my career of 9 years to pursue the jewellery full time. Prior to this I worked in Post-Production in Soho.
Ever since my teens I always used to think I'd open up a little tea and cake shop and name it Storm in a Teacup. When I started making jewellery as a hobby I thought it would tie in nicely with this fictional tea and cake shop so I used the same name I'd always had in my head. I didn't realise I would love the jewellery making so much and that it would completely overtake my desire for a tea and cake shop!
Is jewellery something you have always been passionate about?
I think so. I remember my first attempts when I was very young, adding bright neon beads to shoelaces to make those classic necklaces in the 1980s! I loved how you could re-use the same few clothes and make them into totally different outfits with just a change of jewellery or make up. My favourite thing to do when I was young was ask my mum to show me her jewellery box. She was an air stewardess in the 1970s and had stories for all the pieces she had collected from different countries on her travels - amazing beaded pieces from Africa and my favourite ring from the middle east. But I was most in love with her loaded charm bracelet and the stories that went with each charm that a family member had bought her on each birthday.
Do you believe there is a lot to be said about a person from the jewellery they are wearing?
Definitely to a certain extent. I know personally I change my mind so often that I often don't have a particular 'look' so I know you can't always tell someone's specific style from their jewellery but you can definitely see brilliant glimpses into personality! Some people manage to effortlessly channel that classic, less-is-more look, the kind of chic appearance you see in a lot of European cities with one statement piece really bringing an outfit together. And some people are really adventurous and don't mind sharing that - they'll use as many colours and textures as possible, wear giant, oversized pieces and generally have fun with it. I love to do different things with my jewellery like using brooches to rouche up t-shirt sleeves or decorate a head scarf oand also layer up 4 necklaces at the same time.
How would you sum up your collection of jewellery?
I would say the style is fairly varied in that it includes both pretty, floral and feminine pieces as well as pieces with bold, bright colours, gothic style skulls and also some unisex pieces.
And although they are handmade I think they are all very wearable and affordable and that's the important bit for me. I hope people feel like they can covet an item they see on my site, know that they can afford it and can have it and still be excited when they receive it.
Is it hard doing this alone? or does it make it more rewarding?
Yep it's just me! Though my boyfriend gave me a lot of help for which I am very grateful! It is tricky and there are never enough hours in the day but the buzz is huge! I went from working in a huge team in my old job to working alone and it took me by surprise how long it took to get things done when you have to do each process yourself. From photographing new designs and creating the web code for new items on my website to sourcing new supplies, researching craft events and applying for them and generally keeping on top of the huge volume of correspondence and paperwork. But I absolutely love it and the job satisfaction is huge! Customers have been so kind and often take the time to write to me when they're happy with their items and that just absolutely makes my day. You don't care that you're working until 10 or 11 most evenings when it's your own little business because you just want to give it the best you possibly can. My favourite bit is still hand wrapping each order I send out - I love it!
Could you tell me a little bit about your vintage range?
I'm always looking out for any old pieces I can use and breathe new life into and so far they have ranged from the 1950s through to the 1980s. We all love to feel we're wearing someting a bit unique and with a bit of a story to it and the vintage pieces do just that. I find old componants in all sorts of places and find out as much as I can about them before making a new item from them. I always give buyers as much detail as I can on my website about each piece, what period it was from and what country if I know. And due to the nature of these componants being old and having been dispersed over the years and me therefore coming across them in just single numbers or small batches I can rarely make my vintage designs in runs or more than 1 or 2 so that makes them feel that little bit more special. I'm really excited about some 1970s pieces that I recently made into copper bracelets - I need to get them photographed and uploaded asap before I end up wanting to keep one!
Finally, could you pick three of your favourite items from your collection?
My personal favourite is the "Helen" necklace as I wear that one almost every day. It literally goes with everything and suits all body shapes, all hair lengths, all seasons and all looks, day or night. It hangs at a really flattering length and is long enough to slip over the head without faffing with a clasp, it looks amazing layered alongside other necklaces and I just love it!
I'm really proud of the "Emma" multi-way tie. It's probably my most popular item and that's possibly because of it's versatility, not just with the range of colours it comes in but because it's long enough to wear tied around the head, the neck, wound around the wrist or wrapped around a bun or ponytail. Its a life saver in summer festival season when you just need to tidy an unwashed fringe out of your face on the 3rd and final day!
The last one is a toughie! I was going to say the "Death Becomes Them" earrings because they're just so eye catching and look surprisingly gorgeous with an evening dress, not just jeans but I know skulls aren't to everyone's taste so I think I'll go for the "Eye of the Tiger" ring because it's brand new and is definitely my favourite at the moment. The stone has a really unusual and bold pattern, it really catches the light and the colours sit gorgeously against the gold of the lovely wide ring band. It's not too much though and I think it looks gorgeous paired with this season's delicate lace and crochet looks
GO TO WWW.STORMTEACUP.CO.UK NOW!!!!!
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