Tell me a little about yourself?
My name is Erika and I have a blog called Eclectic Enchantments. I am also the owner of Eclectic Enchantments the bespoke jewellery shop, where i design and create handmade pieces of jewellery. I am happily married to Mick and we live in West Yorkshire with our black Labrador Hendrix, the cheekiest but loveliest little dog on the planet.
When and why did you start blogging?
In August 2013 I decided to start blogging as a way to encourage myself to not allow my illnesses control the life that I live. For nine years I have been unwell and I wanted to try and address my confidence issues and give my life a purpose other than being ill. It was really just for me, I didn't even consider that other people might read and even enjoy what I was writing.
Have you always been interested in jewellery?
Yes. I have always been interested in my own kind of fashion, not necessarily mainstream and jewellery has always been a way to express individuality. I have always been a crafter in one form or another, since I can remember. I made the shell covered jewellery boxes, perfume from roses and water in a pop bottle, down to knitting and crocheting with my Little Nana.
I love making things, be it dressmaking, scrap booking, card making and so on, but when I discovered, just over a year ago, the world of jewellery making, a love affair began and my passion grew uncontrollably. Now there is no turning back, I am without a doubt in love with creating pieces of art for people to wear.
Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery you own?
That is a difficult question! I have a lot of jewellery and some very sentimental pieces. I wouldn't be able to pick just one!
The first of my favourites is made from one of the most incredibly interesting forms of jewellery making and is called Chainmaille. It is the same technique used by knights in medieval times to make their armour, only this is used to create beautiful unique pieces of jewellery. I am also a fan of history and one of my favourite periods is Ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egypt combined with Chainmaille and the beautiful gemstone, Lapis Lazuli, (reported to be used by Cleopatra herself, who would crush the stone into a powder and apply it as eyeshadow), creates my first favourite piece an Egyptian Collar in copper.
I also have five pieces of jewellery that are extremely important to me and mean an awful lot.
I have a tiny brooch made of glass stones that is fashioned into an ant. It was bought for my grandmother, (she passed away when my Mum was 12), by my Mum and then handed down to me.
The next is a set of pearls that my Mum gave to me, they were a present from my Dad many years ago and are beautiful ivory pearls on gold.
I also have a rosewood rosary that was bought for my by a Nun, Sister Francis, to whom I was very close as a child. She went on a pilgrimage and returned with this for me. It hangs over my dressing table mirror and reminds me of her kindness everyday.
The final piece is something given to me very recently by my friend Lynne. Her Mum sadly passed away last year and Lynne found a brooch that belonged to her Nan in a jewellery box. The brooch is Art Deco and stunning, something I will treasure.
How did your jewellery shop develop?
After people saw my jewellery I started to get lovely comments and lots of encouragement to start selling pieces. I honestly did not think that people would be interested, much like my blog. So, I started to look into selling and eventually I found the courage to give it a try and will be forever grateful to my husband, parents and friends for their support and encouragement.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are simple, I would just love to continue making jewellery and hopefully if people enjoy what I make they might buy a few pieces, enabling me to buy more supplies and make more jewellery. It is a true passion and I can't imagine not making jewellery.
What do you think about Erika's jewellery? I love the handmade look, it can be striking and you know that no one else will have a piece like it.
My name is Erika and I have a blog called Eclectic Enchantments. I am also the owner of Eclectic Enchantments the bespoke jewellery shop, where i design and create handmade pieces of jewellery. I am happily married to Mick and we live in West Yorkshire with our black Labrador Hendrix, the cheekiest but loveliest little dog on the planet.
Bracelet and earrings made by Erika
In August 2013 I decided to start blogging as a way to encourage myself to not allow my illnesses control the life that I live. For nine years I have been unwell and I wanted to try and address my confidence issues and give my life a purpose other than being ill. It was really just for me, I didn't even consider that other people might read and even enjoy what I was writing.
Have you always been interested in jewellery?
Yes. I have always been interested in my own kind of fashion, not necessarily mainstream and jewellery has always been a way to express individuality. I have always been a crafter in one form or another, since I can remember. I made the shell covered jewellery boxes, perfume from roses and water in a pop bottle, down to knitting and crocheting with my Little Nana.
I love making things, be it dressmaking, scrap booking, card making and so on, but when I discovered, just over a year ago, the world of jewellery making, a love affair began and my passion grew uncontrollably. Now there is no turning back, I am without a doubt in love with creating pieces of art for people to wear.
Tiara made by Erika
Do you have a favourite piece of jewellery you own?
That is a difficult question! I have a lot of jewellery and some very sentimental pieces. I wouldn't be able to pick just one!
The first of my favourites is made from one of the most incredibly interesting forms of jewellery making and is called Chainmaille. It is the same technique used by knights in medieval times to make their armour, only this is used to create beautiful unique pieces of jewellery. I am also a fan of history and one of my favourite periods is Ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egypt combined with Chainmaille and the beautiful gemstone, Lapis Lazuli, (reported to be used by Cleopatra herself, who would crush the stone into a powder and apply it as eyeshadow), creates my first favourite piece an Egyptian Collar in copper.
Egyptian collar
I have a tiny brooch made of glass stones that is fashioned into an ant. It was bought for my grandmother, (she passed away when my Mum was 12), by my Mum and then handed down to me.
The next is a set of pearls that my Mum gave to me, they were a present from my Dad many years ago and are beautiful ivory pearls on gold.
I also have a rosewood rosary that was bought for my by a Nun, Sister Francis, to whom I was very close as a child. She went on a pilgrimage and returned with this for me. It hangs over my dressing table mirror and reminds me of her kindness everyday.
The final piece is something given to me very recently by my friend Lynne. Her Mum sadly passed away last year and Lynne found a brooch that belonged to her Nan in a jewellery box. The brooch is Art Deco and stunning, something I will treasure.
How did your jewellery shop develop?
After people saw my jewellery I started to get lovely comments and lots of encouragement to start selling pieces. I honestly did not think that people would be interested, much like my blog. So, I started to look into selling and eventually I found the courage to give it a try and will be forever grateful to my husband, parents and friends for their support and encouragement.
Jasper ladder weave bracelet made by Erika
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are simple, I would just love to continue making jewellery and hopefully if people enjoy what I make they might buy a few pieces, enabling me to buy more supplies and make more jewellery. It is a true passion and I can't imagine not making jewellery.
What do you think about Erika's jewellery? I love the handmade look, it can be striking and you know that no one else will have a piece like it.
