Exquisite Eternity: It's all in the detail....

18 CARAT WHITE GOLD & DIAMONDS 

A beautiful and delicate eternity ring, set with 0.33ct of round brilliant cut diamonds in a scalloped egde setting. Beautifully bespoke.

"I am so pleased with my diamond eternity ring. Thank you so much for taking so much care with it. I will look after it for many years to come." Peter & Anne, Cleveland

For more information on please visit www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk

A sneak peek behind the Clover collection mood board...

Take a sneak peek behind the Clover collection mood board......

I  have picked my favourite elements of this beautiful range, inspired by the iconic quatrefoil motif representing the rare four-leaf clover.  Each leaf represents something different - hope, faith, luck and love. 

Click here to discover the CLOVER collection.

An Elegant Eternity

An eternity ring is classed as a band set with a continuous line of gemstones, typically diamonds.  They are designed to be a symbol of everlasting love and to mark memorable events such as anniversaries and the birth of a baby, but they are also gaining popularity as a wedding ring.  I love the idea of adding in a splash of colour - red rubies, blue sapphires, pink sapphires or maybe a particular birthstone.

 18ct yellow gold eternity bands, each channel set with 17 brilliant diamonds

These two beautiful and classic eternity rings were created to mark the 50th anniversary of a delightful lady, Janet. They were designed to be worn either side a striking diamond and ruby ring which was very much a treasured 40th anniversary gift from her late husband. 

For more information on my bespoke design service please visit the website. 

CLOVER: inspiration behind the collection

The Clover collection is inspired by the iconic quatrefoil motif - a legacy of Gothic architecture so often found in cathedrals and churches and which typically dominates Moorish architecture. It is a fascinating shape that seems to transcend time....so ancient and classic but also so modern. 

Each leaf represents something different - hope, faith, luck and love.

The collection has an elegant simplicity and is divided into two distinct ranges - Rose Clover and Gypsy Clover. The Rose Clover range features 18 carat rose gold clover leaves holding a beautiful white diamond in the centre, and is highlighted with inlaid white diamonds to bring each piece to life. The Gypsy Clover range is available in sterling silver and also in 18 carat rose gold vermeil - a heavy layer of 18 carat gold plated on sterling silver - giving a soft and feminine look with a vintage feel.

The decision to make the Gypsy Clover range using 18 carat gold vermeil has been as a reaction to its continuing popularity within the retail jewellery market, and has added a new dimension to the collections. Whilst each piece is comparable to pure gold in appearance and craftsmanship, because the primary composition is sterling silver, the gold vermeil pieces offer a more affordable alternative to the pure gold pieces without compromising the quality of the jewellery.

This stunning collection - including pendants, necklaces, earrings, and  bracelets - is made in the UK one at a time, and because of this variations in the colour of metal are available on request.

For more details of the Clover Collection, visit the website or call 07701 080 615.

Diamonds and Pearls

My lovely and most beautiful friend Annelise, celebrated her marriage to Romesh in June. Unbeknown to Annelise,  Rom had secretly contacted me before the wedding and commissioned me to design and create a pair of earrings  as a gift to be opened on their special day.  The brief was simple - diamonds and pearls - but it was our long standing friendship that was the most useful reference to allow me to narrow down the design intricacies.

These earrings so versatile, and are made so that the pearl can be removed and the diamond hoop worn separately. Beautiful earrings for all occasions, but a perfect accessory for the most important day so far of her life.

"Great work from Catherine Budd Jewellery for designing and producing some lovely pearl earrings for my Bride, and now wife, Annelise. They were much adored on the day and will be forever more."

Annelise looked beyond stunning and Rom was as handsome as ever. The wedding was just beautiful and I wish them both so much love for the future.

Photograph by: www.capture4life.com  

Cat x 

www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/

Perfect Palladium

This wedding ring commissioned by Kirsty is made in palladium. The brief was to design a new wedding ring to replace her husband's yellow gold band...to create something traditional but with a modern twist.   

The wedding ring is a wide band measuring 8mm in width and was designed with a bevelled edge.  I love the subtlety of the brushed finish in the centre of the ring against the high polished edges which accentuates the bevelled design. 

Kirsty chose to have the ring hand engraved  with her name and the date she married her husband, something special as a reminder of their special occasion and to tell part of their life story.

Palladium is becoming increasingly more popular.....

Due to the rising price of gold and platinum in recent years, palladium has become increasingly more popular and has now gained recognition as a precious metal in its own right.  It is a silvery white rare metal, and is part of the platinum family of metals. It is an easy metal to look after, and as it is naturally white like palladium it won't require plating and it does not tarnish. Whilst it has similar properties to platinum it is less dense and is much lighter in weight.  This metal is suitable for a large selection of wedding rings and a particularly good choice for those people wanting a fairly sizable ring but without the heavy weight and the even heavier price tag that platinum commands.

Comments from Kirsty below:

"Catherine, thank you for designing and creating my husband’s wedding ring. I can’t believe how you were able to create something based on our conversations and e-mail without even meeting me face to face! You kept me informed of the progress from start to finish; I can’t thank you enough." 

Kirsty, South Lanarkshire.

For details visit http://www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/

Much love 

Cat x 

Going for Gold: Gold Vermeil Jewellery

No matter what trends come and go, people will never tire of gold. Beautiful, timeless, but expensive.

Whilst gold plate can be cheap, it is not always of good quality and the thin layer of plate can wear off quickly. Gold vermeil is different and provides the durability that is not available from standard gold-plated pieces.

So how does it work?

Ordinary gold plate is simply a thin layer of gold over any base metal. To qualify as 'gold vermeil' on the other hand a piece of jewellery must meet certain criteria. The base metal must be pure sterling silver, the gold layer with which the silver is plated must be at least 10 carat gold, and the layer of gold must be heavy - at least two and a half microns in thickness (gold plate can be as little as half a micron or less).

All my gold vermeil jewellery bears the hallmark for Sterling Silver and is heavy plated to a minimum of 2.5 microns with 18 carat gold. Nothing less.

Using gold vermeil for some of my jewellery means each piece is comparable to pure gold in appearance and craftsmanship, but offers a more affordable alternative to the pure gold pieces without compromising the quality.

Care of gold vermeil jewellery...

Whilst gold vermeil is heavily plated with gold, if you’ve owned your gold vermeil jewellery for some time and worn & loved it lots, you may find that over time it will need to be re-plated in gold. To minimise the wear of gold vermeil be careful to not shower or swim while wearing it, and be careful with hairspray, perfume, cosmetics, and lotions on your jewellery, or anything that may cause abrasion.  If you must clean your gold vermeil jewellery, use a very soft cloth or gentle hand soap and water. Don't use tarnish remover or jewellery polish as the abrasives & chemicals will strip the gold layer more quickly.

Catherine Budd Jewellery offers one complimentary re-plating to customers who have bought a gold vermeil piece. If you would like to have your piece re-plated, please contact me.  

One of a kind engagement ring - aquamarine treasure

Lisa and Rich are avid Scuba Divers  and spend most of their spare time running 'Dive South' a scuba diving club in Dorset. Lisa particularly loves nothing more than being under the water so there was no surprise that the brief was to create an engagement ring that was inspired by the sea, whilst at the same time ensuring the design  was elegant and delicate, but not too fussy or overly embellished with diamonds.

After some initial discussions, designs and a couple of adjustments we had it narrowed down to this. A striking asymmetric platinum ring set with a faceted sea-blue aquamarine and delicate accents of white diamonds.

This ring is special to me, not only because it is a beautiful and interesting design,   but because I met some wonderful people who have since become my friends.  And true to form, the proposal was not only wonderful, it was underwater, and I was lucky enough to be there to share it!

For further details, to arrange a design consultation or to purchase a piece of jewellery please visit my website or contact me on 07701 080 615.

Cat x 

A jewellery box essential...

Diamond stud earrings are a jewellery box essential. They are a timeless classic.  An elegant yet simple style of earring that hold a special place in the heart of most women. 

The brief from my client was to design the earrings to hold a half carat diamond in a bezel setting. To allow lots of light to enter the diamond and maximise its sparkle, the design featured 'light spaces' at the sides of the collet and underneath the earring base.

As with any diamond purchase, we discussed the 4 C’s of a diamond - the cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, and selected a pair of the most suitable, and best quality diamonds at an affordable price.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing and making diamond earrings is the match. Both diamonds should be as close as possible in terms of size, cut, clarity, and colour so they appear to be identical. No two diamonds are ever completely alike so it is important to source matching pairs which were most similar.

These earrings are made in 18ct yellow gold, and the total diamond weight is just over 1 carat.

Diamond stud earrings can be made to any specification. Prices start from £400.

For further details see www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk

Much love

Cat  ©

A perfect wedding and engagement ring match...

Having personally designed this two stone engagement ring, Sam and Steve contacted me about designing a wedding ring to fit the shape.  The brief was something delicate. A wedding ring to enhance the shape of the engagement ring rather than detract from it.  After some preliminary sketches, we narrowed the design down to a beautiful platinum band delicately curving around the shape of the engagement ring with crossover detail in the centre. 

Getting Sam to part with her engagement ring was no mean feat and took some gentle coaxing but it was important to have the engagement ring to use as a guide from which to make the wedding ring, and to ensure the angles and lines were precise. It didn't take long though and within a week we had the exact shape from which to work on, and Sam was reunited with her beloved engagement ring.

Thefinished piece. The design is beautiful, the finish excellent and the fit against the engagement ring is superb.

The wedding took place July 21st 2012 at Culeaze House in Dorset.  It was a warm, sunny July day with the most magnificent blue sky.

To Steve and Sam, thank you for sharing your big day with me. I wish you a vast amount of congratulations as well as an eternity of happiness together!

Much love

Cat ©

http://www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/index.html

Have you ever thought about having a piece of jewellery commissioned?

There is something so romantic and utterly special about a piece of beautiful jewellery that has been designed especially for you....

This year has been so exciting with the launch of the 'Crown Collection' but I also have a growing number of clients for whom I have designed unique and one-off pieces of bespoke jewellery - engagement rings, wedding rings, wedding rings to curve and shape around irregular shaped engagement rings, eternity rings, earrings, pendants....

Being a jewellery designer, I love working on commissioned pieces. To me, it is all about understanding you and your individuality, so that together we create a piece of jewellery to match your style, personality and your budget. Classic or contemporary, bold or understated, it is all about designing a piece which is right for you.

A selection of one-off creations 

Typically I visit each of my clients for a design consultation in the comfort of their own home - alleviating the need to trudge up and down a high street from one jeweller to another. There is no charge for a design consultation, and if you decide my service is not right for you it's fine to just walk away.

Commissioning a piece of fine jewellery is about having fun and enjoying the process. 

Every person is different. Some people have quite clear ideas about what they want and if this is the case I will work with you to bring your ideas to life as a practical design. If you haven't decided on exactly what you would like, or have absolutely no idea at all I will talk about jewellery styles, perhaps draw inspiration from things you are passionate about, favourite colours, family heirlooms, or aspects of your life to find a design that is right. However much or little creative input you would like to have, I always make sure that through my knowledge and understanding of both the aesthetics of design and the practical limitations of jewellery construction, that the piece is not only beautiful but that it actually works from a technical point of view. This is important. Some ideas look great in your head but won't work when translated into a 3-dimensional structure!

2D technical drawing of a bezel set engagement ring 

As the design develops, I will explain all that there is to know about different metals, diamonds and precious gemstones, so that you can make decisions and choose what is right for you, with confidence and at a price that suits you, your lifestyle and your budget.

You may worry that you can't picture what the finished piece will look like. Don't fear. With the help of design sketches and particularly with the use of CAD software, it's possible to actually see a 3D render of your finished piece before it is actually made - which is a fantastic option if you aren't very good at imagining what the finished piece will look like. I also have a collection of jewellery which whilst not intended as a 'catalogue' for clients to choose from, are to give a taste of the jewellery I create, the quality of workmanship, and to also serve as points of reference when discussing what you really want.

3D CAD images of a bezel set engagement ring

Many people think that bespoke jewellery will cost the earth. Think again..... I always strive to give the best possible value for money, regardless of how much you decide to spend - part of the meaning of good design is knowing how to produce beautiful results within a specified budget. And if a particular design is going to cost more than your budget allows, it is more than likely that I can find a way of doing a very similar design, that is to your budget. This is the beauty of bespoke design - changing the quality or type of stone, or perhaps a simple design change could considerably alter the time it takes to make, the materials, and hence the price.

The finished piece - made with white gold and set with a 0.50ct diamond 

Bespoke jewellery and good design should be accessible to everyone.

So next time you are thinking about buying a piece of jewellery....why not consider commissioning a bespoke piece and create something as beautiful and unique as you are?

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a design consultation, please contact me.

Much love

Cat ♥

www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk

A Jewel in the Crown: The Crown Collection

Spring 2012 has been really exciting for me with the launch of my fine jewellery range ...the 'Crown Collection'.  This is the first collection for Catherine Budd Jewellery and I have been thrilled with the response so far.   

Made from 18 carat gold with delicate accents of diamonds, The Crown Collection is a classic and elegant range which was inspired by the shape and form of the vintage tiara, and marks the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.  The collection features an engagement ring, a choice of wedding rings and an eternity ring, which fit together perfectly, creating a stylish and intricate look.

Dating back centuries and reflecting eras of fashion decadence, some of the most stunning tiara's have been worn by Royal Queens and Princesses.  Queen Elizabeth II is said to have the largest collection of these fascinating jewelled headpieces in the world, which have been passed down from generation to generation as treasured and precious heirlooms.

Considered by many to be one of the most important pieces of jewellery worn on the most important of occasions, the tiara is often associated with weddings and believed to symbolise the loss of innocence and the triumph of love.  Each ring is available in 18 carat white, rose or yellow gold and can be set with white diamonds, coloured diamonds or precious gemstones.

For details, visit www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk, contact info@catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk or call 07701 080 615.

Much love

Cat x

I *LOVE* MY JOB

I admit that I am one of those exceedingly annoying people who can hand on heart say "I love my job".  I mean love it.  Really love it.  Whilst I admit that getting out of a cosy warm bed is sometimes horrendous, I can honestly say that I am glad I do what I do, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to work in an industry as rewarding and as interesting as I find it.

I get to design and create the most beautiful pieces of fine jewellery.  I look at diamonds every day, and work with the most interesting of precious gemstones.  Being so passionate about jewellery, you can imagine what an absolute joy it is to see a design evolve on paper and ultimately become a wonderful creation for someone to treasure.

And it is not only this.  All the clients I talk to during my day, are happy.  The reason we are meeting is truly special - an engagement, marriage, anniversary, birth of a child, birthday, or just a well-deserved treat - and it is an honour to be involved in these precious moments and occasions. I have even been part of a heart-stoppingly wonderful proposal © (you know who you are) which was an amazing privilege and a memory I will treasure.

I admit I really do have to frequently stop myself from talking friends and family to death about all things fine jewellery related.  Imagine the excitement I have when I meet with my clients and we can chat about jewellery until my heart's content. It's is like a dream come true for me!  From discussing the technical aspects of the 4 C's to the fun bits of trying things on, I love nothing more than looking at diamonds and gemstones that make you go "oooooooh", and coming up with jewellery designs that make you go "aaaaaaah".

Pieces of jewellery are special. The reasons for which they are worn are special. And the people who wear them are special.  How could I not love what I do?

I hope this week is good to you all.

Much love

Cat ©

http://www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/

Easter Eggs for the Rich and Famous...

If you ask me what comes to mind first when I think of Russia, I am a little ashamed to say that it isn't necessarily the architecture, the Kremlin, the ballet, the Matryoshka dolls, or even the vodka (..sorry!).  It is in fact the Eggs.  The iconic Fabergé eggs to be exact. 

I have a fascination with these beautiful jewel-encrusted Easter presents given between 1885 and 1916 to two Tsarinas, Marie and Alexandra, by their respective husbands, Tsar Alexander III and his son Tsar Nicholas II.

It is hard to say which, out of the 50 exquisite and extraordinary artefacts, designed by the legendary Carl Fabergé, is  my favourite.  But I think that I may have to say the 4 inch-high 1900 Trans-Siberian Railway egg, made of platinum, rose-cut diamonds, rubies and rock crystal.  It really is extraordinary and contains a perfect miniature clockwork replica of the train and its five carriages – one for mail, ladies only, smoking, non-smoking and chapel.  It even comes complete with ruby brake light on the rear fender. Just incredible!

It all started in the late 17th century when the Fabergé family fled persecution in France and settled in St Petersburg where they became official jewellers to the imperial family.  In 1885, Czar Alexander III commissioned Peter Carl Fabergé to craft an exquisite Easter egg for his wife, Empress Maria Fedorovna. The gift was a hit, and Fabergé went on to produce 50, what are now known as the Imperial Easter eggs, each of which contained a surprise inside.   

The fate of the clutch of the Imperial Easter Eggs is just as fascinating as the Russian history of that period.  The decline and fall of the Romanov Empire, the assassination of Tsar Alexander II, the Russian revolution of 1917 and the massacre a year later of the entire imperial family and their servants in a Yekaterinburg cellar all reads like an opera and is impossibly dramatic and intriguing.  Over the years the Imperial Eggs were variously lost, dispersed, hidden, smuggled, sold and faked and only 42 of the original 50 exist today. A story featured in The Guardian tells of the American oil billionaire Armand Hammer, who in the 1930's was paid by Stalin for his services as a Soviet agent in Fabergé eggs.  He later sold these on to collectors such as King Farouk and Malcolm Forbes.

Worth millions, most people love these exquisite eggs while a few I am sure see them as nothing more than a frivolous indulgence of a decadent monarchy.  Whatever your thoughts on them, there is no denying that each egg is not only a fragile memento of the doomed Russian dynasty but an extraordinary and absolutely amazing artistic masterpiece.

Happy Easter to you all!

Much love 

Cat x

Pick the Perfect Diamond...

Purchasing a diamond can test the nerves of even the most astute buyer – but what do you look for? What makes one diamond worth more than another?

To understand why two diamonds of the same size are completely different prices, here is a simple guide to the essentials of diamond grading.

A diamond's value is based on the quality of its Cut, Clarity, Colour and it's weight, measured in Carats.  These are affectionately known as 'The 4 C's".

CUT

For a diamond to sparkle most brilliantly, the proportions and angles of the cut stone need to be precise to reflect the maximum amount of light back out and achieve what is known as 'total internal reflection'. This may not be the case if it has been cut too deep or too shallow. If a diamond doesn't catch your eye or if it doesn't flash in the light, it's probably not well cut. Good cutting is what brings fire to the ice.

CLARITY

Diamonds are mostly pure carbon, but during crystallisation other minerals can become trapped in the cooling rock. These impurities known as 'inclusions' show up as the various characteristics that affect the clarity of a diamond. Clarity is measured on a scale ranging from pure (flawless) to heavily included (I-3). The visibility of inclusions and blemishes that can be seen by an experienced grader under 10X magnification in good lighting sets the stone’s clarity, and the actual clarity grade is determined by the number, nature, position, size and colour of the inclusions.

COLOUR

The most sought after diamond is one where no colour is evident at all.

Diamonds are graded on the colour ranging from no colour at all (D) to deeply tinted yellow/brown (Z). Beyond "Z" is where the diamond's colour is no longer a 'tint' but an actual colour which is vivid and rich. These are called "fancy coloured diamonds" and are breathtakingly beautiful and rare.

CARAT

Carat is a gemstone’s unit of weight. It’s equivalent to 0.2 grams and is divided into one hundred points, so a diamond measuring 75 points is 3/4 carat in weight, or 0.75ct. The unit was devised in the States in 1913, its name coming from the carob seed, used by early traders as counterweights to measure precious gems.

So, when deciding  to buy a diamond, keep in mind the 4 C's as a factor of buying consideration.  I always ensure my clients are totally informed about these features and actually observe the differences by looking at real diamonds of different quality grades.  It is important to work out which quality is of greatest importance to you personally, and then to be guided in selecting the diamond that will hold the greatest value and sentiment for your budget.

I hope this week is good to you all.

Much love 

Cat ¨

http://www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/ 

Aquamarine is for March...

Happy birthday March babies! The beautiful aquamarine gemstone is your birthstone. It is also recognised as the gift for anniversary number 18, or even an 18th birthday. 

Aquamarine is the blue-green variety of Beryl, which is the same gem family that includes Emerald.   

It's colour ranges from pale blue to greenish-blue to deep blue, and is determined by trace amounts of iron in the crystal structure.  A saturated deep blue is typically the most desired colour.

Aquamarine in Latin means "water of the sea". Legend says that it was Neptune's gift to the mermaids and it was originally found in a mermaids treasure chest. It holds the power to keep sailors safe at sea and guard against storms.

Aquamarine is also said to promise a long and happy marriage and due to the colour, can of course also be the bride's 'something blue'!  Aquamarine is a fascinatingly beautiful gemstone, loved by many it for its beautiful blue shades reminiscent of the sea, which can complement almost any skin or eye colour.

Tip: clean with a luke-warm mild soapy solution, and use a soft toothbrush to gently clean around the stone where dirt can collect.

Happy birthday to all March babies.....

Much love

Cat ♥

http://www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/

Leap Year Love ♥

Today is the extra day of a leap year, the 29th February, and is when the conventional proposal process is reversed.

Some may see today as a prism of opportunity whilst others see it as a day to be feared.  Whatever you think, today is the day that women are meant to feel that they can propose to a man, without fear of being branded forward, desperate or any other such concepts. 

Curiously, according to Wikipedia, it was law imposed by 5 year old Queen Margaret of Scotland in 1288, that required fines to be levied if a marriage proposal was refused by the man; compensation ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown, in order to soften the blow. I think I'd rather the silk gown to soften the blow of rejection!

In Denmark, the tradition is that women may propose in a leap year on February 24th, and that refusal must be compensated with 12 pairs of gloves, whilst in Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky. 

And if you’re not a woman pondering a proposal, and have no plans on getting caught up in the matrimonial mayhem, you might prefer to think of your leap day as a quadrennial gift - a free 24 hours that exists outside our normal routine - a free day to do something a little bit different and to try something that you wouldn't normally do....

Are you planning to propose today?

Much love

Cat ♥

Love is.....

All around the world people are celebrating Valentine's Day with gifts and going to any extent to prove their undying love towards their partner. For some, today is all about red roses, cupids and hearts, however, for others the mere thought of the customary onslaught of romance sends them into a cold sweat.  Statistics say that one billion cards are sent on Valentine’s Day each year, and whether you love it or loathe it, February 14th continues to be a key date in the diary. 

In honour of St Valentine I wanted to share one of the most remarkable love stories, originally published in The Telegraph in January 2008....

Just 3 days after Boris and Anna Koslov married in 1946 they had to say goodbye to one another.  Boris was a soldier in Russia’s Red Army and had to return to his military unit. Anna stayed and patiently waited for  Boris to come back to her.

Sadly this was not meant to be. Under Stalin's brutal regime,  Anna and her family had been declared enemies of the state and were sent into exile in Siberia. Anna threatened to commit suicide rather than go, as she couldn't bear the idea of living without Boris by her side. But she was forced to go and had no chance to contact her husband.

When Boris returned home from his military expedition, he found the house empty. Anna was gone and there was no trace of her. 

Boris spent years searching for Anna, but never found her. Over the years, both Boris and Anna remarried other people, and had children. But they never forgot about one another.  Boris became a writer and when he wrote his first book, he dedicated it to Anna.

As the years went by, Boris and Anna’s respective spouses passed away. In 2007, Anna, decided to go back to her original home village to visit the house she and Boris lived in after their wedding. Now an elderly woman, she had never forgotten about that magical time with the love of her life. 

In a remarkable twist of fate, the town received another long-lost visitor on that very same day – an 80-year-old man who had come to lay flowers at his parents’ gravestone. Stepping out of his car, he spotted a familiar face across the road - Anna's.   He approached her and they recognised each other. All the feelings that were once there between them came back. The time had done nothing to destroy the bond they had and they fell in love with each other all over again.

 Despite 60 years passing, Anna and Boris got married again. "Since we found each other again, I swear we haven’t had a single quarrel. We’ve been parted for so long and who knows how much is left for us, so we just don’t want to lose time on arguing.”

Isn’t that just amazing?

In Finland, Valentine's Day is called "Ystävänpäivä" which translates into "Friend's day"....a day more about remembering your friends, not only your loved ones.

So..... "Happy Friend's Day!".  I hope this week is good to you all. 

Much love

Cat ♥

www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk

A Weekend of Wedding Show Fun! ♥

This weekend has been a busy one and has been all about weddings at the BIC Wedding Show 2012.  It was my first time exhibiting at a wedding show and it was a really great way to meet brides, their girlfriends, sisters, mums, dads, and even some brave boyfriends who ventured in!  Being a 3-day event, and the largest wedding exhibition on the South Coast,  I didn't think this show was a bad one to start with!

There were so many lovely brides at the show and it was really interesting to learn all about their wedding plans  and especially to hear their thoughts on wedding rings. Traditionally wedding rings were always plain bands - a circle of metal with no beginning and no end which symbolises 'eternity'. Nowadays more and more brides are now choosing to have even more sparkle to compliment their engagement ring and diamond set wedding bands are becoming so popular. It was also great to see that so many guys are keen to wear a ring and get involved in the design :-) 

With over 130 exhibitors there were lots of things to see, but for me, the Nomad Food and Flowers stand really stood out, and was full to the brim with fantastical loveliness, vintage inspired gorgeousness, sea shells, candles and the most delicious and delectable brownies ever.  The stand was very busy, all of the time - a reflection of how popular Nomad are..and of course the brownies probably helped!

On the Catherine Budd Jewellery stand, lots of people put their name down to win the bottle of Rosé Bollinger...why wouldn't you!?  

It's the official champagne of the royal household and if it's good enough for royalty,  it's definitely good enough for us! Something a little bit special that perhaps you wouldn't normally buy yourself, it will make a decadent drink on a special occasion....or in fact on any occasion....as Lily Bollinger famously said.....

"I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and I drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it - unless I’m thirsty."

And, if you don't drink, it would be an ideal gift for friends and family members who have helped and supported you in the lead up to your big day. A lucky winner will be chosen at random this week.....watch this space!

So , after feeling like the BIC was my second home this weekend, having plenty of fun and making lots of new friends,  I have to say that I really enjoyed the show and am already looking forward to the Wedding Show at Lulworth Castle on February 26th. I would highly recommend Brides take time out to visit the event - if you're not based in Dorset, why not make a trip of it with your best friend and stop over night near the sea? :-)

Wishing you all a happy Monday and I hope this week will be good for you.

Much love

Cat ♥


www.catherinebuddjewellery.co.uk/