Welcome Vintage Twee's blog!

We specialise in creating beautiful items full of charm and nostalgia for weddings, tea parties, showers and other celebrations.

Whether you're planning a special event or just taking a look around, I hope you enjoy reading our blog and find it of great use and inspiration. We hope to be able to provide an insight into the interesting ideas behind the items we create, post information on our new creations fresh from the studio and inform you of any news we may have to share!

You can also visit our website and online shop to purchase anything you like from our ranges here www.vintagetwee.com

Monday, 27 August 2012

Vintage Twee: Captured!

The height of the wedding season has kept us extremely busy here at Vintage Twee HQ, meaning the blog entries have taken a major backseat – until now! I have received so many lovely thank you emails from brides and customers who I've worked with over the past couple of years which really warms my heart and makes everything worthwhile. It's especially nice when they send me images from their wedding or occasion to show me how my work has been incorporated – an extra nice surprise as it's not often I get to see it once it's left the studio, all tissued and bowed up!

So I thought I would share some of these images with you – to acknowledge the fabulous photographers and companies who have captured these lovely pictures and to also show you the many different ways that these items have been used - for your inspiration! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send me these amazing photos, it is very much appreciated!
 
Eat Me Party Picks by Dave Robbins Photography
Eat Me Party Picks by Dave Robbins Photography
Personalised Cupcake Sticks for The Clever Little Cupcake Company



Holly and Jonny's engagement shoot by Gemma Williams Photography


Love is Sweet Party Picks - wenotme Photography


I Do Party Picks - wenotme Photography


Vintage Paper Rose Place Settings - Elliot Patching Photography 


Literature and Lace Favour Boxes -
Gordon Affleck Photography 


Eat Me Party Picks - St Jude's Cupcakes


Victorian Style Place Settings - KGR Imaging


Vintage Style Table Plan - Shane O Sullivan Photography


I Do Party Picks - not just for cupcakes! Shane O Sullivan Photography
I Do Party Picks - not just for cupcakes! Shane O Sullivan Photography


Love Quote Flags - Shane O Sullivan Photography
Eat Me Party Picks, Teapot Favour Boxes and our new bunting! Foley Photography


Vintage and Lace Table Names - weheartpictures

Vintage Style Cake Menu - weheartpictures

 

Sunday, 25 March 2012

Afternoon Twee with a Slice of Fiori: the photoshoot

I wanted to write this post today to share with you firsthand the most fabulous opportunity that was presented to Vintage Twee on a silver platter a couple of months back. Inspired and facilitated by the wonderful Claire from English Wedding blog, myself and Nia Fiori were introduced to the extremely talented Chris Hanley Photography (and his beautiful riverside studio...) with a view to taking part in a creative photoshoot. The aim: to showcase our brands and capture the true essence of our work in the most inventive way possible!

Now usually being more comfortable BEHIND the camera, Twee and Fiori got together to devise a storyline and set of images which would bring their work to life. Starting with Fiori's infamous doodles over a Starbucks (hold the caramel waffles now there was a prospect of being photographed in sparkly shorts...), the ideas began to flow and a concept was born! Cue the frantic outfit search, prop hunt and multiple plays of America's Next Top Model for tips on how to 'booty tooch'...
Think Jekyll and Hyde. Think work and play. The concept for the shoot was an exaggeration of two sides of two very different characters and work styles.
Vintage Twee: pretty pastels, floral teacups and pearls a-plenty, versus a 1940s inspired composer at work, surrounded by the materials I use daily to create your wedding favours and table décor. 


Nia Fiori: Her burlesque inspired illustrations and stationery were at the heart of her portrayal, as was trying to tempt Twee over to the dark side (and successfully so might I add!) with her trademark cheeky smile and frolics in our weirdly wonderful banquet scene.
  
 
The set was brought to life by the most amazing contributors who we cant thank enough. RedFloral Architecture captured the essence of our characters perfectly through the stunning floral displays, bouquets and candelabras dripping in pearls, feathers and timepieces.
Perfect Days Vintage generously supplied all the vintage china and the fantastic gramophone and Wonderland Cakes baked a special giant Twee cupcake and Fiori tower of pink sponge. The beautiful Bethany Jane Davies of the Vintage Beauty Parlour worked her magic on our hairstyles while the lovely Niern Khiamsap made us up with her fabulous skills in make up artistry.
And as if we weren’t lucky enough, we were also joined by the extremely talented Tony and Sara from Marry Me Films who gave up two days of their time to create us a promotional film which is so unbelievably cool that I watch it at least 5 times a day. Seriously, maybe more. I love it. I have never been called 'cool' in my life but I think I MAY just pull it off in this film thanks to their talent and vision. You can see it in all its glory here.
So here are a few more of the wonderful images captured by Mr Hanley himself (I don't remember how he managed to take half of these angles without me knowing..the man's a genius).
Thank you to everyone involved in this shoot – an opportunity I embraced with open arms having finally realised that all those hours of watching America's Next Top Model would finally pay off. Or as SATC's Carrie Bradshaw would say: 'Stanny, I'm a MODEL!'


 

















Photography: Chris Hanley Photography
Filming: Marry Me Films
Flowers & Styling: Red Floral Architecture
China & Prop Hire: Perfect Days Vintage
Hair: Bethany Jane Davies
Makeup Artist: Neirn Khiamsap (neirn.mua@hotmail.co.uk)
Cakes: Wonderland Cakes
Facilitator and support: English Wedding Blog
Models: Joanne of Vintage Twee & Nia of Nia Fiori

Monday, 12 March 2012

Happy Birthday to Twee!

They say time flies when you're having fun... and as March 09th 2012 saw the 2nd birthday of the fabulous Vintage Twee, never has a statement been so true!


Born out of a creative desire that had been bubbling up for years, Joanne braved the cold, harsh world of business and set about injecting lace, pearls and a spot of tea in to every event she could. It's not easy to start a business in this difficult climate, in fact most "experts" would strongly recommend against it. But as with every growing day, the Vintage Twee brand becomes stronger and stronger with requests coming in from all over the world, it just shows just how a cup of patience, a splash of determination and a big lump of hard work can make a small business leap from a pipe dream in to an emporium of loveliness.

So, what better way to celebrate than with 2 vintage glam filled days with all the fantastic people who've support Joanne and Twee since the humble beginnings? Joanne and Yvonne got the party started with a visit to the Richmond Tea Rooms in Manchester where they enjoyed the signature "Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea". A quirky tea room with a definite theme, it was truly as delicious as it sounds. Presented with slabs of cherry pie and lashings of Earl Grey Tea atop a tipsy table, Ms Alice of Wonderland would have certainly thought it curiouser and curiouser!
















Of course a celebration wouldn't be complete without a fancy 'do and fluttery lashes, so Joanne popped in to see Bethany Jane Davies at the Vintage Beauty Parlour. A favourite supplier of Vintage Twee, the girls often create stunning vintage looks for lots of women. But poor Bethany was unfortunately ill and rather than send Joanne away with untamed tresses, Bethany's colleague Anna stepped in, heated up the rollers and produced some fabulous auburn victory rolls!

Aiming to give her new look a well deserved parade about town, Joanne was joined by the Twee family, who still love to lend a helping hand in the development of the business, and Nia Fiori, where they all tucked in to delicious food at La Belle Epoque in Knutsford. For anyone who hasn't been there, it's an eclectic mix of old world decor and atmospheric French brasserie style- with the most addictive Baked Alaska in history! Plenty of thirst quenching rum and cokes were to follow as Twee and Fiori continued the night long after the elders had retired!


As if that wasn't enough of a celebratory day, Joanne wanted to include everyone she's worked closely with over the last 2 years and the following day held a a cute "Afternoon Twee Party" at Vintage Twee HQ. Attended by Claire, of English Wedding Blog, Katie from Perfect Days Vintage, Nia, of Nia Fiori Designs, Vintage Twee helper Yvonne and the latest recruit on the VT train, Yvonne's little son Joe, there were fluffy cakes, cool lemonade, piping hot tea and lots and lots of conversation. The day was made all the more special with a lovely gift from Claire, who, in her stunning calligraphy art, had made a special plaque to commemorate the occasion.  A totally Twee afternoon made perfect by being able to share it with like-minded gals (and Joe!), thanks to everyone who came and celebrated the beginning of Year 3.

So, now in to the third year of trading Vintage Twee is evolving and growing- world domination is close! A heartfelt thank you to all customers, suppliers, friends and family for their continued support, here's to many more celebrations!

The lovely Claire and Katie aka English Wedding and Perfect Days Vintage!

The amazing plaque from Claire, the wedding calligrapher!

- Personal note from the blogger (aka SisterTwee without the habit)- WELL DONE MY LITTLE SIS!! xx

Saturday, 11 February 2012

There's snow business like the wedding business...

Photo by Foley Photography
Despite the flurry of snowfall last weekend, the aptly named "White Memoirs Vintage Wedding Fair" went ahead at Stockport Town Hall on Sunday, proving that not even forces of nature can stop browsing brides and their love of all things vintage!

Organised by Rachael from The Social Butterfly Events, the fair was the first of its kind to be held at the historic town hall. Joanne and the Vintage Twee stall managed to make it to this local affair in spite of the mountain of snow on her doorstep- and didn't have to resort to tobaganning down the hill she lives on either!

Photo by Foley Photography
 It was great to see and chat to so many individual brides all with some fantastic ideas for their upcoming summer weddings. And Joanne got lots of positive feedback on the new Vintage Garden Range which had it's first public outing at the fair. Comprising of a new display and the recent additions to the Vintage Twee collection, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd just stumbled upon a welcoming afternoon tea party. And with Joanne dressed in a stunning (but hardly thermal) 1950's style dress from Vivien of Holloway and beautiful red peep toe shoes, the Vintage Twee stand really stood out. Also with its debut appearance on the stall was the hand crafted Vintage Twee bunting, cleverly made by the newest member of the team, Yvonne. Assisting Joanne, Yvonne looked beautiful in a floral print dress and cute red cardigan, making sure the Vintage Twee brand resonated throughout the day.
Photo by Foley Photography

There were some fabulous stall holders there, all delivering high quality products and services. Favourites of Vintage Twee included Perfect Days Vintage who offer a fantastic range of vintage china and prop hire, Silver Sixpence in Her Shoe, specialists in bespoke bridal accessories and The Vintage Beauty Parlour where glamorous owner Bethany Jane Davis was kept busy doing demonstrations of her perfectly styled vintage hair do's and classy make up.

Trying not to eat any of the scrumptious array of cakes and scones on their display, Joanne and Yvonne concentrated on showcasing the new bridal rosettes, delicately made from vintage music sheets and perfect for special members of the bridal party as well as talking to brides about how Vintage Twee can custom make items to co-ordinate with colour schemes and themes.

Photo by Foley Photograhy
It was a busy day had by all and by the time the last bride-to-be shuffled out in the cold early evening air, all the stall holders agreed it had been a great day and for Joanne, it was lovely to be part of a fair local to where she grew up. Special thanks go to Amedea and Scott from Foley Photography who were exhibiting too and were kind enough to take the photos of the Vintage Twee stall and items that you see on the blog.

Time to stock up on hot chocolate and homemade cakes ready to do it all again on Sunday 19th Feb at the  the St Georges Hotel in Harrogate for the Vintage Wedding Fair - see you there!


To quote Joanne "it's always summer in Twee Land!"

Thursday, 2 February 2012

A tribute blog to 2 special ladies...

They say that you're lucky if you can recall your earliest memory.. and even if you think you have, how do you know for sure it's your first? Here at Vintage Twee, the one thing owner Joanne and I both remember as clear as day are the trips we used to make to our Great Aunt Ediths house in Yorkshire every month. The inspiration behind the creation of Vintage Twee which is now a firm favourite on the bridal circuit, our wonderful Great Aunt was born on this very day in 1919, making her an amazing 93 years old today. We used to be fascinated by her antique tea trolley, two little girls daintily arranging the vintage china cups and plates, sneakily stealing some of the delicious buttercream from her homemade butterfly cakes, getting ready to serve to anyone who'd let us! Those magical Sundays went by in a blur of good old fashioned hostessing and weren't complete without the delicate sugar bowl, quaint milk jug and lots and lots of floral patterns!
We're lucky to have some inspirational women in our family and Great Aunt Edith is definitely one of them. Persuing her passion to be a nurse, she sacrificed her maternal instincts and focused on helping those who needed it. In the 1940's she'd progressed to becoming a matron and successfully ran wards for 40 fantastic years. She was strict mind you and took no nonense off wayward young nurses hoping for an easy life! In fact, one of her favourite stories to tell is how when she was in charge of the Burns Unit, a little 5 year old boy told her in secret that whenever she was away from the ward, the nurses would help themselves to her best rose design teacups and enjoy lengthy tea breaks! Sure she didn't let them get away with that too lightly... 



Great Auntie Edith- doesn't look 93!
In between being an inspiring matron, the eldest girl of 4 sisters AND a wonderful tea party host, she loved to bake, garden and spend time with her family.  Today, she still lives in Yorkshire but unfortunately suffers from dementia and her previously accurate memory now is somewhat jaded. Randomly she recalls things from 50 years ago as clear as day, living in her own world and believing that all her deceased sisters are still alive. It will be a sad day when we lose this family treasure but until then, we wish her a very happy birthday and a huge thank you for some wonderful childhood memories that led to one little girl finding a passion and turning it in to a successful and enjoyable busines . 

A final note in honour of another charismatic and driven woman in our family, our dearly loved and much missed Grandma, Phyllis. Friday 3rd Feb would have been her 78th birthday and knowing her she wouldn't have stopped for a minute to sit down and rest! She sadly passed away 3 years ago but will always be remembered as a woman who showed us what you can acheive with a lot of hard work, a desire to succeed and a cheeky smile. A business owner until she was too ill to do so, she was a trooper who did what she loved and loved what she did. Rest in Peace, Grandma and happy birthday xxxx







Still popular after 93 years!