From Britain with Love

Louise Presley, creator of of Hope & Elvis vintage workshops, is the kind of discerning magpie you wish could accompany you to car boot sales – she just has a knack of finding things and making you look at them in a different light. A broken piece of costume jewellery studded with tiny pearls can be loved again as a brooch, a small floral decorative tile can be born again as a bold ring, and old photographs of people who have long gone can live and not be forgotten, their stories re-imagined in collages.

Located in the grounds of historic Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire, Louise’s studio is rather like an all-you-can-craft buffet where you’ll be inspired to try new things. When I arrived with my friend, we were warmly welcomed with tea and homemade cake and told to have a look around. The studio is vast and every corner holds something to capture the imagination, from vintage postcards to weathered suitcases, glass beads and all manner of materials.

The day began with us all seated around the ‘inspiration table’ where Louise showed us examples of the things she has made and gave us a brief run-through of some of the techniques we would need to know. Louise’s natural energy and enthusiasm ensured that we were all inspired and full of possibilities.

I, of course, decided I wanted to make everything! But first, I chose to start work on a charming kilt pin brooch. Gathering together some vintage bits and pieces I liked the look of, in addition to some vital equipment – a kilt pin, jump rings, chains, head pins (jewellery components are known as ‘findings’) plus cutters and a selection of pliers, I headed back to my table. Not forgetting to pick up another slice of cake…

Gold and silver was to be my theme and I was particularly taken with a necklace that Louise told me had belonged to a lovely lady called Connie and also a locket which still encased two photographs (it felt disrespectful to remove them!) and a small silver charm. Louise told me that when making a pin such as this, balance was vital, otherwise it would be wonky. I spent a lot of time laying out all the pieces before making a final decision.

Once I’d decided which pieces should go where, I attached fragments of chain to the charms and incorporated the beads by threading them onto head pins, then carefully making a loop to secure them onto the kilt pin. This is quite an organic process and while only employing simple techniques, does require a little patience. Louise was kind enough to help me affix a length of chain behind the charms to add further interest. Getting the right tools is essential and so Louise’s studio is a great place to be as she has plenty of equipment on hand.

By lunch time, I’d finished my kilt pin and had also fashioned some earrings to match. I was pretty pleased with myself and so my friend and I headed over to the Lime House Café on site, which serves wholesome and delicious food. We also paid a visit to The Harley Gallery next door to the café, which has a range of exhibitions throughout the year.

During the afternoon, I was keen to try as many things as possible and so experimented with textiles, jewellery and other accessories, including a Flapper-inspired hair comb using feathers, buttons and trim. When it was time to go home, I left with a goody bag full of items I couldn’t wait to wear.

All in all, this is the perfect course for those who love to craft in a way that isn’t prescriptive but allows the imagination to run wild – and Louise is always on hand to help with any technical glitches. I hope that Connie would be pleased with how I’ve reinvented her necklace and see that it’s being loved again.

Resources

To find out more about vintage workshops with Louise Presley at Hope & Elvis, visit www.hopeandelvis.com.

Clare Kelly is a freelance craft journalist and author of the blog http://passthepattern.tumblr.com/.

All images courtesy of Clare Kelly and Anna Rowe.

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