Frilly Industries

Frilly Industries make illustrative quirky jewellery for obsessive people from their studio in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter in the UK.

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I’m happy being a homebody! My cats are loving it! The biggest challenge is not being able to sample all the new and old ideas that are sitting there waiting to be made. A request for some suckers prompted me to cut that file that’s been sitting drawn from a few valentines ago. 🍭 It was a way to feel productive and fresh whilst saying bye to the studio for the foreseeable future and pack up some more things to bring home. I also cut the ones with the valentines appropriate text too! 💖 Seeing them like this makes me feel like I’ve made delicious cookies. 🍪 🍪 I plan to attempt gluten free creme egg duffins later so wish me luck! https://bit.ly/2y8cQH7

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A while ago I fell in love with the symptons of awesome friendships - co-ord clothing!! ⠀ ⠀ It took me back to twinning outfits with my oldest BFF @cluttermaz ⠀ ⠀ That train in the background was the one I was meant to be on. Platforms had changed and I hadn’t realised cause I was too busy taking this picture of true BFFs. It made me think about real life vs online. I started on this long post and then never finished or shared it. Here it is:⠀ ⠀ There are so many motivational and inspirational accounts online, it’s easy for people to replace real life friendships with an online tribe that makes them feel a little less alone. ⠀ ⠀ This is no bad thing. However, the weight of responsibility that falls on the shoulders of those that lead that life is huge. I’m not sure everyone this lands on is equipped or qualified for the weight of that - whether you’re a young youtuber sharing your life and others find meaning in that or you’re emailing self care tips. ⠀ In person interactions with people that know you will always be able to share wisdom, tell you when you need extra help and be honest even if you don’t want to hear it or choose to ignore it.⠀ ⠀ So here we are and the world has changed and that real life connectivity and physicality is dangerous for our health. We’re adapting and increasing our digital lives but all I can think about is a film called ‘Five Feet Apart’ I watched before the coronapocalpyse that reflected upon the human need for contact.⠀ ⠀ Let’s stay safe people! The whole world may be making everything more digital but let’s not loose ourselves in it and remember to connect more actively with friends and family than ever before, all be it online. Be firm and let’s not forget how to hug for when all this over! https://bit.ly/3afCrvU

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It’s crazy times! Rejigging all of the work, tackling those jobs that have forever been on the to do list but haven’t quite managed to get round to. Hopefully there are some pros to isolation. I’m hoping to find time to dedicate to upskilling and practice my digital and lofi drawing. Creating more than just new jewellery designs but increasing my confidence in other mediums. Obviously doing this with flying kitties that like to head nudge laptops shut and keyboard disrupt is an extra level of challenge! This rad kitty is by @suflanda who is an incredible artist! She gave me my ‘GO BIG’ catzilla and I’d love to win this original kitty illustration. Let’s keep fingers crossed! We all need a win or two at the moment! #klubhauskatze http://bit.ly/3aXLcuC

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Craft builds community! I’m super proud of my creative peers and indie biz mates who have proactively been sharing information, creating petitions and continue to be generous in their support and idea sharing to help raise others up at this crazy time. Keep talking, sharing and creating resources despite the despair at the country’s leadership decision making. #marchmeetthemaker #indierollermmtm http://bit.ly/2IT5vNU

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Today’s #marchmeetthemaker asks us to reflect upon self care. ⁣ ⁣ I know that the flying rules are to look after yourself first so that you’re able to take care of others. This makes total sense, but in practice good people put others first. ⁣ ⁣ Being kind to others nurtures your soul and is just as important as your physical health. We can’t all be kind all the time. However, let’s not be selfish pricks. ⁣ ⁣ Shop responsibly for your general goods and don’t forget that food-banks rely on some of those long life goods you’re hoarding, check in on the needs of your vulnerable neighbours. I know I want that from those that live next to my Mum and Dad. ⁣ ⁣ Be sensible and stay clean. Find ways to support your indie biz faves - whether it’s a bricks and mortar place, a maker online, volunteer animal rescue or a local music promoter. ⁣ ⁣ Like, share, comment and if you can buy something that your pocket can afford in these times! I know you may have seen this message a lot at the moment but small acts of kindness all round make a big difference at the moment! http://bit.ly/2vpe7IT

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Todays #marchmeetthemaker prompt is USP. Frilly’s USP is that I don’t create items to make bank. I create them because I want to wear them and I hope other people do to. Frilly Industries was created as much for my own creative outlet as it was for the potential income from it. Spotted this sticker and had to snap it. You can be a barista, a bookie, a plasterer, an accountant or a maker if you enjoy it, it challenges you and your skills, nurtures a passion or a cause close to the heart then it’s a vocation. I love the sticker’s location, hanging above the wait and cross with care. When I wait it’s because I’m thinking and need the deadline pressure to make those raw thoughts a diamond. I’m rarely careful, going big very rarely leaves room for caution. http://bit.ly/38RmR8m

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This is my fave prompt of #marchmeetthemaker 🏡 Today is all about authentic space! It’s the day of carefully edited workspaces. Sharing insights into who we are often comes at a price, a pressure of what to present, comparison habits, a societal nosiness to see behind the curtains and for us to meet your curiosity with enough honesty and vulnerability that you invest in our businesses because you’re invested in us as people. It’s a catch 22 - we are our brands and we want you to invest in who we are and what we do, we see you as part of our family of likeminded people. For you to love what we do you must be like us. However I can’t help but feel a constant fear of the stress and mental health of the pressures of social platforms. There’s this great line from Gwyneth Paltrow in The Politician - ‘it’s a pandemic of over communication that’s led to a lack of intimacy’ this quote rings loudly in my ears every time I chide myself for not sharing or posting more. Anyway - I guess I overshared and made this simple prompt overly long. For more studio mess check insta stories! #indierollermmtm http://bit.ly/39DdVot

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I’ve already hit you with my face during #marchmeetthemaker so for the prompt of ‘you’ I figured I’d share a different insight. It’s a long one so 🐻 with me. It seems I have an awesome doppelgänger in the same locality - to the point its causing mistaken identity. 👩 👩 We clearly aren’t the same person but certain photos, angles and mannerisms...we could be interchangeable. It’s had me thinking a lot about nature vs. nurture and what makes us who we are and the paths we’ve travelled. 🌍 I recently concluded that my inner child is Patty and my outer adult is Lucy. Their wisdom always resonates. 🐆 I’m leopard for life, my first tattoo was leopard print, I am that crazy cat lady. I blame a childhood watched over by a large leopard oil on velvet my Mum named Lola. 🥾 I’ll forever be a band tee, hoody wearing looking teenager. 🎵 🎧 Music is my therapy. 🌎 It’s #iwd2020 and so it’s important to recognise the creative women and relationships that make an impact on who I am. My mum believed in travel as the best form of education, she made it her mission to show me culture. Watching the clothes show with my Mum, growing up, introduced me to @viviennewestwood who informed my visually disruptive nature, her penchant for tartan aligned with my Scottish heritage. I was probably always destined to dye my hair bright orange 🍊 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 My sister-in-law has been in my life for as long as I can remember making cakes 🧁 and experimenting with gluten free baking. 🍰 🥖 🍞 I have so many creative women in my life who continue to support, inspire, mentor and collaborate with me! There are too many to mention. They know who they are! http://bit.ly/2TLimGP

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Today’s #marchmeetthemaker is all about your brand! You may have been expecting to see a logo but as an indie maker you are your brand. Frilly is about colour and shape, making a statement, being bold and having fun! 🐆 Triple leopard for the win here! I believe in leopard for life no matter how many fashion mags are trying to convince me it’s the year of the zebra! 🦓 There’s just no point hiding from the world, own who you are and don’t be ashamed of it! #indierollermmtm #leopardprint http://bit.ly/3aoARaJ

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Prepping materials to make shiny things!! This process of playing with colour palettes is a part of a few Frilly things. It’s most commonly been used in the painted chunky chain and earrings that have previously only been available to buy in person but I’ll be listing some online soon! Most recently the need to minimise waste saw me use the offcuts from the chunky fun to make statement bib necklaces inspired by the John Piper window @coventry_cathedral ⛪️ However, the first use of this fun painted wood was for one of the first Frilly things off Bertha the laser cutter; The ‘Big Balls’ 🧶 and ‘Baby Balls’ 🧶 of wool. These brooches and earrings were part of the weapons of mass creation line. Coming full circle this wood is being painted to make a 🧶 🧶 Balls 🧶 🧶 bib necklace. It’s a custom piece at the moment but if there is a lot of love for it then I might make a small batch run in a few different colour ways. This colour palette 🎨 is a one off! 🖌 . . . . #marchmeetthemaker #mmtm2020 #indierollermmtm #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #knittingjewelry http://bit.ly/39lX89m

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It’s March! This means a month filled with makers sharing a behind the scenes look into their maker businesses. I’m going to try to keep up! Today’s prompt is ‘story’. 📚 📖 I guess my story is one of falling into things and seeing what happens. There are no best laid plans, just ambitions and opportunities supported by a drive to ‘GO BIG’. When you’re ideas 💡 driven you see where they take you, you just have to have enough self belief to bet on, and invest in yourself! This collage was created by a young person thinking about their future and the things that scare them too! Without risk the reward isn’t as great. It’s good to do things that scare and challenge you, I didn’t think I’d be running my own business. Vision exercises in the past placed me in a different location, doing something else with my life. Those dreams are still valid and never ruled out, the path just diverted somewhere just as exciting, challenging and probably more rewarding because of the peaks and troughs of running your own business. 👩‍💻 Join me on this journey and make sure you follow #marchmeetthemaker to find out about others’ too! #indierollermmtm http://bit.ly/3adbOr2

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I love this concept! It’s a great mission statement from @hiutdenim I totally agree with it in certain contexts, especially when my new jeans are awesome; but then we never push, challenge ourselves if we don’t step out of our comfort zones. 👖 Anyone that knows me also knows I’m not content doing just the one thing. This year so far has involved everything from survey making, working with young people, plotting maker opportunities 🎨 growing a collective, report writing 🖊 designing and making new things, 🔨 performing a movement piece 💃 and it’s only February! http://bit.ly/3a5t8hU

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Understandably there has been a lot of stories and posts about kindness, trolling, and body positivity recently💓 As a species we’re always judging and weighing up everything - both negatively and positively. ⚖️ I was thinking about how much society has changed with respect to acceptance of brightly dyed hair colour and tattoos. 🎨 We live in a time where facial tattoos are no longer the purview of prisoners but clean record pop stars. 🎤 I no longer suffer abuse as standard whenever I walk through a train station with my bright hair🚆 In the space of a decade so much can change. 📅 Frankenstein’s bride are not just for Halloween. 🎃 Your fave going out clothes become your work clothes because you don’t go out as much and why not? 💃 Do you! Wear what makes you happy, be content in yourself and don’t look for that confidence in the eyes of others. The lovely @bookishtabbycat knows where it’s at! Check out this fab combo! More is always more! Bring on the brides! http://bit.ly/2VfeaSd

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Everyone loves a shoe shot! 🥿 👞 👟 Admit it, you’ve all taken one! I know I do it all the time. It got me thinking about all the best shoe shot, flooring moments in movies. These two were ideas that had long been on the drawing board before I finally made them last year. I need to resolve my Heathers one too.... or maybe just make a giant acrylic polaroid of it to hang on my wall. Film polaroid moments will be something I’ll keep adding too! 👠👞🥿👡What movie moment would you want capturing as a brooch? Or just a mini wall hanging, I love that with an addition of a little bit of chain these are both wearable and hangable art. Give me your ideas to add to the list! 🥿 👞👠#indierollernews #indierollernewscover http://bit.ly/38GFtc0

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Sometimes ideas just sit there percolating for a long time. Then along comes a simple request that enables you realise the first steps of that idea. When @ruthandrew33 was looking for a simple silhouette homage to @lucy.mangan 📚 Bookworm for her and her bff well I knew it would make the perfect start for my cameo plan! 📚 📖 Being based in the Jewellery Quarter cameo carving is an at risk skill. Wanting to bring a contemporary edge to this type of jewellery whilst making a nod to Victorian portrait silhouettes of the common people made this the perfectly timed commission. 📚 The trust in my concept after Ruth had visualised a much simpler commission was amazing! We’ve discovered we both have a shared love of cameos and I can’t wait to make more. This BFF pairing is finished off with a dainty pearl chain as another nod to those cameo shells. I can’t thank Ruth enough for this lovely kickstart! http://bit.ly/2P1a4Jm

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Whilst seeing dogs in the wild brings me joy, I am a cat person through and through. It’s why there will always be big cat or small cat inspired pieces. This fab pic of @glmmodel100 was sent to me after their latest outing of the chunky cat chain. Indie makers love seeing their goods out in the wild, tag us all and tell us how our items make you feel. Whether it’s a print on your wall, new woolly hat or statement jewellery. We really appreciate it. The chain was extended on this piece to suit their style. If something isn’t quite right then get in touch! It’s what’s great about buying from independents. The necklace was bought to rock at their friend’s funeral. Funeral’s should be a celebration of the best of people, I love that my piece was worn at the funeral of a Grace Jones impersonator. Always be true to who you are and wear what makes you feel good, especially on shitty days! http://bit.ly/2TZWwRE

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Plotting new designs including more polaroid moments (I need to revisit my Heathers one I started), and thinking about the year ahead and what I want to achieve. . I know we shouldn’t compare ourselves, especially on social media but sometimes you can’t help but question what you should be doing more of. I love seeing the actions people have made as part of the @indie_roller Rainbow Reframe but it’s making me think that maybe its not an approach for me and you know what that’s ok too. This month is always the time for reflection and joining in with everyone to be a part of the same change process. . I’m definitely going to be sharing more this year than I did last year. It was a year of big change and I stepped away but you know what I also don’t want to needlessly add to the noise that keeps us lost in scrolling. I want to share with intent. . So what am I saying? When you hear from me it might be about shouting about new things or interesting people and stuff. It might be process led or current thinking. Let’s chat. . This shot is from my quick visit to @birmingham_mag the other day where I loved seeing my fellow creatives wares in their shop. From @ceramicmagpie @punksandchancers @workingclasp . I’m aware that I’m a huge consumerist and I love a bargain. I help to keep the money moving so that savers can save. Having said this I’m about buying more consciously. January has been full of a book about not buying brand new clothes for the year. I say don’t buy disposable anymore. Think about the quality and purpose of what you buy regardless of how expensive or cheap it is. Think about how accessories can help change how your clothes look and feel instead. It’s why I’ve invested in more expensive boots from @redwingheritagewomen . . I can have these boots fully resoled when they’re worn down. The leather is meant to become lived in. I can change how these look with a swish of a ribbon instead of these current laces. . Play and have fun in new ways with the small things and invest in the big. We still need to keep the economy turning. Maybe look to independents instead if you want to make meaningful change. http://bit.ly/2tqWnvG