My New Neighbour ... The Nail LAB

There have been a few changes in store at Mr Birds and we have been joined by two fab new traders. Dutch Love has joined us with a huge mix of vintage clothing and I have a new neighbour, The Nail LAB.

Amy from The Nail Lab has joined us this week after replicating from the bright lights of London. She is offering lots of nails services from a basic file and polish to creating some amazing 2D and 3D designs. No job is too small for Amy you can choose from a huge selection of designs from the display nail wheels or you can bring in a photograph of a desired design and she will work her magic to recreate it using her selection of nail varnishes and nail art pens.

I treated myself on Saturday and chose a gorgeous pail pink colour and I had nail art on my ring finger nails. Prices are very reasonable with nail art starting from £1 per nail. Pop up to Mr Birds to make an appointment and follow Amy on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter to see her designs.

Laura xxx

Check My Box

I am really excited to announce that I am now stocking a fantastic range of jewellery making kits from Check my Box in store.  The kits are absolutely fantastic and they are perfect gifts for a budding crafter.  

Available Kits 

If you follow the Teahab blog already you will have seen regular updates from Fran and Hannah on all things crafty.  The pair used to work in the Birmingham Bead Shop but have since decided to branch out alone to create their own business.  Before Christmas they put together a fab range of DIY boxes containing everything you need to make your own piece of jewellery.  The boxes are accompanied by blog posts which explain the processes step by step.  I have 5 different boxes in store so pop down and take a look in the meantime here are some photographs to tempt you.  

Ear to Hair Comb DIY Box

Peter Pan Lace DIY Collar 

Plaited DIY Bracelet Box  

Shrink Plastic Spike Necklace DIY Box

Ombre Seed Bead Bracelet Kit

For the full details of what is available in each box check out their Etsy page, each box contains a full list of equipment that is included.  

What do you think? 

Laura xxx

And the winner is ....

A big huge thank you to everyone who took the time to enter my blog giveaway comp.  The winner of the competition is Charlene E.  If it you get in touch with me and I sort out your prizes.  

Laura 

xxx

DIY Jewellery Display

I have been looking for something to display my jewellery on at fairs for a few weeks as I am running out of space on my tables.  I had an idea in my head what I wanted to do so I thought I would share it with you in another DIY post.  

To create this at home you will need:

 2 corkboards - Mine were from ASDA £3 each but you may be able to find smaller ones cheaper if you are looking for a smaller holder for your own jewellery

2 hinges - bought a pack from B&M for 59p bargain!

Paint to decorate - I used a small tester pot from B&Q because I had it in the house, you could use spray paint or maybe even a glitter mix using glitter and PVA.

Start by attaching the hinges to one side of the board.  The hinge should open up like a door, practice opening the boards before screwing in the hinges.  

When both sides are attached the boards should fold together easily for storage when you are not using them.  

Paint the board using your desired colour or spray paint it.  I chose a really light pink as it goes with my business cards and logo.  

Leave to dry and then personalise.  I am going to have a think of what I am going to include on my board tomorrow I can't decide between customising sections with some vintage fabric or leaving it quite plain with a few tiny details.  I will post a picture soon with some of my jewellery displayed on the board.  

I can't wait to use this in my first fair of the year.  Birmingham's biggest and best fair, on March 3rd.  I will trading at Sutton Vintage and Arts Fair, it really is the best way to spend a Sunday! 

One last thing, if you haven't entered my giveaway to win some jewellery it ends today so head across to the blog post for full details of how to enter.  

Laura xx

Product of the Week

I can't believe how fast this year is going, its February next week scary! I have been working hard to find new artists and their collections are fitting in perfectly in the shop.  This week I am going to be working on a love themed display in time for Valentines Day.  I have had a few more men coming in to the shop over the last few weeks buying gifts and I am in the middle of completing a few custom embroidery orders.  

So on to my product of the week, this week it is the 'Endless Love' bracelet by Tallulah Rose, I hope you are all picking up on the theme!

I picked this one out because I love the red bead detailing.  The faceted edges of the beads really reflect the light and the beads have a gorgeous ruby red tone that reminds me of Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz.  The bracelet also incorporates a figure of eight charm to symbolise infinity.  For those of you not feeling the love you could look at the symbol as karma 'what goes around comes back around'.  

I will post a few updates of my Valentines display later this week, I am off now to carry on uploading products to the website which I really cannot wait to launch. 

Laura xxx

The Liebster Award

I have been invited to take part in The Liebster Award by the lovely Rebecca and her Belle-Amour blog.  I have been invited to take part in the award before but as I was fairly new to blogging at the time I was unsure about what to write or ask others but I thought I would give it ago.  Huge thanks to Rebecca for inviting me to take part it is really appreciated.  

Award Rules:

* List 11 facts about yourself

* Answer the 11 questions by the blogger who nominated you

* Ask 11 new questions for bloggers you nominate

* Choose 11 bloggers with less that 200 followers

* Let them know you have nominated them

* Thank the person who nominated you

Facts about Me:

1) I opened a shop in Mr Birds Emporium in Birmingham in October.

2) My favourite film is the Lion King. 

3) I have a collection of over 3000+ buttons and I cannot stop buying them even though I am running out of places to store them!

4) My favourite food is Nandos. 

5) I graduated from BCU 2 years ago.
6) My favourite magazine is Mollie Makes, if you haven't read it go out and by a copy.
7) I am an instagram freak, I love taking pics and uploading them.
8) I love NYC I went there last year and I am looking forward to going back soon.
9) I love cheesy music, my CD collection is like the Heart FM playlist.
10) I love shoes, Irregular Choice is my favourite brand.
11) My favourite alcoholic drink is Captain Morgans.

Rebecca's Questions:

1. What is your biggest ambition? 
My biggest ambition is to try my hardest in everything I do.  Ideally this year I would like to launch my website and for it to be a huge success.
2. Worst Fear?

This was super hard to answer so I thought I would go for something that most people are fearful of, spiders yak!

3. Whats your favouite vintage shop?

Again another hard choice, I am going to say all the shops in Mr Birds Emporium, by far the best vintage shops in Brum!

4. Most loved item of clothing? why?

My favourite item has got to be one of my Pretty Poppet dresses handmade by the lovely Sophie Keegan.  

5. What beauty item do you swear by?

At the moment it has to be YSL mascara, a bit on the expensive side but a fab fab mascara. 

6. Dream holiday?

NYC, I went there last year and I can't wait to go back!

7. Favourite type of cake?

Red Velvet Cupcakes mmmm!

8. Best memory of your childhood?

Too many to mention, probably family Christmas parties.

9. Biggest blog moment so far?

My followers taking the time to leave comments on my blog posts.

10. Guiltiest pleasure?

A long soak in the bath with a nice scented candle lit. 

11. Favourite Era of fashion?

Another hard choice but probably the 50's I love the fashion styles and shapes from that era.

My Questions to you:

1) What music are you currently listening to? 

2) What is your favourite piece of clothing? 

3) Where in the world would you most like to visit? 

4) What is your biggest achievement so far? 

5) Do you have any ambitions or resolutions for this year?

6) What is your favourite blog?

7) Favourite restaurant? 

8)Favourite accessory? 

9) Which item can you not leave the house without? 

10) Favourite book? 

11) Best tip you have been given about blogging? 

I would like to recommend the following blogs for this award:

Belle Glamour 

Pretty Little Fashionista

The Offbeat Girl

Impatience is a Virtue

Just a Pretty Face

Rebecca Alice

SamwichBox

Pooches and Cream

Little Paper Swans

Nicki Fannings Blog 

Beginners Beauty 

Website Feedback Please

Hi everyone, I have been working on my website and I should be ready to launch in a few weeks. If you have a spare few minutes will you pop over and take a look and let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions that I can use to make sure it's looking good for the launch day? 

 www.lauralovesboutique.com

Thank you, 

Laura xx