Alexis Dove - urchin hoop earrings

I have these Alexis Dove urchin hoop earrings in gold vermeil. I bought them last summer (after my search for the perfect hoop earrings) and I wear them almost every day and they are much admired. I hesitate to say that they are my 'go to' earrings, since I don't like that phrase, but it's true: if I can't think what earrings to wear, and I really must always wear earrings, I'll put these on.
I have the smaller size (42mm diameter), but I covet the larger ones (56mm diameter) having seen Alexis herself wearing a pair at a fair.  I'd like them in rose gold vermeil - not on available her website, but I have heard rumour of them.
All her pieces are handmade in Sussex - I liked the fact that, when I placed the order for my urchin hoops, I had to wait a bit for them to be made (even though I was so impatient, I would have liked them yesterday).

I also like her little wren and bunny rabbit pendants - available in silver or gold vermeil

If you live down Sussex way, Alexis has a showroom in Lewes based in The Needlemakers - which stocks her collection and a few other selected designers such as Laura Gravestock.

today: Gabrielle Vary, Susannah Hunter, Alexis Dove and Clara Francis

Yellow scarf by Gabrielle Vary, handbag by Susannah Hunter appliqued with irises, Alexis Dove urchin hoop earrings and Clara Francis moth necklace.

In search of the perfect hoop earrings

This quest has occupied more time than it really should. But it's raining outside and the only option is to listen to folk-punk music, eat marmalade toast and continue the search.

You could do as my stylish friend has done and go to Elizabeth Duke (aka Argos) to score yourself some ghetto fabulous bling, but I prefer these:

Urchin hoops by Alexis Dove, a top choice - they come in either silver or gold vermeil, and two sizes: 42mm or 56mm and cost between £85 and £155 depending on the size and finish.  Alexis is based in Lewes, Sussex, where she has a showroom in The Needlemakers.

Graulated hoops by Hannah Bedford, based at Cockpit Arts Studios in London.  They are available in silver, oxidized silver and gold plated, and they are priced between £100 and £170 depending on the size and finish.  

(NB The design of these hoops has slightly changed so that they are easier to put in, with a butterfly fixing at the back.)

Gypsy Hoop earrings by Caroline Watson, featuring swallows, flowers and hearts (£60) - 18ct earwire, and sterling silver hoop, measuring 2cm by 2cm. Caroline is based in London, and her jewellery can be bought by contacting her through her website, or online retailer Damson Jewellery which stocks a range of her jewellery.

Abigail Percy is originally from Glasgow, and now lives in Belfast. Her work features semi-precious stones and silhouettes of leaves and flowers, such as these Eucalyptus Hoop Earrings (£140) - which are available from her Big Cartel shop.

(there is a 30% discount on her jewellery as she has decided to close down this side of the business, and focus on her company abigail*ryan homewares - to get a discount on her jewellery, type in code FAREWELL at checkout at her Big Cartel shop).

rabbits and hares

Some rabbits and hares - perfect stocking fillers, non?

Clara Francis' beautiful silver hare charm necklace £95

Family Tree's green rabbit brooch available from the Tate on-line shop.

Alexis Dove's Blossom rabbit pendant £95

a quick scoot around the International Jewellery London Fair

Right: now the kids are back at school it's time to go and buy jewellery.  Well, it's a trade fair, so perhaps it's time to admire and make wish lists instead. In amongst the stands selling strings of gems and pearls, and jewellers equipment I found some lovely British designed and made jewellery.

There was none sweeter than Alexis Dove's creations - absolutely adorable tiny creatures in her Blossom range, especially the wren, and the new addition bunny rabbit. I wanted to buy a rabbit right there and then.  It doesn't seem to be available on her website yet.... but the Alexis Dove shop has newly opened in Lewes - and she has many stockists around the country.

Phoebe Coleman makes the most delicate, elegant pieces that remind me of gold and silver dew drops strung together on spider's webs. She was wearing several pieces layered together which looked fantastic; I fancied the necklace with tiny hearts linked together (sadly no pic available on her website so I can't show you). Phoebe is a London based designer and her jewellery is made in the city too - it's available from a few stockists such as Sweet pea, but not on her website.

Oria designs and makes fair trade jewellery in London. The designs are very wearable (no healthfood shop vibe in case fair trade makes you think of tea bags), in gold and silver. Their website states that metals, diamonds and gemstones can be traced from the mine to the consumer, and they support small-scale, fair-trade companies. This lovebird pendant is very sweet.