The Lucky Sixpence

Janie is the owner of a fabulous jewellery business, The Lucky Sixpence. As one of our trusted Wedding Partners, we wanted to take a moment to talk to Janie to explore all areas of her business and provide our couples to be with some inspiration! Janie is truly amazing at what she does, offering a range of exquisite pieces as well as bespoke designs. We have worked with Janie on a number of exciting projects including our Wedding Collections and stylised photo shoots and always receive fantastic feedback on her beautiful pieces.

Above photos: Artography

Above images: Mimosa Photography

Above images: Toby Lowe Photography

When I was getting married back in 2010 I wanted something unique and vintage to wear. I found pieces that looked vintage but were mass made. I wanted something that tied into my dress and the styling of our venue. I love exploring antique fairs and on a day off often mooch around vintage or antiques shops. I found a 1920s belt buckle which I teamed with crystals to create my headband. So many people commented on it and then friends asked me to make pieces for them, and then their friends and so on and so ‘The Lucky Sixpence’ was born. Not many people know the end of the traditional wedding rhyme ‘something old, something new’ but the last bit is ‘and a silver sixpence in your shoe’. As I make something new from something old I went with ‘the Lucky Sixpence’

Above photos left to right: Photos by Jim, Ellie Lou Photography, Emma Solley Photography, Liberty Pearl Photography

To be honest it wasn’t! It just evolved but I think that is a good thing. The business has just grown from me doing something that I love. I am a qualified teacher and have always tried to be creative in my spare time. I have done so many different craft workshop and courses but jewellery has always been a passion. I regularly attended a silver jewellery course which has given me skills in making sterling silver pieces for brides too.

Even now, I feel totally honoured that brides ask me to make something for their big day. It’s amazing to think that something I have crafted will be in their wedding photos forevermore and often pieces will be passed down to future generations.

I guess for me it’s about the bride’s first – making sure they get exactly what they want and that they are happy. I still feel odd asking for payment and have to remind myself what I am doing is a business!

Above images left to right: Liberty Pearl Photography, Thomas Frost Photography, Liberty Pearl Photography, Linus Moran Photography

When you want something specific the best way to go is bespoke …. especially for such a special occasion as your wedding day. If you have something handmade it will be completely made with you in mind and can incorporate all the detail you want. I know myself when I was looking at readymade pieces I would see something and think ‘Oh I like that but this bit isn’t quite right’ or ‘I like it but I wish it had a bit of this’.

I love working with brides to design something especially for them. Where possible I like to meet up with them over a coffee and chat through all the details of their big day. I ask brides to bring along photos or inspiration boards so I can get a feel of their style and the details of their wedding. I always ask for images of the gown including any bead or diamante detail so that I can make sure things like pearl or crystal colours tie in or the shape of the diamantes I use match. I take along all my sample pieces, so brides can try them on and talk about elements they like. I then sketch out something while I’m there before heading off to find the elements needed to make it. Meeting up isn’t always possible so then I rely on email. Often brides will share their Pinterest boards with me which can really help. As I get making their piece I send work in progress photos to ensure they are happy with its development and how it looks in real life. I can then tweak or change elements if needed.

One thing I really love about our bespoke service is that we can incorporate pieces of vintage costume jewellery that the bride may already have. It’s a really lovely way of having something from the family included in the day. It makes their piece a sort of family heirloom. I have made several pieces which include something from a grandparent who has passed on. It’s a really lovely way to have them as part of the day. Our bespoke service also gives brides the opportunity to have pieces made for their wedding party – meaning the bridesmaids and flower girls can coordinate with the bride’s look as seen in the image below.

I think my bespoke service offers brides something a bit different.

Also I think I’m a bit ocd about my pieces! I like to make sure wiring is well hidden, if I combine vintage pieces I like to make sure stone colours match and everything ties together. I spend a long time working on a piece and will often get to the point where I think it is finished and then take it apart again if I’m not quite happy with it! I am also quite particular about the vintage pieces I use. I think ‘The Lucky Sixpence’ pieces have quite a distinctive look because of that

I always enjoy trying something different. When I work with brides I often end up designing something I haven’t made before as they like different elements from other pieces I have made and often come with their own ideas of what they would like. I have just made a really wonderful halo for a bride which had vintage original comb pieces at the side and back of her head, chain detail that connected them across the back and pearls over the top of her head. It was really fiddly and intricate but looked amazing. I now need to make something similar that I can take with me to show brides when I meet them!

I also really enjoy making pieces to suit a brief for styled shoots. It’s wonderful collaborating with other amazing suppliers and seeing everything come together. Again it gives me an opportunity to make something a bit different.

I am currently chatting with a couple of boutiques about them stocking some of my pieces in the new year – which is very exciting. I would also like to redesign our website with some inspirational styles to help brides pull together their look.

I’m hoping to get out to some more wedding fairs in 2018 having had a little break this year because of the arrival of our ‘little sixpence’! Brides to be can also keep up to date with some of my latest makes via our Facebook and Instagram pages and our twitter feed – @thelucky6pence

When we say we love our suppliers, we really mean it! Here is the headband that Janie made for Jo, our Marketing and Events Assistant for her Wedding in August, isn’t it beautiful? Jo sent Janie images of her dress, which Janie then used as inspiration for her headband, creating a completely bespoke piece! Janie also designed five matching hair combs for Jo’s bridesmaids, which tied together perfectly and are something they will treasure forever!

Above images: 2 – Fiona Walsh Photography

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us Janie! We have loved getting to know more about The Lucky Sixpence (particularly your beautiful name and the meaning behind it!) and hope all of our lovely readers have too. For more Supplier Love Blogs check out the below:
Toby Lowe Photography
Cut me off a Slice
With a Flourish
Liberty Pearl Photography
Christine Trewinnard Couture
The Secret Garden Flowers