You can often find me perusing the many gorgeous and talents shops on Etsy as no doubt you will have realised from previous blog posts. So today it will come as no surprise that our Link Love article was found on one of these missions. So over to Mel:
‘When I was preparing for my wedding in April this year, I had just discovered the wonderful world of Etsy. While I ended up purchasing a few pieces for myself, I could never find exactly what I was after for my bridesmaids. So, I ordered a few gems and some chain and findings and started playing around. I had made jewellery in the past, but it was always very basic and because I have a nickel allergy, I could never wear what I made (sterling silver hooks were very hard to find in Australia at the time). I just couldn’t stop making jewellery, so I thought why not open my own Etsy store. This is where Paper and Ribbons began.
For most of the past year, I have been planning my wedding as well as writing up my PhD thesis at the same time as running Paper and Ribbons, but it has always been a release for me. I can’t sit at home at night without making something and Paper and Ribbons is the perfect excuse.
I’m not a fussy person and like to wear simple jewellery, and so I keep the pieces in my store simply beautiful. I love vintage style and little charms and trinkets as well. Everytime I get a new charm in supply, I need to play around and create something right away. It’s always exciting to get new findings in the mail!’
1). What’s your favourite way to relax at the weekend?
I love to sit and create on the weekends as I don’t always get much quality time after work during the week. But, if it’s a lovely sunny day, nothing’s better than a trip to the hot springs and lunch at a local winery.
2). Favourite restaurant?
I’m addicted to food (who of us aren’t – admit it). I live in quite a multicultural city and love discovering new, authentic restaurants. At the moment, I’m a little addicted to Thai food. There is a little family owned place right near my work that I have taken quite a few friends lately.
3). What book are you reading at the moment?
Another Jane Austen book – Sense and Sensibility. I’m a little addicted to Austen (and by that I mean Mr Darcy).
4). What did you last go and see at the cinema?
Gee, I don’t go to the cinema very often. My husband and I can never quite agree on a movie to see! The last movie we saw was while on honeymoon – Beneath Hill 60. We thought it fitting as we had visited the War Memorial in Canberra that day.
5). What is your favourite wedding story?
I haven’t actually been to many weddings, but while planning my own I loved seeing weddings with completely different reception ideas, like a hot dog van, or a fairy floss machine, or popcorn vendors! How fun!
You can see more of my work at Paper and Ribbons on Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mnhince
and head on over to my DiY wedding blog for heaps of DiY projects and sneak peaks into new jewellery:
http://unofficialfiction.blogspot.com/
I’m also on facebook and twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/paperandribbons
http://twitter.com/paperandribbons
Thanks Mel, it’s been lovely chatting to you and finding out a little more about the person behind Paper and Ribbons, as well as having a look at some of your gorgeous jewellery!
