What's brewing at Stella Mazza Designs?

Posted on June 05, 2014 by Stella Mazza | 1 Comment

The wedding industry is my passion, it has been since I started working as a florist when I was young and opened Stella’s Bridal in Winnipeg in which I owned for over eighteen years. In 2002 I made the decision to sell it and explore my creativity through crystal bouquets, handbags and various other designs. While most of my current products are very much in line with the wedding industry, I am constantly creating and designing in a variety of mediums.

My studio on 703 Corydon Avenue is elegantly designed to be an inspiring workspace to meet with clients and think up ideas. Some of my greatest accomplishments are on display as well as various collections of bridal accessories. The studio, located near the Stella’s Bridal original location, is a very appropriate wedding space. However, plans are in the works to move toward a more artisan concept with other retailers of couture, jewellery and more.

You’ll notice a slow transition over the summer as the studio embraces a new image. I am so excited to updates with you as they unfold.

One of the reasons I am excited for this process is to unveil some of the other designs I have been working on other than my bridal collections. For example, I have been working late nights to put together a body jewellery collection for the Lennard Taylor store earlier this week.

 

When it comes to crafting accessories and artwork, my imagination is endless. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new venture!

Cheers,

Stella

Posted in artisan, bridal, bride, canada, Corydon, fashion, jewelry, manitoba, wedding, winnipeg

Introducing the 2014 Evening Purse Collection!

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Stella Mazza | 0 Comments

Because I wanted my purses to embody whimsy, elegance and timelessness, I thought that there was no better way to name my collection than with Shakespearian names. From Aemilia to Viola, some of Shakespeare’s great plays helped inspire the names in this collection.

Aemilia

Names aside, one of the stand-out features of this collection of handbags is the intricate detail work front and back. Wedding dresses are designed with beautiful corsets, v shaped backs, scooped backs and more so they look beautiful from behind as well as from the front. Wedding cakes are iced and decorated all the way around so that they look beautiful from any angle. Why should handbags be any different? Though I enjoy adding a focal point on my pieces to draw the eye in, I make certain that the detail work reaches the front, back, sides, and insides because a handbag deserves to be so much more than one dimensional.

Cordelia

You’ll also notice the detail put into the chains which enhance the design of each handbag including beautiful gems and pearls. Swarovski crystals and other gemstones are, of course, found on many of the bags as well as bridal appliques and rhinestone brooches. Each bag contains a different combination of elements that are carefully chosen to ornament the handbags, while still maintaining a clean and classy look.

Helena

What I really love about these handbags is their versatility. Though you may purchase a handcrafted handbag for your wedding day, these decorative pieces of art can certainly accompany you on future occasions. Anytime you head out on the town in a little black dress, your handbag will be your best accessory. These handbags are perfect to jazz up a winning outfit you’ve previously worn a few times, or to add a dazzling element to a plain, bright dress.

Viola

Check out all the handbags on my website, or go directly to them by clicking this link:

http://www.crystalwedding.ca/collections/evening-purses

Cheers,

Stella

X

Posted in beadwork, bridal, bridal purse, bride, canada, evening bag, fashion, French beading, gemstone, hand bag, manitoba, pearl, purse, rhinestone brooch, Swarovski, wedding, winnipeg

Grand Reveal: The Kelly Clarkson replica bouquet

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Stella Mazza | 0 Comments

Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is? ~Frank Scully

One of the best risks I took recently was during the Royal Wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I was very much in awe of all the eye candy that the royal wedding was embellished with. The entire production was memorizing from the dress to the décor to the flowers to the choreography of every small detail. Of course I was in love with the beautiful English country garden bouquet carried by Kate Middleton, so I duplicated it in silk and French beaded flowers. I knew I had to do something bigger than just display it in my studio, so I researched royal protocol and sent the bouquet to London in hopes of reaching the newlyweds. Success! They accepted my gift, and I now have a thank-you letter on behalf of the Duke and Duchess which arrived from Buckingham Palace with the Queen’s special emblem.

This royal replica retailed in my store afterward for over $1,500 because of the materials used, and more importantly the time it takes to hand make all the details. When I created this piece, I had no idea if it would even reach Buckingham Palace. But you don’t know if you don’t try, right?

Which brings me to my next big mission…

I have recently created a silk and French beaded flower replica of the beautiful wild flower bouquet that Kelly Clarkson carried in her 2013 wedding to Brandon Blackstock.

(www.romancemeetslife.com)

The bouquet is glamorously rustic with a colourful assortment of field flowers. The sunflowers stand out magnificently against a bevy of lilac and other purple field flower accents.

In my re-creation, I used silk flowers to recreate the lilacs, bluebonnets, purple statice and greens. Then to make it pop, I hand-strung several French beaded sunflowers and light blue field flowers.

 

Sometimes you can’t beat the beauty of fresh flowers found in nature, but this silk and French beaded recreation is a unique and beautiful keepsake that will last forever.

Perhaps luck will come my way once again and this beautiful hand-crafted bouquet will end up in the hands of the beautiful Kelly Clarkson!

Cheers,

Stella

Posted in beadwork, bouquet, Brandon Blackstock, bridal, bride, fashion, field flowers, flowers, French beading, Kate Middleton

Welcome to Stell's Wedding Bells!

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Stella Mazza | 0 Comments

I am absolutely delighted to kick-start what will be a weekly blog about all things wedding.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am the Creative Designer and Founder of Stella Mazza Designs in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I can’t say what design medium I specialize in…I simply want to design anything and everything. Though I’m currently working on hammered metal headpieces, handbags and French beaded heirloom bouquets, my mind is constantly thinking up new creations from body jewelry for trendy brides to statement mirrors for my home.

I look forward to sharing with you my latest collections and products. When you get to know the detail and craftsmanship that goes into a piece, it adds another level of charm. Can you think of anything you cherish because of the thought that went into creating it? My mind often works that way, I see and appreciate beauty through details, like the shapes and lines of shells I collect with my daughter on the beach in Gimli, Manitoba to create new artforms. I love to explore techniques and crafting practices that date back centuries. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to be blogging—some of them are just too interesting to not share!

I have been in the wedding industry since the age of 18 when I worked as a florist. I also spent over 18 years as the owner/operator of Winnipeg’s coveted “Stella’s Bridal Salon” before selling ownership and venturing into my current career as a accessory designer. The industry is near and dear to me and I keep up-to-date on trends religiously. It’s hard not to when the grandiose weddings we see on TV and read about are growing more accessible through new media. My interests and tastes reflect glamour and trends from around the world while still focusing on the Manitoba bride and Canadian culture.

Through Stell’s Wedding Bells I intend to engage and explore with you the what’s what of emerging bridal fashion and wedding trends. Even if you’re not a current bride-to-be, there is something magical about reliving that special day or dreaming of the day-to-come as we imagine ourselves in the strappy stilettos of each season’s modern brides.

Be sure to check in regularly, as next week we will explore the history and art form of French-beading.

Cheers,

Stella

Posted in bouquet, bridal, bride, canada, fashion, first post, flowers, handbag, headpiece, jewelry, manitoba, trends, wedding, winnipeg

 

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