Stell's Blog

Introducing Expressions of a Woman - 2015 Spring/Summer Collection

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Stella Mazza | 0 Comments

With December coming to a close, I am so excited with what the New Year will bring for my designs. Anyone who knows me knows my wheels are always turning with my next big idea or project.

One project in particular that I'm excited to unveil, is my 2015 Spring/Summer collection of designer body chain jewelry.

This concept has been percolating for years. I started creating prototypes years ago and the concept has taken shape ever since.

From having Canadian singer-songwriter Sierra Noble wear a prototype at a performance to exploring opportunities when I was in Los Angeles, this collection has been something I’ve been excited about for a long time.

Finally I am confident this is the perfect time to debut the collection of 22 unique body chain accessories in Winnipeg.

I always knew that I didn’t want a collection that just anybody could create. Much like the other projects I’ve taken on over the years, I wanted to create something ornate, something unique. Something you can’t buy just anywhere. I wanted people to look at the collection and feel that each piece was truly a work of art.

The way I achieved this was through the mixture of intricate techniques and high quality materials. Each piece is so special because it combines an alluring combination of lead-free, nickel-free base chains and high quality Swarovski crystals and semi-precious stones. The collection comes to life with interesting textures that range from plush accent feathers to hammered gunmetal.

The hours of heart, soul and hard work came to life one of the first times I saw my finished body chain jewellery on a customer. She was admiring one of the pieces, but wasn’t sure she had an outfit to wear with it. She was wearing an adorable little black dress under her blazer, which was absolutely perfect to complement the body chain jewellery. As soon as she put the piece on over her dress, her entire being changed. From head to toe she was radiant, it draped over her like a glove made just for her. Seeing what was once simply ideas in my head for so many years in living colour on a smiling customer made all the challenges of creating this collection worth it. Experiences like this inspire me to make this collection the best it can be.

I am delighted to finally debut this exclusive collection on my website an other retailers throughout Canada

Cheers,
Stella

Posted in body chain, body chain jewellery, collection, Expressions of a Woman, jewellery, jewelry, manitoba, Sierra Noble, Stella Mazza, Swarovski, winnipeg

Good things are coming at Stella Mazza Designs!

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Stella Mazza | 1 Comment

I am thrilled to say that things are coming together in the transition of my Corydon studio.

Need a refresher? To recap:

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 in a variety of facets.

Imagine a handful of Manitoba’s most exciting artisans working together in a funky space to produce vintage jewellery, wall paintings, couture, décor and more. The artistic talent in Winnipeg is outstanding and at times underrated. I am so looking forward to broadening my craft into other mediums of design to complement the other art being produced in the new studio.

My studio is perfectly located in the centre of bustling Corydon Avenue. Along with restaurants, patios, boutiques and shops, the studio it a perfect fit for this trendy location. I am used to it being a meeting space for customers, but with the changes I hope to open it up to the Corydon foot traffic, as it is located in the centre of the action.

I will continue to unveil new plans as they come. We are making progress every day and working toward a grand launch in mid September. That is all I will tell for now, but stay tuned to hear more details throughout the summer!

Cheers,

Stella

Posted in artisan, Corydon, jewelry, manitoba, studio, winnipeg

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.

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

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

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