Interview With: Jenni Bush
Company Name: Bespoken For
Website: www.BespokenFor.co.uk
Location: Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex (teeny weenie International Port!)
What does Bespoken For do?
Bespoken For make jewellery and accessories that are all made to the bride’s requirements. Our philosophy is that bespoke isn’t about design it is about the bride, and we work with our customers to make the perfect hair piece or jewellery.
How did Bespoken For come about and how long has the business been going?
Bespoken For started in 2007. I have always made jewellery, and as my sister and I began to plan our own weddings I decided to try designing and making wedding accessories. Before I knew it I was hooked, my house was full of sparkly tiaras, and friends started to ask me to make their wedding accessories.
I remember looking a pieces with my sister. “I could do better than that” I said, she grinned and in disbelief said “yes Jen, whatever”. My sister now tells me that she really wishes I had designed her tiara; she wouldn’t let me back then!
Since 2007 the business has gone from strength to strength, starting from the table in my lounge we now have a dedicated studio and a small team. I am still very hands-on, insisting I personally make and design every piece myself though!
Have you always been creative?
I have never classed myself as ‘arty’ or ‘creative’; I didn’t study art at school, I did drama and music. I always fancied myself as a Blue Peter presenter!
I would say I love to do things I enjoy to earn a living. I believe that we all have talents and gifts and we should use them!
I have always been creative at making money! From a young age I would sell jewellery or wrap a friend’s hair in embroidery silks in the playground for pennies. I’d also charge my parents for making teas and coffees.
I took on a ‘9-5’ job when I left college (after I chickened out of attending drama school!) working full-time as an insurance adviser for a year. I hated the job (I got in trouble for admitting it too!) and when I gave up work to go on maternity leave, I just knew I could never go back.
I started to pursue other passions to make money that I could do around my daughter. I was a professional solo singer for many years, until I got tired of the late nights, every weekend with 3-4 gigs most weekends, I wanted to put my feet up and watch the telly on a Saturday night. Work began to dry up as I fell pregnant with my second daughter and then many of the clubs and venues were hit by the recession. Luckily for me this was the time when Bespoken For had been trading for about a year and I found I no longer needed to work weekends.
What sets Bespoken For apart from other wedding jewellery companies?
Bespoken For is really customer focussed. Each piece from our collection can be customised because we make to order, and we don’t charge any extra for this.
For Brides who want something truly special we design and create bespoke pieces, working closely with the bride to meet her needs and requirements and this is our real area of expertise.
We don’t have masses of stock of the same old designs. We are launching a ready-made bespoke one-off collection on our new website, due to launch over the summer.
I really care about my customers and what they get. I want it to be really special, I want them to have great memories and feelings every time they hold a piece in their hand or put it on. It is more than just a piece of jewellery.
Where do you source your materials?
My materials are sourced worldwide, but I do try to buy from within the UK when and where I can. I like to support British Business.
I source my vintage jewellery from a number of specialist antique dealers. I love to buy up broken pieces and re-love them giving them a new lease of life.
My Jewellery boxes are all handmade from Recyclable materials in the UK too.
How do you decide what pieces you are going to create next?
I am very led by my brides and their requests. I tend not to read too much into what is the ‘in trend’, I look at what my brides are asking for and wanting, then design to meet this need. Lately lots of brides have been asking for Grecian inspired designs, flowers, and necklaces with back cascades. These elements are all featured in my 2012 collections.
I find when I am given such great inspiration I run with the design process and let it develop organically which creates new and unique pieces.
Do you have a particular style of jewellery that you like to design?
I love to design jewellery and accessories that push me in to new techniques. I love making in sterling silver, using soldering and filing techniques.
I would say my style is to naturally create and design delicate pieces, but I do love the unusual requests. I made some really funky large hoops for a bride to wear in her flesh holes! A tiara based on the Sydney Opera House, and another around a Celtic heart knot!
Random question… What’s your all time favourite TV program?
I am a really big Dr Who Fan! I was petrified by it as a child but I love it now!
What’s the best thing about the job?
The best thing is when brides send me photos of them wearing my jewellery. It is the icing on the cake for me! I put so much time and devotion into my work, but I often feel like I miss the best bit, seeing it put on and worn (I love it when brides come for a fitting and I can see), which is why when that photo arrives and I see them wearing my design I am so honoured that they wore it and loved it. It makes it all worthwhile.
Who/what are your influences?
My brides are my biggest source of inspiration as I am led by the things they love. When I design and create a collection I am influenced by the shapes of flowers; I love studying the petals and the colours. I live close to the beach and sea which is just full of little curiosities to inspire me. I am also often influenced by the materials I choose. I am a magpie and I just buy with no sense of what I plan to do, but once I have that piece or component I am led by it and the way it flows or fits together, the natural curves of a wire or piece of fabric, and that then flows through.
I also have the most amazing little girls who are a big source of inspiration too!
Do you have a favourite collection or piece of your jewellery?
My all time favourite is still yet to be designed. I love our new hair flowers though, they are so new they are not on the website yet! But you can sneaky peek on our facebook page. My Favourite piece of the moment however has to be the Deity Cuff Bracelet; I wear it everywhere.
Where can I find out more about Bespoken For?
Visit the Bespoken For supplier page on The Wedding Community
and Win Jewellery Worth £300
We’ll be kicking off the launch on Monday 27th February with an interview with Jenni where she will share the inspiration behind the collection . We’ll also have some exclusive sneak peeks and will be telling you how you can enter a competition to win the Heirloom Necklace worth £75.00.
