ITC Gem of the Week

This weeks 'ITC Gem of the Week' goes to Global Ice Sculptures.  With their vodka luges and various ice sculpture designs they are already one of our favourites but this exceptional 'Horse & Carriage' deserves special recognition!

'Credible & Incredible' Supplier of the Week - I Heart Buttons

This week I am delighted to introduce you to a company that I have had the pleasure of getting to know quite well over the past few months.  The Lovely Lesa and her gorgeous designs have to be seen to be truly appreciated.  When Lesa donated a bouquet as a prize for our first Wedding Fayre back in June I absolutely fell in love with her work, creativity and exceptional attention to detail.  It is therefore with lots of love that I introduce this weeks 'Credible & Incredible' Supplier of the Week - I Heart Buttons...

 

Where did the company name come from?

I had a few other names I had thought of, but they were taken. Was doodling and drew an ‘I’, a ‘heart’ and then a ‘button’ and there it was.

How do you come up with your designs/what influences you?

I get ideas from everything around me.  It may just be a flash of an idea and then the more I think about it, the more I can let my imagination go.  My Summers Day bouquet started off when my kids were running from a bee on a hot summers day. My “Step back in Time” bouquet came from some green velvet material I saw in a shop.

 

What would you call your ‘style’?

Funky, quirky and sometimes loud.  Customers have said they love my bouquets as they are so out of the ordinary and not in a traditional style.

 

What is currently your favourite design?

I am designing it at the moment! My next bouquet will be something very different and I cannot wait to start it and then show you all.  I don’t think you would have seen one like it before.  I also loved my Red & Blue, I Love You bouquet as the Red and Blue really did it for me. Was sad to see that one go.

 

Who inspires you?

Being honest, it is more “things” that inspire me than any person.

If you could design a button piece for anyone in the world who would it be and what would you create?

As you know Sue, I LOVE Betty Boop (a love that I heart Buttons shares with Ice the Cake). So it would be a very glamorous style of bouquet in red and black with lots of sparkly heart buttons.

 

What is your greatest achievement?

I think opening my shop at the end of August has been the greatest achievement. Having only started out the business earlier this year, I sometimes can’t believe how well it’s going already. I can’t wait until next year!  I have also arranged a photoshoot which is taking place this coming Sunday – that was hard work too!  Oh, and not far behind that would be becoming a semi finalist for your 2011 Awards. Was over the moon to have made it to the semi finals.

Tell us about your fabulous boutique…

My shop opened on 31 August. Even while I was setting it up I had a lady come in who loved my bouquets and within 3 weeks had placed a bridal order.  I have all my bouquets on display in my glass cabinet and I am mostly creating when I am in the shop and that really seems to draw people in.

If you weren’t doing this job what do you think you would be doing?

Coming from a legal background, and moving to the Isle of Wight from London 2 years ago, I would probably have gone back to an office. Or, of course, M&S as the staff discounts are great!

How do you spend your time when you are not working?

Looking after my 2 and 3 year old. My husband works in London for his job so it’s just us 3 a lot of the time. My free time is in the evenings when I can catch up on all the tv my husband hates such as Eastenders, Big Brother.  And even then am usually bouquet making as I can do both at the same time. I also love driving my car. She is my third baby!

Do you have a current special offer for Ice the Cake readers?

I sure do! Take 10% off any of my current bouquets for sale or if you would like me to create you something spectacular for your wedding day, I will give you 10% off a bespoke order.

A Message from Lesa...

I have a fabulous new bouquet in the making. It will be truly gorgeous and original. I cannot wait to share it with you.  And if you are visiting the Isle of Wight in the coming future, pop in and say hi.

To Contact I Heart Buttons go to:

www.iheartbuttons.co.uk

Email:  enquiry@iheartbuttons.co.uk

Tel:  07956 272983

Visit their shop:  23 The Lanes, Royal Arcade, Union Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight  PO33 2LQ

'Credible & Incredible' Supplier of the Week - Global Ice Sculptures

Anyone who visited our Wedding Fayre yesterday at The Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame could not have missed the wonderful creation this company designed for us!

I am delighted to introduce you to this weeks 'Credible and Incredible' Supplier of the Week - Global Ice Sculptures.  I had the pleasure of visiting the company a couple of weeks ago and seeing them carving the sculptures in person.  The workmanship is exceptional and the team are extremely friendly too!

 

Please tell our readers a bit about the history of Global Ice Sculptures… 

Glenn has always been in the ice industry and for many years supplied ice cubes into London’s clubs and bars. However, after seeing some incredible ice sculptures ironically on the other side of the world in Australia, he had the idea to extend his product range and Global Ice Sculptures Ltd was born!

Who are ‘The Team’?

The ‘core’ are Glenn, his partner Clair Willsher and head carver Nopporn Satjavata. The ‘extended family’ include a loyal and dedicated team of other carvers, creatives, delivery and production personnel.

How do you come up with your designs?

The creative team work on a new range each season (much like the fashion industry) as well as looking ahead to key future events - London 2012 for example. Our carvers definitely keep an eye on US world-leading ice design, as well as being influenced by home-grown trends and influences.

Who are Global Ice Sculptures customers?

Global Ice Sculptures are lucky enough to work with both private and corporate clients, both of which appreciate the ‘wow’ factor and impact of ice sculpture at an event.

What is currently your favourite design?

Everyone loves a wedding and the team at Global Ice Sculptures are no different! It’s always a nice call when a bride and groom ring to order an ice wedding cake or entwined hearts!

What events to you provide your Sculptures for?

Anything and everything – weddings, bar mitzvahs, private parties, corporate events, awards dinners, product launches, fashion shows – the list is endless!

You have just started creating stunning table centres can you explain a bit about these?

Yes, following demand, Glenn is working on an innovative production technique to produce self-lit, competitively-priced ice table centrepieces for weddings, corporate functions and awards dinners. The designs are stunning as you say and offer a really innovative and different alternative to flowers.

If you could create an Ice Sculpture for anyone in the world who and what would it be?

Disappointed not to have got a call from William and Kate, Global Ice Sculptures are now hoping to be commissioned by Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne for their big day!

We heard about your visit from the ‘Hairy Bikers’ recently have you been involved with any other celebrity events?

Yes, we have great contacts with some TV production companies and another recent TV commission was from Channel 5 for Celebrity Big Brother 2011. An icy ‘46’ vodka luge was secretly smuggled into the Big Brother garden and was the centrepiece of a raucous party to celebrate Darryn Lyons’ (aka Mr. Paparazzi) birthday.

The launch of Big Brother on Channel 5 gave the channel its highest ever ratings for an entertainment show and Glenn remarked at the time “We’re used to providing sculptures for large events, but I think this is the first time one of our pieces has been viewed by 5 million!”.

How do you spend your time when you are not working?

Glenn and Clair love their work and regularly work 7 days a week – they are committed to delighting their customers and truly care about the events they supply ice sculptures to. On a rare day off, they like heading out on a long walk with their three gorgeous labradoodles!

Do you have a current special offer for Ice the Cake readers?

Absolutely! Global Ice Sculptures will offer FREE DELIVERY with pleasure to all Ice The Cake readers.

A Message from The Team… please add your comments

We love to hear from brides and are more than happy to sketch up a unique ice sculpture design to fit your unique day!

Any other information you would like to include.

We can freeze keepsakes, momentos, photos, table plans and even wedding rings into ice.  It really is such a fun and creative medium to work with!

Thank you so much for your wonderful Ice Sculpture at yesterday's wedding fayre, we are very much looking forward to working with you. xx