* What gave you the inspiration to set the company up?
I established Gioia Mia in 2004, after designing and making all the jewellery and hair accessories for a bride, her bridesmaids and flower girls.
I had been making things for as long as I can remember – usually the sorts of things which were so small and intricate that they would drive most other people to distraction. Over the years, people told me repeatedly I had an amazing imagination and such incredible patience for working on so small a scale.
From the very beginning, I loved the process of working collaboratively with my friend who was getting married. She had brought her own vision, her own energy, I added my imagination and skills into the mix to design and create a series of unique pieces which, however, all belonged together. She absolutely loved them and I was really touched to hear that so many people had commented on my work at the wedding, saying how unusual it had been, how beautifully designed it was and how well finished it all was. I had enjoyed the whole process so much that it seemed the most natural thing in the world to want to repeat it, and so Gioia Mia, bespoke jewellery and accessories, was born.
From that point I continued to expand my knowledge of jewellery-making techniques, and in 2007 I moved into a bright, top-floor studio space which I share with painters and other jewellers. I now receive commissions from throughout the UK (as well as from further afield) and my work is regularly featured in bridal magazines.

Photo by Ksenia Kamotskaia

Have a look at her site, Gioia Mia, where there is lots more info on Sonia and her accessories, including pricing (its very good value from what I can see). Isn’t this photo above gorgeous with the bride wearing Gioia Mia hair accessories?

My second favourites would be my most recent, for Matt and Tom, who are having a Civil Ceremony in Camden later this year. Again, I am on the other side of the world to my clients so everything has had to be done over skype and email, which worked fine. They didn’t want anything to ‘weddingy’ (which is what a lot of my clients seem to say!) and they have a great love of pug dogs, so we decided to use them as the main theme. I’d never done a heavily text based invite before and wanted to try it out with these. I really love how they have turned out, especially the big ‘Hooray!’. I hand drew all the text (traced from TImes New Roman) to give them a real handmade feel and because of this, thought that screen printing would give the best result, as when screen printed, each card takes on a very special unique quality that you don’t get with digital printing. They were expertly printed by my good friends at The Badger Press in navy blue. They were such fun to design, and working with such a creative and great couple made it all the better.

* Why should LMW readers choose someone like you to do their stationery?
I love working with couples to make sure I create something that accurately reflects their personalities and the feel of their day. I’m very hands on and enjoy searching out new printing techniques and other special materials to make each design truly unique. My bespoke process is clear and simple and I keep clients involved and up to date with every step from consultation to printing. It’s a job I love and am passionate about, and I hope this shows in my designs.