Video Release: Behind the scenes with Amanda Li Hope

Amanda Li Hope - Jewelry Designer Maker from SupaDupa.me on Vimeo.
As part of their "Because, Love Comes First" series, SupaDupa Me chats with Amanda and gets a glimpse inside her workshop. In this video Amanda tells us more about herself, her inspirations, her first sale, and little about how she juggles two jobs as an architect and jeweller.

Amanda Li Hope joins Fair Jewelry Action

Fair Jewelry Action announces Amanda Li Hope
as their newest member

It's official - Amanda Li Hope is the UK's 10th member to Fair Jewelry Action, an organisation dedicated to promoting environmental justice and human rights in the jewellery industry. FJA members come from all over the world including Australia, Denmark, Japan, the UK and the USA; and they represent all facets of the industry from manufacturers, retailers, NGO's, to studio and designer jewellers.

Lead by fair trade jewellery advocates Greg Valerio and Marc Choyt , FJA's goal is to create a transparent and traceable global network of mine-to-market products of ethically produced jewellery. 

Amanda is proud to be FJA's newest member and be a part of this international coalition.

'Trends & Vogues' in Six Magazine

Fairtrade Fairmined gold collections featured in Six Magazine

" 'XX' by Amanda Li Hope," written by Thea Natalie 

Happy Anniversary! Celebrating in Fairtrade/Fairmined gold style

Mini 'xx' earrings in 18k yellow Fairtrade/Fairmined gold

with ethically sourced rubies

Amanda's first official Fairtrade/Fairmined gold pair of earrings!

Made, stamped, and just delivered today - the day Fairtrade/Fairmined gold celebrates being one year old and the day before her client's wedding anniversary.

The commission came from a client who wanted these ethically sourced 5mm round rubies set in a pair of mini ‘XX’ earrings as an anniversary gift to his wife. Because of the special provenance of these beautiful stones (look at the colour - yowsers), the client wanted them to be 'set in Fairtrade/Fairmined gold, or nothing at all.'

Amanda usually only sets 3mm stones in this particular sized-setting, and these were 5mm, but she is always up for a challenge. And, seeing the results now, larger stones, and maybe even different shaped ones may be in my XX collection's future...

Amanda delivered the earrings to my client earlier this evening. It was with great delight to see him loupe for the very first time the Fairtrade/Fairmined mark, a stamp placed alongside the standard traditional UK hallmarks. (The earrings also had the Queen's Diamond Jubilee commemorative hallmark.) And, as her client pointed out, it was somehow appropriate to that this commission fell at the same time as Fairtrade/Fairmined gold's 1-year anniversary, and during Fairtrade Fortnight too no less.

Amanda hopes his wife enjoys them as much as she did making them. Happy Anniversary to her client – and to Fairtrade and Fairmined gold!

XOXO Valentine Trunk Show at Wolf & Badger, 11 February

Open!

This past Saturday Amanda hosted my first trunk show at Wolf &Badger's flagship boutique in Notting Hill. The temperatures outside were sub-zero, but that did not stop the many who braved the inhospitable weather to be 'warmed' by the chilled champagne and sweet chocolates. 

It was wonderful afternoon having the chance to present her XX collection to clients, give a preview of her new Asteroid collection (shhh...it's a secret), as well as hold a prize for a pair of mini xx earrings (congratulations to the winner, Edward T!).

Also, Amanda extends a huge thank you to the amazing staff at Wolf & Badger. They were extremely helpful and supportive throughout the process - from pre-show planning, on the day all-hands-on-deck, to post-show wrap up. Not sure how I would have managed without them!

Amanda is already looking forward to hosting my next trunk show. Champagne, chocolate, and jewellery have definitely proven to be a nice way to spend an afternoon.

 Champagne and chocolates.

 X-rings in sterling silver - plain, with rubies or Ceylon sapphires

(photo courtesy of NottingChic)

Men's and women's jewellery

(photo courtesy of NottingChic)

Having a sneak preview of my new Meteorite collection....shhh...

(photo courtesy of NottingChic)

The prize draw tickets are printed...

....and the champagne is chillin'. Now they, along with a huge box of chocolates, are just waiting for Saturday's 'XOXO be my Valentine' jewellery trunk show!

Where: Wolf & Badger, 46 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AB

When: Saturday, 11 February, 2012, noon-5pm

Your invitation is attached...

"XOXO be my Valentine" Trunk Show at Wolf & Badger 

Saturday 11 Feb, 12-5pm

Please join us for Amanda's first solo trunk show at Wolf & Badger's fashion boutique located in Notting Hill, London.

Come be tempted by Amanda's signature XX collection (including never seen before pieces!), a glass of champagne, some chocolates, a prize draw, and a few irresistible special sale offers...

We are looking forward to seeing you there on Saturday.

Where: Wolf & Badger, 46 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AB

When: Saturday, 11 February, 2012, noon-5pm