House Of Wonderland

Pin Up Jewellery - House of Wonderland

In the first of a series of features on independent designers and small businesses that we admire, we take a look at House of Wonderland, designers and manufacturers of some great, quirky and fun jewellery and customised accessories and clothing.

Tessa Shearer studied Art & Design whilst at college in Skipton, Yorkshire.  After the birth of her first child, Tessa returned to college to continue her professional development in Theatre Costume Design.  A frustrated designer, Tessa left college before finalizing her qualification, keen to establish her own business.  Tessa has developed an array of experience in fashion, jewellery and website design. In addition, Tessa creates pop art, comic book, illustration paintings and limited edition art prints. Tessa was also pre-selected for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters exhibition in London.

Tessa’s passion for innovative craft and design, inspired from Japanese and vintage styles, is also inspired by her two young children, and has resulted in the launch in the spring 2012 of House of Wonderland.  Her aim is to offer unique, colourful designs, whilst supporting independent companies, designers and suppliers, with most supplies from independent UK stores to provide a “proud to be British” product.

Tessa has a vast reservoir of knowledge and experience and is extremely hard working resulting her being intimately familiar with all of her products.  Tessa is determined for HW to be successful.

We asked Tessa some questions to find out more:

What led you to form House Of Wonderland?

I have been making jewellery and clothes since I was very young and was selling them in shops when I was just 15 years old..

What is it you like about the pin up style?

I love how the style is able to be classy but still retain its naughty twist. 

Name someone from the past world of pin up who has inspired you?

From a young age Betty Page has obviously been a huge inspiration to me and my work. Being a pioneer in the risque and breaking new ground whilst popularising an underground genre over such a short time has always inspired me to aim high in life and business.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

In 5 years I hope that I can continue running HOW, We are planning to expand the business and bring it lots of new designs;  Which will hopefully in turn increase our exposure and stockists worldwide.

Who currently inspires you?

Seeing all the awesome designs that I see other UK shops selling constantly push me to try harder and to explore new areas of work. I also find a lot of inspiration from artists of all forms as they generally have the same vast imagination as I do which helps me to turn my ideas from thoughts into jewellery.

Who influences your work, past or present?

John Galliano has always been a massive influence in my work from the start because of his quirky style. Andy Warhol is another huge influence as his style is the opposite to Galliano's but it is still "out there", and he was amazing at making the mundane interesting. 

House of Wonderland have a website at http://www.how-store.com and a facebook page https://www.facebook.com/houseofwonderlandofficial

We are delighted to say that we will be selling a selection of comic book/movie/pin up inspired pieces from House of Wonderland at our stall at the London Film & Comic Con from 5th - 7th July