Local Artists Create our Christmas Windows

This year, our Christmas windows have been created in collaboration with four local artists who all specialise in window illustration.

We asked each artist to work with a similar colour palette of white, silver, gold and greens to create a border of Christmas foliage, and asked that some of our key jewellery designs were integrated into the illustration. Otherwise the artists had free rein to do what they wanted - and we love the results!

Each artist attracted quite a crowd as they got to work and it was fantastic to see the window designs come to life throughout the day as work progressed. We are absolutely thrilled with the results and love the individuality of each store's design. Take a look at each window and artist below - which is your favourite?

York, Harrogate and Leeds

These three windows were conceived by the amazingly talented Nikki Whiston. Nikki is a hand-lettering artist and illustrator based in Sheffield. As well as hand-drawn window illustrations, boards and murals, Nikki is in high demand for wedding decorations and favours.

Nikki created a design of holly, mistletoe and snowflakes with a beautiful majestic stag. You can also spot Father Christmas flying across the windows on his way to deliver some special gifts! Nikki used our Heart of Yorkshire and Arbor Vitae jewellery designs as 'baubles' hanging from her beautilly detailed foliage border.

Nikki with her design for the York store.

Harrogate Christmas windows.

 The design replicated at our Leeds city centre store.

Skipton

Nikki put us in touch with fellow illustrator Lucie Cooke who took on the task of decorating our Skipton store windows. Lucie has a background in fashion and pattern design and now works as a freelance illustrator and designer. Lucie is based in Clitheroe so it was a quick journey for her over to our brand new Skipton store.

Lucie collaborated closely with Nikki and based her work on Nikki's design, but with her own twist. Lucie added baubles based on our Sister Sadie star pendant and Whitewaters Twist pendant. We love the stag on the Skipton window - he looks very happy to be there!

Azendi Skipton windows by Lucie Cooke.

Beverley

Our Beverley window has been illustrated by Siobhan Warrender, otherwise known as Brush & Pen. Siobhan is based in Cleethorpes, down the coast from Beverley, and specialises in wedding stationery and signs, as well as window illustration.

Siobhan had a much smaller window to work with but has composed a stunning design with deep green pine foliage and pretty baubles, including our Heart of Yorkshire design.

The beautiful Christmas windows in Beverley.

Northallerton

The Northallerton store has been decorated by Hornsea based artist Charlotte Eldred. Charlotte creates beautiful colourful cards and prints as well as bespoke window illustrations.

Charlotte has completed a border of holly and mistletoe around these windows, with Heart of Yorkshire and Arbor Vitae 'baubles'. We especially love the detailed wreath that Charlotte has drawn on the front door in white, silver and gold.

 Windows in Northallerton by Charlotte Eldred

Discover the Work of these local artists

Have a look at the websites of these four incredibly talented artists to see more of their window illustrations and their other design work. Each artist also offers a variety of workshops if you fancy having a go yourself at illustration or calligraphy!

Nikki Whiston: www.nikkiwhistoninks.co.uk

Lucie Cooke: www.luciecookedesign.co.uk

Siobhan Warrender: www.facebook.com/brushandpenuk

Charlotte Eldred: www.charlotteeldreddesign.co.uk