After many many requests and questions over the years. Here’s a sneak peek into the world of Cutie Pie started by me Danielle Butler in 2007. From an early age I collected vintage treasures after being hauled around all the French vintage markets by my parents as a child. I’ve got quite a treasure trove now…this combined with a dream of working for myself. I started making vintage clothes & jewellery after I couldn’t find what I wanted on the high street and thus Cutie Pie was born.

Name: Danielle Butler , well actually Snowden Boyd – still not used to the fact I’m now married. Plus I’m quite fond of my old name.

Where are you from?

Originally from bootiful Norfolk but I now call Hossegor, France my home after living in France for 5 years.

How did you come up with the name?

That’s a tough one, it just kinda happened. I’m a lover of all things cute so it seemed natural to me to call it Cutie Pie. Which at the time sold reworked vintage clothes & one off vintage chandeliers. Back then I only had a very small collection of jewellery.

Can you give a bit of background into your design history?

I studied Textile Design at the University of Leeds where I specialized in knitwear for some unknown reason! I’ve always loved creating things and remaking things with vintage bits & bobs. Since university I’ve taken a few short courses in jewellery making which I loved and learnt a great deal. I couldn’t imagine not being creative.

What made you set up your own business?

I’ve always dreamed of working for myself and knew from an early age that’s what I wanted to do.

What has been the biggest challenge to overcome so far?

I won’t lie being a small company its tough in this current economic climate. But I’m pleased to say we still going strong, we’ve weathered a few storms but are still smiling (well most of the time). As with everyone running a small company I have good days and bad days, but when you work for yourself you just have to keep going, there is no other choice. But then I remember how much I’ve achieved, Cutie Pie will always be a part of my life.

Where do you find inspiration for your jewellery designs?

From anywhere, it could be someone I’ve seen out and about, some treasure I’ve found at an antique fair – literally anything. I also love reading blogs, and could spend days just sourcing inspirational pictures from the internet. What is your studio or workspace like?

Like an explosion of beads, charms & finished pieces. I’m pretty lucky that we have a beautiful sunny room which looks out on a row of the most brilliant blue hydrangeas. I’m also a neat freak so even though there are beads, necklaces, charms you name it covering every surface at the end of the day they always get packed away as I can’t bear any mess.

What have been the highlights of Cutie Pie so far?

I’m really pleased to say that there have bee quite a few highlights over the years. Every time Cutie Pie is featured in the press I get a huge buzz and almost have to pinch myself. Also when you meet someone that has heard of you – it just makes you smile & you know that its all worth while. We love hearing from customers and when I’m having a bad day and wondering what the hell I’m doing I just read over all the lovely things people have written, it gives me strength.

Who does you jewellery appeal to?

Hopefully everybody! I’d like to think that the Cutie Pie customer likes to be unique & likes to seek out something different & stand out from the crowd. Abit like me really in the fact that I spend weekends sourcing vintage pieces and to recreate something unique and individual.

What’s next?

Now that would be telling! We’ve just launched a part of our SS12 collection and its quite different from what Cutie Pie normally sells. I feel like we are going back to our roots and felt this year was time for a change. We’ve also just finished our first ever look book so we’re pretty excited to share it with you guys soon. We hope you like it! x

Here’s a sneak peek at some behind the scene shots taken by me from our first ever look book on location in bootiful North Norfolk with the very talented Camilla and our gorgeous models.

Can you tell that we love balloons & bubbles just alittle!