Some products quietly become part of the furniture around here.
Not literally, of course. Though given the amount of crafting supplies that seem to migrate around my workspace of their own accord, I wouldn't entirely rule it out.
Wedding horseshoes and of course all the horseshoe collections we've enjoyed, are one of those products.
They've been a much-loved part of Parade Handmade for years, helping customers celebrate weddings, engagements, new homes and special milestones with a gift steeped in tradition and goodwill.
If you've browsed my horseshoe collection before, you'll probably know that most of the horseshoes have come from Liffey Forge. Their beautiful handcrafted pieces have been incredibly popular with my customers over the years, and I'm very grateful to have been able to offer them.
However, as Liffey Forge gradually winds down production of this side of their business, I find myself looking towards the future and asking an important question.
What happens next?
The answer, it turns out, is more creativity.
Rather than saying goodbye to horseshoes altogether, it felt like the right time to pick up the reins myself and begin creating more of my own decorative horseshoe designs alongside the remaining Liffey Forge pieces.
In fact, some of you may already have spotted a few of them.
My handmade wedding horseshoes made their debut last year and received such a lovely response that I knew I wanted to continue developing the collection and in other directions too.
Creating them feels surprisingly familiar to me.
Although horseshoes might seem quite different from jewellery at first glance, I often find myself approaching them in a very similar way. Many of the techniques used in creating jewellery over the years come in very handy when decorating horseshoes. Choosing colours, balancing textures, selecting embellishments, knowing how to attach then in a professional , longlasting and pleasing manner, considering how ribbons, flowers and decorative details work together — it all draws on the same creative instincts I've been using since I first started making jewellery with Lapanda Designs back in 2007.
The scale may be different, but the process feels wonderfully familiar.
One of the things I particularly love about these horseshoes is the story they carry with them.
The horseshoes I work with are genuine recycled Irish horseshoes. Some are iron, some are aluminium, and each listing will tell you which material has been used.
Before arriving at my workbench, these horseshoes have already had a life of their own. Some have been worn by racehorses. Others have belonged to working horses. All have played their part before being cleaned, restored and transformed into something new.
There's something rather lovely about that.
Perhaps it's because I enjoy the idea of giving materials a second chapter. Perhaps it's because I have always admired horses themselves - their strength, spirit and beauty. Or perhaps it's simply because I like knowing that each horseshoe already has a story before I begin adding my own creative touches.
Whatever the reason, I feel that history becomes part of the finished piece.
A wedding horseshoe is traditionally given as a wish for luck and happiness in the future. It's a custom that has endured for generations, and I think that's because the sentiment remains as meaningful today as ever. I presented a horseshoe myself to my godmother when I was 18 months old. I walked over and she accepted it with a big smile. I have a photo somewhere. It's very sweet and very traditional.
Life moves quickly.
Weddings come and go in a blur of excitement, planning and celebration. Engagements mark the beginning of a new chapter. New homes represent fresh starts and hopeful beginnings.
A horseshoe feels like a lovely way to acknowledge those moments.
Not in a grand or extravagant way, but in a thoughtful one.
As I work on new designs over the coming months, you'll see a variety of styles appearing. Some will feature florals, some will draw inspiration from nature and gardens, and others may include creatures and decorative details that appeal to my love of cottagecore charm and storytelling.
That's one of the joys of creating them myself.
Each new design gives me an opportunity to experiment, explore ideas and create something a little different.
The existing Liffey Forge horseshoes will remain available while stocks last, but alongside them you'll gradually see more of my own handmade creations appearing.
It feels less like a replacement and more like an evolution.
A continuation of something that customers clearly enjoy, but with a little more of my own creative voice woven through it.
For anyone with a wedding, engagement or special occasion on the horizon, rest assured that horseshoes will continue to have a home here at Parade Handmade.
And for those who simply enjoy seeing what's happening behind the scenes, consider this your first little glimpse of what I'm currently working on.
There are ribbons to choose, beads to arrange, embellishments to test and ideas still taking shape on the worktable.
In other words, plenty to keep me occupied as per usual...many of you are the same I know.
Which, if we're being honest, is exactly how we like it.
Click Here for my Current Horseshoe Gifts Collection
Keep doing what you enjoy, until next time, from Amanda
