Look out for Azure Bridal Jewellery in this month’s Irish Wedding Diary magazine, the editorial piece about our “Meet the Designer” Night describes how Azure Jewellery will showcasing some of their handmade jewellery designs including wedding hair accessories at Tamen Michael, Dublin on 18th April 2012 and Protocol, Drogeda on 26th April 2012.

We will bring you more news on “Meet the Designer” over the next few weeks.

“Meet The Designer Night” in Dublin is in conjunction with Tamen Michael.

Azure Jewellery Cork have stockist nationwide, and we are proud to announce that Protocol in Belfast and Drogheda as well as Tamen Michael in Dublin will now be stocking  Azure Bridal Jewellery and wedding hair accessories in their 3 stores.

As part of this new partnership with Irish Bridal Dress Designer Tamem Michael, whose creations are designed and produced in their Dublin Studio, Azure Jewellery will be featuring in a “Meet the Designer Night” to talk about and showcase some of the handmade jewellery designs including bridal hair accessories that are available from Azure Jewellery.

“Meet the Designer” will be held at Tamen Michael, Dublin on 18th April and Protocol, Drogeda on 26th April. Watch this space for more information

The popular RTE series Don’t Tell The Bride was in Cork recently and the show that aired on Thursday 1st March 2012 saw a groom from Cork organise his wedding; including venue, transport, flowers, suits, bridesmaids dresses and most importantly the brides dress and accessories.

The Groom went to Say I Do in Midleton and with help from owner Ria, found his bride the perfect dress and bridal accessories including one of our wedding headpieces. For more information about Azure Bridal Jewellery stockist Say I Do in Midleton visit their website

The Don’t Tell The Bride episode broadcast on RTE on 1st March 2012 is available to view on the RTE Player now: Don’t Tell the Bride on RTE PLAYER

Cork Bride tries on Azure Jewellery wedding head piece on RTE's Don't Tell The Bride (episode aired: 01.03.2012)

Miss Cork and Miss Cork Universe were crowned on Sunday 11th March at the Rochestown Hotel in Cork. Both winners were presented with a stunning handmade crown designed by Azure Jewellery. We were honoured to create the Miss Cork 2012 crowns and delighted to see our handmade jewellery adorn the heads of the winners.

For Miss Cork winner Susan Kate Brosnan and Miss Cork Universe winner Katriona O’Mahony, both of whom won a year’s contract, management and training with Lockdown Models, owned by Directors Emer O’Sullivan & Vivienne Kelly, life is about to get that bit busier. Susan Kate Brosnan the Miss Cork winner will soon be representing Cork at the the prestigious Miss Ireland Finals in Dublin on 29th April and Katriona O’Mahony the Miss Cork Universe winner will be representing Cork at the Miss Ireland Universe Finals this summer, an event that is run by Andrea Roche and that boasts former winners such as Lynn Kelly and Rozanna Purcell, who is now modelling in the USA at Donald Trump’s Agency.

We were delighted to be involved in this fantastic competition and from all of us at Azure Jewellery Cork, Congratulations and all the very best of luck.

Below is just a selection of pictures from the event, including some of the winners in the Azure Jewellery designed winners crowns. All pictures are by Brian Lougheed.

Miss Cork judges from left to right: Roz Purcell (former Miss Ireland Universe); Clair O'Connor (Lockdown); Patrick Murphy (former Mr Cork), Sarah Mello (Lockdown), Wendy Good (Evening Echo columnist), Ray Shah, compere and Etaoin ní hAlpín

Miss Cork Universe winner Katriona O'Mahony, Roz Purcell former Miss Ireland universe, Miss Cork winner Susan Kate Brosnan

Miss Cork winner Susan Kate Brosnan

Miss Cork Universe winner Katriona O'Mahony

Congratulations to Miss Cork 2012 winners Katriona O’ Mahony (for Miss Cork Universe) and Susan Brosnan (Miss Cork).

Azure Jewellery Cork would like to say thanks for an absolutely fantastic night and pass on our congratulations to winners, who were absolutely amazing!  We also want to congratulate our very own Jen Cosgrove, who was amazing throughout the contest, and looked fantastic!

Also congratulations to all the girls at Lockdown Models for running such a great and enjoyable evening, we at Azure Jewellery had a ball. Images and more information from the night still to come!

This Sunday 11th March at 8pm at the Rochestown Park Hotel the Miss Cork final will be taking place.

Our very own Jen Cosgrove is taking part in the competition, which former Miss Ireland, Andrea Roche and TV Presenter & DJ Ray Shah will be hosting.

We will bring you news next week as to how she got on and hopefully have some fantastic images to share with you from the night. Good Luck Jen from all at Azure Jewellery Cork.

Mother’s day is the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation and thanks for the many things that your mum does day to day that goes unsaid. This year Mothers Day is on March the 18th the day after St Patricks Day.

Treating mum to a special gift this year, something thoughtful and reflective, a gift that is permanent and eternal such as jewellery is the ideal choice. Handmade Jewellery such as contemporary necklaces, elegant understated pearl drop earrings made using Swarovski pearls, a statement bracelet, or a simple brooch; there is something to suit everyone at Azure Jewellery Cork.

Whether you choose contemporary, elegant or even bespoke items, jewellery is a great way to say thank you and often seen as a long lasting symbol and reminder of the lifelong bond you two share.

Think of a marriage proposal and the standard image is of the man getting down on bended knee in a romantic restaurant or under the Eiffel tower in Paris. But what is the reverse happened? What if it was the woman who did the proposing? Well today of all days if the perfect opportunity. For today is the 29th February, Leap Year, an event which only happens once in every four years when the calendar changes and so do the rules.

Leap Year is that magical time when the rules change, roles reverse and women can propose to their men. An Irish tradition harking back to the 5th century and strong Irish women, legend has it that St Brigid noting the unfairness of men being the only ones who could propose convinced St Patrick to allow women the chance to pop the question on Leap Year. Added to this came another twist in the Middle Ages when a law was passed that if a man refused a proposal he had to compensate his beloved with fines ranging from a simple kiss, to payment to the purchase of 12 silk gloves (to hide the shame) or a silk gown.

So if you are feeling adventurous why not be the one to pop the question. And if the worse happens and he refuses then you are perfectly within your rights to ask for a compensatory gift. Maybe even a piece of handmade jewellery? And if he says yes then you are one step on the road to your perfect wedding and can then concentrate on your next task, that of choosing your ideal bridal jewellery.

It is tradition to remember and honour the bridesmaids for all their hard work and support before, during and after your big day.

When choosing Bridesmaids Gifts to reward and honour the services of each individual bridesmaid involved in making your day special, one memorable gift idea is jewellery and giving a beautiful timeless piece that recognises and suits each individual bridesmaid.

Browse our selection of Bridesmaid Jewellery, beautifully designed, elegant and affordable and if we do not have the perfect piece, then talk to us about customising your bridesmaid jewellery or bridesmaid hair accessories, to create a bespoke bridal jewellery piece that can be worn again and again after the big day.

Jen Cosgrove is a customer services assistant at Azure Jewellery who we are delighted will this year be representing Azure Jewellery, the bridal jewellery and wedding hair accessories specialist in Cork, within the 2012 Miss Cork competition.

Jen is from Waterford and is studying Arts at UCC and is interested writing, music, fashion and meeting new people. As an Arts Student, Jen has a keen interest in Art, impressionism mainly and photography and in English, in particular classic literature, media and current affairs.

Jen is hoping to go on to do a masters in publishing in London and her other ambitions  include doing a bungee jump, a sky diving, becoming fluent in French and to travel to Africa to assist with the conservation of Big Cats.

Over the next few months Jen will be actively involved in all the many Miss Cork activities, and you can keep up to date with all the Miss Cork 2012 news in our blog.

Jen (2nd left) at the launch of Miss Cork 2012, with left to right Audrey, (Jen), Amy and Katie all of Azure Jewellery in Cork