Cornelli Sugarcraft Cakes to Die for!

Cornelli Sugarcraft Specialist window displays are so creative and inspiring that you can't help but want to go in and devour one (or more) of their many wonderful offerings..... or stock up on all the relevant tools to attempt the same ghoulish creations at home!  Cornellis is a little shop in Wendover, a market town at the foot of the Chiltern Hills.  Not only do they have one of the most comprehensive ranges of Sugarcraft supplies and equipment in the area, the friendly staff are extremely helpful.  Being expert cake decorators they are able to offer advice and tips.  As a fully fledged cake lover I have signed up to many of their inspiring modelling and cupcake decorating workshops and have gained some exciting skills to design my very own Gothic works. 

The uniqueness put into each of their tasty masterpieces by the owner Debbie makes a trip to the store a holiday highlight if you are in the Buckinghamshire area. Just take a look at the latest window display for Halloween. The scene displayed is a collection of  Black cake lace on red fondant, adorned with skulls and roses, plus another creation of Bats flying above a graveyard with a coffin and even a friendly Count Dracula!



Looking for ideas for the kids, then check out some of these super cute cupcakes with edible eyeballs, ghosts, witches hats and pumpkins.   The next Halloween Cupcake Class by Tara will be held at the shop on 21 October 2014.

We are hoping to create some Halloween inspired cakes to share with you all next month so keep your eyes peeled.

For more info on Cornelli SugarCraft Specialists take a look at their page and follow our Gothic Shop blog for the latest updates on all things Goth!

Customised Collectors Dolls Handmade by Lizzy

Bet you guessed it already but alongside our desire to make and admire beautiful Gothic cakes, we have also developed an obsession with the elegantly detailed Goth-Inspired dolls created by Lizzy.

Lizzy  is the mastermind behind Handmade by Lizzy creations, she is self taught and has grown from strength to strength with her latest masterpieces featuring a  freaky fusion of Goth meets Doll.  Lizzy's passion for creating and making items from polymere clay to watching blue peter has all been the driving force behind her success since she began sewing crafts in 2009 .

Lizzy's love of sewing drove her into designing and making her first sock monkey and launching her Facebook page, this gave Lizzy a starting point to sell her beloved figures and as word began to spread she slowly evolved into producing the fantasy ' Dream Catchers', which are CE approved.

Then in 2013 her little sister had her heart set on a special doll for her birthday which she asked Lizzy to make for her and so the 'Victoria' Doll by Handmade by Lizzy Custom Dolls was born.  Lizzy has since found herself within her dolls, dreaming about dolls, waking up and itching to get started on her new orders.

Plus we have just fallen in love with our new Gothic Shop Doll 'Serena Sinister' wearing a mini version of one of a Sinister dress!

Our new Doll 'Serena Sinister' and 'Victoria' the 1st Doll ever made by Lizzy

Handmade by Lizzy has reached doll collectors across the globe and has sold approximately 150 custom made designer dolls worldwide which equates to  Lizzy challenging herself and doing her utmost best to bring life to a new doll everyday of the week plus  putting her heart and soul into the fine attention to detail bestowed upon every single one of her treasured dolls, sharing a little piece of herself with her customers.

Handmade by Lizzy has made some of the most exquisite Gothic and Steampunk, Fairy, Witch and Vamp inspired dolls which we felt had to be shared with all our fans.  All the dolls have the 'Handmade by Lizzy' label inside them and come with a swing tag with their name on.

Check out Handmade By Lizzy's Facbook Page for details on the various styles and prices and a detailed description on how to place your order.

Finer Details at The Gothic Shop

Most of us will currently be busy picking out our Halloween costumes for the 31st October (and for all the other ghoulishly glam parties that we will be attending over the next couple of months). Getting the look right is also about the finer details, for instance the right choker with that low cut dress is enough to make the ensemble one to remember on that night out. Perhaps it's the blood red diamante gemstones that add to the vampish effect of a Halloween outfit? These details may be small but you can bet your bottom dollar that Mr handsome Frankenstein at that club is going to notice. Everything from fangs to footless tights will matter on the big night. Here are just a few of the new additions to The Gothic Shop's accessories range that may just catch your eye: 

Rosie the Reaper Skull on Black Hairclips modelled by Dolly Diamond, Nils Bratby Photography (Now Available in a range of colours)  

Although Halloween is traditionally known for garish costumes, The Gothic Shop like to do things the stylish way. Dresses and outfits will be flattering as well as fiendish, no matter what you will be going as this year. But what about the accessories? Take a look at any number of the gorgeous jewels, make up, hair pieces and hair pins on offer for very wearable style this All Hallows Eve. Skulls are a timeless and popular look for this time of year, but this symbol of death and rebirth can be worn everyday in these delicate hair clips. The Rosie the Reaper Hairclips are now available in purple, white with blood spatter and glitter to list but a few. Use one or two together to pin back loose hair, make it a feature in an elaborate hairdo- the choice is yours.

Kahlovera Skull Red Butterfly Small Gothic Hairclip SECOND

A pre-loved accessory can sometimes bring about a whole new accent to dressing up for autumn, and there certainly is something about the vintage that makes it that much more meaningful when worn on the person. This is no different for the Kahlovera Skull Red Butterfly clip, a smaller accessory that makes a wild statement. Again, like the Rosie the Reaper hair clips this too features a skull detail at it's centre. Then there is the realistic looking details of the wings, the creature could fly off at any minute! Team this cute clip with some of the other butterfly clips newly listed on an elaborate bouffant hairdo. Alternatively wear your cute Skull Butterfly clip as a little brooch on a jacket collar for easy chic. 

Eyeleen Rose Hairclip by Hairy Scary, Modeled by Dolly Diamond, Photography by Nils Bratby.

Sticking with the Flower hairclip theme, the Eyeleen Rose Hairclip is a must. Fun mixed with fashion, take your pick from a range of different petal colours, each has a ghoulish zombie eye gazing back from the centre of the clip. Why not team two together to really spook out your neighbours when out trick or treating? The easy clip back makes all the hairclips at The Gothic Shop super easy to put it and take out. 

Whether cute or scary, the right accessories will make an ordinary Halloween outfit into a super great one! Take a look at the rest of the collection of accessories at The Gothic Shop.

What to wear for Halloween

Our calendars are filling up with Halloween club nights, which means we get to don our best dresses and 'costumes' with Goths who appreciate brocade, lace and velvet over commercial gear. We have picked out a few favourites this year to help you add to your collection and 'shop your closet' for some world class designs.

If you are going for witchy elegance, the Zella Purple Gothic Dress features purple taffeta and black mesh with velvet criss-cross ribbon and black roses. From your wardrobe a pair of gloves, cuffs, petticoat or long sleeved top underneath can transform your look.

Opt for gothic glamour with this Adare Haunted House Corset Dress, printed with red feathers, haunted houses, gravestones and skulls.  Put on your favourite black heels and add a gothic hairclip for a classic and simple look.

Unleash your inner vamp girl with this edgy Flocked Black Gothic Victorian Corseted Dress, black lace filigree and black skulls teamed with a high neck collar, ruffled sleeves and adjustable skirt length give this dress some extra voom-ma!

The Black Petal Flocked Gothic Mini Dress is a little mixture of sci-fi and fantasy, so get your game on with this LBD.

If you are a Tim Burton fan, this Alvira Black Satin Gown makes for a great Corspe Bride. The gothic gown has delicate black lace puffed shoulders and a black ruched overskirt detailed with little black roses. The dress is trimmed with black velvet ribbon.  Add a veil and you are set to say 'I do'

For more 'costume' ideas visit www.the-gothic-shop.co.uk.

How about having a Gothic wedding ceremony?

Ellie is an alternative Civil Celebrant specialising in Gothic, Steampunk, Rock ‘N’ Roll and alternative weddings. She is based in Birmingham, West Midlands, but travels all over the country to perform weddings, renewal of vows, baby naming’s, engagements and funeral ceremonies for alternative people. With over fifteen years’ experience in the wedding industry, she is also able to recommend companies to help couples looking for alternative suppliers to have the perfect wedding ceremony. From clothes, flowers, transport, venues to alternative cake makers, she can help couples have a unique wedding ceremony.

Every wedding or ceremony she performs is unique and bespoke to each couple. She will help you write your own vows, choose readings, poems and music if required, or will write your vows for you. She will perform your ceremony for you and include your family and friends in the ceremony should you want to do that. There are various ceremony extras she offers from lighting a unity candle, having a unity sand ceremony to presenting you with a copy of your bespoke ceremony and a commemorative parchment signed by your chosen witnesses.

If you are looking for a bespoke wedding ceremony which includes your lifestyle choices and gives you control over the vows you say, why not contact her on ellie@alternativeceremoniesuk.com

Website:  http://www.alternativeceremoniesuk.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/altceremoniesuk
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AltCelebrant
Google +:  https://plus.google.com/+EllieFarrellaltcelebrant
Pinterest:  https://gb.pinterest.com/elishevafarrell

Footloose and Fancy Free at The Gothic Shop!

Along with key pieces for my wardrobe, I do love good accessories- jewellery, hair accessories, belts, all the little extras that make a plain outfit into an amazing one! With the cooler autumn days just around the corner it pays to stock up on all of these to keep looking fabulous, especially as the festive season draws ever near.

Tights are a must have for any wardrobe. With something for all tastes and shapes, The Gothic Shop have a new range of footless and full tights along with a selection of dainty socks to see you through the cooler months. 

Keeping those tootsies warm in guaranteed style has never been easier with these gorgeous little numbers- here are just some of my favourites:

Front Slash Ripped Black Footless Tights  

Think tights are boring- take a look again! How about The Front Slash Ripped Black Footless Tights for unique? Whether you love the punk look, or are a fan of the more modern 1980's revival that seems to be everywhere at the moment- slashes in fashion are officially hot. Think retro chic with the ripped jeans look, only a heck of a lot sleeker. This gorgeous pair of tights from Pamela Mann that will give anyone a silhouette to die for. Team with your most daring heels or pair of winter boots for a cosy look. A short skirt or mini dress will really show off those slender slash details. These footless tights are one of the easiest ways to look fab fast!    

Pothole Fishnet Black Gothic Tights 

Adore the look of fishnets but want a quirky alternative to the well known sexy tights? The more detail the better and these Pothole Fishnet Tights by Pamela Mann are the perfect example. A great accessory to elongate the legs while still adding a cool twist to any little black dress. Instead of the traditional looking fishnets, your legs will be adorned with a delicate pothole design. Like all of the tights at The Gothic Shop, you will find they bring a figure flattering element to almost anything they are worn with. These sultry black full tights will look just as chic with a pair of daisy dukes or fitted PVC dress. The Pothole Fishnet Black Gothic Tights is urban elegance at it's very best.  

Plain Over the Knee Black Gothic Tights 

Tights are super chic in all their guises, they have the power to make an everyday outfit into a show stopping one. Hold ups are known for being some of the sexiest when it comes to leg wear. Put away the frills and you have a look that's elegant and very wearable during the daytime too. This clever design gives out the illusion that the wearer is in hold ups. Instead the darker panel at the bottom is held together with a sheer one at the top- these tights are all about the comfort and the practicality. 

This is just a taster of the amazing leg wear you can expect to find on the The Gothic Shop- Head on down to the website for more hot autumn style!

It's not all Black, colour combinations for Goths!

We adore deep rich blues, purples, reds, greens and golds teamed with black lace, satin and velvet for their elegance and drama it adds to your outfit. Whether you are looking for a quick change in style to romance, hippy or Victorian beauty start adding gothic colours to your closet and begin an exciting clothing adventure.

If you have a special occasion coming up then why not try a green or purple floor length organza skirt combined with a lace-up corset. This look oozes sophistication and has a very romantic feel with the soft chic flow of the ruffles and satin.

Who needs a little black dress to go with your new colour investment? Hands up for this Black Lace Pagan Dress, inspired from the 1800's with flared sleeves, lace up front and layered witchy skirt. This dress is seductive and alluring in full black lace which can be worn alone and accessorised or over a coloured petticoat.

For a simple splash of colour we have these gorgeous flowing Hippy Mesh skirts in purple, red and green with floral lace and fine mesh panels embroidered and adorned with sequins, the underskirt is tie-dyed in a mix of black and colour.  Also in available are the Fine Mesh Skirts with floaty 3 tiered witch points and tie-dyed skirts.

Show off your best assets with this Isis Gothic Hippy  dress by Dark Star with a tie-dyed velvet bodice and black ribbon lace-up while the skirt is flowing and feminine with embroidered detail and black braiding.

For more style inspiration check out www.the-gothic-shop.co.uk