Shoes are the real gems for Nottingham designer

A Nottinghamshire designer is helping people to have shoes that are real gems.

Sarah Lee is one of only a handful of people in the UK to embellish and paint shoes for special occasions and is getting noticed around the world, with enquiries coming from as far afield as Texas, USA.

Sarah launched Anara Designs with the assistance of her mum, Angie Young, fitting in her client work around working for an employer.

But Sarah’s artistry and creativity is now gaining attraction from buyers around the UK, and even from potential clients in the US.

Sarah said: “I have always been creative in some form or another, but my passion for design started as a child, when I dreamed of creating stunning ball gowns, wedding dresses and all the beautiful sparkles that went along with it.

“When I eventually got to art college and took my first jewellery class, my love of creating with gems was truly realised. After leaving college, I went on to become a very successful wedding photographer, but my passion for jewellery and craft never left me, although it remained a hobby.

“When, for personal reasons, we had to stop taking bookings as wedding photographers, it gave me a perfect opportunity to turn my love of this craft from a hobby into a career and thus Anara Designs emerged.”

Sarah prides herself on creating luxury, elegant, one-of-a-kind designs for any special occasion.

People can visit the studio in Jacksdale, by appointment, where they can discuss their requirements and Sarah will draw sketches of what the finished designs will look like. Sarah also designs other accessories too, such as bags, gifts, bracelets, necklaces and cufflinks.

And while Anara Designs can embellish or paint on almost every shoe, Sarah has also now created her own range of shoes, which she has had specially made.

She said: “Another love of mine, like with most women, is shoes and more than anything, different shoes so when I started Anara I couldn’t wait to create a very individual shoe range.

“I started hand embellishing the shoes with lace and crystal which made beautiful bridal shoes that could be totally personalised to match the dress, but I wanted to get more creative so I started the hand-painted shoe range which really is creative and totally different.”