By Emma Morley

Last updated 13:19, Sunday, 18 May 2008

The choice of your wedding stationery is made months before your big day and the design often sets the tone for your wedding.

Michelle Hodgson

If you want something different – and want to steer away from the high street – then stationery that is tailor-made guarantees your guests won’t have seen it before.

Michelle Hodgson’s natural artistic flair and passion for arts and crafts mean that her hand-made stationery is classy and unique.

It was when her cousin got married in 2006 and wanted something different for her wedding that Michelle stepped in and made the stationery.

The tailor-made wedding stationery includes invitations, name cards, orders of service, menus and table plans as well as favours. She can also create anything from party invitations to corporate Christmas cards.

Michelle, 25, makes the stationery from her Penrith home and tries to source as much of her material locally as possible.

“Designing the stationery takes the most time,” she said. “I have found that Rheged and the internet are good for materials.”

Michelle, who works in advertising, needs six to 12 months before the wedding to design and make the stationery.

She can design stationery to fit in with a particular theme.

“You may have a colour theme which can be the basis for the design or something like butterflies, which can be incorporated into the stationery,” she said.

“I will work round the individual requirements of the couple.”

Michelle also makes jewellery. This aspect of her work started when she needed a one-off piece to wear at an awards ceremony – so she made her own necklace and hairpin to match. She has also made pieces for friends and is hoping to start running jewellery parties.

Phone 07909 913425 or email handmadebyshelden@hotmail.co.uk.