Crystal Head Vodka - Day of the Dead Competition Entries

Naturally when I have uni work to complete I decide to take up most of my time doing competition entries to be in with the chance of winning some cash.

Crystal Head Vodka - produced by none other than Dan Aykroyd (if you don't know who he is shame on you) - has one of the coolest bottle designs I have seen in a long time. 
Modeled after Crystal Skulls which were purported to be Pre-Columbian in origin and holding mystical properties (also the main plot device in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - I might add), it's a real show-stopper of an item + the vodka tastes great too!

I noticed the other day that they were running a competition to design an image based on both the companies brand values and that of the theme of the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos or 'Day of the Dead' - so thought what the hell, lets test out the Photoshop skills I've been learning over the last couple of years and create something from scratch for a change! 

See below for the three entries I have submitted. Along with a review panel competition they are also running a community vote so if you like my designs and want to give me a better chance of winning a prize then please re-tweet my pictures (posts on my wall recently or in image timeline) on Twitter, repin on Pinterest or like on Instagram (username indieboyldn). 
Would really appreciate it! 

Thanks! 

Remembering Can Be a Beautiful Thing

Sadly I recently had a relative pass away who very kindly left me a small inheritance, rather than spending the money on random drunken nights out or other escapades (or clothes of course), I thought I would spend it on something to commemorate them.

In my mind jewellery is a perfect way of remembering someone - the act of wearing it is like a celebration of that person and a reminder of what you've lost and of course the good memories and times you had with them. And so when thinking of a jeweller there was only one that for me fit the bill - this being Shaun Leane.

I had in-fact first laid eyes on Shaun Leane's beautiful jewellery many years before when working in Menswear in Selfridges. We were selling off some old items we had found in a stockroom and not knowing what they were, management agreed to sell them off at a low price as we were in sale at the time. I instantly fell in love with a small and unusually shaped ring but being pretty poor that month couldn't justify the 40 odd pounds to buy it - a mistake I later learnt as it turned out to be none-other than an early Shaun Leane piece. I regularly kick myself for not buying it at the time and have always admired his work since hoping one day to own a piece myself.

 For those of you who are not familiar with his work, his website gives a brilliant introduction to both this, his ethos and the numerous and high calibre collaborations (with the likes of Daphne Guiness, Alexander McQueen, Boucheron and Sam Taylor-Wood) he has participated in - and in real life his work definitely lives up to the expectations provided by the pictures on his site.


I chose two identical silver pieces from the Horn collection which intertwine when worn together. They seemed to me like such classic yet modern pieces, whilst also being a lot more interesting then the usual fare offered to men.

On service I cannot recommend this brand enough! I had wonderful experiences with both their concession in Selfridges and their online team, both were attentive, friendly and efficient, and a special mention should be made to the speed in which I received my second piece from the website - it arrived in 18 hours from ordering and for free which is unbelievable!
I highly recommend this brand for both the quality of their jewellery and service.

Not a person to buy fine jewellery often I really valued the experience of buying such beautiful pieces with such ease, especially in the circumstances. I'll definitely treasure my pieces as a special reminder of my loved one for many years to come.