Thank you cards giveaway with @AppleberryInk
This weeks giveaway features 5 Thank you cards valued at $10.00. Shown is the design of the cards, and not the actual cards. The cards will resemble the contemporary tulip invitation shown left.
To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks below. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.
To learn more about Appleberry Ink visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/appleberryink
http://appleberryink.com/
http://twitter.com/appleberryink
Petal Style Calligraphy Favor Tags
This weeks giveaway features 50 Petal Style Calligraphy Favor Tags valued at $15.95. These favor tags are 1.5″ scalloped edge round medallions can be used for table decoration/confetti or with a favor tag. Can easily be designed to match your colors or theme and fonts can be customized to your taste or look. Printed on a heavyweight card stock.
To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks below. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.
To learn more about Design Circus visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/DesignCircus
http://design-circus.com/
http://twitter.com/DesignCircus
Wedding Invitations & Stationery – An Interview With @izzyandthebean
This weeks interview features Ashley from Izzy and the Bean Design. Ashley is located in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a graphic designer originally from Iowa, but living in the Nashville, TN area. I’ve been married to my fabulously tall husband and co-worker, Nate, for five years. And we are currently in the process of adopting our first child, a boy or girl from Ethiopia.
What special things do you create for weddings?
We create wedding invitations and paper goods. Everything from save the dates, invitation sets, favor tags, and reception signage. We also create printable files for DIY brides to use.
Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
I designed some invitations for a good friend of mine a few years ago and shortly after someone introduced me to Etsy. It seemed like a perfect fit, and we’ve been enjoying it ever since!
What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Our vinyl record favor tags are being featured as part of a music themed spread in the September issue of BRIDES magazine and we are thrilled!!!
If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
I wish Etsy had been around! I feel like we would’ve been able to make it even more personal if we’d had all the custom options Etsy offers. The one thing I wish I had the most though was a custom garter. Something Star Wars probably ha!
What is your favorite wedding song?
Our first dance was to Crazy Love…so it’s my favorite.
What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
Couples are really wanting their invitation to be personal. To speak to the event. Our vinyl record wedding invitation, our mason jar, and our lovebirds in the tree have been very popular because of how different they are from the traditional wedding invitation, and how personalized they are.
We’ve also seen a big decrease in the number of couples using inner/outer envelopes. And for that matter, most of the couples we work with skip the rsvp envelopes all together and opt to go with a postcard instead.
What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
The reception! The stress is over, you’re already married, and the party begins!
What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Leave yourself plenty of time to order your invites. The brides that order them a couple of months in advance are always WAY less stressed out than the ones that order them late. Which makes sense. That advice can go for anything. Your dress, the programs, your cake. Whatever it is, don’t leave it until the last minute.
What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Vegas! We went to Vegas for four days and it was awesome. We’re not big into gambling, but we went to a fabulous show every night and ate tons of good food. It was an affordable option, tons of fun, and perfect for the couple who doesn’t just want to sit on a beach and stare at each other all day. 
If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
If he weren’t already married I’d say Brad Paisley because my mom would flip out and that would be hilarious to watch.
If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
Besides invitations, our reception signs are a great way to label reserved tables, your guestbook, candy bar items, etc. etc. They’re affordable, quick, and you can use any design and colors.
What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
tadacreations is making our future little one an awesome custom doll. Her fabrics are great and we are SO excited about our item. Blackbirdfashion is another great one. We love her doxies.
To learn more about Izzy and the Bean Design visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/arippke
http://izzyandthebean.com
http://izzyandthebean.com/blog
http://rippkedesign.com (design site)
http://liftedfromthewater.com (adoption blog)
http://twitter.com/izzyandthebean.com
https://www.facebook.com/izzyandthebean
Wedding Guest Book Giveaway from @cutthecakeetsy
This weeks giveaway features Wedding Guest Book Postcard Wishes – Airmail (pk of 100) valued at $30.00. These cards are a fun and modern alternative to the traditional Guest Book. Have your guests fill out these cards at your wedding and then reminisce with your spouse while reading them after all the celebrating is over.
To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks below. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.
To learn more about Cut The Cake Designs visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cutthecakedesigns
http://cutthecakedesigns.com
http://twitter.com/cutthecakeetsy
Design and Print: An Interview With @Ellas_Paper
This weeks interview features Liz from Ellas Papar. Liz is located in Bristow, Virginia.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a 32 year old work-hard-from-home mother of 2 awesome kids; Ty and Ella. They keep me very busy, but I truly know how blessed I am to have them in my life. I’ve got a great husband of 8 years who chips in now and again to keep the business running smoothly. He probably wouldn’t admit it, but he’s got a really good eye when it comes to design. When I’m not working or being mom, I am an all-star cheerleading coach, traveling the east coast with some of the nations best athletes racking up trophies and doing choreography for high school and all-star teams.
What special things do you create for weddings?
I create and design stationery for weddings. I do it all – invitations, calligraphy, thank you’s, menus, programs, place and escort cards, custom design, logo and branding.
Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
I have always been creative….digitally that is. My brother-in-law was engaged. My sister-in-law-to-be asked me to help her DIY project. I had a blast and it was so much fun creating the wedding suite. That was my light bulb moment and from that point forward I began doing what I love.
What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
I am in love with the romance of shabby chic. I try to use a hint of it in most of my designs, but not too much because I want my items to be universal for brides with all different tastes. Changing the color of one of my designs could take it in an entirely different direction in terms of style.
If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
Beautiful and creative over-the-top stationery to tie the entire event together.
What is your favorite wedding song?
The overplayed but always classy + perfect – At Last, Etta James.
What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
Colors! I am seeing a lot of invitations with color combinations that are out of the ordinary, but work together so perfectly.
What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
For my area in particular, it would be the first draft of the wedding invitation. Brides feel like they are taking a huge step in the process by getting the invitations out to their guests. Their first glance at the set can sometimes be emotional.
What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Don’t be a last minute bride. It’s stressful for you and your vendor.
What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Paris. I’ve never been, but I don’t doubt it is the most romantic place on earth.
If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
Beyonce. She is always classy.
If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
Calligraphy. I’ve received too many invitations with plain ole’ handwriting, office labels, or poor attempts at DIYing the addresses. It’s literally the FIRST IMPRESSION of your big event. Your guests will see their address before they’ll even see your invitation.
To learn more about Ellas Papar visit:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EllasPapar
http://ellaspaper.com
https://www.facebook.com/ellaspaper
http://twitter.com/Ellas_Paper
Holiday Team Challenge
Happy Holidays everyone! Our team members have been challenged to create December Holiday themed items for this months team challenge. Below you will find photos of the submissions from our team members. To choose your favorite item, cast your vote in the poll on the right sidebar. The team member with the most votes by December 28, 2011 will win a special prize.
**Bonus for our readers – comment on this post, with the item that you like the best,for your chance to win a $10 starbucks giftcard.**
*you may also earn additional entries by completing the tasks at the bottom of this post.**
1. Holiday Christmas Card from AppleberryInk
2. Starfish Seashell Holiday Ornament from ShellScapes
3. Christmas Gift Soaps Vegan from JoyFilledWeddings
4. Christmas Peep Toe Shoes from NoraKaren
5. Santa Claus Nice List Certificate from GoAgainstTheGrain
6. Snowflake Pillow and Basket Set from All4Brides
7. Opulent Holiday Wedding Invitation by SimplYouDesign
8. Chandelier Ornament Ceremony Program by ImbueYouIDo
Stylish Accessories: An Interview With @LaCocoRouge
This weeks interview features Stephanie from LaCocoRouge . Stephanie is located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a designer of fashion accessories and adornments. My focus is mainly on the hair with jeweled headdresses, mini top hats, fascinator hats, cocktail hats and flower and feather fascinators.
I was born in the USA but spent the next 17 years travelling around the world with my family to far flung locales such as Malaysia, Egypt and Finland. This experience has given me a broad view of the variety in which people choose to clothe and accessorize themselves.
I have a background in high-end jewelry design and am a retired GJG (Graduate Jeweler Gemologist) from the Gemological Institute of America. I am a performer in the circus arts and play with fire, aerial and side-show cabaret. During the day I work for a non-profit and program Tibetan cultural tours.
What special things do you create for weddings?
I create extraordinary accessories for hair from headdresses to fascinator hats and headpieces. Some come with veils, many have feathers and some combine vintage elements with modern day styling.
Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
Originally I began by creating custom pieces for my performances. I then had brides approach me and ask me to make them something special for their wedding or their baby showers and I realised that there was interest for offbeat and colourful headdresses for weddings.
Often accessories are what really sell an outfit and when it’s your wedding day – YOU are a queen. Helping someone realise their vision is a passion of mine and that’s what sparked my interest in the bridal community.
What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Most of my pieces are either one of a kinds or short limited editions. I lean toward unique finds to create my designs and there isn’t a huge commercial market for many of the pieces I like to use.
I will have base items that I can easily reorder but the majority of what goes into the completed design will either be discovered treasures or of a limited supply.
What is your favorite wedding song?
Oh gosh – I’ve honestly never thought about it. I’ve been to so many weddings and heard so many different takes on what makes a wedding song IT for the bride and groom that I haven’t heard just one that I think is fantastic.
What I mean is that when you’ve heard AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds blaring from the stereo speakers or a live band singing Irish melodies – they all start to run together.
My favourite wedding song then becomes what is chosen by the couple to express what their love for each other means to them and that meaning can take so many forms.
What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
I see fascinator hats being a huge trend based on the recent media coverage surrounding Kate Middleton’s betrothal to Prince William. Mind you – fascinator hats have always been held in high regard in Europe but here in the US this trend has been making waves.
Today’s brides are requesting this look in higher numbers with each passing season and why not? They are fantastic! Little hats perched saucily upon the head flirting with your imagination. They rule And the best part is that they can be worn again for other occasions which makes them versatile.
What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
When it all begins to come together. By this time the bride is overwhelmed by family, budget, logistics, etc.
To see her face or to receive her email when something you’ve designed has arrived and is perfect for her – she lights up and shines. That is so very tres cool because this is part of her expression of herself and how she wants to be seen on her wedding day, walking toward her man, portrayed in photographs, for her children, her grandchildren and down through the ages.
The wedding decor itself will share these same attributes but the accessories are personal – they are being worn on her body.
What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Remember to take a breath. It doesn’t need to be perfect what it should be is enjoyable! It’s okay if the cake makers run out of princess pink or that Uncle Joe has a new girlfriend he’s bringing.
Your day is already perfect because you are making a commitment to someone you care deeply for and your friends and family will be there to share in this momentous occasion.
And hit the spa. A lot. Really. Korean spa if you have them nearby
What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Wow…my perfect honeymoon spot would be far away from my life! I’m thinking Europe or Bali. Europe has a little bit of everything including amazing food and culture and trains that can take you anywhere. Bali has tropics written all over it and bathing suits and lapping water.
If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
She’s already married BUT for renewal of vows perhaps I would choose Katy Perry.
If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
That’s easy Arc de Triomphe – the darling of my collection. It’s perfect for a bridal headpiece.
What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
I’m a huge fan of Black Lotus Clothing, Boudoir Bizarre, KBerlin, and Toad Lillie.
To learn more about LaCocoRouge visit:
http://etsy.com/shop/LaCocoRouge
http://LaCocoRouge.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/LaCocoRouge
http://twitter.com/LaCocoRouge
