DawnCorrespondence

We've Moved!

2010-01-29T20:18:00.004-05:00

After some long, hard contemplation, DawnCorrespondence has decided to move our blog. You can now find us here! Our hope is that we can have everything all neat and tidy on one website - a blog, events, shopping tools, and much, much more! Please bear with us as we continue to enhance our new spot on the web, but we'd love to have you there! And if you have any ideas of features you'd like to see, please let us know by emailing us at hello@dawncorrespondence.com.

See you there!

xoxo,

Artisan Interview: Minx

2010-01-23T13:59:00.006-05:00

I've been really excited this week to introduce this fab designer and Etsy seller to you! I first discovered Minx Sh op last week when I was creating a treasury (which made it the front page by the way!). I was so intrigued by Minx' work that I started browsing around her shop, and we began chatting back and forth. What a cute, spunky girl she is! And her photos are absolutely gorgeous (of course! That's what drew me to her for my treasury-making!). Let's take a little peak into the life of Minx....

Company Name:
Minx

When did you go into business for yourself?

Long, long ago when I was in college, I needed to buy food! Food comes in very handy when you are doing things such as studying and not starving. One day a dear friend of mine showed me that you could sell vintage clothes on Ebay for extra cash. In the desire to make things better, I started altering the vintage, and then eventually started altering t-shirts as well. I realized one day that the t-shirt were taken so far from their original t-shirt state, that they were essentially fabric scraps by the time I got done. At that point I realized there was no reason I couldn’t start making clothes from scratch. So I did, and I liked it a lot. It gave me a lot more freedom to invent. I like inventing.

A querulous romantic

What inspired you to do what you do?

The disaster that is the modern clothing industry. I’ve always loved clothes, and I’ve always been supremely dissatisfied with the clothes that you find in malls and other generic outlets. It’s so dull and drab to dress the way everyone else does. I don’t like that everything is mass produced in foreign countries AND usually of a fantastically shoddy quality. I usually don’t like the materials used, and the fit is generally atrocious.

I want everyone to have the opportunity to buy unique, daring clothes with amazing workmanship. I don’t think people should feel like a mass produced clone, and that we should all be able to have a lot of fun with our wardrobe.

What's the best part about being in business for yourself?
I can take a many tea breaks as I want!

An idle afternoon

Describe your business in 3 words:
Adventurous, wearable, unexpected

Up or down?
Down. At rollercoaster speeds.

What color is the "new black"?
Cream colors and ivory!

Vintage or modern?
Vintage with modern mixed in. You can have both!

Are you a girly girl?

Not in the expected way. Nothing pink for me, thanks! But I love an amazing pair of heels, makeup, and good lipstick.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird with a night owl’s heart. I would stay up and work all night. I focus so much better in the late afternoons and night hours, but I’d never get errands done that way.

Whimsically indulgent

What's the one item you cannot resist when shopping?

ONE? Not fair. I’m tempted not to answer this question because it’s so unreasonable. Instead I’m going to pick something ridiculous:

Dinosaur themed objects.
Ridiculous, but true.

What's your work space look like?

It’s the entire house! All finished items are tagged and kept in an out-of-the-way closet. Fabric yardage is kept in the office after being washed. I take pictures in the loft and in the front entry way. My sewing area is in the basement (which is under construction and an utter disaster) and our living room and kitchen are generally littered with lace, sample fabrics, crumpled bits of paper, and one or two acceptable sketches.

How much sleep do you get?

Usually about 6 or 7 hours. I was doing better initially (I adore my sleepy dream time) but I’m really pushing to get my store up, running, and successful, so no more 9 hour sleep nights anymore!

Thank you so much, Minx, for giving us a glimpse into your business and your daily activities! I urge each of you to check out the fabulous, luxurious apparel Minx has to offer in her shop! I, for one, am just itching to buy that idle afternoon shirt, so I'll be back (again and again!).

xoxo,

First Ever....

2010-01-21T18:23:00.004-05:00

Yay, I am so excited that my fab UWIB team is having our first ever free shipping event in the U.S. and Canada this weekend! Etsy sellers, as well as independent business owners will be participating in the free shipping event, so there's lots of fun goodies to go around!

To begin shopping for UWIB items that include the free shipping, you can click here and start shopping! These items will all be a part of the free shipping event in my shop.

So sit back, relax, and browse the lovely UWIB shops for some great items with free shipping in the U.S. and Canada!

Interested in learning more about UWIB, or becoming a member? Click here to learn more!

The Little Ninja That Could [A Short Story]

2010-01-14T19:22:00.005-05:00

I think I had a little too much fun with my recent treasury I curated. As I began choosing the items that I wanted to use in my treasury, I started formulating a short story that goes a little like this...

[The Little Ninja That Could]

Ninja sees girl.
Ninja falls in love with girl.
Ninja buys girl a ring.
Ninja enlists spy to protect girl.
Ninja and spy prepare for cold trip ahead chasing girl.
Ninja photographs girl's beauty while chasing her East to West.
Ninja gets panicked and confused at busy train station.
Ninja finds correct train in nick of time.
Spy leaves ninja to get girl on his own.
Girl's purse gets stolen.
Ninja fights robber.
"It's not yours!"
Ninja gets purse and finds girl.
Ninja and girl are separated briefly by a flock of birds.
Ninja returns girl's purse.
Girl falls for ninja.
LOVE WINS.
[the end]

Dorky? Yes. Awesome? YES, because LOVE WINS.

Hope you enjoyed!

xoxo,

Fashion Icons: Then & Now

2010-01-13T20:53:00.004-05:00

We all have them. Those celebrities, musicians, and artists who influence our exterior decisions [what we wear, how we cut our hair, how thin or not-so-thin we should be]. I, personally, am very intrigued by fashion, and make it a point to look my best at all times [well...what I think is my best!]. For that reason, I have been influenced by a number of fashion icons over the years. There have been those who have come and gone [I was really influenced by some blonde girl who was really thin and had really short hair at the time, but now I cannot, for the life of me, remember her name]. And then there are those who have stuck around for quite a while, and who I now consider my fashion icons that will most likely influence many of my fashion decisions for life.

I like to think my fashion sense is a mix of classic figures and contemporary trends. For that reason, the lovely ladies below are some of my major fashion influences.

Jackie O. One of the things I really took from Jackie was her extremely oversized sunglasses. For years I, myself, wore the largest sunglasses I could possibly find. (Note: be prepared for the comments!). I have since toned it down, but am thinking about bringing them back out, as I miss them dearly. (Who knew I would find my mind wandering to sunglasses every now and again?)
Reese Witherspoon I have a secret. I've had a girl-crush on Reese since the very first time I saw her in Man on the Moon. To me, Reese is absolutely gorgeous in a girl-next-door sort of way. She's classy and timeless, but with a slight edge to keep her looking fresh and contemporary.
Stacy London I am not a television-watcher, but I will not resist the urge to watch What Not to Wear on TLC. First of all, I just can't get over how unsavvy these folks are when it comes to fashion. Second of all, I am in awe every single time about how incredibly...right...Stacy and Clinton are about their fashion! And the rules are so simple! Follow the rules, people, and you, too, can look like you just stepped off the set of Elle magazine!
Natalie I've gone back and forth with the idea of considering Natalie a fashion icon. Sometimes she goes a little too far out on a limb for me. But then I think about it, and that's what gives her such a charming personality! She has more of the edge, less of the traditional fashion, and that is the reason I consider her a fashion icon. She balances out all the classic, traditional icons I tend to lean towards.
Audrey You didn't think I'd forget her, did you?? Audrey needs no explanation. She is, and will always be, a huge fashion icon for probably most of the population.

Now it's your turn! Who are your fashion icons? Are there musicians who influence your style? Artists? Celebrities - new and old? I'd love to hear who they are and why! Maybe I'll even start doing posts of your fashion icons and what they mean to you!

xoxo,

Progress Report

2010-01-11T22:32:00.008-05:00

Photo courtesy of Good Behavior

I'm so pleased to be sharing with you all my progress of my New Year's goals for 2010! I'm pleased because, well, I did darn good this past week! And you want to know the best part? Somehow I ended up with more time than before! I'm guessing that because I had to strategically plan things a little better, even the fun stuff, I was able to save some bits and pieces of time here and there.

So, without further delay, here is a quick synopsis of my progress...
I was able to list 5 new items in my Etsy shop. I worked on a site map for my website. I blogged 3 times. Did some running and weight-lifting at the gym, and joined a fun, fun workout class with some other lovely folks! Drew in my sketchbook several times. Photographed my life and surroundings. Had a girls night. Replaced one cup of coffee with a glass of water daily. Came a few sales closer to reaching 100 Etsy sales by my 1 year anniversary (March 15) - 6 more to go! Did something to make someone say "thank you" every day. This included picking something up while I was out, helping someone not have to go out of their way, opening doors for others, etc. It's really very easy! Try it out!

I'd say that's not too shabby for my first week! I have 51 weeks ahead of me to put the rest into practice!

Now it's your turn. Do you have goals you are working on for 2010? How was your first week accomplishing them? Did you run into any downfalls? Remember...we have plenty of time to work on our goals, and if we factor in that we are going to slip up once or twice, we can just jump right back on and try again! Good luck to each of you throughout the week, and I can't wait to hear your progress reports!

xoxo,

Project 365: The Rebel's Way

2010-01-09T22:00:00.004-05:00

I've been keeping it a secret that I wanted to participate in Project 365 this year. Mainly because I didn't want to set my goals so high that I couldn't reach them - and I knew this one would be hard for me to remember. Well, I did start, and it has been a great experience for my first week. It has certainly made me appreciate the small, joyful things I sometimes take for granted in my day-to-day surroundings. Each photo also has a short story of why I chose to take the photo, so I will sum up each story below as well. I really enjoy the moments of *bliss* each photo brought me as I realized I had a great photo op on my hands. I am excited to see my photography skills develop throughout 2010, and to start enjoying those small moments of loveliness as I find beautiful opportunities to photograph! I'm choosing to post a collage of my photos once a week rather than once a day. Mainly because I enjoy collages. Also because it works better with my schedule. So I am calling mine Project 365: The Rebel's Way. This week's collage is a conglomeration of 9 photos rather than 7 since I didn't start my posting last week.

(From left to right)

The simplest, most blissful part of my day. Coffee and email catch-up. How lovely!
A little bit of summer & spice in the middle of winter.
Vintage books and seashells I am just waiting for inspiration from. I know it's coming.
A few lovely books I love to browse, along with my stack of current notebooks I can't live without.
I was inspired by the contrast of lush patent red leather with the white door in the sun.
My very first experience in a store devoted to guitars. I don't play, but I wanted this.
I was really inspired by the bright orange against the dark wooden bowl.
My brand new colors of the moment in envelopes and ribbon.
The dead of winter.

As you can see, I am really inspired by color. Which is no surprise to me. I am really excited to see how this shapes my color palettes and designs this year. Project 365: TRW is well underway and I am looking forward to seeing what next week has in store for me!

xoxo,

And the Award Goes to...

2010-01-06T15:43:00.004-05:00

As many of you may already know, Pantone recently unveiled their Color of the Year for 2010. I've heard nothing but excitement from fellow artists and crafters as the word spread that the award for Color of the Year goes to the luscious, bold, and cheerful turquoise! What fun as we begin to think of lovely project ideas for the year.

I'm already eager to see the gorgeous items that will be produced this summer with the color, and better yet, how it will be beautifully incorporated into the natural, warm tones of Fall!

And just imagine the beautiful destination weddings that will be taking place all over the world with lovely turquoise findings.

I, personally, do not use many shades of blue in my designs (not sure why, I just tend to migrate towards warmer tones, I suppose!), so I am excited to challenge myself in 2010 to use this lovely color, and hopefully expand my color palette even more outside my typical design comfort zone.

I'd love to keep track of all the turquoise items everyone works on throughout the year! If I get enough images in my email I will do periodic turquoise features, so email your turquoise items to me as you get them completed and listed at dawncorrespondence@gmail.com.

Have fun creating with this lovely color!

xoxo,

ELECTRIC ENERGY

2010-01-05T09:11:00.007-05:00

One of my goals for 2010 is to really hone in on my ideas and expand them to be the best they can possibly be. In 2009 I would take a design and run with it. Create a couple of cards, and move on. Mainly because I would have so many ideas swimming in my head I just had to get them on paper.

This year, though, I'd like to really nurture my ideas. My very first idea of 2010 was to create some items inspired by energy. You'll notice some of my new images on my blog and in my shop are chock full of color and energetic lines. This is just the beginning of my energy line of paper goodies. Now I am really allowing myself to wrap my head around the true idea I want to convey and the feelings I want the recipient to have as they pull the card out of the envelope. I'd also like to expand the line to other products (think: journals, to do lists, gift tags, gift items, etc.). I've also been playing with the idea of having a variety of "energetic" items that aren't necessarily matchy, but that coordinate. Because, really, energy is not constant. It has ups and downs and peaks and valleys.

I'm really excited to work on this line, and once it is completed to move onto the next line that comes to mind, in a similar fashion.

Here is a small glimpse at a section of the inspiration board I have been using to create my ELECTRIC ENERGY line.

I truly hope you are as excited to see this line as I am to work on it! I hope to have the line completed by the end of January. Hmm...am I sensing a giveaway??

xoxo,

25 Goals

2010-01-02T22:23:00.004-05:00

Isn't it fun how January automatically brings along with it a sense of renewal and energy? It's almost as if the universe is allowing us to start fresh, and be the best person we can possibly be. I, for one, actually enjoy getting back into the routine of daily living. The holidays are a nice time of family, food, and relaxation, but I end up craving the day-to-day activities. I am certainly a Routine Girl at heart.

The past few years I have sort of boycotted "New Year's Resolutions." To me, they seemed like a waste. The novelty of the resolutions fade after only a couple of weeks. This year, though, I have found a way to continue my resolutions throughout the entire year. Well, let's call them goals, not resolutions. I have decided to set the bar fairly high for my New Year's Goals. I accomplished more than I thought possible in 2009, and would like to look back next year at this time, in even more awe than I am of my reflections on 2009. Isn't it amazing what the human mind and body can accomplish when our heart is in it? That being said, this year's goals will be things I am passionate about and things I can quantify. I will also be checking in with you folks right back here on a weekly basis to discuss my progress including accomplishments, failures, and outside influences. While the ultimate challenge is to achieve each and every goal successfully, I have set them up so that if I "slip" I can get right back on track.

Let's make 2010 the best year yet! And without further ado, here are my 25 Goals for 2010:

List 5 new items a week in my Etsy shop.
Remain 1 month ahead of the season with my products.
Have my website up and running by March 31, 2010.
Blog 3 times weekly.
Meet my sales goal at this year's National Stationery Show. (Note: This number is quantifiable, yet private).
Read 1 book for fun every other month.
Engage in some sort of physical activity 3 times per week. (Note: I did not say gym here, because I don't want to confine myself only to doing a workout at the gym).
Treat myself once per month. (This could include a pedicure, massage, quiet time in the park, etc.)
Participate in 4 local craft shows.
Begin selling my products in 2 new stores.
Put my sketchbook or notebook to use once per week.
Enjoy the clutter of a loving home once per week. (This is big for me - I am a neat freak, and get discouraged by a "mess." I'd like to learn to let go of worrying about having an extra shirt or cup out all the time).
Allow myself time to paint once every other month.
Try a new recipe 2 times a month.
Spend some quality (I mean, QUALITY. You pet lovers know what I am talking about!) playtime with the pups for 30 minutes a day.
Photograph my life and surroundings 4 times per month.
Put the computer out of sight one evening (4 hours) a week.
Have a girls night once per month.
Finalize and publish one children's book I've been working on.
Replace one cup of coffee with a glass of water daily.
Reach 100 Etsy sales by my 1 year anniversary (March 15).
Reach 200 Etsy sales by December 31, 2010.
Write 1 heartfelt article per month.
Do something to make someone say "thank you" every day.
Participate in 2 charitable events.

It's possible this list will grow extensively as the days and months pass, and we get further into 2010. For now, these are the things I am passionate about and want to continue or expand. As I mentioned, I'll keep you posted on my whereabouts of the goal timeline on a weekly basis!

Now it's your turn...what are your big goals you'd like to accomplish this year? Feel free to list as many as you'd like - I love getting inspired by other people's ambitions and goals!

I hope the first weekend of 2010 is treating you well, and I look forward to sharing this next year with all of you!

xoxo,

Exciting News for 2010!

2009-12-30T21:27:00.007-05:00

I can't believe it, but 2010 is literally just around the corner! My, how fast 2009 went by! And what a great year it was. I "met" many of you lovely folks, who have made me laugh, pushed me through the busy times, and inspired me on a daily basis! I participated in my first Richmond Handmade Holiday - a juried, local show. I began selling on Etsy in March and already have 90 sales! I can't wait to reach the 100 mark and beyond in 2010. And more importantly, I cannot wait to see what amazing offerings all you talented sellers come up with this year! It's going to be a great one, isn't it?

Now for some exciting news that I pondered for probably the entire last quarter of 2009....
This year has made me realize just how passionate I am about designing, creativity, and stationery. That being said, I decided to take my business to the next level. In May of 2010 I will be participating in the National Stationery Show in New York City! It still gives me goose bumps to say it! I spent many hours on the phone with the lovely Kelly, a sales manager of the show. While I am quite nervous to say the least, I am also extremely excited about the opportunities that abound for 2010. I certainly have my work cut out for me, but I couldn't be more excited about it!

In addition, I'll be adding some new products early this year (starting this weekend!) and throughout the year. I'll be adding some new products for the bride, children, and general stationery lines. Here is just a hint of some new items I will be offering this year!

Wedding Reception Seating Chart

And be sure to check out my shop throughout the new year weekend, as I will be adding new products daily! And, this weekend only (now through January 3, 2010) I'm offering 10% off with the code BLOGBDAY for my birthday weekend! You can purchase and wait for a refund, or convo me with the items you'd like to purchase and I will revise the listing for you!

Happy New Year to all of you!

xoxo

Stockings Were Hung on the Chimney with Care...

2009-12-22T07:06:00.001-05:00

I was a little late getting on the Christmas decorating bandwagon this year, but at least I hopped on before it was over, right?! I finally got my lovely stockings from rikrak hung* this weekend and I absolutely love them! They are so adorable! I took extra care to choose stockings that complemented each other well, and they certainly do! I've been enjoying all my little handmade holidaying this year - it's the first year I've made an extra effort to purchase only handmade products for the holidays, and the warmth, love, and care that enter the home just from purchasing these products is incredible! There's nothing better than a handmade holiday! I hope you all are enjoying your lovely holiday season just as much as we are in (oddly) snowy Virginia!

*"hung" = hanging of the stockings from the greenery. I couldn't wait for the boys to hang them the proper way, so I hung them the best way I knew how!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

2009-12-21T20:19:00.006-05:00

For those of you who may not live on the East Coast, you probably don't realize the so-called blizzard we got hit with over the weekend. While many of you are quite familiar with seeing mounds of snow, we, in Virginia, are not. In fact, this past weekend tops the list of the most amount of snow I have seen at any given time in my whole life. There are one or two other incidents that come to mind, but it's a close call.

I got a few quick snapshots of the snow I thought I'd share with you all. I didn't spend much time in it because, frankly, I am not a huge fan of snow. Instead, I spent the day Saturday curled under a warm blanket, with a couple of good movies, and took a nap for the first time in ages. It couldn't have come at a better time - I put my shop on vacation to relax and spend some time with my family for the holidays, so it was nice to have a "snow day" with an excuse to do absolutely nothing.

I hope all you East Coasters, and anyone else who may have gotten some snow, stayed safe and warm! Now, let the hustle and bustle of Christmas week begin!

xoxo

Craft Show Success!

2009-12-19T07:36:00.008-05:00

Well, folks, all my hard work for last weekend's Handmade Holiday certainly paid off! The show was a huge success, and I had a great time! There were some amazingly talented vendors there, and the traffic coming through the show was crazy! I can honestly say there was not a lull in the day even once. Now that's a sign of a successful show! I hope to get accepted to the Spring show this Spring after such a successful show!

My top sellers were boxed stationery sets (most people were buying them for Christmas gifts), and gift tags (of course!). I'm glad I spent some extra time on those two items prior to the show, because I almost sold out of both of them!

Here are a few photos of my display. I'd love to know your thoughts, and if you think any changes should be made for upcoming shows!

The full display! I was hoping to put the sign on the wall, but I don't think that was allowed.

__________________________________________________________________

Also, I've put my shop on vacation for a week or so, but I'm still as busy as ever! I am working on new products for 2010 that I will be introducing when the shop reopens, so be on the lookout for some fresh items!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Be There or Be Square

2009-12-09T18:00:00.002-05:00

If you live in Richmond, I certainly hope you will be at Richmond's Handmade Holiday, because it has been chosen as one of the TOP FIVE events of the weekend! There will be 40 amazingly talented vendors there, so you'll have plenty of choices to finish up your holiday shopping!

See you there!

xoxo

Thank You, Etsy

2009-12-02T23:33:00.005-05:00

Etsy has been good to me this week with the Front Page features. I hope the joy of being on the FP never gets old. They seem to like my Coffee Lover Boxed Stationery!

Thank you, Etsy! Keep 'em coming!

I hope to be blogging with these FP features more this week!

xoxo

Everyone Needs a Pair of Purple Heels...Right?

2009-12-02T21:18:00.004-05:00

Indulge me here. Purple heels are a necessity. Every girl needs them. They are one of those timeless staples. Right?....RIGHT? That's what I told myself to justify purchasing these beauties! And better yet, they are actually comfortable! Who would have thought??

In all seriousness, I had been looking for the perfect pair of purple heels for a couple of months. I walked into my closet one day to get dressed, and I thought to myself, "MAN! A purple pair of heels would go great with this outfit!" Since that day I have obsessed over finding a pair of purple pumps. I wasn't going to let it go. So naturally, when I saw these, and they didn't have my size, I was devastated. Until I heard the voice behind me wake me up from my nightmare saying, "You know, we can order those for you...free shipping." "Really?!" I asked. "Well...I don't know when I will be here again and live a little far away...that probably wouldn't work..." "Oh no worries, ma'am [yes, she called me ma'am, but I let it go after the rest of her comment]. We can ship them directly to your home."

Voila! I have a brand new pair of necessary, all-time, classic, comfortable purple pumps with a special little place in my closet! Right in between the necessary teal pumps and fuschia pumps....

The Gold at the End of the Rainbow

2009-11-30T19:10:00.011-05:00

Well, I must admit that I did not have a glorious weekend of sales with my Black Friday deal. I'm not going to hide it or lie, or pretend it didn't happen. It is what it is.

Fast forward to today...I had an awesome exposure and sales day today, and wanted to let everyone in on my little corner of excitement! I know, I know, many of you get the exposure that I got today all the time, so it may not sound all that exciting to you, but just work with me here!

I was featured on the Front Page of Etsy twice:

And I sold the following items (some, more than one set!):

I hope everyone had a happy and successful Cyber Monday! The holiday season is upon us, and I am finally getting in the holiday spirit today!

xoxo

Operation: Utilize Supplies is Underway!

2009-11-29T19:44:00.003-05:00

This weekend I finally got caught up on almost everything that I needed to do! What a great feeling that is! And since I got all caught up I decided to begin Operation: Utilize Supplies, thanks to Mel of Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities! This became like therapy for me. How nice to use all those extra supplies I've had lying around for years! My first project was to PAINT! It was so much fun, I haven't painted in ages. I painted a number of canvases that I still need to finish but it was great! I'll have to post more photos later this week. In going through my paints and supplies, I realized I was able to toss a few old, cruddy brushes, found empty, yes empty, tubes of paint I could throw out, and even used up the last of one of the tubes!

I definitely plan on selling the paintings I create. I am doing a series of three paintings thanks to OUS that is almost completed titled, Coffee Networking. I also made some mini canvas painting ornaments I will be selling at my upcoming craft show (you can see one of them here).

For those of you who have a mini craft store in your home or office, I highly recommend beginning OUS as time allows. I'll be posting progressive and finished photos of my creations from OUS later this week, so stay tuned!

xoxo

Gift Tags for Every Personality

2009-11-28T20:58:00.004-05:00

This weekend is a great time to take advantage of my gift tags, since I am offering free shipping! I have a variety of styles, and can also do custom designs to match your wrapping and color choices! Many of them can also be used year-round after the holidays have come and gone so be sure to take advantage of the savings! I will also be including a free gift with every order.

This year I will be using the "Happy Holly Days" gift tags with solid and polka dotted paper and really pretty snowflake ribbon! I'll take photos (once I finally get my shopping done!) to show you!

Happy shopping!

xoxo

I Never Promised to Be Domestic

2009-11-28T14:01:00.003-05:00

I'm not even going to justify this. It's absolutely ugly. I don't know what I was thinking. But it tastes delicious!

Note reads: "Worst cake EVER. Good thing you don't love me for my cake-baking abilities."

I got nothing but appreciation for the cake. But, I wouldn't be surprised if this popped up on Cake Wrecks later today!

Hope everyone has an absolutely delightful Saturday!

xoxo

Maddie's New Christmas Collar!

2009-11-27T10:25:00.006-05:00

I was so excited yesterday was Thanksgiving for a number of reasons. One being that Maddie was finally able to wear her Christmas collar! I felt silly letting her wear it before Thanksgiving so I was REALLY anxious to put it on her. I ordered this adorable collar from Crazy for Collars about a month ago. The minute I put it on her she started prancing around and showing it off. No lie. I was worried the cute little bow would irritate her but with all her fur I don't think she even notices the bow there!

I tried to get some pictures, but she was just so excited to have a new collar she kept jumping around! So I did the best I could. You can at least see the bow and a glimpse of the collar.

And here is the collar from Suzanne's listing where you can actually see it without all the fur!

How cute! I was so busy getting pictures of the adorable collar that I completely forgot to get photos of the fam! Oops! Oh well, maybe next time. :)

xoxo

Gift Ideas for Unique Family & Friends

2009-11-26T20:31:00.003-05:00

Well, folks, it's that time of year to start scrambling around for the best, most unique (and hopefully handmade!) holiday gifts! I've just recently added a variety of gift boxed stationery to my Etsy shop, and can even do a custom box at no additional charge! (Note: please inquire about colors currently available, and order quickly to ensure custom orders are done in time!)

And don't forget...now through Monday, November 30 I will be offering free worldwide shipping, as well as a free gift with every order!

Here are some of the boxed sets currently available, perfect for tween girls, coffee lovers, interior designers, owl lovers, and many more!

Act now! I have very limited quantities of each available! Be sure to get your custom orders in quickly, too - free shipping applies to those this weekend as well!

xoxo and happy shopping!

A Lovely, Cheerful Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've been reflecting on the things I am most grateful for over the past couple of days, in light of today's Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all my amazing, lovely, sweet, kind, and generous customers. Words are just not enough to describe how happy each of you makes me every single day. I am so thankful that my customers, followers, fans, and readers have given me the opportunity to make my ultimate dream come true.

I wish only a lovely and cheerful Thanksgiving for each and every one of my U.S. e-friends, and a calm and peaceful day for my international e-friends! Stay warm, smile, and be thankful for the little things we don't always remember we have!

In closing, I would like to leave you with this lovely Thanksgiving gourd from SeaPinks. Enjoy!

xoxo

'Tis the Season for SALES!

2009-11-25T08:56:00.004-05:00

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am an avid shopper. If shopping were a sport you can bet I'd be at the Olympics! I've spent many a Black Fridays in traffic and checkout lines that last for days, all at the most outrageous hours of the day. This year, though, wait for it......I'm over it [GASP]. I've decided to make it a {almost} completely handmade holiday! To my delight, there are thousands of lovely handmade items on sale this weekend in honor of Black Friday through Cyber Monday!

So, after the turkey and pumpkin pie have been devoured, spend some time browsing through these lovely shops and get your list together, because beginning Friday you will find some amazing online deals! No need to get dressed, and no need to set the alarm for 5am!

I will be offering a sale for all my fabulously lovely customers! FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING on all items in my Etsy and Art Fire shops {excluding wedding correspondence and sale items}. All items will be discounted accordingly with the adjusted free shipping, so no need to worry about the hassle of adjusted invoices! I will also be throwing in a free gift for each order as well! Free shipping will apply to custom orders as well, so get your orders in THIS WEEKEND!

The shops below also have some fabulous items with amazing deals this weekend as well, so be sure to check them out!

BKD Signature - FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders over $20. BKD Signature specializes in glass tile pendants and crochet items, and I’m still creating new inventory to add daily. {I speak from first-hand purchasing when I say her glass tile pendants are absolutely lovely}!

Inspr’d Boutique - From now until Cyber Monday, get 26% off your purchase using discount code Thanks26. Inspr'd Boutique offers gorgeous handbags and bath products.

Kristen Stein Fine Art - Buy one item at full-price, receive 50% off the second item of equal or lesser value. Reserve items today, or visit Kristen Stein Fine Art this coming weekend when the promotion begins. You will also receive FREE U.S. shipping and discounted international shipping on all items.

Fashion Touch - FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING + 10% on your 2nd, 3rd, etc. item. Custom orders are always welcome, same discounts apply on the orders made on these days.

Rita’s Creations on Etsy and And More Bags - FREE SHIPPING

Momma Goddess Treasures - FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS 10% off all orders over $100. Momma Goddess Treasures is a great source for beautiful handmade jewelry.

Pink Fink - FREE SHIPPING. Pink Fink offers adorable polymer clay figures.

Need another reason to buy handmade and local with me? See this article on Etsy.

Anyone else have any promotions for the weekend? Feel free to post them in the comments below! Happy Shopping!

Inspiration from Inspr'd Boutique

2009-11-17T23:23:00.004-05:00

Last week, I had the pleasure of "meeting" Tawana, owner of Inspr'd Boutique when she joined Unique Women in Business. Tawana requested some custom gift tags for her business through me, and I just had to share them with you because I think they turned out beautifully! If you check out her website, you'll immediately get a feel for her business - clean, classy, and inspirational! Tawana wanted to create some gift tags that matched the colors and look of her business, so we came up with this:

Tawana is preparing for an Inspr'd Boutique event in December, and I've really enjoyed learning more about her event and her company. Be sure to check out her website for some amazing products!

xoxo

Switching It Up

2009-11-14T13:00:00.000-05:00

Hi ya'll! I hope everyone had a fabulous week. I've been doing some thinking this week and I think I am going to do a little switcheroo on the blog. I am loving the features I have been doing for the past few weeks, so I certainly don't want them to go away completely by any means, but I also want to do some other things. So, that being said I will be trying to develop some new features this week! I am excited about featuring some new artists and new ideas, and I hope you all are too! In the mean time I want to leave you with a lovely item from Marisolspoon to look at, so enjoy!

xoxo

Fashion Friday: I Heart You

2009-11-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

I was doing some surfing earlier this week and came across this awesome plush heart on Mod Cloth. This thing is so cute, and what a unique little gift! I think I am partial to it, also, because I am currently in the middle of designing some stationery with hearts on it that look just like this. I'll be sure to post it once it's done, but for now enjoy this cute little fella! Happy Friday!

xoxo

Wacky Wednesday Interview: Ella Scott Jewels

2009-11-11T05:00:00.002-05:00

This week I am so excited to feature a new friend of mine, Janet, of Ella Scott Jewels! I met Janet at the Steward School Craft Show about a month ago and bought quite a few of her pieces! Not to mention she is lively, energetic, funny, and the mother of twins! How she does it, I don't know, so let's get a little insight into her daily schedule! You can also visit her on her blog.

What tools are a must in your day to day business? Coffee, chocolate, ear plugs oh and all my tools and beads...can't forget those :)
If you were an animal, what would you be and why? Octopus, the more hands the better!
What is your favorite color combination? Blue and green and blue and orange...my shop colors and my blog colors.
What's your favorite drink? Hot chocolate made lovingly by my hubby every night
What could I find in your refrigerator right now? Not much, I actually shopped for two weeks of groceries but somehow it never seems to last that long.
What is the last book you read? Probably something by Dr. Seuss :)
What blogs do you like to keep up to date with? Well of course, Dawn Correspondence! but I also have a lot of wedding blogs, jewelry blogs, and moms of multiples blogs...too many to list but there are lists on my blogs.
If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be? My husband, for one day I would like to be in an office where people aren't constantly under your feet and you can think, and I would like for him to see what a day in the life of mom is.
What are the first three things you do in the morning? The last three before you go to bed? First three things in the morning...snuggle in bed with two very sweet two year olds, change diapers, fix breakfast for two cranky two year olds (how they go from sweet to cranky so quickly I will never know). Last three before bed...check emails and blogs, try to relax a little, snuggle with the hubs.
What time do you typically wake up and go to bed? If i had my way I would be up closer to 8 or 8:30 but usually someone is in our bed between 6:30 and 7; usually in bed by 11; that actually looks like a decent amount of sleep, wonder why I am always still tired.
What's your favorite movie? Sound of Music. I always remember watching that every Christmas at my grandparents' house, since then it has been my favorite.
What's the best part about selling online? All the fabulous people that I am contacted with all over the world!
What's the biggest challenge being in business for yourself? When problems arise you are the only one to answer the questions.
Tell us a little about how you manage your time. Since I have two toddlers, a hubby, and house to take care of there isn't much time for a lot, so I try to fit things in here and there when I have a few minutes of down time, and when the kiddos are sleeping.

Thank you, Janet, for giving us a peek into your life! You sure have your hands full with those twins, so we want to know how you manage to make such amazing jewelry in the meantime??!?

Moody Monday: Cheerful

2009-11-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

Hello, loves! I must say I am feeling quite cheerful today. I accomplished quite a bit over the weekend, and still had time to go see Where the Wild Things Are, and spend some time with the family. I also had a consultation for wedding correspondence last night, which is always quite fun. And on top of that I realized I am off work this Wednesday, which will be a nice crafting day/break in the middle of the week! And who can forget that Thanksgiving is right around the corner? Thanksgiving is certainly one of my favorite holidays, so I am definitely looking forward to that! In honor of my Cheerful Monday, this week's item is brought to you by Sharma Designs. The color of these gorgeous earrings just popped out at me, and I could not resist them! Enjoy!

xoxo

Things I am Thankful For: Week 2

2009-11-07T23:28:00.003-05:00

This week, I would like to do something a little different. The holidays are the time of year for family, friends, giving, thankfulness, and charity. This week, I'd like to highlight the latter. There are a number of charities I am passionate about, for various reasons. I think we've all encountered an event in our lives that makes us thankful and appreciative of various charitable organizations. If you have any you'd like to add to this list, please do so in the comments!

Alzheimer's Association - My very dear grandmother passed away almost 2 years ago to the day (November 9, 2007) today. She suffered from Alzheimer's, and it was very difficult both for her in the early stages, as well as my family. I hope that one day a cure is discovered to rid other families of this heart-wrenching disease. November is also Alzheimer's Awareness Month, so it's a great time to learn more about the disease and how you can help.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - We also had a family friend fight a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He gave up his fight 2 years ago this spring, and ever since then his family, as well as mine, have been very much involved with finding a cure for this terrible disease as well. My mom plays an integral role in making strides to find a cure for pancreatic cancer in our local area, so I know for a fact how easy it is to make a difference! In addition, November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, so I urge you to learn more about ways you can help!
Innocence Project - Not long ago, I watched a very raw documentary about wrongfully convicted individuals whose lives have been ruined from jail time. The Innocence Project is a public policy organization dedicated to helping exonerate these individuals. Another good resource related to this program is http://www.exonerated.org.
National Kidney Foundation - My brother-in-law lives with kidney disease, and I have ran into some kidney problems myself over the past 8 years. For this reason, I have learned a lot about kidney function and health. If nothing else, this is great information for you to know, so I urge you to learn more about kidney function and health, and how to tell if you have signs of kidney disease or other kidney problems.

While I value and appreciate all the various organizations available to us for knowledge and possible cures, these are the ones I am truly passionate about.

Do you have a story you'd like to share about an organization that has become a part of your life? Or even just the link to the organization for us to learn more information! If so, please feel free to share!

xoxo

It's Fashion Friday!

2009-11-06T11:00:00.001-05:00

For this week's Fashion Friday, I wanted to do some searching for Fall fashions for 2009. Through my search, I came up with this outfit that I thought was very eloquently photographed. I like that it is not just about the outfit, but also about the woman's style, and the art of the photography. I don't really have the need to wear an outfit like this, but if I did, I totally would! Paired with some sleek black stilettos this ensemble would be a showstopper!
Now it's your turn. What do you think?

Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Wacky Wednesday Interview: SewSweetStitches

2009-11-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

This week, I am so excited to introduce to you Melissa of Sew Sweet Stitches! You can also find Melissa blogging and tweeting! Now, let's go chat with Melissa and take a peek into her life...

What are your necessary tools?
I'd say diapers, coffee, and ice cream. Crafting? Ohh ok, then just a pair of super sharp scissors.

If you were an animal, what would you be?
Does Cookie Monster count? Okay then, a cat. One word: (ok, 4 words:) Sleep. All. Day. Long.

What is your favorite color combination?
Ooh this changes every day. Recently it was pink and orange. Now I'm kinda diggin' pink+bright blue+red.

What is your favorite drink?
Coffee. Yeah right, it's an amaretto sour! Wait maybe warm vanilla cream soda...

What could I find in your refrigerator right now?
TONS of yogurt. Yoplait makes delicious coffee-flavored yogurt.

What is the last book you read?
I just finished browsing through some Calvin and Hobbes. Good stuff. Does that count as reading?

What blogs do you like to keep up to date with?
Anything that makes me laugh: Attack of The Redneck Mommy, My Milk Toof, and of course Cake Wrecks. And the most beautiful blog eva, Nostalgic Organics' Joyful Living. That's my secret blog crush.

What is currently playing on your ipod?
I have an assorted playlist, including Eva Cassidy, System of a Down, Feist, Led Zeppelin, Patsy Cline, Deftones, NIN, Rosemary Clooney, 311... Wow I like lots of different kinds of music!

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be?
My toddler. Think about it- you get to watch Disney movies all day, run around pants-less, and are actually FORCED to take a nap! And you get to eat an unlimited amount of Goldfish crackers. Does it get any better than that?

If Hollywood made a movie about you, who would play the lead role? Who else would star in it?
I've been told I look like Anne Hathaway. (I think they need their eyes checked.) Maybe Tina Fey? My brother could be played by Topher Grace, the kid from "That Seventies Show," they're EXACTLY alike! And my sister-in-law would be played by me. Cus everyone thinks we're sisters. Kinda weird, huh?

What are the first three things you do in the morning? The last three before you go to bed?
Morning: Drink coffee. repeat. The waking up part is what I do right before I'm supposed to be going back to sleep.

What time do you typically wake up and go to bed?
THEORETICALLY, I "wake up" around 10am, or whenever my kid breaks through my pillow barricade. I nap from 2-5, and try to be back in bed by 11. Yeah, I've been diagnosed with slothitis. It's very serious.

What's your favorite movie?
Gone With The Wind (okay, really Anchorman, but don't let that get out.)

What's the best part about selling online?
When you get raving feedback! Just knowing someone loves something you made enough to give you money for it!

What's the biggest challenge being in business for yourself?
Sneaking away from the most mischievous 2-year-old in the world long enough to actually MAKE something. And when I get a chance to finally craft, I'm not in a creative mood.

Tell us a little about how you manage your time.
Yeah, right. See above. :)

Melissa, thank you so much for giving us a peek into your life! I am certainly going to have to check out those blogs you mentioned!

xoxo

Tuesday Treasury: Pumpkins

2009-11-03T10:00:00.002-05:00

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I am excited to get all my pumpkin recipes out to start fixing up! My good Plurk friend, Dawn of Into the Dawn also sent me a wonderful pumpkin stew recipe this week that I just cannot wait to try!

In honor of these delicious pumpkin recipes, I have decided to feature some of my favorite pumpkin items from Etsy this week. Be sure to visit these lovely shops and see what other great items they have to offer!

Homemade Soy - This Pumpkin Souffle soy candle makes my mouth water just thinking about the delicious scent! And I will only buy soy candles, so that's an extra bonus!
Faith on Earth - I am a sucker for good bags (and I think I even mentioned that last week!), so when I saw this bag, in ALL my favorite colors, I fell in love. The mixture of the pumpkin orange, the moss green, and the chocolate brown are neutral enough for most outfits, but bold enough to make a statement! I think this will be going on my Wish List.
Cozy Moments - Not only is Cozy Moments a fellow UWIB, but her products look absolutely delectable! This Pumpkin Cheesecake Goat's Milk Soap is a delicious flavor for Fall!
Dalim - I absolutely adore the vintage/antique look of these gorgeous earrings with a splash of pumpkin color! I have quite a few outfits I think these earrings would look gorgeous with!
Kylie Parry - I have been really into using bikes in my designs lately, if you have checked my Etsy shop. That's why I just had to feature this sweet bicycle necklace in a great pumpkin orange! This would be a fun conversation piece!
Amy 987 - I am a sucker for wood bracelets, so when I saw this gorgeous hand-painted wooden bangle, I fell in love. I love that it is painted on the inside as well, in a different pattern, so you get a hint of it when the bangle moves. Gorgeous!
Sewu - With a new niece in the family, I love checking out little girl's clothes. This little dress is absolutely adorable for a sweet Autumn outfit!
Nubby Cakes - Don't these look mouth-watering? These pumpkin spice whoopie pies are served with maple cream filling...and even better they are vegan!
Eva Foreva - How gorgeously well-made is this pumpkin neckwarmer? I love every little detail, down to the sweet button! And it looks so snuggly and warm for those cool Autumn days!

I hope you enjoy these pumpkin items! Have any pumpkin-inspired items you are loving right now? I'd love to see them! And be sure to check out these wonderful Etsy shops to see all their other amazing handcrafted items!

xoxo

Moody Monday: FAIL

2009-11-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Well, my weekend didn't go quite as planned. I had hopes of getting so much done - bridal show book for a wedding consultation, craft show inventory, some cleaning, and enjoying the little kiddos costumes as they came to the door.

Well, Saturday I woke up feeling absolutely horrendous. I couldn't move, which is very unlike me. Needless to say, I got none of the above done. The only productive thing I was able to do was to write some articles for the Examiner, get some blog posts written, and I did get a few items listed on Etsy that I had already photographed. Not quite what I needed to get done, though, so this weekend was just an all around epic FAIL.

Thank you to Pink Flower Cube for having the perfect item to portray my feelings of this weekend! I feel like I need to be wearing this lapel pin all week long!

Hopefully next weekend will be a little more productive. I hope, however, that you all had a wonderful Halloween weekend, and have a fabulous week ahead!

xoxo

Things I am Thankful For

2009-11-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it, but November is already here! I've spent some quiet time this week reflecting on the things that I am thankful for, in preparation for the big Thanksgiving feasts coming up! I will be doing a weekly post of new things I am thankful for and really hope ya'll will join me and leave comments for things you are thankful for, or links to your blog where you have posted something similar! So, since I will be doing this weekly through November, this is by no means a comprehensive list, but just things that have come to me as I write or through my quiet thoughts this week!

My extremely supportive family and friends. I am lucky enough to have a very supportive group of loved ones who are there for me every step of the way. Not only are they behind me through the exciting, happy, and joyful times, but they are also there for me during the frustrating, sad, and annoying times!
Sunny, warm Fall days. In Virginia, we are lucky enough to have warm, sunny days well into the holiday season, on occasion. It's so uplifting to feel the excitement of Fall and the holiday season, but to still have the warm Spring air.
Target. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a Target nearby at all times. When I need something and don't know where to get it, Target is my shop of choice. I have bought everything from the obvious toiletries, groceries, and electronics to party outfits, home decor, and shoes!
Laughter. One of my most favorite things in the world to do is to laugh. And I'm not talking the little chuckle you do when you don't want someone to feel bad, I am talking a huge side-splitting laugh that puts you in a great mood for the rest of the day. I constantly surround myself with individuals who make me laugh this way on a daily basis.
Chocolate chip cookies from Ukrop's. For those of you who do not know what Ukrop's is, I urge you to make a trip to Richmond just for that experience! I have been completely obsessed with their homemade chocolate chip cookies lately.
Pantene Pro-V Clarifying Shampoo. I have yet to find a shampoo that cleans my hair as good as this shampoo does! I love it!
Project Runway. For those of you who know me well, you know I never watch television. Ever. But I must catch Project Runway every single week. I get so excited on Thursday afternoons when I remember I get to watch PR that evening.
Coming home to a package. Whether it be new supplies or something I ordered from a fellow seller, it is so exciting to come home and open a package at the end of a busy day!
Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks. I am a huge Starbucks addict. I go more often than I should. October 1 is always a treat each year because they begin selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The first sip is glorious - like taking a sip of Fall. If you aren't a coffee drinker, you probably don't understand...
Completely finalized and packaged orders. It's such a proud moment to see my creations through the process, but even better is to see them completed and packaged. It brings a sense of accomplishment that all you handcrafters out there probably share with me!

While I could go on and on, I am going to leave you with those. Now, your turn. What are you thankful for?

Fashion Friday: Is This Even Possible?

2009-10-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know me personally, I am a huge shoe fanatic. And not only am I a shoe fanatic, but a heels fanatic at that. I own every color imaginable, in a variety of patterns from polka dots to plaids to floral, and pretty high, too. And I'll do a lot for fashion, but walking funny is not one of them, so I know my height limits when it comes to wearing heels.

These heels are a new design for Fall 2009, and I am seriously just wondering: Is it even physically possible for someone to walk in these without spraining an ankle?!

Spotlight on Madison Main Advertising and New Media

2009-10-29T00:08:00.002-04:00

Soo, I recently became a writer for the Richmond Examiner. I will be exploring Graphic Design events and topics in my area, for those of you who are interested!

Below is my first article I have written for Examiner! Feel free to check it out if you'd like :)

Spotlight on Madison+Main Advertising and New Media

xoxo

Wacky Wednesday Interview: Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities

2009-10-28T05:00:00.001-04:00

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa Hamel-Smith (more commonly known as Mel or Kaos), owner and insane artist behind Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities. You can also check out Mel's blog, Facebook fan page, Myspace page, and follow her on Twitter. According to Mel..."if you can’t find me at one of these places please call the police because I’m probably dead." Good to know, Mel!

What tools are a must in your day to day business?
The internets! If the internet is down I feel handicapped. I draw a lot of inspiration and strength from my fellow artists, especially those on Plurk (like Amanda!). Having bipolar disorder sometimes requires a good swift kick in the butt as motivation and I know I can always count on my internet friends for that!

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A cat, definitely! Big cat, little cat, doesn’t matter! They are so beautiful in appearance and movement. They are also very independent and terribly clever. I’m sure the 18 hour naps wouldn’t be that bad either!

What is your favorite color combination?
Black and pretty much anything (except maybe orange, yellow and brown).

What's your favorite drink?
COFFEE! I’m pretty sure my doctor counts my blood in cc's of caffeine rather than cell count! I’m a coffee snob though. No Tim Horton’s coffee, no instant coffee. Must be real cream and sugar! If you’re going to get a soy Sweet 'n Low decaf coffee you might as well lick pavement! Why bother? You really want to get on my good side? Bring me a gingerbread latte from Starbucks!

What could I find in your refrigerator right now?
Condiments. Husband has a HUGE problem buying condiments. If the world ended, however, I could probably survive on three or four types of mustard.

What is the last book you read?
Er. I don’t remember! I LOVE to read but I get so involved with my books that I lose track of time. So I don’t read unless EVERYTHING is done and I have time to “lose.” If I think real hard, the last book probably would’ve been from Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series.
What blogs do you like to keep up to date with?
GHOULS GUILD - Keep up on what my fellow Ghouls and I have in store regarding our Halloween/dark art in our Artfire shops!

BENT OBJECTS by Terry Border - His work is hilarious. I can always count on it to make me smile. And he’s an awesome guy even though I only know him via Facebook.

TORONTO CRAFT ALERT - Keep up-to-date on all of Toronto’s crafty happenings!

CRAFT CRITIQUE - Amazing art product reviews and giveaways!

And there’s tons more…which is why my Google Reader reads 880 unread posts!
What's your favorite movie?
I can’t pick just one! Return to Oz, Sweeney Todd, Pirates, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, Coraline, Up… there’s loads of them!

What's the best part about selling online?
You get to meet so many people you never would have if it weren’t for the internet!

What's the biggest challenge being in business for yourself?
Not getting frustrated. When there are lulls in sales or craft shows are slow it’s very easy to want to give up. It’s especially hard if you have to be your own cheerleader. But stick with it and remind yourself why you’re in this business in the first place – the love of creating!

Tell us a little about how you manage your time.
Managed time? What’s that? My days are pretty much a free-for-all! I don’t really have a set schedule. I’m not sure I’d get more done if I did. I work best and am most creative under pressure. But I also get peeved when I can’t finish everything on time!

Thank you so much, Mel, for giving us a peek into Kaotic Ekko's Curiosities! Be sure to check out Mel's shop for all her great products!

Tuesday Treasury: A Little Squirrely

2009-10-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

I've been really into wildlife lately, especially wildlife and surroundings that remind me of the cool Autumn air. This week I wanted to showcase those Etsy items that feature squirrels! During my search I found so many great items, it was really hard to choose, but I was finally able to narrow my search down, as hard as it was! I hope you enjoy these selections, and be sure to check out these wonderful shops!

1. Simbiosis by Julia - I fell in love with the colorful aspect of this gadget bag the minute I saw it! Rarely do you see so much vibrant color associated with squirrels, so this really caught my eye.
2. Peaches 4 Me - I love the little acorn accompanying the sweet squirrel on this necklace. This is a perfect accessory for the cool Autumn weather!
3. Janey Mac Press - I've been really into wall decals lately, because they add such a statement to any living area, but they are easy and cheap to change often! I love this little squirrel perched on its branch, and the fact that he is leaning over toward the chair.
4. Moxie and Oliver - What a sweet wallet this is! The distressed feel with the little squirrel in the corner is so subtle and cute!
5. Freshy Fig - Here is another necklace I just couldn't resist. He is so sweet!
6. Fuzzy Mu - I love this notebook and the mirroring quality it portrays when the notebook is open. This is sure to give any artist creative inspiration!
7. Marmee Craft - What an absolutely adorable print! These squirrels look so happy and would certainly put me in a good mood!
8. Elpy - How simple and sweet are these magnets! And sturdy enough to hold multiple papers! I love that the set includes different designs.
9. Buttered Parsnips - I just love the vintage feel of these sweet buttons! How cute would these be adorning your favorite cardigan?

I hope you enjoyed these squirrel picks and take the opportunity to check out each of these lovely shops!

xoxo

Moody Monday: Refreshed!

2009-10-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

Aaah...what a relaxing weekend I had! Due to forces outside of my control, I was not able to get very much work done this weekend. The paper I ordered apparently took longer than I expected to ship, leaving me with NO paper this weekend to work with! I took advantage of the time, and relaxed, enjoyed the weather, and spent time with my family. It was hard to finally relax since I can't remember the last time I had a weekend off, but I finally got the hang of it halfway through the weekend!

Thanks to my relaxing weekend, I am feeling refreshed and ready to start the week on the right foot! And I am now totally prepared to start cranking out inventory for my upcoming craft show! I chose this week's item based on the cheerful, bright colors. The citrusy colors remind me of a refreshing glass of lemonade on my porch with no worries or cares. Make sure you check out Exotic Flavours shop and see what other lovely items they have available!

Fashion Friday: What the Heck?!

2009-10-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

All I have to say about this is....What the heck?!? This ensemble was featured at the Fashion East Menswear Presentation during London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 on September 23, 2009 in London, England.

Maybe I am just old-fashioned, but I don't believe Jackie O. would ever approve of this.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Is this statement too much? Does this exceed the boundaries of "art" and "fashion"?

Photo credit

Growing Strong Oaks!

2009-10-22T20:55:00.006-04:00

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share with you a custom order I just finished working on for my fellow Sassy Sister in Sales, Brenda! Brenda is the owner of the Greenish Pink blog, and Purely Natural Minerals. Even with all of this on her plate, Brenda will soon be opening Little Acorns Child Care! Not only is this just about the cutest name ever, but I just know Brenda is going to be GREAT for this role!

A couple of weeks ago Brenda asked me if I would create a logo for Little Acorns Child Care. I was so ecstatic to be a part of this opportunity, and Brenda and I immediately began brainstorming ideas! Our first direction was to create a whimsical tree, trying to figure out how to incorporate an acorn into the design. After working out some sketches, and talking about the direction of the company and the logo, Brenda and I came up with the final design, which you can see below!

I'd love to know your thoughts for this logo! Do think it portrays the idea of Little Acorns Child Care?

Wacky Wednesday Interview: Simmons Creek

2009-10-21T06:00:00.004-04:00

I am so excited to introduce my first Wacky Wednesday interview! These interviews will ask questions not typical of the crafter's interview, and I hope you are as excited as me to learn more about these amazing crafters and entrepreneurs!

This week, I'd like to introduce you to Lora of Simmons Creek. Lora can also be found at Cooking Concepts and For the Love of Humanity. I have gotten to know Lora over the past few weeks, and I just love Lora's energy and enthusiasm for her products, and was very excited to get to know more about her....

What is you favorite color combination?

I have to admit that my tastes change. Not often, but they do. For the last few years my favorite combination has been lavender, yellow, and blue. I love the 'shabby chic-cottage style' of decorating and am in the process of playing with the style in my own home. We have a 100 year old farmhouse and I think the style suits it well.

What is your favorite drink?
My favorite drink is a Seabreeze. I saw them made on one of the Food Network shows that my hubby and I watch and just had to try them. I was instantly 'hooked'. Very good!

What time do you go to bed and wake up?

I typically wake up at about 1:00 a.m. every morning and go to bed at night around 9:00 or 10:00. Needless to say, I wake up tired most mornings! But I have been doing it for so long now that I can't even imagine what it would be like to sleep 'normally'.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up? Last three before bed?

The first 3 things I do when I wake up is make coffee, turn on my laptop, check my email for orders that have come in during the night. The last 3 things I do before I go to bed is close up the house, go upstairs and write out my to do list, turn on the TV and CRASH!

What is your favorite movie of all time?

My favorite movie of all time is Ghost with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. I remember the first time I went to see it with a friend. Had NO CLUE what I was in for. We took our oldest daughters with us. By the end of the movie I was sobbing so hard, makeup running and the daughters just laughed hysterically. I remember people turning around looking at me while I was sobbing! I, of course, bought the movie and have since watched it about 100 times. It is the most beautiful love story ever made. I can't get through Unchained Melody without crying my eyes out. While I used to cry at just the end of the movie, I now start sobbing at the opening credits!

What is the biggest challenge for you in your business?
The biggest challenge of working for yourself is keeping focused. At least for me. There are so many things that scream out to me that need to be done around the house, if I am not locked away in my sewing room, I get sidetracked! I have to admit that I am getting much better but I still have a ways to go.

Tell us a little bit about how you manage your time.

Time Management has always been an issue for me. I am quite the list-maker so I always work off of it. I jot down everything I need to do the next day and prioritize them A B or C. I make sure I get all the A's done, and some of the B's. If my list is short, I may get to the C's but if not, they go on the next day. I do strive to make the most of my time, sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't, but I try really hard not to beat myself up over it. I think it's counterproductive.

What is the best part about selling online?
The best part about selling online is the people you meet. The internet makes the world a much smaller place. I have met some amazing people online and have many wonderful friendships with people I have never met in person.

Thank you so much for giving us a peek into your life, Lora! Hmm, I think I am going to have to try that Seabreeze now....

Tuesday Treasury: Organization

2009-10-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

I've been on an organization kick lately with the holidays quickly approaching. I find being overly organized makes the holiday rush much smoother. This week, I chose to feature some of my favorite organizational products. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do, and take some time to visit these lovely shops!

1. The Natural Hand - I just love the sleek look of this gorgeous rosewood box! And this would be perfect for the little knick-knacks I have lying around that I just cannot seem to find a home for.
2. Little Pink Studio - I just could not resist these adorable luggage-looking boxes. Not only are they perfect for storing my supplies in my studio, but they would look so cute sitting out as well! And the colors are simply irresistible.
3. Jenny N. Design - I admit that I am a sucker for a great bag. This bag is the perfect size for holding all my necessary items and a sketchbook for those spur of the moment ideas! And the color is absolutely gorgeous!
4. Raven X - I've had my eye on these cute sewer's wall hangings for quite a while now. While I am, by no means, a professional sewer, I do enjoy sewing, and know that these would spark my creativity - even if I am a paper crafter!
5. Julie Meyer - Talk about cleaning in style! I would happily clean if it meant I got to wear these adorable gloves! And in a variety of colors, there's a pair for everyone!
6. Brooklyn Bookbinder - I just love these accordian-fold calendars. They are compact enough to fit in any bag,yet large enough to stay up-to-date with your current and upcoming events!
7. Sara Schalliol - I've also had my eye on this jewelry stand for quite a while. It is very well made and comes in a cheerful bright pink. What's not to love?! I could even use it to house my ribbons and embellishments in my studio!
8. Joosy Card Co. - I've always loved this shop - and I certainly love the playfulness of Joosy Card Co.'s patterned clipboards. These are perfect for keeping your current paperwork together, or using at a craft show!
9. If N Books - Last, and certainly not least, I have always loved this cancerpants journal. Not only is it a perfect resource for housing all your ideas, but $1 from each sale goes to a cancer-related organization!

I hope you enjoy each of these just as much as I do! Have an idea for a future treasury you'd like me to feature? Feel free to let me know, and I will add it to a future list!

xoxo

Moody Monday: Longing

2009-10-19T18:00:00.001-04:00

How is it Monday already after a, not one, not two, not even three day weekend, but a four day weekend! The freedom of the weekends seems to go by so fast, no matter how long they are! However, I do have some exciting things in store for this week. For one, I am beginning all my new features that I am just so excited about! If you haven't heard about them yet, you can read a brief description of each of those features here. I am also in full swing with creating holiday items, and am almost done with my holiday line of stationery!

That brings me to my Moody Monday. Today I am certainly longing for the four day weekend back! I think this stunning watercolor by krscutie421 perfectly portrays the longing I am feeling. The pink in her hair portrays a cheerfulness, however, indicating my excitement to finalize my holiday line and begin my weekly features!

Let me know what you think about today's moody item! How are you feeling today?

Dear Etsy...

2009-10-18T20:53:00.002-04:00

Dear Etsy,

It would be super if us sellers could schedule delayed listings. Kind of like blog posts. That would be absolutely fantastic.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

xoxo,

Etsy seller who doesn't have enough time in the day!

Destination: Organization

2009-10-18T18:55:00.008-04:00

I spent almost all day organizing my workspace. It has been screaming at me for months, and I finally just had to muster up the courage to get it done. It was taking so long that I almost quit halfway through, but I just kept on truckin'. Thank goodness I did because I feel so much better now!

It's not exactly the way I'd like it to look, but I need some more shelving before it will be exactly right.

But, first, here is how it looked before Destination: Organization!

And here are the lovely 'after' photos:

That ribbon shelf needs to be hung, but other than that I think it's as close to complete as it can get until I get more shelves! I can't believe I can actually sit on the bed now! WOW, is this going to be a great start to my week!

I hope everyone had a wonderful week and is geared up for my new features that will begin running tomorrow!

xoxo

Happy Friday to Me!!!

2009-10-16T17:43:00.002-04:00

We all know Fridays are fabulous. There is something so great about being so close to the weekend we can taste it - even if we work at home! It's nice knowing the whole family will be around, we can come and go as we please, and leisurely complete our tasks.

Today, my Friday consisted of a full day of Spartafest 2009 where I was a vendor at the Spartafest Craft Show! Not only was it (and will be again tomorrow!) so much fun, but I've met some incredible Etsy sellers, including Ella Scott Jewels.

To top the great day off, as soon as I left the show for the evening, I got word that I was accepted as a vendor for the Richmond Handmade Holiday Craft Show 2009 in December! Talk about excitement! This was my first year applying to the juried show, and they received three times as many applications as booths they have, so what an honor to be accepted! I'll certainly be working very hard on the show, and will keep ya'll posted along the way!

I hope everyone had an equally as cheerful Friday and an even better weekend!

xoxo

Collaborative Art: An Inspiration Story

2009-10-15T03:00:00.000-04:00

Below you will find an article I wrote for Handmade News about collaborative art, and how you can use it to find inspiration and expand your creativity. Take a look at my friend and fellow Sassy Sister, Kattia's blog feature on how my article inspired her to think about collaborative art in a completely different way than I had originally thought about it! How fun to see all the inspiration and ideas that come from collaborating with one another!

Do you have an inspiring story about how collaboration has helped you expand your thinking? I'd love to hear it!
__________________________________________________________________

Collaborative art is probably something all artists and crafters use in their daily creations, whether we know it or not. Not only is it a technique we use subconsciously, but it is a great tool to use when the creative juices aren't flowing so well, or you've hit a creative wall. Using collaborative art techniques purposefully is a great way to expand your creativity and think outside the box (as us artists so love to do!).

Below you will find a loose guide for beginning your journey with collaborative art. Remember, though, this is your creation, so if it doesn't go exactly step by step, then, well, you've probably created a better piece of work because of it! Have fun and be inventive!

Step 1: Brainstorm! As with beginning any new project, quality brainstorming is a must to achieve quality results. This doesn't mean you must sit down at a specific time and start brainstorming; ideas can come to you at any time. For instance, I typically get my "lightbulb" ideas when I am driving. I make a mental note of all my ideas and keep a pen and scratch pad in my purse so that as soon as I arrive at my destination, I can jot down the ideas I had on my drive.

Step 2: Enlist friends and family. This is where the collaboration part of the creation begins. Once you have developed an idea that you are happy with and would like to create from, begin discussing your idea with friends and family members. Tell them your idea and, most likely, they will begin to chime in with their two cents. If not, ask them what their thoughts are! They may be thinking something completely different from the direction you plan on taking your creation in, which in turn will expand your creativity and way of thinking! Be sure to take comprehensive notes from each person you discuss the project with so you remember what was discussed when you are on your own with your creation again.

Step 3: Consider their ideas. Now that you have developed an ongoing list of ideas from outsiders, begin thinking about how they would fit into your creation. This is where you will start melding your bright idea with their outsider eyes. If you feel like it's necessary, you can always go back and discuss the new, collaborative idea with them again to get an even more in-depth collaborative process.

Step 4: Create your masterpiece! Now that you have developed a cohesive idea through notes, sketches, and discussions, it is time to put your talent to work creating that masterpiece! You are the ultimate artist, but along the way, you have received insightful guidance and ideas from those individuals you care for, making thing creation that much more meaningful. Be sure to share your final creation with all those involved so they can see just how their ideas played into your final piece!

As you see, there are many opportunities for variety within this technique. The process can take as long as you'd like. You could do a quick piece that only takes a couple of days, or you could do a year-long piece where you get much more insight from a broader range of individuals. Remember that it is your creation, and you have a world of possibilities lying in front of you from your discussions with other individuals. Even the way you perceive your notes when you get home an hour, a day, or a week down the road becomes something completely new!

Most importantly, take time to enjoy the collaboration process. Get those closest to you involved, and make sure they understand what you are doing so they can enjoy the process right along with you! Have fun!

Photo courtesy of Yael Fran.

Changes Are Coming!

2009-10-14T22:54:00.004-04:00

Hey ya'll! I'm so sorry I've been MIA lately - I've been a busy bee! Craft shows and holiday stationery have kept me on my toes the past couple of weeks! You'll see I've posted a piece from my holiday line! But, don't think I haven't had a few tricks up my sleeve. I have some major changes coming to my blog that I wanted to give you a sneak peek at! Below you will find a weekly schedule of material that will begin next week. As always, I'd love your feedback, comments, and questions if you have any!

MONDAY: Moody Monday - On Mondays I will feature a handmade from an online venue that will express how my week is starting out! If you know of any handmade items (or your own!) that would be a great "moody" feature, leave a link in the comments, and I just may use it if the mood strikes!

TUESDAY: Tuesday Treasures - Tuesdays I will feature either an Etsy treasury that I am currently loving, or items I've found on my own that will create my own treasury!

WEDNESDAY: Wacky Wednesday - I am most excited about my upcoming Wednesday features! Each Wednesday I will feature an interview from an artisan or entrepreneur. The fun part, however, is that these artisans and entrepreneurs will be answering unconventional questions, so hopefully you will learn something new, gain inspiration, and expand your creativity!

FRIDAY: Fridays will be all about fashion. I am obsessed with all things fashion, so I will be featuring some items I am eyeing, or gather your opinions on certain trends, topics, and the like. If it has to do with fashion, it will be here!

Like I said, I would love to hear your feedback! If you think I can expand on one of these ideas, or are simply not even interested in seeing them, please let me know! I am looking forward to bringing these fun features to my blog and really hope you will get involved and throw your thoughts and comments out there!

Thanks ya'll!

xoxo

And We Have A Winner....

2009-09-29T20:46:00.007-04:00

CONGRATULATIONS
to Memoriesforlifescrapbooks!

Memoriesforlifescrapbooks has one my Fall Women's Online Expo giveaway! She will be getting a personalized set of this stationery:

Want to order a set of your own? Click the picture to purchase!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Expo, and entered the giveaway. I am so glad to now have found many of your delightful shops as well!

Stay tuned for future giveaways! I'd like to do another one for the holidays, so let me know what you'd like to see me give away! As many of you know, I listened to your first comments, and did the exact giveaway you asked for!

Hugs to you all!

xoxo

Booth #6: Women's Fall Business Expo

2009-09-25T17:52:00.008-04:00

Well, ya'll, the time is finally here! I am so excited to be a vendor in the Women's Fall Business Expo sponsored by Dee at Runako Designs. Thank you so much for stopping by my booth, and learning more about Dawn Correspondence! I hope all you newbies will learn a little about my company, and all you past customers will maybe learn something new!

Oh, and one more thing....be sure to read to the very bottom for some special surprises!

Fun Facts About Me/Dawn Correspondence:

Dawn Correspondence started out of my apartment my senior year of college to make a little extra cash.
I have a minor (and by minor I mean extremely major) obsession with shoes.
I am debating painting one wall of my studio with chalk board paint.
My inspiration typically comes when I am driving and have time to clear my head and think. I also get a lot of my inspiration from nature.
I started out as an interior designer. I also dabbled in real estate for a couple of years before settling on my passion of creating stationery and paper goods.

Interested in knowing anything else about me, the company, or what Dawn Correspondence can do for you? Just ask, I don't hold anything back!

My items can be found on Etsy or Art Fire., and I am also a columnist for Handmade News. For all you brides out there, you can find my wedding invitations in either of my shops, or you can contact me directly for a custom order!

Here is just a small sampling of some of the products I create!

Personalized lizard stationery

Oh, Happy Day! Notecards

Birds of Paradise Wedding Invitation

Children's Birthday Invitation

Like what you see? Be sure to visit one of my shops to see more, or contact me directly for a custom order!

Now for the fun part! To show my appreciation for everyone who has taken the time to stop by my booth, I'd like to offer each of you 15% off all purchases made in my Etsy or Art Fire shops now through Tuesday night, September 29 at 11:00PM EST. Be sure to include the coupon code WFBE09 to receive your discount!

In addition to the discount I am also doing a giveaway. What will I be giving away, you ask? Well, I did a quick synopsis of my shops, I asked a few folks for their input, and I have decided to give away one of my most popular items (shown below). Have it personalized for yourself, or for a gift for someone else!

The winner will be chosen on Tuesday, September 29 at 8:00PM EST, so make sure all your entries are in before then! The winner will be chosen from random.org.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory entry:

Become a follower of my blog. If you are already a follower, let me know in your comment.

Additional entries:

Check out my Etsy shop or my Art Fire shop and leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is.
Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. Leave a comment with your tweet. (1 entry per day).
Blog about this giveaway and paste the link to your blog.

Good luck! Remember to have all entries in by Tuesday, September 29 at 8:00PM EST.

Thanks again for stopping by my booth, ya'll! Have fun shopping!

xoxo

It's Coming....

2009-09-17T21:20:00.004-04:00

Are ya'll so excited for the first ever Fall Business Women Online Expo? Thank you so much to Dee of Runako Designs for putting this fabulous event together for us!

The First Annual Fall Business Women Online Expo will begin on Saturday, September 26. If you are an artist who wants to get involved, I urge you to check out Dee's blog post about the event!

I can't wait to participate in this fabulous event with all you talented and lovely ladies! Stay tuned for updates of this event over the next week.

Should I do a giveaway? Hmm....leave me a comment and let me know what you think I should do as a giveaway (within reason, and based on what you've seen in my shop) and I will give it some serious consideration!

Can't wait to see ya'll at the event!

xoxo

My Perfect Palette: Week 5

2009-09-13T20:44:00.007-04:00

I must admit, ya'll, that I have been extremely busy with, well...life lately, so I haven't had too much time to create new items (any that I am ready to list yet, anyway). I've been working diligently on several custom orders for some upcoming weddings and the like. In any case, I bring to you the colors I am craving this week with the hopes that I will get around to creating some items this week with these rich, vibrant colors!

Below, however, are various items created by my fellow UWIBs that incorporate these colors, and I am just loving them! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

I am loving this gorgeous minimalistic abstract sunset painting from Kristen Stein Fine Art! I can think of quite a few places this would look great in throughout my home...

With the cooler weather just around the corner, I know my nails and cuticles are going to be taking a beating! This nail and cuticle balm from Cozy Moments would be the perfect addition to my beauty routine!

I am a huge fan of Polished Two's jewelry, so of course I fell in love with these gorgeous seaweed earrings the minute I saw them!

And last but not least, I am loving this "Miss You" card from Paper Squid! What a fun way to tell someone you miss them!

I hope ya'll have a chance to check out these talented ladies and their shops! And I hope to be caught up next week in order to post some items with the colors I am loving at the moment! I hope everyone has a fantastically productive week!

xoxo

Dots, Dots, and More Dots Treasury!

2009-09-13T20:40:00.002-04:00

It's a little late, but this is a treasury I was featured in last week! Thank you to the lovely and talented UWIB, Rita from Rita's Creations on Etsy for the feature!

My Perfect Palette: Week 4

2009-09-08T20:59:00.006-04:00

Due to the holiday weekend, this is coming a little late this week! My original plan was to post yesterday, however, I ended up just taking the day away from the computer for the most part. So, here we are today!

I've been in a really fun mood lately - most likely due to the holiday weekend. This playfulness certainly shows in my palette of the week, as well as the items I created this week. In addition, I snagged a second treasury this weekend that played up on this fun holiday mood I've been feeling! Below are a few items I created within this color scheme, as well as the treasury I snagged.

All of these gorgeous treasury items are created by my lovely and talented UWIB ladies. Be sure to check out their shops! Their shops can be found in the Etsy minis on the right sidebar.

As a side note, I've really been wanting to take photos and post them of my office (er....office[s]?). Most of you don't know this about me, but I am very OCD...except with my crafting apparently. I have managed to take over a section of the kitchen, a section of the living room, a section of the bedroom, and, well, my actual office is another story in itself. If I can get the courage to post the pictures this week, I will! Maybe ya'll can give me a little encouragement?! :)

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Labor Day weekend. I'll be talking to you again soon!

xoxo

Oh, Happy Day!

2009-09-06T08:24:00.000-04:00

What a great day I had yesterday after doing my daily internet scouring/email responding yesterday morning! Not only was I featured on the lovely Mary Reid's Satisfy Your Senses blog, but I was also featured in, not 1, but 2 treasuries! Mary did a very sweet product review of my mini thank you notes. I love it when my customers love their products enough to write about them! There's nothing sweeter! Thank you so much, Mary!

The first treasury I found was done by a fellow UWIB, Karen. Karen curated a gorgeous Autumn treasury, and lucky me! She included my red and curry owl stationery! The treasury is shown below. And be sure to check out Karen's shop, JMJ Creations! She has some gorgeous jewelry you won't want to pass up! Especially with the holidays right around the corner!

The second treasury I found myself featured in was curated by Rachel of Tickleworm. Rachel sells the most adorable clutches, scarves, and pouches, among other pretty sewn items. Here is the sweet treasury she curated.

I am so honored to have been featured on Mary's blog and Karen and Rachel's treasuries all in one day! Thank you ladies so much!

xoxo

My Latest Treasury!

2009-09-04T21:38:00.003-04:00

So, I'd like to start posting my treasuries as I get them because I think the treasury feature is a great inspiration for artists as well as buyers. Here is my most recent treasury I have snagged, featuring some of my lovely UWIBs! I have really been into these gorgeous colors, and think they make a great treasury. Mustard and Moss is probably not the correct title but, hey, I made it in the right color family! Enjoy!

Featured on the Lovely Bright, Bold, Beautiful

2009-09-04T18:51:00.004-04:00

What a pleasant surprise when I woke up this morning and had an email that Laura Trevey, the creative mind behind Bright, Bold, Beautiful, has featured me on her shop this morning!

Laura has a gorgeous blog and a gorgeous Etsy shop. The watercolor image below is one of my favorites, and gives you an idea of just how, bright, bold, and beautiful her items are!

Thank you so much for the wonderful feature, Laura!

xoxo

Week of Hope

2009-08-30T20:01:00.002-04:00

For those of you who have not yet heard, this week, beginning Tuesday, is the Week of Hope. The Week of Hope was started by Russ Haan in an effort to encourage Americans to send positive letters through the mail with the word "Hope" written on each envelope. What a powerful message this will send to individuals all over the nation!

In an effort to encourage this message, I will be giving free stamps and additional mailable cards to each purchase made in my Etsy shop this week. I will be offering this from the time this post is read, until midnight on September 7th!

I hope each of you will take the time to send someone special a note in the mail this week and spread hope and encouragement throughout our nation!

xoxo

My Perfect Palette: Week 3

2009-08-29T22:05:00.009-04:00

Alright, ya'll, I know I told you I had 2 palettes to share with you this week, but I decided to alter and consolidate them into one palette! With all the Fall hype going on, I wanted to do something whimsical and fun...so I wouldn't get bored with Fall before it even got here! Not to mention, I've been working pretty hard on some gorgeously elegant black and white wedding correspondence for a custom order, so the bright cheerfulness of this palette was a refreshing change!

Unfortunately, I've been so busy with custom wedding correspondence that I haven't been able to finish the pieces that I've been working on ...but next weekend I will do a Part II from this week as well as a new palette! And I have some good things in store to talk to you about this week, so stay posted!

Moving forward, here are a few of my UWIB faves in this week's palette....

I am just in love with the gorgeous, rich gray of this necklace by Erin Keys over at Femme Petal!

I am a huge fan of Lori at Dirt Road South and love the rich green of these bobbies!

And this shea butter cupcake from Cozy Moments looks delectable enough to eat!

Last, but of course not least, how gorgeous is this green clip from Ticklebean?

These colors just all look so gorgeous and whimsical together! Such a refresher for the end of summer! I hope ya'll enjoy these items just as much as I do! Check back in next week for my favorite colors and items of the moment!

xoxo

I Told You it was for All of Life's Little Occasions!

2009-08-29T20:09:00.003-04:00

Hey ya'll! Happy Saturday! For those of you who haven't had a chance to check out my Etsy shop today, I have posted a new You Kick Butt! notecard. While this notecard can be used as a congratulatory note for just about any occasion, I designed it with a specific event in mind. This was designed to congratulate those who have quit smoking and have hit a milestone (hence the kick butt...hehe). Maybe it is a week, or a month, or a year. Whatever the milestone, I believe this is a reason to celebrate one of life's little occasions!

With all this being said, I think it's important to recognize a number of milestones for individuals who have given up smoking. Be on the lookout for many more of these achievement cards to come.

I'll also be posting some new featured items in the coming weeks in preparation for the holidays, so I hope you will stay posted!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to view my favorite colors of the moment!

Have a wonderful Saturday evening!

xoxo

Oooh it HAS to be a sign!!

2009-08-28T23:24:00.002-04:00

I jut noticed I posted my last blog post at 11:11! That has to be a sign of good luck!

Andddd...good night.

Newsflash!

2009-08-28T23:11:00.002-04:00

Hey ya'll! I am going to make this a short and sweet post. I am completely exhausted after this busy, hectic week! I am working on a pretty large custom wedding order (photos to come after I am finished1!) on top of the average, every day work! Whew! It makes me tired just to think about it!

Anyhow, amongst my crazy week I was able to find a few minutes here and there to start hashing out some ideas for a monthly newsletter! This is something I've been wanting to offer my customers, and anyone else who is interested in the business, for a few months now! With that being said, if you are interested in receiving a monthly e-newsletter from DawnCorrespondence, leave me a comment or email me at dawncorrespondence@gmail.com with your email address! I promise you won't be let down. There are surprises coming every month through the rest of the year if you are a subscriber :o)

Be sure to check in later this weekend for my color scheme of the moment! I think I actually have two this week...I haven't posted any listings from either of them yet, so they are both a secret, so be sure to check them out!

Ya'll have a fabulous Saturday, and I promise to be more lively later this weekend!

xoxo

Whooooo Likes Receiving Letters in the Mail?

2009-08-25T21:53:00.003-04:00

I promise I'll get over the owl stuff soon, ya'll! I just need to get it out of my system! They are just so daggone cute! So I was finally able to finish up some owl stationery today! I had a really hard time deciding what colors I wanted to do them in, so...I did two different kinds! The photos are below for your enjoyment, and you can purchase them from my Etsy shop!

I think these sweet blue owls are my favorite. Buuut, for the red lover, I did them in red (below) also.

What do you think? Would you like to see them in another colors? I can also make them available without the box at a cheaper rate! Just let me know!

Okay, I think my owl phase is simmering. I'm still obsessed, but I've expressed it enough that I don't think I have much more to say about them. Maybe.

Ya'll have a great night, and a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow!

xoxo

Owl Mania

2009-08-24T21:59:00.003-04:00

Ya'll...I did it. I bought the matching earrings from Dirt Road South for my owl necklace! I am so excited to get them. Here they are...

Aren't they adorable!? I can't wait! But, I'm wondering now, how much owl jewelry is too much? Because I found yet another owl necklace from Polished Two that I can't stop thinking about. Here it is...

What do ya'll think? To purchase or not to purchase...I can't decide. I want it really bad. It has also inspired me to finally make owl stationery that I have been meaning to do for a few weeks now. I am taking a different approach than originally planned, though. Stay tuned, I will be posting photos of it, and I will be listing it on my Etsy site as well!

I hope ya'll had a fantastic Monday. I made some new Etsy friends today I will be sharing shops of late this week, so be on the lookout!

Have a superb evening!

xoxo

Whoooo Loves New Jewelry?

2009-08-23T21:28:00.005-04:00

Okay, seriously, ya'll, sorry for the corny title, but I had to do it. I've been so obsessed with owls lately! Lucky for me some of my amazingly talented fellow UWIBs had (note: I said had, not have...I have them now!) some fabulous earring jewelry for me to snag!

Below are my new earrings I received from Polished Two. I absolutely love these cute little owls, and have already gotten so many compliments on them! I love the adorable blue and white pattern paired with the sleek silver.

On Friday, after a long day at work, I came home to yet another package from a fabulous UWIB. Lori over at Dirt Road South custom made this adorable necklace for me, and I absolutely cannot wait to wear it! She also has the matching earrings I may need to snatch up soon....

I hope ya'll enjoy these as much as I am going to enjoy wearing them! Have a fabulous week!

xoxo

My Perfect Palette: Week 2

2009-08-23T06:00:00.002-04:00

I have to say that as the week went on this past week, I began doubting what I said last week about my favorite color palette changing so often. I kept going back to the browns and oranges and greens that I had posted last week. BUT, my taste didn't fail me! Come Friday and Saturday I began working on some new items and noticed that my color palette I was working with slowly started to morph into the colors you see to the left. I think it is a great, refreshing Fall palette. The navy blue is a nice change from black, and the bright grass green is a good transition color. The curry and champagne are good accent colors to use!

Here are a couple of new items I created that incorporate these colors. They are slightly different, so you can get an idea of the customization that can be done, but they can be designed as a set so you get matching thank you cards with your wedding invitations and correspondence!

And below are a few items I am absolutely loving from my fellow UWIBs and Sassy Sisters that incorporate my color palette of the moment!

What a refreshing landscape painting from WabiBrookStudio!

And how can you not fall in love with these adorable cupcake toppers from Joosy Card Co.?

What a gorgeous necklace from The Beaded Branch! I am loving the shades of blue in this selection.

And last, but certainly not least, what a gorgeous Fall necklace from Femme Petal!

I hope ya'll enjoy this week's color palette! Who knows what will be my favorite next week!

xoxo

Tag! You're It!

2009-08-19T20:23:00.004-04:00

I got tagged! My turn to play! Remember playing tag as a kid? This works pretty much the same way. I was just tagged by the mother-daughter crafting team, Bonnie and Rachel at TLC Inspirations . Now I must list 10 interesting facts about myself and tag 10 other unsuspecting bloggers. It's a great way to get acquainted.

Bonnie and Rachel also sent over the "Primio Meme Award" with their tag. Thank you so much for tagging me and joining me in on the fun, Bonnie and Rachel!

So here it is, 10 things about me you probably do not know!

1. I get told by someone daily that I have perfect handwriting. The funny thing is, I conditioned myself at the age of 14 or so to have the handwriting I have, and after enough practice, it stuck!

2. I played basketball for 8 years growing up, and I coached for 1 year.

3. I have a minor in interior design, in addition to my BFA in graphic design.

4. I am also a painter when I can find the time! I have been trying to sell my paintings on Etsy for a year, but haven't found the time to work on it!

5. I am also a writer. I have written anything from poetry to non-fiction and a lot of things in between!

6. I am a beach girl at heart. I get as excited as a kid in a candy shop when it's time to go to the beach...even though it's not that far for me to go every weekend if I wanted to!

7. I am extremely claustrophobic. I have a hard time on elevators, and I panic if someone invades my personal bubble! Haha.

8. I have the worst sleeping habits ever. I will go days without getting much rest, and then I will crash one night. I cannot, for the life of me, lay in the bed and rest and try to go to sleep, unless I know I will fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow.

9. I have a wonderful, extremely supportive family that encourages me through everything I do. Without them I would not be where I am today!

10.I probably own a small portion of Coca-Cola from all the Diet Coke I drink every day.

And, now I'd like to pass this award to all of the following blogs. "TAG! YOU'RE IT!" Tell us 10 interesting facts about you, and don't forget to pass it on! (Note: I realize I tagged 11 bloggers...that's on purpose!)

By Earth Expressions
Cobweb Corner
Felt on the Fly
Joosy Card Co
Cut the Cake Designs
Glitzy Events
Pocket Full of Colors
Deb's Gift Boutique
On a Limb with Claudia
The Beaded Branch
Creations by Nora Marie

My Perfect Palette: Week 1

2009-08-16T09:36:00.012-04:00

I enjoy working with color variety...a lot. In fact, I enjoy working with color so much that my taste in the colors I use in my designs changes so often I can barely keep up with it! So, I thought it would only be logical to show ya'll my perfect color palette of the moment! This palette will feature items I am working on, items I am loving, and give you a sneak peek into the colors you can see in my designs in the next few days. For my very first Perfect Palette feature, I have been really into these gorgeous rich colors that are a great transition from the hot August days to the cool Fall mornings. My favorite thing about using these colors is that they are so versatile. You can play up the orange and curry colors for summer, or the sage and chocolate for Fall. Such a great combination!

Here is a wedding invitation design I worked on this weekend that incorporates the sage and chocolate:

And here, you'll see some lovely features from my fellow UWIB ladies!

I just love this Cinnabar butterfly and buffalo stone necklace by PolishedTwo! A great transitional piece from summer to fall.

What a gorgeous Modern Landscape painting from Kristen Stein Fine Art! Another perfect transitional piece.

And how can you not love this sweet Harvest the Corn Illustration Print by Tamara Garvey? I could see this fitting beautifully in my kitchen!

I am just loving these gorgeous, rich transitional colors, but what will next week's perfect palette be? Will it be something completely different or a similar version of this week's palette? Hmm...we'll have to wait and see!

I hope ya'll have a fabulous Sunday!

xoxo

Shoutouts All Around!

2009-08-13T21:23:00.005-04:00

First off, the Sassy Affair tonight was fabulous. If you missed it, our next vendor fair will be on August 29, so be sure to check it out! Let me know if you'd like details on the next event.

Secondly, I have to give a great big shout out to a fellow Sassy Sister in Sales! Kattia has an amazing blog, Inspired! Wedding Tips and Ideas that I am so honored to be featured on! Kattia is the owner of Aleximani Events, and she has some great ideas on her blog, so be sure to check it out! I am so grateful to be among her wonderful features!

Also, I was very excited to open my inbox today to see that my submission to craftgawker was accepted! YEAH! Here is a screen shot of my product in the lineup (photo courtesy of the wonderful Ms. Debbi!):

That's me on the left! Woo hoo!

I have some great things to post about, but I want to spend some time on the posts, so I will be sure to make that a priority this weekend! I hope ya'll have the best Friday ever! Chat with you soon!

xoxo

PSST...Another word on the Sassy Affair...

2009-08-11T09:56:00.003-04:00

Good morning, ya'll! I am working hard to get some new items up and posted in my Etsy shop. I'll have a few new items up before this Thursday's Sassy Affair, but you'll have to attend this event to get a discounted price on the brand new items!

In addition to a discount on all my items and custom orders, I am going to be doing a *giveaway* to one lucky winner! It's one you won't want to miss, so make sure you attend the event!

So, get your slippers on and your lap top charged, and get ready for a fun night of shopping, sales, and giveaways from the comfort of your own home! How much better can it get?!

I hope ya'll have a fabulous Tuesday! Two days until the event! See ya there!

xoxo

Get Ready for a Sassy Affair!

2009-08-10T13:12:00.004-04:00

A Sassy Affair Shopping Extravaganza

Custom Order!

2009-08-09T15:02:00.003-04:00

Whew, what a busy weekend I have had! And still truckin' along! On top of trying to gear up for the upcoming holiday season (it's right around the corner, ya'll!), I've had a few custom orders to work on as well. I absolutely love custom orders. What a great way to mesh the buyer's ideas and styles with my urge to craft!

One of the custom invitations I worked on over the past few days was something I was unsure about doing. The buyer had requested a very specific custom illustration. While I do not question my illustration abilities, sometimes it is hard to see eye to eye when someone wants something so exact! It turns out our personalities and ideas worked very well together, and we both had a lot of great input into the final invitation.

Without further ado, I'd like you to see the final invitation! I'd love your input, as well! I had such a great time working on this fun invitation, and, even better, built such a great working relationship with the buyer that I get to do three more fun invitations like this! Woo hoo!

I hope ya'll had a great weekend and have a fabulous Sunday afternoon and evening. Stay motivated this week, crafters!

XOXO

Mini Cards

2009-07-31T14:15:00.010-04:00

I've gotten so much great feedback on these mini cards that I wanted to share my excitement with ya'll! I also wanted to give you a little bit of the back story behind these cards as well...my original plan was to start making mini cards about 6 months ago. I had all these great envelopes I had purchased and/or created and was so excited to begin selling them...well, life got in the way and I kept putting it off. FINALLY, one day I was ready to sell them! I went to my office, at my desk, where I had put the mini cards for safekeeping...and poof! They were gone. Where the heck they went, I still couldn't tell you. So, I decided to start over. I FINALLY got some photographed and ready to sell and thought I would give you all a quick look! I'll be posting TONS more of these in the upcoming couple of weeks!

More Wedding Photos!

2009-07-30T22:23:00.007-04:00

So I've gotten some requests to post more wedding photos. There were over 800 photos for me to end up choosing from, but I think I have found some good ones! Enjoy!

The happy couple on the lake

Something blue

Wisconsin Wedding

2009-07-25T20:14:00.004-04:00

Last weekend I was unable to get many of my listings posted on Etsy that I had planned on doing because, being the amazingly wonderful friend that I am :o)...I made the trip from Virginia to Wisconsin for a friend's wedding! I just got my hands on all the photos from the wedding, and despite the cool weather we had, the pictures are gorgeous. My favorite wedding photos have always been the photos where you see the "action" of the event - the happiness, the work that was put into it, the EXHAUSTION! I picked my top three photos from the over 300 I saw, and have posted them here for your viewing pleasure! I hope ya'll enjoy them as much as I did! Weddings are fun!!

Lovely new present for me!

2009-07-20T20:21:00.005-04:00

So, I'm a little late posting this because I have been at a friend's wedding in Wisconsin, but I came home to a wonderful package! I ordered this necklace from Erin Keys, fellow member of Unique Women in Business, right before I left, and it was waiting for me when I returned! I cannot wait to wear it tomorrow. You should all check out her shop, she has some other gorgeous items I may snatch up soon.
In the meantime, I am running my 10% off sale through July 27, so check it out! My new products will start going up soon as well, so be on the lookout!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday tomorrow!

SALE! SALE! SALE!

2009-07-14T22:17:00.003-04:00

Just to let everyone know, I am having a sale in my Etsy shop! Basically, I am bored with what I have, and want to revamp my entire shop - from logo, branding, and packaging to products, ideas, and sections! In order to do that I'd like to get rid of most of the items I currently have so I don't mix the new with the old. I am offering 10% off of EVERYTHING in my shop (read my shop announcement for details). AND, for anyone who reads this blog, if you order something, in the notes to seller write "Sizzling Summer Sale buyer!" and I will give you 15% off instead of 10%! I'll be posting a sneak peek of my new items soon, too (I'll be on vacation this weekend, so probably next week!)

Hope ya'll have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow! Happy corresponding!

Words of Wisdom and Paper Necessities

2009-07-11T22:18:00.005-04:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! The picture shown shows a small sampling of paper goodies I received! The floral patterns will be used mainly for wedding invitations. I am excited to showcase an invitation with the dark purple petal shown! And the boxes are for gift stationery sets I will be launching.

In other news, I finished up some Words of Wisdom cards I was working on for an upcoming wedding. I wanted to show a sampling of photos because I think the colors are GORGEOUS for a mid-summer wedding! I have also developed some new ideas that will be an extension of these cards, and will be showcasing them soon! I'll keep you posted.

Coming up: I started working on a line of surfing cards I will be showcasing in the next few weeks. This stationery will donate 10% of all the proceeds to a scholarship fund in honor of a family friend who passed away tragically in a car accident. I will have much more information about this stationery soon! The stationery is coming along great, and I am looking forward to helping out this wonderful scholarship!

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and I'll keep everyone updating on these various exciting projects!

Thank You to Inventing Weddings!

2009-07-08T20:52:00.008-04:00

So, before I tell you about Inventing Weddings, let me just tell you about my disappointment when I realized someone had to sign for my printer when it arrived, and I wasn't here! Very disappointing. Luckily, though, they will be back tomorrow, and you better believe I will be getting it TOMORROW! I cannot wait to print all my new Fall and Winter designs I have been holding off on until my printer arrived!

Moving on...a huge thank you to Inventing Wed dings for featuring one of my wedding invitations on their site! The image is below. Gorgeous items, and I am so honored to be featured with these amazingly talented artists!

I also received my paper! It was so exciting. The colors are gorgeous and I can't wait to feature them in my Etsy shop. I'll post some sneak peeks later.

All in all the week is going great. I hope yours is treating you well, too.

Thanks so much for checking in, and happy corresponding!

Inspired

2009-06-15T14:51:00.004-04:00

Below you will find an ever-changing list of stationery designs from DawnCorrespondence, and where their inspiration was derived from. DawnCorrespondence was created with the goal of reviving the art of letter writing, and helping to develop writing skills in children and adults alike. Much of our inspiration is expanded from this ultimate goal, and we hope you'll enjoy our stories and designs just as much as we enjoy creating them!

You're a Breath of Fresh Air
Created September 2009
Single note card with sky blue envelope, $2.75

The inspiration from this note card came from a loved one who made a healthy, life-changing decision to quit smoking. One of the immediate effects for individuals who have decided to quit smoking is that they take in much more oxygen that non-smokers are used to taking in on a daily basis. For this reason, many ex-smokers have a really hard time staying smoke-free because the extra oxygen just becomes too hard for them to handle, even though they are doing a good thing for their body! This card was created with that concept in mind. Ex-smokers literally are a breath of fresh air! What better, more personal, and loving way to tell someone you care that you are proud of their accomplishment than with a sweet, personal, handwritten letter? The great thing about this note card, though, is that it can be used for just about any occasion, not just for ex-smokers! Want to thank someone for their kindness? Tell someone you care? This note card has become such a unique way for many individuals to tell their friends and loved ones just that!

Interested in purchasing this note card? Email me at hello@dawncorrespondence.com for ordering details!

Wholesale Inquires

2009-01-23T14:37:00.003-05:00

Interested in selling DawnCorrespondence products in your store?

Email us at info@dawncorrespondence.com
for pricing, our most recent wholesale catalog, and ordering details!