BE In Love Designs Handcrafted Stationery by @BeInLoveDesigns

BE in Love Designs...

B=Brian, E=Erin

Brian & Erin In Love Designs...

Isn't this so neat?!   I really enjoy seeing the stories that are behind the companies.   So many handcrafted and handmade businesses stem from personal needs and wants.   Rarely are they ever just started up just for the sake of being in business. 

The story behind BE In Love Designs started back on Valentines day of 2006.   Brian proposed to Erin.  It was the beginning of something amazing. 

Erin started looking for interesting wedding items to use on her big day.  She noticed that many of the invitations were either boring or stuffy.

Since Erin is a graphic designer it seemed fitting that she would design her wedding logo and theme.  It was thru this process that  BE In love Designs was born.

Over the years Erin has designed invitation styles for her friends and family's weddings.  She enjoyed it so much that she decided to make it her career.

One of the creative mediums which Erin came across in her wedding invitation design process was the use of cut paper.  Since this is so unique, and can be completely personalized for each client, it was a clear choice to make this her main technique of creating truly amazing invitations. The BE In Love Designs custom Cutouts™ are available in a variety of styles that can be mixed and matched with  their exclusive designs to create a completely custom invitation.

BE In Love Designs is committed to creating something special for your day. I really like the fact that they will custom design a set especially for you.   

And for the DIY brides, you haven't been forgotten!  There are options for you to do some of it your self.  check out their Invitaion kits here.

If you like what we've shown you today... we encourage you to take a visit to the BE In Love Designs website.

Website - http://www.beinlovedesigns.com/

Twitter -  http://twitter.com/BeInLoveDesigns

email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

PrincessDoodleBeans Boutique - handmade TuTu's and fun

Kristin Frank is the creative mind behind the PrincessDoodleBeans Boutique.   We love what she does.  All the hard work that goes into handmade creations sometimes goes unnoticed, but here at Hand-Crafted Creations we try to bring the spotlight onto artisans and their work.

Kristin's inspiration comes from her thre young girls.  "Princess" who's almost 7, "Beans" who's about 6 and Baby "Doodle" who's 3 years old.  She never really had an expressed interest in creating tutus until her little gals needed them for one Halloween.   From that point on The boutique was born.  One Halloween tutu turned into lots of different tutus for each gal - all different to fit the personalities of each. 

Kristin uses different techniques in creating her tutus, some being knotted at the ends and others being punky and puffy.  Her trashed looking ones are surprisingly popular among the older gals and teens. 

Some of the Princess Doodle Beans collection have been sold at the Pennington Collection gift shop located in Northport MI.

After a couple months of selling primarily to the little girl market, Kristin decided to try her hand at adult tutus as well.  (she had made one for herself and felt soooo happy in it.)  After offering it to the teens she found that many of them wanted more...her friends wanted more... just about every woman, mother, and female she encountered wanted MORE.

Tutus aren't just for little girls and ballerinas anymore. It's my hope that all girls, no matter what their age, will want to *Be Tutu Fabulous*.

If you're intregued by all this frill; Kristin  invites you to take a twirl through her PrincessDoodleBeans Boutique on Etsy.

Website -  http://www.princessdoodlebeans.etsy.com

Flickr pix - http://www.flickr.com/photos/princessdoodlebeans

email@hand-craftedcreations.com for possible submission of your site in our blog. OR if you are a vendor who doesn't want your info posted - please email & it will be removed ASAP.

Linda B - Beaded Jewelry - handmade & handcrafted by @lindab142

Linda B - Beaded Jewelry!

Linda is passionate about using colors and gemstone characteristics in her unique beaded jewelry designs.  She's been beading for about 4-5 years. She loves color and what the colors symbolize.  She creates one-of-a-kind, unusual designs of handbeaded gemstone and glass pendants, bracelets, earrings, beaded bookmarks, rings, beaded keychains and car mirror jewelry.

Her inspiration comes from the beads, colors, gemstone characteristics, as well as inspirational designs she's seen in magazines that she will get ideas from to make her own unique designs. 

Linda B. is excited to be a part of the EtsyBead Team, the EtsyTwitter Team, the EtsyBlogger team and new team leader of the EtsyChai Team.

You can check out all the places she hangs on the net at the links below  :)

Website - http://LinorStore.com

Blog -  http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com

Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/lindab142

Shop - http://linostore.1000markets.com

Face Book - http://facebook.com/linorstore

Twitter - http://twitter.com/lindab142

Fun Handmade Jewelry by Aliceglitter and Roberta Gauci

Two Artists ... If you think any of them are cute or want to know more about them - you are more than welcome to click their website links and browse their sites or contact them yourself  :) 

ALICE GLITTER

The first creations highlighted below are whimsical creations that are available at the sites below.  

http://www.aliceglitter.etsy.com/   and   http://www.aliceglitter.com/

ROBERTA GAUCI

This next artist has some pretty creations with floral beads.  the purple rose beads below were handmade.  They're very pretty.  

to find out more - check out the site at:   http://timecreations.blogspot.com/

If you submit your handmade work to be featured at HCC

Be sure to sell yourself.  

Occasionally I have gotten some submissions for handcrafted works from artisans who don't include much in terms of who they are, when they started, or what inspires them... etc...  I do want to let you all know about these artists - however I don't have the time to be Sherlock Holmes in search of all the details. 

  I'm very busy creating custom wedding garters and working on embroidered tags and personalized ring pillows .  So what I have decided to do is make combined posts for these sort of submissions.  Every now and then I will  feature 2 or more artist's creations with their website info and the pix I can gather... that's it.    

It may sound a bit harsh, but it is my view that if a person wants to be featured on an artist blog, but doesn't take the time to at least tell  who they are, what they do, how long they've done it and why  -  (the things that make them interesting)  then why would anyone else want to take the time to try and get to know them?  

You must take the time to sell yourself.   Yes some artist's work just speaks for itself and we may just fall in love with it without knowing or seeing any other bio or history of the artist... but this isn't the case with most.  Many times, it's the background and inspirations, the "getting to know who the artist is" that makes people want to bring their art into their lives.  (at least that's how it is with me) 

So with this in mind... for future artists...

If you would like your creations to be featured on the Hand-Crafted Creations blog -  Please be sure to include as much info as you can to really sell yourself and tell everyone who you are & why you do what you do.

CLICK HERE to Submit your website to be considered!

Your submission should include - at the very least one or more pictures of your creation, a Description of YOU/YOUR Company - what you do, how long you've done it etc... AND your website link for us to review.

you may include twitter pages, facebook pages and blogs as well... the more the better is my motto.

then please link to our site here  http://www.hand-craftedcreations.com

Sincerely,

 

A Trip into the Stationery store...Handmade Cards Galore!

We have gotten many many requests to be featured here on the HCC blog.  But of course!! Where else to be featured but in the blog that specializes in handmade, handcrafted creations!  (BTW - we still have over 50 that we want to feature but it just takes time - so those of you who have not been featured but did submit your work - don't dispare - your day in the sun is coming)

 We wanted to share with you some of the great stationery designs which are out there that you may not know about.   Companies that are large and small, and have one thing in common, their cards and stationery are handcrafted and special in their own unique way. 

Now depending on your style, your mood and your occasion you will want to find something that really fits in.   We believe the sampling of card and stationery designers below represent many styles, therefore, can meet a variety of needs.  Hope you'll have just as much fun browsing these sites as we did!

One of our favorites this first one...

OF THE EARTH

Green Eco Friendly Paper handmade with the Earth in mind -  Founded in 1995 by Kevin and Lori Graham

Lori had just graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Fiber Arts.   Lori and Kevin realized that by creating a business that embraces our environment with earth friendly practices and an earth focused product, they could reach even more people if they helped other couples to send green wedding invitations.
In the intervening ten plus years their dream has become a reality with more then 1,000,000 people receiving a card or invitation made on paper created by hand helping the environment. Of The Earth is proud to continue offering great earth focused products.

       

Of The Earth website -  http://www.custompaper.com/

   


HANDMADE HAWAII
Handmade hawaii boasts they specialize in providing Gallery quality Handmade cards. Their cards are designed using Exquisite Papers and numerous types of embellishments.
You can evern personalize them with your own saying!   Simply input your message in the comments box located in the final checkout area, and they will imprint your message on the inside of each card you order. Every card comes with a matching vellum envelope, & a silk organza bag.  It's a lovely touch that is better than a basic stationery story card.

   

Website -  http://www.handmadehawaii.com/handmadecards.html



CARDS BY JO
Here ya go - some fun and themed cards.  Jo has been making handmade greeting cards for over 30 years. You will find a myriad of handmade greeting cards for any occasion.   Many of their designs are made using Stampin' Up! stamps and several others as well. 

 

Website - http://www.cardsbyjo.net/

ROCK SISSOR PAPER

       

If you're looking for something unique and simple Rock Sissor Paper is a place you shoud check out.   Designers, Susie and Heidi Bauer were born in the metaphoric bubble of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, in the late 1960's... You can see where they get their inspiration from.   Today Rock Scissor Paper has a full line of stationery with more than 500 products.  Many of the cards incorporate real fabric and are interesting to the touch as well as to the sight.
Website - http://rockscissorpaper.stores.yahoo.net/index.html


I hope you liked this little trip into the Stationery store.   Lots to look at and many things to browse.  Have fun!! 

HCC - http://www.Hand-CraftedCreations.com
My Custom
Garters site http://www.CustomWeddingGarters.com
My Blog
http://brides-n-news.customweddinggarters.com/
My Testimonials http://testimonials.customweddinggarters.com
My Facebook http://www.facebook.com/custom.wedding.garters

DIY alert ! Adorable Handmade cards & Stationery!

CONNIES HOBBY HOUSE

         

More and more people enjoy making their own cards.  I know I have done it.  In fact back in 1995, when I lived in California, I was doing a small business with a friend.   Making cards is relaxing and very fullfilling.   It can add a very personal touch when given to someone you love. I know that when I get handmade cards it means a lot more to me than when I receive a store bought card.   We I came across this website one day,  I saved it in my bookmarks cause I just knew I wanted to share it with others.   If you're in the mood to browse some really nice handmade cards and get some ideas for doing your own you should check out Connies website.   As she says "Feel free to copy any of these handmade cards for your personal use"

 

 Website - http://www.connieshobbyhouse.com/Handmade_Cards/Handmade_Cards.html

    Love~Your~Garter

HCC - http://www.hand-craftedcreations.com/
My Custom Garters site http://www.customweddinggarters.com/
My Blog http://brides-n-news.customweddinggarters.com/
My Testimonials http://testimonials.customweddinggarters.com/
My Facebook http://www.facebook.com/custom.wedding.garters

A Must Read for All Handmade & Creative Business Owners

Alright this goes out to all my fellow Handmade Artisans!!  You have got to read this blog post by SEANLOW  Execellent!!!

Forget About The Competition hits the nail right on the head.   I have always strived to be me and to work with my clients to bring out Who THEY are.   I have a rule which I stick by at all costs  (even turned down some orders because of it which one must be willing to do) that rule is - Any custom order that I created MUST be based on one of the my samples that are shown on MY website... never based on anyone elses work.  Because of this policy I have -  I have always had the confidence and great feeling inside that I know I've been true to myself and to my clients. 

(this is the comment I left on his insightful blog)  I can't stress this enough   READ it for yourself... Then follow his blog for future reference - He has lots of insight!

Follow SEANLOW on Twitter -  http://twitter.com/seanlow

Read his wisdom at his site -  http://www.thebusinessofbeingcreative.com/

  

   Love~Your~Garter

HCC - http://www.hand-craftedcreations.com/
My Custom Garters site http://www.customweddinggarters.com/
My Blog http://brides-n-news.customweddinggarters.com/
My Testimonials http://testimonials.customweddinggarters.com/
My Facebook http://www.facebook.com/custom.wedding.garters

HAILEYS DRAGONFLY GARDEN - Handmade and Organic specialty Soaps

Haileys Dragonfly Garden of
Botanicals

These beautiful handmade soaps are all handcrafted bath and body
products. Dakota Witt is the owner of Haileys Dragonfly Garden.  The
company is named after his granddaughter.   There are so many
different colors, scents and designs to choose from. 
Take for instance the Ying Yang... isn't that just adorable.  Or the fun
puzzle pieces soaps.  They actually fit into each other just like a
jigsaw puzzle. 

The puzzle soaps are great gifts for the child in your life.  They make
getting clean a little more fun.  :)
Dakota's products are all natural and organic. One of their main focuses
is to keep their products affordable to everyone while providing a safe
alternative to the chemical filled, mass produced products being pushed
on society daily.  Hailey's Dragonfly Garden only uses 100%
pure vegetable oils and the highest quality ingredients available. Yes, they may
cost a little more, but the final outcome is worth it.
Another thing is that the handcrafters at the Dragonfly
Garden don't sell anything that they don't use on a daily basis. So quality
is of the most importance to them and to you.   These soaps would be
perfect for the little baby in your life as well.  Especially if they are
sensitive to harsh detergents and additives that are in many store-bought
brands.
In fact, their baby products were the first line and what started
their business. They were originally created for Dakota's granddaughter,
Hailey.  Isn't that sweet?  It's so wonderful how so many
handmade artisans have started companies due to the personal involvement in what
ever they end up in business for.  in this case - soap making and selling
because of creating some special soaps for his little angle
baby granddaughter.   I love it! 

Now - lastly but certainly not least -  I wanted to share with you what
I found that looked and I'm sure SMELLS delish!  

You can see all the wonderful organic and handcrafted soaps at Dakota's
website below.   Makes a great wedding, shower, birthday or christmas
gift. 
Organic Soap -
 http://www.haileysdragonflygarden.com/

Just for baby -
http://www.haileysdragonflygarden.com/Just_For_Baby.php

Blog -
http://www.haileysdragonflygarden.blogspot.com/