{inspiration monday 10.25.10}

{giveaway: orly design winner!}

And the winner from last week's Orly Design giveaway is:

Tatus!

Congratulations, Tatus! Stay tuned for the next giveaway!

{press: classic bride, kim + dan}

Yay for Kim + Dan's wedding being featured on the Classic Bride blog! Thanks, Sarah, for the feature!

{giveaway: orly design}

It's giveaway time! This week you have the chance to win two cute lovebirds from Orly Design. Her shop is adorable- perfect for wedding needs. Cake toppers, wedding ring holders, and more. Please read about Orly below and then enter to win at the end!

Tell me a little bit about yourself. My name is Orly Pittel, I’m 44 years old, married and a mother of 3 beautiful children. I'm from Israel. In the past 8 years we live in a moshav (village) and I just love it. Since I remember myself, even as a child in my parent’s house, creation was always there. My parents had a factory for knitwear, which sold all over Israel. I understand today that my attraction to the handmade creation field started back then. Over the years I have tried working with different materials and techniques, but once I tried ceramic – I fell in love!

Creating ceramic art ware became one of my passions. It’s a wonderful feeling to take a lump of clay with no shape or color and turn it into a personal, lively and unique creation. This kind of creation offers me endless possibilities. I enjoy creating sculptures, jewelry, functional and decorative items. I like to combine in my ceramic work other materials from the nature, such as rocks, wood, glass and more.


How did you start to sell on Etsy?
In the past I sold my work to friends, but due to increasing demand and friends recommendations I decided to open my Etsy shop, and I got hooked! I love the exposure, support and the wonderful atmosphere in this new world. I opened my first shop www.orlydesign.etsy.com exactly one year ago; almost all items in this shop are for weddings, which I’m so excited when someone chooses one of my creations for their big day! I customize my creation for specific bride and groom, you can choose a style, colors, letters or almost anything that will suit best your wedding design. I just love the feeling to be a little part of this special day!


Where can we find you?
You can also find me: Email: pittel@netvision.net.il My shops: www.orlydesign.etsy.com & www.orlypittel.etsy.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/orlydesign Twitter: http://twitter.com/OrlyDesignShop


What gives you inspiration?
My work is often inspired by themes from the nature and I enjoy incorporating other materials, particularly those found in nature, in my pieces. You can find me collecting pieces from the nature like beach stones, sea shore rock, sea glass, braches and whatever who makes my imagination to see how a little stone can become an art piece….

Giveaway Details:

2 Love Birds

Contest ends Friday, Oct. 22nd 12:00 midnight US EST

One winner chosen at random

Maximum of 3 entries per person

How to Enter:

(leave a comment for each thing you do)

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Post about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter.

3. "Like" me or Orly on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

{inspiration sunday 10.18.10}

{giveaway: buds and blooms winner!}

And the winner from last week's Buds and Blooms giveaway is:

Sonya!

Congratulations, Sonya! Stay tuned today for the next giveaway!

{family: the cline family, wilmington nc family photographer}

You may remember I did Jennifer's maternity pictures when she was pregnant with Ailey. Now it was time for family pictures! Of course in October, pumpkin patch pictures are in order (say that five times fast). Then we headed to Wrightsville Beach for some more fun. Ailey is a ball of energy and just too adorable. She loved that you could run and fall down and not get hurt on the sand! We had to practically drag her away from the beach. The three of them together made for some great candid shots.

{giveaway: Buds and Blooms}

I'm excited for another giveaway. Buds and Blooms is sponsoring this week's giveaway. She has a beautiful shop and it's perfect for brides! Read about Corrine and then check out the giveaway below.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I think this is the hardest question to answer! What to say? I love history in all it's forms. I love to travel and I have a deep commitment to social justice. I started Buds and Blooms as a way of supporting the non-profit organization I founded with my fiance and my best friend, called The Afri-Can Connection. We work in the rural north of Ghana, West Africa where we support elementary through to post-secondary education, health, food security, water, sanitation and economic development. I have a million dreams and aspirations for both Afri-Can and Buds and Blooms and one depends on the other.

I have a history degree and an obsession with museums and learning. One day I dream of building a civilization and natural history museum for northern Ghana that will run a wide range of programs and fund reserach on everything from recording local history, music, mythology and traditions to environmental and wildlife conservation. In the meantime I spend all my time sewing and trying to cath up on all my ideas! So many new designs but only so much time in the day to sew! which means if you need something and it's not on my site; ask me! I can probably make whatever it is you're looking for.

What do you like about where you live?

I live in an mid-sized university town in Ontario, Canada (and also the city where "Blackberry" has it's head offices). I like that several think tanks have located here and that they hold interesting public events. I also like having access to the libraries of both the universities where I live. We also have a world famous farmer's market! Though to be honest, I'm ready to move on to a community with more arts and culture. Specifically, I want more museums!

What is the wedding industry like where you live?

The wedding industry where I live is growing but still limited. Because I live only an hour from a large metropolitan area (Toronto), many brides head there for their needs. There are a few clear leaders within my city (an adorable cake bakery, a scrumptious French Patisserie, a few stellar photographers and two oustanding gown shoppes. The more artisinal services are nonexistant or poorly advertised. I'd like to unite the more unique vendors in my area so couples actually know what options are available to them and help small businesses find more clients.

How did you start to sell on Etsy?

I was introduced to Etsy a few years ago by an artist friend but didn't consider selling anything here until flower headpieces became more popular. This year I decided I would take the plunge and use Etsy as my platform to sell my accoutrements.

Where can we find you?

My blog and website are under development at the moment but I am on Facebook.

Describe your style.

Describing my style is hard! I have always been stuck between liking the miminalist aesthetic and being drawn to details; it is a hard balance to find. In terms of my design style, I bounce around a lot.

What gives you inspiration?

I am inspired by everything although very drawn to colours, anything that sparkles, and drama. By drama, I mean drama in an artistic or historical sense. Just like my sense of style seems to be caught between polar opposites I am inspired by opposites; soft girly colours and neo-Victorian, Edwardian and Elizabethan fashions to 1920's Art Deco and the bright colours of 1960's Mod Fashion. I love doing custom work because then I can be a chameleon!

Any advice to brides either as a vendor and/or having been a bride yourself?

My advice as a vendor would be to ask questions and find a way, if possible, to work with your first choice. I see many custom order requests on Etsy that ask someone to duplicate the work of a small designer at a much discounted rate. I think this is a disservice to everyone involved; especially the bride. Nobody can be a first rate copycat; they can only be first rate version of themselves. So if you see something that you like that is over your budget, take the plunge and contact the vendor. Most of us, whether we're designers, photographers, caterers etc, would be pleased to work with you to fit your specific needs!

Corrine is graciously giving away a $25 gift certificate to her store, Buds and Blooms.

Giveaway Details:

Contest ends Sunday, Oct. 17th 12:00 midnight US EST

One winner chosen at random

Maximum of 3 entries per person

How to Enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Post about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter & leave a comment after.

3. "Like" me or Corrine on Facebook or follow me on Twitter & leave a comment after.

{inspiration monday 10.11.10}

{baby: baby john: nc baby photographer}

I was planning on doing maternity pictures for Lauren but unfortunately she was put on very early bed rest when pregnant with baby John. So I was very excited to get to finally see her and the new little John! And John's daddy, Rance, is a very big Carolina fan so I think, I'm not positive, that he's grooming him to be a football player. Pure speculation on my part. And we also learned that if you leave a baby unclothed long enough he will pee everywhere. He is also the strongest baby I've ever met. John can break out of any blanket he's swaddled in. But he's quite adorable. Can't wait to see you grow up, Mr. John!

{giveaway: InspiraDesigns winner!}

And the winner from last week's InspiraDesigns giveaway is:

Heidi!

Congratulations, Heidi! Stay tuned on Monday for the next wedding giveaway!

{sneak peak: baby john, wilmington nc baby photographer}

{giveaway: InspiraDesigns}

I'm very excited for this next giveaway. I love everything wedding and especially deisgn so this is a great combination! PLUS I'm in the mood for fall since it's gotten a little cooler here in NC. InspiraDesigns has an amazing Etsy shop and is sponsoring today's giveaway!

A bit about InspiraDesigns.
I am a stay at home mom to an amazing 8 month old little girl. My boyfriend and I are saving up so we can get engaged. I am sensitive, creative, thoughtful, and easy going. I love spending my time designing, and with my family.

A bit about where you live.
We live in Camarillo, CA. It is 10 min. from the beach and about 1 hour to LA and a little more to Santa Barbara. The laid back culture here is very artist & friendly. The weather here is amazing. I could literally go to the mountains, the dessert, and the beach in the same day.

What is the wedding industry like where you live?
GREAT! But very expensive. I have been looking into being a vendor in some bridal shows this spring, and the fees are super high. Southern CA can be a bit overpriced for everything.

How did you start on ETSY?
I originally had a knit shop, and started to do some graphics. This summer we had 3 weddings to go to, and I created my silhouette posters. They were such a hit. I then started doing canvases, and found myself doing invitations and maps within a week.

What gives you inspiration?
EVERYTHING. It gets a bit overwhelming sometimes. I'll walk by a sign, and love the text layout, or see a flower and have to photograph it for a new design. A lot of my inspiration though comes from my brides. My favorite designs are ones that a bride has meticulously decided on and come to me to bring to life. Its a great feeling to do that.

Describe Your style.
Wow that's a tough one. I am pretty versatile. If I had to describe it, vintage, modern, kitschy, romantic, unique would be it.


Any advice to brides whether as a vendor and/or having been a bride yourself?
Before starting anything, put together your own inspiration board or book. This will assist you in explaining to vendors the feel, and ideas behind your BIG day.

Where can we find you?
My blog which will soon feature inspiration boards, and etsy products daily along with updates on my designs, and hopefully some giveaways of our own, can be found at
http://inspiradesigns.blogspot.com/and on Facebook.

Our etsy store is found at http://inspiradesigns.etsy.com/.

InpiraDesigns is graciously giveing away 100 placecards AND a custom map design for your wedding!

The design and color scheme above is probably my favorite. I'm so ready for fall!

And a map to boot?! This is great for out-of-town guests and to have a momento of the town.

(printing of the maps not included)

Giveaway Details:

Contest ends Friday, Oct. 8th 12:00 midnight US EST

One winner chosen at random

Maximum of 3 entries per person



How to Enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post about your upcoming wedding.

2. Post about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter.

3. "Like" me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.