I am happy to share the newest little product at Le Papier Studio - the silhouette glass pendants. They have been a hit ever since I added them into the website.
Not too long ago I came across the wonderful creations of Laurel Denise and fell in love with the simplicity yet timeless look of her jewelry. I quickly contacted Laurel introducing my idea and I am so glad I did. Not only was she super friendly but she was all over the idea and decided to make me some samples.
These lovelies come in silver and gold chain (although I only carry them in silver at this point) You can choose from the silhouettes I have in stock or we can customize them with your silhouettes.
They come in round and oval shape...with head profiles or full body silhouettes.
This is how mine looks....
Monday, July 13, 2009
New Product - Silhouette Glass Pendant
Mi K Babe Bag Giveaway- for the {babe} in us...
I can hardly wait to share this new company with you all. The founders, Ann and Maureen are good friends of mine. We've worked together on developing their brand image and graphics. You might remember Ann from a post I did awhile back on Organic Blankees. These two ladies make for one talented team. It's been such a pleasure knowing them both and I would like to introduce them to you - after all, if you've been following my blog, you know how I feel about mom entrepreneurs.
Mi K Babe is a company that offers a very unique eco friendly fashionable bags made for women by women (I love that!!). They offer their product in four different materials including Hemp, Recyclon, and Organic Cotton. The best part? They are for the environmentally conscious yet fashionable. You will know what this means, once you own one of their bags.
Each of their bags have been inspired by different types of women with different personalities. They donate a portion of proceeds to four different charities. They are big in supporting Mom Entrepreneurs - from their graphic designer (that would be MOI:)), to their web master, from their manufacturer to the creative input gained from marketing consultants, they have chosen to support and work with fellow women entrepreneurs.
Each one of the bags has two embroidered pocket tabs with words to inspire the babe in all of us!
They are offering the following:
(for one lucky winner)
:::
for the rest of you
(enter code SUMMER09) coupon expires 10/30/2009
(you can redeem this coupon at the checkout)
What you would need to do to qualify for the FREE BAG?
-head over at their wonderful website and pick your bag than...
-come back here and leave a comment indicating the bag of your choice. You can double the chance of winning by mentioning this giveaway on your blog and re-commenting here with the link to your blog.
:: don't forget to leave a way of contacting you, e-mail would be preferable!
I will announce the winner Friday, 17th (which means comments will be closed Thursday, July 16th at midnight).
Head over there now and good luck ladies!
Thank you Ann and Maureen! You couldn't have been more generous!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Do you ever get the need for a vacation after the one you just had? That was me this past week. But I am happy to say that I am all caught up! Pheww!
Every time we go on vacation we start talking about how it would be to live in a different place. The thought of being closer to our families is very tempting. We miss them so much and we want our son to see them more than once a year. Don't take me wrong, we love it here in Chicago...our church and friends are the reason we have made this place our home and feel so blessed. But every now and than, those thoughts pop in and get us thinking about the "what if"!!
Niko had so much fun...soaking up the sun and rolling on the sand. There was sand even in his ears by the time we left.
St Michael has interesting antique shops.
these cousins are the sweetest thing to watch...
Everyone had grown so much since a year ago...and we got to meet sweet Maddie for the first time. She is such a cutie pie!
Blue crabs are a specialty in DE...I didn't eat any just took pictures:)
These were just a few of the many pictures we took. I will be posting more here and there.
Monday, July 6, 2009
We're back...
these past 10 days we did a lot of:
water splashing, endless siestas, listening to the birds sing, coloring, building and soaking up the sun, crying, laughing out loud, enjoying each other.
We're back into real life mode. That translated into the following:
little guy adjusting to being inside most of the time (sigh*)
catching up with the laundry, housework
prioritizing work that needs to be done over at Le Papier Studio
ahhh...i think i need another vacation to recover from the one we just had. I will be posting pictures in the next couple of days. But now, off to handle life.
See you soon!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Vacation mode
F.I.N.A.L.Y!!!!!!!!!!
We're heading out tomorrow for a 10 day family vacation. We will be spending time with my in laws in the East Coast and visiting some other places up and down the coast. I am really looking forward to being with my boys and spending some time at the beach. I am also planning on meeting some of my blogger and twitter friends for the first time. It should be fun! I always enjoy meeting the faces behind my favorite blogs.
I don't know how much I will be blogging while away ( my plan is not to!!) but I'm sure I will be stopping by your blogs every now and than.
The shop and website will be open but all orders will be processed when I get back. If you have questions don't hesitate to email me. I know I say I will not do any work while away but I am sure I will find the time to answer questions.
See you all when I get back. Stay cool and enjoy summer (it's finally here!!!)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Featured at Edyta Szyszlo's Blog
I came across Edyta Szyszlo's work, a talented photographer and fell in love with her style. When asked if she could share a few photography tips for an article I am currently working on for Startup Pricess (more on this later..) she was soo very helpful and kind enough to not only share tips but check out my website and send her comments my way. I just loved that!
This morning Edyta featued my shop on her sweet blog. Check it out and while you're there, check out her amazing work too.
Edyta lives near by and I so bad want to hire her to do a photography session of my family. I also want her to photograph all of my products!!! I was thrilled to find out she recently photographed some of Paper Source products. Check it out...here.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
He popped the question!
He really did! And they are getting married in Italy...This engagement announcement couldn't have been any cuter (if i can say so myself:) Jeff popped the question by the Queensboro Bridge in Brooklyn. How romantic! What I love the most about this couple is that they insisted on having their sweet chiwawa be part of this special moment!!!
Tea + Talk with sweet Melissa
hello friends!
I was over here yesterday! Come on over and say hello...and get to know me a wee better!
Monday, June 15, 2009
galipette.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Featured on Daily Candy
There is nothing better than coming home to the sweetest surprise!! This morning my silhouette cufflinks were featured on Daily Candy Everywhere Father's Day Gift Guide. I am tickled pink right now!!! Thank you Daily Candy for making my day!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Home sweet home...
We're back! We spent a peaceful 3 day weekend in Door County, WI with our good friends from college, Leanne and hubby Brad, Alyssa and hubby Pete...
Egg Harbor, WI
the view from our cabin was out of this world!!!
The moon was full and its reflection above the lake was dreamy...Now, I need to focus on doing some work. There are orders to be filled, laundry to be done, etc.
How was your weekend?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
We're off to the beach!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Happy 4th
Today we celebrate 4 years of your life sweet Niko! You have been a blessing to your daddy and I and we are so very proud of the little person you have become.
We stopped at the bakery shop today for a special breakfast, just you and I. You couldn't stop talking, telling people everything from, "my mommy and daddy left me for one night on their anniversary day"...to "today is my birthday and I am 4, I will have two birthday cakes..." pretty much anything that could come to mind at that moment and that would get their attention. You were your usual self! I was a bit embarrassed! I don't talk to strangers like you do:)
Keep that innocent soul and the child in you always, no matter how old you become!
May God bless you and grant you many more years!
Love,
Mama
Ps.. You received this card/cartoon from our friend Brad...You liked it sooo!!
That Brad!!!Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Featured Artist Stacy Altiery of InkSpot Workshop
Since I started selling on Etsy not only have I met the most amazing, genuine people with whom I can relate in so many levels, but I have discovered an ongoing source of inspiration. Creativity inspires me so much. I find it coming from discovering a new shop via the Front Page or through the grape vine of the blogging world. It is how I discovered Stacy Altiery, the genious behind InkSpot Workshop. I was instantly smitten by the simplicity of her line, the color combinations and the way she puts everything together. Stacy also keeps a blog where she shares bits from her life and doses of inspiration from her lovely finds.
I can't wait to share this interview with all of you. Take a seat and enjoy!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Stacy Altiery and I’m the imagination and staff behind InkSpot Workshop (est April, 2008) and Fire Hydrant Press (est December, 2008), both stationery shops on Etsy. The business is run out of my house in Atlanta, GA, which I share with my ever supportive husband, super energetic 3 year old son and our 2 “senior” pound puppies. In addition to running InkSpot Workshop, I am a sales representative for a large medical device manufacturer out of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Yes, I have seen the new “Real Housewives of New Jersey” and so far have not seen too many folks around our corporate offices like that.
I have been crafty my entire life. As a kid in the 1970’s I latch hooked many rugs, made tons of Shrinky Dinks and macramaed my fair share of beaded chokers. However, it wasn’t until I got into professional sales that I realized my graphic design potential. I have made many promotional flyers using my company’s logo, of which I’m sure our legal department would take issue with. I then took my new hobby to another level when I designed all of my wedding paper goods, back in 2004. We had a destination wedding in St. John, USVI and I had a specific “look” I wanted and just made everything myself, including invites, menus, agendas, you name it. It was then that the real paper crush began! Of course the birth of my son 3 years ago put my passion for design into a new light and I became even more creative with my productions. Then, a year ago my friend introduced me to Etsy and InkSpot Workshop was born.
I love selling as much as I love to create which is why my side business is such a perfect fit with my day job. I have several different degrees including a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing, and two different Associate’s in Fashion Marketing and Culinary. I love to cook for a creative outlet, but only when there is enough time. I do not enjoy cooking just to “eat” meaning we go to restaurants quite frequently. Time for recipe experimentation usually happens on Sundays; when there is time to cook. What I appear to be saying is that I have ADD!
1. Personalized dog silhouette print
2. Dog Silhouette gift enclosures
3. Woody Personalized note cards set
How do you run a business while being a mother to a young child?
Lots of help! First I must say my husband is an amazing father and very supportive of InkSpot Workshop, which helps tremendously. He also works from our home and is in medical sales too, so he completely understands my work pressures.
Working out of my home for both my full time job and InkSpot Workshop can be a challenge when you have a toddler. Luckily, my office door has locks :) My son goes to preschool 3 days a week and we have a sitter the other 2 days. I really try to do all of my work in the early morning hours and late nights, even keeping the same hours on the weekends so I can be a mommy during the off hours. I have been working with a designer for the launch of my new website in the next several weeks and it has been challenging to find the hours needed to finish this project. This means “mommy time” has been getting sacrificed (:
Do you have a studio/work schedule? What works for you?
Well, I guess you could call it a schedule? I wake up at 5:00 am every morning, including weekends. Sometimes I will allow myself to sleep in on Saturday, depending upon how many orders need to be filled. During the week my son and husband usually wake up around 7-7:30 am, so I get a few hours of peace and quiet in the house. The afternoon is broken up between going on sales calls to see doctors and nurses and making stationery. How’s that for using both sides of your brain? From 5-8:00 pm I am a mommy, and then from 8-10:00 pm I’m back in my workshop taking care of orders. Sadly, my Tues+Thurs (6-7pm) gym schedule has fallen off the chart, so I’ve just recently gotten myself back into Pilates training with an instructor. It is so hard to take time away from your “family time” to do something just for yourself, when you already spend all your time away from them.
Stacy's cool workspace.
Where do you look for inspiration?
The cliché answer is “everywhere” but honestly, I get most of my inspiration from fabric, furniture, wallpaper and even rugs. Sometimes I will see some amazing flowers growing in the wild and make mental notes. My 3 year old son recently inspired me with his never ending rendition of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. I came up with a cute set of kid’s note cards featuring a pig, cow and black sheep with their appropriate sounds
How do you separate working on your growing business from spending time with the family? Any tips you would like to share with us?
This is a constant struggle with any working mom and one that I feel guilt about on a daily basis. You never really separate the two worlds, especially when you are passionate about your work which is almost like another child. What I have been doing is trying to make sure that when it’s “mommy time” or “wifey time” or any other time that I’m not in my workshop, I’m living IN the MOMENT. Meaning I’m completely focused on where I am and who I am with, rather than stressing about stationery orders that need to be filled or calls I need to make to my medical customers.
I look at my 3 year old and am so sad that he resembles a little man more than a baby now. I’m afraid of blinking and poof, he’s off to college and I didn’t remember his childhood because mommy was “so busy” working all the time. This fear of mine has fueled my determination for living in the moment, training my brain to focus on the “now” and not what needs to be done. I also no longer stress about finding balance because I came to the realization that the act of “balancing” is a back and forth motion, you are never really still when you are balancing, right? So as long as I am in back and forth motion between my work and my family, I am balancingJ
Lastly, I do not participate in craft shows or fairs, but thoroughly enjoy attending them as a customer. It would be a ton of work for me to print everything in order to fill a booth. Right now I print each order when it comes in so I’m not sitting on a bunch of inventory. Most craft shows are on the weekends and that would be cutting into my family time and I must draw a line somewhere. Not to mention a show allows you to reach only a “finite” number of potential customers. It makes more sense to me to focus all energy on my business as an online format, because the world is my customer, not just the local people who attend a craft fair.
What’s your idea for a perfect day?
The perfect day includes a peacefully quiet morning start with a cup of strong coffee in my favorite mug. Then I realize my early mornings and late nights have paid off because I am all caught up! … And now I get to spend the day with my family, carefree and spontaneously. These days really do happen and I am ever grateful when they do.
Do you keep/have a wish list? What’s on top of the list?
I really don’t keep an actual “wish list” on paper, but naturally have a bunch of “wishes” in my head. The top of that list would include travelling abroad with my husband and son. We constantly toss around ideas for our next trip and lately Switzerland has looked pretty good.
What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Burt’s Bees beeswax lip balm, in the original flavor, not the fancy new versions. I keep one in my office, bedroom, bathroom, car, and of course cosmetic bag.
What makes you smile?
So many to list, but here are my top 5
1. Listening to my son sing a song. Especially when he thinks he knows the words, it's just hilarious to hear what his little mind comes up with and he tries to interject the word "shark" where ever he can.
2. When my husband does something for me all on his own and I didn't have to ask (nag)
3. Hearing the words "good morning mom" and the pitter patter of little feet. Every morning when my son gets up he knows mommy is in the office. He runs down the stairs and into my office with this super sweet greeting, straight into my arms and followed with a big hug and kiss. Such a great way to start to day.
4. When I get a creative impulse and see the idea on paper for the fist time.
5. Climbing into my bed when it has freshly cleaned sheet that are nice.
Wow, thanks for sharing your tips with us Stacy!
Make sure to check out Stacy's lovely shops:
InkSpot Workshop and Fire Hydrant Press
and don't forget her blog for more insights in her life and business.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
To The One I Love
Tomorrow will be marking 6 years of being married to you.
We met on undergrad school studying architecture. We spent hours working/studying together. I knew you were the ONE the moment I started talking to you. The 8 years I've known you have been the best years of my life. We have been blessed with the most amazing son any parent can have. Here is to many more years together! I love you more than words can say...
