08-03-2012

mollie makes

I am so excited and blessed to mention here that I had the opportunity to contribute the cover article for the current issue of Mollie Makes magazine. The fact that this is one of my all time favorite crafting magazines right now, makes it that much more special!!

Ever since I discovered it on the shelf of my local JoAnn Fabrics shop around January, I haven’t been able to resist a single issue! I adore their take on the modern crafting movement.

Subscribers should be receiving their issues, and the issue will be on shelves in the UK any time! Here in the US, it usually takes a bit longer – I’m looking for it around next week or the week after. I’m always able to grab a copy at my local JoAnn Fabrics, as I mentioned!

I’m still contemplating offering this style in the shop soon, but haven’t decided for sure.

I have tons more news to share as I have loads of goodies arriving for the papercrafting shop! My goal is to have it up and running around the end of August! Newsletter subscribers will get the news as soon as the shop goes live, so if you’re interested, be sure to sign up! ^_^

The way the business is blossoming is surreal to say the least. I’m humbled, thankful, and blessed.

Happy Friday!

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business, papercrafting
07-09-2012

news – papercrafting shop, new camera strap covers, poppytalk handmade, and a fun sponsorship

I’m still getting the newsletter sorted and set up, so for now, I’m still posting new things here!

papercraft shop – I’m so excited to be getting the papercraft goods shop off the ground – it’s set up, but needs a few tweaks and little things like a banner, etc., before I can start listing items – most likely that will all happen in August for sure. But – there is progress, I’m telling you! I’ve got some fun flair buttons designs and a bunch of other things I’m really excited about that will be going up there! I’ll be sure to have the newsletter fully up and running before that’s all settled.

handmade shop – LOTS of new listings today! Stop by the shop and check them out. They’re all summer themed, and the colors and patterns are like a breath of fresh air!  I really can’t pick a favorite! I still have a few chevron styles that are in progress and will be listed soon, as well.

While I was listing items I couldn’t decide on a name for this one, and it was SO fun to open it up with a post on the facebook page! We settled on “Watermelon” and I couldn’t agree more!

 poppytalk handmade‘s “on the road” market is up and it’s LOVELY. I’ll be updating my listings with the new styles this evening!

And last but not least, I am so honored to have been invited to sponsor Chic Critique’s Autumn Cover Contest! I’m joining other fabulous sponsors Epiphanie Bags, Totally Rad Actions, and The Shoppe Designs. If you’re a photographers, and you’re looking to showcase you’re skills, this might be your chance!

I feel like I have ten million things that I could blog about, but  I’ve been too busy doing to write about them! I DO want to take the time to write out my recipe for peach/cherry jam soon – it has been such a hit around here!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as I am – so many fresh veggies, gardening, fun projects, and lots of swimming {I try to take the boys down for a couple of hours every other day to burn out that energy! Whew!}

 

Have a lovely Monday!

~ Leah

 

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business, news, papercrafting, scrapbooking
05-04-2012

inspired by the colors of summer…

I’m so happy and proud to introduce my newest line of camera strap covers to my bluebird chic etsy shop!

Chevron patterned strap covers inspired by the skies of summer:

 

Blue Skies is inspired by the clear, bright sky on a sunny summer day – picnics under the trees, and hikes through the woods:

 

Inspired by that burst of sunlight through the clouds on an overcast day – Sunburst reminds you of the promise of a brighter day:

 

Chase Away the Gray reminds us to put the clouds behind us – that last burst of sunlight through the clouds of an evening summer storm:

And on the brighter side:

The rainbows, kites, hot air balloons, and parachute play in the park of summer inspired this cheerful rainbow addition to the line:

And the many shades of coral pink flowers that brighten our summer days as we go about our tasks prompted this pretty bloom strap cover:

It’s a beautiful sunny Friday here, and we’re off to take care of errands and have a bit of fun! Have a lovely weekend! Have fun browsing the new goodness in the shop!

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business Tagged With: ,
04-21-2012

a shimelle giveaway

The ever fabulous Shimelle is sharing a giveaway from my shop on her blog this week! Be sure to stop in, check it out and enter for a chance to win! ^_^ The giveaway will be open through Thursday night, UK time!

{And psst… you can see another sneak peek of the shop restyle above! I’ll be replacing all of my images! I’ve already updated this one in the shop!}

Good luck!

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business
04-02-2012

busy with a shop restyle

What better time of year to set things up for a shop restyle than in the spring – when everyone’s thinking of new beginnings and freshening things up? Here’s a peek at some of the things I’ve been doing! {Thihs isn’t a final look or anything, just a start in the process as I brainstorm and pull ideas together! I’ll be bringing lots more textures into my photos and I’m already loving it! ^_^

And I can’t forget the  splash page for the .com that Tania installed for me! You can check it out at bluebirdchic.com

I’m still going to try to pop in here and update as often as possible, but I’ll be taking it a bit easy on the blog posting until things are ready to launch! Thanks for your patience!

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Filed Under: handmade business, life around here, mom + business
03-25-2012

handmade shops that inspire – LaceyBug Creations

Let’s take a turn from some of the previous shops that I’ve featured to check out work from this lovely shop today! Lacey hand knits and crochets each of the items in her shop – she makes the cutest coffee/tea cup cozies,  accessories {like the flowers, bows and hearts},  and fingerless gloves!

{tea cozy – teal and orange}

I love the funky and trendy colors that Lacey chooses for the items in her shop! She also offers a few more subtle options that are just as fun! {Love the cableknit!}

 {the Americano – sea spray}

And if you’re in the market for some fingerless gloves, she has some great options!

 {fingerless gloves – grey}

I love Lacey’s photography and her attention to detail when she creates and photographs each of her items! In fact, I ordered one of the coffee cozies and sent it to my sister for Christmas – along with a Starbucks gift card! Perfect combo!

Here’s a bit more about Lacey:

“My name is Lacey Igo and I turned 30 a few weeks ago. I live in Moorhead, MN (across the river from Fargo, ND) with my boyfriend, significant other (whatever you want to label it) Matt, we’ve been together for over 8 years. Crafting has always been a huge part of my life since I was a kid, I remember doing craft projects with my mom all the time and attending craft fairs she had a booth at. As I got older, I got interested in scrapbooking, I always took lots of pictures and thought it was a fun way to display them. I am currently an office manager at a roofing company and go to school part time online for a 2nd degree, in Graphic Design. My other hobbies include photography and dance.

LaceyBug Creations on Etsy has a variety of knitting items (and sometimes I throw in some scrapbooking items). When I took up up knitting, I found a love of creating coffee cozies, I decided to start to sell them because I did not need a closet full them. I love to give them as gifts or donate them to silent auctions as well. I also have a few grecian headbands, which I call Hair Candy and I also make fingerless gloves.”

I love that purchasing from a handmade shop gives me the opportunity as a consumer to support other people, their goals, family or dreams! 

To keep up with Lacey and her shop, you can check out her blog – LaceyBug Creations, stop by her facebook page, and of course add her shop to your favorites!

Lacey has generously offered a coupon code to receive 10% off your purchase of her already more than reasonably priced goods! Just type in the code SPRINGTIME at checkout! The coupon is good until April 30th!

Have a lovely Sunday!

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Filed Under: handmade business Tagged With: , ,
03-22-2012

ideas stirring

I have so many ideas stirring! I feel like I’m on this amazing journey with my business – and recently I’ve started what I like to call a “refining” process.  This concept is SO a part of me and my vision for the future. I love this little video posted by the peeps at Etsy:

Handmade Portraits: Alabama Chanin from Etsy on Vimeo.

I absolutely love the idea of supporting local artisans and giving them a way to stay at home while still earning…

I can’t say too much here just yet, but I’m in the process of expanding the products that I offer and streamlining how I do things to make it easier to order and browse. I’ve got plans for new photo backgrounds and SO much more. I’m excited as I see the spring come and look forward to the summer! I hope you’ll join me on the journey! Can’t wait to share more!

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business
03-21-2012

lovely wednesday inspiration

I want to get back into the habit of sharing inspiration posts again! I used to love sharing something that I called “inspire me monday” on my scrapbooking blog, but in the shuffle of everything going on, and the changes of moving things around, it’s dropped to the wayside.

As an artist/crafter, it’s important to constantly be gathering new sources of inspiration, taking in new ideas, following trends, and supporting other artists/crafters in the industry! So, today I’d love to share some of my own recent finds that have inspired me for upcoming projects! Not only do I love browsing blogs and websites, I try to make sure that I put my money where my mouth is and purchase from the artists whether it’s supporting their fabric lines, or purchasing a book that they’ve written…

Here’s what’s caught my eye this week!

{Love and Olive Oil}

Gorgeous photography. {Something for me to keep aspiring to!} And sinfully delicious treats. Which, despite my healthy eating, I do still indulge in! Their site byline is fabulous: “Eat to live. Cook to love.”

I even found the recipe for a dessert we used to make when I was a kid! I must grab the goods to make these grasshopper brownies soon!

{Molly Makes – the making spot}

I discovered this British magazine last fall when they featured one of my projects on their blog – and to coin a phrase, they’re brilliant. I love the handmade vibe I feel immediately when I click over to their website, or check out their magazine… I need to find a way to subscribe, even though it’s international for me.

{Heather Bailey of HelloMyNameisHeather}

She never fails to delight me with her photographs, and of course I love her fabrics. She always seems to have a bit of something stirring in the kitchen as well…

Hope you’re feeling inspired!

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Filed Under: handmade business Tagged With:
03-19-2012

brainstorm sesh

I’ve been doing a bit of a brainstorming sesh. For upcoming products for the shop. Deciding where I’d like to go this year. I love that the possibilities are open and endless. My imagination {and pocketbook! lol} are my only limits.

Where do you like to look for inspiration?

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business, mom + business Tagged With: ,
03-16-2012

golden flowers

Just a few photos of me working around my studio space last week!

Unfortunately, with the boys out of school this week, I haven’t accomplished much beyond shuttling them to some activities to keep them busy and out of trouble! I *am* really excited that I’ve ordered my official woven fabric tags! I’m sure I’ll be sharing them as soon as they arrive! YAY!!

Here’s what they look like added to the straps… I love this one. I’m so tempted to switch things up on my own camera!

You can find the custom flowers addition in the shop here. And this is the strap that’s pictured!

Happy Friday! Be sure to peek back tomorrow – I’ll be hosting a fun giveaway as a part of a great blog hop celebrating the “luck o’ the Irish!”

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Filed Under: bluebird chic, handmade business, mom + business
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