Wednesday, November 9, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Quetzal Handmade

Tell us a little bit about your blog and/or shop.

I am the girl behind the sewing machine at Quetzal Handmade!  I’ve been addicted to sewing for a little over 10 years and have loved it from the first minute I sat down at my first machine.  As a full time Mom with a full time job (working from home) sewing and crafting time became scarce (or non-existent really!)  I started my blog in February 2011 because I would like to run my own handmade business someday and having a blog became a way for me to stay encouraged and motivated in working towards that goal.  Free time is so very limited for me and I knew that if I completed at least one handmade item each week, I could post it on my blog and at the end of my first year I’d feel really accomplished!  Then my plan was to sell everything at the end of the year at a handmade market – and that’s where Holiday Handmade came in!  My blog is all about my handmade accomplishments, my love for flea markets, finding vintage treasures, re-purposing and re-using, DIY projects and was mainly started to help me follow my heart and (slowly but surely) chase down my dreams!


What is your favorite product in your shop right now?
 
My favorite products in the shop right now I would say are my banners, the different aprons I’ve completed (for both child and adult) and also my felt pin cushions that could also be used as ornaments.  I make a little bit of everything but I really love making aprons, banners and small creative items out of felt and embroidery thread.




 
Favorite fall activity with your family?
I love fall and spending time with my family!  During this time of year we love to make fall crafts for our home, visit pumpkin patches, carve pumpkins together, bake, drink warm cider (or hot cocoa) and snuggle up with our kids for movies on chilly fall days.


What are you looking forward to about Holiday Handmade?
 
Holiday Handmade will be my first ever experience selling at a handmade market.  I love shopping at handmade markets and have always dreamed of being a handmade vendor!  I look forward to seeing how my items are received and where this will take Quetzal Handmade.  I would say I am most excited about the experience of being a handmade vendor and meeting the shoppers and the many other talented vendors. 



 
Where we can find you?
You can find me at: my blog at quetzalhandmade.blogspot.com.  After the boutique and at the beginning of the New Year I plan to start listing my items on esty and my blog will give all the details of that update when the time comes.  


Saturday, November 5, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Luminous Moon

Tell us a little bit about your blog and/or shop.

My # 1 goal is to have a successful creative business which will allow me to stay home with my son.  Around this time last year, I was fretting about how I was going to have a birthday party for our soon-to-be 3-year-old son and not blow our budget.  I wanted his party to be unique and special.  However, we had almost no budget to do so.  It was then that it hit me!  I challenged myself to throw a low cost, hand-made
birthday party; down to the invitations and the party favors.  Once I had made that decision, there was no stopping my creative flow!  I soon discovered that I was in my element!  His party was terrific fun and from there my Etsy shop was born.  I've since added my blog, Facebook page and even send out a few tweets, now and then.
 


What is your favorite product in your shop right now?

It has to be my astronaut helmets.  Especially around Halloween.  When I was putting together my Etsy shop, the astronaut helmet was one of the last items I posted, in a last minute decision to add them to my item list.  They are so fun because they are customized for each child, with their name and planet choice.  And now they are the best sellers in my shop, year round!
 

Favorite fall activity with your family?

Anything to do with pumpkins!  I get a major thrill when I see the first batch of pumpkins in the grocery stores every September!  Pumpkin carving, visits to pumpkin patches, making pumpkin breads and muffins, and especially making my all time favorite snack of roasted pumpkin seeds!
 
  

What are you looking forward to about Holiday Handmade?

This will be my first craft fair!  I'm nervous, but also excited.  I don't know what to expect or how my items will be received, but I look forward to the experience and to find ways to grow my business.

Where we can find you?

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/luminousmoon AND http://www.etsy.com/shop/projectmommie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Mommie/264601966903872
Blog: http://projectmommie.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/projectmommie

Friday, November 4, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Petals & Panache

Tell us a little bit about your blog and/or shop.     

In 2009, Wendy Velazquez started Petals & Panache -- a home-based hair accessories business that blends edgy, current fashions with more audacious, vintage-inspired touches found in early 20th century dos. 



What is your favorite product in your shop right now?    

My favorite products right now are from my tribal line.  These tribal bands look amazing on everyone and add just the perfect touch to any outfit!


 
Favorite fall activity with your family?  

My favorite activity to do with my family is visiting Irvine Park.  My two girls Mya (3) and Ella (2) love chasing around the peacocks and riding the train.  My husband and I adore grabbing a cup of coffee, going to the park and letting the girls just RUN!  Its great bonding time for all of us.  

What are you looking forward to about Holiday Handmade?  

With holiday handmade just around the corner I am getting increasingly excited about getting to meet new customers and to be surrounded by 27 other amazingly talented artists.  Hopefully I will have time to step away and get some of my holiday shopping done.


 
Where we can find you?

Laurenly Clothing Boutique in old town orange

Thursday, November 3, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Allison-Kate Stationary

Tell us a little bit about your blog and/or shop.

Allison Kate is a custom invitation and stationery business.  We love designing something that perfectly fits the style of our customer and helps commemorate the special events in their lives, whether a wedding, baby shower, or party!  We also have a line of greeting cards, holiday cards, and personalized rubber stamps. 


    What is your favorite product in your shop right now?

Our favorite product right now is our adorable line of Lunch Love cards!  We have them in a greeting card format perfect for sending a note in the mail as well as a small postcard style designed for going in your kid's lunch, backpack, or fun place for them to find!  They are designed so that even little ones who can't read will understand your message!

    Favorite fall activity with your family?


Pumpkin Patch!  (Katie here:) My kids LOVE going to the pumpkin patch and know that when we talk about 'fall', they know they get to go there.   


What are you looking forward to about Holiday Handmade?

 Being part of a talented group of handmade vendors and seeing the unique products they have made.  We are also looking forward to meeting new people who want a fun and unique Christmas card this year!! 
 

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Little Wellies

Tell us a little bit about your blog and/or shop. 
 
my name is christina, and i own little wellies.  i'm married to my stud of love hubby [who happens to be my highschool sweetheart!] and we live in southern california. last november, we welcomed our first baby into our home, our "little girlfriend" bridgett lou ♥. we also have a boxer named giada [after the fabulous italian cook].   i started little wellies as an avenue of supplemental income for my family [um, hello? formula & diapers prices are out of control!], and have been so blessed to be able to stay at home with my daughter.




What is your favorite product in your shop right now?  

i love all my simple designs like the Coney Island Tunic, and Oh Nautical Baby Dress.



Favorite fall activity with your family? 

we love God, enjoy our church, and look forward to the weekends [so you won't find me sewing or answering emails]. If i'm not answering your email during the week, I'm probably at Disneyland on a playdate! 

What are you looking forward to about Holiday Handmade?  

i look forward to meeting you & creating lovely things for your little ones that will create lifetime memories! :] 

Where we can find you?

follow me on twitter @bylittlewellies  
shop on www.littlewellies.com  
like me on facebook.com/littlewellies for special discounts & promo codes!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Baby Boy Bakery

Tell us a little bit about your blog and/or shop. 

I'm Jacqui owner & baker of Baby Boy Bakery. Baby Boy Bakery is an organic custom dessert bakery. I started my bakery business about 6 months after my son was born because I found myself in the kitchen baking for family and friends events. I love the idea of eating organic and wanted to extend the same notion into my baking. I hope to create pure designer decadence in every dessert I bake. 'Baby Boy Bakery' is the outcome of a momma and son who wanted to pursue something organic and decadent to share with everyone.

What is your favorite product in your shop right now?

My favorite product in my shop right now are the Cake Truffles. Simply because they come in many different decadent flavors...and you can just pop them into your mouth! Who doesn't love moist bites of cake enrobbed with chocolate?? 

Favorite fall activity with your family?
Our favorite fall activity at the moment is eating Candy Corn and decorating pumpkins. I'm looking forward to setting up my new display and letting people taste how great my desserts are at Holiday Handmade. 

What are you looking forward to about Holiday Handmade?

I can't wait to network with the other vendors and hang out with friends. I am so excited for this experience! 

You can find me here: 

Twitter: @babyboybakery 

 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Lil Noodle Bug

Tell us a little more about your blog and shop.
Lil Noodle Bug was created after my son was born and is my daughter's nickname. After my Grandma died I was suddenly motivated to focus all my energy in doing what I love.  I love sharing myself, my experiences and my family with the world and I LOVE creating things.  I have been known to always focus on the pop of color with any outfit (thank you Stacey and Clinton), so I LOVE creating multifunctional accessories.  I also think houses should always feel like homes and first impressions are very important, so that is why I make simple, but beautiful wreaths.  At the end of the day I am a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a friend and more importantly a person that loves to put smiles on other people's faces by giving them something handmade and from the heart.  As a result, my etsy shop and my blog were created! 


What is inspiring you right now?
Right now I am inspired by holidays...the happiness, love and joy that are experienced during that time.  I tend to gear towards minimalist and simplistic designs, but I try to grasp the holiday as a whole in my wreaths.  I also am inspired by my children...to make them proud and show them anything is possible if you put your mind and heart in it.  


What's your favorite part of the fall?
My favorite part of fall is the changing colors.  In Orange County, we don't quite get the experience of fall, so I fondly cling to the trip to Yosemite with my husband in October.  The colors were beyond amazing and so vibrant - I wanted to run and jump in every pile of leaves I saw....and I did!


Favorite ice cream flavor?
I LOVE chocolate because it is so simple and fulfilling.  On an adventurous day, I will choose chocolate chip :)


Where can we find you?
pinterest: lilnoodlebug