Week of Inspiration :: Day 2 :: Business smarts

Posted on | Tuesday, March 3, 2009 | 6 Comments

Paul and Holly of Paul Rich Studio

When I used to make hair piece for myself and family/friends only, I never thought of ever making pieces as my main occupation. I thought I was going to be a scientist forever. It amazes me still to look back and see the huge steps I took to get to where I am today. I usually plan very far out and hardly take risks... very type A personality. I remember telling my dad on the phone that I was planning to leave my research position to do twigs & honey full time and he first went, "oh, okay..." and then, "uh, what??" It took guts, I tell you! Jumping into the unknown head first.

Possibly unbeknownst to them, Paul Rich Studio was a huge motivator for me to take that huge step from employee to self-employed. They were so encouraging and so right with everything... before, during and after our wedding. I remember when Matt and I went to one of their soirees in early 2008, soon after we were married, and it was just a few days after I listed my first piece on Etsy. I told Paul and Holly and their reaction surprised me. So supportive and really great with their suggestions. Both Paul and Holly are so wonderfully successful in their occupations and their business savvy was invaluable. Paul mentioned that I should consider the possibility of doing twigs & honey full-time. I think Matt and I thought it was a tad premature/nutty, but it got the wheels turning. Paul also gave me a huge tip. He said that when your side job is making about 80% of your main job, that's the sign that you need to do what you love full-time. Perhaps it was some great psychic power, but after that talk, twigs & honey started to takeoff.

As the weeks went by, I really started to realize that I couldn't keep both my full-time job and twigs & honey demands (I literally slept 0-3 hours a night!). Throughout, Paul and Holly really believed that it would definitely payoff for me to go for it, and by March, twigs & honey was reaching the break even point with my full-time job and I put my paperwork in, gave my final notice to my employer and as cliche as it sounds, the rest is history. Since then, they continue to be a great source of inspiration and always have the best tips and advice. Paul and Holly are some of the hardest working people I know and I always love hearing about their personal successes and watching their work reach a greater audience and gain deserved recognition. Thank you so much you two!!!

Some of Holly's work:

Holly's work is stunning. You must visit her website to view her work by clicking here.
Photo credits: Holly Andres

Beautiful work from Paul Rich Studio:

I have to show some more gorgeous photos from my sister's wedding. Visit the Paul Rich Studio blog to view their slideshow or click here. By the way, Amy & Sean's wedding was so beautiful and can you believe their wedding budget was well under $10,000?! There were so many lovely details, so be sure to check it out!!

The rest of Amy & Sean's wedding photos are up in the proofing gallery. Go to Paul Rich Studio and then to "proofs" and to "Amy & Sean". Or, just click here. You can also view Matt & Myra wedding photos by clicking here. Lovely!!

Photo credits: Paul Rich Studio

Week of Inspiration :: Day 1 :: Personal Style

Posted on | Monday, March 2, 2009 | 3 Comments

Photo source: Kate Towers
As previously mentioned, this week I'll be posting about a different aspect of the twigs & honey biz and the various creative folks that inspired me along the way. I just spent all day Sunday finishing taxes. I'm mentally done with numbers for this week, so onto pretty things!

In terms of the style of twigs & honey pieces, I have been influenced by so many people, materials, and eras throughout the years. During the beginning though of "twigs & honey" (earlier 2007), I was particularly drawn to local designers Holly Stalder and Kate Towers. Up until the more recent past, they co-owned a lovely shop in Portland: Seaplane. I found out about them after discovering that one of our wedding photographers, Holly Andres (of Paul Rich Studio), had her dress custom made by Kate (which was this utterly gorgeous blue confectionary treat! I hope photos of her dress surface someday!!). Everything about the varying textures they used and their deconstructed styles appealed to me. Though both designers definitely have a different style, I think I love them equally! If I can create adornments that include all the complexity and uniqueness of one of their gowns, I'm happy. Have I ever mentioned that they are both the biggest sweethearts?? Thank you Holly and Kate for being such great inspiration to so many admirers!!

If you read the blog or visit my Etsy shop, I'm sure you recognize this dress that I ALWAYS wear. It's my favorite, favorite Kate Towers dress. Aw~ but a very old photo that recently came out of the woodwork.

Beautiful wedding dress by Kate Towers.
Photo credits: Portland Bride & Groom

One of my all time favorite Holly Stalder ensembles... so much so, that I had to have that shrug!
Photo from here.

Lovely Holly Stalder dress.
Photo from here.

Who inspires you? :: A week of inspiration

Posted on | Friday, February 27, 2009 | 2 Comments

I recently received the sweetest email from Sierra of Romeo Envy on Etsy. She just opened up her new Etsy shop, which sells lovely jewelry at very affordable prices. I hope she doesn't mind me mentioning, but she had been following the twigs & honey blog this past year and was inspired to start her own shop! I've received some of the nicest emails and convos from many brides and aspiring entrepreneurs. Thank you to everyone and keep them coming. It really makes my day to read all your heartwarming stories! I think that with the state of the economy today, it is really great that people are turning toward crafting, the arts, and hobbies! It's even greater to hear that people are supplementing their income through crafting/creating/designing or taking the plunge and becoming their own boss/home business. Doing what you love and being able to make a living or extra income on the side can be very empowering. Also, supporting crafters, artists, and designers is wonderful and gratifying in its own right!! I love finding those one of a kind pieces, made by the hands of some talented individual near or far and not too different from myself or my complete opposite.... awesome! Doesn't it feel great to create and to support those who create?? I'm not going to make this blog my political soapbox, but I do want to say that I think small businesses are such an important part of the greater picture. I love seeing all sorts of talented people succeed against current projections and trends. Every little bit can truly make a difference. What goes around comes around. Have you hugged a crafter, etsian, artist, designer today?

So I thought of doing a slightly different week of blog posts next week. Sierra's email got me to thinking. There were many individuals who inspired me to both start twigs & honey and make the career shift from employee to self-employed. I thought it was about time I share with everyone else who those fabulous people were! I'll do a post a day about an aspect of the twigs & honey business and the individual that provided me with the inspiration and push. Check back all next week!

Happy Weekend! Old photo of an Ann Wood Handmade bird. Longing for warmer days...

Beautiful! :: Amy & Sean's wedding photos :: Paul Rich Studio

Posted on | Thursday, February 26, 2009 | 2 Comments

I'm up late as usual and while visiting Paul Rich Studio's blog, I was so excited to see some of Amy & Sean's wedding photos! They turned out beautifully! I wasn't expecting them up so soon, so it was a great surprise. I think the rest will be up after all the post production work is complete, but some of their favorites are up and you'll have to check out there blog to see the rest and to see all the other lovely pictures from these talented photographers! Here are a few that are just too lovely for words:

I love this photo. My mom looks so cute. It's very creative photography too. My mom and I were actually standing behind my sister in the bathroom, and the photo is showing our reflection in the bathroom door's mirror. At least I think that's what I'm seeing. My head hurts thinking about it. ;)

Photo credits: Paul Rich Studio

Major Etsy shop update!

Posted on | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 | 3 Comments

I finally wrangled a bunch of pieces together and have completed an Etsy shop update. I listed 7 new pieces! Here are some of my favorites:

This piece is similar to the one worn by Holly. I received a ton of inquiries about it after her lovely wedding to Mario was posted on Snippet and Ink.

You must view more photos at the photographer's blog. Her dress was done by Elizabeth Dye!
Photo credits: Jonathan Canlas

Enjoy!

A little shop update later today!

No Comments

I rarely get the chance to make pieces open to the public for my Etsy shop but over the last few weeks, I snuck in making a piece here and there and have a nice handful to post Wednesday afternoon/evening, possibly at night depending on my schedule. I also have a few boutique orders to deliver over the next couple weeks including a new location/boutique, which I'll announce when I get everything ready to go. Anyhow, check my Etsy shop later in the day Wednesday for some fresh new pieces (I'll blog about it too!). Here's one of the fun new pieces:

Perfect for a spring wedding - bride or guest - or for a romantic stroll through tall grass.

Puppy class :: Indy's graduation!

Posted on | Monday, February 23, 2009 | 4 Comments

Indy just graduated from puppy classes this evening! Matt and I are so proud of her and want to thank her trainer, Jesse, for being fantastic throughout these past 8 weeks. We went through Petsmart in Salem and couldn't be happier with the results. Thank you Jesse!!!

After class, Matt, Indy, and I went over to see a coworker to help move some furniture. It was dark out and I couldn't see the whole backyard, but it was supposedly fenced in completely. We let Indy run in the yard and I kept checking her every couple minutes because I wasn't 100% comfortable. She actually would run around when I was outside with her and then when I came inside, she would just give me that dog face through the glass saying "let me in with you!" with her eyes. Then, the worst case scenario! I couldn't see her and went out back and couldn't find her! I called for her and she is normally perfect at coming when called, but she didn't come. I scoured the yard in the dark and found that one post in the fence was missing!! She got out and was in an unfamiliar neighborhood! I was so scared and frantic. I even slipped on the wet deck and fell completely in my scramble to find her. Apparently, she was so desperate to find us that she found her own way out and ran to the front of the house and into the garage where Matt and his coworker were moving furniture. Whew! She actually had to run into the street and around the block to get to the front of the house. I kept her on a leash for the rest of the evening. I think the puppy classes helped keep her from running away completely. In class, we trained her to "come" even when we are out of sight and before Indy could hear me, she found Matt. Huskies are actually one of those breeds that can't be trusted off leash in the open, but Indy is always so desperate to be close to us and by our side so VERY fortunately, we didn't lose her tonight.

Here are some puppy graduation photos. Jesse... if you are reading this post, please email me your email. I lost your business card in the dark when I was running around looking for our pup!

I love the picture with her eyes closed. "I'm SO happy!!!"

"bleh!!"

Indy loves to "shake".

"congrats to me!"

"I'm shy." Such a faker.

Big sister gets married! :: The wedding of Amy and Sean - uncut version!!

Posted on | Sunday, February 22, 2009 | 7 Comments

Wow! What an eventful weekend! Matt and I headed to Washington to celebrate my big sister's wedding to Sean. It was a lovely and entertaining day and to only help in prolonging the spirit and festivities indefinitely, I thought to post a nice and only slightly embarrassing gag reel. I promise to post more "serious" photos soon, but I'm still getting through the hundreds of photos from the day and I'm in a chipper mood. ;)

First off, it was wonderful to see family and meet Sean's family. Matt and I had a fantastic time catching up and just getting acquainted with the groom's side of the family.

Secondly, thank you to Paul Rich Studio for being fabulous, top notch photographers AGAIN! Paul Rich Studio photographed our wedding and we couldn't be more deligthed in knowing that Amy & Sean's wedding was captured by such talented photographers. Their professionalism, skill, and ridiculously warm personalities amount to one of the best photographers you could work with.

Now on with the pictures!

Just wanted to post this picture of my mom. She made this jacket and her dress! She rocks. I made a dress too and very, VERY last minute, opted for a different dress. By the way, that's Matt in the background holding the veil I made for my sister.

Paul of Paul Rich Studio with the newlyweds. I cannot wait to see photos!!! I will post an update when the photo gallery is up on his proofing site.

Just because I'm the sister, I had to post this picture. Open wide!!!
And after the reception, everyone headed to the after party where spirits were high, the liquor flowed (I don't drink by the way), and people began acting a bit peculiar...

A glowing halo. My angel.

Yes, yes... I seriously got him to do this.

"This is much cooler than the rubber pencil trick."

Trippy - far out - dude. FYI - redlight special. These glow sticks were almost too much fun and are only $1 for 15 at Michaels.

"You wouldn't hit a guy who wears glasses would you??"

"I don't care what I look like... I just got married!"

"...and just to drive the point home... I'm married!"

Oh my goodness. Dad's doing his crazy dance again!

Somehow, my mom makes these bad boys a cute accessory.

"It's not like these pictures will ever see the light of day, right?" Photo courtesy of the groom's father. ;D

These glasses can bring out anyone's inner thug. ;) AKA - Groom's sister's husband, Brian.

Strike a pose. And to think... I'm like this without any social lubricants in my system. So this is the dress I bought about 24 hours before. I decided that the dress I made wasn't formal enough and a bit more "party" like, but I'll still post pictures soon.

With my newlywed sister. Aw~

Mrs. Callan and Mrs. Stewart

Everyone says we look alike. We don't think so. What do you think?

Mr. & Mrs. Callan!

Time to go home! More pictures to come!!

One sneak peak at the bridal fashion and my sister's t&h piece! Congratulations Amy & Sean!!! Have fun on the honeymoon!!!!