Image via Green Wedding Shoes

A little while ago Janie of The Bride's Cafe asked me to send her a few of my Custom Vintage Wedding pieces to be used in a styled wedding shoot.  I LOVE everything Janie does so I gladly sent some items off to her. 

A while later she contacted me and said that the styled shoot was going to be featured on Green Wedding Shoes! I was so excited! 

Image via Green Wedding Shoes

I LOVE weddings, they provide so much inspiration for me! I even have a pinterest board dedicated to weddings! For me, they are so inspiring...and not just for wedding ideas, many of my decor and design ideas were sparked by wedding photos!

It was a beautiful shoot and I'm so thrilled to have been a part of it! I am honored they decided to feature my husband & wife forks and a custom wedding cake server.

♥ Be sure to stop over at Green Wedding Shoes + The Bride's Cafe to see the entire shoot! ♥

What likely or unlikely places do you find inspiration from?

Pretty Packaging Inspiration + Link Up

jessicaNdesigns packaging.

Oh, how I have a fondness for pretty packaging. I am always looking for packaging inspiration so I thought it would be fun to do a little "pretty packaging link up." 

Here's the deal: If you have a handmade shop or just love pretty packaging, write up a blog post with pictures of your packaging or pretty packaging that inspires you. Share with us what your favorite supplies to use are + put together a little resource list.  Then come back here & link up! I will be featuring a few of my favorites next week so we can all get inspired by pretty packaging!

I have a love affair with kraft + washi tape. I can't get enough of either! So they are an obvious choice for my packaging.  I use recycled kraft tissue paper, bags & boxes for my packaging. 

I had 2 custom stamps made for my packaging a while back.  I think they add that extra something to my packaging as well as reinforcing my brand to my customers. 

Since I redid my logo 2 months back, I still need to update my stamp for my shipping envelopes with my new logo. (On the to do list.)

Using the colors of your brand in your packaging is very important! I select 100% recycled tissue paper in kraft & peach for my silverware. I wrap each piece in the tissue paper then seal it with...that's right, washi tape! :)

I have WAY too much washi tape, I can't seem to stop buying it! I already stocked up on Christmas tape for this Holiday season! I think it will add a festive touch to my Holiday packaging! 

Every package I ship gets a care card & business card included. (They are also being updated as we speak with my new logo) I am super glad I decided to invest in the care cards. I think it adds something extra, reinforces my brand to customers & informs customers on how to best care for their products.

I bought these ADORABLE kraft thought bubble note cards from Owlbot & I just LOVE them! I use them to include little messages or notes with packages! Too cute!

I am always looking for better & different ways to package my items. I recently purchased kraft bags & lace doilies to use in my packaging.  Although it takes more time & added effort, I believe it is worth it.

Everyone loves to open a pretty package, and I think that's one of the benefits of buying handmade.  Almost everything I buy from handmade sellers is wrapped and packaged so lovingly.  It's those extra touches that draw me to a shop & make me want to keep going back!

My list of resources:

♥ Tissue Paper: Pixies Passion

♥ Lace Doilies: owlandthistle

♥ Washi Tape: Fawn & Flora, Pretty Tape, Wishy Washi Tape

♥ Kraft Bags: Pretty tape
♥ Business Card Design: Yellow Heart Art
♥ Business Card PRINTING: Midaugh Printers

<a href="http://jessicandesigns.blogspot.com/2012/10/pretty-packaging-inspiration-link-up.html"><img border="0" src="http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/ab127/jessicandesigns/pretty_zpsa4ddcf4a.jpg" /></a>
Grab a button & link up your pretty packaing! 

Pretty Packaging Link Up: let's get inspired!

via we love citrus

Oh, how I have a fondness for pretty packaging.  I am always looking for packaging inspiration so I thought it would be fun to do a little "pretty packaging link up."  

If you have a handmade shop, start taking some pictures of your packaging, the supplies you use etc. + put together a little resource list.  If you don't, start gathering some pretty packaging inspiration & get a blog post together. 

NEXT TUESDAY (10-23-12) I will share my shop's packaging + some inspiration & host a link up! Then you can come back and link up your blog post featuring your shop's pretty packaging or your pretty packaging inspiration! 

Here are some places to look for inspiration:
♥ Wishy Washi Tape
♥ We love Citrus
♥ Fawn & Flora
♥ Pinterest

So mark your calenders for 10/23 & get your post ready to come back and share! I will then do a follow up post featuring some of your pretty packaging inspiration! 

Let's Wrap it up People!

I am so happy to announce that another option is available for the Silk Wrap Bracelets! Now you can choose between the long rectangle tags or the NEW round pewter pendants! ADORABLE!
After many requests, I also added the option to purchase extra wraps...you know, for those of us who have trouble deciding & need more than one color for all our amazing fall outfits!
Each and every wrap bracelet can be customized to be as unique as you are! The one I am currently wearing says "do all things with love" a daily reminder to live by!
What would yours say??
Noteworthy Links:

• Wanna sponsor? I am offering 20% off all AD Spots with Code INDIAN SUMMER.  Ad sizes and info available on my sponsors page.
• Have a Project, DIY, recipe or something awesome you want to share? Come link up here!
• SALE: 30% off all Garden Markers in the shop! Code: GARDENON
• Leonora shares very helpful tips about protecting your products in the handmade market! SUPER helpful!
• HE HAS EMERGED: Shamelessly been scouring the internet to watch interviews like these all week.
• Whippy Cake shares some great IG Apps!

HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!

7 Pretty Things Sunday...

1//2//3//4//5//6//7

Lately I have been so tired, so stressed and SO ready for a vacation! In fact, I am closing the shop for most of Aug. to get some much needed rest, relaxation & family time before school starts! 

Side note: I can't believe my first born is going to be in the 1st grade...going to school EVERY day! 

Some things on my "relaxation" To Do list:

• Paint the wall in our living room with chalkboard paint.
• Paint my dresser & my daughter's dresser a funky color.
• Take my daughter school shopping. 
• Finish a DIY project that has been waiting on me to complete.
• Go on a mini-vacation with my family! 
• Catch up on Season 7 of Criminal Minds, my latest obsession.

*Not sure that I will get these all done, but one can dream!

What's on your list for the rest of summer?

Come Away With Me...

image via jessicaNdesigns on Pinterest

♥ The shop is closed. 
♥ Email set to vacation mode. 
♥ Ready to enjoy a weekend camping with my family. 
♥ Back to reality on Monday!

7 Pretty Things Sunday

photo sources: 1//2//3//4//5//6//7

I am linking up with some great bloggers for 7 pretty things Sunday! So exciting! I am always on the hunt for pretty things...take a look at my Monday Mash Ups full of pretty things every Monday! 


My inspiration today were those beautiful succulents.  I have been wanting to plant some as a centerpiece on my table & have some smaller planters in my studio since this summer.  I think it will be my birthday gift to myself to do it next month!


I had such a refreshing day yesterday, I went thrifting with my great friend Hannah, had lunch, went for coffee and then we met our hubby's for dinner! So nice to get out & enjoy some time together with no kids! We really needed that! I told her at the end of our day that I feel totally refreshed for the week now!

Friday Freebie: Ice Cream Party Printables

My daughter decided she wanted

an ice cream party this year.

She is turning 5!

Oh my, where has the time gone?!

So in looking for inspiration,

I came across Eat Drink Chic's Ice cream party:

I am so enamored with her decor, it is so pretty!
What I love most, is that she shares the printables!!

You all know I love me some free printables!

You can go to her site

& print all of the things pictured!!

I printed the cute little lables for all the toppings,

 the argyle cup covers to cover plain paper cups

and some of the smaller lables for things like

sprinkles, nuts and marshmallows!

I love this idea and it is even better when you can get all the trimmings for FREE!!

So head over to Eat Drink Chic & show some love!

I would also LOVE to attempt a cake

like this one from One Charming Party!

Now I am getting really excited!

I can't wait to show you how the party turns out!