Judging By A Book's Cover

The saying goes " Don't judge a book by it's cover". In this case I did just that! I saw these books while looking in a designer furniture store and I found myself staring more at their covers than the actual furniture themselves! What attracted me to these books were the patterns and colors of their covers. These books definitely sparked some creative inspiration!  I found a few for a good deal on Ebay ( $1.50 each). They are now in my studio office looking beautiful as ever :) Too bad these books will never be read!

Things That Go "Pop!"

When I came across Britain's Graham and Green, I nearly  died and gone to decorating heaven! I have been faced with prospects of decorating the rooms in my new house... and this time I want to do it right, with carefully thought out pieces that truly make each space active in its own right. I really don't have a preferred style of decorating, though I tend to go for the dark furniture with some island style pieces and colors to accent. My hubby and I just bought a leather, olive green couch for the TV room from Kasala. I'd say it is a very modern piece...but I like vintage.. and native prints... and terrariums... and I REALLY want a deer skull with antlers on the wall above my mantel. I guess you can call my decorative taste, "eclectic"? Or is it just all over the place? hmmmmm.

The one thing I find myself doing while searching and planning what to do with my place, is picking a piece that "pops" and stands out. This is probably why I was drawn to Graham and Green's sense of design style. If you look at each picture, they have at least 1 piece that pops, either in colors or in shape...AND they mix vintage with modern, throw in some ethnic pieces, like the mother of pearl inlay dresser or the Moroccan poufs.. very eclectic and seemingly all over the place?

The color hot pink has been associated with the neon 80's or Warhol-esque modern art. Graham and Green makes a bold statement with this pop color and I think I like it! Hot pink seems to be the new "pink" this spring season. Really, Graham and Green, did you have to use colors that Blushing Pearl would like? (check out the 3rd column, middle photo...BP's 2010 colors!)

*photo credit: graham and green

A Chic Grad

It's a huge achievement to graduate from college...those all-nighters are going to pay off! It's the greatest feeling to know the world is at your feet, ready for you and your new career path. I remember this feeling when I graduated, that I am ready for anything and everything. So why not announce this milestone to family and friends, so they can share in your joy (and relief!) for finishing one of your life's goals? You are now leaving behind the student life and moving on to pursue a great adventure! As a new graduate, I remember being ready to learn and absorb what I could to get me on my career path. When I was hired with a salary better than working at Jamba Juice, I was SO excited and nearly hyperventilated!

A client of mine requested a custom graduation announcement. She wanted something modern yet vintage, in either her school colors of red/black, or her favorite colors of plum/gray. Here it is, freshly pressed!

*If you are interested in personalizing this graduation announcement for yourself or a graduate, I will be posting this design in the shop. For a customized design request and estimate, contact Blushing Pearl.

The Lucky Winner!

JesseB of Painting On The Road is the lucky winner of Blushing Pearl's original "Going Native" card set! Thank you Christine, of MiniMak Makings for hosting a wonderful feature and giveaway!  Be sure to follow her blog for crafty updates and posts...and I don't mind if you would follow mine as well :P

Custom Postage Stamps

Be Zazzled! You can now fully customize your wedding invitation suite with exclusive postage designs by Blushing Pearl. Each is designed with weddings in mind, whether it be a destination wedding and tropical themed, classic, vintage, modern, or daring. Check them out on Zazzle.

If you would like a custom design on a postage stamp that is unique to your wedding/event, contact me for details.

SABRINATACH

I don't normally receive packages from South America, but today I got one in the mail from Sab (Sabrina) of SABRINATACH. My latest investment has arrived! I have a fetish for leather shoes and purses...and I am not so much into big labels and huge gold buckles and such on my bags. These things tend to make a bag either super heavy or very expensive. Having moved to a state where people do a lot of walking, I decided to invest in a messenger-style bag, but I didn't want it to LOOK like one. I fell in love with SABRINATACH the moment I browsed her first picture on her site. It could be the photoshoot- style that attracted me to her products as well... very fashion forward, yet down to earth.  The photographs were shot by fashion photographer  Camila Gonzalez Jettar. The bag I purchased  is this one, in a neutral color:

Sab emailed me various options for the inside print of the bag. I chose the bright, native print. I am VERY pleased with this purchase! It is made of soft leather, from animals bred in free-range farms, some of which are by-products of the meat industry. Not to mention, it was a great price for a custom designed, fashionable yet functionable, leather purse!

*photo credit: camila gonzalez jettar via SABRINATACH (top row)

The Clothes Horse

Rebecca, fashionista of The Clothes Horse, may seem like she has a never ending wardrobe. The fact is, she is one creatively thrifty fashionista, taking articles of clothing and mix/matching them in various outfits... or updates an outfit with the right accessory. BTW- Rebecca also takes all of her photos. Dream-like with an air of vintage, her photos are set in her native state of Fort Lewis, Washington. In her blog, Rebecca mentions places she has traveled around the world. A favorite of hers is Japan, which you can tell in the shy, dainty way she poses in her photos. I have been following The Clothes Horse for over 2 years now. She still manages to stay fashionably creative... She told me, in response to a comment I had left on her blog, she is a marketing major with intentions of going to law school. I thought maybe she wanted to be a fashion major or designer? Her blog has picked up quite a few sponsors as well as shops who would like her to model their product on her blog.

Tagging along is Nasha, her fellow bunny friend.

The Process of Reinventing

Since taking part of the Indie Biz 2.0 class, I've been busy with re-branding (again) and creating the "feel" for my independent business.This time I am approaching this in all seriousness.  This has been such a soul-searching task, to finally start paving my way towards fulfilling my dreams of art directing and producing design work that reflects my style, my colors, my technique...

I opened up my Etsy shop in October 2009, and since then I feel like I have been working non-stop, developing, branding, re-branding (oh the woes of self-criticism) and web coding), social networking, meeting fabulous people along the way who are supportive of my endeavor, and all the while trying to stay just as passionate and motivated as I can. I really could not have gotten this far, if it were not for this darn recession and last year's lay offs (very bittersweet..I don't think I would even have started my business then!) ,my Hubby (who has to hear me vent, stress out, move heavy machinery across 2 states! and up a very STEEP hill) and my family and friends. I hope everyone who is pursuing their passions has this amount of support to keep going and do what they love to do. I'll admit, some days I just want to throw in the towel , jump in a pool of freezing cold water, and take the easier way out-which would be to go back to 9-5, deadline after deadline, pressure on top of pressure, steady paycheck after paycheck. Don't get me wrong, I painstakingly give myself deadlines and put TONS of pressure on myself. I nearly wear  myself out, but it's all gravy... because it's something that I WANT to do. So here it is...My updated look, which I am hoping to keep for quite a while. :0)

*If you are interested in branding for yourself, Blushing Pearl can help create a cohesive look.

Hey Indie biz classmates! How are your business endeavors coming along? Caught up with  the very informative sessions? ( I am totally behind...) I am offering a package exclusive to Club Indie members! First, you must follow my blog :) Then, contact me on the Club Indie site to get the details on "The Indie Biz Start Up" package. Open your umbrellas!

What To Get Mom

My mom had the greatest joy of delivering me on Mother's Day. :) I am lucky that my mom is wonderful and supportive. She is a mother of 4 girls. Oh, my poor dad! One of my sisters is going to be a mother as well... and this will be her very first Mother's Day! That special day for mums is coming up on May 9th. We all know moms should be appreciated EVERYDAY, for all that they do for their children and family. Growing up, I didn't realize how much my mom put aside to attend to the needs of 4 children with fanciful dreams. I never had a frozen dinner in my life, never had a boring summer (my mom always enrolled us in activities during summer vacation), always had what we "needed" and more, and still found the time to work part time as an RN and be a beautiful wife to my dad. My grandmother is also a wonderful "mom" as well. Though she is a grandma, she is always there, active in our lives, as a mom would be. I am lucky enough to have wonderful women of great heart in my family. I, myself, am not a mother (yet), but knowing what I grew up with and now seeing with open eyes and a changed mentality,  I realize how much selflessness my mother/grandmother have...

 1. La Vie En Rose

2. The Humm of Mystery

3. The Beach Cottage

4. Mother's Day Cupcakes

5. My Mother's Daughters

6. FFFFound

What to get mom on her special day...Don't mothers have everything? I always seem to feel stumped when finding things for parents! I know my mother always enjoys writing a handwritten note. In fact, I received one in the mail the other day. In it she wrote a poem  that she found that expressed her feelings towards me, as her daughter.  It was entitled " To My Daughter...Mom's Pearls of Wisdom" Knowing my mother, she was probably feeling VERY nostalgic and emotional, having her first born daughter move 2,000 miles to another state. Wouldn't it be nice to give mom the gift customized social stationery? Needless to say, it is very thoughtful and unique. It will even come wrapped and ready for gift giving! You can find them at the shop. The last day to place an order in time for Mother's Day is April 26th.

LA Love

I received a very oversized package the other day from Natoe, and was SO HAPPY to have gotten one of his screen prints! (and the first edition, too!) This particular print reminded me of Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. I am going to be putting this up in my studio to remind me of what I am missing since. I will be missing the rawness of the city, the culture and its diversity. Taco trucks, Kogi Trucks, Sprinkles, Auntie Em's Kitchen, IN N OUT (mmmm a double-double), traffic 7 days a week with road rage (Not!), my beloved friends and family...

Here are a few pieces that are favorites of mine from Natoe. I commissioned a print of the wolves...hoping Natoe will hear my cry and send me another oversized package! :)

Norwegian Wood

 This is me wearing a fabulous necklace from Norwegian Wood.

I was sifting through my closet and realized, out of the many articles of clothing I owned, I still did not have anything to wear. I decided to look for a signature piece that would make my existing outfit look like an entirely new one. I love shopping on Etsy. If you want something unique, this is the place to get it- handmade or vintage. I came across Norwegian Wood's shop and nearly bought everything in the shop! 

Angie Johnson, of Norwegian Wood, is an artist from Montreal who worked in the fashion industry for years. In her shop, she uses vintage and new material, trim, and various bits and pieces. Her style is very chic and very well put together. You can check out her "dress up" video here. From the looks of her website, she is in the process of making her indie business full blown. Norwegian Wood has created a mini collection for Top Shop's instore shop "edit". Hang tags were amazingly illustrated by Paule Trudel. View Angie's excitement and process in creating this collection here. 

 *photo credit: norwegian wood

Pick a Destination Please

I've always thought about having a destination wedding. How romantic would it be to say your vows with the person you love on a black sand beach, surrounded by birds of paradise, hibiscus, fragrant plumeria and pikake? A bride contacted me about having my Mahalo Very Much cards customized with hers/his name. The couple decided to have a destination wedding in Hawaii and thought this card would best fit the tropical theme. Matched with a poppy envelope, this thank you note resonated the Aloha Spirit!

*photo credit: 1. pacific bride guide 2. martha stewart

Robin Blue

A friend I met through Indie Biz 2.0 class found this beautiful display while registering for her wedding at Macy's. I love the "robin-egg" blue for this spring's color. When you have a chance, also check out Lehua's blog Heart On My Sleeve...and be sure to take a peek at her awesome scrapbook work on her flickr!

*photo credit: heart on my sleeve

How Sweet It is

I read somewhere that a "calling card" is the new "business card". What is the difference? Calling cards usually have a phone number, usually informal and more personal. Business cards have a more professional display of information, with all the forms of contact information needed (email, phone, fax, etc.) With the demands of social networking, it is very important to include an email address along with a contact phone number. I guess "calling cards" have an air of elegance where as "business cards" sound very...business? Any thoughts?

This calling card, printed for Sweet Anonymity Designs, was printed on 220# 100% cotton paper that is about 1/4" thick. It has a 1 color front print and a blind printed back design. What is a "blind print"? It is simply an impression made onto paper without the use of ink. This type of method can make a print look delicate and feel tactile. An issue I came across when printing 2 sided is one impression can push the other. I would have liked to have kept the back impression deep, but as I printed the front design, the two pushed against each other. I would not recommend a 2 sided print on anything less than 220# paper. If you missed the previous post with background on this design, click here.

 

Interested in calling cards of your own? Contact Blushing Pearl to discuss design and print options.

I have also created a few business card or calling card designs. It's easy- just pick a design layout option, color, and convo-mail me via Etsy the details. In a few weeks you will be getting your snazzy, letterpress printed cards, ready for you to distribute!