Magnolia Hair Pins, & Favor Tags Giveaway!

Our summer of giveaways continues with a couple great handmade items from out talented Etsy Wedding Team Members.  You may view the items below, and the rules to enter are listed at the very end of this post...good luck to all that enter!

First up from He Knows My Name, A set of 3 petitte Magnolia Hair Pins.

And from Design Circus, 50 Petal Style Favor Tags.

To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks. Please leave your contact email address in your comment(s) so that we can notify you if you are a winner. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.

IMPORTANT
Each task must be added as separate comment in order to count as an additional entry. If you do not leave an email address your entry will be disqualified.

1. Follow the Etsy Wedding Team Blog by using the google friend connect tool.
2. Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/etsyweddingteam
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to your tweet
4.   Post our giveaway button located on the right sidebar of this blog on your blog and leave your blog address for verification.
5.   Tell us your favorite item from He Knows My Name's Etsy shop.
6.   Tell us your favorite item from Design Circus' Etsy Shop.
7.   "Like" Design Circus on facebook http://www.facebook.com/DesignCircus
8.    Follow Design Circus on twitter http://twitter.com/designcircus
9.   Add us as a friend on myspace http://myspace.com/etsyweddingstreetteam
10. "Like us on facebook http://facebook.com/etsyweddingteam

Hurry and enter, This giveaway will expire 08/04/10 @ 9:00am EST, good luck!

Vintage French beading with a modern touch: An interview with Bead Flora Jewels

This week's interview features Fen Li of Bead Flora Jewels.  Fen is located in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I discovered the art of French Beaded flowers about 8 years ago and have been in love ever since.... Hi, My name is Fen and I'm a bead-a-holic.  I have an OCD personality. If I like something, I go all out! I don't mess around ;) I do have a degree in graphic communications but obviously it wasn't my calling. While I was supposed to be doing my homework in college, I beaded roses instead.

What special things do you create for weddings?
My beaded flower bouquets are the stars of my etsy shop. Like any good marketer, I also create beaded hair accessories, clutches, rings, etc at lower points.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
Me, myself, and I! :) For my wedding, I designed my bridal bouquet and it has gone off from there. My parents saw how I was beading night and day and working full time and nagged me endlessly to just buy fresh flowers instead. I was tempted at times because I was just running ragged from planning my wedding, working full time, and beading my bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, 10 beaded centerpieces... oh my, just writing all of that is bringing back all the stress. But I told them, no. I'm known for my beaded flowers so how can I abandon who I am when it comes to the most important day of my life.

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Some of my work aren't really "French." I've adapted some of the techniques so it's not entirely French in its purest form.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
I wish I made beaded hair accessories when I had my wedding.

What is your favorite wedding song?
Teresa Teng - The Moon Represent my Heart. I walked down the aisle to the instrumental version.

What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
Tiffany blue is hot right now.

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
My favorite part is the end. Yeah, seriously. I was so stressed out planning, I couldn't wait until it was over. The day was beautiful and I have many happy momentos.

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?

My advice to brides...take it easy and enjoy the moment. It's just one day and all you have will be memories. It doesn't help to get stressed out...or fight with your parents about whose wedding it is. It's your day. period.

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
I didn't go on a honeymoon. I went to work the next day... long story. :)

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
I think Angelina Jolie will look fabulous with my Crimson Passion bouquet...she's already married, right? Maybe the next wedding... ;) just kidding.

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?

Any bride would need to dress up their tootsies with some fabulous beaded shoe clips like these blooooming amber silver shoe clips:

 
 
 
 
 
What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
There are so many. Wedding related shops

http://norakaren.etsy.com/ - Nora creates the most beautiful painted peacock shoes. I have a pair and wear it to the office sometimes and makes the day feel more festive.
http://chloeandmaddie.com/ - Kim makes the most beautiful hair pieces..wedding and otherwise.

Do you have a website, blog, where we can read more about you and your work?
Website: http://www.beadflora.com/

Blog: http://beadflorajewels.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/beadflroa

Custom Bridal Jewelry: An interview with Something Jeweled

This weeks interview features Sarah from Something Jeweled.  Sarah is located in Ottawa, Canada.

Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi, my name is Sarah, and I'm the sole designer behind Something Jeweled. I'm 23, from Ottawa, Canada, and I have a passion for all things beautiful and artistic! In conjunction with my etsy shop, I also work as one of the city's top bridal makeup artists (sarahwalshmakeup.com). I started my two businesses while in university. Now that I'm finished school, this is what I do full-time, and I absolutely LOVE it!

What special things do you create for weddings?
I create custom wedding jewelry for the bride and bridesmaids. My pieces are designed with freshwater pearls, Austrian crystal, and precious metals. I work exclusively with CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?

From a young age, I've always designed jewelry as a hobby. I ALWAYS wear my own creations (usually my favorite coin pearl earrings and pendant). While working as a bridal makeup artist, my clients would always ask me where I got my jewelry! To their surprise, after hearing that I made it myself, they would always ask me to design something for them. A few years later, here I am with a full collection of designs, selling on Etsy!

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?

I guess what makes my work unique is that every piece in my collection reflects my personal style. My rule of thumb is, "...if I wouldn't wear this on my wedding day, than it's not good enough to sell". I have very high standards in terms of design, wear-ability, and quality.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?

Not married yet! Still looking for prince charming!

What is your favorite wedding song?

I don't even know if this is a real song, but it's from the old tv show 'Full House' (haha!). The song Uncle Jesse sings to Becky at their wedding. It's called 'Forever'. LOVE it!

What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?
Long, glamorous earrings, and a matching bracelet! A lot of brides prefer a bare neck.

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
Getting excited with brides about their wedding! I'm such a romantic girlie girl at heart! I like hearing about all the wedding details!

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?

Don't over-plan. Things never run on schedule, there are always little bumps along the way. Relax, enjoy, and go with the flow!

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Niagara Falls

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they
be?
Hmmm, well I don't really have any aspirations to design for anyone famous. I love designing symbolic and meaningful pieces for everyday women. It's the same when I do makeup, I would much rather work with a real woman over a model. I don't need to put a celebrity's face on my work to make it worth something.

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?

"I think every bride should be dripping in crystal!

These earrings are my absolute favorite:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
I admire these shops SO much: www.etsy.com/shop/sarahseven  www.etsy.com/shop/LoBoheme

Do you have a website, blog, where we can read more about you and your work?
http://www.sarahwalshmakeup.com/

Real Weddings: with PrintYourParty

Today's Real Weddings Feature comes from Etsy Wedding Team member PrintYourParty.  Their beautiful Sadie Table Numbers and Menus are proudly featured in this oh so chic table scape.

They also created these custom bar menu which is a spin off of their Sadie design.

You can read more about Print Your Party by visiting their blog http://printyourparty.blogspot.com/ and their shop on Etsy http://printyourparty.etsy.com/

Six Months On: How the Red Cross is Helping Haitians Recover

As many of you know, the Etsy Wedding Team raised and donated $564.85 to the American Red Cross to benefit the people of Haiti. The video below shows the ARC 6 month progress report in Haiti.

Special Occasion Clothing for Children: An Interview with Bean & Company

This weeks interview features Jenna Lang from Beane & Comany.  Jenna is located in Los Angeles, CA.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello everyone! I currently live in Los Angeles with my husband I and my daughter Roxy. I started Beane and Company in 2007, shortly before my daughter was born. We affectionately call her Beane.  I have been involved with arts and crafts all my life. I absorbed it through my mother a seamstress, and my grandmother who was very accomplished with the art of crochet. I was a professional dancer for years and out of necessity taught myself to sew. It soon became a passion. After the birth of my daughter I began a love affair with children's clothes, there was really no other direction to go! There is lots of love and excitement in everything I make. I hope you enjoy.

What special things do you create for weddings?

I create wedding attire for children. I do what I call "vintage inspired with a modern twist" for flower girls and ring bearers. I've had so many requests over the last year for bridesmaids dresses that I have added bridesmaids and "Indie" bridal gowns to my personal website.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?

The first thing being, I am a girl! Like most girls I had been planning my wedding since I was 5! After I had my own wedding in 2002 I found that I still couldn't stay away from the bridal magazine isle. It didn't really take hold until my daughter was born and I began making her "special" dresses. It was then that it clicked...this was the perfect way to incorporate my love for weddings and making beautiful children's clothing. It was then that Beane and Company was created!

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?

I guess it not so much a little known fact...but I will change any color to suit the color palette of the wedding at no extra charge. If brides send me a swatch of color I will re-design a dress and incorporate the color anyway the bride wants. I also use 100% cotton linings so the fabric next to the child's skin is soft and they will be comfortable. Lastly...I use traditional couture sewing techniques on all the clothing. Even children deserve to have well made clothing!

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?

When I got married in 2002 there wasn't nearly as much accessible on the internet. There are so many blogs and great informational sites with great ideas out there today. It was mostly magazines then and you didn't get as much diversity as you have out there today. I tell my husband all the time that we have to have a new wedding every few years just so I can incorporate all the new trends that pop up! I guess that is the beauty of being on the vendor side of the wedding industry...you get to live vicariously through other brides!

What trends do you see happening in your specialty at the moment?

People are very interested in vintage right now. That really excites me! I am also very excited that brides are using brighter more non-traditional colors mixed with the more traditional ones. I am also excited about this "Indie" movement that is taking place now. People are not afraid to be creative with their weddings these days. Simplicity is coming back. I love it!

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?

Absolutely the idea/early planning stage. I love the blank slate that you have in the beginning when you are just throwing ideas around trying to find out what direction you want to go! Just standing back and looking at every idea you've collected and letting the perfect thing for your wedding jump out at you...with that feeling of "that's it!"

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?

Use your instincts and take your time in making decisions. Also invest in good photography...you will have those pictures forever! One huge thing I regret about my own wedding. I look back at the pictures and I'm very disappointed. Paying for a good photographer is worth it!

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?

Any place warm and tropical!! Or maybe Paris!

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?

Living...Sarah Jessica Parker! I know she's already married but I can dream. Also Anne Hathaway or Drew Barrymore...they have great style! Deceased...would absolutely be the greats Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, and Grace Kelly.

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?

So hard to choose...I am attached to everything I make. Each time I create something I think it's even better than the last! I guess I would have to say the Feather dress I have in my shop.

What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?

I love Silvia66. She knits the most beautiful things! Also bonzie...I've seen their stuff in magazines. It is so signature it jumps right out at you. A few others are giantdwarf and LoBoheme.

Do you have a website, blog, where we can read more about you and your work?

I don't have a blog...but I do have a website http://www.beaneandco.com/.