Stylish Invitations: An interview with Peacock Printing

This weeks interview features Erica from Peacock Printing.  Erica is located in Rochester, New York.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Rochester, New York. After college, where I majored in English but took so many art classes that I ended up with two minors by accident (studio art and art history), I went to work for a bank. This left me wishing that I had chosen a career that would allow me to be a bit more creative. I love designing wedding invitations and am thrilled to have found my niche! I am recently married (June, 2010) and have two wonderful rescue cockapoos, Dexter (age 3) and Herbie (age 11). I am known for posting pictures of them everywhere so keep an eye out for my puppies!  There is nothing I don't love about weddings, and one of the things that I pride myself on with my customers is making sure that their invitations do not become a part of their wedding stress.

What special things do you create for weddings?

I make wedding invitations, which I believe are one of the most special things about weddings. When you think about it, the invitations are the guests' first impression of the event, of all the planning that has gone into it.  They set the tone for the entire wedding. And many people (including myself!) keep one to frame so that they will always have a keepsake of that feeling.  I make them extra special by customizing them on a case by case basis, and always allowing my brides to keep tweaking until they are perfect.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
I spent a long time looking for wedding invitations for my own wedding. I was not completely satisfied with anything I was finding, so I thought I would do it on my own. I had a peacock themed wedding, and found etsy after a bunch of internet searching.  And (with some help from craft stores and a few other etsy shops) they turned out great! I thought, hey, I can do this, and opened my etsy shop. Within a week I had made my first sale. And then it just took off from there!

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
I have absolutely zero professional training in graphic design. I had to teach myself printing and graphic design lingo, computer software programs, and I sought advice from other etsy sellers. I was pretty much on my own!

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

I wish I had the wonderful print shop that I use now! I printed all of my wedding invitations on the color printer at work (shhh!) and although they turned out great, I would have liked to be able to really get the beautiful jewel tones that peacocks are known for just right, and to be able to print on paper that was a bit thicker. It also would have been nice to have someone else cut them for me!

What is your favorite wedding song?

Make You Feel My Love, performed by Adele. An old Bob Dylan song that's just lovely.

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

"A lot of DIY is popping up now. People are trying to save money everywhere they can, which is great! Hopefully that will inspire other people to start creating things on their own - even if they need a little help getting started.  Of course invitations are also getting more modern. Brighter. More couples are hosting their own weddings, so they feel more freedom to really go nuts with their invitations. It keeps me challenged, so I love it."

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?

The night before my wedding was the greatest single day of my life. Looking over all the details that I had spent so much time putting together, there was nothing left to stress about (the following day, however, is a COMPLETELY different story!!), and I was surrounded by my best girlfriends, just reflecting on the fact that so many people had come to show me that they loved me and supported me, some from many states away and some from down the block. It was awesome.

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

Don't sweat the details. The little pearls that go in the flower centerpieces are the wrong color? Nobody will even notice. Your wedding day really is all about you and the person you are marrying, and that is all anyone will be paying attention to. Just remember to breathe and take a minute to enjoy it. It will be over before you know it!

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?

I love to travel, so pretty much anywhere I haven't already been. New places, new cuisines, I love it all. I honestly would be just as happy sipping my drink at the swim-up bar as I would be hunting down the best sushi in Tokyo in January.

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they
be?
This is a really good question, but a hard one because I am obsessed with celebrities!  I would probably have to say Martha Stewart, not only because I love her, but because how flattering would it be if Martha-frickin-Stewart wanted YOUR invitations?!

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
A set of thank you cards. I know I don't have them individually listed, but they're available. Pick a design, one that doesn't have to be wedding specific, and keep a set of 25 in a drawer somewhere. They are perfect to show someone that you appreciate them as much as they appreciate you.

What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy, wedding or otherwise?
I have so many favorite shops! There is so much talent out there, and it is so varied that it's hard to pick just a few. But here are a few handfuls that I find myself returning to over and over to see what they've got:

sweeteverythings, annemichelleheirlooms, yogagoat, CameraSHYphotography, masaoms, designcircus, ThePoshEvent, concarta, myblackdress, 3squares, DeLaCruz, whiskerworks, VieModerne, ayawedding.

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

"Yes! My website is still pretty new, so it's being updated pretty regularly (web design is also something I had to teach myself!) so keep checking back every once in a while for all sorts of new fun additions (and the occasional contest).

website: http://www.peacock-printing.com/

blog: http://www.peacockprinting.blogspot.com/

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochester-NY/Peacock-Printing/100250926682092

Monday Spotlight with: Appleberry Ink

Today's Monday Spotlight features Teresa from @appleberryink.

A few tidbits about Teresa:

Teresa's favorite color is pink. She just ran her first marathon Oct 3, 2010 and did it 1 second under 4 hours! :-) (What a fantastic accomplishment!!)  Her favorite shop on etsy is lindsayslittlelids.  This is a friend of Teresa's, and she love's the hand knit caps.  Visit http://appleberryink.etsy.com/ to receive 15% off of wedding day paper items (programs, table numbers, place cards, etc.) for brides that order their wedding invitations from AppleberryInk.

 

You can learn more about Teresa and Appleberry Ink by following the links below.

http://twitter.com/appleberryink

http://appleberryink.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Appleberry-Ink/327476259905?ref=ts&v=wall

Monday Spotlight with: Izzy and the Bean a.K.a. arippke

Today's Monday Spotlight features Ashley from @izzyandthebean.

A few tidbits about Ashley:

Ashley's favorite color is grey.  She is pretty in love with dachshunds. And Spongebob. (how cute!)  Her favorite Etsy shop is blackbirdfashion, since she loves dachshunds she buys them for everyone that she has to get a present for.  "They make a great baby shower or 1st bday gift. :)"

You can learn more about Ashley and Izzy and the Bean by following the links below.
http://twitter.com/izzyandthebean 
http://izzyandthebean.com/blog
http://www.facebook.com/izzyandthebean

Thanks for reading!

Modern Whimsy: An Interview with Cheerupcherup

Today's interview is with the talented Alaina of Cheerupcherup. She brings charm and her sense of modern style to play when creating spontanious stationary for brides from all over.

Where are you located?

Columbus, Ohio

Tell us a little about yourself.

I love bright colors and can never seem to get away from using them, not only in my designs, butin pretty much everything I do. My kitchen is bright green, my laundry room is bright orange, and my office is purple… and I’m pretty much wearing a different colored pair of shoes everyday. I make wedding invitations in my spare time, and I work full time as a graphic artist.

What special things do you create for weddings?

I design and make wedding invitations, and other important wedding paper goods.

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

Good question. My best answer is that weddings are so much FUN.

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

I am obsessed (maybe a little OCD) with the way the envelopes HAVE to match the invitation PERFECTLY…. I’m not sure if that is interesting or not.

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

Wish we had hired a professional photographer, instead of having a friend do it.

What is your favorite wedding song?

“True Companion” by Marc Cohn

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?

Cake tasting!

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

Don’t be afraid to spend the extra money on something you really love. It’s worth it. You only get married once (hopefully)

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?

Italy

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

Oprah?

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

I’m not sure, but my calendar save-the-date is very popular, and is really versatile and can work for any wedding because the color possibilities are endless.

Links where we can find out more about your work:

www.flickr.com/cheerupherup or http://whimsicalbliss.blogspot.com

Pretty Stationary for Beautiful People: An Interview with Fubabee

Today's featured artist is Lisa of Fubabee, a very talented graphics designer who uses her professional experience to make beautiful invitations and stationary to fit any bride's unique personality.

Where are you located? Brooklyn, NY

Tell us a little about yourself. I’m an art director and graphic designer in the corporate world. Making stationery is my part-time love affair. It’s where I find my balance. If I had a choice I’d delve into the stationery world headfirst since it’s such a gratifying thing. People appreciate the beauty of the creative process, and the uniqueness of what I do. In the corporate world, it’s all about starched, standardized uniformity.

What special things do you create for weddings? I create handmade wedding invitations, note cards, and gift sets.

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items? The whole wedding invitations designing started back several years ago when a friend asked me to design some response cards for her. It just took off from there.

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting? Each and every single Swarovski crystal is hand adorned using non-toxic, acid-free glue. I must have glued over then thousand crystals to all my cards and invitations just this year alone! It’s almost zen-like when I get into it.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t? I’m not married yet, though we are talking about it. It’s funny because with each wedding we attend as guests, we see something we’d absolutely love to do, or would totally avoid. For instance, one couple had jars of candy set up for favors, and everyone mobbed the area. Definitely not our style. Another couple set up a cookie bar station, which we loved the idea.

What is your favorite wedding song? There’s just so many great ones. Brian McKnight’s Back at One is a great one. You by Tara MacLean is another.

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey? From the outside, I would say it’s the creative planning process of two people. I always love how the brides-to-be light up when they find the perfect invitation that sets the stage for their wedding. Or when they find the perfect escort cards that give their reception that added touch they wanted. It’s a fun discovery to witness.

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year? Don’t force anything, be open to possibilities, and let the professionals guide you.

What is your perfect honeymoon spot? We went to the Virgin Islands earlier this year, and were blown away by the beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. We’d definitely visit the Caribbean again. Or anywhere that has crystal blue waters for snorkeling, scuba, kayaking. We’re all about fun beach activities.

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be? This is a great question. I’d say Angelina Jolie. She has a fun and down-to-earth personality, and would appreciate the fact that the stationery is made of 30-70% post-consumer recycled materials.

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be? Thank you notes. It’s a must have for everyone.

Links where we can find out more about your work: http://lisafu.info

http://fubabee.wordpress.com

Letterpunch Design - the winner of our logo design contest!

This interview is in honor of Laura of Letterpunch Design, also know as lilribbers on Etsy. Her modern and classy design was chosen as the new brand image of the Etsy Wedding Team. Read on to find out how she is inspired and how she specializes in creating branded weddings, where all your stationery is custom designed to match.

Where are you located? Chicago’s vibrant North Side.

Tell us a little about yourself. I’m a born and raised Midwest girl, living in Minneapolis, St. Louis and graduating from the University of Kansas. As of this past summer, Chicago, where my husband is pursuing his dream job as a trader on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. For me, that meant leaving my graphic design job at a small St. Louis marketing agency. Spoiled by the fun and flexible work environment of my last job, I wasn’t terribly excited about the job prospects in Chicago (you couldn’t pay me enough to work in a cubicle!) So, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my own dream as well…self-employment. Now, everyday I get to do something challenging, creative and fully satisfying…and the fact that people pay me to do it…just a bonus! For the time being it’s just my husband and I, my overflowing studio, and our two spoiled cats, Jazzy and Kiwi, the closest thing we have to children. We’re thinking a dog next, then maybe the children.

What special things do you create for weddings? Mainly, I create custom wedding invitations, but also do matching save-the-dates, thank you notes, place cards, favor tags, menus, programs .I’m pretty much willing to tackle any challenge thrown my way. I tend to borrow from my experience in the corporate branding/event planning world, helping brides create a unique and consistent look and feel throughout their entire event. For some brides I end up becoming a mini wedding consultant. I love it!




















Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items? I think most graphic designers who’ve gotten into this business will say “I couldn’t find anything that wowed me when I was planning my own wedding, so I figured…’I’ll just design my own invitations!’ I can do what those large companies do and I think I can do it better!”

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting? Every invitation in my shop/website is inspired by a real bride. Whether it’s one I’ve personally worked with, a friend, or one I’ve read about in a magazine. Real people, events and themes are more inspiring.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t? The entire Etsy Wedding Team! I discovered Etsy about a month or so before my wedding . I ordered a few last minute items and wedding party gifts, but I would have ordered much more had I known about this wonderful little community. What is great about them is that you can take an idea for most anything and you can find someone to bring it to life…you’re not stuck picking pre-made things out of a catalog.

What is your favorite wedding song? We did “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton, sweet but not too sappy.

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey? As an invitation designer, I’m usually in the picture earlier than later. I love helping brides bring their visions to life…that “ahhh” moment when they really start to see things becoming reality, it’s always fun to hear the reactions when couples see their names together in print for the first time, I’m lucky to be a part of that sentimental moment.

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year? Worry about the details all you want, but the second that first family member gets off the plane/arrives to celebrate your marriage, put away the planning book and stop. If you are like most couples with family in all corners of the country, this could be one of the only times when all your loved ones will be in the same place at the same time … enjoy every moment!

What is your perfect honeymoon spot? Well, we went to Bermuda … perfect weather. It sounds exotic, but it’s only a little over an hour plane ride from the east coast.

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be? I don’t know, whose getting married, divorced and remarried again? That would be great for business.

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be? A custom design package! Wedding stationary has the ability to offer up a bold first-statement about your upcoming event (the save-the-date/invitation), as well as a final lingering impression (the thank you notes). Not to mention that it can also help tie in your theme throughout the wedding day programs, menu’s place cards and favors). Make it extra memorable by making it truly unique!

Links where we can find out more about your work: http://www.letterpunchdesign.com/

Be Bold, Beautiful and Unique: an Interview with Designer Photo Imaging

Today we are talking to Teresa of Designerpi, an invitation boutique on Etsy. She offers exemplary service, stylish designs and complete customization to make your big day one to treasure.

1. Where are you located? Fridley, Minnesota (a suburb of Minneapolis)

2. Tell us a little about yourself. I’ve been married to Greg for 6 years and am a mom of two little girls (Ashley-5, Courtney-3). I love playing competitive volleyball (no community ed leagues). My degrees are in Graphic Design and Studio Art, with a business minor (which I highly recommend to anyone). I have 2 kitties, Ace and Deuce (both tabbys, Ace is orange and deuce is dark brown). My family growing up was always creative, my brother is now a professional photographer and my mom hand crafts stamps and in the past has built our entertainment center and china hut.

3. What special things do you create for weddings? Invitations, rsvp cards, thank you cards… anything printed.

4. Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items? I came across a website one day that sold wedding invitations and thought to myself “I can create these!”. I always thought wedding invitations were embossed, traditional envelope in an envelope in and envelope designs. ;) They’ve come a long way from those stuffy, waste of paper, proper invites.

5. What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting? I print the directions on the back of the invitation and my invites involve floods of color. So I can customize any color because the color is printed, it’s not actually the color of the paper.

6. If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t? My invitations! Plus there’s a designer on Etsy that does colored ruffles that go under your dress, they’re super cute!

7. What is your favorite wedding song? Cannon in D

8. What is your favorite part of the wedding journey? The planning that goes into it to make your day special and individual from anyone elses.

9. What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year? Really focus on slowing the day down as you go through it. Look at all the details and put the day in slow motion in your mind. Take it all in, especially if you paid for it! It’s your day, don’t worry about anyone else, focus on yourself. It’s ok to be selfish on that day, you deserve it!

10. What is your perfect honeymoon spot? We honeymooned up on the north shore of Minnesota along Lake Superior. We camped right on the lake, waking up to the sound of crashing waves. It was so peaceful and relaxing.

11. If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be? Good question. It would have to be someone who tells everyone how much they love something. So I guess it would be Oprah if she ever decided to get married.

12. If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be? Stationary made out of the wedding invitation designs. I’d just delete the current text. :)

13.
Links where we can find out more about your work: http://www.designerpi.etsy.com/ http://www.designerpi.com/ and http://www.designerpi.blogspot.com/