Well, the shop is back! You may have noticed that things have changed a bit. We now exclusively sell PDF patterns for our signature veils, fascinators and accessories. Our patterns are clear and easy to follow with lots of photos and detailed instructions.
We created these patterns knowing that brides are picky, and don't always have a million dollar budget, or a ton of time. The designs are easy enough for beginning crafters and can be customized to suit your style and color palette. I personally know the value of a beautiful handcrafted item, and know many of my customers do too. I also know that many brides don't have the budget to purchase one or perhaps want to create their own heirloom quality wedding accessory. So I offer affordable, downloadable patterns now, knowing there are many crafty hands in the world ready to take on the task. I still do custom commissioned work from time to time, so if you have an idea or dream you'd like to see realized, shoot me a message. It's fun to get to know my customers and create something special for their wedding day or a custom costume piece or fascinator just for FUN. I love providing a personal experience for folks from all around the world.
To soften and remove wrinkles, apply light steam or iron on low. You may also very carefully run the veil under lukewarm water and iron on low when dry. Veil will hold it’s shape but become more pliable and easy to style.
This veil looks great with many different hairstyles and fascinators. Figure out where you want the veil to sit by positioning the comb in your hair. If the veil seems to “pop up”, use bobby pins to discreetly tack the veil in place until it’s styled how you want it to look.
This style of veil looks great asymmetrically, placed 3-4 inches above the hairline (place it right where your part is if you part your hair to one side.) It gently sweeps over the eye and gives you a very whimsical, romantic look. You can also scoot it down a bit towards the ear even for a little more drama.
If you have an updo, position the veil at the crown of the head right above the 'do for a classic feel.
If you’re wearing a fascinator, position your fascinator on top of the comb after styling the veil.
For extra security, use this little trick: comb the veil into a pin curl. Take a lock of hair and curl it up into a "circle" and pin it to your head using bobby pins to make an "x". Then slide the comb in against the scalp behind the x. Your comb will stay extra secure!
If you're looking for one to buy, check out my Etsy shop. Lots of birdcage style veils to choose from!
Summer officially starts next week, so I thought I'd share some colorful new pieces for sale in my Etsy shop! They go perfect with suntans and sunglasses... ;)
Don't forget to take advantage of the summer sale - many of the items in my shop are marked down! And through the end of June you can get free shipping with the code JUNEFREE.
I'm so thrilled about this. I love e-zines. Especially free zines! Blogs are also nice, don't get me wrong, but sometimes you just want to get straight to the beautiful pictures. Or you want a DIY craft project to try out, but don't want to have to scroll and scroll and SCROLL to get through the 45 steps and demonstration photos. That's the beauty of the zine. It's like a condensed magazine - full of gorgeous photos, tips, an article or two, a few relevant ads (nothing too crazy!) and the DIY's are tastefully edited for maximum user-friendliness. You can even "flip" through it like a magazine! So satisfying.
So I'm working on an Indie DIY Wedding e-zine. In general, it's for all the artsy craftsy type brides who love handmade, want unique elements in their wedding rather than just what's "traditional" (although some traditions are still great.) These are brides who don't mind a little elbow grease to make their weddings special, but appreciate the time, energy and effort of the handmade craft, and seek out vendors who offer something a little different for those extra special items. If this sounds like you, I know you'll appreciate what's in store!
I've pulled together some AMAZING elements that I'm so excited to share with you. Today is just a sneak peek! The zine will be out in May and will be chock full of zine-y goodness.
In addition to product features and DIY wedding projects, I'm working with two wonderful photographers on two totally unique and FUN wedding inspiration shoots!
The other is a lovely lady named Dee Jones from Open Door Photography. I met Dee through our mutual friend Kirsten, who is a very talented singer/songwriter, (and who is playing a SXSW show tonight with her magical band Elk & Boar!!!)
Kirsten borrowed a couple sample pieces for an Elk & Boar photo shoot with Dee. Together with Kirsten's bandmate Travis, they made this dreamy music video for their song "Room To Start" (Dee's photos, Elk & Boar music, Kirsten's stop animation handiwork!)
I fell in love with Dee's aesthetic. I immediately emailed her and told her I wanted to work with her. Much to my delight, she said yes! So here we are, getting ready for another dreamy photo shoot, this time with brides in mind, in a couple weeks. I'm excited beyond words.
Stay tuned and I'll post more pictures soon!
**And I'm still looking for DIY contributors and advertisers! E-mail me for more info...**
I love to be part of treasuries that others make. Especially wedding treasuries. It's like getting to be part of a wedding without having to do any of the actual work or have any of the actual stress!
Brides, here's a great tip for you. When browsing the best of what Etsy has to offer for your wedding, search the treasury! All kinds of goodies, themes and ideas await you!
I especially loved the items in the treasury above, like these edible sugar butterflies for your cake
Love it! Rachel Rolseth sure has a knack for treasury making. It must be her artist's eye! She curated another bird themed treasury that I was lucky enough to be included in here. This is one of my favorites!
A big thank you to the 80's and Stacy Q for this little treasury. I can't get that freaking song out of my head. Valentine's day doesn't have to be all romantic and mushy. It can also be fun with a great beat to dance to...
Here I am. I think back to where I was a year ago and have to smile. I bought a sewing machine having no clue really what I was going to do with it, only knowing it was time to build a business around using my creativity.
Last Sunday was the photo shoot with Rosemary Photography for the new Deeds & Petunia bridal hair accessory line. It was pure magic. Lots and lots of hard work, but lots and lots of magic. And fun! Here are some action shots. :)
Amanda working hard and looking amazing!
Teresa getting ready
Teresa added the spice...
We shot from 11:30 or so until just after 5. Thank goodness for coffee, bagels and muffins (carb fueled!) We shot all of the new signature pieces in the bridal line (some of which are now up for sale on Etsy, the rest will be up soon.) It was awesome.
Comfort before beauty on a day like this. My socks made a good focal point too.
I feel so fortunate to have had the abundant generosity of friends at the shoot. My good friend Teresa Salzman who is also a talented hair stylist agreed to do hair and to model, and she helped me find another friend/stylist named Anna Ott to help out as well, along with another beauty, Amanda Davis, who I've known since we were little little kids. The girls were amazing! They created the most incredible hair and makeup, and made the pieces come to life. Thank you girls for all your time and all the hard work and ENERGY you gave!
Rosemary Wagner is a dear friend and an incredibly talented photographer from Seattle. She is also the person who suggested I try my hand at veil/fascinator making in the first place! And thank goodness. :)
She is one of the most hardworking, thoughtful and patient people I've ever met. Rose came in and set up, and immediately started making the magic happen. She's such a pro. These photos are above and beyond amazing. I'm so grateful for her expertise and artist's eye.
I can't recommend Rose enough. You have to visit her website to see her portfolio. It'll knock your socks off.
A big thank you to two local shops as well - Orange on 6th and Vanity. Laurel and Melanie were very generous in lending us the FABULOUS vintage fashions the models wore! My two favorite shops in Tacoma (also on Etsy!), where I can never leave without spending money.
A few of the items are now up for sale in my Etsy shop. I'm now trying to focus on made to order and custom pieces of heirloom quality. I just love doing custom work so much. A wedding is one of the rare occasions anymore that truly justifies the creation of a unique, one of a kind, handmade treasure.
I hope you love the bridal line as much as I do! Have a great weekend!
I often wish I lived on a farm. I tried growing veggies one year with some success (although the next year was a disaster) and have even thought about chickens or angora bunnies. MaryJane Butters has a fantastic book all about her world in Moscow, Idaho that makes farm life look incredibly romantic. But alas, I live in the city and trade off great coffee within walking distance for rolling prairies. Plus farming is a lot of work. My mom has told me enough stories about waking up at 5 AM to tend animals before school to know I wouldn't last a month.
So I shall live through the eyes of other Etsyians and create treasuries in honor of my farm life fantasies.
I got the chance to work with a wonderful bride named Jess who found me through Etsy. She was on the hunt for custom pieces to outfit the entire wedding party. She brought me a beautiful palette along with some very creative and challenging ideas that were so much fun to work with. Jess was working with a nature theme that had a "steampunk-lite" element. I used vintage cogs and watch parts, copper wire elements, feathers and twigs.
The wedding looks GORGEOUS! The bride looks so glamorous. I love the pomander bouquets, the birds nest cake and those centerpieces!!! This wedding is one that needs to be in every wedding blog for inspiration! Definitely should be an Etsy featured wedding! ;) I'm so thrilled that I got to play a small part in helping it come together so beautifully.
Here are some photos from the wedding. Thanks Jess for sharing - you were a joy to work with and look so beautiful in the veil! Also a big thank you to Herman Au Photography for graciously allowing me to share your beautiful work!
I love my job! It's so exciting to see these brides looking so amazing and I feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing I get to help just a little in making them feel happy on their special day.
Maybe I should permanently change this weekly feature to Wednesday Wonderfulness. It has more of a ring to it. Here is a round up of my favorite discoveries from the cream of the crop on Etsy!
