Monogrammed Beach Bag {wedding shower gift}

Here's a beautiful striped beach bag I had monogrammed and gave as a wedding shower gift with a monogrammed beach towel and a matching clutch. This bag style has quickly become my favorite go-to bag because you can use it for anything! I used mine for my carry-on last week and of course I take it to the pool and beach regularly!









{all bags available for custom order, starting at $35. Choose your fabric, trim, etc. Monogramming available for $10 extra.}

Etsy Revamp

I am in the process of re-vamping/re-branding my Etsy Store. I feel like it needs a name lift & a face lift. When I started this venture of being my own boss, I did not envision creating and selling stuff. I thought it would be more of an Event Planning business. But now I love the creating/selling and definitely spend most of my time doing that and the Perfect Chance Memories name is a little confusing for what I am doing the most of currently. Here's three Etsy banner choices I whipped up this morning. Which do you lovelies like best?

Monogrammed Annabelle Bags

Wow, I've been a bad blogger this week! I've been here, there, and everywhere: only not on the computer. I apologize dear readers!

I have been wanting to show ya'll my Monogrammed Annabelle bags for a few weeks now, so I'm excited about this post today! This bag style is easily becoming my favorite. It is easy to use, lightweight, and usually big enough for everything I need. On days that I need more stuff, it fits comfortable into my tote bags. Monogram is available for $9 extra!

I hope to update my Etsy store this month & this will definitely be in the shop!

Carolina Handmade {AndelDesigns}

I have some beautiful jewelry for you today in the Carolina Handmade spotlight! I was introduced to Kim's lovely work through my new job at Tassels in Morehead City. We sell a collection of her jewelry there and it is truly gorgeous! I soon had to have my own necklace (the last one in the blog post!) and I get so many compliments on it! Check out her shop on Etsy and enjoy the interview!

Name:
Store:
Website:

How did you get started in your craft/art?
A friend from work started making jewelry several years ago and I really liked that all of her jewelry was unique so I started making my own as well. I live just around the corner from a wonderful bead shop called The Bead Lady and they have been so helpful in teaching me new tricks of the trade and their inventory is wonderful - they have beads that you don't find anywhere else. They have a knack for it and I've been lucky enough to pick it up! fyi - here's their website - - -
http://www.thebeadladyinconcord.com.


Is this your day job or a hobby?
This is a hobby. My day job is very analytical. I advise banks on mergers and acquisitions and help with the overall integration of the multiple banks so I use the left/analytical side of my brain on a daily basis. Designing jewelry allows me to use my right/random side of my brain. During the week, although I live in NC, I work in CA from Monday through Thursday. I work project plans, step-by-step, looking a parts of activities. On the weekends, back in NC, I work on jewelry and picture something holistically - I see what I want the finished product to be and then build it.


What is your favorite thing about creating/designing?
That I design one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry - you won't find another one like it. One of my favorite things is buying shoes, then I buy an outfit to go with the shoes, then I design jewelry to pull the entire outfit together. Jewelry is seasonal too - just like you buy new colors and sandals for the summer, the beads are summer colors and styles. I love being able to move from one season to the next.

Who is your strongest supporter?
My husband, Cary. He does things around our home that allow me extra time to make jewelry. He also has worked in interior design and is great with design and colors - he'll pull a picture out of a magazine of a beautiful piece of jewelry that costs thousands of dollars and I make something similar that doesn't even cost a hundred - it's a challenge!

What keeps you motivated?
There are beads available from around the world and they all can be mixed and matched to make beautiful jewelry - there is no right or wrong - it's what you like. Every time I purchase new beads, it's because I can see what they can become and that gets me excited. Right now, I have more inventory than I can make and I would love to be able to sit down and get everything made and then start all over buying again!

Any thing else you would like to tell us?
I started Andel Designs because I was making so much jewelry for myself and my family and friends that everyone started telling me I should start a business and sell it. It's tough for me sometimes to sell it because I design things I love and then I want to keep them, but there is no way I could wear it all. The name of my company is a little unique. Andel is the Czeck word for Angel and one of my favorite quotes is by Michelangelo, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." I use a great deal of Czeck crystals in my designs and feel like I see beauty in each piece and work until I get something that is one-of-a-kind.

Thanks for sharing with us Kim! I love my necklace:)

found {downeast basics} and an etsy rave {replicca}

So I bought my first Downeast Basics shirt today. A lot of you blogging lovelies rave about the brand and since it is half the price of my beloved Splendid basic tees, I figured I would give it a try. I got this pretty pink color.

I must say if Replicca sold basic layering tees, I would buy her out if my husband would let me. I have her cowl neck dress and it is hands down the most comfortable thing I own. Check out her shop on Etsy - she has some cute new styles for the summer!

Stitches & Purls by Nicole Faby Photography

Check out this fun giveaway over at Nicole Faby Photography!  The headband by Stitches & Purls is just adorable!

February Goals (and January revisited)

Here is a progress report for my January goals:

1) Get at least 30 items on Etsy - got to 20 items, sold 2 and had a pretty large custom order
2) Develop a plan for marketing to stores - halfway there!
3) Hire a painter - nope :(
4) Make a dentist appt. - yes and went! healthy teeth:)
5) Join a club here at the coast - looked and looked, didn't find one.  look in morehead city
6) Finish product sheet for name signs - yes!
7) Do a blog post every day Monday - Friday - I think i only missed one day!
8) Run at least 4 times a week - yes!
9) Build my store on Artfire - no :(
10) Post or comment regularly on other's blogs - much improved!

Now of my February goals (with a few carry-overs):

1) Get at least 30 items on Etsy
2) Hire a painter   
3) Build my store on Artfire
4) Post or comment regularly on other's blogs
5) Scoutie Girl's 52 weeks of blogging your passion (more on this tomorrow - I just started her book!)
6) Run 5 times a week
7) Finish marketing plan for stores
8) Sew more!
9) develop blog series for each day
10) Blog give-aways: make a list, reach out to others
11) Tag blog posts, past and present

Now I have to go do #6! Happy Monday Lovelies:)

Etsy Love - Monday

Every Monday I will showing you my favorite Etsy loves for the week.  This week, my loves are all things that will look beautiful in my turquoise and orange office.  Enjoy lovelies!