Creme de la Gems

When I first found Creme de la Gems I only noticed Tracy's stamped jewelry {which I thought was just fabulous}.

Then I saw her polymer clay art!  Are you kidding me???

I can't get over her attention to detail.  Seriously... I mean, that is Mary Poppins.

I really, really love her stuff.

Tracy has been a regular reader of my blog, and I appreciate so much the support she has given me, including being a part of this raffle.

Tracy donated a $40 Gift Certificate to Creme de la Gems, 

which can be found in the All Grown Up basket.

Clocks by Staci

I absolutely love finding unique items for my home.  I think it is the small details that set your house apart from every Pottery Barn catalog. {Well, the small details... and the dishes in the sink, the piles of laundry, and the dirty socks strewn about the living room.  Let's be honest, if my home looked like it belonged in a Pottery Barn catalog, I'd be pretty stoked.}

That's why I love Etsy... you find such unique items that no one else on the block will have.

That is what you will find at Clocks by Staci.

Aren't they fabulous?

Wanna know more about Staci?  Well, here you go:

When and why did you start your business?

I started my business 5 years ago, when my mother-in-law wanted a BIG CLOCK for her house & I decided to figure out how to make her one for Mother's Day!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I'm a stay at home mom to 2 adorable boys, ages 3 & 1 and teach preschool out of my house, along with making custom clocks. I married my kindergarten sweetheart.  OK...really, we never dated, but we were in the same kindergarten class & lived around the corner from each other!

What is your favorite part about running your business?

I love that I can stay at home with my children and do something that I ENJOY doing! There are not many people that LOVE their job!

Staci has donated a $25 Gift Certificate which can be found in the All Grown Up basket.

chicBuds

Many, many years ago I met a girl named Kailynn Bowling {yes, bowling, like the game}.

She trained me to be a Loan Processor.

When Kailynn was first married she was told that if she didn't start having babies right away, she may not ever be able to get pregnant because she suffered from severe Endometriosis.  She was 20.  She decided to wait.

So when I met her, and introduced her to adorably pregnant Brooke, she decided that pregnancy didn't seem so bad after all, and started trying for a baby.

She got pregnant immediately, then lost that baby to a Tubal Pregnancy.

As I watched Kailynn go down that painful road, I decided that Nathan and I had better get to trying.  I had long suspected that I too had Endometriosis, and realized that we may have a long road ahead of us as well.

The next month I was pregnant.

A couple of years later, on the same day that another friend of mine suffering from infertility called to tell me that she was pregnant, Kailynn called to tell me that she was pregnant!

She now has two beautiful children.

I often thank God for bringing Kailynn into my life, because if I hadn't watched her walk the path before me I may never have had my Beau.

Anyway... a couple of years after I had Beau the mortgage industry came crashing down, and Kailynn quit being a Loan Processor and went to work for herself.

I'll let her tell you a little more:

When and why did you start your business?

 ChicBlvd.com was founded in March 2004. My Business Partner Nikki and I realized that we shared the same entrepreneurial spirit as we frequented the garment district in Los Angeles for “finds” to sell on eBay. With backgrounds in Advertising/Marketing and Management, we began a journey to create something unique to positively impact other women. ChicBlvd.com was born and has evolved into the premier avenue of engaging young women and providing guidance for life! It’s the “girlfriend’s guide for the road of life” regardless of the stage a girl is in—whether single, dating, getting married, having a baby or pursuing her career.

The division of chicBuds.com was launched in 2006 with our first product line of Swarovski crystal retractable earbuds. In 2010 we have over 30 product skus and our products are sold nationally at Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Von Maur, Office Max, BestBuy.com and more.

The division of ChicExecs.com was launched in 2008 with 40 clients and has grown to the first automated PR and Media website of it's kind. Today,we have over 100 clients nationally whom we help get national media attention and placement at a low cost.

You very well may have seen some of Kailynn's products around town
{every time I do I beam with pride}:

What is your favorite part about running your business?

It never feels like work! It's my Passion

What is your biggest dream for your business?

I want to be on Oprah! Not for the accomplishments we have made but for helping someone else realize and accomplish their dreams.

Kailynn sent me a giant box of products, so you can find several in each basket!

CATS and Friends

I came across CATS and Friends on my quest for owls.

Who wouldn't love this owl?  I adore the expression on his face!

Judy makes adorable plush dolls of all breed and variety.

I love how she uses such bright and fun fabrics together!

Here is a little more info about Judy:

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I like a variety of mediums but I enjoy making 3D fiber sculptures the best. I live with my husband, Johnny and my son, Nicholas. My goal with each piece that I make is for one of them to say, "Can I have it?" 

What is your favorite part about running your business?

I am able to help the local animal rescue (Hope for Life Rescue). They work strictly on donations and at the end of each year I contribute a portion of the proceeds from my shops.

What is your biggest dream for your business?

 My dreams for the shops are quite small but meaningful. I want to make art that people enjoy.


Judy let me choose which stuffed animal that she would donate for our giveaway.  It was a tough choice, but I decided on Slade the Snake because I think he is so unique!

Slade can be found in the For the Kids basket.

Capturing Couture

I met Erika from Capturing Couture at a Holiday Boutique last year.  It was one of those all-day-no-customers-snoozy-woozy-waste-of-time-boutiques.

Except for Erika.
She sold a million camera straps.

See why?

I have a super cute argyle one on my camera.
I get compliments all the time.

They make a great gift for your favorite photographer.

When and why did you start your business?

It's been both of our dreams to one day start a label/brand of our very own.   With Erika being passionate about photography, and Lisa's industry knowledge within the fashion world, our individual expertise and creative passions collided and became a singular vision for a product line.  This lead to our current collection of fashion forward Camera accessories that both fashion savvy customers or anyone looking to dress up their camera can enjoy - our dreams of fulfilling a niche within the 'sea of black' camera equipment has come true.

 What is your favorite part about running your business?

The creative freedom is our most favorite aspect of owning our own brand, and finding new ways to offer innovative product designs to our customers.  Knowing we have already shipped to customers all over the USA as well as internationally is a close second, very exciting to watch it grow!

 What is your favorite item that you sell?

Our Rose Organza collection is our most favorite collection within the product line currently.

 What is your biggest dream for your business?

Product Line expansion to further innovate the Accessories market, leading to an enjoyable early retirement and more time with our families.

Capturing Couture donated this fantastic Posh Plaid Organza Camera Strap {$49 value}:

 

This item can be found in the All Grown Up basket.

Blue Barn Quilts

Looking for a handmade, custom quilt?  

Check out one that Sarah Miller made for a Blue Barn Quilts' customer.

Image by Jen Arthur Photography

Sarah has been a follower and regular commenter on my blog from the start!  She reached out to me when I mentioned my raffle and offered to participate.  Here's a little bit of info about Sarah:

Where do you live, and is it where you are from originally?

Terrell,TX (about 40 miles east of Dallas) although I was born and raised in Dayton, OH

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

My husband and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary in July and our son will turn 8 two days after (also in July)  We live on a small 12 acre farm with 1 horse, 1 cow, 2 chickens and 2 dogs and fish and hermit crabs.  We just enjoy simple life and family.

When and why did you start business? 

I am a self taught quilter.  When my son turned 1, I decided his bedding was too babyish, so I went to the store, bought a sewing machine and fabric and made my first quilt.  I had never sewn anything before this.  Since then, I have made over 30 quilts.  

I started sewing as a business approx 1 year ago, but just opened my etsy shop November 2009.  Since opening, I have made 4 custom quilts and sold MANY mini notebooks.  I started selling on etsy, because I enjoy quilting so much, and this way someone else is paying for my "habit."

Sarah donated one of her popular Mini-Notebooks for our raffle, 
which is part of the For the Kids basket.

Bird Crafts

One day I got an email from a girl named Bird.

No, really... that is not the first line of a poem I am working on.

Anyway, Bird {which I found out is not her real name, but what all her friends call her} sent me an email asking if I would be interested in sponsoring her blog, Bird Crafts.

I jumped at the opportunity {especially because her rates are super reasonable}, but got way more than I bargained for.  Bird has been so supportive and helpful of my little start-up blog.  She has given me great tips, helpful advice, and much needed encouragement.

From DIY Party Printables to printable paper goods, party supplies and Custom Party Stationery - you'll find only unique items lovingly hand-made by Bird, in her darling little etsy shop.

Here's an example of some of Bird's Printable Party Supplies:

I just love how she takes care of every detail!

Here's a little bit more info about Bird:

Where do you live, and is it where you are from originally?

 France. From all over the world (or perhaps Mars...) - Was born in Rio but grew up in England.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

Proud mum of 2 (3 if you count the dog) who are my best ever creations... married to my prince charming and best friend. We moved from the UK some 10 years ago searching for a better quality of life, and have to say we found it!
Now I have time to do the things I love like parties... designing them or getting stuck into crafts!

What is your favorite part about running your business?

The creative elements for sure. Not only am I the CEO, artist, designer and crafter, but the marketing manager, PR Officer, photographer extraordinaire and party consumer tester (i.e. guinea pig).  I love that I get to test my own creations on my family and the people I love, before I put them up for sale. If it passes their test, then it's worth something!

Bird donated a $20 Gift Certificate, so you can have your pick of Printable Party fun! 
The gift certificate can be found in the For the Kids basket.