around here

Around here I wind up with glitter in my hair and thread stuck to my pants, daily.  Sometimes I pause in the middle of a project to reflect on what I'm doing, how did I get here?? What am I even doing right now?

{golden wrap}

{decal & iphone case}

Around here the end of the year inches closer and all the things I want to get done before its over or all the things I want to prepare for are making their way on to one long list.  

Around here I make pretty things and build friendships with people far away.  I send off little pieces of my heart to others who are a part of this amazing story.  

Handmade-Independent-Small Business- Big Dreams.

{stamp}

I've been my own boss for a very long time- as a hairstylist, salon owner and photographer- I was used to being a business owner.  This for some reason is different.  If you would have told me five years ago that I would have given that all up to be doing this, I would have slapped you.  Ok maybe not, but I would have called you a liar.  When things get so busy like they are now, its good to stop and appreciate.  Appreciate where you came from, what you are doing and where you will go.

Are you doing your dream job or do you have plans to?  I'd love to hear your story, please share below!

In the Studio: making fawn & flora

Let's be real, I'm a crafting hoarder.  I make purchases for things I want to make, but never do and I save and pin things that inspire diy projects like its going out of business. Co-owning and designing items for Fawn & Flora though helps me get these things out of my system without taking up gobs of space in my studio since I get to sell it!

Recently we added in these goody grab bags and I'm loving them so much.  Basically its a little bit of everything all in one bag as a surprise to the recipient.  You can purchase however many you need and give us  a color scheme and we make the goods for you to love!  Today I'm giving you a little sneak peek of pretty things I get to play with while working.

In the Studio: whats on my desk

When we moved into our new house a couple months ago, one of the perks was my new studio space (a studio apt off of the upstairs of my home).  I asked for you to vote on a new decor style (#1 natural w/ hints of color won) and I've been slowly collecting and trying to get it right where I want it- all while staying insanely busy with this blog, the two shops, the new subscription service and any life I hope to have.  Today I wanted to share my main work desk, where I blog, write notes to customers, package some items.. blah blah blah =)

I'm proud to say that 95% of the items you see here have been collected at thrift and/or antique shops, yard sales or just found randomly through friends & family.  The other items that make up the remainder of the 5% are the washi tapes, gift tags and a couple of the supplies in the bottles.  Sometimes I list items here into Fawn and Flora and just let it keep me company until someone purchases it.. other times I fall in love and take it out of inventory! I can't help myself.

In the studio: custom order

Working on custom orders can be super challenging when someone has an idea in their mind and they present it to you with hopes that you can get the same idea as well.  I don't take custom orders very often, but when I do they end up being some of the most rewarding work I get to do.  

I had a bride approach me with the idea of having a custom piece made for her and her brides maids for her upcoming nuptials.  The wedding was out in the country and had a vintage farm feel to it.  She had been collecting vintage handkerchiefs and wanted each girl to have her own flower made from one.

I have a very specific routine I follow when making most of my flowers, as I'm the one that generally picks out the size, texture and patterns for all of my supplies.  Having just a small square to work with to create a flower was something new to me because generally I have extra pieces and there is no need to ration out fabric.  This was a little different because with each piece being unique, I couldn't just run to the store for more.  I  did end up placing some sheer netting material in with them to give them extra texture and fluff and I love how they turned out!

They worked out just how both of us imagined and each girl had a unique floral clip-lapel as their bridesmaid gift and accessory to wear for the wedding.

The brides' piece was one of my favorite to do as it was simple yet elegant, and I just adored how each friend of hers was thought of in a unique way.

help me decorate my new studio!

Hey friends!  As I mentioned yesterday I'm seeking your help in decorating my studio, today I'm going to share with you what the new studio space looks like along with my ideas for decor.  At the end of this post look for a little poll so that you can place your votes. I'm sharing with you some design inspiration & color palettes that I love and whatever decor style gets the most votes thats how I will style my studio!  

I have so many ideas and can't narrow it down so I think this will be a fun project that involves you, it also keeps me accountable to achieve it since I know you will want to see results. 

So first I will show you the space I'm working with, be warned these were taken with my phone just as we moved in and there is no organization, decor.. anything!  Basically my new space is a studio apartment.  There is a kitchen, full bathroom, random cubby holes and storage.  You can access the studio from the side of our house by the patio with a cute set of stairs that wrap around a tree or you can come in through the house upstairs across from our bedroom.

This view is from the outside door looking in with the kitchen to the right and a work space area to the left that leads to the bathroom or into my house (we removed the wall so it's not completely separate from my house) Oh em gee, the mess.. I'm so embarrassed! Help!

And below I just had to include this photo because this is Arthur testing his limits on how far he can come in, I'm trying to train him to stay in the hall way! 

Next to the kitchen on the right wall is this amazing built in organization space (?).  There is a table that pulls out plus the drawers, and the two cupboards on either side go all the way back so I have lots of storage!

And from that same spot if I turn to the right I can see that outside entrance again, another corner of the space and the large cubby area that I'm thinking I will use to store fabric because I found these little shelves that fit in there perfectly.. I just need more of them!

Ok loves this is what I'm working with! So here is where you come in.. below I'm going to share with you some of the inspiration behind the styles & colors that I'm digging right now.  I would love to get your honest opinions and if you don't mind, please place a vote. I'm going to collect votes through the weekend and next week announce the style decor winner and start working on it.  I can't wait to share updates with you and I hope you love the finished product!

I would also like to mention, I have free reign over this place.. I can build things if needed.. I can paint anything and everything.. I can add in new furniture or take out what I have.. seriously anything!  So if you have any fun ideas leave a comment =)

#1 natural with little hints of color

#2 vintage and romantic

#3 natural floral

#4 black/white & hints of peach.. 

lady gaga & the zebra not included!

#5 cream, gold and pinks

#6 black & gold

#7 cream & green with touches of vintage pattern paper

So think it through and cast your votes, I can't wait to get to work on this!

*if you would like to view the inspiration source, click on the photo to be taken to the original link*