Random Wednesday - cute ideas!

As a photographer I have the beautiful opportunity to see creativity in it's most enlivened moments.  Brides (and sometimes grooms!) create unique weddings they will cherish forever because it represents them.  I encourage every family and couple to depict something they love about who they are  in their photo shoots. Someone told me once to look at your clothes, what you like, what you don't, the colors you enjoy most and your favorite graphic t-shirts :) From there, let your imagination go.... It was a great jumping off point for sure!
I opened this blog in hopes in finding the creative gems that live and work in our area and I have been overwhelmed!! How talented  you all are!
I did want to give a few spotlights to some unique ideas and personal favorites.

 Heidi Barton's Jewelry still have me in awe. Check out THIS piece. Plus, it's one of my favorite colors :)  Check her out here

Debbie Foster from Middleburgh designed my stationary.  Her homemade touch was fantastic. She took my logo designed by Sam Dunnings (Margaretville grad!) and ran with it. I highly suggest her cards to anyone!! Please contact her at sfoster@midtel.net for information and pricing!

 

I shot a wedding with Kristin LiCalzi and thought this was cute for a fall wedding. I am lucky to get eyes and a nose out of pumpkin for my kids' jack-o-lanterns. So naturally...this is impressive to me.

 

Loved this too. The cork bowl was available to wedding guests. Each guest was to hold one in their palm during the wine ceremony. The bride and groom poured wine from their separate glasses into one in which they drank from the same glass and their guests held tightly to their corks to wish them well!

If you are going to personalize chocolate..it's going to be an instant winner with me.

A themed photo shoot? Newsie style? yes please. Oh wait..those are my kids! How'd they get on here? :)
Have you seen a unique and creative idea in your travels? Let me know! We can feature it on our next Random Wednesday selection!

Personal Touch; Cards With Aubrey

Aubrey Hait, a graduate of Jefferson Central School,  loves getting snail mail from her family and friends and the pure enjoyment of getting mail spurred her decision to start writing letters and making her own cards rather than email or texting. 
Recipients were not shy about telling Aubrey how lovely her handmade cards were. It was then, her business idea was born.
Aubrey now holds monthly card workshops where everything is pre-cut for attendees and stamps, ink, adhesives as well as embellishments are all provided. This enables the process of creating unique and personal cards can be made.
Aubrey became an independent consultant for Close To My Heart, the name of her business is Stampin' Fun with Close To My Heart.
Her venue for selling can be found through her website www.ctmh.com/stampingfun. The creative artist also has her own Etsy shop where she sells her card creations at www.etsy.com/shop/aladams19.
When we asked Aubrey what was unique about her trade, we loved her response.
"With the rise of technology, people are now sending facebook wishes, text messages, emails and e-cards to keep in contact and commemorate special occasions.  The feeling someone gets when they receive an email from an old friend is likely heartwarming.  However, had that friend spent very little money to send a handmade card and expressed the same sentiments in their own handwriting, the recipient would feel gratitude and personal attachment to the sender.  This personal attachment doesn't seem to occur much anymore, and I am hoping that my card making business will help keep the bonds between friends solid and everlasting.  Everyone has a reason to send a card!"

Who doesn't love to receive a card in the mail? Aubrey has worked with a variety of costumers including brides who need thank you cards, table numbers, favors and place cards .
Sometimes, it's nice to send a card for no reason at all :)

Aubrey's are also a perfect touch to the holidays!!! She is located in LaFayette, NY but works with consumers across the United States.

Please contact her at.: aladams19@hotmail.com
Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/aladams19
CTMH website: www.ctmh.com/stampingfun

Saving Something For A Rainy Day?

Sierra Hillis and Stephanie Tompkins have joined forces to create a fresh, creative and unique style to items they love the most.
Sierra said the idea came when she was pregnant and she desired to save money on baby goods.  Though she loved the items she found such as a baby sling and a car seat cover, she didn't have the money to pay big prices on designer items.  It began with designing a sling, then a tote and then a car seat cover.  When she wanted to come up with a unique shower gift she designed a PottiPak and Designer Wipes Case bundle for a gift and that is when the business began to explode.
Stephanie joined her friend with her ability to crochet and the business was born.
RainyDay Originals is about personality and style; YOUR personality and style, something the nearest chain retailer can't provide.
This new business provided individually designed items that are handmade at a reasonable price. The future website can be found at www.rainydayoriginals.com.
Please check them out as they provide fantastic tote bags, booties, baby shoes and the cutest of hats.
The business is inspired by Sierra and Stephanie's children and encouraged by those who buy their products and fall in love.
They can also be found on facebook and are located in and near Hobart, NY!

Wedding Cakes and other Yummy Art, yes please.

It's Art, but it's Edible!
Not only to we enjoy art, but when it tastes good too...well that is a surefire winner.
Stacy Skog has always enjoyed the culinary arts when baking the occasional birthday cake for family and friends.  Her small time endeavors began to grow as people started to fall in love with her designs and personal touch in everything she made. Delightful Designs was born and Stacy found her niche in a creative business industry.
Each cake, cook or dessert is made with a specific person in my mind and Stacy makes sure she takes time to get to know every client so their personality is translated into a unique and personal product.
Stacy's cakes have graced many weddings and birthday parties as well as office parties and anniversary.  The fabulous cake designer said it takes a great deal of time and effort, but for her, it takes love, passion and a vision. THAT is art!!! She is willing to work with you to design a cake that compliments your vision whether you are looking for a simple classic design or something trendy and fun.
All of the products are homemade to order and deliver where available.
Stacy's inspiration is found in a theme for a party, color scheme or even a wedding gown or invitation. Clients will find Stacy designs to meet with them and find out their dreams for an event and the client, becomes the greatest inspiration of them all.
Stacy an be contacted at 607-435-0742 or at Delightful.Designs@hotmailcom. She is located in Oneonta, NY.
Find her on facebook and book her soon!!!!!
Not to mention, we have worked with Stacy personally and her smile and her service are just as amazing as her cakes!!!

Who Doesn't Love A Tutu??

As a photographer I started noticing the popularity of Tutus for young girls. It's not just Tutus, it's hairpieces and creativity invested in making the perfect outfit...and little girls LOVE them!
It didn't take long for almost nine-year-old Lila Shafer to fall in love with tutus and begin designing her own.
Lila picked apart everything from tutus to jewelry and hair pieces to learn how these items were made and how she could do it better. Her mother, Jenn watched her daughter's interest grow and together they came up with the name Lulu Tutus for a business venture they both wanted to invest in. Lulu has been Lila's nickname since she was born and now it has branded her new-found business.
Who doesn't love a tutu? They can be made in all shapes, sizes and colors and used for flower girl dresses, newborn photo shoots and children photo shoots as well. No two are exactly alike!
The small company is located in Hobart, NY with help from Lila's dad, brother and sister who pitch in when orders get a little big. For your text tutu order please contact Lila!!!
Our e-mail is Lulustutus10@gmail.com Website coming soon. Facebook page, Lulu's Tutus.

Windham Lodges Provides Top Notch Service

In November 2006, Jefferson Central School graduates and brothers Adam and Aaron Miller opened the doors to the beautiful Catskill Lodge in Windham, NY.
The brothers invested and designed a lodge geared to mirror the charm of an old 1863 Queen Ann Victorian, but with all the modern amenities of a house built in 2011.
Bathrooms and kitchens are classy, but fresh and each room is complete with an ipod docking station, cable television and a dvd player complete with a DVD library with 200 movies to choose from.
Clients choose Catskill Lodging for many reasons and they keep coming back for more due to it's competitive pricing and the great strides Adam and Aaron take to keep guests happy!!!
The Catskill Lodges are located right in Windham so check them out!! They are a fantastic choice for bridal parties, out of town guests or a honeymoon celebration.
Visit: http://www.catskilllodge.com/,
email: info@catskilllodge.com
Phone: (518)261-7150

Heidi Barton Originals - Jewelry You MUST see

There are many reasons for you to check out Heidi Barton Originals, so many that you will just have to visit her link heidibartonoriginals.etsy.com to get the full effect of her talent, creativity and amazing designs.
We wanted to feature Heidi and her work for many reasons, one fantastic reason is the fact that she does custom orders for bridal parties as well as one-of-kind gift ideas for that special friend, family member or sweetheart.
Heidi's jewelry is propelled by her passion for mixing vintage and modern styles incorporating materials from each era. This is not just about Heidi's jewelry, this is about her way of life. Her love of all things fashion spills over into the way she decorates her home and styles her wardrobe. 
"I love to incorporate different lustres and textures in my pieces and I try to design them with some asymmetrical movement, it adds some whimsy!", said Heidi.
Her custom jewelry gets noticed immediately and that is because each piece means something to it's designer and each creation fueled by the love of fashionable creativity.
When Heidi does custom orders for bridal parties it's a beloved endeavor. The entire process includes meeting with the bride, discussing colors, design and styles.  She designs sketches, creates and delivers in style.
"I have even done each necklace in the party with a different design to work with that particular bridesmaid's own style, whether it be bold or simple," said Heidi.
And wait...there's more.
Heidi will also re-design pieces you already own.  Her talents extend even further! She will turn that old heirloom piece that you thought you would never wear and turn it into something amazing with new materials like gems, crystals, and metal allowing you to enjoy it on you and remembering who gave it to you instead of letting it sit in your jewelry box.
Heidi got her start making jewelry in college at the University of Arts in Philadelphia and her passion continues to be inspired.
Her shop is online, click HERE to go see! Heidi is also available to do home-shows or if you are interested in earning free jewelry through hosting your own show, please email Heidi at bartonheidi@ymail.com.
Contact info:
518-810-9994
bartonheidi@ymail.com
heidibartonoriginals.etsy.com
Photographed Jewelry submitted by Heidi.