Creative Team Spotlight & A Few New Products!

I have posted previously about being part of this fabulous creative team.  Today is my first spotlight as a creative team member.  I really had a great time creating around Tessa Ann's gorgeous buttons!  Please hop on over to her blog to read all about it!

And guess what?  The items I created are in my shop, ready to ship!! Both are ONE OF A KIND creations!

This particular strap is a little different than my others.  I added some soft and fun knit ruffles for added texture.  A different spin on ruffles/pleats.  I wanted something a little more finished and flush.  Two different looks since it is reversible.  And of course please check out the gorgeous, handmade polymer clay buttons my by Tessa Ann.

 

You can find the camera strap here.

And I didn't stop with the camera strap.  I also created and fun and classic CF/Business card wallet featuring the same great damask, more of Tessa Ann's gorgeous buttons and a fun polkadot pleat.  You will definitely be shooting in style!

You can find the CF/Business Card Wallet here! It is also ready to ship and ONE OF A KIND!

And last, but certainly not least, a simple and fun ruffled strap.  This reminds me of all the ruffled capris I used to make my girls!  It is also ready to ship!!  Subtle but oh so fun!!  There will be more of these in different colors.  I will also be offering it as an option on ANY camera strap.

You can find it here!

Stay turned.  I have a few more ideas in the works.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!  Also, don't forget to check out my spotlight creative team post on Tessa Ann's blog!

An Exciting Opportunity & A Feature

 I have done a lot of talking and thinking lately on how to expand and grow my business.  Coming up with new and marketable products can be a frustrating and sometimes difficult process.  Is there anything out there like your idea?  Will people want to buy it?  What kind options can you offer for it?  Will others recommend your product?  What should you charge....the questions and decisions are sometimes endless.  

Then when you do come up with a product that is successful and you begin making that product over and over, you can get stuck in a rut.   When this happens, I usually look for outside inspiration to change things up.  I love when someone challenges me to make something that I may not have thought about on my own.  It is a breath of fresh air to work with a customer or friend on that perfect custom piece.  One of the BEST things about designing is making someone else's vision come to life.  And better yet, to make it even better than they pictured in their head.  LOVE THAT!  It is one of the main reasons I do what I do.

Sometimes it is as simple as needing a jumping off point.  Inspiration comes from everywhere....your kids, family, nature, a beautiful fabric....Sometimes it comes in the way of handmade, polymer clay BUTTONS!!  Yep, beautiful, eye candy, perfect little BUTTONS!!

The perfect opportunity for me to try something new came to me by way of Tessa Ann of The Button Shop.    It is opportunities like these that help me think outside of the box, get inspired by other's work and share that inspiration with all of you.

(You can check out Tessa Ann's feature here).

I am extremely flattered and excited to be chosen by Tessa Ann to be part of her Creative Team.  Three other talented ladies will be joining in as well!  

Beginning the 1st Monday of February and every Monday thereafter, one of the Creative Team members will be showcased along with their Button Shop creation. Prepare to be inspired!!

So keep your eyes peeled on my blog as well as Tessa Ann's for the Creative Team showcases.

Take a peek at her blog for the details and to see who else will be taking part in this fantastic opportunity!

And the good news isn't done yet... I am tickled to be featured on this fabulous, easy on the eyes blog, House of Design.

Be sure and take a look around!

Mama is off to enjoy the quiet house (kids are at Maw Maw and Pop's) and catch up on some Project Runway and Housewives of Orange County.  Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!!

Priddy Creations Featured on Girl Indie PLUS A Giveaway!

I am extremely excited to be featured on a fantastic blog, The Girl Indie, that promotes "chick owned businesses."  Not only did they feature my work, but they are also hosting a giveaway for me!  One lucky winner will win a $15 gift certificate to be used in my Etsy shop towards their next purchase.  Keep it or give it as a gift.  So head on over to the Priddy Creations Feature, read a little about me and my business and then enter to win!!  Giveaway runs through Sunday, January 9th.  And be sure to subscribe to my blog to find out who wins!!

And don't forget about my feature of Tessa Ann of The Button Shop and her fantastic giveaway.  Last day to enter is TODAY (you have until midnight, central/standard time).  You can find that here.  Winner will be announced some time tomorrow on my blog!

BLOG FEATURE: Meet Tessa Ann of the Button Shop

COMMENTS CLOSED!!!
Thanks for entering.  Winner will be announced later today.

I am excited to feature an extremely talented lady.  Please say hello to the extremely talented and creative, Tessa Ann.  I have been a fan of hers for a while now and wanted to share her creations with you.  Tessa Ann is the designer and creator of gorgeous, unique, whimsical buttoms and appliques.  Her entire store is 100% eye candy!! Her great photography really does capture the beauty of her creations.

I mean....who wouldn't want some of these (for my photoghraphy readers):

or these:

or these (my personal fave):

Before I completely distract you with her talent, let me share a little info about Tessa Ann. 

1. Please tell us about your business (i.e., how long you have been doing it, how did you get started, etc...)?

I grew up being surrounded by crafty women. My Grandmas, Aunts and Mom all were very creative in their respective talents. I dabbled in many crafts throughout my life, really enjoying scrapbooking, drawing and sewing. Naturally, I stumbled across polymer clay in my local craft store and picked out a few colors and forgot about them for some time. I needed a special button for a project and I just wasn't finding what I wanted in my button stash. My husband had the brilliant idea to put that polymer clay I had purchased to use, and make my own button. Well, that took some trial and error, before I had a button that was functional and could be used on my sewn project, but a lot was learned in the process ;) I started my Etsy shop after such wonderful feedback locally about my little button creations. Etsy has been an amazing place to get my little business going.

2. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I live in beautiful Bend, Oregon with my adorable husband, Steven of 11 years. We hope to have a family soon, but now have 3 furry-babies. My husband is amazingly supportive of my crazy need to create. He helps me out in any way he can and I really appreciate him for that :) Before starting my button business I spent the last 10 years working as an office manager in a Physical Therapy clinic and part-time at my local scrapbooking store. I am forever grateful that my little business has grown so much in this last year that I've been able to work at home on it full time!

3. Where do you draw your inspiration.

I find inspiration everywhere I go. My usual resources are online. I love looking at fabric and decorating websites like Decor8, Michael Miller Fabrics and Martha Stewart.

4. What goals have you set for your business for the upcoming year?

I am still working on my goal list for the upcoming year, but one thing is for sure.....find a way to get more done in less time. Either that or entertain the idea of hiring a someone to help me :) I also would like to set up a website for my Button Shop. That's a start! ;)

5. Do you sell on other venues other than Etsy?

I have recently joined the Universal Mama congo at www.hyenacart.com

6. Any advice for other designers and crafters out there who are looking to start their own business?

My best advice would be don't give up easily. Sometimes it takes a while for your business to take off. I didn't receive my 1st sale until 2 months after I opened shop. During that time, I promoted my shop on Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, hosted giveaways on my blog and featured designers that I adored. I sent them my buttons to review and I would post their creation along with their feature. I believe all of this combined helped in gaining my customer base. Another important piece of advice is to always communicate with your customers. At times, you will have many sales a day and your time becomes limited. I feel it is so important to personally confirm and thank each customer's order. This builds a relationship with the customer and they feel like they have spent their money in a place that is appreciative of their business. It just takes a quick simple moment to say, Thank you! I believe my thinking and follow through with this practice has largely impacted my return customer base. And...that's what keeps my business going.

Tessa Ann has graciously agreed to give away to one lucky winner these gorgeous buttons:

All you have to do to enter is visit her shop and leave a comment as to which buttons are your favorite.

To earn extra entries (one entry per item):

1. Follow my blog (follow button located at top left column of my blog);

2. Follow Tessa Ann's blog;

3.  Follow me on Twitter;

4.  Follow Tessa Ann on Twitter;

5. Tweet about this giveaway;

6. Blog about this giveaway.

Be sure and leave a COMMENT for every item you do.

A winner will be picked and announced Monday, Januay 4th.