Website Design and The Not Wedding

Well, you've heard me talk about The Not Wedding (like it's the best darn bridal show that ever was, and it is), and I'm about to go there again.

For the July 2011 event, I was in charge of 1/3 of the stationery and paper goods. I designed invitations, pencil favors and menus. It was fun, I had a great time, the food was delicious, we danced. I was hooked. When Michal and Callie asked me if I wanted to go for round two, I had an itch to be even more involved than last time. Michal and I discussed utilizing my design skills and signing on as a coordination vendor, Callie and I talked about how this event (now spreading to Orlando and San Diego) needed a new web design. Naturally, I took my chance to do both.



The inspiration for the March 2012 event is a little mix of the NotWedding aesthetic people have come to recognize... and some new freshness that should entice brides to slough off their winter coats and get ready for some sunshine! It's only appropriate that we would use Ambient + Studio with their spacious blank slate and giant windows, and nom on some delicious treats from Sun In My Belly.

As for the design, the term "vintage" is too vague. It sounds nice, right? Old books, intricate antique furniture, dusty frames. But that's not necessarily an all-encompassing definition. For this event, we're taking vintage to Mid-Century Modern. It's more than "retro." It's a movement:

Think geometric textiles, lacquer, plastic, clean lines and color. Real efforts into sustainable architecture and utilizing natural light - and being able to affordably mass produce housewares. Organic shapes with practical simplicity.

alluminare

 I loved the idea of flooding that crisp mod look of the 50's with a bright, carefree, wedding-day attitude. Kind of like letting the sunrise of the present shed new light on another era. And while all this talk might be taking you back to an episode of Mad Men, we wanted to pretty this up from the feminine angle.

If you're interested, take a look at the Pinterest board I put together to organize all these ideas!

In my mind, there was no way to embrace these ideas without the use of some tactile materials: pigment and paper. I set to work with my watercolors, fencing them in with a sharp lattice border... well, just see for yourself. Click the image to be redirected to the web page.



Anyway, the beauty of the Not Wedding is that it will end up looking like what's inside the vendor's creative minds. It's left open for interpretation, which is why the event is an inspirational mélange of new ideas and beautiful things. It's going to be unique, and as always, fun. I hope to see you on March 8th!

'Tis Almost The Season

Well just like you, I'm getting ready for Halloween and Thanskgiving, but as it is now two months until Christmas, I think it's about time we start sending out those holiday greetings!

These cards may seem familiar - yes, I designed several hundred of them for last holiday season, lesson learned - so feel free to buy them until they're gone (and then I can design some more)!  You can find them on Buzzy Craftery's Etsy site - OR - you are welcome to email me from the Contact Page to arrange pickup/delivery.



The line is focused on bold graphics and solid colors: press printed on 110lb cover stock, or digital print on 100lb stock, and sold in packs of 10 with matching red envelopes:


"Merry Christmas" - A2 (4.25"x5.5") notecard size, blank inside


"Happy Holidays" - A2 (4.25"x5.5") notecard size, blank inside


"Modern Ornament" - A7 (5"x7") foldover card, blank inside



"Shining Star" - A7 (5"x7") foldover card with message inside

This last group of cards was inspired by Christmas carols. I wanted to design these cards with an aesthetic that lived somewhere between a traditional and a modern sensibility.


"Gloria!" - A2 (4.25"x5.5") notecard size, blank inside


"Joyful" - A2 (4.25"x5.5") notecard size, blank inside


"Merry Tidings" - A2 (4.25"x5.5") notecard size, blank inside

Start shopping now to get ahead on your holiday mailing. Feel free to email me with any questions or to place an order if you aren't acclimated with shopping on Etsy!

Buzzy Craftery on Facebook

Call me old fashioned, but I've tried to hold on to the good ol' days of Facebook as long as possible. I started college at just the right time to join Facebook the day it opened to UGA students... I remember a friend of mine went to Yale and was bragging about how he'd been on it for ages already at the time. I remember when there were no photos, notes, apps, likes or videos. No "it's complicated" option.  I guess all we could do was poke each other. It doesn't sound so great in retrospect, does it?

Anyway, I've been behind the times. It seems counter-intuitive that Buzzy Craftery would have a Twitter account but no Facebook page, right? The worst part is that on my personal profile, I've listed it as my workplace, but when you click on the link nothing shows up!  Now that's just downright unacceptable.

I have remedied this problem over the weekend, and am pleased to introduce you to Buzzy Craftery's very own Facebook Page! You will also notice on the upper left hand side of the blog, there are now four quick-access buttons to find the Craftery on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Etsy. I've filled the Facebook page with photos of my past projects and I hope to develop it more and more in the next couple of weeks.



I'm very happy to finally reach out to customers through this outlet, and my priorities for the page are to:
1. Stay updated with images from current projects - especially ones that might not get their own blog post.
2. Share special news, promotions, and updates.
3. Offer current and prospective clients a place to browse through images and share with their friends.
4. A place to connect with other vendors and recognize their talents (especially our combined talents!)

If any of these things interest you, feel free to come by and "Like" Buzzy Craftery on Facebook! I look forward to sharing lots more with all of you, and as always - thank you for your continued support and undeserved compliments. Your dreams and creativity keep me doing the work I do!

Published: Atlanta Weddings Fall/Winter

Well friends... it's October, and that means that the new issue of Atlanta Weddings magazine is now on the newsstands until March! I had the privilege of being included in the last issue, and this summer I worked on a few different projects that warranted another appearance!

Some of my work is featured in the Fall Style spread, alongside some fabulous neutral/rose gowns and gorgeous accessories...

Everything about this spread is absolutely swoon-worthy (hopefully my stationery included!)

If these invitations look familiar to you, that's because you've seen them before!  The two sets on the left are mine: the top set is for Manning and Lindley's winter wedding, and the bottom set is from Meghan and Daniel's wedding this past summer. Here's a closer look:




My second appearance in the issue is in the Real Weddings section - a spotlight of Hayley and Reuben's March event with lots of great images on the web... or you can take a look at the spreads (click for full size):

They included this fun shot from The Guest Box (openly advocated as Hayley and Reuben's favorite thing about their reception). Visit the website to see the video from their wedding!

Again, I am so honored to be a part of Atlanta Weddings magazine for the second issue in a row!  It's so flattering to be included alongside such talented professionals, and part of such beautiful weddings. Brides, be sure to look for this issue on your newsstands (I've seen them at local Atlanta boutiques/restaurants and at Target).

All of the images of Hayley and Reuben's wedding were taken by Callie Murray of Achor & Eden Photography. I'm sure you all know that she is the mastermind behind The Not Wedding, which I was involved with this past July, and will be again this coming March. Believe me, you'll hear more about that in the near future.

All of the images in the Fall Style section were taken by Jeremy Harwell of Harwell Photography - who I actually ended up working with again this past weekend for Allie and Bill's wedding! You will see a post about my work for that event as soon as the photos come back - but to tide you over, here are a few gems from the Smilebooth at the reception:




Have you ever seen a cuter bride and groom?



As you can see, it's been a busy summer and an even busier Fall. I've got so many projects to catch up on from the past few months - I'll try to blog about them all before the holidays are upon us! Until then, keep enjoying this heavenly weather and soak up the season of pumpkin-spice-everything!