2010 June « Lotus's Workshop

Favored Guests

30 Jun 2010 1 Comment

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Meghan Tags: alice, bag, bags, bird, bird seed, birds, bookmark, bride, bubbles, candle, candles, carmel, chalk, chalk board, clip, confetti, cookie, crayon, cupcake, custom, etsy, favor, finds, fleur de sel, flower, flowers, french, gift, gift guide, groom, gun, handmade, hibiscus, lavender, leaf, leaves, marriage, marshmallow, marshmallows, muslin, mustache, pendant, perfume, pinata, pinatas, plant, plantable, plants, present, preserves, preztel, rambling, ramblings, sachet, scrabble tile, soap, succulent, tattoo, temporary, terrarium, terrariums, wand, wed, wedding, wonderland, wrapper

Wedding favors are a bit of your big day to take home. I’ve seen many ideas for favors, ranging from treats to trinkets. I think one of my favorites is giving your guests disposable cameras and having them take all the pictures before the end of the wedding reception. Another I like is giving the guests seedlings to take home.

I found a great site dedicated to handmade weddings that had some really cool favor ideas. It’s called Do It Yourself Weddings. I can’t decide which idea was my favorite, the hot cocoa in a bottle or the CD favors. They do make a good point on the CD favors, if you do them wrong they are illegal. However there are tones of indie bands out there, that if you pay a small fee to would let you use their music on the CD if you give them credit. Make a good little CD insert with info on each of the artists and where to find more of their music and they’d probably be more than happy to be part of your wedding.

: Itty Bitty Terrariums – $12.50

: French Bleu Damask Candles – $8

: Alice in Wonderland Muslin Gift Bags – $5.50

: 10 lbs of Handmade Fleur de Sel Caramel – $150

: Bride and Groom Cookies – $30

: Succulent Plants Set of 12 – $36

: Hibiscus Favors – $10

: Custom Preserves Favors – $22.80

: The Dancers Soap Wedding Favors – $2.65

: Lego People Recycled Crayons – $15

: Skull Pirate Soap – $1.75

: 2 Dozen Melting Moments – $17.50

: 30 Custom Mini Pinatas – $50

: Plantable Confetti Leaves – $19.95

: Gourmet Vanilla Marshmallows – $5

: Mustache on a Stick – $2.95

: Wedded Bliss Chocolate Covered Pretzels – $4

: Vintage Silver Bubble Wands – $52

: Gun Soaps – $6.50

: 175 Custom Bookmarks – $262.50

: Depravity Scrub – $2

: SWAK Lip Cupcake Wrappers – $6

: Bunches and Bunches – $99

: 150 Custom Temporary Tattoos – $223.50

: Chalk Clips Set of 6 – $24

: Lavender Sachets Set of 50 – $45

: Werewolf Solid Perfurm – $1

: 25 ‘Bird’ Bird Seed Favors – $27.75

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

lavienrosebakery, MaroDesigns, SatinandBirch, SucculentsGalore, fostersfrostings, caughtredhanded, HowardsHome, bhmalpacas, thecottagemarket, sbpreserves, naturefavors, bewitchingscents, RedElmDesigns, TheCaramelJar, handmadevents, peperapothecary, Buttonhead, bradensgracewallart, TabbyCat13, TortoiseLovesDonkey, paintedwithheart, TheShabbyChicCottage, Studio30Creative1, 2birdsinlove, jjbox10, gloilocksandbody, miaMallows, and PastryGirls

A Place to Remember

29 Jun 2010 1 Comment

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Amber, Written by Meghan Tags: artist, bride, decor, decorations, etsy, feature, finds, gift guide, location, place, planner, wedding

You know people make a big deal about the dress, the cakes, the ring, but what really seems to make a wedding memorable to me is the place. Even those quick chapels in Vegas where you get married by a fake Elvis seem to pay attention to this. I never liked the idea of spending hundreds on a dress I would wear once, but I am a sucker for an awesome location.

There are a lot of ways to make a place memorable. It doesn’t have to be a fairytale castle or a fancy church. (although there’s this storybook mansion up the canyon that does weddings that is just freaking awesome). Well placed Christmas lights can make a backyard magical, airy fabrics give a basic reception hall an exotic allure, and personal touches such as a photo garland remind everyone there that this is your day.

: Green Silk Ring Pillow – $43

: Personalize Wedding Getaway Card Decal – $20

: 50 Hummingbird Place Cards – $50

: Small Beaded Moss Terrariums -$18

: Custom Vintage Monogram Sign – $65

: Ostrich Feather Pen – $12

: Stargaze Lilies Table Art – $85

: Punch Drunk Love – $22

: Green Bird Pen – $5

: Watermelon Pink Whelk Ring Bearer’s Pillow – $16.50

: Peacock Feathers Wedding Guest Book with Pen and Base – $50

: Custom Chair Signs – $15

: 150 Cootie Catcher Wedding Programs – $150

: Personalized Just Married 1950′s Car Guest Book – $60

: Just Married Banner – $24

: Love is Sweet Sign – $35.95

: Custom Vintage Guest Book and Album – $175

: Rustic Wedding Decoration Lanterns – $24.99

: Comic Book Paper Heart Ornaments – $20

: Day of the Dead Ring Bearer’s Disc – $20

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

TimelessPaper, lilmissi, teresab123, crearting, inspiredbymarie, MagicalHedgehog, rubydollcreations, luly612, magartsypartycrafts, woomi, aphroditescanvas, katskrafts, PomLove, RumpelstreetBoutique, familyattic, WicksnCandlesticks, funkyshique, bragginbags, RiverBird, and bookity

You’re Invited!

28 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Meghan Tags: card, etsy, event, feature, finds, gift guide, ink, invitation, invite, paper, party, planner, postcard, wedding, weddings

So the big question has been asked and answered and now you need to tell everyone. And then get a bunch of them together in one place to celebrate. This is also an opportunity to, without being a bride/groomzilla, this is your day. Yeah it’s suppose to be a piece of something that tells people where to show up and when, but it should also have a bit of what to expect. Catering? Registered? Not actually accepting gifts? (Hey I’m all for the forget the gifts, send money to this charity instead idea.) Just need a head count? Include this all in the invite and have an RSVP card or a link to RSVP online.

I wish I could have found it again. There was one item I really wanted to include in this one but I couldn’t find it (Etsy, you really need to make the favorites searchable and sort able. I have almost 200 pages of favs now!) A couple weeks ago I stumbled upon invitations made out of plantable paper. I freaking love this stuff. It’s the coolest for tags and wrapping paper and all that. What these were though were plantable paper as the tag with the invite stuff on it tied to a little bag. Inside the bag was a biodegradable mini pot with planting soil in it. The tag said something about joining them as they let their lives together begin to grow.

: Cascading Willow Wedding Invitations – $100

: Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitation – $4.50

: Custom Comic Book Cover Save the Date – $225

: Personalized Handcut Wedding Card – $12.50

: Treasured Romance Eco Friendly Wedding Invitations – $3

: Your Wedding Invitation – $30

: Sugar Skull Alternative Style Invitation – $3.35

: Eco Friendly Owl Wedding Invitations – $2.95

: Cassandra Invitation Suite – $4.25

: Special Time Party Invitation – $3

: Antique Trifold Save the Date – $3

: Scroll Deluxe Wedding Invitation Suite – $4.49

: Vintage Beach Save the Date Postcards – $25

: The Rosita Wedding Invitation – $6

: Vintage Postcard Wedding Invitation – $7

: Flower and Butterflies Pocketfold Wedding Invitations – $50

: Printable Rehearsal Dinner Invitation – $20

: Jubilee Save the Date Chocolate Bars – $200

: Retro Save the Date Postcards – $2

: Hand Carved Tandem Bicycle Stamp – $20

: 100 Custom Tying the Know Wedding Invitations – $150

: Unique Love Bird Save the Date Magnets – $42

: Country Themed Save the Date Postcard – $2.30

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

upup, edencreativestudio, doodlebugdesign, vohandmade, lvandy27, ampersandstudios, EverlastingInvites, LaurenLoweDesign, jamiekonet, papernclay, Storeyshop, goldenrectanglepress, AngelEllie, PapierLapin, kreativekelors, swelser, drippyink, mybluetulipdesign, inkylivie, laurenalexab, EliminateUgly, ItsMelC, EarmarkGatherings, and BeeMineDesigns

Popping the Question

27 Jun 2010 2 Comments

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Meghan

Marriage is an oddball subject for me. Out of the three of us I am the only one not married (albeit as long as my boyfriend and I have been together this is only a technicality). We live in a state where people marry young, only a couple years out of high school. Somewhere from 23 to 26 around here you start feeling like an old maid if your not married, which is a little bizarre when you consider that most of the country this is when people barely start looking at marriage. A big reason I haven’t taken the plunge yet is money (weddings can be pricey and it means a lot to my family that the ceremony is a big to do), but the other big reason is it doesn’t feel right getting married when so many people that I hold dear can’t. That whole debate pulls me a lot of ways. In a lot of ways it’s just a word being fought over. If it comes down to the word is so important I’ll hand over that battle, take a new word and give it equal legal rights and leave the marriage itself battle to religion, then go have the double wedding me and my best friend promised each other when we were twelve and didn’t know that when we grew up I’d be able to get married and she wouldn’t even though we already knew we’d be shopping for three dresses and a tux instead of two of each.

The other thing I’m a little odd on is the proposal part of the whole process. There’s a lot of unspoken promises that go into a proposal. To me the elaborate popping the question is both silly and necessary. It’s silly because I don’t like being wasteful. I hate the idea of dropping a ton of money on a ring just to ask a question. I’d much rather something practical. But the spending the money means something else. I’ve heard before an engagement ring should be equal to two months wages. This is a lot of money regardless of how much you make. It takes a lot of financial discipline to save two months of wages, and in many cases a lot of time. This shows two things 1) you have the financial maturity that is necessary to take care of a family and plan for a future (how many couples do you know that fight endlessly over money problems that just can’t seem to save) and 2) the time it takes to save the money helps to give the time to get to know the person and really be sure you want to make that kind of commitment.

But like I said I don’t like the ring thing. Now if he proposed with an awesome custom comp equal to the whole two months wages thing then you got me. We can get a pretty ring later when shopping for wedding bands.

The proposal itself is important too, but not because of how much you spend. Really making that moment something memorable shows you care. Shows you are willing to take the time to plan something like that. That’s why a good proposal is important. And it doesn’t have to be flashy to be memorable. Little details that show they matter to you can over shadow all the glitz in the world in a heart beat.

: Skeletan Pops the Question Miniature – $18

: Victorian Filigree Sparrow Ring – $12

: Rustic Barnwood Ring Box – $25

: Multi Finger Ring with Black Chain – $18

: Will You Marry Me Marble Magnet – $9.75

: Will You Marry Me Crochet Pattern – $7

: I Love That You’re Going to Be My Husband – $6

: Save the Date Sign Announcement – $34

: Blue Box Elder Rings Wing – $150

: Marry Me You Fool Button – $5

: Love Letter Necklace – $39.95

: Finding That Special Someone – $15.99

: Romantic Quote 7 Wood Blocks – $32

: My Zippie Valentine – $25

: Pick Me Brass Guitar Pick – $12

: Proposal Recycled Pill Box Necklace – $32.99

: Musical Ring – $8

: I Carry Your Heart Poerty Paper Bird – $54

: The Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend Necklace – $21

: Would You Say Yes Mini Notecard – $2

: Wench Corset Ring – $45

: Ebony Tawa Ring Boxx – $28

: Romantic Earrings – $33

: Sparkly Green Ring – $25

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

ecoblingcouture, cottonbirddesigns, peacecreanegreetings, MyPrimitiveBoutique, CosmicGirl, icehousecrafts, HudsonBlockCo, justgivemepeace, saplanet, chanyeevon, WalkerWorld, AvivJewelry, greenleafpickcompany, sideproject, boxx, JensJewellery, AutumnSkyAdornments, ccj2, stephcraig, dillondesigns, theriveriseverywhere, MinterandRichterDes, guyincognito, and stoutwoodworks

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48934753/marriage-proposal-recycled-pill-box

Wedding Week Announcement!

26 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by barbedlotus in Announcement, Written by Meghan

So this next week we are doing something special. We are going to have a theme week dedicated to weddings, start to finish.

Starting with the proposal and working our way to the honey moon, there will be a new gift guide up everyday for a week. So here is the schedule:

June 27th – Popping the Question

June 28th – You’re Invited

June 29th – A Place to Remember

June 30th – Favored Guests

July 1st – The Cake is Not a Lie

July 2nd – Why is the Bride Blushing

July 3rd – Honey Mooning

New Creations!

25 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by barbedlotus in Announcement, Project Updates, Rambling, Written by Meghan

So got into a new craft. I have discovered wire working!. Ok, so with the wings I was already do wire working, but I’ve always wanted to learn how to do wire jewelry making. Especially earcuffs. And just before the Utah Renaissance Faire and Fantasy Festival I did just that.

These are going to be available in our Etsy shop very soon.

Found Some Flair

24 Jun 2010 2 Comments

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Meghan

I used to collect these like crazy in high school. Still have quite a few, most of them pinned to the ceiling in my car. Maybe it’s the way they can make you laugh, or maybe it’s the broadcast of your personality when wearing one. Either way something about flair seems to catch people of all types.

: I Believe Nerd Pins – $2

: Funny Retro Push Pins – $6.75

: He Man Button Set – $5

: Invisibilty Cloak Pin – $1.50

: Smurf That Button – $1

: Sherlock Earrings – $8

: Lost Button Set – $5

: It’s the Little Things Pin – $2.50

: Mix Tape Earrings – $8

: Whos Watching Theses Pins Set – $15

: Internet Icons Felt Pins Set – $25.50

: Telephone Couple Set – $2.50

: Babushka Dolls Magnet Set – $4.50

: That’s How I Roll Pin – $1

: Alice in Wonderland Button Bracelet – $15

: Little Space Girl Pin – $1

: Serenity Crew Pin Set – $15

: Doctor Who Pin Set – $2

: Brainy Button – $1.75

: Felt Monster Pins – $5

: Adventure Pin – $1

: Dry Ice Pin – $1

: Custom Bookmark – $6

: Ira Glass Finger Puppet Button – $1

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

ticklebuttons, Buttonhead, hownice, DAMEcreations, beanforest, poptacular, theangryrobot, BAYMOONSTUDIO, fadingendlessly, WeiOpenSecret, Gnipmac, FlareExtraordinaire, picturama, KarmaBoxCom, buttonarcade, pinkfairywand, shortsleevealliance, thishandmadelife, BarrelOfMonkeys, manhandled, indiepin, abbeychristine, LittleMommaErin, and flirtbuttons

Caffeniated

21 Jun 2010 4 Comments

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Heather, Written by Meghan

Okay, I’ll be honest. I don’t like coffee. In fact I’m the only one in my family who isn’t a hardcore coffee addict. However I can not dispute it has it’s allure. All that caffeine (hey I said I don’t drink coffee, but tea and soda that’s another matter). Hey there’s an idea, maybe I should do a tea one of these.

Speaking of coffee, we made coffee ice cream a couple weeks ago. And rum ice cream. This needs to be repeated. Where’s the ice cream maker?

: Espresso Marchmellows – $6

: Ipanema Gourmet Coffee Sack Ottoman – $170

: Coffee Toffee Crunch Cookies – $7.50

: Stacking Mustache Mugs and Saucers – $32.50

: Espresso Bean Stitch Markers – $7

: Cappuccino Crave Travel Candle – $6

: MAX – $110

: Black Coffee Kanzashi Flower Barrette – $33

: Coffee Cup – $25

: Chocolate Espresso Cake Truffles – $13.50

: I Love Me Mugs – $14

: Valencia Coffee Creamer – $7

: Vice Turkish Coffee Graham Cracker Soap – $5.50

: Burgundy Mookaite Jasper Earrings – $33

: WTF Sea Mist Mug – $22

: Brainscan Organic Coffee 16oz – $13

: Coffee Buzz Laptop Sleeve – $22.99

: Coffee Based Life Form Pin – $1

: Coffee Quartz Necklace – $17

: Coffee Sleeve PDF Pattern – $4

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

BAYMOONSTUDIO, SeeJayneKnitYarns, reclaim3fame, bertiescloset, dorothydomingo, GlitzGlitter, whimsyandspice, thehotcookie, MetamorphosesOfClay, AnechkasJewelry, HeavenBakedSweets, rosadolcedesigns, VelvetBean, LennyMud, gloilocksandbody, sunnydayz5, lollidreams, agreensleeve, PetalMix, and brainscan

Lovin’ Summer

19 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Meghan

Summer is different things to different people. For me its Bear Lake, henna, late nights on the porch swing, side walk chalk and Otter Pops. Yes, Otter Pops, the crack of popsicles. I don’t have a problem! I can quit them any time I want! Wait, what were we talking about?

: Magnificent Mendhi Bracelet – $94

: Personalized Beach Towel – $29.50

: Tropical Wedding Bouquet – $55

: Beach House Decorative Handmade Soaps – $16

: Dream Note Card – $12

: Mermaid Bottle Opener – $12

: Sterling Silver Shells and Fish Necklace – $38

: Dozen Luau Cookie Favors – $32.99

: African Textile Renaissance Choli Top – $40

: Indian Summer 5×5 Print – $15

: Mythical Mermaid Handpainted Locket – $28

: Bohemian Cross Over Halter Bra – $49

: Wire Wrapped Summer Green Swarovski Necklace – $24

: Irish Tear – $39.50

: The Plunge – $159

: Flower Hair Claw – $20

: Fused Dichroic Glass Pendant – $26

: Lanae Swim Top with Matching Boyshorts – $115

: Marco Polo Pins – $2

: Pomegrante and Brown Batik Cotton Camisole – $45

: Coppertone Water Baby Mesh Ring Sling – $42

: Made to Order Seashell Headwreath – $35

: Tigers Eye Leather Wrap Bracelet – $58.50

: Bathing Beauty Original Painting – $42

The Etsy artists featured in this article are:

lorisplace, ccvalenzo, LOVECACTUS, JBMDesigns, amodernphilosophy, Lampreia, FairRosamund, SatinandBirch, batilkwalla, AprilHilerDesigns, Snow4April, spiritofgiving, myBeachWishes, EarthCultured, monkeyandsquirrel, GreenWaves, kharaledonne, gracegallery, BabyEtte, LiliesOValley, blackandwhiteapparel, beanforest, jmorco, and westbyron

Check out some other great summery stuff:

Not So Obvious Things For the Beach from Sugar and Spice

Daddy’s Day

16 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment

by barbedlotus in Finds, Gift Guides, Rambling, Written by Meghan

Since my boy’s birthday is so close to Father’s Day I did a kind of joint present for them. He get his first fishing pole and his dad is getting a brand new one and a fishing license on Father’s Day so they can take their first father son fishing trip. This is something he’s wanted to do since they day we found out we were having a baby.

Even with having our own kid, it’s still kind of jarring seeing people dressed the same as we did in high school with a kid too. Kind of a realization that we are growing up and all that. Means that the Dad’s Day presents can be a little more interesting that striped ties and pens though.