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MARCH DESKTOP CALENDAR
MARCH DESKTOP CALENDAR
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it’s easy for me to say “goodbye” to February as it was a challenging month of the reoccurring flu for a couple of us in the family days before a family ski vacation and all happening within a short month. so a big “welcome” to March…a new month filled with new possibilities.
WELCOME MARCH hope you enjoy…share with a friend and
“EVERYTHING IS WAITING FOR YOU”
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TO DOWNLOAD: simply click on a link above to go directly to the image.
you might also try to right click your mouse over the image and get the option to: “use image as desktop picture,” you can also save the image to your computer in order change the background in your computer settings.
FEBRUARY DESKTOP CALENDAR
FEBRUARY DESKTOP CALENDAR
WELCOME FEBRUARY hope you enjoy…share with a friend and
“DO ALL THINGS WITH LOVE”
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1280×1024
1680×1050
1920×1080
1920×1200
ipad
smart phone
TO DOWNLOAD: simply click on a link above to go directly to the image.
you might also try to right click your mouse over the image and get the option to: “use image as desktop picture,” you can also save the image to your computer in order change the background in your computer settings.
BUSINESS IS BLISS
BUSINESS IS BLISS
introducing (if ya’ don’t already know about this creative gal)…LINDA of BURLAP+BLUE. today we get a glimpse into the life of this busy wife, mom and creative owner of 3 (yes, i said ‘three’) boutique businesses. here’s my lil’ interview with Linda….
WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION TO START YOUR BUSINESS?
I started burlap+blue when my son was 9 months old. I am a stay at home mom, but wanted a creative outlet and something just for me…burlap+blue fit that bill perfectly! Starting my own blog/shop has been such a rewarding and fun experience!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Wow-there are so many things I love about owning my own business. I think my favorite part has been all the wonderful people I’ve been privileged to “meet”, whether it’s customers with a great idea for a custom order, or fellow bloggers that I can connect with and learn from.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED?
Hmm…this is a hard one! I think that the need for balance is important, but also soo tricky when you own a business. My business, blog, home and personal life are so interconnected, and I think it’s important to find a good balance so you don’t get burned out and can continue to stay creative. Also, lots of coffee helps:)
WHERE DO YOU CONTINUE TO FIND INSPIRATION?
Inspiration is everywhere! I find most of my inspiration through nature and the people around me. I also get plenty of inspiration from playing with craft and art supplies (especially when I don’t have an end-goal in mind), and quiet times when I am able to relax, doodle or write in my journal.
i’m drawn to the charming handmade products at Linda’s BURLAP + BLUE shop. (love the custom name coasters) however you can also visit her other sweet shops — CLEMENTINE JAYNE and PAPER and PALLETTE . (a big thank you to Linda…for sharing)
MARKETING | VALENTINE’S DAY
MARKETING | VALENTINE’S DAY
valentine’s day is about a month away and it’s not too late to get a charming gift together for your best clients. here’s what i think…giving a gift (showin’ the love) to your customers is such a great marketing tool. as i’ve said before — think about the times you’ve received a gift…from a company you give business to. most likely it made you smile and i’m sure you thought it was pretty-darn thoughtful. can you remember what you did after you received the memorable gift? did you give your business to that company again? hmmmm….i bet you did.
i’ve put together some simple ways to send some love.
1. HEART SHAPED MAGNET/CHALKBOARD: bliss and tell branding company
send a heart shaped chalkboard (easy to mail in a flat mailer) and your client will constantly be reminded of you (and how sweet you are) as the gift will be hung in a office, studio or craft room.
2. CUSTOM “I LOVE YOU” RIBBON: the lonely heart
this ribbon is sweet enough as is, however the gals of THE LONELY HEART can customize this handmade ribbon too. i just placed an order for b&t…and can’t wait to get it.
3. GIFT BAGS: rima rama
with packaging as cute as these muslin bags…you can fill with any basic valentine candy and you’ll have a sweet gift that your clients will enjoy receiving.
4. STICKERS & TOPPERS: seasonal delights
seal up an invoice/sales receipt with these adorable valentine’s day stickers. or…better yet, pick up some small potted succulent plants and stick in a v-day topper. (sooo cute).
we’re working on some custom marketing gifts for some super clients…that we’ll share with you in february. in the meantime you can purchase the heart shaped chalkboard from the BLISS TO SELL shop.
also wanted to let you know we’re currently SOLD OUT of the “sweet tweet” business card holders. you can purchase painted ones from the creative A LA CARTE CREATIONS.
YOU ARE AWESOME…
YOU ARE AWESOME…
9 days into the new year and i’m still thinking about my resolutions and organizing my goals for 2013. while my personal resolutions are pretty typical and expected, i know that my business goals seem to be a bit different than what i had imagined them to be. it’s only natural to look back at the past year and reflect on the good and the bad, and then to make a list of goals accordingly. well looking back at what 2012 was for myself and the BLISS AND TELL team, i realize that the year was full of tons of good things…and not a single bad thing. i’m serious…i can’t think of one project or one experience that didn’t have a positive outcome for me and my business. with last year being as awesome as it was…it only makes sense to continue to be awesome this year too!
why is it that we always want to do more, get bigger and be better. at what point do we find contentment in our joy and happiness? so…no big lofty goals for me…no stress and pressure to make changes is happening here…no siree Bob. i’m gonna stick with what works for me…i’m going to continue to live what i love and remember to be awesome every day! what are your business goals for 2013?
inspirational image by: Jan Skácelík’s (super cool blog)…available at the HANDZ SHOP
logo & branding designs by: BLISS and TELL branding company
ORGANIZATION 2013
ORGANIZATION 2013
okay…so….i’m a little behind in wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR and getting back into ‘work mode’ because it’s still holiday vacation for my little one. however, he’s heading back to school this week, and i’m anxious to get myself (and BLISS AND TELL) back into the swing of things.
i recently read somewhere in blogland that every 1 minute spent organizing and planning will save approximately 10 minutes down the road. now, i’m not sure if that’s completely accurate but it sounds awesome. i came across some cute (and free) printables designed to simplify (and add style) to my attempt to be organized in 2013 and i thought you might enjoy them too.
DOWNLOAD by LINKING BELOW:
weekly cleaning organizer – EVELYN KATE DESIGNS
weekly blog organizer - MOMMY WORDS
weekly recipe organizer – DELISH
BLISS and TELL CLIENT
BLISS and TELL CLIENT
during 2012 i was able to collaborate with lots of talented and creative clients. one of which was BETH HUNTER, the stylish blogger behind HOME STORIES AtoZ. i’m sure you are already a follower/reader of her life-style & decor blog…where she writes cool posts about transforming your home on a budget, decorating, DIY projects, crafts, holiday decor, room transformations, trend alerts, giveaways and link parties. Beth had a really good thing goin’ on before we met. however, she reached out to me to help her enhance her look and reinforce her brand. Beth has so much style and good ideas, so i took her vision and created a new identity (logo) and designed several elements of her blog.
earlier this week Beth’s charming home was featured as part-5 of JENNIFER RIZZO’S HOLIDAY HOME TOUR. be sure to swing over and see Beth’s home transformed for the holiday season. (it’s beautiful and inspiring!) Enjoy…www.HOMESTORIESATOZ.COM
MARKETING: client gifts
MARKETING: client gifts
i found the coolest gift idea…not just for your clients, but for anyone you know that carries around their business cards. i love the creative handmade business card holder options i found on etsy. a business card holder is a cool gift, they are easy to mail and is something most people don’t buy for themselves, but will definitely use and appreciate,
1) DOTTY SPOT DESIGN
2) THE BEETLES KNEES
3) ECOLUTION
next up…the GARNISH MAGAZINE & HOLIDAY WORKBOOK. this online e-zine is full of neat concepts, great pictures and “how to” instructions. (just thought i’d give you more ideas to add to your already long holiday list). i’m drawn to the pretty packaging knowing that nearly everything i need to make the charming gifts are available for purchase at the GARNISH SHOP. make sure to subscribe to the GARNISH BLOG for more inspiring and clever ways to enhance the packaging of your products, personalize your next social event or vamp-up a marketing piece.
BLISS AND TELL DESIGN(S)
BLISS AND TELL DESIGN(S)
in a few weeks the b&t studio will be closed for the holidays (which basically means i’ll be working intermittently during 12/10-1/3). in the process of wrappin’ things up and organizing my project files i was reminded of some recently launched web & blog sites that i designed and would like to share with you…
MISS MUSTARD SEEDS MILK PAINT
GIRL MEETS VINTAGE
HOME STORIES AtoZ
RACHEL and COMPANY
SIMPLY JANELLE DESIGNS
EARTH COOKIE CREATIONS
although i won’t be tackling the new client projects in the queue until after the new year, i plan to be blogging and sharing more details about the design & branding work done for MISS MUSTARD SEED, MISS MUSTARD SEEDS MILK PAINT and a couple other clients i’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with. until then, enjoy the beginning of the holiday season!
MARKETING
MARKETING
it’s official, the holiday season has begun which means, in addition to your long friends and family gift list… ya’ need to make your client gift list too. i love this time of year because i get to collaborate with my clients on some really clever (and fun) ideas that are unforgettable, consistent with their existing brand and are gifts that their customers enjoy receiving.
Rachel (of RACHEL AND COMPANY) is one of those stylish gals that is so organized (did i mention that she’s a life-stylist/ personal organizer) that she decided to surprise her top 100 clients with a sweet gift of gratitude for the Thanksgiving holiday. we had custom printed clothespins/clips printed with the days of the week and put together a sweet package that was wrapped up with coordinating charcoal grey twine & curry colored maple leaf placed in a cello mailer with a designed panel card that showcased her brand and a cute message: “Be thankful (and organized) everyday!”
the b&t team and i assembled each lil’ package so Rachel could simply address the matching mailing labels and pop-in the mail. how excited are her clients to receive this charming and useful gift in their mailbox?
below is a snippet of the original design & branding work i did for RACHEL AND COMPANY so you can see how marketing during the holidays is another great way for you to touch your clients, tell them how much you appreciate them…while reinforcing your brand at the same time.
i also wanted to mention THE WINNER OF THE “B&T BE THANKFUL GIVEAWAY” IS
ERIN.DESANTIS@GMAIL.COM. she will receive the charming stationery illustrated by ANNA of YOURS TRULY PAPERIE. (congratulations Erin!)