Urban Unveiled 2012

This week we were fortunate to participate, once again, in the Urban Unveiled wedding show at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.  I spent a long time getting our display ready and am so pleased with how it turned out that I have to share it with you all.  

We were debuting some new products for our custom favor line.  We have whimsical new packaging for our natural lips balms that we're calling "Seattle Sundries' Butterfly Kisses".  I think you can see why.  The fun thing about them is that they are totally customizable: flavor, color, paper style, etc. They are favors that do double duty as decorations.  We also have new little custom favor boxes that hold three small guest soaps...which also can be totally personalized for any event.

We displayed some examples of retro groomsman gift sets that would be perfect for the gentlemen in any wedding party.

See that neat old box in front?  I found that on a visit home to the ranch a few years ago.  It was stuffed with miscellaneous little items, including the ones you see below.  These are the matchbooks, foil paper cutouts, and white swans that were favors for the celebration of my great-grandparents 50th wedding anniversary.  They were married 100 years ago, last month. For real.  I kept the box closed during the show, but the few people who were curious enough to lift the lid got to hear the story of Gunda and Louis' nuptials.

We also had our bath soaps in custom tins on display for folks to sniff and feel.

These were some lovely little clutch purses that I made to show how unique bridesmaid gift sets can be made using our skincare products.  See how the inside fabric on the clutches matches the table skirt?  These were fun to make.  You should try it!

Happily, our space was right next to the charming lady who owns Fiore Blossoms.

Of course, Luly Yang was there.

And City Catering...

And the dapper gentlemen from True Colors Events...

There were so many beautiful things to see that I couldn't possibly show them all, but I think this might have been my favorite floral arrangement in the whole place.

The most admired and eye-catching part of our display were the cherry blossom branches that we hung the Butterfly Kisses from.  They were battery operated LED lights that were so easy to arrange and were just perfect for the butterflies.  I highly recommend them for any such displays you make in the future.

Once the sun went down, the lights were dimmed and the candles were lit, it made a most lovely sight.

Seattle Bride's Best of 2012

We had a wonderful time last night at Seattle Bride Magazine's annual "Best Of" event.  It was held at the the waterfront at the Seattle Aquarium.  We were thrilled to be nominated, for the third year in a row, in the category Most Creative Favors.  Thanks to Seattle Bride Magazine for their ongoing support of the Seattle wedding and events industry!

How To: Glitter Votives

By this time of year I'm always itching for spring to arrive.  The days are starting to get longer, but it's still pretty wintery, gray and dark in our little corner of the world.  Such a situation calls for glitter, clearly.  I wanted to make a pretty votive candle holder for my daughter, since she adds sparkle and light to my life every single day.    Here's what I came up with...

What you need:  

• glass votives in any size or shape--jelly jars or wine glasses would probably work well too
• double-sided tape--this should have paper on one side
• fine glitter--the courser stuff might work too, but would probably not stick to the tape as well
• scissors
• dry paint brushes
• drop cloth or sheet to cover your work surface
• plain pieces of paper to collect excess glitter
• clear varnish--optional

Start with clean, dry glass.  Plan out the design that you want beforehand. It's helpful to apply only one glitter color at a time, both for efficiency and so that the colors don't become blended.  Cut a strip of double sided tape and apply it to the glass (leaving the paper side attached).  Burnish with your fingernail to make sure that the tape is adhered properly.

Remove the paper backing from the tape and pour ample quantities of glitter onto the newly exposed sticky side of the tape.  You can pat it on with your finger or a dry paintbrush to make sure that it's well distributed and stuck on.

Shake off the excess glitter and brush lightly with a dry paintbrush to remove any extra that may be attached to the glass.  

Repeat as needed with all the colors, shapes and patterns that your heart desires.  You could do more interesting variations than we attempted here by using shape blade scissors or shaped hole punches like the kind often used in scrap booking. One optional step (that I did not photograph for this tutorial) is to dab clear varnish over the glitter (but not on the glass) to protect it from being brushed off during normal handling.

I think I'll call these my "Welcome Back Spring" candles.  I love coming out of the dark of winter and back into the light.  Don't you?

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Valentine Smooch Stick Giveaway

As some of you may remember, Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday.  Not that my husband and I usually go out and do anything fancy or romantic, I just like the sentiment.  

In honor of Valentine's Day, I've put together a cute little gift set of three Smooch Sticks which come in a small muslin pouch with a pink ribbon and cupid tag. It's a great gift for spouses and soul mates, kids, mothers, brothers and the like. It lasts a LOT longer than flowers, by the way.  Not that flowers aren't wonderful.

The set is available for purchase on our website now and can be shipped in time for Valentine's Day.  

I've decided to do a little giveaway as well, because that's the way I roll.  On Thursday I will randomly choose three lucky winners to each receive one Valentine's Day set.  In order to enter, please leave a post answering the following question: What's your favorite love song?  Mine is probably Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson or I Was Born to Love Her by Ivan & Alyosha.  How about you?

Update:  I'm hearing that a few folks are having trouble getting the Blogger system to accept their comments.  If this has happened to you, please let me know.  If you would like to email me with your comment I can post it on the entry so that you have a chance to win in the giveaway.  Please send emails to info [at] seattlesundries.com.

New Retro Suitcase Gift Sets

I love suitcases.  It's probably because I love to travel and they always make me think of great trips I've taken, or enticing places I have yet to visit.  I don't get to travel as much as I'd like, so you might say I'm a bit preoccupied with images and symbols of travel and far away destinations.  

Although modern rolling suitcases are more sturdy and practical, I still really like the old style cases that I've acquired over the years.  I have one wood framed case that I bought at a flea market in Glasgow, Scotland and hauled all the way back to the states with me because I loved it so much.  I have other cases that are precious to me because they belonged to family members who have been gone for many years and saw many great adventures of their own.

So, I was thrilled to find boxes in the shape of suitcases to introduce my new gift sets in time for the holiday season.  They'll also be great for wedding party gifts at any time of year. One set would be perfect for groomsmen gifts, with its collection of shaving items. Others would be perfect for bridesmaids or mothers, or even the bride and groom themselves.  Everybody loves nice soap and who can resist a cute suitcase?

Definitely NOT me!

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How To: Easy Fabric Flower Petal Votives

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Urban Unveiled at Benaroya Hall

We had a lovely time at Urban Unveiled this week.  I was very impressed and inspired by so many of the vendor displays that were there.  Here are a few highlights from the Founders Room, where we were located...

There were beautiful sweet things from The People's Cake

And gorgeous creations from Fena Flowers.  The theme for the show was "Diamond" and they did a really nice job incorporating it in to their display.

Look at the creative idea that City Catering came up with.  They were sticking with the Diamond theme as well and  made thousands of little drill holes in the back-lit serving stands, which were each filled with pegs to make the beautiful glowing effect you see here.  And their food was fantastic!

Here was our area.  I'm very happy with how it came together.  I had fun coming up with some new packaging designs for the event and was able to incorporate some glittery, diamond accents in to tie it all together.  We were very pleased with the great response we got from the many attendees on this memorable evening.

Thanks for a great event!

Urban Unveiled

I am so excited to be participating this year in the Urban Unveiled wedding show!  It's taking place the evening of Wednesday, October 12^th at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.  That's the week after next, in case you haven't looked at a calendar lately.

The show will include lots of incredible wedding vendors, a Luly Yang bridal fashion show, live music, and an astounding raffle.  A raffle ticket is included with the price of admission, and guests will receive a second free raffle ticket when they visit the Founders Room. So all guests receive two free raffle tickets. It's called “The Art of Giving”  and includes some really great stuff.  Pssst...be sure to notice the Seattle Sundries contribution near the end of the list.  Purchase tickets to Urban Unveiled, and maybe you will be the recipient of one of the following items:

• T. Anthony Jewelers: Custom designed chandelier earrings. (Value: tbd)
• True Colors Events: 10 hours of consultation services. (Value: $1,250)
• Luly Yang Couture: $1,200 towards the purchase of a gown. (Value: $1,200)
• John & Joseph Photography:   Engagement Session.  1-hr Session in Greater Seattle or Los Angeles Area.  Includes High Resolution Disc with 75 edited photographs. (Value: $1,150)
• Roche Harbor Resort: Two nights in a luxury suite, Dinner for two in our fine-dining restaurant, Couple's retreat at our Afterglow Spa. (Value $1,000)
• Belathee Photography: Either and Engagement session, bridal shower coverage or any other type of portrait shoot. (Value $550)
• Willows Lodge: Do Not Disturb Package. One night’s accommodations for 2 people in a luxurious NW style room; Dinner for Two at Barking frog followed by exclusive “In-Tub” dining experience for a relaxing soak in your room. (Value: $520)
• The Woodmark: Gift certificate for an overnight stay in a lakefront guest room, includes dinner for two at bin on the lake.  (Value $500)
• W Seattle: 1 complimentary weekend night stay in a wonderful room. (Value: $400)
• Seven Salon: Gift Certificate (Value: tbd)
• Seattle Sundries: Two gift sets, one for a bride and one for a groom.  (Value: $100 each)
• Rented Elegance & Design: Gift Certificate for Prop Rentals (Value: $200)
• Michael Bride: two hour makeup lesson (Value: tbd) 

Pretty nice, huh?!

Fabulous Photos

Recently I had the pleasure of working with a young photographer here in Seattle who does great portrait and event photography.  I've known Kristin Boyett since she was a little kid, and I'm so pleased and impressed with the talent she displays in her work.  She has a great eye and artistic sense, along with being very friendly and fun to work with.  She also has awesome red hair.

These are some of the images she captured for me...

Kristin Boyett Photography

Kristin Boyett Photography

Kristin Boyett Photography

Kristin Boyett Photography

Kristin Boyett Photography

Thanks Kristin!