A Sweet Reminder of the Handmade Market

Just sent these 12 crowns out for an entire bridal party after I added the linings, stitched in the tags and added the velvet ties. A lot of work has gone into each and every one of these pieces and I am honored to have worked with a sweet bride to create these custom crowns.

Finding value in the handmade market goes way beyond finding the right price. These items are not made by machines. Each is created by diligent, creative hands -many of which are multitasking to keep a home happy as well. Not only do you receive a product but you also receive a bit of the makers heart and soul which gives much more meaning than a price tag.


Support handmade and your local community.

Visit the Love Sparkle Pretty shop here. 
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"She Turned Her...Dreams Into Plans"-Small Biz Reflections

The other night, I stayed up until 12:30am to work on this Spring-inspired dreamcatcher for Elevate coming up in less than one month! I'm so excited to attend this amazing conference yet again. (See last years post & our feature in Artful Blogging). This piece, as well as a pretty daisy crown, will be up for grabs in the giveaways! These one of a kind dreamcatchers are only available by custom order through email: lovesparklepretty@aol.com.

"She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans"

This really got me thinking about how incredibly blessed I have been since this year started. With the beginning of 2014, it's been such a positive whirlwind of growth, outreach, features, collaborations, new lines and sales for Love Sparkle Pretty.

I honestly couldn't fathom doing anything else when it comes to a "job" which feels like so much more than just that one word. It's truly a passion.

Lately, I've been praying a lot about the direction of LSP. I'm to the point where it can be quite overwhelming for one person to take on alone. Especially since that one person is also a wife and a mother of a toddler...with many other hats to don. I'm trying to do it all-all the time but exhaustion has its moments of setting in. I have hired help-one time. I know I need it, my family knows I need it and my husband keeps telling me that I need it. There's this barrier that has to break to let parts of control go in order to successfully do so.

Your business will only grow as much as one person can handle. Doing the math, if I can hire help, not only can growth expand, but I can do more of "my genious work" rather than some of the tideous, perpetual tasks that take much time. Reading this post on hiring help from Maggie Whitley has really got me thinking...

As my shop is on vacay until May 1st, I am taking some time (aside from completing last minute orders) to breathe, reflect and brainstorm on how I should go about this-virtual assistant? Local hiring? etc. With my first wholesale order going out by the end of next month and a whole new bridal line coming this summer, I need to act quickly yet thoughtfully.

I know quite a few of you have met this fork in the road with your biz and I'd love to know how you got past the barriers &/or handled this situation. Please share! If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them! 

Aside from that, I'd also love to know how your Easter was yesterday! I hope yours was as relaxed as mine (dinner with the family was all that we needed) but I know the stresses of holidays are different for everybody so vent away my friends...

& Have a wonderful Monday!

{GIVEAWAY} As Darling Does handmade bow ties featured on our little man

A couple weeks ago, I received some ADORABLE happy mail from Kristen of As Darling Does. She sent me the cutest bow ties for our little man and since then, he has worn one at least 5 days of the week. I get so many questions on where they are from and today, I am so excited to announce that one lucky winner will have the chance to WIN $25 from this sweet handmade shop!! Not only does Kristen create bow ties for little dudes (finally, accessories for boys) but As Darling Does is also filled with really cool bibs, adorable hair bows for the little ladies and super soft blankets to cuddle!

I love putting bug in his bow ties and he doesn't seem to mind either! I followed him around a couple days as he wandered in the backyard (his favorite). He is such a nature baby. It's amazing to see the curiosity overflow from his tiny self. I wish I could see the world like he does-as innocent, facinating and new through his eyes. There's so much love and life that abounds through him. I want to hang onto and cherish these moments. The days are long but the years are short.

Checkered bow tie and feathered bow tie: As Darling Does

Little man's leather moccasins: Chubby Toes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Didn't win? That's OK! Use the code "SPARKLE20" for 20% off your purchase at As Darling Does-a sweet handmade shop of accessories for your little ones! Click Here to see the cutest bow ties, headbands and baby blankets!

{Creative Tea Time} Peek at Floral Crown Giveaway

It's been a whirlwind of craziness lately! I've been so busy in and outside of the craft room. I'm certainly not complaining though because it's all been really good. I've had meetings with brides for coordinating their 2014 weddings, cranking out floral crowns for the new line and the photo shoot this Friday (received 60+ model applicants in one day!!), birthday celebrations, family reunion, house work, yard work, running around with baby love, working on shop orders and everything in between.

Today though, I'm giving you a preview of some giveaway pretties I just shipped out for Creative Tea Time next weekend. Remember that uber pretty and super fun craft event I attended back in September? Well, I'm going back for round 2 this Saturday! So excited to sip tea, eat YUMMY food and work on some fun crafts with inspiring ladies once again!

This is my contribution for another lovely day.

I created 2 floral crowns to giveaway (one for Saturday and one for Sunday) to 2 lucky ladies. I also finished a total of 71 business card sets with promo codes, glitter and lace.

Will you be there? If so, come and say hello! I'd love to meet you!

Dream catchers INSTASALE today at 2pm! Lace, Beading and Feathers-OH MY!

I'm hosting a little Instasale today at 2pm PST on my handmade dream catchers! After creating a few for others, I have been asked several times about making more. As of right now, these pretty pieces aren't available in the shop so get yours today through my Instagram sale. There will only be a VERY limited amount of dream catchers that will be posted so please don't hesitate.
I may be taking a few custom orders as well if you have them. Please send me an email: lovesparklepretty@aol.com if you wish to place a custom order. Thank you so much!

Here are the dream catchers that will be available on the Instasale and ready to ship.

 You can purchase these on my Instagram at 2pm PST by leaving your Paypal email address in the comments below each photo. Once invoices are sent, they must be paid within 24 hours or the next person in line will be able to purchase.

Thank you so much! :)

Happy Friday!

SHOP VACAY + {sneak peek} of NEW items coming soon + SOLE HOPE auction

It's official! The shop is on vacation from Nov. 11-28th. I will reopen just in time for Black Friday sales with new products making their debut. If you placed your order within these past few days, I will be shipping your items out within this week just before our move. If you have any questions, email me at: lovesparklepretty@aol.com.

Here's tiny peek of a few new items coming to the shop upon reopening.

Lace bridal cap with Spirit D'esprit lace detail.

Photography Credit: Marilyn Duvall Photography

Birdcage veil with rhinestone detail.

Ivory & gold floral crown with a new line of floral crowns coming in January!

New garter design.

Seashell crown with moss and starfish details. See the styled shoot here in a past blog post.

Photography Credit: Kayla V Photography

Black feather crown. See the styled shoot here from a past blog post.

Photography Credit: Kayla V Photography

There will also be more accessories coming to the shop and new boutonniere designs!

***P.S. Tomorrow evening, Natalie from Take the Cannoli is hosting an Instagram auction where all proceeds go towards an AMAZING cause to put shoes on children in Africa. I am donating a couple headpieces from the shop that will be up for grabs as well as so many other handmade items! Be sure to follow Take the Cannoli on Instagram to participate in this wonderful auction.

Clinging onto Fall Attire & Another Shop Announcement

It seems as if Fall has finally arrived to southern Cali and I am soaking it in! My favorite color of this season seems to be mustard yellow and I love pairing it with mulberry red and browns. My favorite cardigan from Target has been a staple item in my wardrobe this past month-see it in my post from our trip to Oak Glen.

I scoured some pretty shops for pieces that would look divine together or as separates. Comfy scarfs, cozy cardigans (love the maxi look), boots and cross bodies are my favorite right now!  

What is your favorite color combo this season?

Want to shop handmade? Look at this GORGEOUS crochet scarf my friend Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces created!

She will be adding these to her shop soon. :)

Speaking of shops, my shop vacation dates have changed to Nov.11-Nov. 28th! We are moving sooner than expected but the shop will reopen just in time for Black Friday sales with new items making their debut. Follow along with the move and new shop creations on my Instagram.

Have a beautiful Fall day my friends!!

Handmade Love featuring SheDoes Designs + DISCOUNT CODE!!

I am so passionate about the handmade business market and the love, value and craft that goes into pieces within handmade shops. Today, I am so excited to share my best friend's BRAND NEW Etsy shop, SheDoes Designs!

Crystal, my best friend since kindergarten, has put a lot of thought into creating her online shop of handcrafted infinity scarves, flower hair clips, sailor knot headbands and floral crowns.

Here is my beautiful friend and a little bit about her & SheDoes Designs in her own words:

"Hello, My name is Crystal, I am a 24 year old gal living her dream of creating beautiful things and being a daughter of the Lord. I decided to create SheDoes Designs because I wanted to use my gifts and talents to the fullest. It has been a long 2 year process of pushing myself through a lot of fears and doubts but here I am ready to take this new journey with my shop and the Lord by my side. 

My whole desire for creating SheDoes Designs is to bring inspiration to women. After praying a lot for the name I was personally inspired by Proverbs 31:12 and that is how I got my shop name. I am so excited to design pretty pieces for you."

Look at a few of her gorgeous shop pieces!

This teal sailor knot headband is available here.

This pretty floral scarf is available here.

This lovely lace headband is available here.

More pretty items will be coming soon to SheDoes Designs including floral crowns and flower clips!

Follow along with this sweet handmade shop via Facebook, Instagram (#shedoesdesignss) and go show some love by favoriting SheDoes Designs on Etsy.

In celebration of the grand opening, SheDoes Designs is offering a 20% discount on all items in the shop!! Use the code SHEDOES20 at checkout! Share this with your friends and help spread the love. <3

What is your favorite item from SheDoes Designs? 

Have a beautiful day my friends!

Some exciting shop announcements + recent pretties!

I have a few exciting announcements to make about the shop!

The first, as of the end of September, long veils will "officially" be in the shop! After some practiced techniques and creating a custom knee-length veil for a sweet someone, I am so excited to finally grace the shop with more bridal options.

Kayla of Kayla V Photography snapped a few photos of this tulle and lace veil adorned by the gorgeous Jessica Butler.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may recognize this pretty piece which is going out to Oregon for a photo shoot with Beyond the Wanderlust. This fingertip veil will be the first to make its way to the shop!

While we are talking veils, I must share some lovely photos of a dear customer of mine from Virginia. She wore this vintage inspired veil from the shop on her wedding day and looked STUNNING! So happy for you Elaine! Photos by A Little Bit of Whimsy Photography.

Speaking of weddings, I just completed this order for a bride who is gifting these mint and gold bracelet sets to her bridesmaids. How sweet is that? These make the PERFECT bridesmaid gifts (and any gift for that matter). You can also customize your colors! Just send me a convo on Etsy or email me at: lovesparklepretty@aol.com.

Last but not least, I added some new items to the shop including this gorgeous floral crown. We did a boho inspired photo shoot a while back but at the time, I wasn't sure about selling floral crowns. After several requests though, this pink, peach and ivory one is now available! Photography by Kayla V Photography. 

The very first bridal sash has just been made available last night! This OOAK pink lace sash with pearl and tulle detail was handmade using blush pink lace from a pretty T-shirt that I had purchased just for this piece! I couldn't find the perfect material at the fabric store so I went shopping and found an amazing lace top that I hand cut, shaped and sewn into this gorgeous blossom. I LOVE it! Photography by Kristen Booth.

This simple yet elegant lace veil was just added as well. See blog post here. Photography by Kayla V Photography. Modeling by Megan Fay.

I also added this ivory and white floral crown which would be amazing as a bridal piece. I can totally see it worn by itself or over a simple tulle veil. See blog post here. Photography by Kayla V Photography. Modeling by Megan Fay.

What would you like to see more of in the shop?

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