Blog Name: Eight Tree Street

On the Web: Shop | Twitter | Facebook

What can be found in your blog: I love writing about home decor, interior design, the latest trends in weddings, how to include a touch of DIY in your home, events, and wedding decorations. I showcase Etsy stores and other small businesses with the idea of increasing visibility and allowing them to reach a new audience. I write about new finds in the blogsphere, blogs that are  appealing from a design perspective, that have a vision that includes handmade and love of personalization in design.  I love all the new ideas, colors and designs for home and weddings, and try to share this with my readers.

Where do you find your inspiration for your blog posts: I usually work with lots of my friends and collaborators at other blogs or shops, I find a lot of idea on Pinterest, home design journals and magazines, love following interior designers, and now I am now putting all that information into exploring blog  posts with a theme or a color scheme, an example of this is the It’s A Party segment of my blog,which highlights a specific party theme and decor, and I am launching this week Decorating Trends for Home, based on a color palette to highlight accents, interior design elements and components that bring the palette together in amazing ways.

 What are some of your favorite posts that you have written to date: I loved working on the wreaths for weddings post. I design wreaths, but most importantly, each time I make one for a wedding I always think of the historical background and significance of the wreath symbol – the unbreakable circle of love and life. I love the different images I was able to find of decorating with wreaths for weddings, receptions and ceremonies. And many people didn’t know about the history of wreaths, that was fun to research and write about.  Another important post, very close to my heart, was the design I made for an Autism wreath using the work  of a very special artist, Alex from Alex’s Loft who is autistic. I designed and dedicated that wreath to my youngest son, who is also autistic and to the families who work so hard with these very special children. But I have so many, because I also love the little post I did  for veils and the one I did not long ago with designer Loyce Weathley of Grace Bridal Couture, she is just fantastic and such a nice person. Love it when you interview someone for a post, end up becoming friends and learning so much more about them.

Why did you start blogging in the first place: I had a background in writing for non-profits and museums, most of my grants were written to tell our stories. I saw the same dynamic about blogging, telling a story about what I love, home design and the little projects I was doing around my house inspired me, also one of my bloggy friends, the lovely Irma at Palm Trees and Lemonade, she always pointed at the wonderful way in which blogging allows you to keep exploring.  

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to bloggers: Collaborate and have an open mind. Also research your topics and ideas to offer a side that has not been shown before, a special take.  Keep connected with other bloggers, also take the time to connect with your readers, I made new friends from readers that started following me just a couple of months ago, and I am also writing about their work.

Anything else you’d like to share?: I had a friend today, a wedding industry specialist, so excited to blog ask me why should she write another blog, I told her her expertise had a value and she can contribute a different perspective, so find your vibe, your niche and keep going. There’s always a wonderful, receptive audience out there.

Any special promotions/deals/features you have going on: My one year anniversary on Etsy is coming up next month, and I hope to do something special. And, I love giveaways, they let me share a little bit of my work with someone else.  I’ll be working more on special features for the blog, with specific themes, and I do look forward to having guest bloggers sharing their ideas, their shops, and their designs with the readers.

And a giveaway!

Custom Fall Wreath Design–$45 value!
[open to U.S. residents only]

Welcome Fall with a fun and colorful burlap wreath. This wreath will be made to order in the colors of your choice, on an 14 inch straw wreath wrapped in burlap ribbon to include 10 handmade ribbon flowers in different colors,sizes and designs, rhinestone decorations, copper jewelry finds and fall berries. You choose your ribbon colors and the burlap background (white cream, Khaki, natural)

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Blog Name: Truly Lovely

On the Web: Twitter | Facebook | Google Plus | Pinterest

What can be found in your blog: A little bit of everything… from crafts, to recipes, to posts sharing our Instagram photos… Anything we consider lovely! Hence the name… Truly Lovely. ;)

Where do you find your inspiration for your blog posts: Life. I like to craft, create recipes, etc… then I share those on my blog. :) I also look for inspiration on Pinterest and on Fancy This Fridays through the posts our readers share with us.

What are some of your favorite posts that you have written to date:

Why did you start blogging in the first place: My sister in law created a family blog and showed it to me back in the Fall of 2010. From there we discovered several other family members and friends that had family blogs… then I stumbled onto some craft blogs. My sister and I have always loved crafting, sewing, etc.. So we decided to create a craft blog where we could share things we’d been making… Thus Truly Lovely was born. Since then it’s expanded into a larger variety of posts including crafts, recipes, DIY, etc…

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to bloggers: I know it sounds cliche, but be yourself. My blogging mantra has always centered around writing what I want to write about, having fun with it, and the rest will come. I have the utmost respect for bloggers who write about whatever they want irregardless of the latest linky party craze going around… If it interests you and you write about that, awesome! If it doesn’t fit into a linky party somewhere, so be it.

Anything else you’d like to share?: My favorite thing about blogging is the connections! I love that I can “meet” people that I would otherwise never come into contact with. I’m always up for a new friend… so let’s be friends, yes??

And a giveaway!

Lg. Ad Space on Truly Lovely for September

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Blog Name: Pointing Up

On the Web: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

What can be found in your blog: You can find anything from what I wore yesterday to what life lessons I have been learning, embarrassing moments to my latest crafting fiasco. On the blog and in life, I am a firm believer that first, our lives shouldn’t be compartmentalized. I don’t like to divide my life and fit it into these compartments for God, or friends, or family, or my blog. For me, what you see is what you get. I don’t believe in hiding and only sharing parts of my life with those I want or do not what to know. Which leads me to the second thing, transparency. The famous Youtube quote, “Ain’t nobody got time for that,” comes to mind. I believe in being honest about life. We are all human, we all struggle; sometimes we fail sometimes we succeed. But we can all rejoice in our little victories.

Where do you find your inspiration for your blog posts: Hmmm, “my inspiration comes from everything!” Yep, typical answer. haha I really just find inspiration in life and of course God. I love finding and creating news ways to put a spin on things. And come on, God stinkin’ made everything we see around us; he is the very meaning of creative! If I am ever lacking creativity I just ask the source.

What are some of your favorite posts that you have written to date:

1. I really like the post “Insider Edition” where I explain the meaning behind my blog title

2. “I do that too” makes me laugh at myself. I confess to some of the silly and ridiculous things that I do, and maybe you do too.

3. And “Coffee lovers un-anonymous” where I tell the origin of my coffee addiction.

Why did you start blogging in the first place: Well I really started blogging a little little bit when I was in college to flesh out my thoughts. I didn’t really expect anyone to read it, I may not have really wanted anyone to read it! It was just a way to get my thoughts together and see what God was teaching me in different seasons in my life. THEN I decided to go full force about March of this year to have some fun and expand my creativity.

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to bloggers: Have fun! Seriously one of the best parts for me is meeting other ladies who share a lot in common with me. Another thing, write about what you like and what interests you. Let it be your platform to speak your mind and your heart.

Any special promotions/deals/features you have going on: I LOVE being people’s own personal cheerleader and billboard. I am offering ad space at half off (with the promo code DISCOUNT) over on the blog. I use my sponsorships as a time to be your promoter and stalker. It is hard to keep up with all of the awesome blogs that I find, so I like to focus on my sponsors and use that month to really get to know them and their blogs/shops.

And a giveaway!

I am giving away a few of my favorite things!
One month trenta (200X350) ad space
Sour gummy worms (they are the best!)
Coffee sleeve
Vintage inspired necklace from Blue Jay Boutique
Value $40

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Your blog/shop name + link: Brighton Crock // www.etsy.com/shop/BrightonCrock

What can we find in your blog / shop? Hand drawn plates, teapots & mugs and other seaside art.

Where do you find your inspiration for your products: The seaside and Brighton in particular is very inspirational. We live side by side with seagulls the size of large dogs so how could you not acknowledge them! I also love scary films and find their imagery very iconic.

What is your favorite product that you’ve made: Probably my teapots. I use the Pavilion one at home. Makes me feel Royal! I also love making things that make people smile. At craft markets people tend to find the Shark & Chips plate quite funny.

Do you have any plans for future products: I started off painting and drawing on paper and canvas so I plan to get more into that again. I’ll stick with the seaside theme and maybe mock up some tourist posters. I love the look of the ones from the 1930′s done in the Wish You Were Here postcard style.

What’s one piece of advice you would offer to new Etsy sellers: Be genuine. Etsy and any business takes a lot of work. With regards to your products you need to constantly update and change things up. Make something you love and that’s quality and people will love it too. Give each item a story. Then you can work on building relationships and getting your name out there.

Any special promotions/deals you have going on:  I have promotions and little giveaways going on now and again.  Usually on a Friday to celebrate the weekend, so check out my Twitter and Facebook page for updates!

Where else can we find you?  Twitter // Facebook 

And a giveaway!

Signature Brighton Crock plate: the big 23cm version of Seagulls & Chips

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