Mamas got a new item!!!

So it's not a new item but its an item that thousands of people use every day and I've put my creative finger on it.

Badge reels! <- yes I am aware that was not a proper sentence. Back to my excitement; these reels can be made to order with virtually any saying or initial. We can make them with ribbons, flowers, and even rhinestones! (Can you tell I'm excited?). There is even an option to add charms for an even more unique touch.

Is there anything you've seen that you'd like us to try?

Working hard or hardly working?

That's a thought I ponder on days like today. Days that start win my grumpy shuffling to the coffee pot. Then once I'm coherent the fun starts. Today was a day of ribbons and fabrics and glues oh my. I burned my fingers, stabbed myself, jammed up my sewing machine a few times but at the end of the day I (finally) sat down with a huge smile on my face. I accomplished so much today and am happy with the new directions the shop will be taking coming soon.

Thanks for listening to my crazy ideas, or loving my projects it means so much to have a wonderful community of small business supporters behind us. :)

The cutest thing

Is this picture!!! I found these leg warmers and had to add them to our inventory. They're super cute as they are, but add a bit of sass and personality with team colored tulle to the ankles! If you'd like to order them, use the code sportsfan for ten percent off! <3

I've been slack

And for that I apologize. I haven't posted in about a week. It's easy to get swept up in chores and life when you're a SAHM with a toddler. Today she woke up with a yucky tummy but seems to be doing better now.

I recently made contact with a wedding planner; Kanesha of Tres Chic and we have been collaborating on some great things to come. It's been great to make new contacts with new and exciting people.

We haven't debuted any new products in our store but Jeanine has recently be one a Paparazzi consultant. So CCBG gift baskets now have the option to add a piece of Paparazzi to them.

With Valentine's Day just a few weeks away, today on the page I launched a 'share it to win it'. Go check it out. Share it, perhaps win it. If you love it, order it. It's on sale :).

Rain Rain Go Away

Rainy days make me want to curl up with my blanket and read a book while sipping coffee from a never ending source.  The fact that it has been raining here for three days means I don't want to do anything at all.  But I need to do a lot.  I have orders to fill, marketing to do, networking to see to, and ahhhhhhhhhh.  OK.  I've gotten that out of my system.

So this morning I ordered us some more business cards.  This will be the first order that includes Jeanine's name on them.  The first set I ordered when it was just me and hair bows.  You know, when I started Creative Cuties in February 2012, I just wanted to make hair bows.  I saw all these great bows online and thought, "I can do that".  Well, turns out I can, but not the ones that I was trying to make.  I've got no problem realizing and even telling you my limits.  But I can also tell you that what I DO make, I rock at.  We've grown in one year from just bows to an entire list of gifts and projects and decor.  Next stop, BRICK AND MORTAR STORE!!  Ah that's our dream.  Jeanine and I have been talking about it for a while now.  Ultimately we need to win the lottery, pay for our children's college funds (five between the two of us), pay off our mortgages and start a nest egg.  THEN we can talk about a store and the stock it would take to run.  But for now we've devised a plan.

2013 is not only a year of giving back, but it's also a year of accomplishing things we keep saying we want to do.  For instance, neither of us have ever tasted a Mimosa.  We've decided this is a good year to start.  I've completed 5Ks, but not since the birth of my Munchkin.  So we have set the goal to complete a 5K.  That's personal stuff though.  We have business goals too.  We want to start participating in craft fairs, local market place venues, and work on expansion of our client base.  We appreciate your encouragement and support of us every day.  She's a working mom and I do the stay at home thing.  But ultimately making beautiful things is our passion.  We're already successful because of the things we're grateful for in our current lives.  Everything else is just icing on the cake.  It's a good thing we like icing...

Greetings and Salutatuons

Hello fans! Admin Jeanine here for my first blog ever!
I thought I would briefly introduce myself. As the newest member of the creative cuties team I must admit I was both nervous and excited when Jen asked me to help out with the growing orders and fan base we serve. Sure I have glued and tied and even painted on a few projects during some 4o'clock coffee time, but I was honored to be asked to officially join the team. My first solo offering was fabric tie wreaths and to this day it's probably my favorite project to work on. I look forward to the coming year and all the awesomeness we will create. We both truly have a passion for creating things as unique and special as the people who order them!

*jeanine

Online Scavenger Hunt

Yes you read that correctly. This Friday, January 28, 2013 we will be launching an online scavenger hunt. Here's how it works:

There will be a total of ten question asked. Answers can be found within our blog as well as our Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/creativecuties).

The rules: you MUST like the Facebook page in order to participate. If you want a "free answer", be sure to follow us on Twitter @CCBG_SC.

Question will be posted starting at 10 am EST 1/18/13 and all answers must be submitted via page messaging of email (creativecuties.sc@gmail.com) by 5pm EST 1/18/13. Winner will receive framed monogram with lettering and coloring of their choice. (Prize pictures here). Shipping will be the responsibility of the winner. If more than one correct entry is received, we will use random.org happy hunting!

Tutu or Not Tutu

Is that even a question? I mean, sure we make lots of creative things but are tutus fading away? Have they lost their awesomeness? I think not! Perhaps it's because I have a very girly toddler. Or maybe because I enjoy all thing that twirl, I find the tutu not only adorable but fun! Things like this lavender tutu are classics. But that's not all that we can do. Dresses are fun as well! Check out the green Tinkerbell inspired look! But now we've moved into the age of 'scrappy skirts'. And those are a lot of fun. Very whimsical. Here it's pictured in a University of Alabama theme but your possibilities are endless. Tutus are fun, they're frilly, and they're not just for ballerinas any longer. I've even made them for adults! So if you want a tutu but are teetering on the edge of 'No' give us a call or send us a message. We think our work speaks for itself and know that you'll love it as much as we do.

Networking Hokey Pokey

That's what I feel like I'm doing these days.  Don't get me wrong; it is something that I'm having fun with.  But I feel like I need an assistant to sort everything out.  (My friend and business associate Corey Brown-The Wedding DJ says he needs a secretary to keep his social networking in line...I tend to agree today).  I joined Twitter yesterday.  I'm still not entirely sure what a Tweet is or why I'm doing it, but then again I don't fully understand Google + either.  It is what it is.  I imagine that the age of technology is vastly more effective than paper fliers and mail outs.  I don't gather that I would enjoy those either.  So; on to the networking. 

I've been fortunate to come across the paths of some very talented individuals.  As I mentioned, Corey is The Wedding DJ ( blog found here: http://www.theweddingdj.net/Blog.html) and recently stated he wanted a bomber jacket to wear to 80's themed parties.  This makes me smile.  Partly because he was talking to me about a party someone wants to throw and partly because I also thought of acquiring a bomber jacket and aviator lenses.  Anyway; he's a wildly talented DJ and can offer you just about any service you require.  At an honest rate with professionalism.  Sarah is the reason we met.  Sarah Holder of Sarah Holder Photography (blog found at http://sarahholderphotography.blogspot.com/ ) introduced me to amazing people.  But not only that, she's expanded my business.  And for that I'm grateful to her.  So she and Corey both get the shout outs for this week.  (It was Corey's idea to get on Twitter.  Now let's see if it gets me anywhere.)

Since I've done the networking dance I feel as if I should say "that's what it's all about".  Because in reality, it is what it is all about.  Small businesses helping each other.  I support small business, and small business supports me.  I can get all global and political, but then my mission loses its effect.  It's much nicer to just say 'hey, go check these awesome guys out because they rock'. 

Since everyone rocks and everyone rolls and the world is just peachy these days I think it's time to make an announcement.  No, no one is pregnant, and no we don't have a brick and mortar store.  (fingers crossed for 2014).  Today's big announcement is.............

All NFL themed items are on sale!  (You didn't really think I'd type an entry and NOT offer you a discount on something, did you?)  Today's Blog follower discount is 10% off any regular priced item.  Just tell me "Patriots Rule" and you've got it.  Yes, I said Patriots.  Tom Brady and the New England Patriots dominated last night and happen to be my favorite NFL team.  Just cross your fingers they go to the Superbowl....an awesome deal comes if they do! <3

For now, enjoy your Monday (or whatever day you're reading this post), be kind to one another, and be kind to your bodies.  It's the only one you have-so be sure to feed it good food, good music, good literature, and as much positive energy as it can hold.

500 Fans

Well, we did it.  The page reached 500 fans!  And for some reason Blogger won't allow me to upload any images today.  I swear, some days I hate technology as much as it hates me. 

We've been celebrating on the page this week, because I truly consider it an honor to have reached this many fans in just under a year's time.  You all truly are my inspiration to keep going and to find new ideas.  Sure, some of them are off Pinterest....but I like to put my own spin on them.  And sure, some of the ideas are from the web.  Some of them are even from you!  And you all are the reason that I do what I do.  And it's one of the things I love about my life. 

So to wrap up the week of celebration, today I'm giving YOU a gift.  Just visit the page and either write on the wall or send a message with the phrase "You're Welcome" (cheesy, I know) and you get a gift!  Now, I must put a few terms on this offer.  The offer is valid today only.  Now, today is really every day, but I mean this day; Sunday, January 13, 2013.  And I have ten opportunities to win.  So, the first ten people to say "You're Welcome" in either the page inbox or on the wall will receive a thank you gift, from us.

Now...pause while I attempt to upload an image.  It didn't work.  I wish I understood technology as much as I understood fabrics and ribbons and glues, oh my.

On a personal note, I want to wish all of you a happy year.  So far 2013 is off to a phenomenal start for me, and it's because of so many of you!  Enjoy your families, enjoy your lives, and enjoy your loved ones.  Never miss an opportunity to tell someone that you love them.  <3

Giving Back.

I've decided that this is a year of giving back. Each month the page will recognize a national awareness cause and a portion of our proceeds will be donated to a charity. January is National Mentoring Month and we will be donating 25% of our profits to the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page to help the wonderful causes all year long!

So today I've been working on uploading images of the new lines and products that will be available this year.  I haven't really posted any holiday specific offerings beyond Easter, because I like to leave some things well enough alone.  Don't get me wrong, I will be offering absolute awesomeness for the 4th of July, Summer Fun, etc but I don't want to throw that in your faces before the year is even underway.

I have some things available for sale still that are on a 'make an offer' basis.  In other words, I just need it out of my inventory.  I'm starting a new accounting system soon and if I carry last years stock with me, it will start me off in the red.  For anyone who has ever done any sort of financial dealings ever, you know that red is bad.  So this is just another plea that if you or anyone you know may be interested ina few of the items, just say the word.

Now, the image at the top of the screen is one of a new item.  I have experimented with over a dozen techniques and have finally found one that is the least messy, and yes, washable!  (I have horrible OCD, so this is a big deal to me).  Anyway, the stemware shown are basic wine glasses but the same technique can be applied to just about any type of stemware.  (I say just about because someone out there will ask for a stemware that this won't work on.  I just know it).

Would you like to see more awesomeness?  GREAT!  Here's another item that is new for 2013:

These are great to give as college dorm gifts; last minute I don't really know you that well gifts, housewarming, or for your own style.  They're SO much fun to make.  They can be customized into just about any theme, style, color, and pattern of your choosing. 

That's the thing I love about my job.  I can show you a picture, and help you to create something that's you.  I don't have a store where I have one or two options for each product I offer.  I allow you to be the designer...I'm just the executor.  It's a great relationship we have these days.

Let's start January off the right way!  If you're subscribing to this blog, chances are you heard about it on our facebook page.  If you've happened across it by accident, then please visit and like us at www.facebook.com/creativecuties.  Check out all the great things we have to offer in the 2013 Album.  If you'd like to place an order, as a thank you for being a fan, follower, and reader of the blog, be sure to give the code BLOGJAN13 for 10% off your purchase total.  (Code grants ten percent off purchase total before shipping costs (when applicable) are incurred.  Promotional code expires at 12:01 am on Sunday, January 7, 2013)