Feature Friday: Vintage Sewn!

Pinot Grigio.  Chardonnay.  Merlot.  Reisling.  Pinot Noir.  Savignon Blanc.  Cabernet.  Zinfandel.  

Wine...which is your favorite?  Mine is definitely Reisling...or other sweeter variations of wine. 

Wine is not only enjoyed with dinner...it is often given as a holiday gift, wedding gift, host/hostess gift, etc.  It is quite versatile that way!

And while there are all sorts of paper gift bags designed for wine, how much better would it be to give the gift of wine in a handmade eco-friendly wine bag?!?

Vintage Sewn does just that, making quality, unique and reusable eco-friendly wine bottle bags!

Check out some of the options at Vintage Sewn:

I love these two nature inspired bags...

 $8.95

 $8.95

 

This would make a classy wine gift bag for the holidays...

 

 $7.95

This embroidered felt bag just says 'cozy up with a blanket & glass of  good wine...' to me!...

$9.95

There are more options too (19 in all) on Vintage Sewn's Etsy shop...click on over to check out the options for yourself!  They are all very reasonably priced, from $7.95 to $9.95.

But that is not all that Vintage Sewn is working on!  She recently added a set of nature photo gift cards.  The photography is spectacular, and a great feature is that the photos can be removed from their photo corners in order to be added to to a frame or photo display of your own! 

$14.95 for a set of 10 cards

Here's what Chantel from Vintage Sewn has to say about herself, her work and how she got started!

How long have you been selling your products?

I started making my wine bottle bags in October, to be ready for a November craft sale. After receiving great feedback, I decided to create an Etsy site.

How did you get into it?

I had a wine bottle bag lying around and when I looked at how it was made and the fabric chosen, I knew I would be able to make them using more trendy fabrics and better made quality wise using more luxurious ribbons. As well, I always kept paper wine bottle bags to use for future presents, but the paper bags always got wrinkled and looked used. Using fabric allows the bag to be reused without looking used, as the fabric can be ironed out if necessary.

Is your Etsy shop your primary shop?  Where else could people find your work?

My Etsy shop is my primary online shop, but I have a selection of the wine bottle bags available at Sheppard Wine Works (Yonge and Sheppard intersection in Toronto, ON).  

What inspires your creations?

The fabric inspire my creations. Finding interesting fabrics to use is the most fun part, as it is usually a surprise what I will find. I then find ribbons or buttons to match the fabrics. 

Do you have an all-time favorite piece?  What is it and why?

My favourite so far is the "Reusable Embroidered Felt Wine Bottle Bag w/ Silk Lining". The felt fabric is actually a pillow case, and i think the the vibrant pink lining is unexpected and contrasts perfectly. The bag is accented with a thin black bow which works well as it doesn't try to bring too much attention to itself against the coloured embroidery in the felt.
 

FREE SHIPPING!!

Vintage Sewn is graciously offering shipping deals to readers of Gonna Want This-Handmade!  If you are in Canada, you can receive FREE shipping and all US based orders can receive 1/2 off shipping on their orders!    So go now to Vintage Sewn, browse her site and when you are ready to make an order, contact Chantel through a message on her site with the code 'BLOG FREE SHIP' so she can calculate a final price for you and work out an adjusted price.

Thanks Vintage Sewn!

Mailbox Bliss Review (and Winner #3!)

We have a winner on the O2 Designs Beaded Origami Earrings Giveaway!  Congratulations Karol (turtle710@), you have won these beautiful handmade earrings!
Respond to the e-mail I sent to you and we can get your prize on its way to you!

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR TTOZ BABY LOUNGEWEAR SET!  CLICK HERE TO ENTER (giveaway closes at 11:00 PM CST TONIGHT!)

Marcy from Mailbox Bliss understands the importance of communicating with loved ones across the miles.  This is why she began creating digital cards, annoucements, scrapbook pages and more - to chronicle the life of her family AND to be able to keep in touch with loved ones far away.  She found that her creations were not only personal and original, but also cost-effective!

So Marcy began Mailbox Bliss to share her creations with the masses!  And what wonderful creations they are!  Mailbox Bliss shop has only been open on Etsy for a few months, but she already has a very wide selection of options!  And the beauty about each option is that every one is customizable.  Customers can change the text, colors and other elements on nearly all digital card designs.  She also has a design-your-own option for an entirely custom created announcement.


Right now Mailbox Bliss is stocked with a ton of holiday themed digital cards (all of the examples shown in this post are some of her newest designs).  However digital cards from Mailbox Bliss can be used for several different occasions, including graduation, wedding save-the-dates, baby announcements, party invitations and more.  Mailbox Bliss has a wide variety of styles as well - from the fun and offbeat to classic and traditional.  You are sure to find one that catches your eye!

I had the opportunity to check out one of Mailbox Bliss designs for the purpose of reviewing the product and the customer service. 

The Product:

For review I chose “Paper Holiday Ornaments” design in a 4x6 size.  I provided photos to be used in the photo slots and gave my requested text.  I was very pleased with the product.  I had no trouble opening it, nor did my e-mail have any trouble receiving the digital file.  I decided to check out printing it at a few different locations.  So I uploaded the file to KodakGallery.com, and the online photo sites for Wal-Mart and CVS.  Again there was absolutely no problem uploading the picture on any of the sites.  And true to the order, all sites said that a 4x6 size will print the very best resolution, but only gave cautions on printing sizes 8x10 or greater.  Mailbox Bliss does offer her digital files in 5x7 sizes as well.  I had a couple prints done at each of the above places and chose both matte and shiny to see what I preferred.  The digital photo card printed beautifully at all 3 locations, though I discovered my preference for the card was the shiny finish.

The cost was wonderful - printing at each of the 3 places varied from .09 cents (Wal-Mart) to .15 cents (CVS) per print.  This means that if you chose to print 100 cards to send for holiday greetings, your printing cost would be $15.00 max.  Mailbox Bliss Designs range from $6.00 to $16.00 in cost, depending on design.  This means that a total holiday card order for 100 cards could cost $21 to $31 depending on design selection.  Wal-Mart is currently advertising their photo design holiday cards for .40 cents a piece...which means an order of 100 cards would set you back $40!  And that wouldn’t include the total originality you would receive with one of Mailbox Bliss digital cards!  EVEN BETTER...many photo sharing sites offer free printing deals for new users.  I’ve already used this offer, but it appears to still be available...100 FREE 4x6 prints from SeeHere.com.  If you used this offer in conjunction with your Mailbox Bliss order, you could have wonderfully original and unique photo cards for less than $20 total!  (I’ve used the SeeHere.com deal referenced above - unfortunately I used it before I learned about Mailbox Bliss!  But the pictures printed great and I received my pictures only about 3 days after my order...so I can recommend using that offer!)

Customer Service

I can confidently say that the customer service I received from Mailbox Bliss was outstanding.  Miss Mailbox Bliss says “No creation is final until you give me your stamp of approval” and she means it!  My first draft came through looking great, but I decided to add punctuation in my text that I didn’t include before.  So I sent back those minor change requests.  And I got a new proof just hours later!  When first making my customization requests, I indicated that I wanted my children’s names and ages to be included below the main “Merry Christmas from the Dressels!” text.  But I wasn’t sure what font, size or color to request for that text.  So I asked Marcy to use her designer discretion with that and I love what she did with it!  I wouldn’t have thought of centering the text above each picture, but that works perfectly (see above)!  The time from customization request to first proof was less than 24 hours.  This time frame may vary slightly depending on when the order is made, but Mailbox Bliss has a great turnaround time...you will not be left waiting for your proof.

If you haven’t decided on holiday cards for this year yet, there is still time!  And I highly encourage you to choose one of Mailbox Bliss designs.  You can have a wonderful, original, unique and fun holiday card and pay less than the leading discount stores on photo cards.  Have your cake and eat it too!

Head on over to Mailbox Bliss and get your order started today!

(For the purpose of this review, I was provided with the product described free of charge to review.  However I was not monetarily compensated for this review and all feedback are my own honest opinions.)

Black Friday Recap & More!

BLACK FRIDAY RE-CAP!

This week there have been several great giveaways...and they aren't over yet!  If you haven't entered yet, make sure to click on the links below and enter to WIN!

Monday was the feature of Mailbox Bliss Custom Digital Card Giveaway.  There have been new products added to this site recently - check them out!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway.  Up to five entries possible!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 11/30/09!

Tuesday featured Baby Peas & Bees with a giveaway of the popular 'Baby in a Basket'!   Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway.  Up to five entries possible!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 12/01/09!

Wednesday, O2 Designs was featured, along with the plethora of holiday themed earrings and hair clips she has available in her online store.  There have been new items added to this shop recently - check them out!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 12/02/09!

Yesterday TToz Designs was featured, along with the ADORABLE children's clothing she has in her online store!  This giveaway is for the precious baby loungewear set - pants and coordinating hat!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 pm CST on 12/03/09.

MORE GIVEAWAYS !

Here are some that I've entered - all handmade artisans, of course!

These are some awesome giveaways being offered on other blogs that feature handmade items as well.  I am hoping I get one of the best deals of all that Black Friday could offer...to be the winner for one of these great giveaways!

RHB Designs features silver handstamped jewelry that is customized with family names and/or dates.  Love the simplicity of the designs and the the power of the message behind this kind of jewelry.  My favorite is THIS ONE.  Read more about it and enter yourself at Etsy It Up.  This giveaway is only open through 12/2!

Ink & Wit is a handmade artisan that creates letterpress art and I love pretty much everything under the Posters & Prints section on the website.  I also am thankful that these creations are environmentally friendly - created on 100% post-consumer recycled paper AND using soy inks!  The giveaway hosted at Kenzie Poo and is for an "A-Z Animal Poster"; go there to read more and enter!  this giveaway is open until December 4th.

Audrey's Giveaway Blog has a giveaway going on featuring "Pieces of Me", a handmade artisan who creates Scrabble tile style pendants (along with earrings, keychains, bracelets, buttons, mirrors & more).  The giveaway is for winner's choice of pendant and chain - and THIS is what I would choose if I won! (though I must say, it'd be hard to choose - there is a HUGE selection and so many options I like!) Click on the link for Audrey's blog (above) to learn more and enter!  Giveaway closes on December 8th.

Mailbox Bliss Card Designs AND Giveaway #1!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  TO SEE THE WORK OF MAILBOX BLISS, CLICK HERE!


It’s the start of Thanksgiving Week - the LAST week of November! Do you know where your Holiday cards are coming from this year? What sounds more appealing:

A.) In the name of frugality, sending out the leftover hodge podge of discount store box set cards you have leftover from years past...
B.) Picking a design from the local photo shop for your photo cards (and getting 20 cards from family and friends with the same design)...
OR
C.) Have a unique holiday card design that is made with your needs and requests and mind and is VERY AFFORDABLE (or better yet, FREE!)

I’m sure you all got the right answer for that one! (for those of you who like to check your answers, the correct answer is “C”)!

Here’s how you can have it!

Marcy with Mailbox Bliss is a talented graphic designer whose Etsy store is stocked with nearly 50 digital card design choices! There are a ton of creative holiday card designs that range from traditional and classic to artsy and whimsical!

I picked a more traditional style with the Paper Holiday Ornaments design and submitted individual pictures of my kiddos to be inserted into the photo slots. I decided on our greeting and Miss Mailbox Bliss (aka Marcy) sent me a proof. Not much needed to be changed...in fact the design was perfect...I just decided to change the punctuation from what I had suggested before. End result:



There are many notable features of Mailbox Bliss designs...but some of my favorite are:

1 - The frugality! Digital files that include a personal photo (or two or three) are typically $14 regardless of whether you choose the 4x6 design file or the 5x7 file. Digital files that are design only (no personal photos) start at just $6! This includes design, revisions and gives you all rights to the file!

2 - The permanence! The design that you purchase becomes yours FOREVER! Though you can purchase the actual prints through Mailbox Bliss, you aren’t bound to. You can choose to have your 4x6 or 5x7 file printed at any retail photo place (think Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, etc.) simply by uploading it to their online sites or putting it on a flash drive and take it in to the store to have it printed. You could even pair your digital file from Mailbox Bliss with a deal like THIS and SAVE BIG! Or you can skip printing all together and send it out as a personalized E-CARD!

3 - The originality! You will not have a holiday card that you will receive from your friends as well...multiple times. Yours will be original, different, unique...MEMORABLE!

4 - The options! Though we focus on the idea of using the talent of Mailbox Bliss for holiday cards given the season that we are in, Mailbox Bliss has options for graduations, moving, baby announcements, save the dates, party invitations, and more. And really each of her designs include a ‘design your own’ element within them - you can change any wording, and can often change colors or other elements. So personal!

So without further ado, a few more glimpses of Mailbox Bliss’ handiwork!

Some of the nearly 20 holiday card designs Mailbox Bliss has in her online store include:






Do you have a recent addition to the family? Here’s a fun two-in-one idea...birth announcment coupled with a holiday card, like these (NOTE: all of these can be modified to be JUST a birth announcement too):



But maybe you have your holiday cards already all taken care of this year. Consider Mailbox Bliss for other announcement needs, like:

Graduation


Moving

Save the Date



Party Invitation

(how CUTE is that little babyface peeking out of the dragon costume? LOVE IT!)

THE GIVEAWAY

Miss Mailbox Bliss has offered a FREE photo card design of YOUR CHOICE to one lucky winner! This includes all design and proof revisions and the provision of the digital file for the winner to use to print or e-mail however they wish! Perfect for holiday cards, but equally useful for your child’s upcoming birthday party or to FINALLY get those birth announcements out, or to get Save the Dates out to friends and family for that upcoming wedding or reunion! So many options - this is a GREAT giveaway!

To Enter:

You can get up to 5 entries for this giveaway. This is how...

The 1st Entry (noted below) must be completed FIRST before any further entries can be made. (NOTE: Make sure to leave an e-mail address that I can reach you at in EACH entry comment!)

1st Entry: Visit the Mailbox Bliss online store and peruse the awesome selection. Complete the entry form here on the blog (below) letting me know the name of one of your favorite designs.

2nd Entry: Sign up to receive updates from Gonna Want This - Handmade via e-mail OR become a Follower!

3rd Entry: Follow me (@bloggymama) on Twitter!

4th Entry: Post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to it. Leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

5th Entry: Make a purchase at Mailbox Bliss and let me know in your comment what the purchase was (I will confirm with Miss Mailbox Bliss!)

The giveaway will close at 11:00 pm CST on Monday, November 30th - so get your entries in now! If you are the winner there will be plenty of time to get your design ready to print, mail AND be received before the holidays (Miss Mailbox Bliss works fast)!

NOTE: When you complete the Entry Form below, your entry automatically is input into a spreadsheet online that I access with a password. It will NOT show up in the blog comments section. I utilize this Entry Form in order to protect your personal information from various forms of 'spybots' on the web! :)

Winner will be notified via e-mail and will be asked to respond within 3 days of e-mail. If the winner does not respond within the prescribed time period, an alternate winner will be selected and notified the same way.

GOOD LUCK!