MEET CAROL OWNER OF TEENYTINYENVELOPES

Carol Christopher Owner ofteenytinyenvelopes 

Est. February 2011

Located in Pleasant Hill, California

I love turning beautiful paper into beautiful envelopes

I started selling teeny tiny envelopes in one of my other shops -- Quirky'nBerkeley. They were so popular, I decided to put them in their own shop. Someday I''m going to count all the teeny tiny envelopes I've made by hand, but I'm guessing it's in the hundreds of thousands.

I really enjoy working with brides, and by far the biggest seller in my shop is custom envelopes that people ask me to make in their wedding colors. They're often used for unique guest books, for guest "advice notes," or for escort cards.

Shop owners also like having envelopes for their customer thank you notes to add a little something special to their packaging.

I offer 40 colors and more than 10 styles of envelopes, including custom sizes, as well as hundreds of patterned envelopes that are ready to ship.

Crafted Wedding Season

I don't know about you, but I am already in the midst of wedding season! I went to a wedding a week ago, I am attending one this Friday, I am in a wedding in May, my husband is in a wedding in June, he is marrying a couple in July and my brother is getting married in November!!!

No this is not normal for us! But it got me thinking...weddings are a lot different these days. Thankfully, for us crafters, more brides are adopting the look and feel of homemade for their wedding day.

For my cousin's wedding in May... we have been making brooch bouquets! I am also taking on 2 flower girl dresses, 2 ring bearer bow ties  6 fascinators, a birdcage veil, a garter and I am helping dream up some very cool centerpieces! Ok...now that I am seeing it all written out...I may have bitten off more than I chew:/ But I work well under pressure:)

I'll post pictures next week!

I have made up a treasury (of course in support of our team), consisting of a few items that represent a more homemade look to a wedding a day!

Wedding Treasury

Click on some items in the treasury, comment on it, share it and favorite it:)

In the comments below, tell us about some Etsy-fied or Pinterest induced weddings, that you have attended or created!

Artist Profile - the BackLoop

Is it spring where you are yet? Alas it isn't ALWAYS sunny in California but hopefully this next profile will bring you a bit of sunshine. Let me present ME! A few people have sent me a message wondering about the person behind the questions for the monthly profiles and - since I have no other profiles in the queue I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself, Julia Akpan, designer and owner at the BackLoop.

Describe your shop.

The BackLoop is simple, beautiful and handmade.  Everything in my shop is hand crocheted and/or knit by me.  Spring is coming up so I'm working on posting more necklaces, earrings, and lightweight spring scarves but what's taking up most of my production time is making prototypes for my new wedding line - lightweight shawls for spring weddings, thicker ones for those winter, bridesmaids accessories, groomsmen hand crocheted ties, hanging garlands for photo booth backdrops -- all customizable.  I'm super excited! 

When did you learn to do what you do? 

My mom taught me to crochet when I was 8 or 9. It was just before a flight to visit relatives back in Chicago.  I made the longest scarf ever on that plane ride!  I taught myself to knit just after my son was born (he's 4 1/2 now). I used one of those Klutz books you find in the kids section of the book store.  I quickly became the resident yarn instructor among friends and colleagues. Having the responsibility of teaching someone else can be one of the best motivations to learn your craft even better than you thought you could.

What are your favorite pieces to make? My giant rose brooches and long spiral earrings.  I like accessories with personality. I like working with really thick yarn and huge hooks...or yarn so thin you could sew with it.

 

What inspires you? I like mixing the feel of vintage patterns with modern lines and colors. I love soft, cozy, and fluffy everything. I adore Japanese craft books.  

What does your work space look like?I treated myself to a trip to Ikea for Christmas and got a bookshelf and these drawers I've been fawning over for a year or so. Now all of my yarn is (mostly) tucked away. But the area where I do most of my work is the left corner of the couch.

(that's my sister)

Where would you like your shop to be 5 years from now? 

I'd like to be selling regularly and often to people outside of my immediate friends and family! I want to be a go to spot for brides who want handmade accents in their wedding but don't have the time or the skill to actually use their own hands. I'd like the BackLoop to be associated with a place to find the perfect gift. In 10 years I'd like to have a small brick and mortar shop that sells my merchandise but mainly that of other local artists and doubles as a handmade learning center of sorts with small DIY craft workshops in the back room.

How do you spend your time when you're not creating? Well, I have two kids (4 1/2 and 2), a husband, and a house with about 1/3rd acre of yard to take care of so I stay pretty busy. I also work as an editor in the publishing world. 

(these two test all prototypes for durability...and enjoy string cheese)

What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast? My breakfast is usually one of two things: fruit and granola with a splash of soy milk OR 1 fried egg on a piece of jalepeno cheddar corn bread; either of those, plus a mug of green tea.

 
Where else can we find your work? I have my own little corner of the web at www.thebackloop.com and, if you're in the SF Bay Area, you can find many of my items at Modern Mouse in Alameda.

Where can we learn more about you?
Etsy: www.backloop.etsy.com
Blog/shop: www.thebackloop.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thebackloop/  Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/thebackloop 
Twitter: @thebkloop


If you're interested in being profiled, just contact Julia A. This post contributed by Julia A. of the BackLoop. 

Wedding Paper!

I'm obsessed with both weddings and with lovely paper goods.  When I searched for both among CCCOE member shops, I was enthralled by the offerings, so I elected to share my findings!

Are you hosting a destination wedding?  Or perhaps your theme is travel-related?  

Hand-calligraphy envelopes for your big day!

I think these "Save the Date" vintage map stickers are just delightful!

Adorable personalized map + compass necklaces are perfect bridesmaids gifts!

Beach wedding?  Look no further.

Rustic, beachy-themed favor boxes with tags.

"Wish tree" tags in a lovely seashore theme.

Elegant seashell wedding invitations

Hmm, where can I find some good wedding banners...

Simple and sophisticated "Mr. & Mrs." chair banners

Okay, not paper, but a close cousin: a super sweet FABRIC banner!

"Photo Booth" banner sign

Or, you just need a good old-fashioned paper greeting.

GORGEOUS hand-embroidered card for your soon-to-be-wed friend.

"My HEART belongs to you."  Get it?!  ;)

Simply stunning vintage-style paper wedding scrapbook!

Whatever your theme or color scheme, you're covered in the wedding paper department with CCCOE!

Contributed by Emily of Anna Delores Photography, who is neither planning a wedding nor gifted in the crafts of calligraphy or letterpress.  :)

Spotlight on....

Welcome to our 8th installment of the Spotlight Series by Sophie n Me.

Today we are meeting....

1. Your First name and name of your shop(s)? Heather, Pretty Paris

2. Day or night job if you have one. I have a day to night and day again job! I have 5 year old twins ;)

I Do Me Too Vintage Wedding Fork Set

3. Where do you get the inspiration for your designs/shop? I love the garden! I love to dig in the dirt, plant stuff, and watch it (hopefully) grow. Love nature and being in it. That is where I find my inspiration.

Herb Garden Vintage Spoon Marker

4. What was your favorite halloween costume as a child? Wonder Woman!

5. What did you have for dinner today? Oh...this is weird. Peanut butter toast, hardboiled egg, and won ton soup?!

6. Finish this sentence "It was a dark and stormy night...." ...and I was in the garage hammering away the days frustrations on some spoons and forks!

We Are All Mad Here Vintage Spoon Flatware Garden Marker

7. Jay Leno or David Letterman?

David Lettterrrrmannnnn

8. What makes you giggle? My kids trying to tell jokes. At 5 they just don't get what is funny yet. Or maybe they do?! After all...it makes me giggle every time.

Chives Vintage Flatware Spoon Garden Marker

9. What don't people know about you? I like to sing. Unfortunately I am awful. ahhh well 10. How many hours do you spend a day searching for stuff on Etsy? Not many during the day...but I find myself up VERY late at night with the "pounce" feature looking at all the shops and the treasures they hold!

Spotlight on....

Welcome to our 7th installment of the Spotlight Series by Sophie n Me. Today we are meeting...

1. Your First name and name of your shop(s)?

Hi, I'm Kelly from Perfectly Paper

2. Day or night job if you have one. During the day I work from home as a clinical analyst for a pharmaceutical health insurance company. Basically, I do a lot of math.

3. Where do you get the inspiration for your designs/shop? My inspiration came from wanting to create gorgeous flowers that last forever. I wanted to keep the bouquet from my wedding and it didn't turn out so well. Now I create flowers that look beautiful the day of your wedding and continue to look great for years to come.

Lilac Paper Rose Bouquet Hand Painted

Pretty in Pink Paper Rose Bouquet Hand Painted 4. What was your favorite board game as a child? I played a lot of Sorry. 5. What did you have for lunch today? It isn't lunch time yet here in SoCal, but I had a strawberry/banana/peach/blackberry smoothie for breakfast this morning. Mini Paper Rose Hair Pin Hand Painted

Fire Paper Rose Bouquet Hand Painted

6. Finish this sentence "I wish I could...." Quit my day job! 7. Deal or No Deal or Who wants to be a Millionaire? Who wants to be a Millionaire - takes skill instead of just luck.

8. What makes you smile? My husband and my cute kitties Paper Rose Pew Clip Hand Painted

9. What don't people know about you? Hmmm...probably lots of things. I have about 2 terabytes worth of movies and TV shows on my computer. :)

10. How many hours do you spend a day searching for stuff on Etsy? Not nearly as many as I should. I usually spend an hour a day on Etsy, some days a lot more and sometimes I go a few days without any Etsy-ness.