Wedding countdown...

OK, so it's been a while since I posted something about my own upcoming wedding...

32 days

I can't believe it!

I still have a huge list of things to do, including making my own hair accessory (guess I better get on it).  I've been fortunate to have made several different hair pieces for brides this past summer and it has helped me decide what I'd like for my own piece.  A combination of all of them please!

Since the wedding is in Las Vegas, the details are a sometimes difficult to get organized.  All communication with the Wynn Las Vegas has been via email and phone and there are limited photos to go by i.e. restaurants for wedding reception etc.  Nevertheless, I'm sure everything will work out and it will be a blast!

We are lucky enough to have 39 guests joining us, which is much more than we anticipated.  I guess this means that everyone just A) loves us so much OR B) really needs a vacation!  lol.

I'll definitely post photos of my hair piece when it is (finally!) done.

Until then.

C

Exciting new opportunities!

I am excited to have been invited to participate in an exclusive wedding show in 2012.  The Original Wedding Soiree is an intimate and interactive bridal show that features the finest products and services from select wedding professionals for the elite clientele.  I am honoured to have been hand-picked for the venture!

Here are the details:

The Original Wedding Soiree

Sunday, April 15, 2012

11am - 6pm

One King West Hotel, Toronto

$20 general admission or $45 "Style Me Pretty" ticket

• check out the website for further information

I am looking forward to this unique opportunity and to have the ability to get my name out there to more brides in the GTA.

Also, I have added my company information to WeddingWire.  This website is a one-stop shop for locating wedding vendors all over the world.  So far, I have received 2 reviews, thanks Michelle and Jill!

Jill gave me 5/5 stars stating:

"I've known Caren for quite awhile, and continue to keep in touch with her, as I now live in New York. Knowing that she was creating hair accessories and the popularity of fascinators, I asked her to make one for me (as I was attending a Royal Wedding Party.) The fascinator came in plenty of time and was the hit of the party. I will definitely call on her again to create a "one-of-a-kind," conversation- sparking SWAG BARN masterpiece."

Michelle gave me 4/5 stars stating:

"Caren made me a french netting veil. It was beautiful and she was very reasonably priced. I would recommend others to explore this option as it is custom made and affordable."

Feel free to write me a review, it's much appreciated!

Swag Barn also has a shop on Etsy.  Visit the shop at this link.

Real bridal shots

I am so excited to post my first photos from a bride that wore a Swag Barn creation.  Danielle, the beautiful bride, is wearing a one of a kind hair piece and veil that was made especially for her. 

Danielle's mother, Marlene, also wore a Swag Barn fascinator to celebrate her daughter's special day.  Don't they look beautiful?

Photos by Sarah Huton Photgraphy - www.shutonphoto.com

Some new pieces to share

It's been a while since I last posted...busy busy busy with summer, weddings, vacations etc.  I have been however, making some new pieces to share with you, including my funkiest piece to date.

You'll have to excuse my messy living room, lack of makeup and shiny complexion in these first few photos.  No A/C in the house will do that to you, man it was hot that day.  This black piece is something I made for a woman who has lots of fun dressing up for parties that the Red Hat Society hosts.  The hat is to go with a Victorian outfit she plans to wear for an upcoming event. 

 This red piece was made for Evelyn, also a member of the Red Hat Society.   Made especially for her recent trip to New Orleans - she requested lots of "bling".

 Here is a piece that I made for myself for a wedding that I went to, so many people commented on it.

 This piece was made for a friend for the same wedding 

(I also made the matching earrings, necklace and bracelet).

 This piece was one of four matching that were made for a bridal party.  

The bridesmaids dresses were chocolate brown so I added ostrich feathers and a brown accent feather to compliment the cream flower.

Here is a classic, elegant bridal piece.  I sell lots of these!

New hair piece

Here is a new peacock piece that I just made - anyone interested?  The hair piece is separate from the veil and is sold separately.

New bridal piece

Trying some different things lately, here is a new bridal piece that I created.  Hand made tulle flowers with crystal centres and white ostrich feathers.

Rain - A Learning Experience!

This past weekend was the Streetsville Bread & Honey Festival - what a learning experience...

After borrowing a pop up shelter (thanks Kerrie & Craig) I happily headed down to the festival early Saturday morning.  Set up went off without a hitch (thanks to Bill & Amy for helping me with the tent).  The weather was looking kind of iffy but hey, a little drizzle of rain never hurt anyone...right???   Ha!  Things were going just swimmingly and then.... the storm hit.  Rain... and wind... and thunder... and lightening...oh my!  It certainly did a number on my display.  The rain and wind were coming in all sides of my tent.  Everything was SOAKED through and I looked like a drowned rat.  My poor feathers!  I wish the battery in my camera was not dead, would have been a priceless photo.

After some time trying to figure out what to do (a couple of hours, in fact) I finally packed back up and took off for home.  I had to break the barrier that was blocking my car from getting out of my parking spot, but I was going home dammit...lol.  I drove home, unpacked my things and headed straight for the hair dryer (upon receiving loving advice from my fiance - "birds dry, so should your feathers").  After quite a while of blow drying my things they looked decent again.  Yay!!

Sunday morning I peeped my head out the door to happily find that it was a gorgeous day and didn't look like any sign of rain.  So... I packed up my things and off I went again, perseverance, perseverance, perseverance... I wasn't going to let the previous day's rain bring me down!  This time my Mom came with me and everything turned out fabulously (thanks Mom, again).  The day was beautiful, there were large crowds and teens and kids were quite taken with my feather hair pieces.  The day turned out to be a success but I can't help but think how much better it would have been if Saturday were the same, would have been my best show ever!

Anyways, I learned quite a few things when doing an outdoor show:

1. Continue to leave a rain coat (or two!), a couple of umbrellas, Uggs and a hat in the car, I knew not cleaning my car would come in handy some day.
2. ALWAYS wear your rain boots, never take them off!
3. Bring a change of clothes (and don't wear jeans when it's gonna rain, they get heavy).
4. Bring a tarp & bungee cords, even if it the most beautiful day ever.
5. Put everything in waterproof Tupperware bins - $39 later I have checked this off my list.
6. Bring lots of duct tape, bring more than you think you need - you will use it.
7. If you follow the previous 6 items and you STILL get wet for some crazy reason - DON'T throw your ruined inventory in the garbage. 
8. Don't let it get you down!  Keep truckin.

Now that I have experienced all of this, it will be the last time I go unprepared.  I swear.

Next Saturday's show is a the Pheasant Run Public School in Mississauga.  It is planned to be OUTSIDE.  I will definitely make sure to check everything off my list.

C