Minted challenge
I’m judging the latest Minted Design Challenge with the ladies of 100LC for kickass for breakout wedding invitations. With over 500 entries, I’ve picked my favorites here, but need some help narrowing it down to 1. I was looking for interesting layouts, clever takes on traditional invites, quirky details, and ultimately for an invitation that I wouldn’t mind using myself. It looks like I’ve got a major affinity towards “+” signs rather than “&”!! Which out of these are your favs? above: Better Together
I loved Simple Striped (thought I’d love to see it in something other than pink…green perhaps?) and the modernity of Green Love.
left: Simply Striped, right: Green Love
The layout of this invite was very appealing to me because its something you don’t see all the time. above: Mr. & Mrs.
I loved the simplicity of Love Struck, and the modern interpretation of traditional Dutch designs in Folk Frame.
left: Love Struck, right: Folk Frame
This one was completely clever and just made me smile!
above: Picture perfect
[images from Minted]
Minted is a Brooklyn Bride advertiser
Studio Tour: Smock
Name: Amy Graham Stigler
Location: Wisconsin
Company: Smock
What is your aesthetic? Classic with a modern edge. With a good amount of vintage quirkiness thrown in.
How does your studio style convey your professional aesthetic? Its a true mix – modern, vintage, classic, playful, formal, organic, stylized…which is what I hope to convey in the Smock collection. I just can’t commit to one look…it must be the art historian in me.
Favorite part of your studio? My showroom…because its filled with great windows and light. And Smock products. And there is a tiny balcony, which I adore.
Where do you go for inspiration? My “library” which is a walk-in closet at my studio filled with books and miscellaneous ephemera. I also frequent flea markets and thrift stores (in order to replenish my library) and any and all museums. And my morning runs always leave me feeling inspired. Especially if I am in the woods.
What tool do you use in your business that you can’t live without? My Mac and my ultra fine black sharpies.
Is there anything you’d upgrade to? A full time assistant would be nice.
[images from Smock]
Studio tour: Nice Owl Design Studio
Name: Helena Hong
Location: San Jose, California
Company: nice owl design studio
What is your aesthetic? I’d have to say my aesthetic is drawn from nature, simple pleasures, vintage and kitschy color mixes (usually inspired by fashion and home goods) and things that just make me feel happy.
How does your studio style convey your professional aesthetic? My studio space reflects my style in the details. Let’s take my mismatch furniture, for example, that somehow all works together but doesn’t match one bit. Though my walls are a bare white, I welcome color that comes in all shapes and forms that dresses things up. I meet with a variety of clients, so I kinda like how I’m in a space that starts off bare and gets added to and layered on.
Favorite part of your studio? It’s just a blessing to have so much space to be creative. But I’d have to say my favorite part of my studio is my storage shelf. I love that it houses all my papers, materials, boxes i collect, samples and more. I love how organized it makes me (well, as organized as I can be!). Oh, and I love that I have a window to stare out of… 
Where do you go for inspiration? In the virtual world, I have loads of blogs and web sites i visit to keep me inspired through photography, typography and even quotes. But in the real world, it can take a walk through a thrift store, a drive through a small town I’ve never seen before or a walk by a bakery. I seem to take with me something artistically pleasing and enjoyable that later gets put into my work, journal or a sketch.
What tool do you use in your business that you can’t live without? This is a hard one, because there are so many tools and gadgets that help me create…but here’s the short list:
Is there anything you’d upgrade to? I’d love to give my hands and fingers a rest with machines to score and cut my papers, but that’s an upgrade way down the road. I’m happy to be a human paper cutter for now.
Anything else we should know? I’m a pretty nice gal, so let’s connect!
To learn a little more about my business, please click here.
A special thanks to Mark J. Sebastian for my photos.
My Bella Figura trendsetter picks
Had to share with you my picks for awesome invitation from Bella Figura…this year the designers have really outdone themselves with utter coolness. Order any of the trendsetter sample packs for $10 through January 16 and all the money goes to the Conservation Fund! Above is Avion…below is Ribbon.
Above is Ollie…below is Herald.
And I’d be remiss to not include my all-time favorite, Dewdrop [and yes, I'm biased because its inspired by Brooklyn Bride]. It’s been such a thrill to see it develop in different colors, and even a cake!
[images from Bella Figura]
Studio tour: The LV Studio
Name: Leslie Vega
Company: The LV Studio
Location: Gainesville, Florida
What is your aesthetic?: I would have to say…shabby chic, girly with a little spice…yet not too froo-froo
How does your studio style convey your professional aesthetic?: My workspace is colorful, chic, organized and simple…and that would probably be the best description of my designs. I’m the odd-ball artist who is creative, yet organized–insanely organized. if my desk is too cluttered, I can’t start my day. It’s not just a clear mind, but a clear desk that gets me going in the morning.
Favorite part of your studio?: I love my desk space. With the mix of my shabby white desk that I rescued from someone’s apartment to bring it to life, and the simple patterned fabric on my bulletin board, it just makes me happy that my work space finally reflects my fun designs. And I can’t forget the big window right next to me. There’s something about natural light that gets my creative juices going.
Where do you go for inspiration?: I love patterns, fabrics, and new random color palettes. I have found new inspiration in fashion. Fashion is often the sneak peek of what’s to come for weddings, so to stay ahead of the game, original, and creative, I look to the unique patterns and color palettes on the catwalk. Photography is also a big inspiration. I’ve worked closely with wedding photographers throughout my career and there’s always something new or a new vibe to approach each shoot with. My current ‘vibe’: vintage. Give me vintage and i’ll marry it with paper. love it!
What tool do you use in your business that you can’t live without?: My mac. What I can’t always do with a pencil, I can do with my mouse. The possibilities are endless.
Is there anything you’d upgrade to: Probably more space. My studio used to be our porch. So I’m thankful for my handy husband who made it work, but I’m certainly day dreaming of what I will do with the next space that comes!
Anything else we should know?: I love paper. I love how it smells when it arrives from the printer or letterpress studio.
And thanks so much for the opportunity to connect with other creative designers! check out our site for more designs and more information about our new bridal referral program: “Team V“. Not your typical referral program…so our industry friends and wedding savvy-friends are having a blast with this.
[images from LV Studio]
If you’ve got an amazing studio to show off and are in the wedding industry, email me!
Upcoming Events
There are currently no upcoming events scheduled. Check for new events soon.
Browse previous events.
Brooklyn Bride on Instagram
