Vintage Postage for Wedding Invitations

I sent out wedding invitations earlier this week.  I'm glad to be rid of them.  I've had all the components for the invitations sitting in a box for *months*, all sad and in the dark.  Now they are free!! :) 

In going with my blue wedding theme, I decided to splurge on vintage postage in a variety of shades of blue.  A word of advice to anyone that wants to stick a pile of stamps on an envelope: MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR IT.  Like an idiot, I addressed most of the envelopes before I laid out the postage on the envelope, so I didn't factor in how much space it would take up.  Oh, it probably didn't help that my envelopes were pretty small (5.5" x 4.5").  So, see how the stamps will fit on the envelope before you start addressing them!  Luckily, I only had to redo about half of the envelopes...

Oh! And because I am so excited that The Big Day is less than 2 months away, free shipping on all orders for 24 hours. Starting....NOW! (3:00pm EST) Use coupon code TWOMONTHS to receive free shipping off your entire order.

Get Your Map On! Part 4!

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet*, there is no telling where you might be swept off to."

The Lord of the Rings
Frodo about his uncle Bilbo Baggins, Chapter 'Three is Company'.


*During a recent trip to Key West, a version of this quote from The Fellowship of the Ring movie was our motto.

Straightline

Of The Fountain was recently included in the February 2012 issue of Straightline!  This monthly women's publication from Andrews Kurth LLP caters to female lawyers.  Being that I stay home and "craft" all day for a living, I found it pretty neat (and slightly intimidating) to see my work in such a periodical.

In this issue, a set of tags were included in a travel accessories guide.  Alongside the tags were some modern luggage with traditional aesthetics, a tasseled organizer to hold travel documents, and foldable travel flats.

Yay!  =)  I'm kind of in love with that Steamline luggage...

Wedding Jewelry: Earrings + Necklace

Before Christmas 2011 I ventured back to my homeland - North Georgia - to spend a little time with family.  It was during this trip that I had hoped I would find the jewelry I'd wear on The Big Day.  My late grandmother was very much into jewelry, so I assumed that there would be gobs of different vintage pieces that would work for me to wear during the wedding.  However, it appeared that this was not the case.  I was quite heartbroken as I was looking forward to wearing something of hers on such a special day.  Since I still wanted vintage, "glam" jewelry, I set out to find me something to stick in my ears that looked pretty.

After a scary amount of time on Etsy, I fell in love with a parure that met all my requirements - it was sparkly and unique and fabulous!  However, it was waaay out of my budget (remember, I was hoping to borrow jewelry, not actually pay money for anything).  I stalked this necklace and earring set for weeks.  On Christmas Eve I noticed that it had been marked down by $40.00.  I took that as a sign that I was meant to have it, and after consulting various family members across a few states, I bought it.  I had never spent money on jewelry before (besides at Claire's when I was 13), so this was kind of a big deal for me!

Here are my newest babies! (My wedding dress is my first born.)

I got them from Orange and Blossom and have been so happy with them! (I try them on at least once a week.) 

But then, I started to get what I will call bride brain.  While I love the crap out of this jewelry I bought, I began to wonder if it was too much - as in too much bling.  Will it distract from my dress and my face and my hair-do???  But, then on the other hand I felt, Hay - It's my weddin' day and I'll wear whatever the hell I want to - even if it totally clashes with my dress (hint: my dress isn't plain white with no ornamentation...).  So, I developed a compromise.  I will wear these lovely earrings and this lovely necklace, but my Maids of Honor will wear some sparkly vintage jewelry, too, so I don't feel all alone with my blinged-out  self.

Since it was my weird compulsion that now required my 2 ladies to have this specific kind of jewelry, I thought it only fair that I buy these items for them.  Below are their choices.  It had looked as though one of their picks might not work out, so I bought a back up pair (that I may now give to my Jr. Bridesmaid so she can rock the vintage look as well). 

 from Vintage Jewelry Alcove

 from Mimis Vintage Shop

 from Circa Design

When I first went on this earring quest to find big, glam earrings for my bridal party, I briefly considered newly made jewelry.  After looking at a few stores, I found that I didn't like the bright metals and swarovski crystals used in modern day (affordable) bridal jewelry.  I just prefer the patina found on vintage metal and the sparkle of the old rhinestones.  Though, it may just be the memory of my grandmother that makes vintage jewelry so much more special to me.

Introducing: Petite Leather Tags and Initial/Monogram Tags AND a New Font!

One of my goals for Of The Fountain in 2012 is to introduce a few new items.  At this time I am excited to offer 2 new custom tag sets.

First up is the adorable Petite leather tag! These cute lil' guys measure 2" x 1" and offer just enough room for a brief sentiment.  They are the perfect accessory for honeymoon luggage, a person, or perhaps a laptop case.

Also new to the shop are simple initial/monogram tags.   For someone that wants a simple look, here is your tag!

 Initial tag with new font (Font E).

I guess I am also semi-introducing the newest font at Of The Fountain: Font E! Yes, I do have a way with naming my fonts.  It just comes to me. I have a gift.  I haven't yet added the visual of this option to all my listings, but it is available!  See how it compares in size to the other fonts:

From the initial/monogram tag listing.

Wow! It is kind of beast.  I don't know how practical this font will be.  But if anyone ever needs it, it will be there...


I am hoping to reveal one more new item in the next few months. Hint: It is not a leather tag. It's a...well, I guess it would be classified under housewares?  Well, it is leather and can be customized.  I'm still working on different prototypes so it may be a little bit before it makes an appearance.

As You Were

This is the least dorky picture of myself taken in the last few months.  :(

I am so happy to say that the shop is now taking on more orders for custom leather tags and key chains!  After the past month of fulfilling orders placed in reponse to the Country Living article, I can say that I have learned a thing or two about maintaining and increasing productivity! Oh yes.*

*I was recently exposed to Old Bitty Grandma via Regretsy.  I kind of love her. Like, I want to print out her face and tape it in my work space and/or have this video running on a loop constantly.  I told my future husband guy that I really wanted him to order a video from her for me for a Valentines Day/Wedding/Birthday/Christmas present.  We'll see if that actually happens...


Also! A few new items will be making their debut in the shop in the next day or so - 2 new tags sets!  Stay tuned for a separate post for these new listings that will arrive shortly.

In case the shop becomes as busy as it was a month ago, I must advise anyone wanting tags before May to place their order as soon as possible.  I will only be taking a limited number of orders at this time, as I want to have all orders completed and shipped out before I leave New England to head down South for my wedding in April. Eeek, less than 3 months!

Wait, Again? Really? Again?

Wow! So, the response I've received from the Country Living article is more than I ever could have anticipated!  I reopened after Christmas break on January 3rd, and now a week later I am finding it necessary to close my shop again!  I feel so unprofessional.  However, I now have hundreds of orders that have been placed in the last 7 days, and I do not feel comfortable continuing to take orders with the wait time stretching out ever further...

So, my solution (if you could even call it that) is to close shop on January 13th, work on finishing all the pending orders, stock up on more supplies, and then reopen with a clean slate in mid-February.  I understand that this is lame and inconvenient, and I am quite sad and sorry to have to do it.  :(

To keep you mildly occupied, I do have a preview of some new things for Of The Fountain that will be coming in the next month:

A new font!

A new tag size - adorably Petite!

.......and unrelated to Of The Fountain, but dear to me, more pictures of my demon baby! (I'm a Cat Mom. It's kind of required that I do this. Or I perhaps have a sickness.)  When we first brought him home from the Cattery, his paws were all floppy like in this picture and I thought something was wrong with him.

Aw, I got all happy talking about Pooper and forgot about the point of this post! :(  Now I remember: I am going to have to go away for a while.  Well, 5 feet away from where I currently am typing, to my work table, where I will work for the next month finishing up all the orders placed in this last week.  Custom orders shall return in mid-February.  I'll still be available through email: brandy[at!]of-the-fountain.com

Country Living Magazine

Yay!! Last night I was finally able to get my future husband guy to accompany me to the Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy of Country Living (yes, I am perfectly capable of driving myself, but it was a dark and scary night!).  I am so thrilled with how it turned out! :)  I assumed the tag would be on a page with tons of other products, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had it's own little section - near Annie Leibovitz!

Some Simple Sentiments

Taking a Break

The holidays are over (or almost over...), so it is time for me to bring things back into gear!  My better half and I (along with our demon baby) just returned from a 2 week journey to visit family in Georgia and Florida.  In just the past ten days we have put over 3000 miles on our car.  Now that we are back in our own home and don't have a cat meowing/howling loudly in our face as we drive, it feels great to be back!

 

Regular tree is covered with paper origami cubes with lights stuck in them with a paper origami owl sitting haphazardly atop the tree.  Sadly, the cat did not feel inclined to nest in the tree, or pay it any attention at all.  I was hoping he would climb into the tree and when I walked by he would "meow" at me all cute-like, but that dream did not come true. :(

I guess I'll be putting up the Christmas trees in the next few days. Last Christmas my Mim (mother) bought me a pink tree, and at the time I was a little confused as to why she felt compelled to buy me a tiny pink Christmas tree.  However, after putting it up sans ornaments, I have come to *love* the little pink tree!  It is just so pretty and bright!

Before our first Christmas together in 2009, my future husband guy and I decorated our own stockings.  He loves Cthulhu. I adore Salad Fingers.  While we decided to not do gifts or fill stockings this year (we went to Universal/Wizarding World of Harry Potter instead of buying each other gifts), I still felt it necessary to hang up the stockings we made during the early years. :)

Now that a very nice break has come to an end, it is time for productivity to resume!  The shop will reopen on January 3rd with all of its regular custom stamped wares.  In the meantime, I shall begin the super scary thing known as taxes. A pain, but such a necessity. Alas, I am the 53%!

Rasputin's Holiday Emporium

Last minute shopping? Me, too! But where to get the perfect gift for those who have everything???
I know! Why not try...

 This quaint little shop has it all!  A variety of products and services abound!

Also, you can't beat the prices!  Everything is **FREE**!  Rasputin is eager to move this product, so he's passing on the savings to you, the customer!

Deconstructed toilet paper, mice toys without tails, and cat food crumbs are just a few of the products that this wholesome boutique offers!

Scratches, bites, a showing of flips and leaps, loud "meows" in your face, and utter destruction are merely a sampling of the services Monsieur Rasputin can provide.  If an evil hairless cat can do it, Rasputin is happy to oblige - and always for **FREE**!!

Also, since this catty is so ready to make you a loyal customer of the Holiday Emporium, all confirmed orders include free delivery.  Yes - Rasputin will bring your product/service to you, (as long as you are less than 10 feet away).

Come on down, y'all!  ::waves::  

( a sorry attempt at making him wave...)

In more possible relevant news....custom leather tags and key chains will return to the shop in early January.  I will be spending the last two weeks of December driving from Boston to Orlando to visit my future in-laws (with a pit stop in Atlanta to pick up a lil' marriage license!).  The demon baby from above will be sitting in my lap the whole ride.  :(   

Anyway, Happy Holidays!