brownbelle Packaging Right Quick

Now, THIS is how I package each #bowtie | bbelle packaging right quick. #brownbelle #packaging #etsy #smallbiz

Video: Quick Packaging Tips for Beginners

It has been almost 4 years since I started making bow ties on a fold out dinner table in my bedroom. To be honest I do not remember how I packaged the first ties before I took it more seriously, but I can tell you that it took me some time before I figured out what was best for me. I’ve put together a few high-level tips that I wish I had thought about at the beginning of this process. If you have questions or your own tips that you would like to share please do so in the comments below.

Six Quick Packaging Tips for Beginner

//Value: Your packaging should match the value of your product. Find the right mixture of style and function based on the expectations of your customers.

//Buy in Bulk: Money saving tip that can help you manage the overall cost of your product. May be intimidating at first but it will help keep costs down and insure consistency.

//Think Outside the Box: Get creative while keeping in mind expectations and shipping of course.

//Personalize: Thank you goes a long way. Including a short note, using the customers name or giving customers unique coupons codes shows appreciation and also promotes repeat business.

//Shipping: Not the number one priority but definitely something to think about.

//Be consistent: Buying in bulk will help this. If your customers do come back again or refer a friend, the quality should be there.

Remixing a Kitchen Staple: DIY Paint Dipped Wooden Spoons

Remixing a Kitchen Staple: Wooden Spoons

I am a pop of color super fan. When I saw these on Etsy I knew I had to remix them. I've amassed quite a selection of sample house paints from Home Depot which I used to complete this project.

A few things before you get started: Keep paint away from the parts that will be near your food. You can add a food safe shellac top coat if you want, but I would recommend hand washing and still keeping paint away from the parts food will touch.

Let's get to it.

Things you will need

Spoons of your choice
Paint 
Finishing gloss (optional)
Painters Tape (optional)
Paint Brush 

Tape off where you want the paint to end.

Dip/paint spoons or a little of both. 

Get creative with paint options.

 Dry the the spoons on a baking sheet on top of a small long box.

 

They will take at least a full day to dry, but I would let them sit for a bit longer to make sure that everything is completely dry. I definitely impatiently checked the spoons and had to repaint. 

Tada! 

I'm in love with the finish product, let me know if you try it out.

Gift Ideas 
This would be a great addition to a gift basket. You can customize them for many occasions. 

• Wedding gift: Suit and dress themed spoons.
• House warming: Color scheme or food themed (citrus, veggies, etc.).
• Greek Inspired: Paint them using fraternity or sorority colors.

Its a process making new ties, and it doesn't help that I have a million and one ideas all at the same time. I have learned how to edit myself, but I do wish I had more time to just make shit. I've almost decided to just make everything I've ever sketched just to get it out of my brain...we'll see how that goes. Anywho, I mustered up enough time to work on these killer ties. I haven't made vintage ties in a while and I've been workin on these for a few. I previewed some of them here. Some of them are from the box of ties that my friend sent me others are from my thrifting excisions and a couple are just made from material that I bought.

Next step is to shoot a lookbook, which I am excited for. 

Let me know which ones you like.

-M

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

GIVEAWAY // BROWNBELLE BOW TIE (CLOSED)

It's giveaway time! Entrants must like brownbelle on Facebook and follow brownbelle on twitter to qualify. The winner will receive one bow tie of their choice from my Etsy site.  

**This contest DOES NOT include vintage one of a kind and pretied collection bow ties. **

email me with any questions! mariama@brownbelle.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

VINTAGE TIES

Look what I got in the mail! An old coworker helped her mom clean out the attic and found these awesome vintage ties. 

I've been working like a maniac without much time to thrift so this is extra exciting. 

I wont use all of them, but there are a bunch of really good ones. I think my favorite is the Ralph Lauren on the left with the horses...saweet!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

COMING SOON

New prints for gals and gents!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

PREVIEW // BUTTONS

I had this big ass bag of ties sitting in my closet for the longest. Sometimes I thrift ties with interesting patterns that just don't make the cut, but I've been hoarding them like a maniac. 

Several times a year I like to purge some of my belongings, because I'm a freak like that and when your running a bow tie business out of you bedroom things tend to get a little cluttered. A couple months ago I pulled out the old tie bag and forced myself to choose which ties to keep and which ties to donate.

I was left with a handful of tragic ties that I thought had potential to be awesome bow ties. I made them pre-tied for several reasons: most of these ties are geared toward the ladies and they've been asking for pre-tied, several had blemishes on the fabric that I couldn't wash out leaving me with only enough for a pre-tied, some of the vintage ties didn't have enough fabric for a bow tie. 

I have to say I wasn't impressed with the end result. They were kind of just...blah. Missing the character of a free style bow tie.

I thought I could maybe add a brooch to add a little glister and a brooch closure on the back so that it can be warn like a brooch as well, but I couldn't really find any  that I liked.

On my way to the local fabric store I decided to stop in Windsor Button. I often find inspiration perusing their shelves and love their seemingly endless button wall. It dawned on me right before I went inside, BUTTONS!


The Wall!

(source)

Thank goodness for the extremely patient and endlessly cheerful attendant there who helped me search through the boxes of buttons until I found the right ones.

Anywho, I've gone on for much too long. I love how they turned out, might even keep one or two for myself.  Stay tuned for the launch and pics!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

AINT NOTHING LIKE A CLASSIC PRINT // HOUNDSTOOTH

I love prints. But ain't nothing like a classic print... and hounds-tooth is certainly a close second to my all time favorite, leopard print. I found this sweet material during one of my trips to NY this summer, and I am most pleased with the results. 

So what's your favorite print?

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

SO LONG TAYLOR

I sold the last "Taylor". Now don't get me wrong sales are good, but this tie was definitely special. I went thrifting on a particularly beautiful spring day on a whim because I was not feeling very motivated or creative. I was trying desperately to find the spark by cooking and crafting my way out of the rut with no luck.

After a pretty lackluster visit to the craft store I stopped at Salvation Army. I walked by this shirt several times before it caught my eye. It was actually a vintage designer shirt that I thought was absolutely hideous, but I saw the potential it had to be an awesome bow tie. 

These are some of the reasons why I started  brownbelle. I love finding new potential in old things, thrift shopping, and creating pieces that are one-of-a-kind and/or distinctive.

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

GIVE AWAY // A GLIMPSE OF GLAMOUR

 + a glimpse of glamour.

= Awesome Giveaway!

Sami over at the a glimpse of glamour blog is hosting a giveaway of the Taylor Vintage Denim Floral Print Bow Tie made from thrifted denim.

For a chance to win your very own, you must be a follower of a glimpse of glamour blog and leave a comment on the giveaway post.

For extra entries, like brownbelle on facebook & favorite my shop etsy.

Good Luck!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

CALLAB // CHIANG MAI BOW TIE W/ RASHON CARRAWAY

Summer has run me ragged. Now that we are transitioning into fall I am definitely feeling like its time to hunker down and you know...make stuff.I have to admit its been a struggle to stay focused this summer as I've been bombarded with what seemed to be endless birthday and wedding celebrations. However, en lieu of creating bow ties I've been trying to keep myself somewhat creatively active with cooking and crafting when I can find the time. I'll have to share some of those projects here.


I regrettably had not sewn in a while when I was contacted by Rashon Carraway a.k.a Mr. Goodwill Hunting about commissioning two custom bow ties from his beautiful Chiang Mai linen fabric. 


I made two ties with contrasting linen similar to this one of a kind silk bow tie I made a while back.

Much to my delight the fabric was much more amazing in person. And the contrasting fabrics that Rashon picked worked so well. Here are the results.

I think this one is my favorite.

What do you think? Which one do you like best?! Rashon will be on the Nate Berkus show on September 20 wearing the coral Chiang Mai. Tune in if you can! Unfortunately I will be at work, but I'm definitely going to DVR the show. Sa-weet!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

WHERE'S BROWNBELLE?

My apologies. I've been MIA lately (at least on the interwebs), but I haven't forgotten about you all! I've been busy with summer birthdays, weddings, WORK (quarter end madness) and in addition to filling orders I have also been working on the next phase of brownbelle. I've always planned on expanding and right now I feel like making bags and leather earrings. I've been playing around with the size, weight and fabrics while also doing a little field testing. In true Brownbelle fashion I will only be making maybe four or five clutches in each print. Below are some pictures of the bags, let me know what you think!

Shop // Facebook // Twitter

FINDING CREATIVE RHYTHM

I like making things. For as long as I can remember I've been creative. But my flighty Aquarian nature sometimes hinders my ability stay on beat. For me improving my creative process was a necessity in order to begin to build Brownbelle.

Personally creativity is as much about the imagination and artistic freedom as it is about process and repeatable actions. The key for me, however, is not to be defined by the process. I have a small (read huge) problem with rules and routine, even when I set them myself.

When I first started I would make one bow tie at a time from start to finish, but quickly learned that while it’s satisfying to start and finish something in its entirety, my time would be better used if I made things assembly line style. Now I have a rhythm that works for me. This is just one small example, but the point is that everyone process can be improved while keeping continuity and sanity. It’s been a lot of sleepless nights and hard work, but the challenge keeps me hungry.

I read this somewhere: 
Creativity = 1% Inspiration + 99% Perspiration

Good thing I’m Sure.

Shop // Facebook // Twitter