Posts Tagged ‘Baltimore’

Packaging Revamp … 1st stage

Posted on August 5th, 2011 in blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

It’s a double edges sword for me. While I LOVE , I mean really love cute packaging I also know that my soap packaging probably ends up in the trash, and thus I have trouble designing it. In a perfect world cost wouldn’t matter. I would have some fancy schmancy packaging that didn’t matter how much it cost but until that day I’d prefer to pass on to you a larger bar of soap with minimal and as eco responsible packaging as possible.

Here is the current packaging minus the simple upgrade to the label at the bottom to include the website & new location.

The front of brainstorm number one. I was using cheap printer paper while brainstorming instead of the heavy weight card stock so you have to IMAGINE the white is really a nice ivory. The bar of soap is wrapped in corrugated cardboard then has a layer of card stock (printer paper for my brainstorming session) around it, on top of that a decorative tissue tape piece and a label with just my brand, the scent & the website.

The back has in a much larger font than currently used the ingredients of the bar and other important information.

Brainstorm number two used the corrugated cardboard, the rice paper that is part of our current packaging around it, the tissue tape from the previous brainstorm and the label currently being use on the bars of soap.

Brainstorm number three. Unbleached muslin wrapping the bar, bar flipped the other direction, tissue tape to add a decorative flair, card stock label with name & fragrance on the front. I’m not entirely happy with how the Lana Bella & the Almost Naked are spaced this is where my lacking graphic design skills irritate me.

Brainstorm number three continued, now you can see the front and the back. Still not entirely happy with the wording and spacing. Throwing my hands in the air and thinking about it for a few more days.

Its now been a week until this post I’ve been mostly ignoring it but need to really start thinking more about what I want those labels to be otherwise I think I like brainstorm 3′s basic packaging the best I could swap out different fabrics for different bars or make them fun.

What do you think? What project have you been working on that you may be struggling with?

We’ve moved! and why I’m so far behind in shipping

Posted on June 23rd, 2011 in blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

Rory, Jack, Finn, Aidan & Lexi

Remember a couple months ago when I said there were changes coming? WOW I wish I had known really how much my life was going to change in mid may.  I had literally just sat in the tub for my weekly soak. The time I hide myself away in the tub to soak when I get the chance is absolutely sacred to me its something that makes me feel so good mentally & physically. Steve knocked on the bathroom door, it had been a hectic day I told him to go away. He opened the door instead and came in the look on his face was frightening. I thought something had happened to my gram and my mom called him to break the news for me. What he said instead was even more shocking. “Tara died.” WHAT? My anxiety level not only hit the roof in about 30 seconds but soared up on past it. You see Tara was his ex-wife, the mother of his oldest child.

This all happened literally eight days before the movers were showing up at our house to pack everything and move us to Miami. So in the course of eight days I finished making 65 more pounds of soap for Artscape, rearranged our already cramped too small Baltimore rowhome to store the contents of a seventh person and said person, dealt with emotionally supporting my husband through the loss of his ex-wife and the custody disagreement that followed, researched grief support and books for the 11 year old boy that would now be living with us and panicked.

My entire timetable at this point was thrown out a window. Who knew that just adding one extra child to the mix when we already had four would throw everything upside down. Most days Aidan is in good spirits. The way our household works is however completely different from what he was used to so there are some bumps everyday. He is encouraged by his own health and wellness due to some of the changes.

We will get through though its all been so much slower than I had anticipated and I’m so very sorry for the excessive delays at this point on shipping things. Its been three weeks now since we arrived in our new home and yesterday my husband left leaving me alone for the next 45 days alone with 5 children. We are adjusting. The pool helps.

It’s time for – Highlandtown Wine Fest!

Posted on April 29th, 2011 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

I have to say this was one of my favorite shows last year! I had a GREAT time, between the wine and the lovely gal in the booth next door. This year its bittersweet for me. Its my only Spring Baltimore City event.

The Highlandtown Wine Festival Committee and Di Pasquale’s Italian Market are gearing up the 8th annual Highlandtown Wine Festival — celebrating the tradition of home winemaking. As usual the event will be held at Our Lady of Pompei Convent Garden on Father Petti Lane (around the corner from Claremont & Conkling Streets). The festival will feature a Homemade Wine Competition, Wine Tastings, a Bocce Tournament, plenty of food and music.

To purchase advanced tickets on-line go to highlandtownwinefestival.eventbrite.com

Now for the fun stuff! Come on by have some wine and check out the wares of my BEST friends.

What better for a May Day event than a beautiful fairy crown by Designs by Night

Let's continue our enchanted look with this apple green necklace from Jersey Girl Designs

Of course we will also need to know what time to begin the festivities so we can wear this lovely watch from Atelier Adornments

Back at home where things are simpler we can gaze upon this cute mason jar print from Open Eyes Press

Unwind with a relaxing bath with my very own Relaxing bath salts

Pair that bath with some exfoliation and body oil from Becca and Mars

See you sunday from 1-6 in Highlandtown!

Artscape Baby!

Posted on April 19th, 2011 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

Wow, Wow, Wow! I’m still somewhat in shock with the move never mind that now 6 weeks after we move to Baltimore I’ll be back here in Baltimore for Artscape! I’m very excited to be sharing a space with the lovely Kolleen from Design by Night . So to say the least the next 12 weeks of my life are going to be a whirlwind between prepping for the move and artscape! After July 19 you are sure to find me lounging poolside with my amazing kids for the rest of the summer at least possibly into the fall!

Changes afoot.

Posted on April 16th, 2011 in 101 in 1001, blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

This is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, contemplating, pondering, procrastinating. Each time we move I alter our lives just a little bit further becoming more and more natural. Eliminating plastic, parabens, SLS, changing our house hold cleaning products, food, buying choices. I really should blog more about the changes my family has made to have a softer footprint over the last 8 years.

I will be in the future discontinuing all of the products with fragrance oils. Yes there I said it. I know some of you will be disappointed (including my darling husband) but its been something thats been weighing more and more heavily with each spurt of soap making I go through. To be honest they are affecting my health. I have to strategically plan my soap making days now so I can make these soaps all back to back all in the same day and at the end of making everything else because once I do I have a migraine and some loss of word retrieval. With our move my husband will not be living with us on a regular basis because he will be again attached to a boat and deployed often and I just can’t take those 2 days of downtime away from my children to continue on a regular basis any longer.

This will be gradual. I will exhaust my current inventory of the fragrance oils and I will let you know when the final batches will be coming. On request you MAY be able to talk me into making you an entire batch (15 bars) it will take a minimum of 6 weeks to get it to you so plan accordingly because I will have to special order the fragrance for your batch.

Scents being discontinued and the approximate batch # before they are gone:

Moroccan fig 3-4

Ginger Fish 1-2

Southern Sweet Tea 1-2

Black amber Lavender 2-3

Dragon’s Blood 1-2 (I may have an alternative for this)

Beau Brummel 2-3

Vetyver 2-3

Tomato Leaf 2-3

Pumice Mint Nag Champa 2-3

Graceful Baby 1-2

Thank you for your understanding. Because of these changes you will also see in probably June where you can buy a FULL batch of soap at an incredible price and it won’t just be these it will be ALL of the scents I offer!

Wowza!

Posted on April 15th, 2011 in Baltimore Craft, blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

I had great intentions yesterday of getting out a quick eblast but honestly when the heartsy stuff started to hit it slammed into me with the force of a mack truck. This is pretty much the constant view I’ll have over the next few days but after that I have plans BIG BIG plans!

Orders being prepped for shipment.

Btw that table is 44 inches wide by 88 in long (we have a big family and have both leaves in due to our very narrow home we only sit on the ends and put all four kids down one side on a bench).

What I’m working on- A Quilt

Posted on April 11th, 2011 in 101 in 1001, blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

What I’m working on now is a little different than you might expect. About a year or so ago Lexi asked if we could make a quilt together. At the time I thought it was a little beyond what we had time for but she really wanted to make something so we made her a cute little wristlet.

I was really impressed with her attention to the project. She has even made a bunch more as gifts and wants to open her own etsy shop as a project for school next year.

Well this year she asked for a bedroom update, you know because at 11.5 she’s not a “kid” anymore. So away went the day bed she has slept in since she started climbing out of her crib at 18 months and in came the bed she picked from ikea in a “grown up” full size. So I started looking at bedding and then thought this was the perfect opportunity to make a quilt. We started with some embroidered squares that I fell in love with when seeing them on etsy one day. Aren’t these dresses delightful?

Lexi embroidering a dress

If you want to score these and the other 3 little designs stop on over to the a little sweetness etsy shop.

I can’t wait to share how the quilt progresses with you!

Changes in Latitude

Posted on March 27th, 2011 in blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

It was an ordinary Friday in mid February I was planning for what would be our last summer in Baltimore. Trips to the zoo, the aquarium, renewing our membership to the Science Center. Planning our garden, my craft show schedule, day dreaming. The phone rang it was my husband he told me he sent me an email and go check it and got off the phone. I assumed it was one of his weird jokes that he thinks is hysterical but I wouldn’t (we have very differing ideas on what is humorous) or some bit of news from military.com. I was wrong. It was an email from his detailer (the guy in the military who assigns the jobs) telling us that because Steve was making Chief (E7) he (we) would be being relocated THIS year, and to rank the following jobs (places) in order 1-4 of where to go.

WHAT?!?!? Are you kidding me just a week or so ago we had been told that we were going to be here in Baltimore til spring 2012. The four choices were NOT even on my radar of places to go matter of fact 3 of them were on our list of places to avoid prior to this email.

We ranked our choices freaked out about them all. Waited. Stressed. Then one morning I woke up crying. I texted Steve that I had a nightmare he was going to Key West (meaning he was going to be attached to a ship again). He said he hadn’t heard a thing yet. A couple hours later he texted and said I was right that he was setting assigned Key West.

This means the kids and I are moving to MIAMI.

Miami?!? Yes. Key West is WAY out of our price range to live in a house that will be big enough for our four kids (since then we have also invited my oldest daughter to move with us after she graduates high school in June) and my growing business. Also I just think if faced with an evacuation I’d prefer to already be back on the mainland vs out on the islands. There is just more for the kids and I to do in Miami than Key West honestly. This has its downsides as well though, we won’t see Steve as much when he is home. In South Carolina for the most part when the boat was in port he was home every night. We won’t have that in Florida. With 3+ hours we will have to see him on the weekends when they are home and really make the most of it.

House hunting is bittersweet. I find great possible homes, homes to continue to nourish our family, homes that will never truly  be Steve’s home. On the flip side Brenna (my oldest daughter) is most likely coming to live with us. This makes me soooo very excited as well as the other kids too!

For Lana Bella this also means that other than the few shows I’ll be doing before the move there will probably be a hiatus due to deployment schedules. The irony of this is this winter while I was on my break (mostly due to burn out and illness) I was pondering do I go with another year of whirlwind shows and business growth or do I slow down to spend more quality time with my family? In a way I’ll be doing both. I won’t be doing shows, instead I’ll be focusing with online sales and trying to get my products in some shops and working the wholesale thing.

There has been a variety of emotions through this, still is because I’m still house hunting, still trying to help my daughter Brenna decide what/where she is living and doing for school next year, and trying to figure out homeschool laws in Florida and find some support groups.

So at sometime around the beginning of June my family and I will be saying good bye to Baltimore a year earlier than expected and setting out for a new adventure in the Miami area.

Uncertainty

Posted on March 24th, 2011 in blog, family, Lana Bella by jenni

In our family I’m the worrier. The one with the notebooks of lists. Lists on the wall, in email, on post-its, idevices, everywhere.

My wonderful husband he is the one who never worries about what MAY happen, the what ifs, the maybes. He has been watching me for what seems like forever trying to figure out just how we will “get by” if there is a government shut down resulting in him not getting paid. My wonderful coastie, my spouse, my hero, my best friend, my soldier. He would still be required to work just not get paid. With this move to Miami (more soon on that) looming, our oldest daughter graduating high school this year, four other full time children I am Homeschooling, this my growing little business, and now this it’s too much. Too many financial what ifs and maybes for me to handle.

My stress is your gain! Until a federal budget is passed you can save 20% the code is already active on Etsy and will go live here ASAP I’m really hoping to finish getting the products loaded over the weekend. Right the code BUDGETORBUST fitting right to add to the fun ALL orders over $25 (after discount) will also get a FREE GIFT with your purchase!

Thank you so much for your support of our family!

Even more sneak peeks!

Posted on March 16th, 2011 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

I know things have seemed even more quiet than usual however have no fear I’ve been really hard at work. There will be some more changes coming in the very near future and I hope to let you in on all those secrets soon. For now you can see all the new things I’ve been crafting away for your pleasure!

Sneak Peek!

Posted on January 22nd, 2011 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

Remember when I told you a few days ago how hard at work I’ve been. Well here are some pictures that I took today in the FREEZING out side so this is all she took for today! When I can feel my nose again in a couple days maybe there will be a few more! These will be ready and available soon so keep watching!

Goat Milk Oats & Honey

Yummy rich Goat Milk, Gluten Free Oats (its all I ever have on hand) and raw local wild flower honey!  This soap reminds me of a graham cracker.

Same Eirene fragrance just a photo facelift to match the current image style.

Spiced Milk with Honey

Yum I Love me some chai so what better than some Spiced Milk with Honey soap?

Apollo

Remember when I was talking about that soap I was making while on the phone well here it is! Apollo has Oats & honey with Bay, Black Pepper & Cypress Essential oil!

Lavender Chamomile with Goat Milk

Lavender Chamomile with Goat Milk

101 in 1001 UPDATE

Posted on January 19th, 2011 in 101 in 1001, blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

Ok this is yet another thing that had great plans and got pushed aside in the craziness of what 2010 was! Lets see where I’m at I actually completed a few more things than I expected but probably need to rethink a few as well!

1. Ask for advice and take it
2. Have a Yes! day. 0/6
3. Gratitude blog weekly 10 times 0/10
4. Identify 100 things that make me happy 0/100
5. Identify 25 things I like about myself 0/25
6. Go to a coffee shop & enjoy time ALONE! 0/6
7. Blog 15 times per month 0/32
8. Blog a kid or photo post 50 times 0/50

Get Green

Last garden harvest

• 1. Lexi 2/32
  2. Jack 2/32
  3. Rory 2/32
  4. Finn 2/32

1. Trundle bed for Lexi’s room (she wants a full size bed instead)
   B. She also asked for a new dresser like ours

• 1. Bed
  2. Dressers 2/2

What I’m working on- Spring Soap

Posted on January 18th, 2011 in blog, Lana Bella by jenni

Mixing Soap

Spring soap stocking of course!

Some new things “on the racks” and some old things I haven’t made in a while.

Oatmeal Goat milk & Honey

Spiced milk (think chai)

Chamomile & lavender Goat milk

And a mix up of sorts or why I shouldn’t be on speaker phone while making soap is a oat & honey with bay laurel, black pepper & cypress

AND MORE!

Happy New Year 2011!

Posted on January 1st, 2011 in blog, Lana Bella by jenni

It's Holiday Time!

Posted on November 25th, 2010 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

WOW. I’ve been preparing for what seems like weeks in preparation for Thanksgiving weekend and the sales and show and still I feel totally behind. I’m so glad I took yesterday to get everything made but our turkey taking time to bake with my kids.
Today while we spent the holiday relaxed at home in our jammies watching movies and snuggling I had my macbook on my lap most of the day while I updated photos and added about 75 items to the etsy shop. I had wanted to finally finish getting all the items over here to the shop as well but after all day of editing this is about all I have left.  Though I might sneak another piece of  pecan pie but shhh don’t tell ok.

I’m not doing a huge Black Friday Sale because everything has been on sale for about a month now. I will however offer you my faithful readers a coupon code TURKEYHANGOVER for 13% off Lana Bella Etsy Shop thru Monday 11/29

As always if you want more than one of something CONVO me I’ll do my best to answer promptly but it will be a busy weekend!

If you are local don’t forget to come out to BAZAART and see the new wonders in person.

I think I’m going to skip that pie and head straight to bed!

Jenni

Bazaart

Posted on November 14th, 2010 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was when I got into this show. I’m getting even more and more excited as the date approaches. And nervous. Really really nervous. I’ll be there with fellow BEST mates Jennyjen42, Sweet Pepita, greenstarstudio, and more.

This is what I know.

BAZAART: Artful Holiday Shopping

• When: Saturday November 27, 2010
• What Time: 10am – 5pm
• Cost: FREE ENTRY!

American Visionary Art Museum’s Annual Holiday Marketplace of original creations by 50 regional artists and craftspeople. Painting, sculpture, papercrafts, metalwork, jewelry, textiles, mixed media, and other work that simply defies categorization! FREE ENTRY. And, of course, Mr. Rain’s Fun House will be open.

Location: American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center 3rd Floor. Note: Bazaart shoppers are welcome to tour the entire Jim Rouse Visionary Center for Free! Ongoing exhibitions include the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre automata, Baltimore Screen Painters, Emily Duffy’s Bra Ball and more.

Or if you are like me and need an actual address :

American Visionary Art Museum

P: 410-244-1900

Don’t forget to share this info with all of your friends

You like me…

Posted on November 12th, 2010 in Baltimore Craft, blog, Lana Bella by jenni

“I haven’t had an orthodox career, and I’ve wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn’t feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!” ~ Sally Field

Wow! I have been overwhelmed lately to say the lest. Things are flying off the shelves both at shows and on Etsy I’ve even had email/phone orders.

Thank you so much for all the support you have shown me this past year as my little business has EXPLODED to say the least. I’m making things as quickly as possible struggling at times to keep up with your demand. I have so many ideas of things I want to share and make for you all and hope to streamline some things to fit it all in.

From my family to yours we thank you.

Don’t forget until Thanksgiving eve the shop is on sale no discount codes or refunds needed.

Family Life

Posted on August 28th, 2010 in blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

She has been home for a week now and as much as I’d like to say we have done amazing things and are ahead of schedule I can’t. Due to project reorganize the entire house (which honestly is STILL going on nearly a month later) she has been having a hard time finding and/or putting things away. But she is HOME! I missed that girl. Lexi changed so much over the 6 weeks she was gone, I swear she grew 4 inches and really started blossoming from that little girl I sent away into a wonderful young lady.

Counting Down…

Posted on August 16th, 2010 in blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

Its been a long long summer here at our home made to feel even longer by having Lexi my 11 year old daughter gone for most of it. I didn’t realize/took for granted how much her young girl hands helped both our family and the business to run smoother. It is often Lexi who pulls the products for your orders in a timely fashion because its not as easy to do with a 6, 4 and 1 1/2 year old as one might think. She also helps keep inventory of products so I don’t accidentally run out on something popular or make something only I like. Don’t worry I’m not running a sweat shop it was something we agreed to as part of homeschooling this past year and she gets paid in both craft and money.

The good news is she will be home August 23! I’m so excited so much has changed in our home while she has been gone I’ve been on an organizing, decluttering frenzy. I really can’t wait for her to get home to start school again. There is so much I have planned for this fall sewing, baking, crafting, painting, photography and we will be continuing with the theme of prairie life as well.

In order to spend more time with my family though after the whirlwind spring season I’ll be taking on a lighter load of a fall schedule show wise though because I really missed them. To offset this I’ll be offering more discounts in my Etsy shop.

HOMECOMING SALE 8/16 through 12:01 am EST 8/23 10% off all orders AND buy more save more BUY 5 get one FREE feel free to mix and match you will just get your lowest priced item free don’t forget to tell me HOMECOMING in the note to seller box on Etsy for the discounts I will refund discounts & free items though paypal.

Hey what are you still doing here SHOP NOW!

Confessions

Posted on August 9th, 2010 in 101 in 1001, blog, family, homeschool, Lana Bella by jenni

I have to admit it I’m probably the worst blogger you will encounter. I have these grand ideas of the types of content I want to post, the way I want the site/blog to look, the comments I’ll enjoy reading and then that feeling sets in. You know the one where you panic that what you write won’t be interesting, grammatically correct, will most likely have at least one totally embarrassing typo that spellcheck didn’t pick up because it is spelled correctly just not the word I was attempting, and that people will judge that you are some ill-literate poser who has no idea what she is actually doing. And you know what I think I’m mostly ok with that now.

I’m human. I am a busy and sometimes lazy neurotic mother with FOUR small children at home three of who I will be homeschooling this year. I make soap. I am passionate about my beliefs even if they may seem wrong or over the top. I’m exhausted. I believe things that many won’t agree with but they are my beliefs and I’m done with trying to keep things in their little boxes. So you will see more and more of my personal side coming through here and maybe you will like it, maybe you will agree or disagree, and maybe just maybe you will learn something or be enlightened.

Things have been crazy hectic here since mid July when Lexi went north for the summer I apologize for slow shipping and delayed emails and general forgetfulness. We have had summer colds & stomach bugs and well I’m an anxiety ridden mess most days. I’m working on getting my house/family back on track so that it will also help get the business back on track with some new stuff coming this fall.

Thanks for all your support.