Today is the Last Day...

Today is the Last Day...

To nominate a friend to win a gorgeous SterlingSewn bag. They make great Valentine's Day gifts, too! Especially for people who eat food. And by that I mean, everyone. 

See yesterday's post for details! Winner will be announced here on Tuesday. Commenting gets your nominee one chance to win, and tagging your nominee in each Instagram account gets you an additional chance. I'll choose at random. Good luck!

SterlingSewn Giveaway and Reader Discount

SterlingSewn Giveaway and Reader Discount

Mine is the "classic" size. It has an inside pocket, too!

Hi loves! Guess what! I'm so excited to announce that Rachel from SterlingSewn has generously donated any one item currently in the shop (winner's choice!) or a credit of $75 towards a custom order for one of my readers. Since Valentine's Day is almost here, and I can't think of a better gift for the women in my life, I'd like to ask you to nominate your loved ones to win! 

Here's how you win a tote bag for a friend or loved one:

• Visit SterlingSewn on Etsy.
• Then, post below telling me which SterlingSewn bag is your favorite and your nominee's first name. That's right, just the first name of the one person you want to win the tote of their choice. 
• I'll announce the winner on Tuesday here, and you will email me your nominee's contact info.
• You can also get your nominee two more chances at winning by tagging your nominee on my instagram (@startcloseinstyling) or on SterlingSewn's instagram (@sterlingsewn)! 

Plus, Rachel is offering 10% off for you, my readers, with the code STARTCLOSE10 for the next week! 

Introducing SterlingSewn

Introducing SterlingSewn

I'm thrilled to highlight a brand new Etsy shop with you today. SterlingSewn is the type of store that makes me want to buy one of its handmade bags for every single woman I know; they're functional, beautiful, and made by an incredible mother and woman. Even its tag line is adorable: "Fun. Functional.  Tote-everywhere-able." Come on! I want one. 

Then there's Rachel, the seamstress behind the gorgeous totes and baby slings of SterlingSewn. She's one of my best friend's sisters, which makes her...my best sister? I caught up with her via email recently, got to test drive one of her bags, and couldn't wait to share this with you. 

Even better? Tomorrow I'm going to be giving away something amazing from her store, so come back tomorrow to win! 

StartCloseIn: You're an incredible baker in Vermont and a mother of two, a wife, a sister, and friend. Where do you find the inspiration for creating these beautiful bags? Who do you make them for? Is she also a creative woman, a mom, a business person?

SterlingSewn: I started making bags for myself and as gifts for people in my life. I'm a huge fan of the tote- I love the simplicity, the functionality, the stuffability. The totes I make for SterlingSewn are inspired by the totes I've been using and loving for years. I'm a busy working mom now, but I was a busy woman hauling stuff around before I was a wife or mom too. Everyone in our family has their own tote, which helps to keep us organized because every person's individual needs are contained. I feel like anyone can carry a tote, and I try to design them with enough options that there is one appropriate for anyone. (Admittedly, I haven't really made one specifically aimed at guys yet, but a lot of men end up helping carry bags for the women in their lives, so I hope they're man-friendly!) Some women might keep one in their car for the farmer's market or grocery store, some women might use it as a beach bag or gym bag, someone might use theirs as a diaper bag or to corral all the kid accessories you need to keep with you when you're traveling. Someone else might throw their purse and gym bag and lunch bag all into a big tote like my Hauler Tote so that they're not juggling multiple smaller bags on their commute into work. 

I love the look of your bags- sort of sleek on the outside and bright and creative on the inside. Tell me your thought process in creating this style bag for us!

My favorite color is gray, followed closely by navy. Personality-wise, I'm a well-socialized introvert. I have a Masters degree in art, but I always preferred to work in black and white. The colors I would choose one day always looked ridiculous the next day. I like interesting patterns and color combinations, but I can't commit to having to look at them all the time. I've only ever purchased black vehicles. Having said all that, there is something to be said for the joy that the unexpected can bring, especially when it inspires strong emotion. At my "real job" I'm a Pastry Chef, so naturally I think of slicing into a cake, or a pie, or biting into a truffle. A simple outside sometimes hides a delicious middle! This is also true for people, and all sorts of other things. I love to open one of my totes to either pack or unpack it and smile because of the lining fabric. People should own and use functional items that give them joy - whether they be clothing, bags, coffee mugs, shoes - because that's pretty much the best type of multi-tasking that exists!

The quality and creativity of your bags shows how much thought your put into each one. They're so gorgeous! How do you pick fabrics and fabric combinations? 

Quality is important to me - I am not the type of girl to treat things delicately. I respect things that are sturdy and reliable. I'm also thrifty. In order to keep costs reasonable on the making and selling ends, I buy the high-end upholstery fabrics for the exterior of the totes on clearance and through wholesalers. The lining fabrics are generally less expensive, and fabric-hunting for me is like a mini-vacation. I buy what I love, in small quantities, and then stare at my stash while I'm working to try and decide on pairings. I lay out combinations at the end of a work session or before I go to sleep and then see if I still love them the next time I see them. Since I opened the Etsy shop, I get really excited when a tote gets purchased, but I'm always a little sad to pack it up and see it go! I think that means that I'm doing something right, because I'm making what I love.

What's special about making bags and slings for you? Why choose these to launch your Etsy store?

I launched SterlingSewn with bags and slings because those are the items that I use the most, give most frequently as gifts, and they're things I love making. A Ring Sling is basically the closest thing there is to a tote bag in which you carry a baby, so it works! There are tentative plans to add other items, really put some work into the website, start to blog about projects, etc, etc.  I'm waiting to see what I can make happen (and trying to find more time!) When I'm not focused on specific projects, I end up making a lot of tiny dresses and things like toddler tepees and Elsa capes for my kids, so it's best if I have a plan!

How did you come to start an online business? 

SterlingSewn is still a little tiny tadpole of a dream! It might fail in a very ordinary and unspectacular way, and if it does, then I will try to find comfort in my attempt. I am always sad when someone says, "I always wanted to..." So, why didn't you? Why don't you? There are no expiration dates on dreams. There are obstacles, obviously, but there are also solutions. I completed college and grad school and worked interesting jobs and then later finished culinary school, but I'm still struggling  to find a work/life balance. Having a family has complicated the way I feel about how I spend my time. So, taking small steps towards being more entrepreneurial seems like a good thing to do. 

Who or what inspires you? 

I look for inspiration everywhere, and I find it! I look for color combinations on my commute to work, in the messes my kids make when they pull out every toy we own and scatter them across a room, and in the piles of dirty laundry. On a good day, I am inspired by my daily struggle - from trying to figure out what I can do for work that brings me joy but also helps pay bills to simply getting everyone dressed and out the door! I claim small victories whenever possible. I'm inspired by my husband, who is an exceptionally giving and supportive person who does his absolute best to keep up with my quirks. I'm inspired by the women in my life near and far who remind me through their actions to continue to seek solutions for circumstances that may be less than ideal, to find beauty and humor in the mundane, and to smile through stress. Mostly I try to make decisions in my life that round out the stories of strength and spirit and love and generosity I want to one day share with my children.  

Is there anything else you'd like to share? 

Thank you so much for offering to introduce me to your extraordinary people! You are such an incredibly giving and strong and inspirational woman, and I'm so thrilled to be able to connect with you on your blog. May 2015 bring all of us unexpected successes!

Cheers to that, Rachel! And thank you so much!

*SterlingSewn gifted me a bag to try out. All opinions are my own. And-spoiler alert-I'm going to have a giveaway from SterlingSewn for one lucky reader tomorrow! Stay tuned.

SuziArtist Scarf & Pin Giveaway!

SuziArtist Scarf & Pin Giveaway!

I'm thrilled today to introduce you to an artist and reader who has recently opened an Etsy store called SuziArtist. She knew that I love scarves and asked if she could send me one-and one to give away to you (follow the directions at the end of this post to enter to win a scarf and handmade pin!) I think this would be a great thing to add some color to your outfits-and also a GREAT mom gift. And, she asked if I would suggest a few ways to wear her scarves with "panache and flair!" I hope I did them justice, Susan!

StartCloseIn: I've never seen anything like your scarf/pin sets! They're just gorgeous! How did you decide to take the leap of faith that here was a need for this style?  What is your creative process in making them?

Susan: I adore scarves - especially in the business world. They make quite a fashion statement without the larger investment of individual pieces of clothing if you are on a limited budget. One jacket -say in a royal blue color-can appear quite different depending on the colors in the scarf you choose and the material!

You can find pins, but I never found any that sparked the excitement that a one of a kind handcrafted pin that is created just for a particular scarf does. I discovered a technique that lets me create gorgeous, unique paper. I knew I had to find a way to showcase it. Along with my interest in using oxidized copper, colored foils, clay and Swarovski crystals, the brooches I have created are very unique and can stand on their own as jewelry even without the scarf.

 As a female small business owner, what do you find rewarding or challenging about your business? Do you have any tips for small business owners like me?

It's harder for small businesses to get noticed and takes a while to get going, unless you have a huge circle of friends to help spread the word. Most people recomment using Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and all of the media out there, but for me...I'd never have time to actually make my creations if I socialized for hours! Lol I started an Etsy store, so we'll see how that goes.

 

Who do you imagine wearing your sets? Where does she go? What does she like?
I think age is irrelevant to who wears the scarves and pins! The main thing is to incorporate the look into your individual style. The scarf sets look just as great with jeans and a t-shirt as they do with business attire. The scarves I carry are brilliantly colored and really catch the attention. I get stopped by total strangers every time I wear one ...because I try to wear it with artistic flair!

How thick are your scarves? Can they be worn in the summer, too?
The season determines the weight of the scarf I think. A floaty chiffon scarf isn't as approoriate in the fall and winter as one with a heavier material, but the colors can still be brilliant and go with anything.

Are you excited? The scarf above is the beautiful one that Susan graciously sent to me (here, I swirled it around a solid black infinity scarf), and here is the giveaway scarf and pin along with how to enter to win!

Here's how to win! Earn 1 point for each of the below. Tell me what you've done in your comment. I'll announce a winner on Monday morning. That's it!

1. Visit Susan's site.

2. Comment with something that you saw on Susan's site that you liked.

3. Follow StartCloseIn on Pinterest.

4. Follow StartCloseIn on Instagram.

5. Follow StartClosein by email via the link on the right side of this home page. 

That's it! Good luck!

Wonderfully Made Bag Giveaway! Closed.

Wonderfully Made Bag Giveaway! (Now closed).

Happy Monday, everyone! I delayed posting today because I have some exciting news! I have a new giveaway for you! My incredibly talented client (and virtual blogger friend!), the creative genius behind Wonderfully Made and Ellen J Goods sent me two gorgeous bags that she sewed. I got to keep one-and the other is for a lucky reader!

Lynne sent me the prettiest box-all wrapped up with your bag-and mine.

And more goodies, like these incredible earrings!

I made my husband snap a blurry shot of me wearing both bags and my earrings and hugging my pom pom pillow!

I'm not letting go of the one you see in the foreground above, but I guess I'll hand over the brown and orange one...if I have to.

This bag is beautiful-it has a nice wide strap that won't dig into your shoulder, it's a longer length that would work for a taller woman or could also be tied up if you're shorter. It has pockets and pockets galore!

I love that the inside is a lighter fabric so you won't lose all of your keys and everything else in it, which always happens with my bigger bags!

Here's how to win: gain an extra chance to win this gorgeous bag with each item from below you that complete. Leave a comment telling me which you've completed. I'll announce the winner on Wednesday. You have until Tuesday at MIDNIGHT to enter. Please, please do not leave your full name or email address. I will have the winner contact me with that information on Wednesday. Have fun!

1. Visit Wonderfully Made and leave a comment telling me what's your favorite thing that Lynne has sewn.

2.  "Like" StartCloseIn on Facebook.

3. Post a styling question you'd like me to answer in the comment section.

Feel free to share with any friends you think would love to win this bag!

And the Rachelle D Giveaway Winner is...

And the Rachelle D Giveaway Winner is...

JEN!

JenDecember 4, 2013 at 10:06 AM

Done, done, and that piece is so gorgeous! I hope it's not too late to enter the giveaway.

It wasn't too late to win. And you did! 

Congratulations!

Please email me (startclosein at gmail.com) with your mailing address!

Thanks to all who wrote, favorited, and liked! I hope to do more giveaways soon. 

Please let me know if you make anything you'd like to send me to give away.

Win this Rachelle D Necklace and Earrings-Now closed.

Rachelle D Giveaway

Update: this giveaway is now closed. Thanks for participating!

Happy Monday! I'm thrilled to offer you a beautiful giveaway from Rachelle D.  I contacted her about hosting a giveaway for you all because I bought a necklace from her for each of my bridesmaids when we got married. You can see a few of them on my friends here!. I have never forgotten how beautiful those necklaces were, and I knew that you would love them, too!
 

Rachelle D

Blo Vintage Giveaway

Blo Vintage Necklace Giveaway

Update: Thanks for participating! This giveaway is now closed. Please check back again for future giveaways-or contact me if you make something unique that you think my readers would love!

I'm thrilled to announce a giveaway of a one-of-a-kind necklace from an incredible company out of Georgia, USA. I'm already envious of whoever wins this necklace because I fell in love with it online and have fallen even deeper in the few days that it has been in my house leading up to today!

The company is Blo Vintage, and here is what they have to say about designer Allison Stackpole:

"Through her extraordinary line of one-of-kind lariats, mixed metals, rich leathers and organic stones are blended to enhance the dynamic history of each whistle; each sings with a personality and a story of its own. BLO Vintage has become the line to watch for wearable art."

They truly are wearable art-this is a conversation piece, valued at $120.

"Each lariat includes a vintage whistle - from a beautifully crafted railroad station master’s whistle, circa 19th century England, to a petite, sweet sounding charm-whistle from America in the 70s.  Designed with a sense of whimsy and combining form with function, BLO Vintage offers a truly unique experience for the wearer. "

These are lariats so the ends of the necklace are not connected. Instead, you can personalize the length of the necklace to suit your style.

That's the spot on my kitchen floor where the wood stove used to sit many years ago!

I folded the end without the whistle over the other end in a casual loop with a simple white t-shirt and a black and white top to really showcase the necklace and also looped it around twice up higher for a tighter look.

I'd love this peeking out from behind a scarf during the day to draw people into looking more closely or even with a simple black dress for evening at a party to show it off.

How to win it:

•  Follow StartCloseIn on Pinterest, Instagram, or email via the Get Style in your Inbox link on the right,
• Visit Blo Vintage's LookBook, and
• Leave a comment here telling me a few words to describe your favorite piece that you saw in the LookBook. Please do not leave your mailing address in your comment. I will reach out to the winner on Friday.

That's it! On Friday, I will randomly draw a name from the comments and verify that you have followed StartCloseIn one of three ways. I'll announce the winner on Friday so check back in! Then, I'll ask the winner to send me their mailing address and ship it off (yes, I know, I have to give it up...). That's it! It would make a great holiday gift or the perfect interesting piece for upcoming parties and events so tell your friends!