Posted January 31st, 2010 by christine
Last weekend was successful. After printing 150+ coupons, a gift certificate, producing 4 guest book prototypes, and a $150 silent auction matching album and guest book, I was ready to present my wares at the Well Wed New York Show.
Billiejo, my good girlfriend, and I headed to Rochester on Saturday morning. We checked into the Strathallan Hotel off of University Ave., and I left Billiejo to get ready while I headed to the Memorial Art Gallery to make some drop offs.
Well Wed did an excellent job with the decorations and displays.
Stacks of Martha Stewart and Well Wed New York magazines ready to be grabbed by registered brides at the entrace of the venue.
Concepcioun's matching album and guest book Silent Auction donation.
The venue was beautifully set up. There was elaborate decoration everywhere, it made you feel like royalty once you walked in. I quickly made my drop offs, and heading back to the hotel to get ready for the show. Then, Billiejo and I headed back to the Gallery to set up the Concepcioun table.
What a creative way to label vendor tables!
I was a little nervous, because I hadn’t done a practice table set up prior to the show. Usually, that is just asking for trouble or just not being fully satisfied with your table set up. I kept my vision for the table pretty simple, so it turned out well. I simply displayed the three guest books, along with framed product highlights for each, an e-mail newsletter sign-up, and a guest book drawing. Overall, I was happy with it. When we had finished with the table it was around 1pm. We then made a mad dash for lunch… we needed to be back at 2:30pm.
Billiejo (left) and I (right) at the Concepcioun display. We rocked it!
I am somewhat familiar with some areas in Rochester, but not familiar with where those locations relate to others, unless I am consciously looking at a map. Billiejo and I headed down Goodman St. heading towards Main, knowing that eventually we would run into some great restaurants to eat. We ended up at The Gate House Café before even getting to Main. This is a restaurant that I’ve been to once before, and I knew it was good. We both enjoyed a Nicoise Salad, which is my favorite! By the time we finished lunch, it was 2:30pm. Perfect, now back to the show.
Elegant seating area in front of the center stage of the show.
It was such a great opportunity to be in this show, because it is unusual to see guest books displayed at bridal shows. Well Wed bridal shows are high-end shows, so this is exactly where I want Concepcioun to be. It was interesting to see the reactions of brides and their friends or family member’s reactions once they realized what Concepcioun was. “Do you do stationery?” to which I replied, “I make handmade guest books”…. “OH!”
During the show, I left the table (thanks Beej!) and made my way around to introduce myself to other vendors and to visit my friends who also had tables at the show. Rachael, from Pistachio Press and Erin, from Bride Designs were at the show. I am always happy to see them, and they both do a great job with their displays. I introduced myself to Arena’s Florists, who had an absolutely amazing set up… I didn’t post any pictures of the arrangement, because I couldn’t find any that did the arrangement justice. You really just had to see it in person.
Erin, Bride Designs Stationery
Glasses of champagne and hors d'oeuvres were offered as brides walked through the show.
Cute detail shot of tables by the center stage of the show.
One of my favorites, Pistachio Press!
Table Toppers of Rochester did an elegant job with their displays.
A couture wedding gown fashion show to end the show!
I made some great connections with the likes of Brandon Vick Photography (who took the majority of the photos that I posted here), Deanna from Visually Deelicious, who graciously highlight Concepcioun guest books in her blog after the show, and a few others.
The show started to taper down around 7pm, where brides and their family and friends made their way to the center stage of the venue. At around 6:45pm, Well Wed started their couture bridal gown fashion show. It was such a great a great way to end the bridal show.
Couture fashion show, Well Wed New York
Couture fashion show, Well Wed New York
Couture fashion show, Well Wed New York
Couture fashion show, Well Wed New York
I am excited about possible collaborations, an extended network of peers, and looking forward future shows with Well Wed. Things are coming together very nicely for the beginning of 2010. I will be anticipating how this year will turn out. I think it will be a successful milestone for Concepcioun.
Tags: Arena's Florists, Brandon Vick, bridal, Bride Designs, couture, Martha Stewart, Memorial Art Galler, Pistachio Press, Strathallan Hotel, The Gate House Cafe, Visually Deelicious, wedding, Well Wed, Well Wed New York
Posted January 23rd, 2010 by christine
Cancun 2010!
Parrots at Xcaret
One of the many unique and handmade tombs at the Xcaret cemetary.
Tortugas en la Isla Mujeres
One of the great views at Isla Mujeres
The sun setting in Mexico.
Mexican beer in Mexico. Gotta do it.
The ocean between my toes. Feels so good.
After a week in Mexico, I am happily preparing for the Well Wed bridal show tomorrow. I have almost everything packed into my car and ready to go.
The show is on Sat. the 23rd, from 3pm until 7pm at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.
Looking forward to seeing Rachael from Pistachio Press, and Erin from Bride Designs at the show. Cross your fingers for us!
Tags: Bride Designs, Mexico, Pistachio Press, Well Wed New York
Posted January 15th, 2010 by christine
With planning seminars, decor workshops, makeovers, manicures, a Groom’s Lounge (cigar rolling, micro-brews, and pool), relaxing in the bridal bar with complimentary facials and pedicures, the Well Wed Finger Lake’s Wedding Affair bridal show in Rochester sounds like it will be a great event.
Ticket Information:
To purchase a ticket, you must visit our website by clicking here!
Tickets will not be available at the door of the event.
Event Info:
When: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Where: Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester
500 University Avenue Rochester, NY
Website: www.aweddingaffair.com
Each Ticket Includes:
• A Gift Box filled with over $100 worth of goodies (one per couple)
• A copy of Martha Stewart Weddings and Vermont Vows / WellWed
• Complimentary seminars & Workshops with industry experts
• Complimentary Hors d’oeuvres, champagne, cake tastings, wine tasting, cigar rolling, and other fine delectables
• An opportunity to win a Gift Certificate Bouquet with upto $8,000 of Gift Certificates (featuring certificates for: Spa Services, Restaurants, Event Rentals & more…)
• The chance to participate in our silent auction featuring up to $10,000 worth of jewelry & gifts (to benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation).
Concepcioun will be a vendor at this show! There will be 15% off coupons any only wedding guest book order to all bridal guests, a chance to win a free custom wedding guest book from the Gift Certificate Bouquet, a drawing for a free guest book, and a chance to see the new 2010 products in person.
I am looking forward to the show. See you there!
Tags: A Wedding Affair, bridal show, Finger Lakes, NY, Rochester, Vermont Vows, Well Wed
Posted January 9th, 2010 by christine
Per usual, I was browsing my routine stops on the internet. I was pleasantly surprised to see Concepcioun listed as one of BravoBride’s favorite “Websites We Love” in the right column of their blog.
Whoop Whoop! Thanks BravoBride!
Tags: blog, bravo bride, bridal, wedding
Posted December 18th, 2009 by christine
I received a couple inquiries this week about my 2010 wedding guest books. It was curious to me to get inquiries about my guest books, since I haven’t been promoting these books as of late. To my surprise, one of my potential customers let me know that Concepcioun had been mentioned on Daily Candy!
Daily Candy Chicago posted an article about small gifts for the holiday: Spendsetter, 2009 Little Luxuries Gift Guide. I am especially happy that they marketed my felt notepads as a gift to buy for a male. This is great because I am making moves towards a more unisex marketing approach to the felt products that I am, and will be, selling. To have a high-traffic blog like Daily Candy pick up on that move is motivating.
Holiday shopping for your "fine" man, on Daily Candy
Tags: Daily Candy, Daily Candy Chicago, felt notepad, He's So Fine, little luxuries, spendsetter
Posted December 17th, 2009 by christine
Syracuse First is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the city of Syracuse, NY prosper by the community investing into itself.
The city has designated Nov. 27- Dec. 6 2009 as Shop Syracuse Week. Concepcioun, as well as many other small businesses located in Syracuse have been listed on their website. So if your shopping for the holidays, be sure to check out your locally owned businesses before you head out to the mall.
Think local. Buy local. Be local.
Tags: buy local, NY, Shop Syracuse, small business, Syracuse, syracuse businesses, Syracuse First
Posted December 2nd, 2009 by christine
Over the past month, I have been working diligently to prepare for the Second Storie } Indie Market in Rochester. Approximately 500-600 1100 visitors ventured through the two-day event, and over 30 vendors were selling their handmade goods at the show.
On Friday, there was a premiere of the independent film Handmade Nation. Prior to the show, there was a panel discussion. However, I missed the panel discussion, and came in just before the filming began.
Saturday, we all set up our tables at our 9am check-in. All of us were buzzing away at setting our stuff up and were busy the rest of the day selling. My table was the first vendor to see as visitors walked through the entrance of the event. Next to me was Katie Sallander and her fiancé, selling their patterned copper cuffs, earings, coasters, and necklaces. Kitty corner to me, was my friend Tara Hogan, who I have been seeing often at the shows I’ve started selling at. It is nice to see a familiar face from Syracuse.
On Sunday, prior to the doors opening for customers, there was a nice brunch set up for the vendor group. This luncheon was a great chance to see the work of all the other vendors that were participating, and to meet the other artisans as well. Everyone that participated in the event were extremely nice and super creative. It was truly a special group of people. I was honored to be a part of it all.
One of the great opportunities during our luncheon on Sunday was the chance to make some trades. I acquired some lovely items from Katie Sallander, Kala Stein, baldufington, Spot On Designs and Mani Designs. I kept almost everything for myself, despite that fact that it is the holiday…. I couldn’t help it! I loved all the handmade goods that were at the show. There were so many creative things, I probably could have traded everything at my table and I wouldn’t have felt one ounce of guilt.
Kudos to Shanna, JoAnn, Karen, Cris, and Rachael for putting on such a great show.
The view of the show from my table.
I made some improvements to my table display. Looking good, if I do say so myself.
My neighbor Katie and her awesome display of copper and silver jewelry.
Second Seed
Second Seed
Photosynthesis. Wish I made a trade at this table!
Stationery by Pearl & Marmalade
Other vendors at the show.
Shana Murray
Vicki Hartman Ceramics
Secret Pocket
Vintage Refashioned
Spot On Designs, absolutely amazing stuff.
Ceramics by Kala Stein
Tags: Baldufington, Handmade Nation, Imaginary Monsters, Ink, Ink + Wit, Kala Stein, Katie Sallander, Mani Designs, Marlene Heuer Illustration, Pearl & Marmalade, Photosynthesis, Pidge Pidge, Second Seed, Second Storie } Indie Market, Secret Pocket, Shana Murray, Spot On Designs, Tara Hogan, Vicki Hartman Ceramics
Posted December 2nd, 2009 by christine
Letterpressed guest books coming in 2010!
For 2010, there are some new and improved changes to my guest books. I will be introducing three product lines. Each guest book will be customizable is some form, whether it be ribbon color, fabric color, or some other detail.
One of the products that I plan to offer to brides will be a limited edition letterpressed guestbook. This book is/will be simple, elegant, sophisticated, archival, and best of all, eco-friendly. Printing was done by Dock 2 Letterpress in Rochester.
I am excited about the changes that are happening with Concepcioun. 2010 will be a successful year.
Tags: custom wedding guestbooks, Dock 2, letterpress, letterpressed guestbooks, limited edition letterpress
Posted December 1st, 2009 by christine
I was approached by Erin in June (2009) to create a custom wedding guest book for her wedding in August. She was generous enough to share some of her photos from that special day. Thanks Erin!
Her accessories: hairpiece, earings, and bracelet were handmade!
The cute couple. Awwwww.
Lemon cookies were made by Erin using a family recipe. Yum.
For favors, Erin made Italian lemon cookies with my grandmother (a family recipe that seems to keep everyone happy and asking for more). She froze the cookies in batches and frosted them the day before the wedding. They were wrapped in packs of two in clear envelopes, closed with ribbon and a monogram seal. Cookies were put out with the dessert station for a sweet send-off.
Candles present guests to their appropriate tables. Very clever.
Georgia Pantazopoulos and Bruce Thatcher photographed the wedding.
Love this colorful bridal bouquet created by Cymbidium Floral.
Soiree Stationery designed and printed the invitations.
The couple worked with Soiree Stationery, a small upscale stationary store in Andover, to design their invitation set. The paper for the invites was purchased from Envelopments.
Erin and Matt's custom guest book to match their invites and color palette.
Each page of their custom guest book had a vellum envelope for a polaroid photo and space for their special guests to write their well wishes.
Venue – Flag Hill Winery
DJ – Solid Gold Productions
Florist – Cymbidium Floral
Photographers – Georgia Pantazopoulos and Bruce Thatcher (both freelance)
Accommodations – Silver Fountain Inn
Invitations – Soiree Stationery
Tags: Cymbidium Floral, Flag Hill Winery, Silver Fountain Inn, Soiree Stationery, Solid Gold Productions
Posted November 4th, 2009 by christine
Concepcioun will have a table at the Second Storie } Indie Market and the Wedding Affair show.
Coming up this month, Concepcioun will be one of 30 vendors at the Second Storie } Indie Market in November. In addition, Concepcioun will be at the Finger Lakes Wedding Affair show in January. Both shows will happening in Rochester.
As a way to drum up business for Concepcioun, the Wedding Affair New York, and Second Storie, Well Wed Magazine (the Wedding Affair’s host company) has featured the Second Storie } Indie Market on their events page.
Be sure to check out both shows this season!
Tags: bridal show, Finger Lakes Wedding Affair, Rochester, second storie, Second Storie } Indie Market, Weddings New York, Well Wed
