Lunar eclipses makes me think

Could my headband obsession have anything to do with my not being able to find a new hair stylist and subsequent decision to grow out my hair? Hmmm... odd. Yet, not.

I finally was able to come up with a way of making the wide headbands that I covet (and know you do too!). In the past, I've always run into the same problems: 1-The wider the headband, the more the ends near your ears will stick out. 2-Lots of the wider headbands are created using wider headband forms (no kidding!) but the way the forms are manufactured, they close in much more and pinch your head, hence the dreaded Headband Headache. 3-Many of my competitors make wider width headbands but they look cheaply made: exposed backing threads, uncovered headband forms, poorly finished ends. Well, I've managed to solve all 3 issues which means super cute wide headbands are on their way!

My camera USB chord is mysteriously MIA so I can't share the preview pics or upload anything to my site, but I'm working on it.

I am out to end the Headband Headache -- one headband at a time!

Preppy.... cows??

While researching something completely unrelated, I came across this darling little cow that I just had to share with someone. I want to thank Gayle Young, the wonderful artist, who is responsible for bringing this slice of preppy goodness into our lives. And just read this blurb on Fun to Collect:

Don't mistake this cow for your ordinary high school prepster. She's preppy royalty and her kingdom spans the likes of popped collars, pearl earrings and plaid skirts. Whether at a polo match or on the golf course, she's always high class!

Priceless! While I certainly can appreciate her little grosgrain bow, I have to ask... where is her ribbon belt?! I guess she'll still get preppy points for her ribbon watch and matching flip flops! I think I may have to create a pasture for her in my studio!

Totally Indie is, like, totally cool!

The Creative Cupcake recently participated in a wonderful independent designer and business collective called Totally Indie. 40 of us have created coupon booklets with exclusive discounts to entice you to spend your shopping dollars with indie companies rather than supporting the big guys. The coupon booklets are available exclusively through the 40 designers participating, so look for one next time you place an order with us!

Preppy Puppy Collars... Big or Small

Maybe it is because Mr. Cupcake and I have been starting to make preparations for our own preppy puppy, but I have been seeing adorable doggie duds everywhere! I'm fighting as hard as I can to not buy out each shop before we even get out little guy (or girl), but I don't know how much longer I can hold out on Big Dog Boutique.

Lindsay carries tons of ribbon and trim choices -- some that even match our own accessories! Shop your heart out guilt free since who can resist matching your dog? After all, you're going to start to look alike eventually and you might as well do it in style!

Come out, come out, wherever you are

I'm starting to think that I enjoy my little peeks into the life of a hermit. For reasons clear only to itself (and not for the faint of heart readers of this blog), my body has decided to throw one thing after another out of wack in rapid sucession. I've had no energy and even less desire to leave the comforts of my home and, more importantly, my yoga pants. In my odd humor, I think it's because I decided to start a new workout regimine a few weeks ago and my body freaked out. Realistically, not so much.

So I emerge from my lair and am genuinely excited about what is to come in the next few months with the business. Chic new designs. Fun new preppy ribbon patterns. The return of one-of-a-kind, preppy inspired jewelry! Stay tuned to your emails and the blog for more information.

In other news -- Brandy over at Indie Obsession gave us a little hello last week with a mention of our Black Scroll French Headband, so we wanted to say "Hi" back and invite you all to visit her little corner of the blog world. We're big fans of many of the indie shops she writes about, too!

Traveling Fool: 2006 Edition

Inspired by Melissa's (of May December) post and still not believing that I now live halfway across the country, I came up with my own list of places I've traveled during 2006 (using NYC/Northern NJ as home) :

Newark, DE
Lanoka Harbor, NJ*
Atlantic City, NJ*
Philadelphia, PA
Washington, DC
Richmond, VA
Baltimore, MD
Dallas, TX*
San Antonio, TX
Hamburg, NJ**

I'll use Mel's system, where one or more days were spent in each location and cities marked with * were visited multiple times on non-consecutive days.

This year will hopefully see a boost in the non-East Coast spots. How about you -- what was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?

The Year of the Headband: Part III

I am almost done completely re-organizing the headband section of the website. I still have a few last preppy styles to list, basic stripe and preppy icon styles to make, photograph and list, and then I want to work on a new design for the category photos. While I'm not quite done it feels great to have it functioning the way I've envisioned it. With so many styles and designs, I didn't think it would be possible -- and it really is not all that easy, but worth it -- and I love the way it looks and functions. Hopefully my customers will too!

In addition to the new layout, we're adding velvet headbands in 5 fun colors, headbands made from vintage trim and the French silk damask patterns. Here are photos of the final 2 categories:

The Year of the Headband: Part II

It's official -- I'm in love! We've all seen the scroll ribbon "around" in belts and headbands. I was initially drawn to its geometrical design, but I always found the ribbon to be a little rough and scratchy, so I didn't work with it all that much. Then, one day while looking for something totally unrelated, I saw it!



A very similar scroll jacquard trim that was made in and imported from France by one of my manufacturers (above, right two). The trim is not that same scratchy woven trim, but smoothly woven into French silk damask and is ultra smooth and silky. I ordered some in black & white and green & pink (naturally) but wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do with it. I felt it deserved something a little more than just slapping on a buckle and calling it a belt. It is delicate and lends itself perfectly to being worn as a headband. There are still some more wonderful things in store for that pattern, too!

Happy New Year!

Popular opinion feels that since the calendar has turned to January, I should be contemplating changes in my life, for the business, something. To them I say THBBPTHBPT! Can you see me sticking out my tongue? It really is quite a sight.

Confidentially, I'm not a big fan of New Year's Eve and all the nonsense surrounding it. Actually, I don't understand why I don't like it because I am all about new beginnings and clean slates and whatnot. Buy me a new notebook or journal and I'm happy as a clam over the possibilities of all of that fresh paper. But New Year's Day? You can have it.

On the other hand, January means that we're getting closer to launching our Spring 2007 designs. New belts. New headbands. New jewelry. New ribbon designs. And that can't be a bad thing. I've also been oddly energized and inspired to work on new designs and ideas that have been floating around in my imagination. Lately I've had to keep a pen and paper on my nightstand because my dreams are largely about ribbon. Sad, I know. But great for the business!
Now that I think about it, I do have sort of a resolution of sorts. And luckily for you, it involves this blog that literally tens of you are reading right now... I want to bring more crafty projects and work-in-progress photos and instructions. Aside from the fact that I love photography and will use any excuse to take more photos, I think it might be interesting to see where it all goes. Plus, I need to get these ideas out of my head and onto "paper" so admittedly the resolution is a bit selfish.

But if I can't be selfish in my own blog, who can?!

The Year of the Headband: Part I

Years ago when I started my business, it was my passion for unique jewelry that inspired me. I loved the hunt for the perfect pendant and searching out just the right shade of olive green dyed pearls so I could create the amazing necklace I had envisioned. Somewhere along the way I fell into the world of fabulous ribbon and have never looked back.

Now I am driven to find fabulous vintage trims and lush velvets (shh... I may have said too much!). Let's not even get into the joy I've been experiencing lately as I'm reorganizing my preppy ribbon stock and picking out new patterns for Spring 2007.

My new "thing" is headbands. I'm obsessed! As someone who is perpetually growing out my bangs (only to cut them when I realize that I look better with them, but I digress...) headbands have been a staple in my accessory wardrobe. Lately, that obsession has translated into designs for TONS of new headbands for the site. While infinitely more labor intensive than what I currently make, I'm enjoying these wrapped headbands so much. Especially since I've been wearing one for hours now and still don't have a headache. Score!

I'll be posting pictures of more new headband styles over the next few days. Bad hair days will be a thing of the past - or at the very least turned into a cute hair day!