Featured auction of the day..

It's not to early to shop for cute Halloween accessories, like this adorable hat from Vivi-Lu-Designs. Just click on the picture to go to the auction.

~Cassi

BowzNStuff Boutique Blog Giveaway

We have another blog giveaway. This one from Cree at BowzNStuff_Boutique. The more comments that are left, the bigger the loot! Go leave a comment and get your name in the drawing. Click Here to go to this blog.

Sunnybrook Farm Designs Blog Giveaway

Rebekah at Sunnybrook Farm Designs is having an awesome giveaway on her blog. Want to see what you can win by just posting a comment? Click Here to find out.

Featured Auction Of The Day

Today we have this darling dress by CarolinesClosetBoutique. Very cute for back to school, and look at all that awesome appliqué!

CarolinesClosetBoutique

Boutique GenMarie....An interview

Hi, Here is my interview with Christine, owner of GenMarie, my first friend in this community!




Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Lindenhurst, NY.

Where do you live now? I currently live in East Islip, NY.

How many children do you have? Names and ages? I have two beautiful little girls, Emma, age 5, and Ava, who will be 4 in September.

What are your hobbies (besides designing and sewing)? I don't have much time for hobbies, lol. I spend any free time I have with my girls.

What is your eBay ID? I no longer sell on ebay.

Do You Have An Etsy Store? I do, it is www.genmarieshoppe.etsy.com.

How did you come up with your ID, is there a story behind it? My id and name of my company is named after my girls. It is a combination of their middle names, Emma Genevieve and Ava Marie.

Are you a member of a design group? How long have you been a member of that group? No, I am not a member of a design group.

How long have you been selling your designs on eBay? I sold on ebay for 1 1/2 years, and on etsy currently. This August marks GenMarie's 2nd Anniversary.

What got you started? I saw on ebay the most beautiful creations by woman like myself, and I knew I had to learn to sew. Most people are surprised to learn that I only learned to sew 2 1/2 years ago. I always loved fabric, so it was the perfect thing for me!

Do you remember the first set you sold on eBay? How much did it sell for? The first thing I sold on ebay was a stripwork dress and pant set which sold for $40.
Have you noticed a change in your designs from when you first started? My designs have evolved over time, and truly reflect my love of vintage style, and all things feminine.

What is your inspiration for your designs? I usually derive inspiration from my girls, fabrics, and current trends.



Is there any other designers you admire? There are so many designers I love. Too many to name.


What is your favorite design you have created? I don't know if I have a favorite. Every time I make something new, it becomes my favorite. I made a beautiful peasant dress for my Fall line, which is currently my favorite.

Who is your favorite fabric designer? I have lots! Jennifer Paganelli, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Heather Bailey, Tanya Whelan are just a few.

What is your favorite custom auction on eBay right now? My favorite listinng on etsy right now, is my Darla Knot Dress. I just love the colors.

If you could max out your credit card at one store, what store would that be? Hmmmm...that is tough. I rarely spend on myself, it is usually on my girls. I would say Anthropolgie if it was for me.

What can we expect from you in the future? GenMarie is currently expanding into trunk shows. We have a few trunk keepers across the country and are hiring more every day. The first planned collection, Autumn Sky, is almost complete, and will be available in my etsy shoppe by August. I will also be making a Holiday line available in October.

Punk Rock Kids

My daughter happens to love the look. I like a tame version of the look. My husband on the other hand is not a fan.. Oh well he's out numbered. But enough about my opinion lets here it from all of you. Do you like the look? Does it go to far? And what age range?

Servane Barrau™ Designs

Ewers Truly

Flash Your Tattoo

ptigerlily

Shameless promotion.. The last shirt featured is one of mine. Like always click on the pictures to go to the links. Some are for sale others are just to show the style.
~Cassi

Feature of the Day...

Here is something for the ladies (mommies)... I started looking for a lady's purse to feature and found this great bag designer on Etsy. A Touch of Stardust has 54 bags listed and each cuter than the next. Click on the picture to buy.

Favorite Auctions Of The Week

The_Sweetest_Heartbeat

Oli*Beli

Maddie*Kate

Kayapaya

Francoise*Studio

Missy*Lulu

Little*Moonkey

Who's At The Top...$$$

1. BowzNStuff_Boutique ~ "Nursery Rhyme" ~ MeliMelo, M2MInc, Ateam

2. BowzNStuff_Boutique ~ "Diva Zebra" ~ MeliMelo, M2MInc, Ateam

3. CarolinesClosetBoutique ~ "Little Red Schoolhouse" ~ Ivylane

4. **Cutie**Pie** ~ "Mean One" ~ LemonLime

5. MyLilPixie ~ "Creepy Crawly" ~ BizzyB, Ateam

Featured Auction Of The Day

Today's feature is this darling Wizard of Oz set by Cassie of The Charmed Child. Very cute for your little Oz fan!

TheCharmedChild

Featured Auction Of The Day

Our feature today is this amazing appliquéd boys set by Buckeye-Mom26. Great for the circus! Or would be great for all those lil' monkey lovers!

Buckeye-Mom26

Unique BTS Launch From BijouCo

I have really never seen a launch like this, and it is sure to impress many. BijouCo is doing a Back-To-School launch, and here are all the details:

"Each school year thousands of memories are created. Some of them are saved in a folder, journal or scrapbook. But one of the most important memories you will look back on in the years to come will be your child’s school picture. You of course will want everything to be perfect. Bijou & Co. can help you create the perfect memory that will last a lifetime.

Bijou & Co presents Create Your Own School Picture. From July 24 – 31, our talented group of designers will be listing amazing back to school outfits. Perfect for the first day of school, or school picture day! Not only will you receive a one-of-a-kind boutique outfit, but you will also receive an original 11x17 artist portrait of your child wearing her custom boutique design.

What could be better?! The perfect outfit and the perfect photo. Two memories rolled into one. After all a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case a thousand memories.

To see the amazing designs and portraits, go to eBay and enter search term BijouCo Pictures. You can also read about the latest launch news by visiting our blog at http://bijouandco.blogspot.com"

Below are just a few of the sets being offered in this launch:

Missy*Lulu

SugarBritchesBoutiqueOnline

Waterfalls*N*Rainbows

Congrats to the ladies of BijouCo for coming up with such an awesome and fun theme!

~Michelle

Laura's Random Post!

I thought for my random posts I would stay with the seasonal theme. It's easy here on the east coast because we have 4 true seasons. I think it would be interesting to share with each other different ways that we celebrate life thru the seasons, besides what kind of clothing we put our children in!

I am very inspired in my design work by nature and life. Summertime conjures up memories of berry picking, swimming at the lake, back yard barbecues. Autumn, raking leaves, the harvest moon, hiking...These are some of the things that I think about when I think of "the perfect life"

Summertime here in NYC looks like: Shakespeare in the park, Billy Joel at Shea (beyond great!), Biking, Outdoor Cafes, Sprinklers and Icecream, Street Fairs, Rollerblading, Birdwatching in the ramble, Macy's fireworks, Movie night at Bryant Park and Day Trips to Fire Island.

What does summer look like in your town?

Featured Auction of the day..

Isn't this stunning! Click the picture to see this OOAK auction by richelle*leanne.

Featured Auction Of The Day

I just love this twirl dress by This*Lil*Piggy. It is so super full and girly. The fabric is gorgeous, and it can be paired with a tee underneath!

This*Lil*Piggy

7 & CO., An Interview....

Good Morning! Last week, I interviewed my new friend Laura from 7 & Co. They are the 1st group this season with a "Holiday Launch". Read on for more info!


First Laura, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in New Jersey, I now live in PA and am happily married with 3 wonderful boys, ages 11, 5 and 18m. I am truly blessed!

.
Have you always been a designer?
As a child I always loved using my imagination, whether it was looking up at the clouds figuring out what each one was or drawing and coming up with different crafts to do. I also held "art classes" for the children in my neighborhood which usually involved getting really messy with paint or something equally messy & fun.
(Looking back now, being a mom myself, I am sure the other moms weren't too happy with my art classes!)
As a child, I also had a close friend whose grandmother lived with her. She would let us go down and play with all of her wonderful sewing goodies. She had tons of buttons, sewing notions,& all her fabric oh my...
She had these wooden shelves in her work area loaded with brightly colored fabrics...& there was so much! Back then my friend & I just couldn't seem to understand why her grandma would have so much fabric! (Happily I can now say I understand why she had so much... & I think that I now put poor grandma's fabric pile to shame.. Yes i Admit it.. I am a fabricaholic!!)

Did you study design and where do you get your ideas from?
I did take some design classes in highschool and college. I get my ideas from everywhere really. I love to look at euro magazines, and fashion trend sites to see what the new colors for the following seasons will be. I also love to look at fashion shows & try to incorporate elements into my own children's clothing line--park*ave*kidz.
(I do have to admit, usually the best advice I can get is from sitting down brainstorming ideas with my sons at the kitchen table. Just listening to their innocence and creativity is so inspiring. I also get to witness some very innovative sketchwork and project conceptions ;) Usually their designs are for something like a clever monster pillow or something else equally fun..lol)

How did 7&Company get started? How long has it been around?
7&company got its started in 2005 by Liz, she was the leader of the group, her ebay id: rococo*kidz.
Since then it has been passed through a few leaders and weathered the storms of the ebay world.
And I am very proud to say is still going strong. We can gladly attribute this sucessful 3 years to our wonderful repeat customers who have stood by us throughout the seasons.

Were you in another group before this?
I have been designing on ebay since 2003 and have been in other design groups through the years on ebay & have met wonderful friends that I still keep in touch with.

How do you decide on what the launches will be and how many do you do a year?
We brainstorm within the group on ideas for the coming months, whether it will be new fabric lines coming out, a holiday, or theme ect. We try to narrow things down and see what fits right for the season.

Who is your customer and are they from a certain part of the country? I have sold my designs all over the world. The farthest that I have shipped an order was to Hong Kong. Thank goodness fashion sense is international!

Do you all design in the same "style"
No! One of the best things about being in a strongly talented group of designers like 7&company is that the girls are really so great about thinking out of the box and coming up with unique designs that keep the boutique clothing scene fresh and fun!

Does your group also sell on Etsy?
Some of the girls in our group do sell on etsy. We are looking to expand to reach a larger boutique loving client base, so there are several venues that are on many of the 7&company designers' minds


Can you tell us about your Christmas launch?
Our Christmas In July Launch features the work of not only our own great designers but also more than 90 of ebay's best and most creative clothing, jewelry,& accessory designers! The launch begins on July 25th, so be sure to mark your calendars. This launch is sure to be huge!

You have a lot of designers for this launch it sounds very exciting can we have a sneak peek?
Well, in the spirit of the Christmas season I have to say "no peeking" but if you promise not to tell... I will say that I have seen some awesome goodies that I am going to be sure not to miss for my own kiddos!

I want to thank you so much for the time you have given me to talk to you all, I have truly enjoyed it.
All of the girls of 7&company, as well as our 90+ guests look forward to having you all stop by 7&co during the week of July 25th! This launch is sure to have more than a few goodies for all the good little boys and girls!
And new christmas stocking stuffers and clothing will be posted daily so don't miss out on the fun!

Featured Auction of the Day..

I love plaid! What fun back to school set for fall.

Click on the picture below to see this resell auction.

~Cassi

Featured Auction Of The Day

Todays feature is this darling set by WizzyWoo. I absolutely love these fabrics and colors. This set would be great with a long sleeve tee underneath for cooler weather!

WizzyWoo

Favorite Auctions Of The Week

PolkadotsAndPigtails

Bella*Tessa

Finnjax*Designs

SweetToesBoutique

Giraffikiki*Kidz

WildByDesign

LolaAndClementine

By.The.Beach.Boutique

Who's At The Top...$$$

Here are our auction leaders this week:

1. BowzNStuff_Boutique ~ "Princess" ~ MeliMelo, M2MInc, ATeam

2. TheCharmedChild ~ "Candy Treats" ~ StudioE

3. Maddie*Kate ~ "Pirate Jack" ~ WisteriaLane, AArt

4. Gigglez-N-Grinz ~ "My Play Dress" ~ Ivylane

5. WildByDesign ~ "Spooky And Sweet" ~ ?

Featured Auction Of The Day

I just love this little Raggedy Ann Vida dress set. Perfect for Back-To-School.

Funky*Monkey*Boutique

Featured Auction of the day..

I am off to Emcee a pageant, so I thought today's auction should have a princess feel to it. This cute two piece set from weency_boutique, comes with the jumper and appliqued jeans. Click on the picture below to go to the auction.
~Cassi

Interview with Tonya Joy...

Where were you born and raised? In Central California....
Where do you live now? I have relocated to Southern California...I am an Orange County girl forever...
How many children do you have? Names and ages? I have 3 darling daughters...Ella 4, Ava 3, and Mia 18 months...
What are your hobbies (besides photography)? I love to decorate my home, work out (I love pilates and running), sew, search for treasures at thrift stores, and spend time with my family...

What is the name of your business? My photography business is named Tonya Joy Photography.

How did you come up with your name, is there a story behind it? Just the name Mom and Dad gave me....I actually wanted to come up with something pretty...I loved Mia Blu for a short time, but then a friend reminded me I am the artist behind the business so the name should reflect that. I am really glad I decided to give it my name...

Did you take any classes for photography or self-taught? I am self taught.How long have you been in business? for about 6 months...

What got you started? We lost the family camera at Sea World last October...I jumped on the opportunity to replace our camera with a DSLR. After having a garage sell and begging my husband to have Santa come early...I got my first camera...a Canon Rebel XT. I loved it...then I fell in love with all the cool (but very expensive) toys that go along with it. So to finance my lenses and my 5D camera body...I started photography for hire. I love it and feel so blessed to be able to meet all the families and people I meet in my business.

What describes you artistic style? Colorful, playful, honest, fun, and if I bring out beauty I feel I am successful.

Have you noticed a change in your style from when you first started? My goal is that my style evolves as my business does. I hope I am always improving and playing up my photography with new styles all the time. I am always changing things...I think my style changes up a little all the time...
What is your inspiration? Ella, Ava, and Mia and the beauty around us everywhere...

What types of shots are the hardest to achieve? The easiest? Sometimes a shy child or a couple who you can feel their discomfort makes it difficult to feel like I can get a good shot. Kids are hard because they are always on the move...but when you catch them...oh, it is awesome! Large groups and families are tough as well to get everyone looking! The easiest are by far are senior portraits or individual portraits. I love photographing teen girls or engaged women...they just seem to love being in front of the camera...make my job easy!

Do you love to do outdoor photography, or do you prefer the indoor studio? There is NOTHING like natural light. I love being outdoors...

Do you like to go on location, like the beach or a park? Yes...I have my favorite spots, but I will go anywhere...

Do you photograph babies and small children? And does that add to your stress level? Yes...and yes!

What kind of camera do you use? Do you like that or would you prefer a different one? I shoot with a Canon 5D...that camera is amazing!!! I love it.

Do you have a website or blog we can go to and view your photos? yes, my website is http://www.tonyajoy.com/ and my blog is www.tonyajoy.com/myjoy

You have ties to the eBay boutique community. Where you or are you still a designer? I am no longer designing...I miss it at times. My first love is fabric and what you can do with a sewing machine, but the time it takes into creating a quality garment was no longer compatible with life with my 3 little girls. I still love to follow all my favorite designers on eBay and etsy.

Do you take boutique modeling photos? Yes...

Who is your favorite boutique designer? I have many, but my all time favorite is Amelia of Sweet Feet Boutique...wasn't she everyone's??? That girl is amazing...

If you could max out your credit card at one store, what store would that be? Hands down...anthropologie.
What can we expect from you in the future? What is in my heart...truth in a photo...and a reason to feel, smile, and be thankful for what we have as mothers and women.

Ending in 24 hours...

SheShe Baby

Mamapatrice

The Posh Closet

Click on the pictures to go to auctions.

~Cassi