{October Sponsor Highlight - Part 2}

First, let's meet Barbara! She has to be one of the sweetest people I've had the pleasure of meeting online. Not only is she incredibly talented and driven but she's an absolute joy to work with. I asked Barb a little bit about herself and Bands n Bows and here's what she had to share:

I'm Barb. I live on Staten Island, with my family. I graduated from college last May with a degree in Architecture. I work in an Architecture office most-time (which lies somewhere between part-time and full-time), and I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
Likes: craft supplies, running, snow, all kinds of footwear, food, pretty things, organizing (and collecting items used for this purpose)
Dislikes: peas, dusting (or vacuuming, or any kind of household cleaning), wasting time

I design headbands, I do other random crafty projects, then I blog about it (if I can remember to take pictures!).

Basically, Bands n Bows started as a trip to the craft store (likely I should have been shopping for supplies for my Architecture Thesis Model) where I decided that if I couldn't find the bow headbands that I wanted, I should just make them myself (this is a recurring inner monologue for me). At the time, I was living in my sorority house at school, and news traveled quickly that I was using my bedroom floor as a headband making workshop. My sorority sisters started requesting headbands for themselves, and eventually suggested that I sell them online. I knew that I had to use Etsy, which I had really started to explore around the same time, and I opened my shop in Feb 2009.
Bands n Bows isn't anywhere near a full time job for me, but that's ok. I love being able to think of something in my head, and then experiment with making it myself. It's an instant gratification that I don't get from architecture, which often takes months to go from design to build. And while not everything in my head comes out as planned, each time I try something new I gain a better understanding of how to work the ribbon or fabric into the designs I'm always daydreaming of.
Towards the end of the summer, I promised myself that I would really work to do more with Bands n Bows (in response to a bit of pushing from my wonderful boyfriend PJ), and so far I'm succeeding. I did my first craft fair in September, and it was a really fun learning experience. I've been experimenting with new designs, such as barrettes and tiny baby clips, and I still have so many ideas in my head for the future. At the end of November, I'll be doing a small holiday fair which I'm getting really excited about! I've also been making connections with other bloggers and crafters by following on twitter and commenting on their blogs, instead of being the silent observer that I once was. I feel like I'm becoming part of a really awesome network of people, full of support and inspiration!

Next, lets meet Emma of Eben Lemon! This dollface runs a darling vintage shop and has THE CUTEST DOG ALIVE! What is Eben Lemon you ask?? Read on..
Hi! My name is Emma. I live on picturesque Vancouver Island with my husband Shane and our rescued pit-bull mix Eben. We just moved here from Michigan where we both grew up. I'm getting my bachelors degree in Global Studies and Environmental Science right now at a island university. I'm a sewer of sorts who loves vintage goodies. I adore everything retro and love to preserve the environment by recycling yesterdays forgotten treasures. That's why I started my Etsy shop and blog, named after my beloved pooch, to share in the amazing benefits of the past! I love to eat, create, learn, and take bubble baths!
I am a thrifting freak. I dedicate one day a week to scouring thrift stores all over this bloody island. Finding and then cleaning up a vintage owl and selling it on Etsy to someone who truly appreciates it makes my heart smile! I also sew all kinds of wonderful items including my famous high waist pencil skirt! I love to sew with upcycled fabrics, giving new life to someone's junk! I just started my Etsy shop and blog in July so I'm still a newbie at all of this! I had always dreamed of having my very own vintage store so doing it online just made sense! Even though I'm new at all of this, I've been feeling such a sense of accomplishment and excitement with every order place and every follower my blog gains! Plus it has been so much fun getting to know all the lovely ladies (like Chelsea) who blog about their craftiness, they are a great inspiration!
For me, selling vintage is just another way of recycling. I feel so compelled to limit my footprint on the Earth that participating in something like Etsy is pure goodness. Plus its simply a lot of fun and has become a good hobby! I really enjoy sharing my thoughts and personality through my blog. Sewing is in my genes! My mom is an amazing seamstress, and knitter and my dad is an artist so being creative comes naturally!
My blog has a schedule that includes: Media Monday, Tutorial Tuesday, A Day in the Life Wednesday, Treasury Thursday, Fabulous Friday and a wide variety of random goodness that I put up consistently throughout the week! Come on over and check it out!

♥ ♥

Thank you Barb and Emma for your support! Take the time to stop by Bands n Bows and Eben Lemon to say hi to the lovely ladies!
xxoo Chelsea