Sweet Memories

Yesterday I stumbled upon a few packs of old cover buttons in my work room. I quickly grabbed them and sat down on the floor surrounded by scrap fabric and made some cover button stud earrings. As I started putting the fabric onto the cover buttons I remembered my first time making them years ago. I remember being at my grandmother's house and she was telling me about a jacket she was making for a young handicapped child who loved George Washington. The jacket needed old fashioned Gold buttons so that it would look just like the one worn by George Washington. We sat down at her table with scrap gold fabric and she showed me just how big to cut the circles and how to put them together. I felt so important being able to help. Just thought I'd share with you all one of the many sewing/crafting memories that I've shared with my Grandma.

Be sure to check out the Earrings in my etsy shop soon!

Trying this again :)

So at my desk today I realized that it's been over a year since I last blogged. Oops! (not sure what happened there) However, I've found recently with my online sales increasing that I never really get to reach out and communicate with my customers beyond a simple etsy conversation. I decided that I need this blog to open up and let my customers, fans, friends, etc. know what the latest happenings are in my business, and my latest inspirations and ideas. I'm now challenging myself to blog at least once weekly to hopefully create a more personal experience for everyone who comes in contact with my business in any way! Let the challenge begin! :)

Recycled Line

Last night I added three new items from my recycled line to my etsy shop, www.themadmonogram.etsy.com . I wanted to take a minute to also post the pictures here and to talk a little about the line itself.

My recycled paper bead line is one of my favorite things that I do. Each bead is handmade in my home from recycled magazines (donations welcome) and other household paper items as well. The peices must be measured, cut, rolled, glued, and glazed before I can do anythign else with them. After they are completely dry I can then turn them into works of art like the ones you see here. I love the fact that I am taking something that would normally be thrown away and turning it into something so beautiful! I can not begin to describe the compliments I've had on paper bead jewelry that I've worn in the past few weeks. People just walking by in the store will blurt out "I love your Necklace", and people who get close enough and ask about it are always in awe when I tell them it's made from recycled magazines! I hope that everyone will take the time to really look at a piece, whether it be in person or in my shop and see the detail of each bead and the work that is put into these pieces.

Watch out!

Wow what a rainy morning... I'm trying to keep in mind that when it stops raining and the sun comes back out, that all of my flowers will be healthy and blooming!

I just thought I would take a few minutes to share with everyone some of my things to watch out for in the community!

I'm working on 8 banners right now to hang on the fence at the GYAA fields at Hidden Rock Park, and I will also be setting up to sell there on opening day which is April 17th!

I also just launched the Southfork MX Club t-shirts for 2010 to those of you who are involved in the motocross community!

I am trying to put together a community craft sale sometime in the next few months if anyone would be interested in being a vendor. I have a few phone calls out as far as locations but I am open to suggestions! I would love to make this show a huge success and show everyone what the handmade world is all about!

Happy Friday everyone, enjoy the weekend!

Getting Started!

After months of blog consideration, I've finally decided that a blog may be a great creative outlet and opportunity for The Mad Monogram. For those of you who may not have heard of us before, I will give you a little background information on myself as well as the business.

What is The Mad Monogram?
In 2004 I began a business at the age of 15 selling handmade purses and other little items that I handmade. This business was called Ashley's Seams N' Snips. I saved up enough money from these odd and end items to purchase my very first embroidery machine which is where the real fun began! I spent day after day coming home from school and monogramming anything I could get my hands on, and in 2007 decided to add a vinyl cutter to my mix of capabilities! In 2008 I opened a retail store in Goochland, VA and changed the name of my business to "The Mad Monogram". After months of being in business there were small issues that over time added up to a fall out and I moved my business back home. I recently opened an etsy shop wich you can find at www.themadmonogram.etsy.com You can follow us on twitter by following madmonogram , or you can search the mad monogram on facebook and become a fan of our page there!

The Mad Monogram offers a wide variety of items. From handmade jewelry and purses, to signs, banners, and vehicle lettering we are trying to cover all of the bases of personalization. Our goal is to make each purchase unique and special to our customers and to of course keep things going in the Handmade Community in a world where commercial retail has taken over.

Who am I?
My name is Ashley Saunders and I'm 21 years old. I currently live just outside of Richmond with my boyfriend and my 4 1/2 lb chihuahua "Nilla Bean" and my 100+ lb chocolate lab "Chunky". I'm currently in school to be a pharmacy tech, and work at a local pharmacy on top of running my own business. I am a 2007 Graduate of Goochland High School and I try to keep business established with the community that I grew up in. I am currently doing work with the little league baseball and softball teams, and I tend to do a few jobs for the High School on a yearly basis as well. I feel as though I've come a long way with my business since my beginning at age 15 but I have high hopes that my business will continue to grow in the future! I am a member of the "Blue Ridge Arts District" team on etsy and I am very proud to be part of a community that loves to put "handmade" back into people's lives as much as I do!