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All was fair at the Fair...
2007-09-13 17:20:00
ot a booth, talked to potential seasonal hires...it went pretty well! It was my first experience as a vendor at a fair, and it took a little getting used to. I didn't have free pencils or magnets to give away, but it actually worked in my favor since those who came to my table were actually interested in the project. I got a pretty good reception as far as the ring designs, there was one woman who clearly didn't like them (which isn't a problem in itself, they are defintely "love them!" or "hate them!" designs)...but she made a nasty comment about them in what she thought was a subtle way...She seemed a bit on the bitter side about something...couldn't be envy could it? She was the one in her late 50s looking for a USD7.50/hr position...hmmm. Anyway. The next task will be to decide who can pick up the technique to construct the rings...more on that down the line!
More About: News , Design , Events , Fair

Leaving On A Jet Plane.
2007-09-13 04:15:00
am going to ATL tommorow night, and although it's going to be fabulous, this email couldn't have been more timely...please forward/email this to all of your friends, it's very important!!SCENE 1.This is a new one.People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they?A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. Hmm,"He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000!He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions.Customer care personnel verified that there was no Mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen."No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had...
More About: Plane , Leaving

Sky Sister Studio's (Last-Minute) "Multi-Purpose" Newsletter
2007-09-11 15:30:00
Click on the image to read the newsletter in a larger size! was asked to be a part of a career fair (which is this evening), and I had less than 24 hours to "type something up" as requested by the facilitators. One of the purposes is to find and perhaps hire a few people for the construction of the Sky Sister Couture collections. I also wanted attendees in general (and perhaps even the other vendors) to get an idea of what the Studio can offer the individual and organizations. So I came up with a newsletter setup that summarizes the "who and what" of the Studio, and what the Studio is looking for. I've never been a part of a fair, so I am looking forward to it!
More About: Design , Welcome , Multi , Newsletter , Purpose

Sky Sister Couture Resort 2008
2007-09-10 22:44:00
ky Sister Couture 's Resort 2008 collection is finally here! I was undecided as to whether I should present anything "Resort." A client of mine ordered a custom ring, however, and after consulting her, my decision became final! She was actually inspired by the Weekend Chic rings, and said, "I have to....I have to.....I simply must have a ring!" Of course I named it the Princess Ring (it is pink after all!) and the "Renita" in her honor! This beautiful and very bold style was a perfect compliment to the Sunshine Ring. It is for this reason that the collection features just 2 rings; private sales are customizable.Take another look at the Sunshine Ring below.

Sky Sister Couture: the New Lots Collective Interview
2007-09-10 22:11:00
've been presenting my collection to a few boutiques in the Southeastern area, and I've gotten some great feedback so far! The latest interview is with the up-and-coming New Lots Coll ective , and I figured that the questions are just a great wat to "formally" introduce the line:Briefly describe your products and the inspiration behind them.Unusual handmade jewelery: Sky Sister Couture 's Winter 2007-08 Collection features just 3 rings. The Resort Collection has 2 customizable styles. The Spring offering will feature both rings and necklaces. I take alot of inspiration from nature - lines in nature aren't always exact or perfect. But it's beautiful. My collections are a mesh of cues from nature and some sort of "glamorous utopia" very present in the mind of today's modern woman.Who are your clients ( age, sex, income, etc) and what is the average price per item?My client is likely between the ages of 26-39, though I believe women of any age can appreciate the sort of whimsy...
More About: Interview

Spring 2008 Looks of the Moment...Badgley Mischka
2007-09-08 23:59:00
lthough style.com didn't give this line the greatest review, I thought they had some pretty and wearable pieces...
More About: Spring , Moment , 2008 , Looks

Biz Card Beauty.
2007-09-07 19:21:00
kay, so here are the details to my latest business card design. I decided to tie it in with the myspace design since that has been my main web presence since I started my business about a year ago. I also wanted a design and layout that would earn it a more secure place in a potential client's wallet or Rolodex (vs. the circular file also known as the trash bin)! The card itself is coated on both sides with a special laminate that gives it a silky smooth feel, and also makes it tear resistant and water resistant. Easy to write on too! I didn't include my phone number on these, but that will be on my next card design (I will probably have 4 over the next few months)...stay tuned!
More About: Beauty , Design , Card

The Latest MySpace Design: The Valentine Aesthetic!
2007-09-07 19:11:00
he MySpace page for Colleen Valentine , celebrity makeup artist, is live! She is thrilled with it, which means I am thrilled!!! Take a look at it on myspace.com/makeupbyvalentine. Based in Atlanta and New York, she has quite a list of celebrity clients, and yet she is still willing to work her magic on me next week!! HAHAHA, I am so ready...
More About: Design , Myspace , Aesthetic , Lent

Wedded Bliss!
2007-09-06 20:19:00
ome of the invite designs from Sky Sister Couture! (click on the image for a larger size)
More About: Design

Quick Notes: Fall 2007 Accessory Trends
2007-09-06 18:15:00
ntamed Luxury"Wild is in! Go the extreme with an exuberant tapestry of the wildly unexpected and all that glitters. Untamed objects are a key component in this trend...rough shapes including nuggets, pebbles and branch-like beads. Luxurious Swarovski® crystal beads and faceted gemstone beads combine with these super-sized materials to create extreme designs.Inspirations come from nature and the glitterati, with absurd, critter-like prints and natural materials glamorized by gems and crystals. Accessories this season will be over-the-top and over-sized, joining sparkling elegance with rough natural components.
More About: News , Events , Trends , Accessory , Notes

Sky Sister's ATL trip...
2007-09-06 17:46:00
mmm...how many days since my last post? It's been that kind of week with projects, proposals, and the like! It can get hectic when you're the boss, the employee, and the staff (HAHA)! I know I'm not the only one! Stay tuned for posts on my latest projects - including an unusual event planning firm!I am going to Atlanta - the place where EVERYTHING is new and promising and profitable - on the 14th of this month...Stay tuned for that adventure - between the photo shoot, the partying, and yes, I will be flying coach (170USD ordered 8 days before the flight - how could I resist?) so expect another "Adventure in Coach"...I am at the edge of my seat as always when it's time to visit ATL!If you're in ATL and you know what's going on during the weekend of the 14th, drop me a line!
More About: Design , Trip

Argggghhh! Computer.
2007-08-31 15:37:00
Yes, it's been that kind of week with the traveling laptop...The screen on my trusty, with me wherever I go laptop has decided it's done displaying my work! So after carting it all around town hoping to get it fixed, I was told that since it's a laptop (and out of warranty), it's not worth fixing! Aww. So an LCD monitor was purchased, and that ended the days of the portable laptop. It reminded me how smart I was (this time!) for having all of my work backed up on the external hard drive - since before taking it to Geek Squad I had no idea what was going on. I wasn't sure if it was just the screen or something else!By the way, I have lost all of my info on a hard drive before (about 2 years ago), and that was the worst feeling EVER. Don't let that happen to you - get an external hard drive! Western Digital (google them to find retailers or buy online) makes one - a 250GB portable! drive costs about USD110 - and just think how much more all of your info is worth!! Recover...
More About: Computer

The Belle of the Fall.
2007-08-30 17:29:00
ust a few things I'd like for the fall...(-at shopbop.com)
More About: Belle , Fall

MySpace project of the Moment: a Corporate Buzz
2007-08-27 18:52:00
ne of the sites I have just completed is for SpaBuzz , the Mobile Spa service serving the DC Metro area. The owner wanted a clean and professional page that incorporated the logo and highlighted the theme. I decided to take a comic style bubble and make it professional yet upbeat by incorporating the client's logo and spa images. The earth tones of SpaBuzz's logo (presented to me for use on the page) with the "buzz" bubbles make the page stand out, not unlike their exceptional service! Visit them at spabuzz.com, and on MySpace (the page should be up soon!).
More About: Design , Myspace , Corporate , Project

Sunday's Sights on a Site!
2007-08-26 19:53:00
've completed all of the planning for my official website launch! It's been quite a process, but worth every minute and even the delays! One of the final elements yet to be completed is a photo shoot for the site. I bartered the photographic services and now I am lucky enough to have made another arrangement with a VERY accomplished makeup artist! Here is a sneak peek of her new MySpace site so far...this image was the initial draft - will update you when it's completed!
More About: Design , Sights , Site

Saturday's Stroll
2007-08-25 21:35:00
ound some pretty interesting items downtown for the Vintage Collection! Beautifully adorned earrings that are just in time for the Winter 07-08 season. They are classic enough to last into the Spring! Will post after I get the photos done.I've gotten more interest in my Spring 2008 Sky Sister Couture line - I have a meeting scheduled during the upcoming week with an Atlanta boutique...wish me luck! I've almost finalized the Winter line, a small but sweet collection! It's an unusual spin on a classic element...hope I've got you in suspense!
More About: Saturday , Troll

The Latest Vintage...
2007-08-24 19:58:00
ake a look at the Studio Catablog for more! I found these vintage ads online...made me love the pieces even more!
More About: Vintage

Top 10 Money Drains
2007-08-24 16:03:00
ankrate.com recently released these figures...All I have to say is: "oops." CoffeeCigarettesAlcoholBottled WaterManicuresCar WashesWeekly Lunches OutVending Machine SnacksInterest Charges on Credit CardsUnused Memberships1. Coffee -- According to the National Coffee Association, the average price for brewed coffee is $1.38. There are roughly 260 weekdays per year, so buying one coffee every weekday morning costs almost $360 per year.2. Cigarettes -- The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids reports that the average price for a pack of cigarettes in the United States is $4.54. Pack-a-day smokers fork out $1,660 a year. Weekend smoker? Buying a pack once a week adds up, too: $236.3. Alcohol -- Drink prices vary based on the location. But assuming an average of $5 per beer including tip, buying two beers per day adds up to $3,650 per year. Figure twice that for two mixed drinks a day at the local bar. That's not chump change.4. Bottled water from convenience stores -- A 20-ounce bottle costs...
More About: Money

NoGo: Travel Savvy People Avoid These Companies...
2007-08-23 17:12:00
(The above image is NOT a Days Inn. haha)found this on MSNBC...I found it to be very interesting, and since I've heard things about the companies listed below, I couldn't argue with them. Do you agree or disagree?Airline "No-Go"US Airways. Delayed and canceled flights, missing baggage, rude flight attendants ? the list goes on. Is there one standout? At the moment, it would have to be US Airways. Check out the Transportation Department?s latest numbers. The airline under-performs in virtually every category and is the most complained-about carrier.(By the way, I still think Delta is right behind them in horrific service, since at least the flight attendants are nice!) But then there are those SkyMiles!Hotel "No-Go"Days Inn... is the ultimate winner! Days Inn has kept state governments pretty busy. After 9/11, a Days Inn in New York was penalized for raising room rates by as much as 185 percent in the days following the terrorist attack. And after Hurricane Charlie churned throu...
More About: Companies , Travel , People , Savvy , Avoid

Vintage of the Moment
2007-08-22 17:28:00
ee more of the latest finds on the Studio Catablog!
More About: Vintage , Moment

Steps toward skysisterstudio.com!
2007-08-21 17:25:00
just put up my coming soon page for the official site - skysisterstudio.com! My official site has been delayed for a while now due to continuous projects - in fact, I may have one of my clients' sites up before mine! But this actually makes the existence seem a little more tangible to me...YAAAY! I was also very encouraged by the recent site launch of a MySpace friend, Tia Dantzler. Read about the event on the BAP Life Blog!Take a quick look at the upcoming, almost here, skysisterstudio.com - the launch is soon, and trust that it will be amazing!
More About: Design , Sisters , Steps

It's All About Trust. (Tuesday's Quest for Savvy)
2007-08-21 16:02:00
rusts.Why should you care?When a Trust is done right, it will protect your assets in many ways. It can protect your assets from probate after your death. Save on estate taxes. Keep all assets out of creditor?s clutches. Keep your property away from a divorcee.When and why should you create a trust?To run and support a business. Take care of minors. Pay for medical bills. Create a scholarship fund. Hold real estate, cash, securities or property. Avoid probate. Save on Federal taxes. To hold all your assets together for future instructions.What is a trust?The main difference between a Trust and a Will is the fact that your property won?t go through probate when you die. With a Will the transfer of property takes place at your death and will need to go through the court system, (probate) to determine the legalities of the will and the properties being dispersed. During probate much of the estate is taken by taxes and sometimes attorneys. When you create a Trust you transfer your proper...
More About: Quest , Savvy

Welcome the Weekend: Sky Sister Couture Ad Campaigns
2007-08-17 16:35:00
hese are a few (successful! yaaay) ad campaigns done especially for viewer ship by boutique vendors and merchandisers.
More About: Design , Weekend , Campaigns , Sister , Couture

A Few Fall Cravings
2007-08-16 18:26:00
Lanvin, Winter 2007Diane Von Furstenburg, USD198Kay Unger, USD550ummy, I can't wait for Fall ! You'll probably see more of this later, haha!
More About: Ving , Ravi , Ravin

Wednesday's Culture Report
2007-08-16 00:37:00
haven't read the entire book (by Dana Thomas) and honestly I don't plan to, but I thought this clip was hilarious! (from an interview)There's a great story in your book about the boutique Giorgio of Beverly Hills having to close for the day after an Arab client bought all the gowns in the store for his harem. What was the most over-the-top story you heard?I was really shocked to learn of girls working as prostitutes in Japan to earn money for bags. And then there's the celebrity stylist who got a fashion house to pay for her liposuction in exchange for dressing her client in their clothes.Do you think there's a new definition of luxury?Luxury is at a crossroads. On the one hand, you have massive brands that produce hundreds or thousands of products covered in logos, and declare themselves "luxury" based on heritage. Some of them have maintained great quality; others haven't. And then you have the small brands?the luxury refugees?who were turned off by the business aspect and w...
More About: Culture , Report

Bloggers Unite on 27th of September!
2007-08-15 17:26:00
his was forwarded to me by Angel da Vinci:On Sept ember 27th, join 1,000s of bloggers around the world in BlogCatalog's Blogging for a Great Cause Challenge. This Blogging Challenge will be: Bloggers Against Abuse September 27th, 2007 The Outcome we are after is to be part of the largest group of bloggers to ever blog about an important cause, all on the same day. So how do you participate? On Sept. 27th, blog about putting an end to some sort of Abuse (you decide what kind of abuse to blog about). In the meantime though, * Spread the word among all the bloggers you know. Perhaps even give them a link to this Discussion. * If you are a graphic's designer, perhaps you can come up with some small badges announcing the event, that we can then place on our blogs. To share the badge, place it on this thread. * List any organizations, on this thread, who are involved in putting an end to abuse. What do you get? You wil...
More About: Unit

Tuesday's Touch of Luxe: San-Tropez Style
2007-08-14 18:09:00
treet style, or editorial? I guess it doesn't matter - everyone and everything looks good in San-Tropez! (images from style.com)
More About: Style , Touch , Rope

Tuesday's Technology Woe: Ransom
2007-08-14 17:47:00
itled simply READ_ME.TXT, the body of the message reads like a grammatically challenged ransom note: "Hello, your files are encrypted with RSA-4096 algorithm," it began. "To decrypt your files you need to buy our software. The price is $300 ... To buy our software please contact us at oxyglamour@gmail.com." The missive was signed by the "Glamorous team."How worried should you be? Certainly if you've been backing up your data (you have been backing up your data, right?), not very. Scary though it may sound, the extortion scheme is unlikely to represent the plague of the future, according to Lance James of Secure Science. "If it made money, we'd see it all the time," he says. The built-in weakness of ransomware?even in the era of easy anonymous money transfers?is that it makes itself instantly known. "Once you identify yourself, it gets reported, it hits the news," says James. "The more effective stuff is the stuff that secretly sits in your box and steals your data. If you don't k...
More About: Technology , Ology , Ransom

Tuesday Tales of Woe: The Banks Need Loans & The Worst Jobs in America
2007-08-14 16:39:00
Stocks higher after banks add liquidityBy Lauren Villgran (AP Business Writer)EW YORK -- Wall Street rebounded Monday after the Federal Reserve and other central banks added more cash to their banking systems, helping investors set aside some concerns about credit tightness.The New York Fed, which carries out the central bank's market operation, minutes after the opening bell announced $2 billion in overnight repurchase agreements.The Fed's "repo" follows a move by the Bank of Japan to put $5 billion into the markets and an addition by the European Central Bank of $65.3 billion; the ECB added more than $200 billion last week. The moves, following similar injections by the Fed last week, appeared to placate Wall Street for now and allowed it to look ahead to a week of fresh economic data. Since Thursday, the Fed has added $62 billion in liquidity.So far, the central bank moves seem to be calming a market that has been torn by volatility for weeks."The environment we're in is reall...
More About: America , Jobs , Banks , Loans , Tales

Ahh, the Perils of Business.
2007-08-14 16:11:00
The opportunities, the business-minded people, the positive people I've had the opportunity to network with - much of this is a result of the WWW! But for all the good, there has to be some bad, right? The realm of graphic design can be filled with traps and manipulative "entities" that would like myself and/or any other designer to work completely for free...Now, I do love a good barter, but the idea that I have time to work for some unknown "Company" with nothing to offer and everything to demand...well, it's insulting! I came across the "no spec" site a few months ago, and they are dedicated to educating businesses and designers alike (many designers fall for this unfortunately) about this issue. Below is a share poster by Robert Gough that summarizes it:
More About: Business , Design , Peri , Sine