Be Unique! :)

Welcome to my first post with Hiding Place Boutique! I am Monique Schumann (soon to be Mrs. McLaughlin -- Just another year and a half away for that official change, but that's a whole other story), and owner of Love Unique Monique (my Etsy shop)

I thought for my first blog post here I would just introduce myself to everyone.  I am a horse loving, Hello Kitty obsessed, outgoing, fun, silly, a certified crafter and crochet-oholic.  So you can't be certified in crafting (at least not that I know of), but I am absolutely obsessed.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have gotten myself into all kinds of crafting trouble.  I was the girl with kiddy scissors, dozens of paints and crayons, working away at any project I could get my hands on.  My love for crafting ran into scrapbooking, sewing, painting and soon enough - CROCHETING.  I owe a lot to my parents and their support.  They put me into painting lessons, and summer art camps to support my love in being a major crafter.  It is not my daily profession, but it sure takes up my free time.  My mother taught me to crochet when I was young and it wasn't until college (in between writing all those papers) that I needed an extra hobby, and fell back into crocheting.  And from there my crocheting and Etsy site took off. 

Now, Love Unique Monique started in November 2013. I started it all with a couple crocheted ear warmers and crocheted throw pillows.  And from there, baby booties, boot cuffs and my all time favorite (and customer favorite) - floppy style Stuffed Animals! These little friends are all made with love and as much as I love them getting rehomed, it is just so hard to not keep them for myself!! But they make the best of friends for anyone.  My dad was the one to buy my first animal.  They are a go to for baby shower gifts, baby's first birthday gifts, college going away gifts and so many more events.  My fiance gets one every now and then as a surprise gift even! And between you and me, they may end up being the face of Love Unique Monique. 

Even with all the crocheting and animals, my shop is more than just that.  I would never give up my love of other crafts.  So I sell charcoal drawings too.  Course, I won't ramble on and on about all the other stuff I sell too, that would just get boring for you! If you are interested to know, just visit my site at Love Unique Monique. 

So what else can I say about me and Love Unique Monique? Wow, is it me, or did that just sound a little conceded? Please excuse me if it did!

Anyway, stay tuned into Hiding Place Boutique and More to learn more about Love Unique Monique, and those other amazing shops and bloggers out there.

Thanks!! Remember to be unique!
Monique

Super Bowl Sunday!

Hey Everyone!

The BIG game is almost here...the Super Bowl!

Growing up, the Super Bowl game was always a big deal in my household, regardless of who was playing. My dad would whip up some tasty, awesome food for the game! It's like our second "Thanksgiving"...football-style! He would spend all day making potato skins, different flavors of chicken wings, dips after dips, mozzarella sticks, & dessert! It was such a blast, and definitely some of the best memories of my childhood!

So who am I cheering on?? The Seahawks, of course! I live in WA State & the people here are CRAZY about their team! It's really awesome & I believe that the fans' energy really pumps our guys up to play their hardest....why else would we be called the 12th Man?

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Now, let's go back to the important part of the big day...the FOOD! What kind of food will you be preparing for the big game? We will be having dinner with my in-laws, so I can't make as much food as I want to, but I am making a few things:

--I'm going to try out an artichoke dip recipe. My husband's Aunt makes a delicious artichoke dip, but she won't give out her 'secret recipe'...so I have to find one on my own! I found one on Pinterest that I think will be good! I will share the recipe after I try it!
--I will also be making a spinach dip that is incredible with sweet Hawaiian bread! I can't take credit for the dip though, you can find it on the back of a Knorr's Vegetable Dip Mix packet (you can usually find these packets in the soup aisle, or sometimes by the store's deli area)
--I also plan to make some good ol' yummy chocolate cupcakes & decorate them to look like footballs! I just want to keep it sweet & simple! I use boxed cake mix for cupcakes. I'm not the best at baking from scratch. I would hate to make a homemade cupcake recipe, not have it turn out well, and be cupcake-less for the big game! LOL I will try it one day, but NOT on Super Bowl Sunday!

Well that is about it for excitement around here. Hope everyone is having a great week! The weekend is almost here! *Happy Dance!*  

Feel free to share some of your favorite game day foods!

Go Hawks!!

Hello from Lovey Dovey Shop!

Hey everyone! My name is Courtney & I am the girl behind Lovey Dovey Shop on Etsy!

I was featured on Elizabeth's Building Bridges Marketing Blog last summer, and I was thrilled when she invited me to be a contributing author!

A little about myself:
     I'm a 26 year old (almost 27!) southern girl from North Carolina. I grew up in a big family & spent my childhood playing sports and the saxophone in marching band. I am now married to a wonderful man. We will be celebrating our 5th anniversary in March! We currently live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We have no children, but I consider my little Etsy shop to be my baby!
     Ever since I was a little girl, I loved crafting. I always made cards for my parents, drew pictures to hang on the refrigerator, and smeared my mother's make-up all over rocks to make them "pretty" (yes, I really did that...). Whatever the project was, I always had fun & let my creativity run wild!

My Shop
     I opened up my shop in early 2012. I make yarn wreaths that are decorated with felt flowers. I also make fun clothespin magnets! I LOVE what I do, which is why I named my shop: Lovey Dovey Shop! I started making wreaths years ago to give as Christmas gifts. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to do research & watch tutorials to make better wreaths. I also discovered clothespin magnets through a DIY tutorial. I experimented with several ideas & absolutely loved making them!
     I discovered Etsy & I decided to give it a try! I worked a full time job, so I didn't really have a lot of time to put into the shop. In late 2013, I decided that I wanted to buckle down & get a lot more serious about my business. I started to put in a lot more time into my shop & things definitely improved! I am proud of where I am today! It's been a fun journey so far. I have learned SO much over the years, and I continue to learn more!


What to expect from me!
     I am super excited to be a contributing author to the Hiding Place Boutique Blog. I look forward to sharing so many things with you! I want to share some crafting tutorials & fun ideas, as well as shop updates!
     I have lots of other interests too! I love to cook, bake, go shopping, watch movies, and go sight-seeing! So be on a lookout for some recipes, shopping tips, and pictures of places I love to visit!
     Also, don't be surprised to see some Pinterest finds on here too...I am obsessed with Pinterest (I mean, who isn't?). I'm also an avid coffee drinker, so don't be surprised to find a blog post about how much I love coffee! LOL Okay, I probably won't write about how much I love coffee, but you get the idea, right?


Alright y'all! I hope you enjoyed my first blog post! It is super late here, so I am going to call it a night!

Thank you for reading & you are MORE than welcome to visit my shop & follow me on Instagram & Facebook

XOXO
-Courtney

    
    

Brand New Shop!!! HIDING PLACE BOUTIQUE

 Check out my brand new Etsy shop!! It has been an amazing ride and I am so thrilled to see this dream come alive! Pictures are worth a thousand words so here you go! If you have any questions feel free to email me at hidingplaceboutique@gmail.com or message me on Etsy - www.hidingplaceboutique.etsy.com.
Would love for you to like my Facebook page too!!! Much love to all!

Thanks for reading and checking out my work! I would love any feedback you have to offer!

Welcome to the Strange and Beautiful World of Art by Al Molina

I had the honor of meeting Al Molina & his lovely wife, Stephanie, at a Comic Con in Houston, back in August 2014. I was so enamored by his Harley Quinn "Cute and Crazy Love" print, that I asked if he would like to be featured! So without further ado let's dive in and see some of his amazing work and learn about the man behind the art!

Hi my name is Al Molina (Artist) I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas,  I have been an Artist since I could hold a pencil, One of my first memories of drawing was in the First Grade, It was right after lunch, I went inside the class room and started drawing on the chalkboard, drawing on the chalkboard wasn't what I scolded for it was the assignement on it that I erased, Yep! I'm a rebel, I've been an Outlaw Artist ever since, Ha!!.

I'm married to my beautiful wife Stephanie, and I have three kids, two Daughters, Savannah and Sierra, and one step son Michael, we also have a boxer mix, Jackson, he is a handful but a good dog.

I started painting about 6 years ago, There was a painting I wanted to buy and I thought to myself, I can do that, so I bought all the material and took a stab at it, and when I was done I went back to the one I wanted to buy and I thought my painting was better, this began my love for painting, I started painting everything that I loved, Movies, Musicians, and it wasn't until I joined up with a local art group that I fell in love with Dia de los Muertos, we were doing a show for Halloween and Day of the Dead, it was the first time I painted a portrait of a woman painted up like sugar skull, I loved the dark tone of the theme, but the beauty and the color of the holiday and the meaning behind it all, to honor the loved ones that have passed on. it is a beautiful holiday.

I have a full time job and my painting business I do as a side job, I hope to one day turn it into a full time business, but I'm always looking for more creative ideas to do with my artwork, I make prints, buttons, mirrors, coasters, and I have a few more things to come. Art is very important to me, it has opened up several doors, I've been able to meet celebrities, musicians, and I've made several fans around the world, I've sold painting through out the united states I've even sold a painting to a fan in Australia, giving me the title of international artist, it is truly a honor to have some many people enjoying my art.
I joined Etsy after a few of my artist friends told me that they are on it and have been successful on it, so I thought it couldn't hurt, and after a couple of months, I've made a few sales, its pretty exciting, and I hope to make more sales as more people discover my site.

I've always wanted to have a business where I could sell my work, so I bought a computer and slowly did some research on how to start a business, and after a few years I've built up a following, and my business is slowly growing and hopefully it will continue to grow. one of the first pieces I sold was a Dia de los Muertos paiting, the excitement that the person that bought the painting had, inspired me to paint more, I knew this is what I wanted to do.
I do take commissions, and special request, when someone wants a custom piece, I determine the price by the size and the detail of the subject, I require half down before I start the piece and then the remaining balance when I'm done.
The best part of owning my own business, and being a painter is the freedom I get when I am creating something from a blank piece of canvas, I have a twisted sense of humor, I often mash-up cartoon characters with movies, which often gets a big reaction from people, they laugh out loud and often want to show it to their friend so they also enjoy the work, seeing the reaction they have about my work motivates me to paint more. it makes me happy to see them have such a good time seeing my work.
One of my favorite pieces is "Mi Amor detras del Velo" it was a piece I donated to a charity event, it now hangs in a tattoo show, it is one of my more popular pieces, I've sold several prints on this piece, my Dia de los Muertos is some of my most popular works, I received a letter from a teacher in Florida, she said that she used my work as a teaching tool to inspire her students about the art. I felt so honored that she used my work as an inspiration for her students, that was one of the biggest compliments I have ever received, it makes me feel like i'm on the right path.

At the moment I've only attend Texas shows, I'm hoping that within a year or so, I will branch out to out of state shows. hoping to expand my fan base, I do have fans via internet that span from the United State, Canada, South America, Europe and Australia, and hopefully more is to come.
In closing what I want people to know about me is that I'm pretty easy going, I love my fans, and if I can inspire anyone to pick up a pencil or brush, then it will have made what I'm doing all worth it.

Al, thanks so much for being such a wonderful artistic presence in not only Texas, but around the world! My Harley Quinn print is hanging proudly on my wall and I cannot wait to purchase more from you in the future! Have a wonderful 2015! Check out his Etsy shop HERE. Al Molina resides in Corpus Christi, Texas
with his wife and kids and his crazy dog.

Unique - No Better Way To Be!

 

We have an incredible feature lined up from the owner of Love Unique Monique! This wonderful unique lady is not only a dream to work with, she is also a sweet heart at what she does. Join me on our lovely interview we were able to have this past week.

Building Bridges: Tell us a little bit about you, your family, and what you like to do for fun!

Love Unique Monique: I am a country girl at heart, but was raised in the small town San Ramon in the East Bay area. I come from a family of six (2 sisters and a brother). We are a crazy bunch of people that love to be loud and have a good time.  I paint, draw, crochet and love adventure.  I love to go fishing and hiking with my fiancé and my pups. They are my world. My fun time is playing with my puppies and just going with the flow of the day!

Building Bridges: What other hobbies do you have?

Love Unique Monique: My hobbies include fishing, hiking, walking, horseback riding, soccer, crafting, painting and drawing, and spending time with family.

Building Bridges: Why did you choose the name of your business? Is there a special meaning behind it?

Love Unique Monique: Love Unique Monique came about because I always had a nickname “Unique Monique” growing up.  I was always the outgoing, dare to be different kid.  I made things my own and wanted to shine in everything, making me unique.  And because it rhymed it just made the nickname more fun! That’s why when it came to a store name, Unique Monique was the ONLY thing I thought of it to be.  And “Love” came into the picture because not only am I sending something unique and the theme to be different to someone but everything is handmade with a lot of love behind it.

Building Bridges: Why did you decide to open your shop and why sell on Etsy.com?

Love Unique Monique: I decided to open up shop because of all the positive feedback I would get from the little creations I would make for fun.  This has been a hobby more than a job for me from the get go.  I would make p.j. pants, blankets, purses and more with the sewing machine when I was younger and loved to share my work.  And when I moved into crocheting (which I learned as a young girl but really got into when I was in college to help pass time and avoid papers – just kidding!! Sort of), I got so many people asking “oo! Where did you get that?” or “wow. Did you make that!?” That it made me think what fun it would be to have a shop where I can spread my love crafting and art. I asked my family of the idea and saw the great reactions from them.  It was just a meant to happen thing.  Selling on Etsy seems like the best place because it was user friendly, I had my friends to help me set up shop whom already had shops on Etsy, and I heard so many passing conversations of people finding things on Etsy that I knew that was the community I wanted to be a part of.

Building Bridges: Did someone encourage you to start a business?

Love Unique Monique: I would say that family and friends have been the biggest bunch to encourage me to start a business.  My parents and siblings support me in anything I want to pursue and they were so quick to jump on giving me ideas of my first items and what others like too.  That alone is encouraging to have the support.  And to have the support my fiancé is amazing too.  He was all about helping me find the right products and clearing the space in the apartment for me to do my thing.  All the factors together were what got the ball rolling for me.  And once it was set up I got great support from my friend Megan Reed because she has had success with her shop too, that she helped me get my first couple followers. (She is owner of In a Dream Boutique). So I wouldn’t be able to tell you just one encouraging person, but the whole clan of family and friends behind me! If I didn’t start the shop after asking them of the idea, I might have gotten the talking to from a few family members! Ha-ha.

Building Bridges: That is so neat to hear that you are friends with Megan Reed? We had her shop featured too!! When did your shop officially open?

Love Unique Monique: My shop officially opened in November of 2013.  This was when I got my first few items up.  I started with crocheted pillows and ear warmers.  And quickly added boot cuffs to the mix of items too.  I love adding a little unique flare to each item because that is my ultimate theme – Be Unique.

Building Bridges: Do you remember your first product that sold, what was it?

Love Unique Monique: My first product that sold was two pairs of crocheted boot cuffs (white and mint).  They had antique buttons on them as my unique touch (buttons from a collection I received from my fiancé’s late grandmother – she handed down all her sewing stuff and collections to me in her passing. Again giving me more encouragement to use the unique, antique buttons dating all the way back to the 1920s! And of course I clean them up and stuff, no worries of that).  I also remember my first charcoal drawing that was sold through Etsy as well – Steamboat Willie.  This sale will always be remembered because it was the one charcoal drawing I did the day I found out my Opa (German grandpa) had passed away. And it was sold to be hung in someone’s nursery.  A new life is born for every life lost. That meant the world to me and will always be remembered in my heart. 

Building Bridges: Do you take custom orders?

Love Unique Monique: Of course! Custom orders are actually my favorite orders to receive.  I am always encouraging my friends, family, supporters, followers, and viewers to be unique and having your own custom order is just the way to do it through my shop! I will do any color you like for any style, and will draw a charcoal drawing of any character you would like too.

Building Bridges: Why make handmade products?

Love Unique Monique: I love handmade products because that is what I grew up with.  I loved making handmade birthday cards for people and making them some cool gift that I did myself.  It just made it so much more personal.  That’s why handmade items in my store mean a lot to me because each one is made with love and passion behind it.  And that goes back to custom orders too.  If you want a custom order you know it is going to be even more personal and special for yourself or a loved one when it is handmade. 

Building Bridges: What do you love or hate about selling?

Love Unique Monique: I love seeing all the reactions from my products the most.  I may not get sales on a regular basis but I always get likes and views and that alone is fun for me.  Of course I want to actually make sales and I love to see all the different orders I get from people when I sell, but reactions are the first step.  I love to see the color combinations and how people challenge me with new drawings and paintings.  Making other people happy and having their visions become reality is something I love in selling.  What do I hate??? I wouldn’t be able to say that I hate anything.  Trying new things and not having my initial plan go as I want it to is frustrating but then it turns into a whole new product that I end up loving and that takes all frustration away. 

Building Bridges: What is your favorite part about owning your own business?

Love Unique Monique: My favorite part of owning my own business is making my own creations.  I get ideas from everyone I know and they tell me “make this. Make that” which is fun to do, but in the end I am taking all those ideas and making them into something that I create.  That is the best part of owning because it’s all my rules, my creations and my passion behind it all. And making my own hours is always nice.

Building Bridges: Do you have a product that you prefer to design/create over others?

Love Unique Monique: No.. I love every product and design and there is no one design or item that I like over the others.  It is all so exciting for me: painting, crocheting, charcoaling, and sewing.  I do not have a preference.  The only preference would be to do custom orders over anything else because I love making things that the other person truly wants!

Building Bridges: Do you have any advice for other crafters who would like to start selling their creations?

Love Unique Monique: Do it! Anything your heart and mind wants to do, just follow your instincts and do it.  I would tell them to start an Instagram and Pinterest account for your business and gain followers there too.  Reach out to any other owner and ask for advice or other questions about the business.  The Etsy seller community is amazing.  Everyone is so supportive.  That is the best advice I can give a starter right now. (I am still a starter myself and always learning.) There will always be more to learn and more to improve on your shop/yourself when you join Etsy. 

Building Bridges: Best advice you received when you went into business for yourself?

Love Unique Monique: The best advice I received would probably be exactly what I give someone else.  Starting an Instagram and Pinterest has boosted my confidence in my work and views.  But the overall best advice I got was from my cousin’s friend (Beary Bikey Mama shop owner).  She told me, “Be creative and be yourself.  If you love what you do, there is always someone out there that will love it too”

Building Bridges: We love to attend craft and vendor markets - do you?

Love Unique Monique: Yes! I love craft and vendor markets.  There are so many farmers markets that have people selling more than farmed products, and other craft fairs that I attend.  I love to support small businesses and get new ideas. 

Building Bridges: Did you always see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?

Love Unique Monique:  No way.  I thought about being the owner of a business before but never did I dream of it being this business or even true.  Just one of those childhood visions you have thinking about how cool it would be to own something, anything! But to actually become an entrepreneur, this was never really something I saw myself doing.

Building Bridges: What is your most popular 7 favorite product on the market right now?

Love Unique Monique: my most popular product right now? I think would have to be my handbags/totes and Frozen charcoal drawings. I love everything but I have grown favoritism for my personalized charcoal drawings! You can see the photo(s) attached.  You can change the names to whatever you want.

Building Bridges: What is a typical day like when you are crafting?

Love Unique Monique: A typical day in the life of crafting is in short hectic! Well sort of.  It is a bundle of fun, laughs and interruptions from my pups to play with them.  They demand my attention a lot which makes me laugh when I am starting a new project.  I get it done of course but there are little breaks to give my full love to my little babies (my pups). I work as a Sign Language Interpreter 40 hours a week and come home to take the pups out potty, make something for dinner and get to crafting or drawing or painting.  Depends on my mood what I’m feeling like doing! I turn on the TV or radio and craft with the background noise.  And then when things aren’t going as planned or I’m just getting more droopy eyes than creativity, its quitting time!

Building Bridges: Tell us anything extra you would like to be added to your feature.

Love Unique Monique: I am always open to custom orders and love challenge myself with each creation.  I am family oriented and outgoing, and would sleep out on a bale of hay with the horses every night if I could! I have always been Unique Monique and want to share that same theme with everyone else.  I believe we are all different and encourage you to stick to the thing that makes you YOU. Thank you for your support and keep an eye out for more promos. Be unique!

Building Bridges:  Monique resides in Folsom, California with her fiancé, and two chiweenies.  You can find her crafting away with reruns of her favorite shows in the background (Once Upon A Time, I Dream of Jeannie, Brady Bunch, Full House and Bewitched. She can best be reached via Etsy, for orders. Please go follow, love, and adore her on Instagram - @loveuniquemonique, Pinterest, Blog, & you can also email  her at: loveuniquemonique@gmail.com. Have an awesome blossom Saturday! Hugs to everyone!

Helping Beautify Monotonous Chores

This week we are happily skipping along with our theme – of holiday spent in the kitchen! This week we meet Rose, the shop owner of Kitchen Sink Crafts, on Etsy.com. Having only been open since this past June, she is off to a great start! Be sure to read on for her story and a review of a pair of her embroidered kitchen tea towels!

THE STORY

I am married with three sons who all love football. When I am not working and cleaning up after the boys I enjoy sewing and machine embroidering. My other hobbies include gardening, baking, and crocheting. I came up with the name of my shop as 'kitchensinkcrafts1' since the products I first listed were kitchen towels (items used by the "kitchen sink"). I like to make a lot of things kitchen related. The towels in my house have to hold up to a lot of wear and tear, especially with three boys around!the world!

I officially opened my shop June 15 of this year. I don't know why I waited so long. I have always handmade towels for gifts as well as sold other items I make to friends and family. I could never find a kitchen towel that was cute, lint free, and the perfect size so I started making my own. After making several different sized towels I settled on the towel sizes that are currently listed in my shop. They are a nice size, hang over an oven handle nicely, dry well, and look cute. Using a nice item can make a chore like drying dishes a bit more pleasurable. I will be adding dish rags and embroidered aprons to the shop very soon.

I will also be taking custom orders in the future. I will be adding a Christmas Ornament area to my shop. Mainly very classy freestanding lace ornaments that can decorate a Christmas tree or even be used to decorate gift packages. There are so many things I enjoy creating! I can't wait to share them with the world!
 

                                                            THE REVIEW

Set of two hand made tea towels made of Osnaburg fabric ( 97% cotton and 3% polyester). They measure approximately 18" long by 15" wide. The stitching designs are done with a dark brown polyester thread. Osnaburg looks like linen and has slight fabric variations which add to its charm. These towels are excellent for drying glasses and silverware. They will hang nicely over your oven handle as shown. Towels have been washed and pressed and are shipped ready to use. If you have any questions please message me.
Thanks for stopping by

To fit right in with our theme, Rose was sweet enough to send us a pair of her embroidered kitchen tea towels! What can be more festive in a kitchen then pretty towels?? Nothing that's what!

The Look: Most women purchase an item based on how it looks. It's very easy to fall in love with one of Rose's tea towels because of the beauty of each embroidered stitch! She uses a lovely polyester thread that just really helps the artwork to shine!


The Feel: Moving on the the feel of the cute little towels which is also  
VERY important! Sometimes you aren't sure when buying online, maybe it's cheap feeling, or has an itchy texture. NEVER FEAR for there is none of that here!! These tea towels are so soft that I could even wash my face with them, but I won't because I couldn't fathom ruining them! An A+++ is given on the feel!

Durability: These towels are thick enough to be able to dry dishes and not wilt like a soggy napkin. That may sound harsh to other tea towels out there, but hey the truth is the truth! And these towels are fantastically glorious for dish drying, which I prefer, because like I said I would hate to ruin them by using them to wipe up counter stains, I'll save that for the towels bought at the grocery store! Hehe

The Overall: I am in love with these handmade towels. Rose has outdone herself on her embroidery work! They can be used for the every day baker, cook. chief, or whatever you prefer to call yourself OR they look fabulous hanging in the kitchen for decorative purposes! Rose was so sweet to also share this beautiful lace snowflake ornament with me! I cannot wait to put up my tree this Christmas and hang it on my tree!! Thank you so much for being unbelievably sweet!

Rose resides in Decatur, Illinois with her husband and three sons. She can best be reached via Etsy convo. Please check out her shop HERE! Shop local this holiday season, Etsians love to bring joy to their customer’s faces – plus it always beats standing in line!! Thanks so much for allowing us to feature you and review your towels! Many blessings to you and your shop!