What Inspires Me?

I always love seeing what inspires others so I wanted to share what inspires me.  Sometimes when I sit down to make one of my scrapbooks it just flows easily and other times I need some help.  That is when I turn to my sketchbook.

I started this book a few years ago from an artists sketch book.  I decorated the front and tied ribbons all down the spine.  Then I added section tabs throughout and started filling it.

There are lots of sketches for layouts.  Some by me but many from magazines.  These blank sketches are great for me because I can see past color and theme and make it work for all kinds of lay outs.

Then there are pages and pages of layouts and ideas that I clip from magazines and pamphlets and really everything that inspires me goes in here.

This collection of sketches and photographs have come to my rescue so many times when I am in a rut and need to get those creative juices flowing again.

So what inspires you?

--Angel


www.etsy.com/shop/bamcraftymommas

www.facebook.com/uniquecreationsbyBAMcraftymommas

Back at it again.....Paint Chip Notepads

You all know how much I love paint chip crafts!  I just can't help myself!  So, I had some fun yesterday making some new paint chip matchbook style notepads.

I have stacks and stacks of discontinued fans of paint chips that I rescue from the trash and love finding new things to do with them!  I have made book marks, notepads and have some Christmas ornaments that I made as well.

Do you have an idea for a paint chip craft?

Introducing TJ and a Giveaway

One of the best parts of selling on Etsy is all the awesome people you meet.  Let me introduce you to TJ of TJLundinCO.  She is a super sweet, newly married young lady.  She is making and selling fun jewelry and hair accessories.

Here is a little about TJ:

Tell us how your shop got started? My shop started because I wanted a way to help out financially and yet do something that wasn't too stressful and fun! Since I'm a full time college student and newlywed, this was the perfect hobby. 

Describe yourself in 5 words: bubbly, musical, faithful, silly, and funny

What's your favorite thing to do when not creating?  I love to hang out with my hubby, playing games, watching movies, shopping, and swing dancing! Being a newlywed I've discovered that I love to bake. So I always have something yummy to eat.

What's your shop mission/goal?  My goal is to make someone's life a little more special by sharing pieces of my personality through my creations. I also want to shine forth God's light in the way I live, and hopefully that will show within the stuff I create and also by meeting me :-)

Whats your fav candy bar?  3 musketeers bar! I just love chocolate!

So TJ is giving away one of her adorable headbands to one lucky winner.  The winner will get to pick 1 of 3 headbands.  US winner will get the headband sent to them for free but an international winner will be asked to pay for the shipping.

Here is how to enter!

1)  you get one entry for leaving a comment here

2)  you get one entry for liking TJ on facebook http://www.facebook.com/TJLundinCo (leave a separate comment letting us know you liked her page)

3) you get one entry for liking Bamcraftymommas on facebook http://www.facebook.com/uniquecreationsbyBAMcraftymommas (leave a separate comment letting us know you like us on facebook, or that you already did)

4) you get THREE extra entries for purchasing an item from ours or TJ's shop. just leave 3 more comments letting us know what you bought.

The winner will be picked using random.org on Friday August 19th at 11pm EST.

Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Angel and Michelle

Introducing... New Creations

This business venture started as an opportunity to do something we love, while being able to stay home with our children and provide extra income for our family.

A big part of this for me (Michelle) was being able to try new things and really let my "creative juices" be shared with others. So after an evening of planning the future of BAM crafty mommas at Starbucks with my friend and business partner (Angel), we have decided to try a monthly new product launch.

Each month, starting in September, we will launch a brand new product to be shared first with our blog followers and Facebook friends, then into the world of our Etsy shop. We will use the feedback we receive to make a decision about whether the product will become a BAM product or be discontinued. Our main goal is to provide good quality, affordable products that people love, so your feedback is always appreciated!

We are really excited to be starting this new chapter and look forward to sharing this with all of you!

Michelle

Fabric Banners Used at a Wedding

We love how you all think of fun ways to use our fabric banners!  This customer was so sweet and sent us pictures so we could see how she used them.  She and her new hubby had a baseball/Americana themed wedding and used 3 of our patriotic banners to decorate the reception.  How cute does this look?!  What a fun wedding!

We are having fun coming up with unique ways to use these banners now.  You can check out the ones we have available here or contact us to make a completely unique one for you.

Can you think of a different way to use these or place to hang one?

Beautiful Ballerina Fundraiser Card

This beautiful card is a collaboration between friends to help out another.

Shannon from Baruchs Lullaby is trying to raise money to adopt 2 children from Bulgaria.  As many know this can be a very expensive time for a family.  So, two of her friends Sue and Lizzie got together to help.  Lizzie is a talented illustrator and drew the lovely dancer you see above.  Sue makes beautiful cards and has turned Lizzie's drawing into a greeting card.  This card is up for purchase here for $4.50 which will all be given to Shannon so that she can bring her babies home soon.

Please take a look and considering purchasing a card to help out.  It would make a lovely card or put it in a frame and keep it for yourself.

You can read more about Shannon's adoption process here.

And you can purchase the card here.

Thanks so much!

Angel

Let's Have a Party!

While selling online is great and a lot of fun we really love it when we get to meet the customer and talk to you about who we are and what we do.  So, we are going to start doing in home shows!  It will give us the opportunity to just hang out with you and have a good time.

How will this work?

We would come to you house and set up our goods similar to how we do at craft shows.  You can choose to have a few snacks for your friends or not, we will leave that up to you.  You invite your friends and family over to peruse.  We will be there to  introduce ourselves and answer questions but no sales pitches.  This will be a pressure free zone.

What is in it for me?

As a thank you for opening up your home to us and introducing us to your friends we will give you a $25 credit good for anything we make!  Your gift will not be based on sales so you never have to feel pressured.

How do I look into doing a show?

You can email us at bamcraftymommas@yahoo.com with any questions and to look into a date.  Or you can contact us through our facebook page.

We are super excited about the chance to hang out with you!

Angel and Michelle

My New Purse

Everywhere I go now I get compliments on my new purse.  It is so well made and completely one of a kind.  Since everyone wants to know where I got it I thought I would do a little spotlight on one of my favorite esty sellers Sewendless!  Kelly is the beautiful face behind the scenes that makes all of the pieces here.

Here is my awesome, unique and totally affordable purse!  Kelly let me pick out the fabric and the style that I wanted.  She made it super fast for a custom bag, it only took about a week and a half.  I cannot be happier with how it lays on my shoulder, how much it holds, and let's be honest how amazingly cute it is!

Kelly makes all kinds of purses and is working on some backpacks for back to school time.

She also makes these adorable headbands!

Please go check out Kelly's shop or contact her here to inquire about a custom bag.