Model Search!!!

Hi Everyone!

The photography side of my life is going really well! I have expanded to High School Seniors and have FIVE seniors scheduled for the next two weeks. :) (all girls...isn't that funny!?!)

Anyway, I'm finding myself with lots of new ideas for props/poses etc., and I need a few models.

I'm currently looking for newborn twins. {FUN!} They would need to be under 10 days old, so if you (or someone you know) is currently pregnant with twins, (and in Southern Ca willing to travel to Laguna Niguel) PLEASE CONTACT ME!!!! (more details below).

I'm also looking for a six to seven year old little girl. (I have the best props just waiting to be used!!!) Again, you must be willing to come to Laguna Niguel, CA.


If you or someone you know fits one of the descriptions above, please go to my website, Stephanie Barnard Photography and contact me through the contact page.

For your time, you will receive a free portrait session AND a $150 print credit.

For the little girl, I will ask you to send me a snapshot via email. Just a note: not every little girl will be chosen, but I *might* be willing to pick 2-3 little girls. (I need different looks).

Hugs!
Stephanie

Wow, it's been a long time....

I can't believe how long it's been since I've updated this blog. Thank you so much to those of you that have emailed me and asked me what I've been up to. :)

Well, I've been busy. When life gives you lemons...well, you know.... {grin}

Artistic Medley is going well. I'll be honest, slower than we expected, but with this economy, many stores just aren't interested in new products. But, we are making contacts and proving ourselves to our clients. Eventually, everything will pick up.

Since I've had free time on my hands, I've finally taken the jump to become a 'pro' photographer. The website is up and clients are starting to call. :)

It's interesting, because I've always dealt with companies/editors/etc. and now I'm dealing with the local public. I'm just thrilled that I've found another creative outlet....as long as I can CREATE, I'm happy.

So, if you are interested, feel free to visit the website...

Pint Sized Portraits

I've finally gotten the blog up and going and you can find it here...

Stephanie Barnard Photography Blog

Am I still stamping and scrapbooking? Of course! Just not everyday.

The most important thing is finding something that makes you happy. And I have. I've re-discovered my love for my family. I've re-discovered old friends. And I've found a new way to be creative. I'm so blessed.

Just the other day, I was photographing a six day old baby. During the photoshoot, I paused for just a moment, and realized how incredibly happy I was feeling. It was such a joyous moment for me. {Ok, I'm such a sap!} {grin}

Go check out the website and leave me some blog love.

Hugs!
Stephanie

Getting Busy!

I'm so sorry I haven't updated my blog lately! We've been busy! I haven't forgotten about the blog candy and the questions...I will answer some more soon....(after CHA).

In the meantime, I can finally tell you a little more about our new company. It is not a stamping company, it is not a scrapbooking company....it's more than that. :) Here's the 'official' announcement:

What happens when you combine the creative force and marketing wit of inque boutique with the brains and experience of the co-creator of Around the Block Products?

A brand new

Company….

Unlike anything you have ever known!

Introducing….

Artistic Medley

If you own a company eager to MAXIMIZE your profits with minimal costs, contact us immediately! We are currently scheduling no obligation appointments at CHA. Sit down with us and let us tell you how we can turn your company into a money making empire.

We have SUCCESS in designing/importing/sourcing in:

Rubber Stamps
Clear Stamps
Ink Pads
Scrapbooking Paper
Ribbons/Brads/Chipboard/etc.
Exclusive Tools
Idea Books
Embroidered Items
Bags of all Kinds, Shapes and Sizes
Luxury Items
Travel Kits

and more!

Let us utilize our personal relationships with numerous factories overseas to bring your ideas to market! We have 18 year relationships with overseas factories and do QA checks and all required product testing.

Please email me if you would like an appointment at CHA. Feel free to visit our ‘under construction’ website, www.ArtisticMedley.com .

______________________

So, there you go. :) Guinevere Wessell, formally of Around the Block Products and I have joined our talents to bring products in from overseas. And not just for the craft industry. Currently we are working on gift items, home decor, and even travel kits!

Guinevere is the mastermind behind Around the Block. She used to live overseas, so she has some of the most amazing contacts! All the ATB products were created because of her sourcing contacts. :)

We will both be at CHA next week. We are so excited!

After the CHA tradeshow, I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule. ;)

Hugs,

Stephanie

Almost a New Year!

Wow, what a great response I had to my last post! I loved reading the thoughtful questions that were posted! It was hard to pick just one to answer, so I'll answer a few. ;) If your question is below, please email me your address so I can send you a few stamps. {grin}


Question #1:
ScrapAloha said...
Merry Christmas! What was the most important thing you have learned so far in your business experience?

ScrapAloha, Hmmm...that would have to be..."Get everything in writing" I mean everything. Anytime something is said, even in passing, get it in writing. I could give you tons of examples, but it might hurt some feelings.

One good example though is when I was told a certain company (starts with a 'd') was going to hire me to run the entire company (ib), so they asked me to fly across the country and meet with them. Of course I went...long story short, they changed their minds and I was out the plane fare, hotel costs and airport parking. {OUCH!}

That's just one example. I think I let my heart lead me more than my brain. ;)

Question #2:
Jingle said...
Merry Christmas! If it makes you feel any better I finally got all the cards made and they are still sitting in a neat stack in my scrapbook room! I know...it figures! Hopefully I'll get some handed out tonight, at least. So, here is my question...with being so amazingly busy, being a working mom and such, how do you make time for yourself to craft and then how do you make the most of that time. I'm not a Mom, but I do work full time, commute 10 hours a week, volunteer a ton, and make time to spend with my husband and it can get tricky! Thanks for considering my question!

Jingle, Ok, I'll be honest, I chose this question for two reasons. One, because I have a friend named Jingle. (Yes, it's her real name!) and two, to pay a tribute to my wonderful husband. How do I find time? Honestly, I don't. My house is a mess. Really. Especially my office and bedroom. The downstairs looks decent, but that's only because my hubby vacuums and cleans. (He also cooks when he is home and does the laundry. I am so blessed!)

I also stay up until at least midnight. I like to create at night. Even most of my blog posts are at night. I'm a night owl. And let me tell you, I am NOT a morning person. Hubby gets up at 4:30 am to work out and read the bible, paper, etc. I try to sleep until at least 8 unless I have carpool. ;)

Question #3:
by Shelly said...
Merry Christmas Stephanie! I absolutely love your videos. Each time I watch them I get totally inspired. My question is, If you knew ahead of time what was going to happen to Inque would you still have done it?

Shelly, Thanks for loving my videos. I love making them! This was my favorite question! The answer, Yes. I would of still signed up. ;) I have learned so much in terms of business, dealing with employees, graphic art, sourcing overseas, photography, videography, the list is endless. I might of lost a little, but what I have gained far out weighs the loss.

I met so many incredible people! I worked with some great and talented individuals! I was so happy. I mean, what type of crazy person works at 10pm on Christmas Eve?!? I can answer that. It's someone that deeply loves her job and the people she works with. ;)

At the same time, though, it was wonderful this Christmas to not have any of the work thoughts creep into my family time. Not once did I feel like I needed to check the computer for emails. It was very freeing. ;)

Ok, the random chosen comment is from:
#54
Margaret said...
Good thing you aren't a guy or for sure somebody would want to know... boxers or briefs! My question is, of the four seasons, which one do you like designing for best (rubber stamps or whatever you are up to now) and why?Being a early spring baby I find myself enjoying the design of spring cards with flowers and eggs and bunnies. What about you?

Margaret....Boxers or briefs....anything BUT a thong (those are crazy!) :)

Answer to your real question....Hands down...Spring! I have two girls. Flowers rule my life. ;)

Ok, so, if I answered your question, send me your address (via email). If I didn't answer it, please forgive me and post it again!!! There were so many great questions, I wanted to answer them all...but this post would be too long! {grin} So, please post your question on this post and I'll pick a few next week.

Big hugs, and Happy New Year!
Stephanie

Merry Christmas!!!!

Sometimes, you have to just go for it and be politically incorrect. Now is my time....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Ahhhh, I feel better now. As a Christian, Christmas is a very important and special time for our family. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, I pray that everyone takes a few moments out of their daily lives and reflects on how incredibly blessed we are.

If you are a family member or close friend, please don't expect a Christmas card from me this year. {Gasp!} My BFF (gosh, can you tell I have a teen in the house!?!) told me people would think I was depressed if I didn't send out cards this year, but I want you to know I am doing very well. ;)

I've just been so b-u-s-y! Our new company is off to a quick start (I'll start sharing more soon!) And, I'm enjoying life once again. Window shopping, hanging with friends and life! It's the little things I missed when I worked 24/7. Now, I make my own hours and I fit work into my life, not my life into my work. I love it.

However, there is one thing I miss...and it's YOU!!! I miss the daily emails from customers/scrapbookers/stampers. I loved hearing the stories...that's what I miss.

So, here's the deal. I'm going to start some chatter around here. Once a week, (on Mondays) I'm going to answer questions from you. So, post a question in the comments section, and if I answer it the next week, I'll send you some inque stamps. (gotta do something with the stamps I have!) I'll send at least 2-3 images (not sets, sorry, I'll run out too soon....) to each person that I answer their question. I'll also choose one random person. So, at least 2-3 winners a week....Sound like fun?

No question is off limits. Well, ok, r-rated ones are. (that would be too weird for me....) ;)

But, make them good. No easy ones like, "How many kids do you have?" (two girls...15 and 11).

Ok?

Ready?

Get Set....

Go!

Hugs,
Stephanie
P.S. Once again, Merry Christmas!

It's Time for an Update...

First, I want to say a big "Thank You!" to everyone that posted a comment or sent me an email since my last post. That post was very difficult to write, but I felt you deserved an explanation. (And it was therapy for me to write it.) {grin}

And now, for an update....

I've been doing so much better. I just read over that last post and I could feel the pain I had when I wrote it. I'm in a wonderful place in my life right now. I am stress free. I've been amazed at how once the shock and pain wore off, how the stress literally left my body. That's a good thing.

So, what's been keeping me busy? (Besides life of kids/family/hubby?) Well, two things.

1. A friend and I have started a business. Now, don't get too excited....it's not a stamping company. After long conversations, prayers, etc., I've discovered (or excepted) that the industry I LOVE is not what it was five years ago. In fact NOTHING is what it was five years ago.

This new company is a design/sourcing company for various products. Mostly the gift industry, but we are working on lots of different and fun things. As they become available, I'll start sharing what and where the items will be available. It's so great to be designing again. In fact, I'm designing Christmas (f0r next year!) isn't that wild?!? :)

2. The second thing I've had to keep me busy is my photography. I'm sure many of you don't know this, but before I started inque boutique, I was "thisclose" to making my photography business official. I had a portfolio ready and even a few clients that wanted sessions. I even had Simple Scrapbooks request two of my photos for photography articles....it was the direction I was going in before IB/Sugarloaf......but when someone offers to pay you to design stamps and offers you a dream job meeting all your requirements...you jump. :) It was the right choice at the time, and I stand by that decision. But now, it's photography's turn.

I'm updating my portfolio, (doesn't seem right to use photos I took two years ago....), I purchased a website (it's not up yet....), and I even updated my camera with some of my severance pay.....Ahhh....don't you just love getting a new camera?!?

I'll start posting portfolio photos soon. In the meantime, here's a favorite I took last month at the beach of my oldest daughter and her best friend.....

I love the 'grunge' look when it comes to teenagers, so I got to play with this photo in photoshop!

Here's a more 'traditional' photo, of Katie.....

Even though I have these two things to keep me busy, I'm still involved with scrapbooking/stamping. (In fact, our company is currently working on a stamp kit for another company....)

I'll be at CHA demonstrating and walking the show. (More info later....).

Again, thank you so much for your kind thoughts, well wishes and prayers. I always put my trust in God and I know HE knows what's best for me. ;)

Big hugs!

Stephanie

A Blog Post I Never Thought I Would Write....

It is with a very sad heart that I write this blog post today.....It's something I never thought in a million years I would ever say. A part of me is still in shock, yet I feel like some sort of explanation is overdue. Please forgive me for making this long....

It all started two months ago. I was visiting my parents while they were camping and my boss at Inque Boutique called to tell me the company had been sold. The worst part was that we no longer had jobs. {insert tears here....}

However, there was some talk that the new owners would want me to carry on with my job duties...so there was some hope...I flew to Ohio to meet with the new owners...I thought everything went well. They said they would let me know....

Well, today they did. They have decided that they have "other priorities" and I am not needed. They will continue to sell the Inque Boutique products they purchased, but future new products are not in the plan and sound very unlikely. :(

Needless to say, I'm sad. Inque Boutique was my third child. I gave Inque Boutique my heart and soul...everything and every minute I had was devoted to the company.

It's weird to think the new owners will be selling my stamps, with my name, with my picture, yet, I'll have nothing to do with it.

I'm sad, BUT, I'm not bitter. I loved working for the previous owner and I know this wasn't personal. Business is business and that means you do what you have to do.

I am SO grateful for the things I have learned. I've learned so much about marketing, graphic design, dealing with China, gosh...so much...I could of never learned the stuff I did in a college classroom. I'm taking with me more knowledge about business than I can ever imagine.

And the people I've met! Let me tell you, I have met some of the most loving, caring women! I've loved traveling to teach at stores, I've loved taping the videos and getting emails from customers. This job was a PURE joy. AND a Blessing. I loved every minute. Even when I would get up at 4am to check my emails....I LOVED my job. {more tears} You just have no idea. (feel free to stop reading here...I'm typing for therapy at this point.....)

Many exciting things happened to me at Inque. I got to create a line of paper, ribbons, felt embellishments, and SO many stamps! Someday, I'll have to count how many stamps I designed! :) And, last month, I realized a dream. I went on National Live TV on QVC, and demonstrated my own stamps. That was the ultimate. I assure you, that was the most incredible feeling. It all ended on an incredible high. That's a good thing. I couldn't ask for more than that. Really. It's just hard to think that someone else now has my 'baby'. I ache knowing all the hard work we put into each and every item. It does hurt. I can't lie that it doesn't.

But, I'll survive. In the scheme of life, this is only a minor curve ball. This is nothing compared to what others are going through now. Job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcy....so many things are happening right now to friends of mine...my situation is small potatoes.

Lucky for me, I worked because I wanted to... not because I have to. Before Inque, we were a one income family and we were doing just fine. We are fine now, too.

I'm down for now, but I'm not out. :) Don't feel sorry for me. I'll be ok. I know God has a reason for everything and let me tell you, I have my trust in Him.

As I look to the future, I have a few options. I'm taking it slow and I'll chose the one that's right for me and my family. You certainly haven't seen the last of me! {grin}

But, for right now, right this second, I need to grieve a little. I need to pack up the papers, felts, brads, ribbons, chipboard...and save them for another time. I can't look at it all right now. It's too much.

But, the stamps...ya gotta love the stamps. I won't be able to pack them up. :) For now, I'll leave them out and smile at them. Probably blow them a kiss or two. Soon, I'll pick them back up and create again....

Home Sweet Home

Ahh, I got to sleep in today. :) Woke up at 9:30!

While I was gone, I was getting up at 4:15am and 5:30am eastern time...so, do you realize, that's 1:15am and 2:30 am for me?!? Yikes! For someone that is a night owl, I got tired real quick!

QVC was once again a great experience. I had four items on in one hour, so there was tons of rushing around but I LOVE the rush!

Mary in South Carolina sent me these great pics...Thanks SO much, Mary!

It was a thrill to share my designs on QVC. I'll admit, I did get misty eyed! Here are the stamp images that you couldn't really see on the air:

Ignore where it says 40%...that's only if you are looking at the paper that comes in the kit. QVC.com still has a few stamp kits if you haven't gotten yours yet. {grin}

So after my trip to QVC in PA, I was on a plane to OH to meet with the new owners of inque boutique. I spent a day there and then flew home on Thursday.

I'll try to post some of the layouts/projects I had for QVC using the kit. I just need to get hubby to photograph them for me...(He is becoming quite the photographer! I'm so proud.) :)

Yes, It's been awhile....

Many things have happened in my life since my last blog post.

Some good things.

Some sad things.

Some wonderful things.

Some exciting things!

Let's start with the wonderful....

My {little} brother got married last week. What a joy the wedding was. Kirstin and Katie were in the wedding. They looked so beautiful and grown up!

The wedding went very smoothly and was in an incredible location! If you are planning on getting married and live in Orange County, you have to check it out! (email me for info!)

The last month has been filled with wedding prep. Finalizing the dresses, the hairstyles (straight...nice and easy!) and the schedule for the day. Since the wedding was on a Friday night, we had to coordinate work and school and cheer schedules.

My brother and new sister-in-law are now resting and relaxing on a 14 day cruise. ;)

Here are some more photos:

Isn't she beautiful!?! The dress was amazing, too.

I love how my brother looked at me in this photo! Too cute!

One of Ken and I inside at the reception.

This location was FAB!

This is a photo of my Dad and my brother. My brother is three years younger than I am, but he looks LOTS older. {grin} He likes his gray hair...he thinks it's the George Clooney look!

And NO I do NOT have that much gray hair. He started getting it in his early twenties. Yikes. (I will admit though, I do have a few gray hairs...just nothing like him!) {grin}

I love to tease that he got the height in the family. (Keep in mind, I'm wearing two inch heels in this photo!)

I have so much other news to share, but it will have to wait a few days. Just a quick hint, though...I'll be going on QVC on September 23rd...more info to come....

Big hugs!

Stephanie

Ahh, Summertime....

The girls aren't home....Kirstin is at Cheer Camp at a local college for four days and Katie is camping with my parents for a week. The house is too quiet! It's funny, I travel all the time for work, and I'm fine being away, but the second the kids are gone, I'm home with an empty house and I h-a-t-e it!

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to post this new video. I posted it on the inque blog as well, but figured I should post it here, too. :)