Christmas Ornaments for the Bride & Groom

We have a fabulous new Christmas gift/bridal shower gift idea for the bride and groom. Or maybe you are reading this and you are engaged and/or newlyweds. This ornament would be perfect for your first Christmas together as an engaged couple or newlyweds.

I created these ornaments by hand etching nickel silver. The ornament was filed and buffed to a smooth finish around the edges. A slight patina was applied to show all the details. Then it was adorned with a 11mm acrylic crystal to add extra sparkle when the Christmas lights hit it. The ornament is 1 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches and it hangs from a sheer silver ribbon.

We also have an assortment of traditional Christmas ornaments that are also hand etched. Select from Rudolph, snowflakes, Christmas trees, peace bird, starfish, and seashells.

Below are a few pieces of jewelry that are also handmade and are available on Etsy.com.

The holidays will be here before you know it. So make sure someone else doesn't snatch up your favorite ornament or piece of jewelry. You can purchase items securely in my shop on Etsy.com.

Beach Wedding Cakes

If you love the beach as much as I do, you will love the look of all of these cakes. This first cake is what inspired me to share this cake artist's creations. Her name is Gunilla Kroshus of American Dream Cakes in Jacksonville, NC. Her cakes are flawless and tasty too!

She recently told me that her inspiration to create this cake came from my one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. She entered this cake in a local competition and won a Silver ribbon! The cakes were judged on creativity, smoothness, neatness and techniques used and overall appearance. Be sure to notice the coral topper!

Gunilla says that more and more brides are wanting minimal decorations on their cakes, but yet each cake is unique in their own way. This cake is beautiful with just a hint of sea foam green accents and the white chocolate starfish, seashells and sanddollars. And this cake has another beautiful topper.

And last but not least, what a fun cake the below is! I love how she has created the sand all over the different layers. It has lots of details like the waves and the coral reef. So beautiful and suddle, yet so elegant.

I have seen Gunilla's cakes in person. She recently created the cake for a bride of mine back in September. The cake was flawless! Make sure you give Gunilla a call and go by to sample all her wonderful sweets!

Happy Planning!

Carol

Save-the-Dates

Most everyone knows that a "Save-the-Date" announcement lets your guests know the date and location of your big day. They're essential for destination weddings in order to give your guests extra time to schedule vacation time off, arrange for child care, and shop around for a competitive airfare if needed.

Below are some helpful information about Save-the-Dates:

WHEN TO ORDER:
Most paper products take four to six weeks to produce and print, so try to place your order about eight to ten months before your wedding.

WHEN TO SEND THEM:

You should mail them out just as soon as the final venue contract has been signed, or six to eight months before the wedding. If you are marrying on an extremely busy holiday weekend, consider sending them out even earlier, but never more than a year in advance.

WHO GETS THEM:

Only send a Save-the-Date to the people on your A list, meaning close friends and family who will definitely be on your final guest list. Once you send this announcement, they are officially invited. There's no taking it back.

WHAT TO INCLUDE:

Include the date and location. If you already know hotel optinos, flight information, information on the destination, your dress code, etc., feel free to also include that information.

You could create your own Save-the-Dates. Create a "message in a bottle." Roll up your invitation, tie them with a bit of raffia or twine and put them in a bottle with some sand, a few tiny seashells and attach a starfish.

If you are asking guests to travel to a luxury resort or country club, have golf balls engraved with your personal information. Cut out a tiny square of atroturf or fake grass and send each in a box with the golf ball on top.

There are so many creative options you could come up with to create your own Save-the-Dave cards. Whatever you decide, creating your own or buying them, make sure your guests know well in advance the date and location of your special day so they can make plans accordingly.