Push Pins and Magnets

I am often asked how I come up with all these new ideas. The quick answer is that one thing leads to another.  

Here's the long answer.  As I noted in one of the previous blogs about the Sweet Flower Bouquets, my friends and or clients ask me if I can create a special something for them or their clients.  That sets my thinking cells into motion and off I go creating new things.

So, how did the push pins and magnets come about?  After posting the topiaries and flower spheres on my Facebook page, a very special person asked if I can create something really cute to show off the various reports that her team works on for weeks to put together.   With that picture in my head I started thinking of how the push pins would look, what process do I use, how would I put it together etc.  and like most of my ideas, this one came to me as I was trying to fall asleep for the night.  And that's how the first push pin came about. 

Here’s how to order

Send an email to: nada@experteventplanners.com

Provide the choice of color

Shipping preference: Delivery (on Oahu only), pick up or mail 

Date you needed by

Cost: $8 each plus shipping and handling

Nada Marriott

nada@experteventplanners.com

Sweet Flower Gifts

Valentines Day 

Who are we kidding.... trying to find the best Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone is very hard to do.  You want him or her to be surprised, so getting a box of chocolates is out, it’s expected.... nothing new about that gift.  Although a box of chocolates is a great back up gift, most of us don’t really want the extra calories.  A bouquet of roses or flowers is really nice, but they will wilt and die within 7-10 day.  So, there go your gifts into the trash.  

How about a gift that will last for a long time, without breaking your bank by getting that expensive ring. (although that’s a nice idea too :-))

I’ve come to your rescue!!! 

These rose topiaries are made out of heavy duty paper and will last much longer then the, although beautiful, fresh flowers that will die too soon, ending up in your trash.  

Order yours today and watch the huge smile spread on your special Valentine’s face.  (now, getting a box of chocolates along with these would be going an extra mile, and am sure will be very much appreciated)

Choose from these colors:
red, pink, purple, yellow, white, white with color tips
Choose your size:
small: 6-7” hight, ball 3-4” round
med: 10-11” high, ball 5-6” round
large: 14-18” high, ball 7-8” round

Prices range from: $45-$200 

Choose extras: 
jewels in each flower 
card with a note from you
delivery to you or your valentine (on Oahu only)
gift wrapped in a box with a bow

                                                  Purple Flower Ball                                              Multi Color medium Topiary

Small flat flower topiary

Sample size collection 

Here’s how to order:
Send an email to: nada@experteventplanners.com

• Provide the color
• Topiary or Flower ball
• Extras and size
• Delivery or pick up 
• Date you needed by

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Now, if the topiary flowers is not your style, then you can go for the custom designed Sweet Flower Bouquets.  These are great for the guys and gals alike.

The cost varies from $40 and up depending on the cost of the snack items and the size of the arrangement.  A small arrangement with approximately 5-7 items is $40.  The pictured arrangement has about 24  food item and is considered a large basket.   Think different, think birthday gifts, baby shower gifts, even those watching their weight can have one of these baskets.  These baskets can be made out of power bars, godiva chocolates, baby crackers or diabetic treats.  The choices are endless. 

Here’s how to order:
Send an email to: nada@experteventplanners.com

• Provide me with his/hers favorite snack item 
• Favorite Color/Sports Team/Designer/Style etc.
• Delivery or pick up
• Date you need this by

Christmas Stuff is Here

‘Tis the season to spread joy and happiness.  This is a good practice to continue all year long by spreading joy and happiness.  

New ideas come to me often, some of them I acknowledge and make into reality, and some of them I ignore.  Some ideas are presented to me by my friends and some I see or find myself.  

Let’s face it, there is a lot of “stuff” out there, but finding one that is created well is a bit hard to find.  So, when I see a craft item that I like, I work on NOT making it the same, but making it BETTER.  

You’ve seen the sweet basket creations (see couple of blogs back) and the paper flowers, origami flowers and boxes that I created.  

Here’s the latest just in time for Christmas.

Christmas Tree Ornaments.  How did I get this idea.... a good friend sent me an email with “look what I found on pintrest”.  As soon as I saw it I knew that I had to make it.  Here’s the first one I made: 

This is the first ornament with a brooch center sample 

Latest Ornament 

Here’s the latest one with a matching gift box

Button Trees.  I put out there on my FB page for anyone that has old buttons and would like to share them with me.  I heard back from a couple of ladies who had some buttons and were willing to share them with me.  As I went to pick up some buttons from a friend and share one of my flowers with a matching box, she wanted to show me something she thought I’d like to see.  She proceeded to show me this large Christmas tree made by using old pendants, earrings and such.  I thought that was a great idea.  You guessed it.... I had to make one, but didn’t have the same stuff or enough of it, so I used buttons.  

Here’s the first one I made. "The White Tree"  

 I took this tree to the lady who shared her buttons with me, to show her how pretty it came out.  She shared with me that her mom gave her the buttons when she got married.  When I showed her this tree, she teared up and said, “these are my mothers buttons”, and I said “this is for you, thank you for sharing the buttons with me that are so precious to you.” For moments such as these, is the reason that I create all these pieces of art.

After making the white tree, I was inspired to make the Red Tree.

 

Button Wreaths.  After returning home from delivering the white tree, I was thinking (the best place to think is while driving) of what else I could make with the buttons.  

Here's the Button Wreath that I just created.  Now I'm off to hunt for an 8x8 frame for this wonderful creation.  

There are more wonderful surprises up my sleeve.... coming soon.....

To order, send me an email requesting any of my creations and I will create one just for you.  Prices vary from $15 - $100, depending on the product.  Shipping is extra.

Nada Marriott

nada@experteventplanners.com

808-232-9525

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Something New.... Flower Pins

These flowers got their root from the basket flowers shown in the previous blog.

The flowers are quite versatile and can be used as an embellishment on: 

• clothing
• purses
• hair
• shoe clips
• gift bags
• gift boxes
• framed pictures
• and anything else you would like to pin these on

They are great gifts for someone in your family or in your office, your friends, or friends of friends.  The holidays are coming and know that you can get your last minute gifts here.

At the moment, I have two types of flowers that I make, with more varieties to come soon. 

Let me introduce you to the two types.  

Meet the PAPER flowers.

These one of a kind flowers are made out of card stock paper. The pictured flowers are samples to give you an idea.  Some are made from the glossy paper, others are matte with a slight same color impressions.   Some are adorned with a button, others may have a jewel like gem, and others are a dense flower. The variances are only limited to my creativity and your imagination.  :-)  So, give me a challenge and watch it come alive.  Size of the PAPER flowers are between 2" and 2.5".

Here's another way to use these flowers.  You can also use these in your pony tail or on the side of your “bun”. 

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Meet the FLORAL SILKLIKE flower.

These are softer and more common flower then the paper ones.  These come in sizes from 1” to 4.5” size.  Each is adorned with a button or a jewel like gem.  They vary in color and design, and no two are alike.  Can't you just see these clipped onto your purse?  Beautiful!

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To order, email me your color preference, size and style (paper or floral silklike paper) and a number of flowers you would like.  The prices range from $5-$25 ea.  Shipping is extra.

Let me know what you think, drop me a like, I would love to hear from you.

Nada Marriott

nada@experteventplanners.com

808-232-9525

Something New....

“Wow, these look great!” 

“How did you make these?” 

“I’d love one for my office party”

“You are so creative, I’m so impressed”

“People were very impressed, as was I with the arrangements.  It made an outstanding impression for Plaza.”  

Sometimes a great idea comes out from nowhere.  So, how did this idea get started? 

It took just one enquiry from a friend about a product to put me into a creative mode.

I was asked if I knew anyone that made these type of “candy” baskets.  These baskets were to be given away to this particular companie's clients.  So, after thinking about it and looking online, I didn’t find anyone local, and suggested that I could create something like they are looking for. 

I came up with these prototypes and presented them to my potential client.  

                    

The winner was the one with the red parasol.  I got an order for 30 baskets with a due date within about 3 weeks. So, I set out to make the 30 baskets.  First I had to improve on the red parasol, as it was quite unstable and I had to figure how to improve on the next version. 

After several different versions, these are the final results for the parasol.  (Since then, I have continued to improve them and even made a large version of these for the large baskets.) 

Then I came across a picture of an origami flower, and of course, I had to try to make it.  Below is the first flower I made. I decided, I would include one of these origami flowers in each basket along with a parasol. 

Resulting in this bunch of flowers.  Don’t they look pretty as a bouquet all on their own?

Then I came across a flower press, and had to try making that too. Yup, you guessed it, it too became an addition to each basket, along side the origami flower and the parasol.   

“People were very impressed, as was I with the arrangements.  It made an outstanding impression for Plaza.”  I am very happy that these baskets made others smile.

The final product! 

If you are looking for special gifts for your clients, a birthday present, baby shower, or for a holiday, I would encourage you to order early.  Each basket is custom created with you and your product in mind.  You choose the color, the product, the size etc. and I go into a creative mode. Prices vary depending on the food item and the container you would like to represent you or your client, friend or family.  The prices start at $30 for a small basket of 8-10 pieces with a small size container.  The above basket has 24 pieces of food item and is considered a large basket.   Think different, think birthday gifts, baby shower gifts, even those watching their weight can have one of these baskets.  These baskets can be made out of power bars, godiva chocolates, baby crackers or diabetic treats.  The choices are endless. 

Call or email me and let me know what type of a basket you would like.  

Nada Marriott

nada@experteventplanners.com

808-232-9525

Choosing a Vendor - Florist

Choosing a florist depends on the type of event that you will hold.

For an elaborate even with a lot of flair you will need elaborate flower arrangements.  Not all flower designers can create one of a kind, over the top, type of designs. 

Here are a couple of steps to take before choosing your flower designer:

1.    Review their website first.  If their website does not clearly showcase their work move on to the next florist on your list. 

2.    If you like what you see on their website, give them a call and schedule a one on one meeting.  You want to see in person if they are a good fit for you and your event.  At the meeting go over your vision, bring pictures of the designs you like, be prepared with type of flowers you would like to use and freely share that information with them.

3.    Have them create a sample of what one of your arrangements will look like.  You will most likely need to pay a fee, but it is worth the money for you to see their work in action.

4.    A large and elaborate event will require a florist who has sufficient number of assistants to help put together the many different intricate and sophisticated designs.

Think of if this way:  picking the perfect floral design for an event is like picking the perfect barbeque sauce for your stake, or the perfect frosting for your cake.  The event with the just the right floral design is satisfying to the eyes, just like the perfect barbeque sauce is satisfying to the taste buds, remembered for a long time.

Choosing a Vendor: Photographer/Videographer

Your framed wedding pictures will be on your wall at home and at your family’s home for, at least, the next 50 years.  It’s a bit different with the videos taken at your wedding.  They are nice to have, but you may watch it once a year or a total of 3-4 times in your life time. 

If you budget is small and you need to choose to either have the photographer or the videographer, then we recommend that you choose a photographer.

How do you go about choosing one?  They all show great pictures, how do you choose.

First of all, you need to define yourself and know what type of photography you would like to have.  If you are very traditional, then you need to choose someone who has been doing photography for many years and uses a couple of poses for most all of his pictures.  If you are a more of a contemporary style person and you like pictures that are edgy, different, interesting, shadowy etc. then look for a photographer that can show you his art that will reflect your style.

When talking to the photographers, they will ask you to bring them some pictures of the style of photos that you like.  That is a very important tip that we can give you.  DO THIS!!  The photographers cannot see what is in your head, what you are thinking of unless you show them.  Then take a look a their portfolio and see if it matches or comes close to your choice of pictures that you have brought to the interview.  

Trashing the dress is the in thing now.  The significance of doing this is that you never plan to wear that dress again, that your love will last forever and you do not need the dress, you are putting your old life away.  This is going to be the most fun you have had in that dress EVER! 

The last tip is to find a photographer that you feel comfortable with.  You want someone that you can freely smile to and someone that will make you smile, he/she will put you at ease and thus be able to capture the moment, the day YOUR day.

And the very last tip, on your final meeting with the photographer, make sure you let them know how many brothers and sisters you have, aunts and uncles, parents, how many people in your wedding party, your best buddies, and any other people that you would like to have a picture with, so the photographer has at least an idea of how many important shots he needs to take.

OK, just one more tip, both the videographer and the photographer need to be aware of the program flow both for the ceremony and the reception.  They need ot know if there will be special music, so they are ready when