Shop of the Week: Single Stone Studios and a Giveaway

I'm very excited to announce that our Shop of the Week is Single Stone Studios and that we are having a giveaway!  This design company specializes in vinyl wall decals and  has been featured in popular design magazines like Better Homes & Gardens and BHG.

For the giveaway, one reader will win this beautiful word art decal - one of Shelley's favorite pieces from their shop.  But first, let's check out the interview: 

 The Journey

What's the inspiration behind your shop's name?

The name of our shop comes from the David & Goliath story found in 1 Samual 17. David, a small, young boy and unlikely warrior, picked up 5 smooth stones from the river on his way to face Goliath, a giant known for being a great warrior. David stepped out in his faith, armed with only a sling shot, flung single stone and defeated his giant. Hence the name Single Stone Studios and our motto "Throw your stone".

How old is your shop?

We started S3 in February of 2008 so just over 2 years ago.

What inspired you to start your own home business?

Billy, my husband, and I have always wanted to have our own business together. We've tried several times and for one reason or another it just didn't work out as planned. Then, we tried Single Stone and it just works! I'm the creative gal behind all of the designs in our shop and he's the business guy who keeps me in line, I mean, keeps the business running smoothly ;)

Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft?

Creative process...I always find that hard to explain. Honestly, it's just a personal, prayerful time when I create anything and the designs for our shop are no different. It's really a time when I get quiet and God speaks and my art expresses those moments of clarity.

work studio

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?

Without a doubt the life/work balance. I've always been a stay at home mom doing design and other things in my spare time. Now that I work full-time, albeit from home, I have really been challanged to balance the work load with being a wife, mom, homemaker.

As I sit here typing these answers I have a boy laying beside me on the couch playing video games, a girl who just woke up so I am anticipating questions about breakfast, a few dishes in the sink and unmade beds. Maybe one day I'll have it all together - a clean house, kids perfectly tended to and my work to-do list accomplished - but somehow I think maybe it's all perfectly imperfect just as it is.

How did you get over it?

I didn't. I just accepted it for what it is....Life. Irregular. Unscripted. Blessed.

Please Name:
the things you do when you're not busy in your shop

It's summer - we ride a lot of roller coasters, swim and make homemade salsa from the tomatoes and peppers we grow.

stuff inside your bag you can't leave home without  
Sunglasses. Blackberry. Lip Gloss.

your favorite shops

Well, there are MANY that I have {hearted} but two that come to mind are BirdFromAWire and 2 if by Sea . I check their blogs daily!

your top 3 favorite picks from your shop

Fly was the first digital collage I created and from there many more have come. I used to do a lot of paper crafts and always made collages - when I had the realization I could blend my collage art with my digital art it was very satisfying! For once the artist and the geek in me were in harmony ;)

Marvelous Nature because I love all things owls and woodland right now.

The Journey because I love what it says.

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you?

Do what you love. Love what you do. Never give up. Dreams do come true!

 Shelley with Ty Pennington, host of Extreme Makeover:Home Edition

Any message to your customers and the people who support you?

What can you really say to express to those who support you all that it means to get to live out your dreams because of them? I'm thrilled when they send me photos of thiers homes with my work on the walls. I always pray that a little bit of the "Throw your stone" spirit goes with each decal and that each person who buys my art is blessed in some way. Our customers have been absolutely amazing to us and we simply wouldn't be here without them!

~*~*~*~

To enter the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment and tell us where in your home you want to place THE JOURNEY decal if you win. (1 entry)

Additional Entries:

2. Hop over Single Stone Studios. Then come back here and in a separate comment, tell us your favorite wall decal. (1 entry)

3. Become a follower of my blog by clicking the FOLLOW button on the sidebar. (1 entry)

4.  Twit or Facebook about this giveaway. (if you Twit, please tag it as @theshopbug) (1 entry)

5 Blog about this giveaway. Please leave your blog's URL in your comment.  (1 entry)

The winner will be picked via Random generator and will be announced on Monday, July 19th. 

~*~*~*~

Thank you so much Shelley for the awesome interview & giveaway! Check out her blog for fresh designs and updates.

*if you want to be featured as Shop of the Week,
please send me an email at
theshopbug@yahoo.com

Wall Pattern Ideas from Boligmag

Been looking over wall pattern inspirations and found these at Bolig magazine.  Isn't the floral giraffe pattern adorable?  

Boligmagasinet

The Etsy Weekend Buy One Get One Deal

Visit these Etsy sellers and enjoy the Weekend Buy One, Get One Deal! Buy one item and you can either can get the other item for Free or at 50% Discount! I really wish I could myself the 'I love you' letter necklace from Three Birds Designs. Here are my picks from these week's deal:

romantic and whimsical jewellery by Three Birds Designs

Tea Pots at Pats Pottery

romantic jewellery from Lisbon Sky

These felt keychains and necklaces by Kaleidoscope Style are so cute!

Vintage items at jessjamesjake: suitcase ; bird and nest

Beautify your beauty kit with these adorable handy mirrors from flirt buttons!

Ceramic Goodies at dbabcock

Sweet Art Work from Blossom n Bird


Silver and Brass jewelry by Tinah Dee

Shop of the Week: English Muffin Shop

Our Shop of the Week is called The English Muffin Shop which I'm proud to say is the first Etsy store that I bought from. The shop offers fun and educational prints for both kids and kids at heart. Let's get to know more about The English Muffin Shop and its lovely owner, Miss Bess Callard.

What's the inspiration behind your shop's name?

I was inspired to start my business because of my experiences teaching English to young students here in Vienna, Austria. I often use flashcards as a vocabulary aid and couldn't find really cute ones to replace the cards I was using, so I decided to design my own! Unfortunately, they have not yet been produced, but the name English Muffin came out of the original idea of designing English teaching resources - food is my second love after design, so including the word muffin in my company name just made sense!

How old is your shop?

I officially opened my virtual doors on October 22, 2008. I marked the occasion by sending an introductory email to everyone on my contact list - possibly the scariest thing I've ever done; until that point my work had only been seen by my close friends and family.

What inspired you to start your own home business?

On the practical side, I saw a need in the market - well designed products for teachers and students with a focus on learning a new language. On the more personal side, I have a few years of graphic design under my belt and don't feel I fit in to many traditional design careers. I've never been fond of the idea of "working for the man".

It seemed like the right time and place to step out of my comfort zone and throw my hat in the entrepreneurial ring. I have an amazingly supportive fiancé who's career recently brought us to Austria, so I now have the time and freedom to work on English Muffin and figure things out as I go.

The lovely owner of The English Muffin Shop
She has a blog too! Go over and say hi:)

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?

I think the biggest challenge is the little voice of doubt that creeps up every now and then. I'm my own biggest critic, as I'm sure most designers are.

Finding enough time in the week to complete all the things on the English Muffin "must do" list is hard enough, finding the time to tackle the "I really wish I could do" list is even harder.

How did you get over it?

I think doubt is all part of the process, I'm sure even Martha had a few doubts in the beginning, but you can't let doubt stop you.

Also, as time goes on and you get more exposure in the community (such as this wonderful feature, thanks shopbug!), your confidence builds.

her work station

Please Name:

the things you do when you're not busy in your shop...

• Teach English to Kindergarten and Elementary school kids

• Freelance graphic design work

• Travel! Living in Europe is a great excuse to visit all the cities I've always dreamed of visiting.

• Spend time with my fiancé and our dog here in Vienna

• Take pictures, eat yummy food and blog about it all.

stuff inside your bag you can't leave home without. . .

• sun glasses

• burt's bees replenishing lip balm with pomegranate oil

• a snack and some water

your favorite shops. . .

I love love love...

Darling Clementine,

ethanollie - Trampoline

A Alicia Accessories

your top 3 favorite picks from your shop. . .

The Animal Alphabet Print - my very first item and still my best seller!

The Map of Canada - my home and native land!

The Letter B - because it's not just for bird, but for Bess too!

(this is the one I bought as a surprise for my best friend in Canada)

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you?

Starting your own business can be a very rewarding experience. That said it can also take over your life - so beware! I personally am fine with the "take over your life" aspect since I am doing the work that I love to do.

Whether you become the head of a mega corporation or remain small but mighty, I think the biggest rewards will always the very personal type. Growing my business appeals to me artistically rather than to any savvy business lady living inside me. This may sound cheesy, but... I find it's more like creating a piece of art - after all the hard work, deliberation, self-doubt, and energy, whether your painting is hanging in the MoMA or your bedroom you have made something that no one can take away from you. You have created a business that is personal to you and have touched the lives of people in places you may have never been. So, in short, my advice would be go for it!

Any message to your customers and the people who support you?

The support of all my customers, friends and family is what has allowed English Muffin to exist. Those first few sales were shocking to me - someone wants to buy my work! Are you kidding! I love working on custom orders for people and creating something special for a new little baby, or a special print for a wedding. This is pretty much my dream job : ) So thanks everyone!

~*~*~*~

Here are my picks from The English Muffin Shop:

I love her bicycle prints! remember this?

this calendar is really cute, don't you think?

Bess is such a wonderful and supportive seller. She made sure that my package arrives safely and that I am not left alone to wonder, "hey, whatever happened to my order." She consistently kept in touch until I assured her that my best friend has finally received the package. And loved it too! Thanks Bess for all your help and for doing this interview=)

Shop of the Week: Chez-Sucre-Chez

It's a Sunday and I'm happy to announce that today, we are featuring Chez-Sucre-Chez as Shop of the week. I first saw one of her pouches at MadeByGirl's blog and love it. She has been featured in many magazines, online mags, handmade shops online, blogs and I guess most of you are familiar with her or her shop.

She creates fine little things like pillows, tea towels, aprons, pouches and little animal dolls I really like the Piggy Goes to Market tote, the cross-stitched hoops, and the animal dolls (see photos at the bottom) from her store. I also fell in love with her L-O-V-E cross-stitched wall decor (remember this? 10 ways to say Love).

~ Kim ~

The talented girl/lady behind Chez-Sucre-Chez is Kimberly Scola. She owns the Bigcartel online store and an Etsy shop as well. Despite her very busy sched, I'm so glad that she has obliged to do this interview.

Ever wondered what chez sucre chez means?
Let's go and find out;)

What's the inspiration behind your shop's name?

chez-sucre-chez is a poor translation of home-sweet-home into french. a few years ago, my french friends simon and estelle were visiting and staying with me in nyc. when we would arrive home after hours of walking around site-seeing and shopping and eating, estelle, whose english was pretty good, would say, "home sweet home."

months later, i visited them in paris. as we approached their door one of the first nights that we were out, i put together, in my elementary french, the words chez-sucre-chez in an attempt to convey the same sentiment as home-sweet-home. estelle, simon and i got a big laugh of this and the phrase stuck in my head.

months after that as i was creating the seed of my little business, chez-sucre-chez came to mind. i like the way that, in an obscure, round-about way, it references the old cross-stitch samplers that i love so much. it also speaks to what i seek to help create with my products - a happy, comfortable home. and, although it may be a little more difficult for people to pronounce and remember, i don't have to worry about anyone confusing me with another chez-sucre-chez!

` home sweet home ~

How old is your shop?

Although i've had an etsy shop account since 2007, i only really started taking it seriously around march of 2008. i then opened my bigcartel shop in december of 2008.

What inspired you to start your own home business?

I have been practicing this since i was in seventh grade, making and selling friendship bracelets at lunchtime for 25 cents each. much later, under the name petit-a-petit, i sold ceramics through a catalog that i made and sent to my circle of family friends, coworkers and other contacts.

My decision to start chez-sucre-chez wasnt so much a conscious one. it started as a hobby and when i found that my work was receiving positive attention and feedback, i saw that i might have a chance to go after my dream of making a living off of what i love to do most; making things with my hands and with all of my heart.

"making things with my hands and with all of my heart"

-- Kimberly Sola

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?

Honestly, almost every day is a challenge. the challenge is that, being a small one-woman company, there is always SO much work to be done. keeping afloat takes much more than making pretty stitches and dreaming up new designs; that's the fun, easy part. but then for everything that i make, i need to photograph it, and list it in my shops, and put it on my blog send out emails and facebook posts and twitters and anything else i can think of to get the word out.

a peek at her studio

I definitely work much much MUCH more than the usual 40 hour work week, and for FAR less of a paycheck. it sometimes gets frustrating and tiring to feel that i am working and struggling so much to have only enough money to just pay my bills. i'm often ready to give up and start looking for a job with normal hours and a steady paycheck, but then i remember how rewarding it is to be doing what i am doing and to be my own boss!

I know that just as i am meeting, facing and hopefully conquering every struggle and challenge on my own, i am also the one responsible for every success, whether it be big or small, and that gives me the strength and desire to keep on keeping on.

chez-sucre-chez booth
2009 Renegade Craft Fair, Brooklyn

Please Name. . .

1. the things you do when you're not busy in your shop --

I usually am working! one good thing about my work, though, is that it is so portable. i can put my materials for almost any given project into a tote and take it wherever i go. this allows me to visit with friends and family while i stitch.

When i do take a break from the stitching, though, it is usually to cook or bake for friends, or to go for a bike ride through the back streets of my town, or to take a few days in philadelphia or new york, where i can get my fill of dancing and people watching and socializing.

she bakes too!

2. stuff inside your bag you can't leave home without --

I am definitely a simple girl. all i need is my id, some cash, my phone and my keys and i'm good to go. but if i am going anywhere for a bit longer than a quick run out to the store, i need my sunglasses and my ipod and my bag of projects and my laptop.

3. your favorite shops -

It's been a while since i could actually afford to shop at these places, but i do love anthropologie, and the shoe department at macy's, and williams sonoma (or any good independently-run kitchen goodies shop). i also love browsing bookstores, and fabric and paper and yarn and craft supply shops, and cheese shops, and bakeries and vintage places and antique markets.

4. your top 3 favorite picks from your shop --

i love my piggy goes to market totes; i've got three of them that i've been using and abusing for months.

"piggy goes to market"

i also use one of my crown-print zippy pouches; it's the bag that holds all four of those items that i cant leave home without.

crown zippy pouch

then, to name one other favourite -- hmm, that's tough; i guess i would say any of my hand-embroidered tea towels. i truly love the towels that i use for these and feel that with the care i put into the embroidery, they're just a great product and make for a fantastic gift.

embroidered tea towels

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you?

Try to set work hours for yourself, so that you arent eating, sleeping and always breathing just work. i haven't figured out how to let go and obey myself on this advice, but i think i would be more productive and well balanced if i did. have confidence and believe in what you are doing.

and lastly, work hard and know that it's worth it.

~*~*~*~

She seems like a very hard working gal, don't you think? A real inspiration for anyone (including myself) who has a dream of starting a home business. This was really a fun interview and I enjoyed putting this post together. The story behind her shop's name is amusing:) And based upon her favorite hang outs, I think we would make good buddies. Thanks Kim!

Here are more of my personal faves from her shop:

Puppy Love cross-stitch hoop ; printed pouch ; sammy wrap
"every cloud has a silver lining" pouch ; L-O-V-E cross-stitch in hoops
embroidered hand towels ; knitting kit in cute pouches

"U" embroidered tea towel ; sammy wraps (reusable sandwich wraps, so cool!)
"every cloud has a silver lining" pouch ; "oh darling dear" cross-stitch hoop

aprons in prints

oh, and don't forget to check out her personal blog for daily happenings:)

**if you want to be featured
as Shop of the Week,
send me an email at

theshopbug@yahoo.com

Not Your Ordinary Home: Patterned Wall Paper Interiors

I may not incorporate these patterned wallpapers on my walls but they sure are fun to look at. And if you think that these are real homes, no, they're not. These are actually doll houses but I'm sure interior decorators and enthusiasts can use these as inspirations. It is interesting to read the story behind these interior design photos and you can read about it below.

All photos by:
Michael Williams for Haute Doll Magazine at mawphoto.com

This presentation gets its name from my September 2007 HAUTE DOLL Magazine feature on diorama dollhouse furnishings, and it serves as a laudatory hommage to Bravo TOP DESIGN guru Jonathan Adler (age 41), who first fell in love with ceramics at age 12 in summer camp, but took a brief detour in the movie business before launching his initial line of pottery at Barney's in 1994. The line was an instant success, and in 1998 he opened his first store in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, which has since been followed by several boutiques across the country, as he expanded his line into a glamorous new furniture collection, along with bedding, towels, and pillows (some of which are licensed and carried by Bed, Bath and Beyond and department stores). He even redesigned the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in Palm Springs, now a hot resort vacation destination.

-- Michael Williams at mawphoto.com via flickr

Etsy Love: Be Inspired By Sayings On the Wall

Sayings on a wall can truly inspire!

It's written on the wall and it warms the home.

David V. Moore is the artist behind papermoth. You can also find colorful drawings of trees, birds, rabbits, owls, and flowers from his shop.

Let someone know how much you appreciate them with this letterpress card from sycamore street press. Love the orange lettering, it just makes you smile=)

Countryworkshop offers hand painted signs, and tie-on ornaments with messages or words that inspire. Get to know Pat, the lady behind the shop by visiting her blog.


Paige Tyler has wall frames, hand painted signs and monograms in her shop. She also blogs.

These sweet drawings with heartfelt messages are from a shop called Lovely Sweet William. Three sisters Shelley Gardner,who lives in Wellington New Zealand; Paula Mills and Jeanine Mills, who are based in Melbourne Australia are brought together by their online shop and their love for handmade. They also have a lovely blog that is now part of my list. And don't forget to visit Paula Mill's blog for more beautiful illustrations.

Vinyl wall art from Home sweet walls

Even eggs can inspire from Paloma's Nest