Love Enca

Its like christmas here today at the office. We do love receiving new stock! Can't wait to have a play with some new designs. What do we have in store....ūüė¨ūüôĆūüĎÄūüĎÄūüĎÄ
I'll post pics of new trinkets in the comments as I open them. Like your favourites and I'll create new designs* starting with the most popular! ūüĎáūüĎáūüĎá

Stunning hand painted board for the Table Plan and matching pieces for Mondays wedding. The idea for the table plan was a bit spontaneous, and the bride waited for it to be a surprise. Luckily, she LOVED it!!! Of course she did....look, it's beautiful!
The favour tags "Toast me at the fire pit tonight" were for marshmallows.
I hope Rachael and Stuart had an amazing day. They certainly had the weather for it :)

One of my recent illustrations, a handpainted original. Thinking of making prints of these for a range of cards. Absolutely loved doing this!
ūüé® Glitter gold background, vintage colour paints, fine liner, raised motif, raised name/title, ribbon, swing tag message, paper insert with message.

This is what 100 glittery belly-bands look like ūüėć. These just looked too pretty on my desk! ūüíď
(Belly bands are what wrap around an invitation to hold it together).

Can't wait to hand this back to its owner tomorrow after it's had a pamper day with us!
Elderly man in our street asked if I could retouch the paint on this poor weathered gnome. Well, he's had the full works. He's even blushing now too, and showing off new shiny gold buttons. I don't think our Clive will be expecting this!
#Gnome #TheresGnomeBusinessLikeGnomeBusiness... #garden #MyOldMateAtTheCorner #Clive #WelcomeToClivesGarden #Repaint #restoration #retouch #MakeOver
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Our Privacy Policy can be found in our 'About' section.

Lots of these little beauties on our current order, which is in progress now and well on its way to completion. ūüėć I do love a bit of sparkle!!! #sparkle #diamantes #crystals #gems #stickonGems #twinkly #twinkletwinkle #diamond #translucent #pretty #bling ##embellish #embellishment #weddinginvites #wedding #daydreams

Getting GDPR ready!
#DataProtection #PrivacyPolicy #25thMay #ICO #ShreddingAllPastClientDetails #Recycle

***March-into-April Meet The Maker challenge. Day 30.***
ūüĆü‚ú® 'TOP TIP/ADVICE'. ‚ú®ūüĆü
When booking with Day Dreams, each customer receives a Handy Book, which includes various tips from Invitation etiquette, arranging your seating plan, ideas on naming tables, gift info poems and much more. It also has a 'Schedule' calendar to put in dates when things are due to be handed in, given out, paid for etc. ūüďĎ
... My TOP tip (included in the Handy Book) would be regarding proof-reading ūüßźūüĒć.Whether you're ordering from us, a different maker, or doing it yourself; there are steps to take when proof reading. It sounds simple, but you would not believe how easy it can be to skip over something that's incorrect. 1- have a break! 2- Check again. 3- repeat. 4- GET SOMEONE ELSE TO CHECK IT! 5- repeat. It is natural for a brain to anticipate what is 'supposed' to be there and subconsciously overlook an error, which is why its a good idea to get someone else to look over it with SCRUTINY.
Another tip: If you're doing the stationery for the day yourself, it's a good idea when it comes to completion, to box everything up so that it is separated into tables. ūüď¶ūüď¶ūüď¶ūüď¶ūüď¶ūüď¶ Rather than taking one big box full of mixed favours (one kind for men, another for women, another for children), another big box full of place cards (guests name cards) all jumbled up etc.... instead, put everything needed for 'Table 1' together and clearly label the box, and so on. For example: ūüď¶ūüďĚTable 1 Contents: x1 Table Name ‚úÖ x9 Place Cards ‚úÖ x4 Ladies favours ‚úÖ x3 Mens favours ‚úÖ x2 childrens activity packs ‚úÖ x1 Menu ‚úÖ
It will make life so much easier/quicker on the day when putting everything out! It's also a good way to tick things off your checklist as you go, and make sure nothing is missing.
You're welcome! ūüĎć
We have so much more to offer. Feel free to ask for more advice in the comments ūüĎá. We will help where we can ūüėäūü§Ě
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***March (except it's April) Meet The Maker challenge. Day 29.***
'COMMUNITY'
In the wedding industry we will frequently cross paths with other service providers. I.e we may need to contact the vicar for the order of service and then email a final proof for them to verify. We may be contacted by a florist to ask if we can provide matching ribbon/brooches for the bouquets. Wedding invites may need travel booking information detailed if it's a wedding abroad, in which case we m...ay need to verify details with the travel agent. We often provide a copy of the seating plan to the venue, with a key code for the caterers to know where people with special dietary requirements are seated. We have sometimes supplied matching ribbon to the car hire company, and also the cake makers. We frequently obtain booking information from local hotels, to include in the invitations for the guests wishing to stay overnight. Also liasing with wedding fayre organisers. But most of all, our biggest contacts will be with the venues wedding coordinator where we build up quite a rapport over time, and also, our own suppliers (card stock/ribbon/embellishments etc). It does become a little community.
It's so very important that we all work together!
Aside from this in part of a few online-communities: ūüíôThis 'MARCH MEET THE MAKER', is a community of its own where together, creatives alike share ideas. ūüíõA group called 'Graphic Designer Tips Lounge', a serious group where I've gotten to know a few designers quite well. ūüíö'Craft, craft and more craft' is another group for allsorts of crafts from businesses/hobbyists and also buyers, which is a group that's a little more relaxed. ūüíúFinally 'Staffs Smilestones', where the idea is you decorate rocks and hide them around the village for others to find and rehide but to also share a photo and your hashtag on the smilestones Facebook page so you can see your stones travel.... really bringing the community together and having fun.
#MarchMeetTheMaker #MeetTheMaker2018 #ButItsNowApril #Day29 #Community #mmtmDay29 #mmtmCommunity #CommunityOverCompetition #WorkTogether #GraphicDesignersTipsLounge #craftcraftandmorecraft #staffssmilestones
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***March (except it's now April) Meet The Maker challenge. Day 28.***
'ORGANISED'
I really have a thing for storage solutions. Ikea to me, is like a kid going to Disneyland. (Think along the lines of Monica Gellar from 'Friends'! ūüďļūüõčÔłŹūüĎ©‚Äćūüć≥)
... ūüóĄÔłŹūüďāūüďĎūüď§ūüď• Orders: As for organising client orders, every client has their own file set up. Any letters sent out, any amendments, invite samples etc all get put in this file, and the files are kept in date order so I can easily see whats coming up next. Any 'live' orders (that's outstanding work that is currently being worked on), sit on my desk in priority order, and only put back once it's been completed.
‚ŹĪÔłŹūüďÜūüóďÔłŹūüĒé Deadlines: Every so often I gather all files for weddings upcoming over the few months ahead and make an inventory of work to be carried out. Each client then has their own crate made up, which I allocate all the stock needed to fulfill the order. Anything missing is then identified and ordered. We always order slightly more than what we need in case guest numbers increase or if I need to remake any items once they've been quality checked.
#MarchMeetTheMaker #MeetTheMaker2018 #mmtm #mmtm2018 #mmtmDay28 #Organised #mmtmOrganised #Ikea #ILoveStorageSolutions #MonicaGellar #LabelsOnEverything
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***March Meet The Maker challenge. Day 27.***
'RECOMMEND A MAKER' ūüé©ūü§ĶūüĎįūüíćūüíźūüéąūüéÄūüíí
... My absolute number one recommendation is my former boss and good friend Tracie Homer and team, over at 'Your Perfect Setting' (wedding stationery and floral) and 'Georgina Scott Bridal' (bridal wear).
Your Perfect Setting is the place I previously worked creating wedding stationery, before leaving to have a baby and then eventually setting up Day Dreams.
They provide all stationery, floral and several venue dressings. Business blossomed and after some time they started a sister company Georgina Scott Bridal, providing stunning bridal wear. They are based in Stourbridge at a stunning location which is a converted chapel- a 'perfect setting' for shopping for your 'perfect' wedding.
Tracie was a fantastic boss to work for, and I'm happy to say we are still good friends. Also a big shout out to her husband Paul, who co-runs the company, another fantastic person to work for. No matter how well Day Dreams is doing and how I wouldn't change what I do, I will still always miss Your Perfect Setting. I'm so proud to have been associated with them and the second-to-none service they provide. ‚̧ԳŹ
(This photo is theirs, not mine).
#MarchMeetTheMaker #MeetTheMaker2018 #mmtm #mmtm2018 #Day27 #RecommendAMaker #YourPerfectSetting #GeorginaScottBridal #TheChapel #CheckThemOut
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***March Meet The Maker challenge. Day 26.***
'BOOKS, BLOGS AND PODCASTS'
The only books I read these days are kids books. My particular favourite being Kitchen Disco. So not at all craft related but it's a good giggle!... Anything by Julia Donaldson is also a hit.
As for the creative in me, I would love to one day write and illustrate my own children's book. One day!
WHAT'S YOU FAVOURITE BOOK? TELL US BELOW! >>>
#MarchMeetTheMaker #MeetTheMaker2018 #mmtm #mmtm2018 #Day26 #BooksBlogsAndPodcasts #KidsBooks #KitchenDisco #ClareFogesAndAlMurphy #author #illustrator #Gruffalo #StickMan #Tiddler #MrMen #GoingOnABearHunt #DuckInATruck #HungryCaterpillar #JuliaDonaldson #ShakeItLikeAMangoPartyLikeAPear
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***March Meet The Maker challenge. Day 25.***
'BEING A MAKER MEANS'
Exactly what it says on the pic!
... (Also...hoarding cards, scrap bits, lost buttons, broken jewellery and anything that can be used as an embellishment on a greetings card. Nothing can be thrown away!)
#MarchMeetTheMaker #MeetTheMaker2018 #mmtm #mmtm2018 #Day25 #mmtmDay25 #BeingAMakerMeans #DoingWhatILove #NeverWORKaDayInYourLife #Hoarding #Hoarder
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***March Meet The Maker challenge. Day 24.***
'ACHIEVEMENTS'
My achievements. So it might not be in the world record book or an oscar, but what more could I want than my two beautiful children, with a wonderful man, a lovely home, a job I love, freedom to drive and good health. #winning #struckgold
... #MarchMeetTheMaker #MeetTheMaker2018 #mmtm #mmtm2018 #Day24 #Achievements #mmtmDay24 #mmtmAchievements #WinningAtLife #LivingTheDream #Timeline
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***March Meet The Maker. Day 23.***
'HANDS AT WORK' ūüĎčūüĖźÔłŹ‚účūü§ôūü§ėūü§üūüĎĆūüĎć‚úĆÔłŹū üĎáūü§≤‚úäūüĎŹ
... Here's 'WORK' in British Sign Language. ūüĎá
Most of you won't know that I am certified in stage 2 BSL. I started Stage 1 at the age of 12. The interest came when I was at a secondary school that had a unit for deaf pupils. There were two deaf students in my year group with their own interpreter, present in a few of my classes. I found it intriguing watching, but also wished I could communicate with them.
I was lucky enough to begin a Saturday class at college and passed the 1 year course, aged 13. I then continued Stage 2, a 2 year course, and passed second time round.
Stage 1 is so much fun, and not too difficult. I'd recommend it to anyone, just to get the basics. I'm a firm believer that where a school chooses to teach a language, that it should be BSL! Stage 2 gets more technical and the real 'language' behind it comes out. It's not all about the hands, a lot of the language is based on facial expression.
I sadly lost regular touch with the deaf culture and I'm a bit out of practice. I don't think my Stage 2 certificate will hold up to much anymore, but I certainly try and keep up with the basics of Stage 1 when teaching it to my two young boys. My eldest could sign before he could say words.
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***March Meet The Maker. Day 22.***
'SKETCHBOOKS AND LISTS' ‚úćÔłŹūüďĒ‚úŹÔłŹūüĖćÔłŹūüĖĆÔłŹ
... Here's a few snippets of work in progress.
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***March Meet The Maker challenge. Day 21***
'STORIES: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...'
Here's my typical day. It's going to be a bit different for the next two weeks now with the kids off for Easter!