Asian-inspired welcome gift

Here's why we love what we do: because on any given day we can be working on 8 different projects that range from an art museum invitation for a Louvre exhibit, to an adorable Cosmo Kit, to a feng-shui-inspired welcome gift based on different "Elements". It keeps us on our toes, keeps us creative, and keeps us rut-less.

We loved this idea to base everything in this crate on "Elements". For the custom printed labels, we used the same painted orchids AKS created for the invitation, for continuity. Each item referred to an element and included:

• Earth - Wasabi peanut - also called, "earthnuts" in sleek silver resealable bag (also Asian reference), with custom tag


• Metal - Spiced cider travel candle tin, with custom label


• Fire - matchbooks printed with custom art in copper


• Water - bottle with custom label


• Wood - wooden crate wrapped with printed paper band. Custom wax seal in copper attached.

-Susan

Cosmo Kit

Hi, my name is Susan, and I'm addicted to these cocktail kits. I don't know if it's the cool little shaker (that looks like a novelty item, but really works!), the miniature size of the other two bottles, or just the idea of finding this in your hotel room -- that sends me.

Imagine my excitement when a client saw our "Make a Manhattan" Cocktail Kit and said that she wanted to do the same thing as a fun addition to the in-room welcome at their wedding weekend. Her father (whose nickname is "Danimal") is known for his Cosmo's.

So we put down our drinks, popped the mini vodka into the shaker, added a direction card, paired it with the cosmo mixer, and tied it up with a custom printed tag paying homage to her fathers bartending skills. The printed paper labels were created to match her save-the-date and wedding invitation, which happened to go well with the kit. But hey - what doesn't go well with vodka?

Oh look at the time, I've gotta break out the "mini"-bar for my in-office cocktail hour. Cheers!

-Susan

Custom beer bottle invitations

There are some projects that are just really fun to create. We recently finished up one with Marci at Creative Parties in Bethesda, Maryland that was just that.

For the invitation to a 40th birthday party at a beer bar, we special ordered Sam Adams Summer Ale, and created a custom designed label that incorporated the event information, the look of a beer label, and a reference to the rock band that will be playing that night.

The host wanted everyone to know when the band would perform, as well as a participatory "Roast & Toast", so we printed the schedule for the evening on a thick pulpboard coaster.

A black metal guitar-shaped bottle opener on a key chain also accompanied the bottle and coaster, printed in gold with, "A party is brewing" and the number 40.

Eighty of these rockin' mini-bars were drop-shipped to guests. We loved hearing that it's received rave reviews and that the host already considers the party a success... a great way to kick off a rockin' good time.

Save the date: splits with a custom label

In some ways, save-the-dates are a blank slate because you can break the rules of a standard invitation and do something unexpected. It’s a creative playground for us, and who can’t use some extra time on the swingset?

For a save-the-date that went out this week, the bride chose splits of champagne with a custom designed label in classic black and white. It was nestled in wood excelsior and delivered to each guest in a custom-made wooden box with a sliding lid. We think it's a great way to set the tone for the wedding and the celebration they are about to take part in.

Bonus: We enjoyed working with this bride so much that we can’t wait for the actual wedding, so we can work with her again!

Update: Inspiration

After two days steeped in brainstorming, meetings and doing the gift show together, Susan and I are a bit hungover, but in a good way. The way where you know you've overdone it, but it was really fun while it lasted (I guess that's all hangovers, right?). Anyway at least with this hangover there are lots of exciting possibilities out there ready for the picking and I certainly don't regret the "binge".

We left the gift show completely inspired- by Balinese sarongs, smoked woven baskets and the sweet smell of vetiver roots. Our dreams are now filled with Mexican artists who made a 3 meter black glitter star piñata and a South African company who make sculptural mangos and avocados as soaps on a rope. Some finds were ridiculous, some sublime, some both.

We are both completely obsessed with custom postcard printed sachet pillows, custom printed leather goods and glass vases. You will definitely be seeing those soon!

What can I say, no matter what, 2 days with my sister is definitely worth a hangover.
-H

Tropical Collection

As we introduced in our last post on our Southwestern Collection, we are thrilled to share our new cata-blogs full of themed ideas. Next up: one that we have some background in...our Tropical Collection.

Having grown up in Miami, we were surrounded by orchids, mango groves, sea shells, fruit stands, and the hot, salty seabreeze. That's why it was quite easy to put together what we consider the essentials and indulgences of being in a sunny spot. To see our Miami-inspired Tropical Collection, click on this link. Again, these are just a few ideas, we’ve got a boatload!

The great thing about bringing these themed ideas into your event gifts, is that it doesn't have to take place in a location south of the equator. We frequently add a touch of the tropics to a wedding 3000 miles away, just because the bride grew up there, or that's where the couple is moving to, or that's where they met. So just because you're in Wichita, doesn't mean you can't summon the sound of the steel drum band while you're sipping on a Pina Colada.

Southwestern collection

We've been working on a bunch of themed or destination events where clients request ideas based around a location or time of the year. In creating these "collections", we showcase our ideas on a separate site - a "catablog", if you will! It's a great way to have a photo and description in one easy place; a virtual Chinese buffet - you pick and choose what you like. We're not selfish people (unless it comes to chocolate), so we thought we'd share with you, in case you're interested in the same.

First up: our Southwest-inspired ideas for a hot and spicy event out west! So saddle up (sorry, couldn't resist) and click on this link to see our goods. Keep in mind, this is a basic list - we have a lot more where this comes from!

Great for: In-room welcome gifts (for corporate meeting or weddings), save-the-dates, invitations, pillow gifts, "Welcome home" realtor gifts...

Stay tuned for other themes coming up - including Vineyard, Tropical, Deep South, New England, NYC, and Fall!

- Susan