VOL. 1 | GBK’s MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge
Find out what makes HANDMADE so special! Which TAG products have been featured on hit television shows? The Artisan Group gives back to worthy causes
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Inside this issue... Why Handmade? There is no better way to show family and friends how much you care than with an individually handcrafted item.
Featured Artis ts
4-5
ellagee
Jessica Falcon
The Falcon Soaperie Bath & Body Products
7
Laura Garrett Cosmetics
8
TV Show Giftings
Leanne Gaumont
Our member’s products have been prominently featured on many top TV shows over the past few years. Can you spot your favorites?
Jewelry
12-13
Wristicuffs 11
Jude McConkey
Jude McConkey Photography Fine Art Photography
14
Alexis Mendez B. Belle Couture
Charity Giftings The Artisan Group is as known for our charitable giftings as we are for gifting celebrities. Take a peek at some of the great causes we’ve gifted.
Children’s Apparel
17
Michelle O’Hollaren Sophisticated Pup Pet Accessories
18
Michelle Provencher
The Love, Mich Collection Sewn Goods
20-21
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WHY
Handmade? There is no better way to show family and friends how much you care than with an individually handcrafted item that says, “You are important to me.” Our philosophy is simple. Buy handcrafted because you CARE… about beauty, about quality, about community and small business, about entrepreneurialism, about sustainability, and simply because there’s no greater expression of soul. It’s been said that...
“Knowing someone has left their handprint on the product you’re using connects you to them—and that connection makes us more human.”
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We couldn’t agree more. Members of The Artisan Group® come from the United States, Canada and around the world, representing a varied group of individuals whose mission is to spread the word about handcrafted by gifting celebrities, VIPs and members of the press at elite Hollywood award show gift lounges and through specially prepared collaborative gift bags. Above all though, it is a community of creatives supporting one another through the sharing of its collective knowledge and experiences. Members of The Artisan Group are not only passionate about, but very good at what they do, which means you will be the beneficiary of the life, passion and years of experience that have gone into creating the products you purchase. That’s a gift that’s hard to put a value on. When buying handcrafted, you’ll find you touch many hearts, and make a real difference in the life of our members. Whether you’re looking for jewelry, bath and spa products, cosmetics, designer stationery, crocheted accessories, children’s apparel, purses, hand-poured candles, hand-bound journals, paintings, hand-dyed scarves, fine art photography, hair accessories or pet accessories and toys, you’re certain to find the perfect handmade gift created by The Artisan Group’s members.
“So, visit our member’s shops and purchase directly from them. You’ll love how you feel and the difference you’re making.” theartisangroup
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Our Sponsors...
Celebrity love for The Artisan Group... Feel free to tweet or Instagram a word of thanks to the TAG Team, too!
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Jessica Falcon The Falcon Soaperie
I create completely natural bath and body products, as well as some sewn accessories. I try to keep it as simple and functional as possible. I use zero synthetic fragrances, synthetic colorants, sulfates/detergents, parabens/preservatives, petrochemicals or animal by products.
“I didn’t officially start my business until the summer of 2011 while my husband was deployed overseas. As it turns out, handcrafting and designing products can be very therapeutic.� What is the biggest challenge you face during your daily schedule? My biggest challenging is finding time! I have a 5-year-old in kindergarten, but a school day is only six hours long. I have a husband who I call a cyborg; he is a full-time police officer, as well as a Marine, and he is also due to complete his college degree soon. Finding time for my business comes after being a mother and wife and maintaining our home. How has your personal approach shaped your business? Although this is a bath and body business and I would like to appeal to a majority of people, there is a very personal approach to everything I do. I make the products that I would personally like to use. So, very simple. Minimal ingredients per product, functional products, simple design. Maybe less than 30 products total at any given time. My business sprouted off the need to make a completely natural body oil for my daughter. At that time, she was about one. I added soap crafting to that and then spent about a year trying to figure out how to get my products out to the public.
JFSoaperie.com
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Laura Garrett ellagee
I had a huge collection of all kinds of nail polish brands, but there was always something I wanted that I just couldn’t find in stores so I’d mix two or more polishes to make something new. They got noticed often when I wore them so I decided to learn how to create my own. I ordered some materials, messed up a lot, and eventually figured it out! I thought I’d start a little shop and see how they did and it’s grown more than I dreamed it would. I’m so happy to have a creative outlet that also benefits my family.
“Even back when all the polish was subdued pinks and traditional reds I used to experiment with adding things to make it into something crazy.” Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it. Color has always been so important to me. I feel, hear, and smell color and I see color in music, in emotions, in scents, in flavors, everywhere. As part of that addiction to color, I enjoy collecting and using nail polish. I see nails as jewelry that can be designed on a whim to fit any mood or occasion. Creating my own unique polishes is like creating little works of art. Each of my creations comes from my heart and ellagee is my way of sharing my crazy love of color. What’s the best lesson you have you learned in running your own business? To not overcommit and to ask for help when I need it. One of the best things I’ve done is enlist my sweet friend Heather (from the blog ifeelpolished.com) to take the shop photos for me. She does a beautiful manicure with each polish and captures it perfectly. I also rope in my family to help me out here and there quite often.
8ellagee.com | Vol.1 | MTV Movie Awards
Our Sponsors...
Celebrity love for The Artisan Group... Feel free to tweet or Instagram a word of thanks to the TAG Team, too!
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Our Sponsors...
Celebrity love for The Artisan Group... Feel free to tweet or Instagram a word of thanks to the TAG Team, too!
10 | Vol.1 | MTV Movie Awards
Leanne Gaumont Wristicuffs
Wristicuffs was started because of my inability to find leather jewelry that actually fit me. I was guilty of wanting what I could never have and being unhappy with the selection and options available to me, I began to learn to create beautiful leather bracelets for myself. Soon I had family and friends asking me to create pieces for them and shortly after that, it became their friends and a decision had to be made if I would keep it as a hobby for myself or if I would turn it into a business.
“As Wristicuffs has grown, I have had a lot of requests for different types of items. Working on new products that don’t include leather have expanded my creative horizons and I am so excited to start to create products with different mediums.” What goals do you have in store for the future of your business? I am currently working on the development of three new product lines that will be released soon. I’ve been fortunate to form close relationships with a lot of my customers so I’ve been able to take in their feedback and listen to what they would like to see from me. Although I will always do the leather line since it is so close to my heart, the new lines will be pieces that are complimentary to the existing lines and also meeting customer demand for a leatherfree necklace and earring line. Outside of the creative end, my biggest goal is to expand my reach into the USA. With the recent exposure Wristicuffs has had, it is the logical next step for me.
wristicuffs.com
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T.V. GIFTING Ever noticed the beautiful jewelry and accessories on your favorite television characters? The Artisan Group works directly with many costume stylists to provide handcrafted products created by our team for use on such hit shows as “The Vampire Diaries,” “Parenthood,” “Scandal,” and “The Voice,” just to name a few. The stylists we work with liken our gift bags of handcrafted goodies to “Christmas morning!” The Artisan Group has placed over sixty pieces on television shows in the past year.
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A Few Hit TV Shows We’ve Gifted...
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Jude McConkey Jude McConkey Photography
My business began with a bad “Glamour” photo and a point-and-shoot camera. I had always been artistic, so I was convinced I could do better than this professional who took my photo. Within a year I had a “real” camera and six months later was employed by a newspaper as a photojournalist.
“I’ve always had a vivid imagination and often view inanimate objects as having human-like qualities - especially trees.” Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it. In my photographs - which are often dreamy, dark, and stylistic - I use textures and other photos to layer them on top of each other, giving my photos a painterly look. The idea behind my shop is to show places that our imagination can take us... as if we were still children. My tree photographs are not just trees - they are a line of soldiers standing tall against the elements; they are often kind and yielding to children, and they all have their own character. Are there any moments that stand out for you over the years? I have won various awards at exhibits, etc. and have had my work on the TV sit-com “Modern Family”, all of which made me very proud. But have to say the thing that makes me feel the most proud is a growing number of people I meet who have collections of my work. During the summer I show my photos at the art fair circuit in Michigan, and it literally brings tears to my eyes when people tell me they have come to that particular show just to see my new work and add to their collection. They even seem excited that I’m there. How cool is that? I honestly could not be more thrilled or more in awe of that.
judemcconkey.etsy.com
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Our Sponsors...
Celebrity love for The Artisan Group... Feel free to tweet or Instagram a word of thanks to the TAG Team, too!
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Our Sponsors...
Celebrity love for The Artisan Group... Feel free to tweet or Instagram a word of thanks to the TAG Team, too!
16 | Vol.1 | MTV Movie Awards
Alexis Mendez B. Belle Couture
B. Belle Couture began in 2010, when owner Alexis Mendez could not find a dress for her niece Isabel (aka B. Belle). After looking for weeks in stores and online, Alexis decided that the only way she was going to find the dress she was looking for would be to make it herself. Alexis had the vision, but she turned to her mother Laura to bring the vision to reality with her sewing skills. After seeing the amazing dress they created for Isabel, mother and daughter decided to start B. Belle Couture.
“At B. Belle Couture we believe in giving back to the community. Over the years we have partnered with several charitable organizations to sponsor events that help families in need.� What is your favorite part in the design process? I enjoy the entire design process and love watching our designs come to life at our photo shoots. It is an extraordinary feeling seeing an idea that started in your head being photographed on the most adorable children. What has been your most popular item to date? The most popular item to date is our girls Grey Chevron dress. Chevron has been a very popular retail trend over the past few years and our customers cannot get enough of it. How has your personal approach shaped your business? As an entrepreneur my personal approach is to always provide excellent customer service and deliver the highest quality products possible to our customers. Being detail-oriented and exceeding the customers expectations has been the key to our company’s success.
bbellecouture.etsy.com
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Michelle O’Hollaren Sophisticated Pup Fine Pet Products SophisticatedPup.com was launched in 2006, when I built a website to showcase the pieces I was making for Penny (my pug) to the world. The website now features my collections of premium pet apparel, collars, leashes and accessories for dogs.
“I love feeling the various fabrics and comparing them to my sketches and letting my imagination run wild with what the item can morph into with the perfect fabric selection.” How did your business begin? My business began with a love for a little pug, Penny, and a desire to create. Always an artist and designer by trade, having worked at the Art Institute of Chicago and also having been an art teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, creating came second nature to me. Once I got Penny in 2005, the wheels were set in motion and Sophisticated Pup began. I studied Visual Arts Management in graduate school and focused on entrepreneurship, so starting a business was a goal of mine and Sophisticated Pup was that outlet. What’s been your most popular item or line to date? The Sophisticated Pup Ruffle Coat has been the best selling item to date! I have had great success with that item; it was picked up by a major chain retailer in Canada and has been purchased by many other independent retailers across the United States. What is your favorite part in the process of designing products? When I sit down to start sketching out a new collection, the wheels are turning in my head and it is so exciting! The possibilities are endless! I love looking at a stack of completed sketches and then going out to source new fabrics. Living the city of Chicago, there are a lot of resources for unique fabrics.
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sophisticatedpup.com
Our Sponsors...
Celebrity love for The Artisan Group... Feel free to tweet or Instagram a word of thanks to the TAG Team, too!
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t y i r a Ch ING GIFT
Charity gifting. The reward in knowing you made a difference in someone life. As Charity Ambassador and charter member of The Artisan Group速, I have the opportunity to work closely with our members and charitable organizations to make these gifting events come alive. Seeing first-hand the work that goes into the products our members create and knowing they are gifting these items for a good cause touches my heart. 20 | Vol.1 | MTV Movie Awards
Kellie Medivitz Charity Ambassador, The Artisan Group Designer, PrintableGirl
Hearing what a difference we’ve made and the lives we have touched through these events makes charity gifting one of the most rewarding aspects of being a part of The Artisan Group.
“Opening The Artisan Group’s package made it feel like Christmas came early because there was something unique for everyone!” – The Joyful Child Foundation, Auction Winner To date, The Artisan Group has helped raised over $6,200 for charities such as Animal Rescue Fund of Mississippi; Let’s Move Together Arthritis Foundation; WipeOUT Cancer Foundation; and The Joyful Child Foundation, just to mention a few.
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Michelle Provencher The Love, Mich Collection My shop is a collection of handmade accessories for the stylish woman of any age. The items are functional yet still unique and beautiful. I especially love pairing fabric combinations to create something truly special.
“I had always dreamed since I was very young that I would own a fashion line. I kept notebooks all the time throughout my adolescence and sketched ideas and plans.” Tell us about your shop and the idea behind it. I taught myself how to sew in high school and the years following in hopes of someday starting my own line. I ended up going to college with the intentions of becoming a lawyer, partly because I enjoyed the law and partly because I thought if all else failed, it was a good back-up. During college, I began sewing and selling purses. After I graduated and was working as a paralegal, I started sewing and designing more as a creative outlet. That’s when the light blub went off. I didn’t have to wait until I could afford to launch an entire fashion line; I could start right now and make the items all myself. What’s the best lesson you have you learned in running your own business? The best lesson I’ve learned in running a business is to be professional no matter what. I’ve made many new friends through this business but it is important to not respond emotionally to things. In the land of the internet it is easy to take an email or a message the wrong way or assume someone means something they don’t. The best thing I have learned is to walk away, talk it out with my husband or a close friend, then respond. Another really great lesson is to be brave! If it scares you, odds are it will really be worth it.
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lovemichcollection.com
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