One of the things I loved most about planning our wedding was choosing gifts for my bridesmaids. I purchased jewelry for them to wear in the wedding and also gave each one a gift basket, but I also wanted an extra little gift for each of these special friends. I wanted something that reflected each one’s personality and also something that was a little quirky and unusual. We’re a quirky lot, after all!

It was easy to decide upon the gift: prints from the adorable Emily Martin of The Black Apple. Emily’s Etsy shop is filled with her unique artwork. If you’re lucky you can sometimes find an original painting (she’s a top Etsy seller, so they’re snapped up quickly!), but her large collection of prints makes it easy to own a piece of Emily’s art.

The characters she paints are so unique that it was easy for me to find some that fit with my bridesmaids’ personalities. I also love how each one has a different attitude, but they’re all a little bit mysterious. You know these girls are thinking deep thoughts! At only $18, you could even pick up one like the whimsically romantic “As Long As I Have You” (shown at left) for yourself as a keepsake from your wedding planning days.

All Photos © Emily Martin, The Black Apple

The photo is a little melodramatic, I admit, but it pretty accurately describes my feelings about starting The Sweet Unfolding. As thankful as I am to have worked for great companies in the past, working for myself feels luxurious and liberating.

This blog will be sort of a collage of things: things I love, things that inspire me, cool ideas that I stumble upon that I hope will inspire you. I imagine that it will probably contain some of the day-to-day adventures of The Sweet Unfolding team, too. We’re a business built on relationships, after all. And since that’s the case, I really should start this blog off right by thanking my husband. Mike, I could never have done this without your support. You truly are the very best!

So this is my boutique, The Sweet Unfolding. We’ve hand-selected each product with care. All of them are lovely and unique, and as many as possible are friendlier to the earth. Many of our items were made by independent artists and designers. We look for products that embody our values: creative, stylish, and socially responsible. Our hope is that you’ll find just the right items to add your own signature style to your wedding or event.

Thanks for stopping by. Please check back with us now and then, as we’re always updating our collection with new (or sometimes beautifully old) pieces. We hope to see you often.