Today we’re welcoming A Punkin Card Company to our shop! We’ve just added several stationery designs from their collection to our line. I’m thrilled to share owner and designer Amie Needham’s clean, creative designs with you. I’m also excited to properly introduce Amie, who has agreed to be interviewed today.

Welcome, Amie! What inspired you to start A Punkin Card Company?
Well, it’s a funny story really. When I was engaged in 2005, I started looking into getting my wedding save-the-date cards printed. After looking into all the different companies, I decided to make them myself. I had a total blast! From there, I made my wedding invitations, reply cards, and programs. It was so much fun and super cheap. I saved over $500! Once the wedding was over, I started buying supplies to make cards for friends’ and family’s birthdays. I had a small corner in our extra bedroom/storage space/computer room to craft but was so into cardmaking that I didn’t care.

After a year of playing around I opened up a Etsy shop to sell off some of the extra cards I had. From there, I grew into A Punkin Card Company’s full-time owner, designer, and only employee. I am so surprised to see how far I have come that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love my job.

The name of your business is so unique. How did you come up with it?
Another funny story. Many people think my company is named after pumpkins or being a punk rocker, but both are incorrect. “Punkin” is the nickname my husband uses for me!

When I decided to start a card company, I wanted something that said “card company” in the title. That way customers knew what I sold right way. Though “Amie’s Card Company” was tempting, it wasn’t the right ring. So I decided to name the company after my husband. He has given up so much to allow me to do this dream job that he deserves to have at least the name.

What three words do you feel most describe your design style?
I would have to say color, nature, and retro-ness. If I could have a shag, lime green chair right now…I would take it! I love using the designs that are all around me to create the stationery that so many people love. Just look outside, there is so much around that you can find beautiful in your everyday life. I always use birds, trees, and flowers. Those are the three staples of A Punkin Card Company design. It’s what inspires me that hopefully inspires my customers.

What advice do you have for others interested in starting their own creative business?
Wow! First read anything you can get your hands on about starting a business. Really, anything. Then join every social network there is for indie businesses and meet people. Learn from other people’s mistakes. Understand why they are doing what they are doing. So many people want to start a business because it sounds fun and easy. It is the total opposite. It’s hard work, all the time. I am my only employee. If I don’t do it, no one will. Plus, there is very little vacation for me. I work from 10 am to around 7 pm everyday! That’s right, everyday. So know what you are getting yourself into and if you think it will make you happy, then jump right in. Both feet though, it’s easier that way.

What about running your own business has surprised you most since you started A Punkin Card Company?
Honestly, that people are still buying my stationery. I mean, I totally love my cards and wedding stationery but who knew that the world would love them just as much?

Plus, all the repeat customers I have. Thank goodness for them. It’s all because of my customers. They make buying handmade unbelievably awesome. They allow for me to have a full-time job that I love 100%.

Please list three random, fun facts about yourself that you’d like to share with us.
I love fun facts! Let’s see:
1.   I have a cat named Wednesday-Thursday Wennie Merow McCatams. That’s  right, all one name!

2.   I have a BA in History and totally love Russian history. I have so many Russian books, it’s kind of strange.

3.   One day I want to make a CD with fun children’s songs. I sing all the time, little fun songs that my husband totally loves. But I don’t have a great singing voice!

Thanks, Amie! I enjoyed getting to know the designer behind these great cards! Please check out A Punkin Card Company’s stationery collection, and let us know what you think! You can also learn more about Amie and her company by visiting A Punkin Card Company Blog, a design and trend blog featuring artists from all over the Indie world.

I’m really inspired by these fabulous capes, wraps, headpieces, and boleros by BONZIE. They’re so ethereal and beautiful. I’m in love with the silk velvet cape and antique rose wrap shown above!

BONZIE describes itself as an independent Irish fashion label with a romantic vintage appeal. It couldn’t be more true. What’s really cool is how artfully the whimsical and the elegant are combined to create really unique accessories. I can’t stop thinking about what a show-stopper any of these items would be for a wedding or dressy event. What a way to showcase your personal style!

To make a fabulous shop even better, many of these items incorporate vintage fabrics, upcycled materials, or thrifted accessories. BONZIE is the ultimate in hip eco-friendly luxury.

Photo copyright Bonzie (www.bonzie.etsy.com).

I’m starting a new category called Lovely, Lovely to feature finds I stumble upon and end up shamelessly coveting. There are many! Maybe I can make this a regular feature: Lovely, Lovely Wednesdays? I don’t know if that really has a ring to it. Wednesday is by definition kind of average, with its whole “middle of the week” thing. On the other hand, any day that has an un-lovely nickname like “Hump Day” deserves a little TLC.

For the first entry, I have to sing the praises of Rowena at Red Ruby Rose. I just discovered Rowena’s fabulous clutch purses on The Downtown Boutique blog. Angie at The Downtown Boutique gave us our first little bit of press when she featured The Sweet Unfolding a couple of weeks ago as part of her Friday Feature series–thanks, Angie! This week it was Rowena who was featured. Take one glance at her Etsy shop and you’ll see why. Her clutch purses are so gorgeous! Modern, elegant, a little whimsical–they’re everything I love about independent design.

If you act fast (as in today or tomorrow–sorry to report so late, but I just found out myself) you can enter to win a $75 gift certificate to Red Ruby Rose by leaving a comment on Rowena’s feature entry at The Downtown Boutique. Also included? Free shipping, anywhere in the world! That is one spectacularly generous giveaway. Stop by and give both Angie and Rowena a little love, if you have time. And enjoy drooling over those fabulous purses!

All photos copyright Rowena at Red Ruby Rose.