Weekend Wrap Up ~ Lots Of Shots

This weekend, for the first time I had 2 photo shoots in ONE day! It was exciting and exhausting. Both models are brand new to Innov8ive Knit's modeling team and I am so pleased to have them join the group! Saturday morning before the southern sun got high in the sky, I had the pleasure of working with little miss Abigail. She is a whole 4 months old and has the most gorgeous blue eyes! I had her modeling the newborn owl hat in pink. I can't wait to get the photos up in the store. Expect to see it within the next few days.

After I got home, I squeezed in a little grocery shopping and a nap then headed across the bay to the beautiful Spanish Fort to photograph the next brand new model to the team. Kristen is a gorgeous blond haired, green eyes bombshell. Not only is she a beautiful model, she is a trooper like no other! We spent hours in the very hot hot hot southern air and even did a little stomping through some woodlands to get shots for not 1, not 2, but 3 products. She didn't complain even a smidgen. We had an absolute blast.  Kristen is also an aspiring photographer as well and is taking classes with me. Here is a quick look into the shots from the very long, hot, and oh so fun shoot.

I am so thrilled that I have an excuse to be off work to get in some much needed rest AND the time to focus on my store it is easy to forget why I have the time off in the first place. This time is set aside to celebrate the freedom of being allowed to take time off of work and the people and families who have given everything to make that possible. So while we should all enjoy this time we are so blessed to have, make sure to pay tribute and say thank you for the opportunity to be able to do so in the first place. Have a great holiday weekend and check the store periodically for new listings now that I have some great shots for them!

Weekend Wrrap Up ~ Options

This week while crrently working my way trough the book "The Artist in the Office" by Summer Pierre I came across a quote that really struck my heart strings. Strangely enough this book seems to do that just about every time I crack the cover - I swear the author is a long lost twin of mine or something. Anyway, what froze me in my tracks that morning was "If you don't know your options, you don't have any". 


I never thought of it that way but it's absolutely true. Heck most of us could be the president one day if we wanted and bothered to search our options and realize that it is in fact possible. This is something that I have thought long and hard about these last few days. What are my options? The entire world is at my (and your) disposal with a little elbow grease when you really squint at it (sometime really really hard with a magnifying glass LOL). Without giving you a whole drawn out story and a long list of complaints - I have struggled some things in my life (like all of us do) and felt trapped, but you know what? I'm not trapped, there's a world of opportunity out there if I bother to take a step back and figure out my options are. You aren't trapped either! Life is too short to spend it feeling like the world around you is sub-par because it's all about what you make it.  When I finish this book I'll do a full review on it because so far I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone (not even artists) that is working through a day job that is not included in their "long term" goals.

 Speaking of making your life and other things just the way you want I have been working on another one of these great little guys and expect to be listing him in the store sometime this coming week. I really enjoy this little dude and it's a great summer item seeing as how he's not a big hot sweater :). Each one of his hairs are individually cut and attached to his head. That's a LOT of cutting and attaching my friends Mr. Lion here for such a small head has a whole ton of hair, but that's what makes him so darn cute!

Treasury Tuesday ~ White Sandy Beaches

This week's Etsy Treasury Tuesday features all things beach and relaxation. It's that time of year again and this has been one heck of a week. I've got beachfront vacation on the brain. How about you??


Treasury: White Sandy Beaches (CLICK ME)

I think my absolute favorite is the funky skirt on the second row then again I really like it all :). To give these a closer look click on the treasury link. Happy Tuesday.

My First Craft Show!

Last weekend I participated in Innov8ive Knit's very first craft show and man was it something else! I learned a lot, met several people (maybe even you!), and had a good time even thought it was burning up hot hot hot. If you weren't able to come visit here's what it looked like!

Here's some brand new product that hasn't been put up in the store yet! Baby sandals! Keep on the lookout for these coming up soon :)

Innov8ive Knits Marvelous Models

As many of you know, I am in the process of getting my photography certificate from the University of South Alabama. I am working on perfecting my photography skills so I can ultimately photograph every item that appears in my store or website. Not only do I enjoy taking and editing photos, I think it means a lot more that I am involved in every aspect of my store and don't let someone else take control of my creativity.


I've always offered incentives to my models as a Thank You for participating but I really wanted to step this up a bit. It's a big deal to me when someone volunteers to work with me on making my store the best it can be. 


As a result of my wanting to show how much I appreciate all of my model participants I have developed a "club" of sorts to group all of my models in. This club will be called: Innov8ive Knits' Marvelous Models or IKMM! 


Here's whatcha get as a model!

•  All the models get copies of their edited photos without my logo to do with them whatever they want - I have had models frame my photography in their home and even  include them in Christmas holiday cards.
• Each time a you are used as a model you receive a 15% discount coupon that is good for a month to use on any item in my store as well as use towards a custom item. Also get get free hand delivery since you are local. That means no shipping fees for you!
• When I add a new item to my store IKMM's get an EXCLUSIVE full 24 hour chance to purchase that item before it becomes available to the public. 
• Any time that I run a sale on my products IKMM's are able to receive an additional 10% discount on top of the sale price (this can not be used in conjunction with a modeling coupon)

How to Participate:

• I am currently needing models male and female in ALL ages.
• If you or your child(ren) are interested in participating, please contact me.
•  Include in your email: name, age, contact info, general availability, and a photo of the interested participant. If you are a parent of the submitted model please make sure to mention that so I know who to keep contact with and am not trying to email a toddler :)

The Nitty Gritty:

• As a model you must be OK with my using the photos from your session in any way I see fit - for Innov8ive Knit's Etsy listings, FB page (including tagging), Twitter account, any and all advertising/marketing material, etc. Be confident however your pictures will never be used in an inappropriate way. This business is family friendly and portrays a clean, safe, and professional environment.
• IK has the right to cancel this club at any time rendering all coupons and promotions void.
• IK has the right to add or remove any of the members at any time. This is mainly to assure that the club is not abused and is fair to all participants.
• Last but not least have a great time! I love photography, and interacting with you guys. 

Here's some examples of photography that I have done for my store if you haven't checked out my FB or Etsy store before:

 No experience is required for this and it's a fun way to get some pictures! I have a lot of openings at the moment so if you have any questions or are just curious please don't hesitate to contact me!