Getting to Know the Vendors PART II: The Busy Bee, Ashley Marie Photography and Cody's Boutique

Let's get to know some of these fabulous vendors!  Read through and at the end there is a way to get an additional entry into the giveaway!  (and, tune in daily for more chances to get to know our awesome vendors and get more entries!)


THE BUSY BEE:

So, remember when I mentioned yesterday that I have a little "swap" problem with other vendors...Well, I totally blame Ashley for this problem! ;)  Let's just say that her daughter Sara has a couple of pairs of HOOKED shoes...okay, who am I kidding...MORE than a couple:

And, this isn't even ALL of them...Just shipped a few more pairs a few weeks ago ;).  So love ya Ashley!  Sara is VERY well accessorized between her shoes and the AWESOME and amazing bows Ashley makes for her.  And, I'm pleased that Emma has sported quite a few bows of Ashley's as well!  We are especially digging our flip flops for sure!  Anyways...here is a little bit about The Busy Bee from Ashley:

"I initially started The Busy Bee in 2010...  making bows for family and friends...  with high hopes to launch a successful business in the future.  BUT, my "baby in the making" was put on hold for some time for some baby making of our own.  Now she's HERE!  Breathtakingly beautiful...  absolutely PERFECT!  And definitely well accessorized ;) 

And after having 2 precious boys, I'd say she was just the inspiration I needed to get back on board!

I can remember making my own hair bows as a little girl.  We didn't have money for more than the bare necessities, and I was always so envious of my little friends.  Cute clothes...  bows in their hair and on their shoes.  I improvised ;)

Those days were stashed away in the back of my mind, until a dear friend of mine began making cute little clips and bows for her sweet little girl.  Then the memories quickly resurfaced.  I can remember thinking to myself, "Hmmmm...  wonder if I can still do it?"  A movie theater mishap and detour to Michael's later...  well, the rest is history!

The Busy Bee returned to existence in October of 2011 after I received a text message from a co-worker.  A sigh, pang of guilt, a honest "no, I don't make them anymore...  ," a LOT of thinking, and some words of encouragement later...  I was back!

I've met some amazing fellow mommy crafters along the way...  some of whom have become very dear friends.  Not to mention, the AMAZING fans I have acquired!  I am so incredibly blessed...  and I love each and every one of you dearly!"

And, cause I know you want to see the goods she has to offer!!!

I will be posting another  picture of those awesome yellow and black flip flops on the facebook page this weekend! (cause ya...that swapping/trade problem I have landed me those pieces of AWESOMENESS!)

ASHLEY MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY:

It's such a small world sometimes!  Ashley signed up to test out my leather soled boots on her little girl in January (check out how cute she is in them!):

 Anyways....shortly after that a sweet friend of mine (also featured in my giveaway, with My Precious Angels) contacted me requesting the sweet turtle newborn photography prop (and some other goodies).  Since I was in need for some photos of the turtle we worked out a deal to get her a discount and I could get a few photos...Great!  Well, low and behold, her photographer was the Amazing Ashley Marie!  Such a crazy coincidence...we live in the same state, but about 4-5 hours away!  So, I got hooked up with some great photos and a friendship was formed between myself and Ashley...and I really love her (as I'm sure you realize since she has done some great photos for me!)  

Such as the sweet skirty

  and the turtle and others too of course!

And a little bit about Ashley in her own words:

"Photography has been both a hobby and a passion since I was in middle school.  I started out with my mother's film Canon SLR and I couldn't even tell you a model number!  I spent hours upon hours out sitting in the Blue Heron nesting grounds behind our house waiting patiently for the best shot I could get and stumbled upon an amazing baby white tailed deer for an awesome shot and each and everyone of these encounters grew my photography passion.  I took a break from it while I attended college for architectural engineering, but quickly picked it back up after graduating.  In December 2010 I formed Ashley Marie Photography...with lots of blood sweat and tears I've worked very hard over the last year to grow the business and gain friendships with awesome clients and amazing vendors like Kristen.  From newborn to wedding photos I do it all and I love each and every one of my sessions."

Check out some more awesome work by Ashley (yep, that is a HOOKED aviator hat you see as well!  She is so awesome!)

CODY'S BOUTIQUE:

I came across Cody's Boutique with a random Etsy search last fall...I was looking for the perfect Husker get up for my little guy.  And, I found the Perfect Blackshirts style husker onesie and KNEW I had to have it.  She was great working with me to special order a black long sleeved onesie and I had the perfect hat and boots to complete the look!  So, when she FINALLY joined facebook ;) and asked to participate in the giveaway I was of course super EXCITED!  Here is a little bit about Cody in her own words:

"I love sewing and making new things. My crafting has evolved over the years and continually changing. You might notice that the items in my shop change periodically as I am always making new creations and I want to share them with you. It's a rewarding feeling to have finished products in my shop and to know that someone will love them as much as I do.

A lot of my stuff i sew on by hand. Doing this takes a lot of extra time but it gives it so much charcter and it brings it to life and i wouldn't do it any other way."

 Here is the picture of my little guy in his completed look!  Isn't he adorable?  I know, I know I am super biased, but he really is!  The Husker's crossbones shirt can be purchased through Cody and you can get the hat and boots from yours truly!  Love it!!!

And, because I know you want to see a few other awesome goodies from Cody, here you go!

Now that you have learned a bunch about these fabulous vendors....let's get you a chance to get another entry into this giveaway!  Reply to this blog post with your favorite item from each of the above 3 shops (it doesn't have to be an item pictured above...cruise on into their facebook pages or etsy shops to really check all they have to offer out!) and then click the giveaway below to say you did the task at hand! :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway