Celebrating Women in our Community with Amie Lee, Owner of Inspirations by Amie Lee, a Local Paper Design Company

When I needed to find a unique, fun invitation for my son’s birthday party, I was delighted to find a local and exceptionally talented invitation designer.

Inspirations by Amie Lee specializes in creating unique, handmade invitations and stationery for any event or party.  Clients can custom-create their own designs or choose from one of her many samples and make it their own. 

In October of 2011, Amie brought her talent and love of beautiful paper to clients to create something exceptional for their special events. She enjoyed creating her own designs for her wedding and wanted to open a paper design business. When the economy had ended her 13-year career, the opportunity presented itself.

Amie now has a home-based office in Ormond Beach, where she invites clients to come and look at paper swatches and samples. She also works remotely, online as many of her clients are all over the U.S.  Amie works individually with clients to meet their budgets and will ship anywhere!  

Weddings are a big portion of her business. Typically, her wedding designs incorporate a save the date, corresponding wedding invitation with matching pieces such as wedding programs, place cards, menus, thank you cards and favors.

However, Amie has also created unique paper designs for a variety of events, which include Corporate dinners, trunk shows, bridal showers, baby showers, birthday celebrations, retirement parties and engagement parties.  Amie also creates custom stationery and decorative desk calendars!

Creating these unique paper designs started out as a hobby, but has led to a successful and fulfilling career for Amie Lee. The shock of losing her job after 13 years was rough, but she had a dream of owning her own paper design company and Amie says now she could not be happier. “I can finally say that I absolutely love my job!  I get to be creative, meet fantastic new people every day and bring smiles to their faces!  I love what I do and do what I love! My clients ask me to be a part of something special and I do my best to provide them with a keepsake worthy treasure!”

Amy encourages those who have a passion for something to make it a part of their life, even if starts as a hobby. 

To find out more about Inspirations by Amie Lee:

Website: http://www.inspirationsbyamielee.com/

Facebook: : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inspirations-By-Amie-Lee/238488416170842

Blog: http://www.inspirationsbyamielee.com/meet-the-couples.html

** Amie is also a member of Etsy, Wedding Wire, Invitation Love and a designer for Envelopments.

Celebrating Women in Our Community with Laura Alois, owner of 3 Little Bird Designs

Laura Alois, Owner of 3 Little Bird Designs with her niece

After Laura Alois relocated from upstate New York to Port Orange a short while ago, she fell in love with her new Florida home and found an inspiration for a business.

3 Little Bird Designs opened in July of 2011, offering beautiful jewelry creations that include hair pins, earrings, necklaces, and hair accessories for young children.  Each product is uniquely designed using a variety of craft materials.  “Having always loved it by the beach, I was inspired to use freshwater and glass pearls in many of my creations.”

After seeing her sister spending  money on commercially produced hair accessories (that were not so unique) for her niece, Laura decided she would put her creativity and sea-inspired materials to use. Throughout  most of her jewelry line, you will find beautiful pearls wrapped in wire, a niche that you do not find out on the market.

Laura’s jewelry collection includes pieces that are available to purchase "as is", but she enjoys working with customers to customize designs.  The bird nest necklace is her most popular request to customize. The pearls can be changed to symbolize the customers’ children.  She also accepts special requests for color preferences in the pearls, beads, hair pins, flower accessories, hair bands, and ribbon.  Children’s hair accessories can also be made to match any outfit or for any holiday.

If you are a local, you can find her hair pins sold at the Ta’ Da’ Gallery & Gift Shop on Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Laura will also ship anywhere in the U.S. & Canada. Most of Laura’s designs can also be viewed on her Facebook Page. If you “Like” 3 Little Bird Designs on Facebook, you will receive offers/promotions.  With each order, customers receive a business card with a coupon on the back for 10% off their next purchase.  

Anyone who runs a business from home knows the challenges and Laura is no exception.  Laura says the biggest challenge is the constant distractions, however, she finds it fulfilling having satisfied customers, even her 19-month-old niece loves the hair accessories.   

3 Little Bird Designs has grown quite a bit since July of 2011 and Laura looks forward to continued growth and showcasing her ever-evolving, new designs.

To Find Out More About 3 Little Bird Designs:

Go to http://www.facebook.com/3littlebirddesigns

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Laura3LittleBirds

Laura@3littlebirddesigns.com

518.281.7929

Celebrating Women in Our Community, Maria Mills-Benat, Owner of Salsa Addiction

Maria Mills-Benat had been making home-made salsa for years, enjoyed by family and friends.  After receiving a demand for jars of her salsa and being approached about setting up a booth at the Green Market in Port Orange, she decided this was the time to go into business.

Now a little over a year later, Salsa Addiction has been operating successfully, even delivering as far as Canada. The appeal of this salsa is not only the delicious flavors, but the healthy factor.

This fresh salsa is Organic, Sugar Free, Gluten Free, and MSG Free. The produce to make the salsa is provided by local farmers. Salsa Addiction presently comes in 4 flavors: Original Mild, Medium, Hot, and Chipotle Roasted Garlic with Maria working on more flavors to add in the near future.

Not only is Salsa Addiction health conscious, but also environmentally conscious. Maria has a "recycling" program to encourage you to recycle the salsa jars by returning them and you receive $.50 off your next jar. In addition to the recycling program, she has a rewards card, after so many punches you get a free jar!  

With salsa becoming a popular healthy snack alternative, it is no surprise Salsa Addiction’s jars of salsa are given as gifts. "Customers have bought Salsa Addiction for baby shower favors, birthday gifts, hostess gifts, and even client gifts."

Owning a home-based business comes with its challenges, but the rewards are far greater. Maria and her husband have to keep up with the operations while trying to gain the exposure for Salsa Addiction.  However, she loves hearing the positive feedback she receives from customers, the “I could drink this with a straw” kind of reactions.  She loves supporting the local farmers, as well, as working with non-profit organizations to increase their fundraising efforts by way of a % of sales at their events.

To find out more about Salsa Addiction visit them at the Green Market in the Port Orange Pavilion every Saturday.

Find them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SalsaAddiction 

(you’ll find recipes, salsa facts, and when they will announce their website is “live”)  

**Salsa Addiction will ship large orders or when needed!

Sweet Pea Designs (Ormond Beach, FL)

Custom Monogramming •  Children's Gifts & Apparel

Party Favors •   Team Wear

 

Jennifer Barron, Owner of Sweet Pea Designs, creates affordable, beautiful, custom monograms to give your items a personal touch. 

Sweet Pea Designs offers a variety of embroidery designs & monogram fonts.

Beach Towel



Unique Party Favors!!



A Little Girl's Salon Party





Super Hero Party





For More Information on Sweet Pea Designs, Contact Jennifer Barron at (386) 405-1241 or Sweetpeadesigns.jlb@gmail.com

Purple Dragonfly Boutique

Purple Dragonfly is a great boutique for beautiful & sassy gifts:

PERSONALIZED GIFTS       HOME ACCENTS                JEWELRY

ClOTHING                                 SHOES                                   ACCESSORIES

....and my  favorite lately is the Kids Clothing. They started carrying Mud Pie clothing line since Christmas and I have been anxiously awaiting their Spring line. The ladies are always friendly and ready to assist you! 



Gearing up for Easter!!

You can find a $5 off of $20+ purchase in Sunday's News Journal from time-to-time. Also, sign-up for their email list and receive coupons, upcoming sales, and new product arrivals. Visit their website at http://www.purpledragonflyboutique.com/ 

Fun Christmas Clothes