Cupcake Necklaces Reach First Goal to Support She's the First!

Cupcake Necklace Sales Have
Raised $300 Towards our goal!

We did it! Thanks to the generous and fabulous supporters of She's the First, I've reached the first tier of my goal to help raise $300 with cupcake necklace sales to reach my goal of donating $1,600 to this great organization.

With She's the First now going to be on NBC's American Giving Awards, I thought this would be a great time to spotlight some of the great work they are doing. STF are currently the running to win $1,000,000 - which comes down to Facebook voting. So if you have a moment, please vote for them to  help to unlock this tremendous donation to send girls to school and share before December 4, 2012.

Back to stunning little cupcake necklace sales: if you look on the She's the First website, $300 is enough for an all-inclusive yearly package for everything a girl needs to go to school in Kopila Valley in Surket, Nepal.

About Kopila Valley School

The girls who go to school here come from poor circumstances. The girls all come from poor or illiterate families, and fall into the “high risk” category of being married off to a man, work as domestic servants, have to work in hotels, or by dry riverbeds to earn a living for their family. These girls are the first of their generation to be educated and literate. Kopila Valley is a co-ed primary school that is a safe place for students to spend the day, receive an education in basic English, Nepali, Math, Science, Health, and Social Studies and have their basic needs met. School runs from Sunday-Friday, with Friday being a half day for extracurricular and fun activities, i.e. racing, sports matches, dance competitions, debate, art, and other activities.

What Does This $300 Do? 

This is enough to provide the following for one girl for a YEAR:

• School uniform: $28 (includes 1 skirt, 1 pair of pants, 2 school shirts, 1 sweater, 1 hat, belt, school tie, a pair of shoes, socks, and warm tights for winter)
• School bag, supplies, and set of the year’s text books: $22
• School lunches: $75  (this includes, rice, fresh vegetables, and lentil soup 5 days a week)
• Tuition: $120 (goes towards everything needed to keep the school functioning and sustaining itself, i.e. staff, teachers, and cook salaries, repairs, and construction, school materials, and classroom needs)
• Medical needs: $55 (i.e. vaccines, vitamins, sanitary napkins, medical emergencies, and dental care for the year)
                                     
Total: $300

Interested in helping to sponsor a girl Kopila Valley, or any other girl around the world? Here's how to help!

Puchase a STF Cupcake Necklace: 75% of proceeds
Go directly to She's the First!

• Give the Gift of Awareness for yourself or a friend: 75% of all specially designed Ash Tree She's the First Cupcake Necklace go directly to She's the First
• Explore the Directory on the STF website to read more about girls who need your help
• Organize your own Bake Sale to sponsor a girls' education in your school with these great tips from STF. 
• Vote for She's the First before Dec. 4th to win the American Giving Awards so they may receive their $1 million grant!

Help Feed Women in Boston: Rosie's Place Food Drive

WOMEN RIGHTS IN THE 2012 ELECTION

This was not an easy election to follow. Seeing topics important to women as political issues was difficult for me personally - both as a woman and as a big sister.

However, instead of walking around Republican / man-bashing (well okay maybe I did that a little ;), I thought it would be more productive to actually DO something about it. That's how I originally got involved with the She's the First charity (which through STF cupcake necklace sales has successfully donated about $300 to educating girls in developing countries!) last year, and I can certainly do that at home in Boston.

What I've come to realize is, no matter how frustrating it can be to have birth control, the definition of rape, and equal pay openly discussed among male politicians with little regard to women, there are so many worse things happening every day where we live. They're a little more concerned about where they are going to sleep at night, and what they are going to eat: not so much about what their male co-worker brings in for salary.

ROSIE'S PLACE: WOMEN IN NEED

So I organized this Food Drive to benefit a great organization called Rosie's Place, who's mission it is to help women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity, and find security in their lives. Founded in 1974 by a woman who was horrified seeing homeless women dressing up as men to get assistance in shelters, many of the women assisted at Rosie's Place are working and in housing but just can’t make ends meet. Some are newly homeless, while others have been living on the streets for years. Rosie's Place serves women as young as 18 and as old as 80. Approximately one-third of their guests also have children.

Each year 78,000 nutritionally balanced meals are served in their warm Dining Room. 1,800 women shop for 20 to 40 lbs. of free non-perishable food items and fresh produce from their Groceries program each month. Rosie's Place does not accept funding from the city, state or federal governments or the United Way. Thanks to generous donations from volunteers, 88 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to services for women and their children.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

With the "Feeding the Women of Boston: Making a Difference" drive I've set up, helping out is as easy as shopping online.

• No trip to the grocery store required 
• No need to drop off goods at any physical location
• Don't need to live in or nearby Boston to help
• Pick whatever food item you want, at whatever quantities, to purchase online
• You'll be sent an email confirmation at the conclusion of the drive (Dec. 21st) confirming Rosie's Place receipt of your donation, as well as a receipt for tax purposes
• That's it!

Finally, some good to come from online shopping :)

It's super easy to donate - just pick what you'd like and check out!

So I'm writing this post here to ask all my lady-friends, colleagues, and even lady-loving boy friends, to please take a moment to visit my Food Drive web page to make a small donation in the form of a non-perishable food item for whatever you can so that these ladies in Boston have something warm to eat this winter and holiday season. All items will be delivered right before Christmas Eve!

Here is the web URL if the above link won't work: http://www.yougivegoods.com/drive.php?id=1078

Thanks in advance for all that you do, here's to a successful finish of 2012!

Ashley

Source: Please visit the Rosie's Place website to read more about this great organization - http://www.rosiesplace.org

Ash Tree Website Design

After working over a year as a Marketing Associate, I've learned a lot about websites, their functionality - and even how to build them.

The following are two websites that I designed the layout of, and continue to blog for regularly. The first is 6 In the Shipyard, which is the store location where you can find all of the Ash Tree's handmade jewelry and Dock This Way customized embroidery gifts.

I make sure the website's blog has at least a post every week, and you'll occasionally see guest posts by Ash Tree talking about new collections, images of my newest work in stock at the shop, or other Fashion commentary. Great blog to subscribe to for email alerts!

The second, RAM Construction, was actually made for my boyfriend (aw! I'm so nice) who is a carpenter and entrepreneur: I wrote content for a ton of pages, each describing different skills and jobs that he does. I also added an page breaking down areas he serves, as well as a page for a "Construction Portfolio", so prospective clients are able to see past jobs he has had.

I also blog for him once a week, which is interesting to look up how he does his job then writing about it. My favorite part of this is my #52 Ways to Improve Your Home segment, where every week I research and throw down a new idea for home improvements, including remodeling, small home construction projects, or fun interior decoration articles, which is a bit girly but I get to write it so whatever.

If you are in the need of a basic website, my rates are really reasonable: for a flat rate, I can set your website up, write some basic content, get you on Facebook,  Twitter, Yelp, etc. If you are unable to blog at least once a week, I can also offer SEO maintenance services, where I can write for you and help you out with your online marketing initiatives.

Contact me today to find out more information!

Have an opinion on these websites? I'd love to hear your feedback!

Book Review - Picture Perfect

I really do hate to say it, but I guess this makes strike two for Jodi Picoult for me. The topic for this book, Picture Perfect, was a great controversial topic that Picoult always pulls off so well. However, I found the characters once again to be annoying and stupid, and I had little sympathy for them by the book's conclusion.

The book is about a movie star, Alex Rivers, who falls in love with an anthropologist named Cassie. Their courtship and romance were a bit of a stretch for me personally, but nonetheless I sincerely liked Cassie's intelligent and passionate character at the beginning of the story. Then she met and married Alex in a rushed wedding that started the downward spiral for me - especially when I didn't feel as though there was enough of a relationship to base a marriage on in the first place.

That's when the controversy starts: when dreamy Alex Rivers reveals that he is a ruthless wife-beater. From the first time this happened, I wanted to slam the book down over and over - where was this intelligent woman that had married this idiot? Why was she constantly making excuses for him, and taking beatings that she eventually thought she deserved? You can tell that Picoult researched the mind of a battered woman to come up with Cassie's thoughts, and I suppose I was supposed to gain some lesson from how battered women feel, but it just made me pissed.

In terms of the writing style itself, not a page-turner. There's a random Indian involved with the plot line that is kind of weird, so there's some Indian culture and stories thrown in that I didn't quite get the relevance. And, I was kind of hoping that the Indians could talk some sense into her after she leaves her husband to live with them. But no. After 10 months of staying with Indians, "But THIS time he really has changed." Urgh!

There is some redemption at the end, so I got closure, but was overall frustrated. I'm thinking the fact that it was "early Picoult" may have something to do with it - I believe this book was published in the early '90s. I've got another Picoult book waiting for me on my windowsill, though - maybe 3rd one's the charm?


Bottom Line: Slightly agonizing read, but I just wanted to get to the end to find out what happened.

View all Ash Tree Book Reviews. 

Attention Fashionistas: Go to ideeli.com!

Donna Morgan Crazy Lines Dress $59 (Orig. $130)

Okay, time to be honest, readers. Now that I have been graduated for nearly a year, things are not going to hot for me financially. The reality of student loans has hit hard, and between that and rent alone, I have no cash to spend on anything. Ever.

If it sounds depressing, okay, yes, it is. To see my savings slowly disappear when this was the time of my life where I SHOULD be saving for a car, house, or even a great vacation. I've stressed about it, talked to my mom about moving back home, been eating less. But you know what? This past week I've come to realize something really important: yes, it's important to be financially responsible - but that's no way to live. Thinking and obsessing about it every day, like this income will be your fixed income forever isn't going to solve any problems.

I've decided to live like it's going to get better. That one day, I will have money and not have to be worried. I've even submitted an application to consolidate my enormous loans to a more reasonable amount to pay off each month.

Amanda Charles, $30 (Orig. $100)

In the meantime, I've discovered this amazing website called ideeli.com. One of the things I've always prided myself on is to take pride in what I'm wearing and "sometimes" following the newest trends when they match my taste.

For example, Spring's here. And what's the groundbreaking trend here? Florals. Ugh. I HATE florals. Not only are they totally hippie and dated-looking, EVERYONE wears florals in the spring. So I choose not to - why does spring give you the excuse to not be fabulous, every day all the time? For example: I like bold. The Donna Morgan Crazy Lines Dress, above, is my perfect reaction to this "Spring Florals" craziness. Don't conform to the flower-hype: it sucks. What's more "look at me" than a dynamic red-black-white combo? Pair with a powerful Gold Bangle to complete the look.

Before this purchase, I ordered a one-shoulder yellow dress from ideeli.com with matching wedge shoes that are just perfect as an outfit: my reasoning for this one was my best friend's rehearsal dinner for her wedding in June - duh! New outfit!

What says spring more than yellow? (And for all you still-flower-lovers - look! There's flower detailing on the strap!) You don't need tacky old-looking florals to welcome the season. Let's look good - it's been a LONG winter. So when I see a $100 dress from Amanda Charles provided to me for $30 on ideeli - yes, I'm going to get it, I just won't eat lunches this week. The Italians got it right - take a break, you deserve it!

And For the love of God go check out ideeli. It's the best thing ever to happen to struggling fashionistas!

How Much "Klout" Do You Have?

My mother, while working at the 6 In the Shipyard shop today, was speaking with a woman who is the Director of Marketing at the Hingham Launch. She said that she LOVES all of my little updates, the weekly blog posts I do, and wanted to know if I needed any help in any way.

It's so funny to me because after being a Marketing Associate for over a year now, I've come to understand how important it is - (at least for SEO purposes, but also because online marketing has a huge "social media" aspect, now) to be engaged and updated with your website.

Nowadays, if you throw up a website and don't touch it or blog ever, users will notice and people will leave. They can tell when you are outdated, which is now being associated with how reputable you are. I've actually helped out a few friends on getting their own websites started, and actually maintain a few of them as a side-side business. (You know, with all that spare time I have?)

Find out your Klout Score at www.klout.com

Anyway, I had checked out this website Klout.com a while back to check out my "Klout Score" and had kind of forgotten about it. Now, with @TheAshTree getting at least a follower or two a day, I was curious to see what my score was.

I'm still in the gray "casual" section - though I don't know why. I feel like I'm tweeting the crap out of my business(es), but whatev. From this section, it looks as though I could be more active with my Twitter: which I agree, I could. I guess the "Listening" section is an accurate description.

So go check out your "klout" and the let me know how you rank!

Follow me on Twitter: @TheAshTree

Calligraphy for My Best Friend's Wedding: Outer Envelopes and Return Address Calligraphy

My best friend is getting married this June, which continues to get closer. I've been so excited for this day since the moment she asked me to be her Maid of Honor nearly two years ago - being in the calligraphy business, I'm constantly immersed in all things weddings, (..okay, yes, it is mostly by choice) so having someone close to you go through the process sheds a whole different light on everything.

Calligraphy for Outer Envelopes Only, $2 per envelope

When the invitations were being prepared, I formally asked my bestie if she would like me to do her envelopes for her - for some reason, I thought it was assumed that I would do it happily, but didn't want to pressure her into MAKING me do them...if that even makes sense.

She was thrilled that I offered, and because she is in Utah while I am in Boston, she shipped me everything: the invitations, stamps, and envelopes: we both figured it would make more financial sense for me to just mail them rather than shipping back and forth.

I have to say that the whole process is really cool - not only because I'm a dork and like playing with pretty things like paper and invitations, but also I got to see the side I never see: I got to see my envelopes, stuffed, with a stamp on them and ready to go. I had previously always just gave the envelopes back to the bride, but seeing the start-to-finish process is really cool, and somehow much more satisfying.

Calligraphy for Return Address, $1.00 per Envelope

Her invitations were a gorgeous orange-green color with cherry blossom graphics, as her fiance proposed to her in Japan. She had custom last-initial "H" stamps made, so putting them together was a blast. She chose chocolate brown ink on ivory envelopes, with floating dot accents between the numbers in a more organic style used with a C-5 calligraphy quill nib.

Many brides also typically have their return address done by the printers, but in this case I also did the Return Address in calligraphy to match the outer envelope address. I've done this in the past, so it's not uncommon: it's a great way to pull your whole envelope together: it can be costly to have return addresses and outer addresses printed!

Are you in need for calligraphy for your wedding invitations? I'm booking up now for the summer bridal season, so contact me today to schedule your consultation!

Ash Tree Makes Alzheimer's Donation

After The Ash Tree was featured in South Shore Living, we received a great amount of feedback and publicity for our 6 In the Shipyard store location. One email specifically caught my attention - it was a woman who had read the SSL article and was wondering if I would be willing to make a product donation to an Alzheimer's raffle event. Being the charity-focused person that I am and always wishing I could give more, I said "YES!"


This particular fundraiser is going to be held, in April 2011, at the 99 Restaurant in Wareham to support the Alzheimer's Services of Cape Cod and the Islands (ASCCI). They had written me in the hopes that Ash Tree Designs would like to participate by donating a prize for a raffle to be held at the event. 

"Dining for a Cause" Event: April 2011 at 99 Restaurant in Wareham, MA

In an effort to raise awareness, the woman's daughter, Amanda Sullivan, has organized this "Dining for a Cause" event after her grandfather passed away over a year ago from Alzheimer's (...and she's only in the 7th grade!) In addition to the gift donation I had made, I just wanted to raise awareness about this event to the local subscribers to my blog. This is an excellent organization, and the event itself has 100% of the proceeds go to Massachusetts local programs and services that help an estimated 10,000 people living with the Alzheimer's disease on the Cape - including:

• Memory Screenings
• Family Support and Education Programs
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Caregiver Respite Programs

I hope that you are able to make it to the event - for more information about the charity, please contact Catherine Oldham, at 774-487-3663 or email catherine@alzcapecod.org to inquire about what you can do to support this great cause.

Included in the Ash Tree donation was a great gift bag with a large handmade journal, handmade necklace with a beautiful glass drop pendant, and a pair of handmade rainbow quartz earrings - all in a "green" theme for the Spring!


The Ash Tree has a long history of volunteering and donating time and items to charity events. If you are interested in featuring Ash Tree products at your charity or event, please contact me with event information and I'd be happy to set something up!

Ash Tree and Online Identity

I came across this really interesting blog topic about crafting an "essence of you" when creating a blog. I found it interesting that I had to stop to really consider what is my online identity. Right now, I blog for so many clients, companies, friends, that it can be easy to lose my way. But through it all, there's been the Ash Tree: my personal blog that is going on it's 3rd year now.

Reflecting on this post, I understand that I'm scatterbrained. I don't follow my own advice to clients: that is, to stay consistent and blog about one umbrella topic. This for some reason isn't satisfying for me - I find it much more exciting when I have a plethora of topics to write and comment about. The Ash Tree especially does bounce around a lot - I use the blog to promote several different things: first of which is my creative businesses, which are my wedding calligraphy business, talking about my handmade jewelry line, and my products available at 6 In the Shipyard.

Photo Courtesy of elhawk, Flickr

When nothing creative is happening once per week, I usually throw up some content on a recent experience I've had living in Boston, or recently completed book review. Sometimes my online marketing work even spills over, and I write posts on marketing tips or how to improve your business. Could all this be even more random?

When not trying to promote my business through content and new projects, I guess I just try to write about what I would want to read. I know some people write rambling thoughts about things that no one finds important (no offense, guys. God knows this is one of those posts.) So I try to stay more informative than opinionated.

My next step is to try and foster more online relationships, phase 2 of my online marketing advice that I don't take. I of course respond when I get comments on my blog posts, but generally these are few and far between. I'd like to change that: I'd like to have more of a conversation.

So what do you think? Is the Ash Tree a relate-able, believable online persona? Or am I just a crazy person who's all over the place and needs to get her shit together?

http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2010/02/the-art-business-of-crafting-your-online-self.html

Bumper Stickers from BuildASign.com!

A few weeks back I received an email from a Marketing Associate that had come across my blog and offered me a link exchange: that is, in exchange for placing a link to my website, they would send me some of their product for free.

Buy Bumper Stickers from BuildASign!

The company is called BuildASign, and I worked with the Marketing professional - who was extremely helpful - to come up with a product that I could give away to my readers, or include with a purchase of my product at 6 In the Shipyard. I decided to go with Bumper Stickers, because they are a fun little way of spreading the word about my business. I also looked at a custom banner, but decided the Bumper Stickers were definitely the way to go! Contact me if you'd like me to shoot you one of these gorgeous Bumper Stickers for free, or swing by 6 In the Shipyard's store location!

I received the Bumper Stickers a few weeks back and am thrilled with how they came out! I encourage all my readers to please check out BuildASign if you have any professional signage needs. I thought it was so cool that my blog received recognition as being a valuable source of crafting information and was considered for this marketing initiative - thanks especially to my readers who made it happen!

Additionally, if you'd like to include a link on my blog or want to speak to about potential sponsor opportunities, please contact me.

Evil Eye Jewelry

Introducing the latest in Ash Tree Designs: Evil Eye Jewelery!

The inspiration for these pieces came from a belief in Greece which I had learned about in my visit there last year, and had further researched recently. Evil Eye jewelry works when the wearer is given the "Evil Eye", or a look of envy or ill-will from another: the wearer's "eye" then looks back at them, neutralizing the negative energy and keeping the wearer safe. 

Evil Eye Bracelet, $8

 

Many people in the Middle East believe that receiving envious stares from other scan bring you bad luck. The most common Evil Eye bead is a beautiful blue color, because in the dry land of Turkey, "blue" water is precious and life-giving. I use a large blue bead for my most basic piece, the Evil Eye Bracelet, $8 which is threaded on a black cord adjustable with two slip knots.

 

Evil Eye Jewelry Now Available from The Ash Tree!

In addition to the simple Evil Eye Bracelets now available from the Ash Tree (and can be bought at Ash Tree's 6 In the Shipyard Hingham store location!) there are also many other colors of Evil Eye jewelry available. Red, another popular color, is often associated with luck and good fortune.
 

Shop all Evil Eye products in Ash Tree Handmade Jewelry online, or stop by the 6 In the Shipyard in Hingham, MA to pick up a good-luck, good-karma jewelry piece of your very own! Makes a great gift for guys, too :)

Embossed Calligraphy Place Cards

Embossed place cards, $1.00 each

Considering calligraphy for your wedding place cards, but need just a little something extra to make them extra special? Or do you need an extra finishing touch for your special event reception?

The Ash Tree is now pleased to offer embossing services for place cards. Embossed designs are a minor detail that can really add a special touch to your event - but the process can be time-consuming and very detail-oriented to make them perfect. So why not hire a professional?

Featured here is a recent client job that was a Christmas wedding, and she wanted to make the most out of the holiday. She purchased 3 different small stamps (two Christmas trees and a snowflake) to use for the place cards, and for the embossed Table Cards, I recommend she use a slightly larger snowflake stamp to both tie in to the other designs while distinguishing the table cards as separate.

 

I did a mix of the stamps, using red and green ink pads. I wanted to emboss all of the place cards and table cards first so I could write out the names in calligraphy after the place cards were done. That way, I wouldn't have to re-do names (which takes more time than embossing), and I wouldn't have to tediously place the stamp in the perfect place.

Contact Ash Tree Calligraphy today to get started on your project, and to schedule a free consultation!

Press Release: Ash Tree Calligraphy Nominated for Bride's Choice Awards 2011

{Boston, MA} – {January 25, 2011} - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Ash Tree Calligraphy  has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for the "Invitations" Wedding Service Category!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Ash Tree Calligraphy Nominated for Bride's Choice Awards, '11

Ash Tree Calligraphy stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s CEO. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Ash Tree Calligraphy for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Ash Tree Calligraphy is among the very best of wedding calligraphers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit Ash Tree Calligraphy WeddingWire Storefront today.

Read what Ash Tree Calligraphy reviews are saying about this wedding calligrapher!

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Handmade Travel Book

Travel Journal and Souvenir Book, $20

Need the personal book to keep all of your traveling memories and souvenirs in? I have the perfect solution!

A client came to me last month and inquired about my Before I Forget handmade book series. She loved the travel paper, and was looking for a gift for her boyfriend, who was looking for a way to document his travels. With a few design tweaks, we came up with the perfect page template for a Travel Book.

The left page is where all of the details of your trip are recorded: there's enough space for a quick weekend getaway, or use several pages to document a big European vacation! You can write where the trip was, places visited, the date you traveled, and much more in the lined notes section.

Page Detail: Record all of your adventures on the left page!

The right page is blank except for a "pictures and souvenirs" heading at the top. You can get a lot more creative here, add ticket stubs to the museums you visit, quick sketches of what you see, etc.An elegant-looking scrapbook-on-the-go!

The custom item is in my Ash Tree Designs shop, but I have the template and you can order this for your very own! Check it out, and let me know what you think :)

Looking to make your own handmade book project? Have a certain theme in mind? Email me!

New Location for The Ash Tree!

The Ash Tree's unique products can now be found at our new store location, 6 In The Shipyard. The new shop, now located in the recently opened Hingham Shipyard Launch at 18 Shipyard Drive in Hingham, has been a smashing success so far in the holiday season.

Though we wished we could have moved in earlier to capture more of the holiday rush, the traffic and business has been excellent. 6 In The Shipyard represents six different vendors that each bring something unique to the table, and I am proud to be doing business with them.

I have been able to contribute my online marketing knowledge in the design of a new website and blog, as well as setting up a 6 In The Shipyard Facebook Page and Twitter account. At the shop, I have all of my merchandise, and will use the venue as an experiment when designing new jewelry or pieces of art. Currently, I have my jewelry (and famous handmade earrings!), handmade books, recycled sail wallets and sail bags, embroidered necklaces, Purple Heart merchandise, seaglass rings, seaglass necklaces, and much more!

Also included in the "Six" are Dock This Way Embroidery and Design, Camilley's Closet, The Pink Poppy, Soul One One, and Sea Glass Photography. For more info, be sure to swing by the 6 In The Shipyard website to view products from each of the vendors, visit their websites, and check out the guest blogging and *wonderful web design work* provided by yours truly!

Contact me for more information!

Golden Ivory Handmade Blank Journal

Golden Ivory Handmade Journal, $12

Purchase a handmade journal for yourself or as a gift: this medium sized notebook is made with metallic golden paper squares contrasted against a soft floral ivory spine.

Actual book size measures 4 1/2" wide by 5 3/4" tall. Inside, it has 65 unlined pages, which are made from 100% recycled cream lightweight paper - perfect size for notes or sketching on the go. I made this book after seeing the gold square paper while on an art-supply adventure. I know. Art supply self-control issues.

Seriously though, I'm really happy with the end result. I decided not to play it safe on the inside, and instead line it with a beautiful textured hunter green handmade paper. Creating handmade books has been a passion of mine since taking Book Arts in my last semester at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. I fell in love with the meditative process, the process of hand sewing the signatures. My favorite part is covering the binder's board with my selection of handmade paper to make the book's cover. 

There's something about making hardcover books that is so satisfying. I guess it's the substantial quality and durability that I'm attracted to. I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy - maybe, but I'm damn good at making books.

Browse my Handmade Books available at The Ash Tree, if you don't believe me. And if you have a personalized project that you'd like to work with for a gift, holiday, or any other special occasion, contact me for a free quote and to get started!

New Logo For The Ash Tree

I need help deciding my new logo for Ash Tree!

Now that the Ash Tree is moving into the Hingham Shipyard to participate in the new 6 In the Shipyard store location, I was approached to give up a high-resolution logo for my business. However, my Etsy shop Ash Tree Creations logo was created by a graphic designer as a favor - and the original file is was on my old computer. Plus, my shop banner isn't necessarily what I would call a "logo".

So another graphic designer that was a friend of a friend just shot these two designs my way, and being the typical Libra that I am, I cannot make a decision:

 I opened the above one first  and got happy. The scroll of awesome really seems to tie in with my Wedding Calligraphy business. And then I opened this one and liked that there was more of a Tree incorporation:

But I'm afraid this logo is a bit too reminiscent of a horror movie. But in a fabulous pink color. 

I was also debating whether or not to change the name from Ash Tree Creations to Ash Tree Designs. Creations is a bit to cutesy for me - I think designs is a bit more dynamic. 

So, help! Which one do you like better?

New Apartment In Boston!

The Ash Tree's base of operations has moved ((only a few blocks!)) to a GORGEOUS apartment in the Fenway, Boston. The space and natural light in my room has already made a huge difference in my productivity and inspiration.

I've been busy working on wedding calligraphy place card jobs, and just finished a double portrait drawing commissioned by a family friend. It came out GREAT!

It's amazing how having a breathable, clean space to work in keeps you so much more organized and productive. My last apartment was fun, but I'm done with the crappy collegy apartments: well, I was done paying Boston rent for really crappy apartments. This place is a bit more expensive than my last place, but with the huge newly rennovated bathroom and huge 3 windows in my room, it's paid for itself. God I've been writing for realtors too much...lol. Below is my "studio" area - I should have taken a picture DURING THE DAY with the light and not in the throes of art-making.But oh well.

I also got a delightful mix-up from the company I ordered my mattress and bed frame from - instead of the "not too bad" Hazelnut wire frame, they delivered a gorgeous chocolate brown and gold Tuscan Bedframe instead, which was $400 more than what I bought. And since they would have lost money if they came to get it and give me my correct frame, this helped me justify keeping it and being totally stoked about it. I also bought a sea-green/blue comforter with velvet, chocolate brown scrolling all over it. It's amazing. And my cat loves it. Does that make me a crazy cat lady? Do I care?

Now it's on to decorating and moving on to the living room. My roommate is borrowing the great futon that I bought until her bed arrives in a few days, so I figure I'll work from there. Plus we have a miniscule TV coming (oh, yay) But still, it's a TV.

More updates to come! In the meantime, anyone have any cool, modern decorating ideas?

100th Post for The Ash Tree!

This is officially my 100th post for this blog! I can't believe it. A lot of this has changed since I started this blog a year ago: I've learned a lot and have had so many great experiences. I started my own business, lived and studied in another country, graduated college, and got my first full time job. It hasn't always been easy, but it really has been worth it. Now I'm here with 61  subscribers, (thank you!), 56 followers on Twitter, and have 73 fans on Facebook. Think I can double those numbers by 200 posts? ;)

Wedding Matchbooks, $250 Set of 100, by ivylanedesigns

100 posts is also significant for SEO purposes. In addition to website age, inbound links, and relevant content, 100 posts is really when the search engines start taking you seriously when crawling your website. Which has led me to start thinking about new ideas on things to be writing about. I think I'll scale back on Featured Etsy sellers to once a month, and start doing featured products more. Which may be bad for me because I'll probably ending up buying a lot - but hey, it's for my fellow etsyians, right?

I also want to write more about adventures in Boston that I have, and maybe bring some flashbacks back from Italy. I kept a journal there, and really want to go back - I figured doing some nostalgic posts will get me excited and motivated again to make my way back there. Plus, it gives me something to dream about.

100 French Music Hang Tags, $35 by jardindepapier

Since I've also started a job that basically revolves around SEO and marketing, I'll inevitably write a lot more about those topics, as it has been a greatly consuming yet interesting topic for me. I'll also try and do more adventure reviews of cool stuff that I do: this is a blog, after all! I am on Yelp as well, so that may absorb many of my restaurant ravings :)

Lastly, my art. I've graduated, and am feeling the pull to create now more than ever. This will range from drawings to designing handmade jewelry to more items in my Etsy shop. So look forward to more images of things I NEED to create. I'm going to try and commit to writing every day - see how quickly it will take me to reach 200 posts! Between all this stuff, some occasional book reviews, artist collaborations, and personal experiences, this next year will be the best for the Ash Tree ever. 

And please don't be shy! I really do want to hear from you and maybe start some more conversations. Feel free to comment, shoot me an email, or DM me on Twitter to give me your opinions, or ask questions about me and my work! Talk to you soon!

Vintage Typewriter Key "100" Necklace, by busterandboo

(p.s., these images are all based on a "100" search that I did on etsy!)

Blogging Tips

1. Do Blogging with Patience and Passion

Passion and Patience are the ultimate words for blogging. Always choose a niche for blogging about what you know (write what you know!) and are passionate enough to write about every day or twice a week. My blogging has really come into its own since I've started working for an online marketing company, where I blog basically every day. And, blogging won't make you money overnight, if that's your goal. You'll have to wait for the money and it will only come if you have a proper strategy.

2. Make Blogging Strategy

Make a schedule for blogging and stick to it. It's important to stay consistent with your blogging, as it will hold reader interest and encourage you to pump out fresh content for SEO purposes. Now, how many articles you will write in a day or a week? How much time you will spend in marketing your blog? How will you market your blog? For example, I now know I'm going to include my blog and twitter accounts the next time I order my business cards.

3. Make Social Media Marketing Strategy

Search engines are no longer the only source of generating traffic. If you target social media biggies(Facebook, Twitter, Digg, Stumbleupon, etc.) then you can get a great amount of traffic from them. Sometimes it can be much more than search engine traffic: but again, it won't come easily. You'll have to interact with people in Social Media in your niche and you'll have to build valuable relationship with them.

This is ME! :)

4. Make Link Building Strategy

Link building is important when it comes to search engines. Make proper link building strategy and try to get more backlinks from the blogs in your niche especially the higher page rank blogs. Find DoFollow blogs in your niche and the blogs using Comluv and Top Commentators plugins. Comment on those blogs but DON'T spam. No one likes to see that on blogs you comment on, it diminishes your credibility, and breaches blogger/blogging etiquette. Try instead to add value to the article: it's fun to check back and see how people respond.
5. Make Your Blog a Community

The environment of your blog should be such that when new visitor comes to your blog he should feel it as a community and become the part of it. So solicit comments at the end of your posts, and start a conversation!
6. Make Good Relations with Niche Bloggers

Interact with other blogger in your niche by commenting on their blogs and through social media. You can learn a lot from your competition, get more ideas, and competition breeds innovation.

7. Write Unique Content

Content is king in blogging and any website. Copying and pasting content onto your blog can result in your website being penalized by the search engines. So come up with something original: it doesn't have to be long or perfect, just get it up there! (Bonus points if you add some keywords you'd like to rank for!)

8. Always Reply to Comments

Interact with your readers by replying to their comments. Readers love it when their comment is replied and they will come back and comment again to create another conversation. Also be sure that it is easy for readers to make comments: users will give up trying to post if it takes them forever to add a one-sentence reaction.

How to get more comments on your Blog

9. Use Article Marketing

Write articles related to your niche in high PR article submission directories such as Ezine Articles, Hubpages and Squidoo with the backlink to your blog. It will definitely increase your blog authority and your blog will rank well in search engines.

10. Enngage in Mutual Guest Blogging

Try to write at least one article in a week to other blogs in your niche who offer you to write for their blogs. Guest posting on high traffic and high PR blogs is more beneficial as it will give you more exposure and quality backlinks.

11. Ask Readers for their Opinions

Ask readers for their opinions in your articles. It will increase comments on your blog and your readers will not feel that they are reading an article written by someone who's not real. Adding personality and invoking a conersation will score major points.

12. Write for Readers

Ever heard the expression, "Write like a reader"? Always give priority to your readers. SEO of the article is also important but it will be of no use if you can’t make a loyal readership from your articles...and often too much SEO work will make a post read awkward, and low-quality writing discourages readers.

13. Make Your Blog Design Reader Friendly

Your Blog Design should have a clean design with proper navigation. It should be such that readers can easily find the content of their choice. Even now, a year later, I'm still fooling around with my blog. Blogger.com has come out with some great new features that I always make sure to explore, like new template designs and widgets to make my site more interactive.

14. Use SEO friendly Theme and Have Visual Consistency

Use SEO friendly theme on your blog with proper header (h1, h2,..) tags. Always use h1 or h2 tag for post title. You can try Thesis Theme. Also be consistent with fonts, font size, and font color within posts. AND NO HIGHLIGHTING. It looks gross, just don't do it. You guys are artists, you know what's up.

15. Use Effective Title

Title of the article should be both reader and SEO friendly. Title should be appealing to the readers and important keywords should also be used in the title.

I hope these tips help out! While I know the average blog reader has ADD (I know I do) and merely scans titles, I hope you gained something from those bold headlines (like how I did that? OoOh sneaky!) 

I'm interested to know if you guys do anything else to brand your blog. As always, feel free to email me with any questions! 

Source Article: Tips For Newbie Bloggers