Photo of Alex and Kim by Calla Evans Photography

These are the main thoughts that came to my mind after reading the article:

1. Trust your vendors. We know that you want your big wedding day to be special, unique, memorable, and in this day and age, blog-worthy! You hired us in the first place because that is what we are experts at producing.  As Amanda from Ruffled said, trusting your vendors is important because “…creative vendors, such as stationery designers, photographers, event designers etc. have the talent to use the unknown to create something completely unique.”
2. You are creative! Jessica from Sweet Eventide wrote, “I have many friends who say point blank, ‘I am not creative’ and I just don’t believe it. I think every single person has an ability to be creative but it takes effort to learn about yourself.” Projects like making an inspiration board and identifying what kind of design moves you is the first step toward claiming you own creative voice. use those photos and clippings as a jumping-off point and try to figure out what it is that draws you to that style. Is it something about the texture in the photos, the soft lighting, or a common detail like eyelet lace or natural wood? Use that knowledge to branch out of what has inspired you and think of other things you could incorporate and claim as your own.
3. There is a real person behind every design (a point also emphasized by Erika, the original post author.) My business supports my family, enables me to hire employees and support their families, represents my true passion, and was built with years of hard work. Copying the work of a designer is not only potentially harmful to their bottom line (So what to you, right? You’re on a budget, right?), it’s also emotionally painful. Our ideas are our capital and copying it results in lost revenue, lost jobs, and missed opportunities whether the copier’s intentions are good or not.
4. Open an honest dialogue with a designer if you find that the cost of their work is prohibitive to you. Every friend I have in graphic and textile design is happy to do this, so don’t be afraid that you are offending them. We often have other options, we can substitute materials, we can help you visualize a lower cost option. What is offensive is asking a designer for a price quote, then telling them you’d rather do try to make it yourself for less.
5. If you copy a designer, they will find out! We see you!

Photo of Mariam practicing a dance for the reception by Christine Chang

I have felt very strongly about this issue–”duplicate it yourself”–for years. The first time I found that I was being copied by someone trying to make a profit–and I’m talking cut for cut, stitch for stitch–I became so depressed. It was in 2007. I lost days of productivity and just kept wondering and worrying. What if I can’t ever make a living doing this? How many customers have I lost? How many people have seen this embarrassing second-rate workmanship and associated it with me? What if I lose all my customers because this person charges less money? I was in the ethical “right,” yet I felt embarassed and ashamed and thought it would be unprofessional to say something publicly, let alone confront the copier.

Phil and Amy’s UK wedding photographed by Pete & Sue Hanysz

And it IS hard to know what to do. I wish that we designers had more knowledge and resources to learn how to deal with copiers. What is the best way to communicate disappointment and maintain professionalism? If legal action is appropriate, what do you do then? With the internet, it’s easy to feel like a small fish hiding in a big sea but we always do find out.

Sara Jane and Meg’s wedding photographed by Sarah Maren

Like I briefly mentioned in my most recent Questions From You post, I used to get extremely privately bent when I found someone on Etsy or elsewhere copying my work and my concept. Now I feel better because I feel like I have had enough mainstream exposure to establish myself as the authority on my designs. But, I admit that I see it as a “race to Martha.” Whoever gets on that show first with the embroidered felt flower bouquet and button boutonnieres will win in my mind. And that includes you, Martha–don’t you dare show your audience how to make one of my projects without me standing next to you sweating and stumbling!

Heather and Kevin’s DIY scrapbooking wedding photographed by guests!

The question posed by Erika on Decor8’s post is, “How do we, as a creative community, get others who might not see the difference to understand why copying is wrong (and get them to stop asking us to do it and get them to stop doing it themselves).”

What do you think?

Micki is one of my rare local brides–I think I work with one local customer for every 75 national and international ones, and I love feeling like I have that hometown, local girl connection with them.

When Micki first contacted me, I was completely overbooked for her wedding month. But before I said no or suggested that she buy a kit instead, I just kept turning over in my mind the details she had told me about she and her fiance Jon’s big day. What made me say yes was her color palette–red-orange, burgundy, and gunmetal gray. How intriguing!

Micki sent me a package in the mail full of inspirational photos and materials and when she first described her color palette, I could see the potential but was having trouble making it work together. But when I received the pictures Micki had collected, it all came together!

The inspiration for the flower shape came from a photo of tightly bound ranunculuses sent by Micki.

The pin in the center of that flower belonged to Micki’s great grandmother. I love it when brides integrate pieces from the past like that.

Congratulations Micki and Jon!

One of my former customers, Heather (remember her awesome Cabo wedding with close friends, ocean air, and scrapbooking?), is a fellow addict and has started a very sweet business developing her own line of homemade lip balm called Kustom Kissers.

The really cool thing about this product though is that Heather uses your own photo or design on the tube of the lip balm. This is something I’ve seen produced en masse from overseas crappy party favor companies, but the care Heather puts into each order and the quality of the product is something they can’t match. If you’re looking for an easy, personal, and practical (the guys love that) wedding favor, I think this is a great choice. You could use a picture of you and your spouse, or just include a personalized thank you message.

Kustom Kissers lip balm is made of all-natural ingredients and without animal products. A package of custom tubes would be an easy, affordable favor for birthdays, bridal showers, weddings, baby showers and more. They are also perfect for a business promotional item or simply a treat for you.

So I highly recommend this stuff, and Heather is a sweetheart! Also check out her blog to get to know her and learn more about business from this fellow-small business owner. xo

I feel busier than I have in the last year. Why did I take on so many projects and responsibilities in the last few months? Oh yeah, because I am awesome and I can do it! (Self affirmations have been getting me through a lot lately.)

I’m in final negotiations to move into a new studio workshop. I have big plans for the space and I am excited to bring something to Omaha that our creative community really needs. When I get into this space I hope to hire an intern as soon as possible to begin helping me with fashion week projects, publicity, maintaining the store, assembling kits, etc. So keep that in the back of your mind if you know a young lady or gentleman who would be good at that. This workspace is awesome so cross your fingers that the negotiations work out!

I’ve been asked to contribute to a book and my studio photos and project are due in the next few weeks. What kind of project would you like to learn from me? What would make you buy this book? What in my studio do you want to see?

I committed to show five pieces at an Omaha Fashion Week runway preview show and charity fundraiser on March 31, so getting the accessories together right now is weighing on my mind. Click here if you’re interested in tickets for that.

And I have a lot of errands and chore-y things to do.
Gotta take care of some business with the IRS (joy).
Gotta open a new business account at my bank (glamorous).
Gotta get some quotes for insurance (blah).
Gotta finish bookkeeping for February (I actually enjoy that).
Gotta order tons of fabric.
Gotta pick models for the March 31 show.

And I have a lot of customer-y things to do.
Gotta figure out a few invoice issues.
Gotta finish photographing and listing new headbands in the PL store.
Gotta ship six kits and three bridal orders.

Dress: Alice Pinkerton
Leggings: Delias
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
Clutch: Vintage
Ring: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Bangles: Pierre Cardin

Plus a Mr. Lasertron outfit. Home from a long day at work playing Xbox and eating Chinese food, I’m sure! Love that man.

Shirt: Express
Vest: Express
Jeans: Seven for all Mankind
Cat: Turbo

I know I have a lot of crafty and creative readers, so I wanted to let you know about an upcoming conference and market event called The Creative Connection! This is the inaugural year of the event created by Nancy Soriano and Jo Packham of Where Women Create magazine for women and women entrepreneurs.

If you’re passionate about exploring your creativity through art, business ownership, blogging, etc., this is a great opportunity to network, market, and create some amazing projects with hundreds of like-minded ladies. It takes place in mid-September in Minneapolis.

I’m SUPER bummed that I won’t be able to go because it’s the week of Omaha Fashion Week, but I’m thinking about coming up for that first Thursday with Alice (she’ll be 5 months!) and my mom if my schedule permits. There are so many amazing panels and projects–I’d love to take the Sewing Heritage Toys workshop with Jennifer Murphy!

Omaha Fashion Week is holding their first model casting on March 10th from 6:30-8 at the Nomad Lounge. I need five models for OFW’s first runway event of the year on March 31…so if you are free then and would like to get a peek at some of the pieces from this collection, definitely show up and audition! You may be chosen to model for another designer, too, so it’s a fun opportunity.

Cool news for Mr. Lasertron–every month he participates in this thing called Netwars, which is a hacking competition sponsored by the Department of Defense designed to identify experts in network security. In other words, the DoD hosts this nationwide competition every month to see who is really good at exploiting security flaws in computers. This last month, Dave got 2nd place which is awesome. If he keeps doing well we might get invited to an “all-star” competition in Washington DC! Vacation!

My mom always said, marry a nerd.

In whatever spare time I get I have been going with my nesting instinct…all I want to do is clean and organize! Here are some of my favorite things in Alice’s room….

1. Black sheep stuffed animal
2. Gray and yellow handmade quilt by Rachel Denbow
3. Vintage olive green rocking chair (And it’s low enough that I can put my feet on the floor! 6′7” Dave hates it. Hee hee hee.)
4. Quinny Buzz stroller. I saved my pennies for this one and I LOVE it. It has another chair attachment for when she grows out of that car seat.
5. Pretty pretty girl clothes sent by so many friends. I love them!

Have a happy monday!
xo

Q: I know you shared you wanted to take Alice to Berlin in the future, but I was curious about your plans to teach her German. Do you intend to? If so, have you thought about how you’ll teach her? Will you just speak to her or buy kids books? (from Karli)

A: Dave and I are both committed to exposing Alice to different countries and cultures. My parents did that with me and I think those experiences deeply affected my character–I later went on to major in German and Intercultural Communication, and had a “plan b” (Princess Lasertron was plan a) to be an English teacher in Berlin…then life happened, etc. This has always been a priority in my family–I have several multilingual cousins as well which makes the holidays exciting!

My German professor was a role model to me for how to teach a language. Her philosophy included immersion, starting with easy root words, and giving plenty of context clues. I realize that teaching a baby is so different from teaching a classroom of adults, but I learned from my professor that speaking and leading by example is the quickest way to learn. I speak German and Dave is moderately conversational–he is taking classes this fall. I plan to read her lots of books and we have always integrated German media in our house, watching movies, news, tv shows, having books, etc. I say all this now–who knows what kind of a learner Alice will be–but the bottom line is that it’s more important to me that she be able to travel and experience other kinds of people than speak a foreign language.

Q: What are your favorite magazines? (via Formspring)

A: Everyday Food, Real Simple, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Lula, and W.

Q: What beauty products do you swear by? (via Formspring)

A: Everyone loves their own mascara, and I am pretty loyal to Maybelline Lash Discovery. It has the teeniest tiniest brush to get every lash. I wear Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Kiss Me Coral–really into corals lately–and I always top it with a coat of shiny Oiseau lip balm, sold at Anthropologie. As for scents, I use Satsuma shower gel from The Body Shop because it’s smells just like peeling an orange. And I’ve forever been a Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb lover–I rub the lotion on my tummy every day!

What are your favorite products?

Q: Are you afraid people will steal your ideas? Are you protected by copyrights? (from Christine)

A: Well, there’s a huge difference between inspiring others to make similar things and people who copy designs exactly and try to pass them off as their own and make a profit. I think we are all smart enough to know the difference. It’s a real shame that some people take advantage of designers who are still trying to develop a name and solidify the image of their design aesthetic. I do have copyrights and trademarks on the names of my products, but there is not much I can do to protect the actual design because all a copier has to do is change one thing, and I pretty much lose my legal recourse.

I don’t think about it much. I don’t search for people out there trying to make a profit off my designs because it depresses me. (Honestly, you guys do that for me–I always get an e-mail from one of you when that happens!) I think it’s more productive to keep hustling, promoting, thinking of new ideas, and staying one step ahead. It used to be harder for me but now I have so many irons in the fire, I’m definitely not worried!

Q: What is your main goal right now for Princess Lasertron? (from Chad)

A: My main goal forever and ever is to teach a segment on the Martha Stewart show and give a kit to everyone in the audience. If that ever happened, I’m not sure I’d know what to do next.

Q: What is the best mail you received lately? (from Marina)

A: I got a very special delivery today:

1. I got accepted for sure to this year’s Omaha Fashion Week. I counted my chickens before they hatched on this one and had been planning and designing this line without a guarantee that I’d be included, but after reviewing my application the committee did select me this week. Hooray!
2. Omaha Fashion Week is hosting their first event of the year, an exclusive VIP runway showcase. I will be showing five completely new pieces that are not part of the Spring 2011 line I am designing for fashion week and one of them will be auctioned off to benefit the Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha. I believe ten other designers will also be showcasing some of their designs. It’s on March 31 and if you are so inclined, I would love to meet you there.
3. I fell asleep watching HGTV today, and when I woke up Dave had taken care of some redecorating business and painted the living room. I will leave HGTV on more often because apparently it’s very motivating. We are nearing completion of our home redecorating project working with interior designer Jessica McKay. I LOVE being in my house when it feels like “home,” you know? Still looking for the perfect seating for our front room, though.
4. On Friday, my mom and I met with designer Joi Mahon, who is my partner working on the Princess Lasertron dress line. I love our meetings–these two women are seriously the most creative, innovative, genuinely fun people I know and I think this line is going to be really big. Here are some pictures from that meeting:

My mom made each of us a sack lunch. She also made individual frosted sugar cookies for me that spelled out “Princess Lasertron” and ones for Joi that spelled “Dress Forms Design.” Ummm is there any wonder that I have the best mom ever? (No wonder I have insecurities about having a baby. My mama is a tough act to follow.)

Joi has been posting a lot of updates about the dress line on her Facebook page. You should add her!

Oh hi, April 2010 Brides. What’s new with you?

Shortly after my post about the last issue of Brides that featured a beautiful cake inspired by one of my bouquets, Assistant Editor Allison Bean contacted me to tell me to watch out for the April 2010 issue, and she thought I would be very pleased.

I am glad she reached out to me. She didn’t have to. And Allison was totally correct–I am completely over the moon about the HUGE full-page photo of my bouquet in this month’s issue! This is nothing like what I expected.

The bouquet they featured is one that I made specifically for Brides. All of the fabric and thread is hand-dyed and the buttons are vintage, picked up in travels from many countries around the world including Russia, England, Italy, and others. That particular bouquet would sell for $450, but there are many more affordable options for brides who want to achieve the same look, or who love the style but are visualizing something more personal to them. If you’re interested in collaborating together for your wedding, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a quote. I answer each e-mail myself.

This month also marks the debut of the new Buzz section in Brides magazine, and I am so honored that they chose my design for the leading page. As I flipped through the issue, I am so impressed by all of the affordable, offbeat, and DIY ideas. I feel like they have really connected with their audience with this issue and are offering something that every bride will be able to fit into her special day.

A few of my other favorite highlights of the April 2010 issue:
…Blue and gray wedding inspiration (you know I am dying for gray right now)
…Tips on using iTunes to personalize your playlist and skip paying for a dj (we did this and I highly recommend it)
…A full editorial on whimsical, ruffly, and fanciful wedding gowns that don’t sacrifice elegance
…New ways to use flowers in your accessories (reminds me of my friend Sarah!)

Today has been a dream day for Princess Lasertron. I’m so personally satisfied and grateful for everyone who has helped me grow this business for the last five years–employees, family, friends, other designers who have collaborated with me. Besides receiving this magazine, I also spent the whole day with my mom collaborating with Joi Mahon on the Princess Lasertron dress line. Look for a post and some sneak peek photos about that tomorrow!

Hello Alice. Take your time arriving. I am eager to meet you but I’m not ready. I feel like I’m trying to lead two lives right now: The life of a devoted mommy eating protein all day long and trying to put up my feet for two hours a day, washing onesies and keeping a watchful eye out for the errant choking hazard–a dime on the table or a button on the floor. And the life of a business owner, juggling communication channels, manufacturing publicity, selecting fabrics, writing outlines, negotiating with a realtor, going to meetings and conferences, answering interview questions, scheduling photoshoots, and sewing all the time.

I shouldn’t say each is equally important to me. If I had to give one up, I know what it would be. But my work is my passion and for a long time it has been my baby. Something I made myself. Before you came along, Alice, your dad and I had a degree of “separateness” in our relationship. We came together because we are best friends and we fell in love and we like spending time with each other, but it wasn’t until you showed up that I realized how much your dad and I maintained our own goals and followed our own paths. I realized that dad and I always do our own things, but now we have a very big thing to do together.

You are the special girl who gives us something to be equally dedicated and devoted to. I’m excited to start my new life as your mama. But sometimes I am anxious about merging my two very special lives.

Hi bellybutton.

Hi Dave. Thanks for making me sack lunches in the morning and doing the dishes today. I hope the snow starts melting soon so you can ride your bike more. And I think your haircut looks really nice.

And thanks for going out to dinner with me tonight. We live in an awesome little neighborhood.

Hi Turbo. You are being such a good boy these days. I love watching your writhe all over the new rug in front of the tv until we rub your tummy. You are very brave when we use the new vaccuum. I know it’s scary.

Me:
Dress: Xhilaration
Sweater: Due Maternity
Leggings: Due Maternity
Boots: Vintage

Dave:
Shirt: Ben Sherman
Vest: Fink
Scarf: Urban Outfitters
Jacket: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: Diesel
Shoes: Macbeth

A bride after my own heart. These are my FAVORITE colors.

Anja is planning a backyard morning ceremony with a short Japanese lunch reception. Yellow and white paper cranes hung on tall, twisty white twigs.

Bright yellow shoes.

Black bridesmaid dresses. Cream and yellow flowers with polka dot ribbons. Gray suits with white boutonnieres. Yellow and white paper lanterns in trees.

Add this to the list of beautifully simple weddings that all the blogs will be clamoring for pictures of. I love my job and I am so happy for Anja and her fiance Simon. Your celebration sounds so fun!

xo

Edit: I also wanted to remind everyone that there’s only one day left to bid on the TOMS shoes I decorated for Haiti Relief! Go check them out and think about supporting this great cause.