redo all the things!

so guys, its a new year! woohoo! last year was for me one of crazieness, uncertainty, and just over all a rollarcoaster of emotions. I was more than ready for a fresh start. things are still a little nuts but they are definatly looking up. and I am ready for change. so be ready, cause I am re doing everything, my shop, the things in my shop, this blog, and various other things in my life.
this blog will continue to contain updates on things in my shop that I will be reorganizing and rethinking.
I will also be revealing a new name as well as making this blog more conversational. I do a lot of creative and yummy stuff on a daily basis which I plan on documenting here. so this blog will contain lots of DIY creativity connected with my pinterest account as well as my cooking endeavors. and it will all be from a frugal point of view.

some things to look forward to:
~my recipe for the most awesome (and easy) iced coffee that can be made in advance
~ crochet items including some originals ( I rarely use patterns)
~ frugal, healthy, and yummy recipes
~ baby stuff because lots of my wonderful friends are pregnant
~various other DIY projects

see you all soon :)

MammaMinnie gets featured!

MammaMinnie crochet in collaboration with RandomAnn Design was featured in a beautiful collection of crocheted blankets and wash clothes.

Our lovely Baby Joy crocheted granny square blanket in shades of pink, green and white was featured in this collection.

HERE

Introducing . . . MamaMinnie Crochet

MamaMinnie Crochet is a collaboration project with my mom the lovely Debbi Smyth. For now it will be a section of RandomAnn Designs, but I wanted it to have its own unique logo.

MamaMinnie is all about quality handmade crochet both classic and modern. The name comes from my maternal grandmother who's nickname was Minnie growing up. For us crocheting has always been something to keep our hands busy and be productive. Feel free to contact MamaMinnie crochet for information on custom sizing and colors. Contact info can be found one our Facebook page.

About Debbi: As a mother to 7 children ( Rachel here being the oldest and the youngest being 9) Debbi is quite the busy one. She homeschools all of her children while being a stay at home mom. She has been happily married to her husband Joe for 24 years. While keeping busy taking care of her family she still makes time to design and crochet.

I am ever so proud and excited to be working with my mom to release these beautiful blankets and other crocheted items. You can check out her current products HERE .

2 weeks in

Hello All

Couple of things to tell you all.

1) I apologize for the sporadic blogging. I am working out a blogging schedule that I am hoping to start by August 1. Ideas for this appreciated! Tell me what you want to see here besides news and updates.

2) You may have noticed already but I have improved the Fairy Twigs line figuring out that little thing that was missing.

3) I am working on line of bags that will be coming in the next few weeks (depending on when I get my hands on the materials). More details on this to come.

4) I am adding to the Hair Poppies line. I have 3 more colors coming soon as well as a variety of headbands and other accessories.

5) I did get my twitter up and running. You can follow me HERE .

6) I tend to work in certain color schemes. I have a picture in my head of these color combinations and they tend to inspire the names for my items. I am working on putting together a color guide so that you can see some of the things behind my inspiration.

7) Last but not least I am excited to announce that in cooperation with a wonderful lady that just happens to be my mom, I will be releasing a line of baby items including blankets, burp clothes, booties. More details to come as they become available.

Thanks to all for your support! Don't forget that I welcome and appreciate your feedback so feel free to contact me any time via facebook Here or by e-mail randomanndesigns (@) hotmail.com

For real this time

I was trying my best to be ready for my grand opening today. But I had to delay it til next friday for a couple of reasons. First of all I had no camera. Well sorta. I have a camera but it was not only missing but the charge cord had been missing for over a year. But I search the house high and low and finally found it as well as ordered the new charger :) So that problem was solved. I was also pretty sick for about 3 days. I came home from my parents house with a bad cold. I dont call of work very often but I had to on weds. I was achy and congested and could barely move. I stayed in bed downing dayquil and watching tv. Thankfully I am feeling quite a bit better now. Still a bit congested but able to think and move.

Anyway a couple of things I want to mention:

First a couple of fun things :

I have a new earring design that I have been working on and I feel like it is finally ready to reveal. I call them fairy twigs because they are very simple, dainty and the name just seemed to fit.

On monday I will be holding a contest. The winner will receive a pair of my Fairy Twigs Earrings as well as additional 20% off their first order. Details will be released soon :D

The first 50 orders will also receive an extra gift.

Twitter coming soon!

Second of all:

Thanks to every one who has supported me. I am so excited this is finally happening. I always kept on saying I would do it when I have time. Something I have begin to realize lately is that time doesn't fall in your lap. If you really want to do something you have to make the time for it. I am ridiculously busy. I am enrolled in school full time, I have a full-time job and this is one of my two "part-time" online jobs.

So even though I am not sure how successful this will be, or if I will even get back what I have invested in it, I am excited to make the time for this. What else am I gonna do with all the stuff I have been making, right?

This will only work with your help. Since I know that my grand opening will be mostly those of you who have supported me for years, my grand opening sale will have greatly reduced prices. Exact details to come. All I ask is that you pass on one of the two business cards that will come with your order :)

Lastly if any of you all have any questions, idea or suggestions feel free to e-mail me or post on the discussion board on my facebook page.

And as a little reminder, most of my designs can be customized so feel free to email me at randomanndesigns(@)hotmail.com if you wish to request an item in a different color, metal or size.

Finally making some progress

I know it has been over a year since my last blog post. It has been such a crazy year. I moved, have had 2 different full-time jobs, been taking a full course load with out breaks, watched my friends graduate, get married and have kids. It has been a full and busy year.

But RandomAnn is back at it. I completed my logo yesterday and received the files this morning (see facebook) I have ordered some awesome promo items including business cards which I am very excited about. I am setting a tentative grand opening date for 6-24 though it might be a week or so later then that. there are a couple of things this depends on. I have some awesome new products and I will be having some awesome deals posted as a part of my grand opening. So check back frequently for updates.

This week:

I was planning on working the photos this week but i am getting a later start then i intended because i dont have batteries for my camera. Silly me :)

I will be getting some this afternoon so i will be able to start working on pics tomorrow and hopefully have some up (at least on the fan page) by tomorrow night. friday afternoon at the latest.

I have also been working on some new designs including some beaded bobby pins. I love the way they are turning out. Simple but beautiful none the less.