C'ville Entremom

I don’t know about you, but I seriously love cookies.  I could eat them for every meal (if that was an actual option).  As I sit down to write this feature, I realize that this could, in fact, be a job hazard as I scroll though the perfectly decorated and totally yummy looking cookies made by One Creative Cookie.

One Creative Cookie provides gorgeous custom cookies, as delicious as they are beautiful.  They are handmade- to-order with fresh ingredients. Exquisite attention to detail and excellent customer service are the hallmarks of their business.  One Creative Cookie specializes in cookies made specifically for birthdays, baptisms, first communions, teacher appreciation, hostess gifts, holiday gifts, baby showers, wedding showers, engagement parties, weddings.. the possibilities are endless.  The above mentioned are only a few of the opportunities to celebrate with creative, custom cookies.

Kelly Trout, mother to Will (7), Carter (5) and Alex (3), stumbled upon her 2 month old business at the suggestion of a friend.  Kelly had been making these cookies for holidays and birthdays for years and a good friend suggested that she turn her hobby into a business.  After a little research, Kelly found that there was a void in the Charlottesville market for custom cut-out cookies.  Alas, an Entremom is born.

Kelly, a registered architect by trade, finds that her cookie design work is just a new application of her architectural skills.  She also grew up making cut-out cookies with her mother and sister, so this blend of tradition and creativity is both challenging and fun for her.

So how does Kelly juggle her new business and raise 3 boys?  Kelly says that it is not always easy.  Some baking can be done while the boys are awake.  She can mix dough while they eat breakfast, cut and bake while overseeing homework, but the decorating has to be done after the boys are in bed.  Kelly finds that there is something calming about a completely quiet house, blank canvases of cookies and even some of the repetitive tasks of a large order.

Cookies from One Creative Cookie start at $4.50 each.  The cookies are ½” thick and the majority measure at least 4” in their longest dimension.  Their net weight ranges between 1.8 oz. and 2.5 oz.  Every cookie is individually bagged and tied with a coordinating satin ribbon.  If you would like to find out more about One Creative Cookie, please visit their website.

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Two weeks to go and still looking for the perfect Christmas gift?? Well, look no further.. Leslie Chisholm – Unconventional Classic Jewelry has you covered for your Holiday needs.

Leslie’s unique jewelry is designed with a focus on symmetry, texture and color. She takes pride in making each piece herself and taking the time to do it right. Her attention to detail assures the wearer that what they have is hand crafted and high quality… no two pieces are the same.

Leslie is passionate about creating refined, organic and elegant jewelry. She uses locally grown flora and fauna in her designs. She also loves to recycle vintage findings to use as a finishing touch to her work. She admits she has a weakness for pearls – the more unusual the better. She loves working with Precious Metal Clay. The silver leaves that she creates are her signature pieces.

Leslie has had a love for jewelry since childhood. As a kid living on Lake Erie, she often collected sea shells and looked for ways to make jewelry out of them. When she discovered that Precious Metal Clay would allow her to immortalize shells and other textures in fine silver, she was hooked and an artist was born. Leslie says that she is entirely self-taught.

Leslie started her business as a way to be in the same room with her sons (Daniel – 24, D’Arcy – 21) as young boys while they were playing, reading or watching TV and still be doing something productive. Leslie’s sons have been very supportive of her work and understood when she had to get just one more piece finished.

If you would like to find out more about Leslie Chisholm – Unconventional Classic Jewelry, please visit her website at www.lesliechisholm.com. Leslie is offering 20% off anything on her website if you mention Entremom.  She is also offering free gift wrap and free shipping within the continental U.S.  Contact Leslie at 434-971-2900 or email her (leslie.chisholm@gmail.com) to receive the discount. Offer good through 12/31/09.

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Looking for the perfect gift to give your loved ones?  Tired of running into the masses of people in the big box stores??  Well, look no further!!  Your local C’Ville Entremoms are here to help.  Here are a few gift ideas (w/savings) for your Holiday shopping pleasure:

Ivan and Mary — Ivan and Mary offers unique belts, handbags and more!  Email Mindy at sales@ivanandmary.com with the code Entremom and recieve 10% off your order.  Visit www.ivanandmary.com for more information.

By Betsy — One of a kind personalized stationary suited to your taste.  Receive 15% off any personalize stationary when you mention Entremom.  Visit www.bybetsy.com to browse her selection.

novel. — At novel., you will find something for every stylish woman on your gift list…  jewels, bags, bath, candles, frames, books, wearables and paper along with a special order personalized gift department and a baby section.  novel is located on the North Wing of Barracks Road Shopping Center.  Mention Entremom and get 15% off any in stock item at novel.

Explorations Play Studio — Explorations is a play studio that is aesthetically and purposefully designed to entice children to explore and discover.  Explorations is located in the Village Green Shopping Center off Hydraulic Road.    Mention Entremom and receive 20% off merchandise and gift certificates.

Leslie Chisholm Jewelry — Leslie creates unconventional classic jewelry.  Leslie is offering 20% off anything on her website if you mention Entremom.  She is also offering free gift wrap and free shipping within the continental U.S.  Contact Leslie at 434-971-2900 or email her (leslie.chisholm@gmail.com) to receive the discount.

And Moms while you are at it.. take a break and pamper yourself.  DCLIMAGE is offering their holiday special ’TIME REWIND FACIAL’ Professional Protocol for all skin types. This facial will uncover a more vibrant, youthful complexion, as it restores clarity, softness and smoothness.

Happy Shopping Ladies!

PS.  All coupons good through 12/31/2009.

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I was excited when Marth Keith sent me the announcement about this fabulous show that I had to share it on the blog ASAP!!. Several of our Entremoms will be participating in the Craftacular Holiday Show (a C’ville Craft Attack production). Twelve designers total will be showing and selling at OpenSpace December 11 & 12. Please come out and support our Entremoms and do some local shopping for the Holidays!

Cville Craft Attack is a group of independent designers, artists and crafters in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are makers of jewelry, handbags, paper goods, clothing, accessories, and art. Their members come from different backgrounds and all contribute a unique talent and perspective to the group. Together, they promote their high quality, locally handcrafted products. They meet once a month in the spirit of friendship, craftsmanship and artistry to support, inspire and encourage each others craft.

They believe in art, design, creation and craft. We believe in exploration and the celebration of making a life out of the things we dream.

All of the Craftacular details are here:
http://cvillecraftattack.blogspot.com/

and here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177641968188

This is a fantastic all-local shopping opportunity for the holidays. Wide range of price points, talented designers, always a fun event. Please stop in and tell all whom you know!

Entremoms showing are:

Martha Keith (jewelry)
www.marthakeith.com

Tavia Brown of Taviametal (jewelry)
www.taviametal.com

Christina Flowers of Magnolia Moonlight (paper goods and graphic design services)
www.magnoliamoonlight.com

Kim Boggs Goldstein of 2nd Chance Studio (upcycled mixed media sculpture and handbags)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/secondchancestudio

Nancy Hopkins of Silver Muse Studio (jewelry)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverMuseStudio

Rachel Thielmann of Gemini Skye (clothing & quilts)

Patty Wallens (pottery)

Zapata Designs (jewelry)
www.zapatadesigns.com

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As the Holiday season approaches, my photography business goes into full swing as families begin to call for both family pictures and Holiday Cards.  I have to say I’ve spent countless hours lately looking for the perfect Holiday Cards to offer my clients… believe me.. it’s an overwhelming experience.  I’m also finding more and more that with the price of digital SLR cameras as low as they are now (You can get an entry level DSLR for under $500 – WOW), clients and friends are opting to take their own Christmas pictures.  Anyway, I thought that this week, I would share some tips with you to take better pictures this Holiday Season.  Just and FYI, I am gearing this towards those of you with a DSLR, but if you don’t have one, the same principles apply to point and shoot cameras.

Get your subject out from the middle of the picture. You will often notice in the pictures that I take a child is off to the left or right of the picture or if it is a headshot/portrait the subject’s face will take up most of the picture.  Make sure that your eyes are drawn to the focal point of your subject.. for me that is always eyes.

Avoid Full Sunlight. Full sun creates really harsh shadows & what I like to refer to as “raccoon eyes.”  Find a spot with open shade or take your pictures and hour before sunset.  Another option (and my personal favorite) is to take your pictures on a cloudy day!

Forget the flash. Although I sometimes use it.. I loathe flash!  Find a nice spot by a window and use that to light your subject.  If you have a speedlight, don’t aim it directly at your subject.. bounce off the ceiling, a window, bounce card or use a diffuser.

Check out the background. Is there clutter or garbage?   Find a new location.  Another option is to zoom in on your subject so that the background doesn’t matter as much.  The best idea.. go take pictures this weekend w/beautiful leaves as a backdrop.

Don’t always pose or ask your subject to smile. Kids are kids and they don’t like to take time out to stop and smile.  Create memories of what they are really like on a day to day basis.  Enjoy the moments of them just being them.  Also, if they have a favorite toy, incorporate that into your picture.

Learn Photoshop. Seriously.. it’s a must.

Angie Brement is a portrait photographer and owner of Angie Brement Photography.  She is also the founder of C’Ville Entremom. If you would like to find out more about Angie Brement Photography please visit her website:  www.angiebrementphotography.com.

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Looking to add some spice to your child’s next birthday party?  Want to add some pizzazz to your next corporate event?  Well C’Ville, I’ve found your answer:  Expressions!  face painting and body art.

Ginny Sieminski, founder and artist for Expressions, offers glitter tattoos, henna tattoos and maternity art (painting pregnant bellies).  Expressions can be found around town at several great events:  Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival, Friday’s After Five, ACAC events and UVA events as well as your neighbor’s birthday party!  Ginny utilizes SNAZAROO paint, which is the safest body paint on the market and is specifically formulated to be used on skin.  It is made with FDA approved ingredients and is hypoallergenic, fragrance free and even carries a child safety label.  Ginny also loves to use glitter, which is also specifically formulated for the skin.

Ginny randomly fell into her business.  About 5 years ago, she was taking care of several children and decided to paint a balloon on one of the children’s hands.  When the mother came to pick up the child, she LOVED the balloon and convinced Ginny to paint at the child’s birthday party.  Ginny found herself overwhelmed by how much joy and excitement the kids found in her work and was hooked.  She officially started her business just under 2 years ago when she found a need for her services in the C’Ville area.  Since then, she has attended International Face Painting Conventions and trained with some of the best in the business.  She has also won several on-line painting contests.

Do how does Ginny make our children happy while raising 5 of her own?  Ginny has children ranging in ages from 29 to 6 and is also hosting a foreign exchange student  for 6 years.  (Wow, Ginny.. I bow to you!)  She likes to included the two oldest children at home (Laura – 20 and Nathan – 15) in the business.  They work with Ginny doing glitter tattoos and some painting.  Nathan actually just did his first solo job painting crowns at a local princess party.  Ginny’s youngest (Daniel – 6) is her best model.  Ginny also relies on her husband to take over on weekends when she is working.

I always ask in my Entremom interview for the Moms to tell me something interesting about themselves.  I thought that Ginny’s answer showed a great resourcefulness that I found inspiring.  Never underestimate the power of a good barter!  Here is her response:

“I was recently approved as a face painter for Royal Caribbean cruise lines!  In exchange for face painting 2 hours a day while the ship is at sea, Royal Caribbean has given me a free 10 day cruise to the Caribbean for me and a guest.  Altho each of  my children were very anxious to be considered as my “guest” for this adventure, my sweet husband won out.  We will be married 30 years this year – so what a great way to celebrate!”

If you would like to learn more about Expressions!, you can visit Ginny’s website (www.expressionsfacepainting.com) or call 434.409.4796.

Check out how beautiful her art is!!

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