Featured Minnesota Book Author

Meet Little Wonder...

What INSPIRED you to start your company?
I was inspired to start Little Wonder Company when my nephew received a personalized children's book for his first birthday. The book was given to him from his great grandfather and included a sweet inscription commemorating the day. I thought it was one of the most special and meaningful gifts and I was really moved by the experience. I began researching the company who created that book, found out it was started by a mom and became intrigued. I thought about what it would be like to start and run my own business. I wanted more control over my schedule. I wanted more time with my children. I wanted to do something I loved. I wanted to do something creative. Then one night when my twins were 3, I was reading a different personalized book to my son. The story was about him and some of the Sesame Street characters. His name was in the story, but only their pictures were included, not his. And then he asked me, "Where am I in the story, Mommy?" And something just clicked! I thought, wouldn't it be cool if we could create personalized books where not only is the child included in name and in words, but their actual likeness is included too? So they could actually see themselves in their books! And I was off and running...

Tell me a little about Little Wonder-
I launched Little Wonder Company last December. We launched with two hard cover storybooks, Little Girl Wonder and Little Boy Lightning, each about a child who turns into the superhero that he or she reads about. Our website features our character creator, which allows our customers to choose physical attributes that resemble the child for whom they create the book. I love what I do, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity and support to do what I do. And I love hearing about children who love their books! To me, that's what it is all about!

littlewondercompany.com

Look what a little white paint can do...

From Life in the Fun Lane blog - Fresh Coat Fridays

"Life in the Fun Lane" blog written by Holly did this great post. Check it out!! She takes second hand furniture and makes it look beautiful! She even tells us her tips! Makes you want to paint something doesn't it...!?


Please keep in mind that this is not a "how to" on refinishing furniture, it just covers the basics. Why, you ask? Mainly because I am not one for following rules, and I tend to "wing it" with most projects. I hope you learn something new, but the best piece of advice I can offer is to just have fun.
-Holly



1: What do you use to paint your furniture?
While whipping out a brush or roller is still the norm for most, I neither have the time nor patience to do multiple coats in teeny tiny cracks and corners on these bigger pieces. This is where the right tools really make the difference. I use a paint sprayer attachment for an air compressor.



They range in size and price, so be sure that if you are looking at buying one you first consult the sales person on what type of uses you will be needing it for. Not all compressors are compatible with sprayers and will ruin them if the compressor is too powerful. This is the exact sprayer I use: a Campbell Hausfeld gravity fed.



Using a sprayer reduces paint time, as well as drying time. Often my pieces take about 30 minutes of actual spraying and are completely dry within 20 minutes.

I am regularly asked about the all in one units you can buy in the paint isle. I actually own one and completely packed it up and gave away after 5 minutes of using it due the splattered and uneven finish. However, I do regularly talk to and hear from people who LOVE their all in one. My best recommendation would be to go to your local home improvement store and rent each before you commit to buying. They literally cost only a few dollars for 4 hours which is a small cost to feel reassured with whatever you choose.


2: What colors do you use?
I really and truly wish I could answer this question, for my own sake!!! The reason I can't answer it is because I only buy mis-tints and mix my own colors. To keep my costs as low as possible (more money to do more projects with!) I love buying mis-tints. Often a gallon only costs $5!!! I also love buying them because it is so much less intimidating to pick a color. Too often a color is not what I envisioned on the tiny little card so with the actual paint painted on the lid I can see a true look at how the mixed paint feels in different light and finishes.



The other good news? Most people stick to shades of white, beige and cream for walls and trim so there is usually a pretty good supply to choose from in those shades. The only downside is that unfortunately I have to rely on color matching (which still isn't 100% accurate) when I find a color I love, or if I need more.



3: What do you use to fill holes?
I always use wood filler.

4: What type of paint do you use?
Since I buy mis-tints I don't have the luxury of choosing. It varies from semi-gloss to flat most of the time. Because I finish of all of my pieces with several coats of semi-gloss polyurethane it really doesn't matter anyways, but I always tell people that if you don't want to do the polyurethane step just stick with semi-gloss paint.


5: Do you sand everything before you paint?
The honest answer is no. Unless I have some repair or holes to fill I skip the sanding step. I prefer to just gently rough up the surface with some 220 grit sandpaper instead of completely stripping the old finish off. If I do any type of sanding I usually stick with a basic primer. Other times if there isn't any sanding I use Kilz no-sand wood primer. This has always done the trick, infact I even used it on the railings when I redid them and not a scratch or chip is to be seen.

6: Do you prime everything before you paint?
NO! You can, but I just find it a real pain to clean the nozzle afterward. The other reason is that you do have to thin your primer in the sprayer and that can be tricky sometimes! I use the spray cans of Kilz primer, which are also really fast drying (which is great when you need to work on multiple pieces in a short time frame). I know it isn't the most eco-friendly option, but I do make sure to send along all my used cans to the eco-station.

7: Do you paint inside the drawers and cabinets?
No, I usually don't like my clothes and stuff to smell like paint. I do paint the insides of cabinets when there are glass doors, but other than that I leave well enough alone!


8: How do you work with laminate or veneer finishes?
So far I have only worked on solid wood pieces so unfortunately I don't have any advice on this front. But a little paint never hurt anything right?

9: What do you use to distress the furniture?
I use 320 grit sanding blocks. Going over the most exposed areas, like corners and edges, gives you the most realistic look. I know it can be intimidating to scuff up your freshly applied paint, but trust me, once you start it is hard to stop!

10: What do you use for a sealant?

I use Verathane brand water-based polyurethane sealant. I usually work with semi-gloss but occasionally use satin as well. It is VERY IMPORTANT to try and find this type of sealant (I buy mine at Home Depot) because everything else I have tried does turn the paint yellow over time. Sometimes you can see the yellow fairly soon after it dries, but other times it takes a few months to see (even when the can specifically says non-yellowing). So now I am very loyal to only buying Verathane polyurethane, especially since I primarily paint in shades of white and any amount of yellowing is definitely not good. I usually do two coats to give it a nice, even finish.

inthefunlane.com

Meet The Jeweled Hummingbird...

Check out The Jeweled Hummingbird at the "Junk Bonanza"!

What INSPIRED you to start your company?
I have always had a passion and a love for anything vintage or antique. I love taking something that someone would otherwise discard and giving it a new life. Last fall my daughter and I were walking around downtown Anoka visiting all the "junk" and antique shops. What I noticed was that you could buy a really cool vintage chair for example but the upholstery would be less then desirable or a lot of really neat furnishings would just have a coat of paint slapped on them and no time taken on them to make them beautiful again. At that moment I realized that not only could I do this but I could do it better by taking the time to restore them back to their original beauty.

Tell us a little about The Jeweled Hummingbird-
The mission is the protect the earth by reusing, restyling and rediscovering vintage furniture.

Check out The Jeweled Hummingbird on Facebook.

Featured Ohio Photographer

Meet Jessica Paxson Photography...

What INSPIRED you to start your photography business?

My boys! Brody(6), Brogan(5), and Braylon(2). I love being a stay at home mom and raising my children. This job allows me to do both. I've always known that I wanted to pursue a career in a field that I am very passionate about and for me it had to be something art related. When my first child was born, I picked up a camera and just started snapping away. Back then, it was just setting up some cute backgrounds around the house and putting him in front of, and now it's transformed into a whole new "obsession" for me! My head is CONSTANTLY spinning with new ideas for photo sessions. Many of them don't get executed, because well, most of them are just plain ridiculous! But hey, a girl can dream right?!?!?

Tell me a little about Jessica Paxson Photography-
This is my first year really taking on clients. Before I only did it for family and friends, and occasionally if someone else would ask me. Now that I'm rocking some awesome Nikon's and learned some great editing tricks, I've taken on everything from weddings to boudoir sessions. I've learned a lot and still have so much more to learn. I am so thankful to all of my clients for being patient with me this year while I work out all of the kinks and also for all the awesome photographers here online that I've met along the way. I get great support from them and helpful tips! Much love to you all, Jessica Paxson

maternity| newborn| children| family| weddings

jessicapaxsonphotography.com

Featured Graphic Designer

Meet Pretty Lovely Design...

What INSPIRED you to start your graphic design business?
My husband actually inspired me to start my company. He has been encouraging me for the last year to go for it. In January 2010, I started taking on more design orders through Etsy and website orders while still working a full time job as a Buyer for a company. In April I decided to leave my job and start Pretty Lovely Design.

Tell us a little about your Pretty Lovely Design-
I specialize in blog design and graphic design. I mostly work with entrepreneurs, photographers, independent business owners and bloggers. I also run a little portion of my business called Printed Lovelies that specializes in business cards and printed materials.

prettylovelydesign.com

Featured Minnesota Photographer

Meet Linabell Photography...

What INSPIRED you to start your photography business?
My boys! I have always loved having a creative outlet. I went to school for graphic design, but after my first son was born, my love of photography was born as well! The more and more I do it the more I fall in love with all the possibilities and beauty of photography. I learn more everyday and am inspired daily.

Tell us a little about Linabell-
I'm asked all the time about the name Linabell, and it came from my mom. My nickname growing up, that I never thought twice about, just popped in my head when I was coming up with a name for my business. I am excited for what the future holds for Linabell Photography.

Newborn| Babies | Children | Family | Seniors | Engagement

linabellphotos.com

Gray is the New Black

photo credits: left to right
unknown

The Color Wheel

this week's inspiration... color

photo credits: left to right
Stephanie Cogdon Barnes
Nest Things by Tamar
Martha Bernabe

Pretty in Pink

summer in bloom

photo credits: left to right
Martha Stewart
Sarah K Chen
Sarah K Chen