I'm so excited! I received a call and an email from Envelopments to tell me that they are featuring EITAK Design's Envelopments online showcase in their presentation at the National Stationary Show in New York next week!  How cool is that?! 

Here's what the email from Patrick, the Brand Manager at Envelopments said, "I wanted to touch bases with you and let you know I will be featuring your Eitak Online Showcase during the National Stationery Show.  It’s one of our favorite showcases and we’ll be using it as an example to other Envelopments Dealers/Designers. I would love to thank you in person if you’re attending the show. If not, please give me a call.  Great website too, by the way."

I had to give props to my husband who designed my website.  And it's great to know that Envelopments likes my work, since I love using their products and being an authorized retailer.

If any of you are going to be at NSS next week, say "hello" to everyone at Envelopments booth for me, (Envelopments Booth #2562).  I'd love to be at the show, but it's wedding season and I'm in the middle of a lot of deadlines!  Maybe next year!

I'll be posting new pics of recent work soon (I know, I know, I said that last post)...but it's been crazy busy here at EITAK and I love it!  Thanks so much for all the support and referrals and for choosing EITAK!

Katie

So it's approaching mid-April and I realized I haven't updated my blog....at all!  So far, there's only one post....the first one.  I'm new to blogging, but the real reason for the lag is simply (and thankfully) that I've been super busy!  Busy is good, especially in this economy.  I'm very grateful for all the work and have taken on every project (big or small) to keep the momentum going and because I just love doing this!

The entire month of March just disappeared.  It all started in February with a bunch of painting projects, small projects (mostly for remodels or repairs), but lots of projects nonetheless.  I love my repeat clients!  I would say about 80% of my painting projects over the last few months have been for clients I have painted for before.  Repeat business means a lot to me, not only because many of my clients have graciously accepted me into their homes, trusted me with the artistic freedom to just "do my thing," and are now my friends....but because it means that I'm doing something right and it's a huge compliment to my work.  What an awesome feeling to know that people like what I do...  And it's so great to grow with my clients...first I'm designing their wedding invites, then I'm painting their new home or a mural for the nursery, then birth announcements, family holiday cards, kids' party invites, and more painting.  I'm so lucky to have the best clients/friends ever.

March was mostly about invites.  I did a few painting jobs as well, so there were a couple of hectic weeks, painting all day and then designing/assembling invites at night (after my two little ones were in bed of course). The invites that went out in March were pretty FABULOUS, embellished, fancy, sparkly...with ostrich plumes and crystals, need I say more?  But I also had a bunch of birthday party invitations.  Is anyone NOT having a party the weekend of April 24?  LOL.   Wedding season is here and I'm working on some really beautiful themes and interesting color schemes:  Pink/Black/Champagne, Aubergine/Champagne/Robin's Egg, Orange/Aqua/Purple, Champagne/Ivory/Olive, Red/Black/Silver, Aqua/Red, Lapiz Blue/Champagne, Lavendar/Magenta/Silver.  And the themes range from vintage/antique, glamour, modern geometric, old world elegance, retro, scrolly, paisley, tropical floral...to some unique themed weddings like equestrian (horses) and jazz music.  All I can say is FUN, FUN, FUN!!!  Every day is something different, whether it's painting a mural or designing an invitation...and although the process is somewhat the same from project to project, being able to design with different themes and have fun with something new is really inspiring and motivating. 

I will post some pics & descriptions of recent projects shortly....

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's LIVE!

FINALLY, after almost 6 years, I've updated my website, thanks to the skill, expertise and patience of my web developer/designer (who happens to be my awesome husband) Aaron Gaines of www.masemo.com.  Yippee!

The redesign and update process actually began in early 2005...but then "life" happened:  the New Year started and I got completely booked with invitation and painting projects; I was already super busy with my toddler son, and then I became pregnant with our second son.   So I never really had time to sit down and organize the content for the new site, take photos of new work, etc. 

I had postcards printed in 2005 announcing the new year, new look, new website...but ended up just storing those away until I could focus more time on pulling all the content together.  All my other projects took priority and I was still getting a lot of business with the old site, so I just put it on the back burner.  And finally, in fall of 2008, I decided it was time to make the time and just get it done by the new year (so I could utilize those postcards).  The toddler is now a four year old starting kindergarten in the fall, and the baby is now a two year old.  It's been a long time coming.....

So here it is.  www.eitak.com

It's totally me and I love it.  I hope you do too.  Since EITAK is KATIE spelled backwards, I wanted it to look like me, my style, my favorite colors.  And since my creative services are not limited to invitations, I wanted to stay away from a standard wedding website look (white or cream with a hint of sage or citrus green, light blue, pink or gray) and focus on the colors I've always loved, bright, bold and dramatic. 

The first thing that changed was my logo.  My first logo was the cartoon rendering of me (some of my clients may remember that), starting with the flipped bob, moving on to the two braids.  I got tired of changing the logo to match my changing hair styles.  So now EITAK is a simple text font with the scrolly border.   

There are more pictures of my work (even though it's not even 1/2 of the work I've done in each category) in a snazzy, interactive polaroid gallery format (thanks to Aaron).  Just click on the photo in each category page and then drag around, move, double-click on the polaroids in the gallery to view my portfolio and scroll back and forth. 

I've updated the Pricing/Process pages to detail how the creative process works and my basic rates.  I'm working on the Boutique page, which will allow direct purchase of Envelopments products from my site, as well as showcasing my own line of handpainted and handmade products or sale items of specialty papers, ribbons, and other materials. 

Also, I've added a links page, which shows a few of my favorite vendors in different categories.  These are people I've either worked with, have done work for me, or who I've seen in action and highly recommend their services.  And I have a testimonials page for both Paper and Paint.  My business is 100% referral driven, so these testimonials mean a lot to me.

And then, there's the blog.  This is actually my very first blog post...ever!  I love reading my sister Julie's blog (she a photographer www.lot116.com).  And I check it constantly to get sneak peeks on the projects she's working on, see her inspiration, the new things she's trying with her photography. My blog will have a similar format...so check back often to see what I'm working on, what inspires me, new ideas, design sneak peeks.

I hope you enjoy checking out my new site....thanks for visiting www.eitak.com

Katie

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