Personalized Take-Out Containers: Easy DIY Craft
May 23rd, 2013PIN AND WIN!
May 20th, 2013
Pin & Win
We are giving away:
One GRAND PRIZE $250.00 Gift Certificate to NameMaker!
Two $100.00 Gift Certificates to NameMaker!
Three $50.00 Gift Certificates to NameMaker!
TO ENTER OUR PINTEREST CONTEST, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
STEP 1: Follow us at http://pinterest.com/namemaker/
STEP 2: Find your favorite clothing label image on namemaker.com. You may also upload a second image of NameMaker’s clothing labels that you presently own/use.
STEP 3: Pin one or two of these images onto a new board called NameMaker Clothing Labels.
STEP 4: Provide a caption telling us how you use (or would use) NameMaker’s clothing labels, ending with the word NameMakerClothingLabels.
WE WILL CHOOSE THE WINNERS ON MAY 31, 2013 AND COMMENT ON THE PINS, LETTING YOU KNOW YOU WON!
Happy Pinning!
Click here for Contest Rules & Regulations
The Language of Flowers
May 20th, 2013
Did you know that in Victorian times. flowers had meanings behind them? I never knew this until my book club read “The Language of Flowers”. Woven throughout this fun read are referencees to the Victorian practice of expression and meaning through flowers; almost like a code.
In those days, asters meant “patience”; a pink rose, “grace”. To show commitment, one might give honeysuckle for “devotion”, while gladiolas’ message meant “you pierce my heart”. There are many sentiments, both good and bad, which could be expressed through blooms. This led me to wonder if, in today’s world, would a bride choose (or avoid) particular flowers for her wedding, based on these hidden meanings? For instance, one of the most popular bridal blooms this year is the peony. In the language of flowers, though, peonies repersented anger. Would you avoid white roses if you knew they meant “a heart unacquainted with love”, or yellow roses which mean “infidelity”? Maybe floral designers know something we don’t, as stephanotis, “happiness in marriagae” is a favored bouquet flower, as is is stock, whose meaning is “you will always be beautiful to me”.
Or would you chalk it up as superstition; just a silly practice from long ago? Just beware if your fiance gives you basil, which means “hate”.
A Lesson in Labels for Small Business Branding: The 2 Most Common Label Types
May 13th, 2013You have started a business which involves clothing, apparel, or any type of textile (knitting, quilting, crocheting, sewing). Labeling your product is an essential step in establishing your brand and directing customers to your website or store. You know you need some type of tag in your product, but there are so many different kinds to choose from. Besides, you are so busy producing your product that you don’t have the time to research it. Sound familiar?
Here is a breakdown of the 2 most basic types of garment, textile, and clothing labels to help you make an informed business decision for your product.
woven clothing label,100% cotton
A Woven Label is made from threads which are woven together on a loom to form the label. Your design or logo plus any text like your company name, website, or phone number is woven at the same time as the background so that it forms one cohesive piece. (This is not the same as embroidery, in which a piece of fabric has the design stitched on top of it). To tell if a label is woven, you can look at the back of it and see strings or threads. A fully woven label is durable and offers longevity as the design is completely woven into the label. A variety of materials are available, but we offer and prefer 100% cotton labels. Our cotton woven labels are loomed with pure, soft, Egyptian cotton, which is known for both softness and strength. This cotton is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified.
Custom Logo Clothing Tag
Custom Printed Labels are just that. A fabric label is printed with your design, logo, or contact information. The printing process uses industrial inks and foils to print onto the label (versus weaving into the label). The ink and printing process creates an indelible image on the material. Image permanence on the label is particularly important for items which will often be washed or drycleaned. Printed labels tend to be less expensive than their woven counterparts. A variety of fabrics are used for this type of tag. Budget and personal preference can help you determine which is right for your brand. Fabrics include: Satin: a very soft material which is smooth and scratchless to the skin. Nylon Taffeta: a less expensive label made from a woven nylon taffeta material. Extremely durable though not quite as soft, taffeta is a great option for labeling products like handbags, tote bags, and other textiles which are not as close to the skin on a daily basis. Coated Polyester Heat Seal (Iron On) is a soft, iron-on material which is appropriate for items in which ironing in the label is preferred to sewing it on.
Pre Woven Clothing Labels, Select the Imprint:
Garment or Product Label, Woven Design with Printed Text
A hybrid of woven and printed labels, these are the most economical. A stock design has been pre-woven into the fabric, and may be customized with text. While you don’t have the option of creating a completely custom design on this type of label, you do have the opportunity to order a very few labels while still getting your name out there. This type of label is a great option for a smaller business or start-up when testing their brand.
Once you have chosen your brand label, you may also need to add a label to inform the buyer of sizes and care instructions. For that information, choose Woven Size, Care and Content Labels:
Stock woven labels, size tabs, care labels, content labels
White labels with black stitching identify the size of your garment, their content, and any care instructions like washing and drying recommendations.
Hello Kitty Birthday Party
May 9th, 2013Customer Spotlight: Nina Healy, Les Petits Presents
We love seeing the creative ways our customers use our products, as we always gain inspiration from them. As usual, Nina Healy of the blog, Les Petits Presents, did not disappoint. Check out her blog has if you haven’t already. She is super-creative, and from parties to packaging, has so many great ideas. Case in point: her daughter’s Hello Kitty Birthday Sundae Party (held on a Sunday, of course!) As parents, we all groan when our kids want a character-themed party, as they don’t lend much in terms of creativity. Undaunted by the request, Nina put her own spin on the party. Keeping the colors and pattern consistent definitely set the tone as pink, red, and white, with polka dots, were used throughout. Choosing an element to focus on gives the decorating some structure upon which to base the rest. Here, Hello Kitty’s Bow was found in many adorable places like straw toppers, napkins, and the game “Pin the Bow on the Kitty”.
In keeping with the bow idea, polka-dot ribbon, in red and pink, was also used as decoration: shown here as streamers from the chandelier, and tied around the pink lemondade container:
And holding up the pinata: (the top of photo was cut off, but pinata and kids are too cute not to show)
The table decorations are divine, with carnation sundaes being the standout. (Told you she was clever).
The Sundae Station was a huge hit with the kids, and uses all of the design elements that were repeated throughout the party. The gold-toned chalkboard made a great menu, and was the perfect topper for the sundae bar.
Our Personalized Polka Dot Favor Bags made it easy for the girls to take home all of the Hello Kitty loot.
Things To Consider When Choosing a Summer Camp
May 7th, 2013
Summer Camp can provide a child with a lifetime of wonderful memories, increased independence, new friends, and new interests. With so many choices available, how should your family decide which one is right for you?
The most important place to begin is by determining what you and your child hope to gain from a camp experience.
Is the goal to become more independent? A sleepaway camp may be a good fit in that by living in a group setting, they learn to stand on their own two feet. (Sounds backward, right?) Being in a cabin setting teaches your child to not only learn how get along with others, but to set up their belongings and bed, keep it tidy, and care for themselves. As part of the group, they will be expected to contribute in different ways from clean-up duties to meals, to being a part of activities.
Is the goal to lean new skills? A summer camp in a different part of the country may re-orient your child to learn activities which aren’t available to you where you live. (For instance, my sons will attend a camp this summer near the Great Lakes which teaches sailing, boating, and canoeing, activities which are out of reach in the land-locked Tennessee city in which we live. Is the goal to improve skills or activities your child already loves? A dance, acting, sports, or music- focused camp will help immerse your child in the activity they want to continue learning. Are there any limitations which should be considered? Whether physical, emotional, intellectual enrichment or support is needed, many camps specialize in providing such programming. Does your son or daughter thrive in a structured environment? Or do they blossom most when going at their own pace? Having determined that, is your child motivated by participation in team activities or sports, or do they shine best when competing against themselves? Do you want religion or spiritualilty to factor in to their summer experience? There are many camps with religious environment if that is important to your family. Is the goal to increase social interaction? Factor in whether your child would benefit most from a co-ed camp or a single-sex camp.
Whatever characteristics in a camp you and your family find to be important, you can be sure that there are plenty of choices that vary by location, pricing and programming. Letting your child be part of the decision-making process may help get them both prepared and excited for this positive experience.
5 Graduation Party Ideas
April 30th, 2013The end of every high school year seems to fly by, and graduation year is no exception. Between exams and summer planning, that graduation party will be here before you know it. To help take out some of the stress and get your creativity going, we have compiled a few tips for planning a great graduation party that you and your family, the graduate, and his/her friends will enjoy.
1. Fun Food: Food is always the most important element of a great party. Take their favorite junk food/teenage food and make it party-size for a fun-looking, great-tasting spread. Think sliders, tiny hot dogs, shot glasses of tomato soup with grilled cheese dippers, milk & cookies, or little lattes with petite donuts for dunking. Serving all pick-up food eliminates the need for fork and knife, and lets your guest easily mingle.
2. Decorate with Photos: While photos are the obvious way to show the graduate growing up through the years, it is what you do with them that counts. Display photos from each grade in a creative framing installation or as a garland, both of which also double as backdrop for the food or drink table. Frames or garland ribbon can incorporate school or favorite colors.
3. Creative Guest Book- let guests write their good wishes on an oversized decorative initial which may then be used as a meaningful, personalized dorm decor. For a guy, let a simple corkboard be the guest book.
4. Unusual Centerpieces: On each table, fill a conatiner with a items they will need after graduation. A galvanized bucket filled with tools and extension cords makes a great fix-it kit. Also try a storage crate with study supplies and a clip light, or a shower caddy with bathroom essentials like shower flip flops. Have one with a different theme on each table so that afterward it can go with your grad to college.
5. Personalized Favors- Baked goods like cookies are always a hit. Ice them in school colors or logos of the school they just graduated from, or are heading off to. Monograms in bright colors are fun take-home as well. Tuck cookies into a cello bag and tie with personalized ribbon printed with the graduate’s name, school, and graduation date. Your guest will take home a tasty treat and the memory of your child’s special occasion.
Personalized Gifts for Mother’s Day
April 22nd, 2013Mother’s Day is the perfect time to give a personalized gift. A little more thought and consideration goes into choosing something they would enjoy in the colors they like. Often, a personalized gift is something she wouldn’t get for herself, so it’s all the nicer to receive something with her name or monogram.
We have a few personalized gift ideas for Mom (and Grandma, Aunt, or Sister):
Does she knit in her spare time? How about a set of design-your-own labels? Woven in 100% Egyptian cotton, these labels are so soft and the combinations are endless. Choose your font, text, background color, and thread color. For an ultra-nice gift, tuck the labels into a knitting tote bag, along with some pretty yarn.
If sewing is her thing, she might enjoy personalized labels or stickers with buttons or thread. Package these with a bundle of fabric or sewing book.
Does she bake? Let her package her tasty treats with personalized ribbon or stickers. Wrap them up in a mixing bowl or with some kitchen utensils.
For the mom who might prefer to choose her own things: a gift certificate to Craftsy for an on-line lesson in sewing, knitting, or crafting, coupled with a gift certificate to Name Maker, will allow her to choose a project and a way to personalize it.
Fun-Size Family Craft for Easter
March 28th, 2013
They say that good things come in small pacakages. These little tiny Easter Baskets proves that cliche to be true. Their size is perfect for small hands to help make, and when displayed en masse, make a great centerpeice or decoration. These mini baskets are just the right size for teacher or class treats or make great favors for an Easter meal or party. A few simple materials are all that you need, and they are available at any craft, party, or big box store like Walmart or Target.
Materials list: 2″ Candy Cups, Pipe Cleaners, Paint, Paint Pens, or markers, Easter grass, candy.(You know we had to use Peeps, our favorite).
Start with 2″ paper candy cups. The ones we used were made by Wilton, but any white cups will work.
With a hole punch, punch a hole on either side. Next, paint designs around the little cups.
Twist a soft pipecleaner through the holes and shape into a handle. Line the bottom with a bit of easter grass.
Fill with some little candy eggs and your choice of easter sweets.
These tiny treats will get a big “awwwwww!”
by Stephanie Sklar
https://plus.google.com/107919233608821493350?hl=en#107919233608821493350/posts?hl=en
Summer Camp Checklist
March 25th, 2013Camp time can be both exciting and overwhelming. We have compiled a few tips to help the packing and planning process go smoothly so that both you and your camper can just relax and have fun!
1. Shop for camp with your child. Participating in the selection of items they will take with them not only gets them excited about camp, but lets them start feeling independent my making these choices. Even if it is as simple as picking out the type of backpack, or color of toothbrush, letting them have a hand in it provides confidence when opening that suitcase when they get there; they will know what everything is.
2. Really follow the “what to bring” list provided by your camp. Their suggestions are there for a reason, so go ahead and pack hiking boots if they recommend it (even if your son hates them and says he will never wear them).
3. Label EVERYTHING. Label all clothing, toiletries, sporting equipment, games, towels, shoes, books, and flashlights. In a community environment, it is all too easy to get their stuff mixed up with others. Take out the guesswork and label it all. We have a large variety of iron-on clothing labels and sticker labels to make labeling it all a snap.
4. Make communication easy for them. Kids are used to being plugged in all the time, so it is an adjustment for them to rely on hearing from you via snail mail. Write to them often. Enlist extended family members and friends to write to them too, so that they always have something to open. (and don’t forget theose care packages) Send them with pre-addressed and stamped envelopes and postcards so that they can easily write you to share good news (or homesickness).
5. Send a few “comfort” items: a photo of the dog, a favorite stuffed animal, or family pictures can go a long way when they want a little reminder of home.
