bella carta studio

Tomorrow,Tomorrow

2011-04-05T12:48:00.004-04:00

It's only a day away!

One more peek of Bella Carta: The Studio Line before the big launch on Etsy.com tomorrow!

A Sneak Peek

2011-03-25T14:06:00.012-04:00

We're excited to share some very big news with you today!

Announcing a brand new adventure for us... Bella Carta: The Studio Line.

A delightfully patterned and detailed collection of invitations and event stationery. Personalizable in 36 colors, and printed on tree-free paper that even makes mother nature happy. Coming this month on Etsy.com!

Be on the lookout for more teasers on Facebook, Twitter and here on our blog before the official launch!

Here's the first sneak peek.

2011-03-17T12:40:00.003-04:00

It only happens once a year! You won't want to miss Wedding Band Weekend at Mann's Jewelers, March 18, 19 & 20! Come out an see us while you shop, sip champagne and sample wedding cake.

Every purchase is accompanied by a luxury gift bag full of money saving offers from attending wedding professionals including:

Arena's Florist
Bella Carta Studio
Brandon Vick Photography
Gourmet Goodies
Hank Parker's
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Parkleigh
Simply Beautiful Events
Stacy K
Sweet Fortunes
TableToppers of Rochester
Tammy Swales Photography
Van Zile Travel
Waterlily

Attendees will be able to browse offerings from some of the finest wedding professionals in Upstate New York. View fabulous floral arrangement, stunning photography, decadent desserts, perfectly coordinated linens, exotic honeymoon travel packages, beautiful custom invitations, creative rentals and flawless wedding planning all in a unique atmosphere.

The weekend kicks off with a happy hour catered by Dinosaur BBQ, Friday, March 18, 5:00-8:30.

Click here for more details!
http://www.mannsjewelers.com/AsSeenIn/EventsandPromotions/

Intertwined

2010-09-22T19:17:00.019-04:00

in·ter·twine
in·ter·twined, in·ter·twin·ing, in·ter·twines
To join or become joined by twining together.

Often times, there isn't an accurate way to symbolize the love of a couple who is about to be married; a way to accurately show how intertwined two individuals are about to become when they say "I Do." For Josie and Nate's wedding, it was all about finding a way to do this.

A special custom-designed logo containing a grape leaf and a maple leaf with the stems intertwined with the initials "J and N" was created for the couple, representing the bride's roots in the wine country of the NY Finger Lakes and the groom's roots in Vermont, known for it's maple syrup. The logo was incorporated in everything from the save-the-date card and invitation through to a number of intricate details that made up the reception decor.

As an intimate affair with a modest guest list, tables were adorned with clean table number signs, and place cards containing only the first names of each guest.

The grape-and-maple-leaf-inspired logo was used in a variety of the creative elements, including the water bottles that sat on each table inside the tent.

Guests were greeted with our custom-designed logo flying high on four flags that topped the beautiful tent where the reception was held.

Custom-made blankets were dispersed throughout the lounge area with the well-known logo displayed.

The tent was decorated to perfection, ready to embrace the newly intertwined couple and their 90 guests. Bella Carta was happy to be a small part of ensuring Josie and Nate were joined together in the most elegant of ways.

"We've grown to be one soul - two parts; our lives so intertwined that when some passion stirs your heart, I feel the quake in mine."

-KR

The Mane Event

2010-08-24T12:06:00.012-04:00

Sometimes you can't find a pattern that is the perfect fit.

So you just have to create a pattern from scratch.

These save-the-dates for EquiCenter's "Barn Raising" event to benefit their therapeutic equestrian program needed an extra special touch.

This custom-pattern mixed with browns, oranges and yellows, has set the tone for a fabulous fall event, and brought Bella Carta Studio's custom-designed invitations to a new level. The sky's the limit...and we like it.

EquiCenter, Inc. offers a number of therapeutic riding, hippo therapy, vaulting and horsemanship (equine facilitated mental health) sessions. Horseback riding is a progressive form of therapy for individuals with mental and/or physical challenges. The physical activities involved in horseback riding prove to be an effective tool for improving muscle stimulation, strength, coordination, flexibility, posture and balance.

-KR

Eco-friendly is the new black

2010-08-05T07:29:00.015-04:00

The Zeller Corporation came to us with a unique need: create an invitation for our ribbon cutting event that supports the environmental goals of our company and celebrates their newly attained Silver LEED Certification and two other company accomplishments. Luckily, we were able to do just that.

The creation of these letterpress corporate invitations required thoughtful consideration when choosing printing practices and materials that are friendly to good ol' Mother Nature.

Bella Carta Studio was happy to be involved in Zeller Corporation's ribbon cutting that included a celebration of 50 years in business {hence, the gold ribbon}, the grand opening of their new offices and the huge feat they accomplished when attaining LEED Silver Certification. We were even happier to be a part of making the world, and our community, a little bit greener. And a whole lot more stylish while doing so. Eco-friendly is the new black, after all.

-KR

A Sweet Touch

2010-07-30T14:45:00.001-04:00

Candy buffets have become an attractive trend for wedding receptions, often in the place of favors. Couples are getting rid of the traditional tulle-wrapped almonds and searching for ways to make their receptions memorable. More and more brides are leaning towards a mishmash of sweets & treats. I mean, what better way to leave a lasting impression than to send your guests off with a bag full of goodies? A bag, no less, designed specifically for your special day.

For Sarah and Jeffrey's wedding, the idea behind the custom-designed chocolate triple panel folder tied up with a pink ribbon was relevant from the save-the-date all the way through to the last couple leaving the dance floor. When guests received their invitation in the mail, they knew they were about to open something special. Like a box of unopened chocolates. Guests got their wish at the reception, getting the chance create their own box of chocolaty goodness on a table labeled with its own Bella Carta touch: Love Sweet Love.

Now that's sweet.

-KR

What an amazing wedding show... A Wedding Affair by Well Wed NY

2010-01-30T21:20:00.007-05:00

Last week we were so honored to take part in Well Wed New York's A Wedding Affair show! Honestly, it is on a plane of it's own. The decor, the details, the quality of vendors, simply stunning. Brides and their guests were greeted with glasses of champagne, martinis, and the most yummy passed hors d'oeuvres. They mingled with each other and with wedding experts from custom invitation designers (like us!) and photographers to caterers and wedding venus. Fiddlehead Concepts Catering was at the next table to us and OMG, the food was spectacular (there were these butternut squash shooters that we to die for!)! There were beautiful table scapes, several of which for whom we were proud to provide menus, placecards and the like...a big thanks to Simply Beautiful Events, Stacy K Floral and Flower Power Decor for including us in your designs!

We had a great time and are looking forward to taking part next year, too! We don't do a lot of wedding shows but this is one we'll always be thrilled to participate in. Without further adieu, here are some pictures from the big event...These next two photos are by Brandon Vick
Table decor by Simply Beautiful Events (menu by Bella Carta Studio):
Table design by Stacy K Floral: I wish I'd taken the time to take more pictures of the event as a whole, but I'm sure you'll be able to find more pictures on their website soon.

Guide your wedding guests with a seating chart

2009-10-05T20:34:00.009-04:00

Tight on space at the entrance to your reception? Looking for something other than the sea of escort cards that usually greets guests at a wedding? Then maybe you should consider using a wedding guest seating chart instead. They can be beautiful, and are certainly useful, plus they're a big space saver.

If you have 2 of them flanking the doors to your dining room, tent or reception hall, your guests won't find themselves in a traffic jam searching for their names on the chart.

What's the cost, you ask? Actually, depending on the size of your wedding and the frame size, they can actually save you money compared to the cost of individual escort cards! A seating chart sized to fit a 24" x 36" frame is just $150 for a design in your wedding colors. Escort cards often easily surpass that price for medium to large sized weddings. Smaller sizes are available for even less cost! We recommend that you buy your frames at one of those big craft stores (Michaels, JoAnns, Hobby Lobby, etc.). They have great sales, plus if you plan well enough, you can use the frame in your home after the wedding. Maybe you even have one at home now, and can switch out that lovely Degas for the seating chart, and replace it again after the wedding!

Take a look at these examples. More can be added to the design...do you want your wedding party listed? Maybe a larger design on top...the sky is the limit. We can design it to fit your style and wedding design.

Enjoy!! Happy wedding planning!

Well Wed in New York, Fall-Winter 09 issue

2009-07-24T14:43:00.004-04:00

We're SO excited to be featured in three (yes THREE) places in the newest issue of Well Wed in New York! Go pick up a copy from your local newsstand if you're in Upstate New York.

Grace and Chris' wedding, coordinated by Kelli Berg of Simply Beautiful Events, was a featured wedding...we did their full letterpress stationery suite. Plus, we provided menus for 2 of their photo shoots. It was so much fun!

What a beautiful magazine and we're so THANKFUL to be a part of it!

Engraving versus Thermography...benefits and drawbacks

2009-07-19T13:31:00.009-04:00

Most of our wedding invitations & stationery are printed using thermography, a raised printing method that is relatively inexpensive and offers any option you could want in PMS (Pantone) colors. It's versatile and fast and provides that finished look that you can't get off of a digital printer...here's an example of typical thermographic printing on a metallic stock:

You can see the raised impression and the light reflection on the surface of the graphic. Lighter colors have a beautiful translucent effect that works especially well on metallic stocks. So why would we use engraved printing, a much more expensive process (which is the primary drawback)? What is the difference in process and what are the benefits of engraving?

Thermography is an offset printing process. The type/image goes onto the paper as flat ink and then while the ink is still wet, a very fine powder is dusted onto the paper and it goes through a very high heat oven. That powder liquifies and hardens to form the raised print.

Engraving requires the design to be etched onto a copper plate. The engraver then forces the paper onto that plate with very high pressure and the result is a raised image on the front, and you can see the "bruise" of the plate on the back of the paper. That is the evidence of true engraved stationery. Additionally, when metallic ink is used, the paper passes through the process once more to burnish the ink and give it a finished, smooth look.

The benefits of engraving include:

Engraved type and graphics usually result in a much sharper image compared to those printed with thermography.
Whereas thermography usually has a glossy look, engraved graphics look more like matte-finish paint on paper, with little gloss except in the case of metallic inks.
Engraving allows you to print light colors on dark paper stocks. Thermography doesn't have a "white" ink, so there's no way to get that sharp, white or light type layout or graphic that you can with engraving (note: you can also use white/light foil to get that light on dark impact, but it's a very different look).
Engraving is the true "traditional" printing method for wedding invitations, so if you're having a very formal, traditional wedding and have the budget for it, engraving is an excellent choice for your stationery.

Here are a couple of views of an engraved job we recently completed. We never would have achieved the sharp distinction of line in the interwoven monograms if we had printed them with thermography. For the full view of this job, click HERE to see the full portfolio from this wedding.

It's getting hot in here...

2009-06-06T17:24:00.005-04:00

If that tune starts going through your head when you think of your wedding ceremony, perhaps the ceremony program should be shaped like a fan, cooling your guests while they follow along with your vows. One of our latest fun-loving brides decided she wanted functional fan-shaped wedding programs for her June ceremony, so of course we obliged. We were planning another fan program for a wedding later in the summer, and moved up our timetable to make this fabulous new die cut. We're so happy with the outcome...and the bride was, too! We love the way the yellow orchids fall over the top of the cover, just like her invitations! The navy blue and butter yellow colors are so crisp and summery, and were accented nicely with the fern green ribbon going through the silver grommet. So pretty

Pretty in Pink...

2009-05-26T23:43:00.005-04:00

We were so fortunate to have a hand in designing the invitations and wedding day stationery for an incredible wedding at Esperanza Mansion in the NY Finger Lakes. Kelli Berg with Simply Beautiful Events was the wedding planner for this fabulous occassion, and the most of the photography that follows is by the talented Karin Von Voigtlander.

We love it when we're given a bit of direction (blush pink and black, and they wanted an airy damask pattern) and then we're allowed to go with it. Kelli Berg has a great vision and helps her clients interpret their own style into something that can only be called spectacular.

We're so proud of these pieces, and we'll load more later...the hotel bags were SO wonderful!

National Stationery Show, here we come!

2009-05-15T22:09:00.006-04:00

Heading off to the National Stationery Show in NYC this weekend. I'm looking forward to finding some new sources, and I'm also going to hit the garmet district while there to find some new rhinestone buckles and trims!

We're in the middle of a beautiful rhinestone buckle project now...here's a sneak preview (this is just a prototype). Of course, mounted on that stunningly gorgeous Midori ribbon.

I can't wait to share with you our new finds!

Oh, and there's PLENTY of #NSS noise on twitter if you want to follow it! So much fun! We're really enjoying Twitter. Come follow us for the show and beyond: @bcsdesigngirl.
Enjoy your weekend!

Lisa

50th Anniversary invites, part 2

2009-05-01T14:34:00.003-04:00

OK, since Carrie, my handy dandy amazing assistant just outed herself regarding her parent's 50th anniversary invitations, I'll expound on it, and show you how the invites turned out for the actual event.

Without further adieu, here are the fabulous Picnic and BBQ Anniversary invitations:

So if you're planning an event, ANY event, I think these are evidence that we can create something PERFECT just to fit the event!

Invitations DO set the tone!

2009-04-28T13:26:00.007-04:00

Oh come on, Lisa...

Hello everyone, it's Carrie. I know I haven't checked in for a while. Lisa will tell you I am a Luddite (look it up!) and thus afraid of the computer.

But today, here I am at home, surfing the web for party supplies. "Why?" you ask — because the Save the Dates that are featured below are for my parents, Barbara and Bob. Yes, it's been 50 years and we are having a big picnic/barbeque at a local park.

Lisa will also tell you that I GET IT. Invitations set the tone. I started thinking about these soon after starting at Bella Carta Studio, because I saw the potential of the paper (and the ribbon and the color envelopes and the fonts...!)

Part of being a Luddite is that I am terribly old fashioned about such things as BIG family events. I knew we were having a picnic, BUT it is a 50th anniversary, so how do you convey casual yet formal? This is a big event, but there will be barbeque sauce EVERYWHERE!

I think the Save the Date starts the general VIBE, if you will. The formality of gorgeous red textured card stock of the Envelopfold® contrasted with the fun red picnic cloth background pattern. The formal script contrasted with a great sans serif in the panel.

I GET IT! Wait until you see the invitations — like the Save the Dates, people are gonna PLOTZ!

Lisa was taking pictures of the invitations as I was out the door yesterday. Perhaps they are up NOW on the new bellacartastudio.com. CHECK IT OUT!

I'll tell you how it goes.
-carrie

50th Anniversary...picnic style!

2009-04-26T22:42:00.004-04:00

Just a quick post tonight to show you some fun Save the Dates for an upcoming 50th Anniversary party. We're producing the invitations this week so these are a couple months old, but I just posted them to the website and am newly enamored with them!

They're a treat compared to most formal 50th Anniversary parties. Inspired by the red and white checkered tablecloths that will be used at the big event, we created a fun and funky Envelopfold(r) Save the Date with an iconic 50th graphic that will also be used on the stamps for the invitation!

Enjoy!!

As a nod to tradition, we just added a TOUCH of gold (for the golden anniversary!) with an intermediate metallic gold layer...fun!

A Charcoal and Candlelight boxed invitation...don't you LOVE them?

2009-04-17T21:21:00.009-04:00

I'm in LOVE with our newest invitation set. When this bride approached us with her 'charcoal & candlelight' color scheme I thought it would be beautiful, but perhaps a bit neutral. BOY WAS I WRONG! I'm just so tickled with the way these turned out--obviously this bride had impeccable taste...they're dramatic, stunning and opulent, but not pretentious. Seriously, I'm in love with these invitations! The box, oh, the box...a GORGEOUS sueded charcoal with a beautiful candlelight wrap with a custom pattern. The delicate floral rondelle adds such a sweet accent to the piece. I hope you love them as much as we do!

So what do YOU think? We'd love to hear from you!

Can't forget the babies....

2009-04-12T12:40:00.007-04:00

Not to be outdone by our wedding invitations, we've also been busy with birth announcements!

Here are a few we've done in the last year....so FUN! I love it when our brides come back to us to design the introduction of their newest family addition. I can't think of better feedback than return customers!

We have lots more to post soon...both wedding and baby. We've been BUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYY!!!

And the website is c o m i n g a l o n g s l o w l y but coming along. Soon, soon, I just keep telling myself that. I think it's true...that's what they tell me. :-)

Oh, and we're on FACEBOOK!

2009-03-19T21:54:00.002-04:00

I forgot to mention it in all our exciting news. We've been on Facebook for a few months. Take a look and become our FAN! You'll get first peaks at new announcements. Please pass it along to your friends!

We love Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/#/pages/Bella-Carta-Studio/38252331221?ref=ts

A teaser...we're back!

2009-03-19T20:42:00.009-04:00

Hi Everyone! I know, I know. It's been SO long since we've updated our blog. The winter was cold and dreary but guess what, spring is here (we think) and that means it's WEDDING SEASON again!! YEA!

So many exciting things are coming our way. In just a few weeks we're launching our new website. YES, you heard me, a brand new look and new projects to drool over. We haven't updated our old website in quite a while as we've been putting all our efforts into the new site. I can't wait 'til it's live, and I'm sure you'll be thrilled! That also means that we'll be loading a new (coordinating) blog skin. Heaven.

I thought I'd post a few pics as a teaser to show you some of what we've been working on. It's been a lot of fun!

This one is a little older but we love it so much! It'll be featured on the new website but I thought I'd post a sneak peek of it here.

And one more teaser...he's a preview of our upcoming new website... **grin**

OK, I promise to come back SOON and regularly! Our winter hiatus is O.V.E.R.

near and far...

2008-11-09T00:16:00.003-05:00

Someone asked me the other day if we can work with clients who are overseas........................OF COURSE!!! We have a great process down for working with clients from afar. We'd love to do so with YOU! Anyway, just thought I'd mention it.
:-)Lisa

Wedding Favors with a Cause

2008-10-26T22:11:00.005-04:00

We do a lot of wedding favor packaging and tagging, as well as the donation cards (in lieu of favors, bride & groom have made donations to etc., etc.). Wedding favors are nice, and those donation cards are a nice way to honor loved ones, but what if you could do something for others WHILE giving a cool favor to your guests?

We've spoken about the Fair Trade bookmarks for which we created cool packaging so they looked great at the reception. Today I was helping one of my other clients with the same kind of endeavor. She liked the idea of the fair trade bookmarks but doesn't live local to where I am (so I could send her to the same place my other client purchased those great bookmarks). Well, I found the neatest site while looking for more Fair Trade bookmarks. Take a look at these:

Aren't they beautiful? But here's the BEST part...for each bookmark purchased (for $3.95 each), The Hunger Site funds 25 cups of food for people who don't have enough food to eat. So in other words, you're doing a GREAT thing (think of how much food that is for a simple 150 person wedding!) AND your guests get a beautiful bookmark. You can attach a lovely logo tag with an explanation on the back and put one at each place setting. They'd be gorgeous and you'd be doing such a good thing. Here's the site: http://shop.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?itemId=32643&siteId=220&sourceId=220&sourceClass=StoreSearch&index=4

There are many other options on The Hunger Site, too...take a look! Additionally, there are sister sites that give money to fund breast cancer research, child health, literacy, etc. Just use the link above and you'll see the other options in the tabs at the top of the page.

Trends for spring 2009

2008-10-14T14:52:00.012-04:00

Hey Everybody!

Anyone that knows me well knows that I am an ardent follower of fashion. I've always tried to maintain an aura of "stylishness" and after living in NYC for a number of years, I can talk the talk. I get all the magazines, try to keep up with the shows, and though no longer living in a hotbed of fashion, I do my best to look COOL while walking to work and making the lovely things I do here at Bella Carta Studio.

I am prompted to blog about fashion and more specifically trends by Lisa's suggestion that I discuss what we see going out of our workroom as we start on spring 2009 SAVE THE DATES.

One trend that I have noticed being brought up again and again is one of geometric simplicity. I actually saw it first in a Save the Date we did early LAST spring for a VERY modern bride. She specified cool and elegant, loving the look of light aqua and steel rules running sleekly along one long edge of the announcement.

This idea of simple design in the form of stripes was suggested by another one of our brides who came in wanting Save the Dates that reflected something "preppy." She loved those great colors: rich navy blue, chartruse green and brilliant magenta - they all contrast but somehow play together so nicely. Lisa was inspired to show her those colors in a fun nautical stripe pattern that wraps around the panel and is tied on with double faced satin magenta ribbon. And a few of those color rules horizontally frame the announcement.

Color trends are constantly changing and evolving. From the jewel tones that we used so frequently this fall, we are seeing a shift to brights and primaries, particularly that navy. Another Save the Date for a June wedding had both a vibrant green backing card and was mailed in a navy side flap envelope, white labeling band ready for green addressing and featuring a brilliant blue flower from the card

All these bright colors and a simple approach to design are sure to affect what we do as we ramp up for our holiday season of announcements, invitations and of course, greetings - both family and corporate. Lisa was walking around with something TOTALLY CYAN the other day...

More on holiday soon,
Carrie

Party at Bella Carta!

2008-09-26T14:49:00.014-04:00

Hi Everyone!

Lisa is on vacation for a couple of days and I am whooping it up here at the studio.

Actually, I'm not. I've been pretty busy and I wanted to share a couple of things I've done.

First, we did these gorgeous letterpressed invitations for one of our brides with a fall theme, as she is getting married the first weekend of October. They are VERY subtle, but totally luxurious, with this yummy thick white cotton paper that just begs to be touched.

As the date is fast approaching, I put together 115 programs for her ceremony. They simply feature their names, the date and the fall icons that were used throughout the set. They are painstakingly tied together with a elegant satin ribbon, the shine of which contrasts nicely with nubbly cotton cardstock. (Yes, pain! TINY holes, TINY ribbon, TINY knots! I have BIG fingers. Not that I'm complaining...) And I have to include a picture of the finished lot, carefully tucked into a box for now. I love the look of all the pretty ribbons.

Then, I lined envelopes for another client who has very refined taste. He wants social stationary that was functional, yet simple and masculine. Lisa is having the substantial cardstock printed with thermography as I line the matching envelopes with a subtle pinstripe, done in black and white. The lining gives the envelope an obvious heft and makes an immediate impression on any recipient. Just spectacular, but not "in your face."

Just now, I layed down a cozy oriental rug that I brought in for the workroom. The floors in here are a marble chip and are cool, literally. With the arrival of fall, cold weather is inevitable here in Rochester, NY. The rug is an attempt to keep myself warmer as I stand and assemble our beautiful items. The rubber pad that is on the rug is supposed to cushion my spine and does indeed work as I can happily stand for hours, gluing or folding (or holepunching or tying...)

It is again friday afternoon and I want to get a jump on some of the stuff that we are doing for a BIG job next week. As usual, I'll keep you posted.

The trusty assistant,
Carrie

PS: Don't think it's ALL work for me while Lisa is away - I did manage to take a break from tying knots yesterday (a neccessity, finger fatigue!) and buy some new fuzzy lined Minnetonka slippers, again for the cool tile floors of my apartment. Lisa, they will probably get here monday.

PSS: Lisa did check in with this great picture from her vacation in Monteray, CA. Her message: "I took this pic from my phone today. He landed on one of those viewing binocular thingys on the observation deck about a foot away from me. I was talking on the phone at the time and had to stop to take this picture. Doesn’t he have a cute look on his face?"

The Zen of creation

2008-09-19T15:19:00.024-04:00

Hello all!

I just wanted to update a couple of on-going projects that I've been working on here at Bella Carta Studio.

First, I finished painting the aforementioned ribbon cabinet last week and it has been moved back into place in the brown showroom and filled again with all sorts of gorgeous ribbon. It looks great, as you can see.

Lisa also wanted me to mention the custom, personalized ribbon as featured in the book perched on top of our cabinet. We order this from Midori, a manufacturer of VERY luxurious ribbon. This ribbon can come in almost any color, a variety of widths and can be personalized with the bride and groom's names, monogram or any specific message for your guests. Please feel free to contact us for more information on this service.

The other thing I JUST NOW finished were the 170 kimonos that I was about to start when I blogged about painting the cabinet. One of the great things about my job here is the joy I derive from the act of CREATION - actually hand making: cutting, folding, taping, tying 170 beautiful little items. As I often say when I describe my job, it's all VERY ZEN. You really get into a groove doing this. It's extremely peaceful and terrifically rewarding. Especially when you see the whole lot DONE!

I had the finished kimonos out on the workroom table to count them and thought they looked particularly cool, as you can see.

Well, another week of creation and fun here at Bella Carta Studio. Stay tuned, more to come....
-carrie

Westchester, here we come...

2008-09-16T10:29:00.008-04:00

This weekend Carrie and I road-tripped down to Westchester, New York to participate in the Unveiled Bridal Event by the Westchester Weddings magazine. It was at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains and gosh, it was beautiful! What a gorgeous setting for a lovely variety of vendors. We were so pleased to be included in it.

We haven't previously participated in bridal shows for a number of reasons so there was quite a bit of preparation that we had to put into it. The results, however, were well worth it. Here area few pictures of our booth at the mansion.

And this is the gorgeous letterpress set with a subtle fall concept that we recently did. They're SO luxurious!

Also, we're now advertising in Westchester Weddings Magazine so if you're in that area, check out our ad in the Fall/Winter 2008 issue on page 103. I'm so pleased with the way the ad turned out! If you want a copy of the magazine, feel free to email me and I'll send one to you. We have a bunch at the studio and would love to share!

Wedding Stationery...it's more than the invitation!

2008-09-09T23:07:00.012-04:00

Who knew there were so many stationery items to be had when planning a wedding? If you've spent any time on The Knot you're probably overwhelmed by all of those details. I thought it might be helpful to provide a list of the myriad items we've made or could make to help you put on the perfect day...

Oh, and if you don't see what you're looking for, just ask! WE CAN DO ANYTHING :-)

At the very beginning...

Save-the-Date Cards with Travel Information
Engagement Announcements & Party Invitations
Shower Invitations
Bachelorette and Bachelor Party Invitations
Bridal Party Luncheon Invitations
Rehearsal Dinner Invitations

Wedding Invitations and Inserts...

Invitation Panel
Reception Enclosure [can go on the invitation panel if desired]
Response Card with Envelope or Response Postcard
Map
Accommodations Information
Weekend Events
Custom Postage
Enclosure that holds it all together...perhaps a Box or an Envelopments Pocketfold

Thoughtful touches for your guests...

Hotel Guest Gift Bags or Boxes with Logo Tag
Information Inserts or Booklets
Water Bottles with Custom Labels
Delectibles (like nuts, dried fruit, etc.) with a Custom Seal

Ceremony Details...

Ceremony Programs [take a look at these: http://www.bellacartastudio.com/portfolios/43?page=3]
Custom Guest Books
Flower Petal Cones
Candle Drip Guards
Custom Aisle Runner
Bubble Bottle Labels
Custom Wrap for your Unity Candle

Reception Details...

Escort Cards [these get the guests to their tables]...look here: http://www.bellacartastudio.com/portfolios/44?page=3
Place Cards [these tell guests which seat at which to sit at the table]
Seating Chart [in lieu of escort cards]
Bar Selection Menus
Dinner Menus
Buffet Dish Labels
Table Numbers [or Names]
Custom Matches for the Cigar Bar
Custom Napkins and Coasters
Custom signage

Wedding Favors & Guest Delights...

Favor Tags or Labels [if you're giving cookies, perhaps give Grandma's cookie recipe attached to the favor]
Favor Boxes or Containers
Candy, Cookie or Chocolate bar labeling
Donation in Lieu of Favor Cards
Candy Bar Wrappers
CD Packaging, Inserts, and Labels
Plantable Paper [oooo, ask us about this!]

After the big day...

Thank You Cards
Wedding Announcements
New Address Announcements

Oh, the luxury of it...

2008-09-06T23:46:00.017-04:00

Sometimes I design something that makes me stop every time I look at it just to enjoy it. That happened last week when we produced this luxurious boxed invitation. The combinations of pattern and texture created such a wonderfully tactile experience.

This bride sent us a swatch from her burgundy bridesmaids' dresses and wanted an invitation that was elegant yet different from the norm. Based on those descriptions (and her detailed questionnaire) we sent her 6 or 7 different color combinations, and then followed it up with some custom pattern swatches once we knew what general cardstock choices she liked. The end result was this richly textured and patterned invitation box.

The burgundy stock is Envelopment's Contessa which has a fabric-like texture similar to linen but with a deeper woven pattern. Then we used our own custom pattern in burgundy printed on Envelopment's Ecru Micah stock. Finally the box was created from Waste Not Paper's Luxe Cream stock, a beautiful Italian paper that has a very high cotton content and a natural texture to it as well.

The bride was thrilled. We got several happy emails from her, but one of them is specifically noteworthy: "People think they invitations are fabulous and they love them! I love them, too! I think they are totally making a statement and setting the tone for the event." We sure loved receiving that email!

So all that description but no pictures? No way. Enjoy!

The invitation EXPERIENCE

2008-08-30T09:00:00.006-04:00

Yesterday, I had the experience, for the FIRST TIME, of actually receiving a Bella Carta Studio invitation in the mail.

Yes, I've worked there for a year and a half-ish, but funny, none of the brides that I have crafted invitations for has ever felt compelled to actually invite me to their event. Huh....

This week we made the invitations for my aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary celebration that will be held in October. (It's a surprise - shhhhhh!) The card that was designed is simple, yet elegant; it has rich gold and black linen borders backing a white mica card. And was mailed in a matching white mica envelope and addressed using the script from the card.

And yes, what an impact they make when you get one in the mail! I know my neighbors were jealous when it was sitting, tantalizingly, on our ledge. I love the experience of opening the envelope, holding the hefty, gorgeous card - thinking the event I am invited to will be as rich and as elegant!

My mom, dad and grandmother all commented on how beautiful the invite was. As I'm sure the other guests will also.

I wanted to share this personal experience of what exactly we produce here. It certainly isn't just invites - it's the FEELING of the upcoming event...

-carrie

Ah, love those escort cards!

2008-08-27T22:56:00.006-04:00

A few years ago we, along with Kelli Berg of Simply Beautiful Events, designed an escort card template that has since become our very favorite! It's similar to a tent card, but it has a lower back slope so it's easier to view from the front. How many times have you stood there trying to find your name looking down at this sea of tent cards? Not with ours!

Angela Hall of Out of the Ordinary Events just sent us this great picture of our escort cards at the last wedding in which we worked together. They were made from a rich copper backing with a creamy creme brulee printed card. They were luscious!
(This great pic was taken by Brandon Vick)

Here's another from a wedding a couple of months ago. Similar concept, but here we used a moss green backing that was printed with one of our custom paisley designs and then had a lovely metallic ecru printed piece on top.
(This lovely pic is by Rachel Gracie)

Oh, and what's the difference between an escort card and a place card you ask? An escort card gets your guest to their table whereas a placecard tells them where to sit AT the table. Most people need escort cards or something similar so their guests know what table at which to sit. Only some people have place cards telling their guests where to sit at the table.

Those are my thoughts for the evening. Good night!

Carrie signs in

2008-08-25T12:50:00.014-04:00

Hello.
I am the trusty assistant and self described "arbiter of all things good taste."

I truly believe it was fate that lead me here to Lisa and Bella Carta Studio. I am originally from here, in Rochester, New York. But I've spent almost 25 years away, chasing the dream of big time graphic design all over the northeast. I returned here in March of 2007, to be with my family again. And I had walked away from design.

Until I got bored and needed something to distract me from the family. Scanning the local Craigslist, I found Lisa's post for help. Upon meeting her and seeing the wonderful work she was doing in invitation design, I was lured back to help make these beautiful creations.

I am the person that makes the invitations by hand. Cutting, taping, folding, tying. Sometimes hundreds a week. And I love it.

Also, I do lots of other things here in the studio. For example, today I am painting our ribbon cabinet a clean eggshell. We take great pride in the appearance of our showroom and want to create a lovely environment for our local clients and to display the invitations and other items we create.

After this introductory post, I will be making paper "kimonos" as we are calling them for a bride who chose cute fair-trade bookmarks as her wedding favors. Her mom brought one in and wondered how they could be presented to their guests. This was after searching all over for an appropriate container that worked with both the item and the color scheme of the reception. After folding some "french roast" paper that is being used in her other wedding day stationary, we came up with a wrap that does indeed look like a kimono! These will be finished with a organza green ribbon tied around them.

I will be making 170 of these to start, all by hand. There is my afternoon.

Again, I love it.

Got to go do some work...
- Carrie

We're here! Thanks for having us!!!

2008-08-23T21:40:00.006-04:00

Yes, thank you…we’re finally joining the blogosphere! So now you get to listen to not only my ramblings about the fabulous (if I do say so myself) invitations and whatnot we create every day, but my trusty sidekick Carrie’s ramblings, too! So a little about us and who we are, blah, blah, blah…

I’m Lisa. I own this whole shindig and am the principal designer. A long and winding road brought me to this incredible job…everything from an advertising degree with a graphic design concentration, to graduate degrees in interior design and education (yup, even a Ph.D…you can call me Dr. Frey if you want). I taught interior design at a major university for several years, and then was drawn back across this great country to Rochester, NY when I met and married my husband. Then what was I going to do? Well, after being talked into designing our own invitations and all the wedding day stationery for our wedding (yes, he seriously had to talk me into it…I was dubious), and after receiving such support and praise for it, Bella Carta Studio was born.

So we started small, out of my house. My husband evicted the business after 6 months and we’ve moved twice since then. Now we’re in a gorgeous mansion-turned-professional building in The Neighborhood of the Arts in Rochester. We’ve got two big museums within a block from us, art galleries all around us and a great shopping and dining district within walking distance. We love our new space and plan to stay a while! We have a great showroom…oh, here are some pictures so you can all see our space...

What do we do here at Bella Carta Studio (or BCS for short, I suppose)? Well, mostly invitations and announcements, but also all the wedding day items you can imagine…menus, programs, escort cards, water bottle labels…you name it, we can design it. We work mostly in the wedding industry, but we’ve also done birth announcements and shower invitations, corporate work, invitations for some NBA folks (Dwyane Wade!!) and hope soon to get further into party invitations…we’d be GREAT for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs!!

So you’re asking, ‘what are we going to talk about in this blog?’ We’re going to showcase our work and talk about the thought process behind it. The website is great (and will be even better with the redesign coming soon!), but it’s sort of static. The blog will be a place where we speak regularly to what we do every day and where you can see how we think and more importantly DO!

I’ll let Carrie introduce herself in the next couple of posts, but let me say that I couldn’t run this studio without her. She is an integral part of my staff and really gets the job done…any job that needs to be done! She’s awesome!