Small Business Saturday[Link-Up] - Week 26

Good Morning, and Happy Saturday! Thank you for tuning into the TWENTY SIXTH Week of the weekly link-up series -- Small Business Saturday.

In case you are new: Every week there will be a shop/small business highlight with an interview, along with any specials that shop/business is running. And yes - whether you are a handmade shop owner, or another type of small business owner - you are welcome to link up! I'm welcoming co-hosts as well, so if you would like to do either or both - please, fill out this form.

Big THANK YOU to LU & ED who is the Sponsor of Small Business Saturday for the next month! She kindly sponsored this link-up so we can continue to have thumbnail links for each store in the link-up!

 Please give a warm welcome to this week's featured Small Business!!

Shop Name: Violet's Buds
Owner(s): Melanie
Where you can find our Small Business: Facebook : Etsy : Blog 
Shop Established: March 2011

What our Shop Offers: I make hair accessories for all ages, from newborns to mommies and grandmas too. Many of the accessories can be used as a brooch or lapel pin, making them more versatile. I also make custom bridal hair accessories, veils, and keepsake garters. Most of my creations are one of a kind. I prefer to use upcycled beads, trim, jewelry, buttons, and fabric remnants in my pieces.

What Inspired you to Open a Shop: When my daughter was born, I started buying hair accessories for her to wear. When she was 6 months old, I decided to try making headbands for her on my own. I quickly got addicted to making hair bows & headbands for my daughter & nieces. I opened shop a few months later with the encouragement of friends & family, and have been creating ever since!

Where we get inspiration for our Products: Most of my inspiration comes from my daughter & nieces. I like to create fun, whimsical accessories for them now that they are getting to the age to play dress up. I also get inspiration from the buttons, jewelry, & fabric I come across. When a customer tells me how much they like the item I created for them, I am inspired to continue crafting.

What makes our shop different from other storefronts: Many of my accessories are "green," or eco-friendly. My grandmother makes quilts, and when she has pieces that are too small for her to use, she sends them to me. I like to use every scrap of fabric, bead, button, & ribbon in my stash, leaving very little waste. Lately, I have acquired lovely vintage brocade fabrics which I believe gives customers the opportunity to own a unique & high quality accessory.

Specials/Upcoming events:

• Weekly, I host a Featured Shop of the Week on my blog: http://violetsbuds.blogspot.com/ Many features include a giveaway as well. Anyone with an Etsy shop, blog, or Facebook business page is welcome to apply to be featured.
  I have several coupon codes available for fans to use in my Etsy store, which can be found on Violet's Buds Facebook page, and blog.
  In March of 2013, Violet's Buds (along with my husband's shop, GipsonWands) will be attending Zeleny Arts & Crafts fair: https://www.facebook.com/ZelenyArtsandCraftsFair
• This past September, Violet's Buds hosted a Fall Festival photo shoot and giveaway. It was a huge success, and we are in the planning stages of the next photo shoot in mid-to-late spring. Any interested vendors are welcome to contact me for information. You can view the photo shoot & (concluded) giveaway here: http://violetsbuds.blogspot.com/2012/10/fall-festival-giveaway.html#more

The Rules:

• Visit weekly interviewed shop, and please follow, heart, like their shop or add them to your circles. 
• FEATURE SHOP STORES Etsy
•  Visit the host(s) shop(s), and please follow, heart, like their shop or add them to your circles. 
•  STREETER & COMPANY  (STORENVY) 
• THE A LIST (GFC)

• Visit the Sponsor's Shop and please follow, heart, like their shop or add them to your circles.
• LU AND ED (STORENVY)

Please link up your shop storefront(s) or a blog post {that includes links to your shop} that is exclusively about the shop along with any information regarding new products, specials, etc. Visit other shops - heart shops, follow shops, etc. the whole point of the link-up is to give you more exposure, and part of you getting more exposure is making the effort to connect, as well.

Optional: I would love it if you would subscribe to our blog, so you can be in the loop and join us every Saturday.