Amanda G Designs - Custom Orders Part II

Our little Etsy shop passed 1,000 sales! It's thrilling to be able to create pieces for couples to enjoy in their homes for many, many years. I honestly thought it would be stressful making guest books for weddings but I've been blessed to work with incredibly thoughtful and creative brides (and some grooms, mother-in-laws, and maid of honors).

Brides typically have an idea in mind for the design which makes them especially easy to work with. My job is to take their vision and make it a reality. Here are some custom pieces that we at Amanda G Designs have created so far this year.

For a peek into the shop and more pictures of unique signs follow @amandagdesigns on Instagram.

This recent sign combines rustic and lace. It turned out great and I love all of the details.

Tara and I probably set a record for the longest Etsy conversations I've had with a customer. We narrowed her package down to three signs: a guest book, direction sign, and a ring-bearer sign. They complimented each other perfectly.

April and Brandon requested a Texas Star on their "guest book."

The Fayeds love their Boston Terrier and asked if I'd paint one on their "guest book." As a dog-lover myself, I thought it was an amazing idea and the sign turned out great!

This "wine glass stain" sign was a custom order for a vineyard wedding. It's also a popular new design available in the shop.

I've been wanting to paint a horse-themed sign for some time now and I finally was asked to paint a horseshoe for a UK couple who are getting married at a barn in Texas.

The "double state" design is another popular choice and can be customized in so many ways.

A sweet hibiscus flower is a lovely choice for a tropical destination wedding.

We named this design "two hearts become one."

Jerome's wife contacted me for a birthday guest book sign for her husband's 40th birthday. She said it was a hit at the party!

I was honored to paint a few signs for my friend Jarod's wedding to his beautiful wife, Amy. I ended up making a guest book, ring bearer sign, welcome sign and a couple of direction signs.

It makes my day when I check my messages and receive a picture from a couple of their sign hanging in their home. It's great to see the guest books complete with signatures.

The welcome sign.

Happily Ever After Starts Here direction sign. It fit in great at the barn.

I'm looking forward to painting many more custom designs! Please let me know if I can help you create the perfect guest book for your wedding at Amanda G Designs on Etsy.

Amanda

2013 In Review - Custom Orders {Amanda G Designs}

I was very blessed in 2013 and filled hundreds of orders through my Etsy shop, Amanda G Designs where I sell hand painted wood signs. Many of my favorite signs were unique custom orders. Several of them were a real challenge, but I enjoyed the process of getting to the finished product. Here is a round up of some custom orders in 2013.

This huge and very heavy sign was a fun project that was requested by my brother-in-law.

A previous customer ordered two more signs for her living room.
Live a Life worthy of the calling you have received.  Eph. 4:1


He is before all things. And in Him all things hold together. Col 1:17

This mama sure has her hands full. I love the two signs she ordered.

Let them be Little

A family name sign is one that can be treasured for a lifetime.

Warren contacted me with a vision for a 5 year anniversary gift for his wife. Since the traditional 5 year gift is wood, he asked me to paint the South Carolina flag emblem with their names and wedding date on five boards. What a sweet guy - I'm sure he scored some major points with this gift.



This bride had a design in mind for her guest seating sign.
Today as two families become one We ask that you please choose a seat not a side.


Custom state signs are very popular in the shop right now. This Tennessee sign for Luke and Julie was first state sign I made, followed by many others.

Texas

California

This Oregon sign was probably one the the most unique signs I painted in 2013. Nissa & Megan sent me a picture of the White Stag sign and asked if I could recreate it for their guest book. 

I love when customers think outside the box and ask about custom orders. These signs were created using the couple's wedding invitation as inspiration. 

At Last

Love Birds 

Laurel wreath designs.

1.

2.

Pale pink heart and brown monogram.

This sign was ordered as a gift for the couple by a relative. It was a challenge but I love how it turned out.

I've also had the pleasure of making themed guest books. 

Paul and Tim had a rustic wedding.

David and Ally's wedding was at a vineyard.

I also started making custom arrow signs! These signs are adorable and can match any guest book order.

You can find a couple of the signs and much more in my shop. Let me know if I can make something special for your home or wedding. 

-Amanda

Amanda G Designs - Christmas signs in the shop!

There have been many changes to my Etsy shop since the last time I posted about it.  Wedding season was incredibly busy. I couldn't have imaged the response I would receive from my guest book designs. Now that wedding season has slowed down, I'd like to introduce the Holiday signs that are in the shop.

This "Silver Bells" sign looks amazing on our mantle. Visiting NYC during Christmastime is on my bucket list. We won't be able to make it this year, so I thought I'd bring the skyline to our living room.



"Silver Bells" also comes with gray wood stain and black wording.



"Fall on your knees." This elegant sign will have you humming Oh Holy Night all winter long.



I've been adding Luke 2:11 signs to the shop all month long.



This lovely sign is in our gallery wall in the living room. It's also a wonderful sign for any Thanksgiving mantle or hanging in the dining room.




I know it's only mid-November but it's full-on Christmas at the Gardner house. We won't be hosting Thanksgiving this year, so why not? It's our favorite time of year so if we can stretch it out a few extra weeks, then we are all for it!

Stop by Amanda G Designs and look around at the new items in the shop. And let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Amanda

Amanda G Designs {my Etsy shop}

About six months ago, I joined many other crafters and artists and opened an Etsy shop. It started after I received several requests for my Luke 2:11 sign from folks all over the world. That sign was the only item in the shop for a while, but now that the Christmas season has passed, I have had the opportunity to add at least one new hand painted design each week.

Here are a few of the Amanda G Designs items in the shop right now.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Map of America.  

A sweet bedtime routine reminder.
Read me a story. Tuck me in tight. Say a sweet prayer. And kiss me goodnight.

I loved you yesterday. I love you still. I always have. I always will.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19



There's a boy who stole my HEART. He calls me mommy.

Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good. Psalm 118:1

And of course the Luke 2:11 sign. If you'd like to be added to the 2013 waiting list you can follow this link to leave me a message with your information.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

In addition to these designs, I've had the pleasure of creating custom pieces for several wonderful people. I have very much enjoyed collaborating with them to create meaningful artwork for their homes. The process from the first email with a simple scripture, to the finished product is thrilling for me. It is indeed a blessing to do something that I love.

If you are thinking about starting up your own shop on Etsy, here are a few basic things I learned in the first month of opening my shop.

1. Take your item to the post office (I use USPS) boxed and ready to ship before listing the item. The items in my shop are large and I knew they would be expensive to mail but it was very beneficial for me to learn the maximum dimensions to avoid "balloon" charges. Ask for the prices to ship across the country and to any other country you are willing to mail to. Also include tracking costs or insurance for the item.

2. Pinterest is one of the best ways to promote your shop. I pin all of my designs to a board titled "Signs {I make}."

3.  Be open to making customizations to your items and consider all custom order requests.

A huge thank you to those who have purchased a sign from my shop. I truly appreciate it! Be sure to follow Growing Up Gardner on facebook for updates on new items and coupon codes!

Come by and visit Amanda G Designs on Etsy!

-Amanda

Top 5 posts from 2012

A quick recap of the most-viewed posts from 2012. It has been a whirlwind of a year. Noelle turned 4 and Noah had his first birthday. Nothing has brought me more joy than watching my babies grow and play together. Their little personalities have me bursting into laughter every day. I am grateful beyond words to be their momma.

At the end of July, I opened an Etsy shop after receiving many requests for my Luke 2:11 sign. It has been a dream of mine to be able to do exactly this and thanks to my hard-working husband, my dream came true. He does the grunt work, preparing the wood for staining and putting everything together. My dad was also a huge help as I hustled to get the orders shipped. I've had a wonderful time not only doing something I love, but also getting to know many of my customers who have become friends. Keep an eye out in 2013 for many more designs added to the shop. 

Here are the top 5 posts from 2012. 

1. Our Family Code

Our Family Code was a simple project using our birthday's and wedding anniversary. 

2. Honeymoon Bridal Shower - Vintage Travel Theme

I had the pleasure of hosting my dear friend Megan's Bridal Shower in 2012 and coming in 2013, her baby shower! 

3. Noelle's Snow White Woodland Theme Birthday Party

My baby is 4! We hosted a dessert party for Noelle's birthday. She and her friends had a blast watching the dry ice smoke around the "poison" apples and creating their own swords and princess crowns. 

4. Noah's Red Wagon 1st Birthday Party

I can't look at a red wagon without tearing up now. They remind me of my sweet baby boy who is now nearly two. I wish I could jump into this post and kiss his chubby cheeks! 

5. A Classic Christmas at the Gardner's

Our Christmas decorations this year have taken off on Pinterest. The mantle piece was so easy to make. Just 7 boards and a light stain with a fresh wreath. 

Thank you for following along on our journey. May you have a blessed 2013.

Amanda