Nickelsons Invitations

Celebrations

2012-01-13T11:09:00.001-08:00

It's been nearly twelve years since I married my man and I am so excited to reach this anniversary! We've accomplised so much, and especially now, as we are fixing up our first home together, I feel so lucky to have met this perfect man.
I am always so excited when I first meet with clients, as much as I love designing creations for the wedding, I love to meet couples who are so totally in love and are starting their journey together.
Happy Anniversary Mr. M!

Nickelsons is back!

2011-11-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

We've taken a little hiatus, but we're back! We now have a Etsy store, 'Nickelsons' so please visit us there to view our collection.
For those curious, Nickelsons was started in 2005, and in 2008, we moved to europe! It was incredibly difficult to keep the business going whilst in another country, so Nickelsons took break. I have missed working with paper and design so much, and am so excited to be back doing what I love the most.
Please visit our Etsy store, Nickelsons. Thanks for stopping by!

Couture designs

2009-08-31T08:02:00.001-07:00

I've been meaning to post these for weeks! We're working on developing our wholesale collection, so please be patient with us!

Dérinaud Chic City Bride Feature

2009-07-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to be featured on the "Dérinaud" (http://www.derinaud.com/) website. A very upscale, classy wedding resource and directory for all things beautiful and wedding related. I was honoured to have some of my couture designs featured!
Please visit this website, it really is so tasteful and refreshing.
Quick personal note - I am in love with the jewellery collection featured, the designer is 'Jana Reinhardt' (janareinhardt.com). just stunning!

Love letters

2009-04-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

I came across this sweet little book the other day, filled with love letters. (some are real, some fictional.) It's from Crane. It is so adorable. It reminded me to dig out the love letters I have from when I met my husband. (I met him whilst on vacation in California.) We lived apart for 4 months and I was a poor student with no computer, so we wrote to each other! Some letters were pretty creative - we challenged each other to write in the shape of famous architechture - one in the shape of the eiffel tower!!! I'll be honest, it was a bit of a pain at the time (trudging to the post office in the rain, etc) but I am so proud we did it, and my next plan when I have some time (ha ha) is to bind them into a journal.

Letterpress treat!

2009-03-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

Got some fantastic images back from a couple I worked with who just had the best 'vision' for their wedding. Letterpress invitation collection, using a rich butter yellow ink, and we co-ordinated all of the additional pieces for their big day - menu's (with the ever popular calligraphered belly band, work of the lovely Laura Hooper Calligraphy) table cards, programs and place cards....take a look!

Inside Weddings feature

2009-02-12T00:20:00.001-08:00

We were featured in Inside Weddings for our 'Veronica' invitation collection. Working with Christy and Chris Osborne was a delight, and it was a pleasure creating the custom menus, place cards, programs and the little thank you cards we designed to hang in each guests car at the end of the night was a hit! I can honestly say this was one of the most delightful collections I've worked on. Calligraphy the beautiful work of Laura Hooper Calligraphy. Laura personalized all of the menus with each guests name, as well as the place cards!

Economical 'Couture' invitations....we're working on it!

2009-02-05T13:09:00.000-08:00

Style tends to come at a price. (At least thats what my husbands whines when I return from a brisk days shopping)

It's the same with materials for many vendors, do we compromise on our artistic integrity to make a product that will 'sell'?
I cannot design a collection that will have a whiff of 'cheap' about it, but there is always a little compromise, otherwise my invitations would be $200 each!
This is also an especially tough compromise for anyone planning a wedding or event, flowers, the dinner menu, drinks, shoes, etc. There are so many options available for weddings, some cost the earth, others are suspiciously cheap. I've had two brides who came to me at the last minute for invitations, after ordering them and finding the stock was thin, warped or a nasty color. This is an expensive mistake to make.

I always recommend communicating heavily with the vendor you are going to use before ordering, ask questions, do your homework. If samples are available, ask for them.
Research them, see if they have any press (magazines do their homework, as do great bridal resource sites such as

http://www.bridalbar.blogspot/, http://ritzybee.typepad.com/my_weblog/)

I am thrilled to finally have put together three designs from my Couture collection that don't compromise quality or style, and are a more affordable option. The Lydia Collection, The Margrit Collection and The Serena Collection, starting at $22.50 per piece.

Bride and Bloom magazine feature

2009-01-01T06:48:00.000-08:00

I was thrilled to be featured in the winter edition of 'Bride & Bloom' magazine, where they selected two of my designs for their 'luxury' theme spread..... Both these designs are featured on our website.

New 'Save the Date' design...

2008-12-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

Amongst our new designs that will soon be updated on our website, I wanted to sneak in a new design that is quite simple and sweet, a nice introduction for a elegant wedding ...

It is a co-ordinating part of the 'Kelsey' collection, shown on the Couture page.

Christmas wish list...

2008-12-17T08:49:00.000-08:00

So christmas is fast approaching, and I've got to post some of the most fabulous finds of 2008 that I have come across.... I HAVE been a good girl, Santa!

This leather journal is classic! everyone should have one for those thoughtful, inspiring days where you just have to write. (even if you end up drawing little doodles because you can't think of anything to write...) see their wares on Etsy - MJADesigns. only $35!

I am SO in love with this cuff. Stunning.

Etsy - moxieandoliver or http://www.moxieandoliver.com/ (all of their designs are amazing.)

I know, another Etsy keeper! but so unique, and more 'Anthropologie'-ish than the store!

Etsy - mnemosynedesigns.

Alrighty, my commerical vein kicked in here and I snuck in this cute vest from 'Heritage'.

For around $25 I cannot deny it.

I love it. I love it. I really want it.

Etsy - moxieandoliver or http://www.moxieandoliver.com/

New things are a-coming!!

2008-11-11T13:27:00.000-08:00

psssssssssst. wanna hear a secret?
nickelsons invitations will be debuting a brand spanking new website, with brand spanking new invitations (in addition to our favorite current ones) in early 2009. lots of new features, designs and a really cool alternative for brides on a budget.
i'm flippin' excited. i hope you will be, too.

Seasons Greetings!

2008-10-28T01:34:00.001-07:00

A few of our Seasonal designs.....just for fun! I am consistantly awful at mailing out holiday cards, (there's really no excuse, I just seem to always mail my cards on or around christmas eve) but these cards have the photo printed directly onto the card, so you don't have to spend any time glueing the photo on! much easier! more time to spend shopping!

It's all about the details....

2008-09-23T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have to show you some pictures of some lovely accessories we did, photos courtesy of Melissa Musgrove Photography http://www.melissamusgrove.com/

The ceremony cards were so lavish, with tones of deep shimmer chocolate, white shimmer and satin ribbon, the place cards and menu's were accessorized with crystals.

The calligraphered belly bands on the menus were the gorgeous-as-ever work of Laura Hooper - http://www.lhcalligraphy.com/. We'll be updating our website soon, to offer menu's, place cards and programs - check back!

Location, location, location

2008-09-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to design an invitation based upon a centerpiece the bride will be focusing on for her event. This is a really unique way to 'theme' (I hate to use that word!) your wedding, and it's really nice to co-ordinate the event using one attraction or focal point in the location, everything can tie in very nicely this way. This particular project is incorporating the use of candlestock holder that the couple will be using throughout the event. Very unique!

Some new designs for viewing!

2008-07-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

Now summer is here and the 'crazy' season is starting to die down, I wanted to post some of this years new designs now available on our website.
As you can see, we practically obsess over victorian and vintage inspired designs! so here's some peeks of our newest designs......

Couture design - re-invented!

2008-07-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

A new design for 2008 in our couture invitation section that has been really popular is the 'Kelsey'design - we re-invented it for a client who wanted to change the crystal buckle, this also ended up being more cost effective and I think it still retains the beauty of the 'original' Kelsey design......

Launch of our British Nickelsons!

2008-07-07T12:29:00.000-07:00

We are so excited - http://www.nickelsons.co.uk is up and running!

We are super-duper proud to have a base in the UK, (officially) starting in October, and will be offering all of our designs to European brides (makes it much easier for deadlines, shipping costs, etc,when we are a bit closer to our customers).

We've worked sucessfuly with many British clients from our California based studio, so we are excited to have a base in Exeter, South West England.

I am especially excited to offer our couture designs with the buckles and brooches, silk boxes, etc to our European customers, and I am hoping to spread the love for 'letterpress' designs in the UK! We will be launching some unique, vintage inspired designs in the popular range this fall, so please check back with us.

Our Nickelsons in the US will remain exactly the same, don't worry!

A funky little design!

2008-05-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

With a 'Anthropologie' style theme (is this everyones dream store?) my client wanted to keep her fiance happy (hence the colors), but have something still funky and feminine - here's the end result! I was ecstatic to get these invitations printed, working with so much black was a first for me, but am thrilled with the overall look! the printed labels on the black envelopes really made this extra unique.

Gorgeous Etsy find!

2008-05-28T17:07:00.001-07:00

We are ALL about oppulance for our couture wedding invitation designs - but sometimes less is more!! I found these classic jewelry designs on Etsy....I just bought the little gold coin style necklace, but take a look at the other neckalces - so cute for bridesmaids gifts....

The designer is Theresa Mink, and the link is http://www.classicdesigns.etsy.com/

Wedding chicks rock!

2008-05-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

Check out a new super sassy wedding blog called http://weddingchicks.squarespace.com/

(started by a lovely gal I knew from my days working at a paper boutique, Amy Squires and her bff, Jocey.) Their site is visually thrilling, and a must-see for any sassy brides in search of exciting ideas! Congrats on their new venture!

Custom Pocketfold invite

2008-05-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to work on this bright, striking design for a client. Peonies was the theme, and we used a rich rubine pink with an accent of chocolate. Pocketfold style invitations are still very popular, and every time I work with them, I remember why! They look sleek, give a contemporary feeling and are very practical.

Santa Barbara Charm

2008-04-23T19:14:00.000-07:00

A brand new design and I love it..... My client, Michelle, had a true vision for her 'vintage inspired' oppulent wedding, and I was delighted to get the opportunity to create this design with her. We selected a raw silk folder in a rich red hue, a heavyweight cotton stock for the invitation and additional pieces, then added a vintage design to the invitation which we accessorized with crystals in a color that matched the ribbon wrapped around the folio.

Accessories

2008-03-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

We recently designed some menu's, place cards, table cards etc for a gorgeous wedding in Montecito Country Club. The project came out beautifully, especially with the lovely calligraphy that Laura Hooper over at http://www.lhcalligraphy.com/ did for us. The menu's were a hit - each one had the guests names on a belly band wrapped around the menu. Images were taken by Ira Lippke Studios.

Calligraphy

2008-03-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

I get lots of clients asking about great calligraphers - well, my personal favorite is Laura Hoopers of Laura Hoopers Calligraphy - you can visit her website http://www.lhcalligraphy.com/ and her work speaks for its self. I happen to adore her Bickham Swash font, it looks fantastic. Visit her blog for some GREAT inspiration and ideas - the little compass favors with each guests names are so cute.

She recently worked on some gorgeous belly bands to go on menus that I designed. Talk about talent!

In love!

2008-02-14T13:43:00.001-08:00

I lovvvvvvvvveeeeeee this new design - apricots and caramels as a color scheme, velvet ribbon, and a little sparkle! We wanted to give the invitation an understated and classic feel, but also letting the guests know this was a special event.....

Silk Folder

2008-01-23T12:28:00.000-08:00

Gosh, chocolate seems to be one of those classic colors that never gets old - seems to be a perfect primary color for weddings.....

The 'Narissa' is a new design I've been working on, with a chandalier inspired design, crystal accent, and set in a Dupioni silk folder - a more simplistic approach to a silk box.

A design from the past

2008-01-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

I created these invitations from a wrought iron design the bride had seen and fallen in love with. Our bride was passionate about antiques, but her fiance wanted something a little modern. To give the invitations a contemporary feel, so went with a bold red as the accent color.

A little Sparkle

2008-01-08T13:47:00.000-08:00

I was really excited to work on this order - so simple and elegant. Honey tones were the color scheme, and Ena wanted a combination of the 'Veronica' and the 'Gemma'. A simple layered luxe card, velvet ribbon, 'Veronica' buckle and luxe box mailer. We lined the box mailer with a gold shimmer paper.

New design for spring

2008-01-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

With winter behind us, and spring in mind, we designed this invitation to combine a delicate floral design with an accent of vintage charm - our client wanted a 'touch of spring' but not an over powering flower design. We think this captured the 'feel' pretty well.

Luxury Design

2008-01-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of fun working on this order, Christy wanted 'The Veronica' design , but we added the eggplant sash for a real contrast. This invitation really sets the tone for a truly luxurious affair.

The original 'Veronica' design featured on my website was inspired by a vintage coco chanel dress I saw in a tiny clothing boutique in Paris.

Contemporary Spring Design

2007-12-28T20:51:00.000-08:00

Just finished a fantastic fresh design for a client, so much fun working with such crisp colors! The pattern we used was a retro wallpaper design, re-invented with some bright spring-inspired colors. We secured the invite with a belly band printed with the pattern, and sealed them into a lovely luxe paper mailer box.