New Custom orders

Excuse my photography...still working on that whole "I deserve a new/nice camera, right?" initiative. Deserve = yes, afford= sadly, no.

This is Cece, custom order for Monica. She wanted a version of our Cecelia which is a bright yellow tulle with white/gold zipper accent. Here, Cece is a navy blue and blue layered tulle bow on a gold 1/4" headband, cinched with a navy/gold zipper tape.




This is Mirabelle, a custom order for Rachel. Mirabelle is a take on a previous birdband named Mable. Red/magenta sequin and feather bird sitting on turquoise grosgrain ribbon and plum velvet bows....with a turq sparkle branch accent. Main headband is also turq...a perfect match to the ribbon.

We're In..Voltage '10!!

We were told today that we were chosen by Carmichael Claith as an accessory designer for Voltage- Fashion Amplified '10. Words cannot describe our excitement..."adrenaline rush" came to mind. Hands slightly shaky when typing, in a good way.

For those of you who don't know it please visit the link...it's inspiring. There is also a profile on Christine Carmichael (of Carmichael Claith). For Voltage '09 she was inspired partly by the Scottish Highlands. After some internet digging...I found that we're the same age, live in the same city...and p.s. I am Scottish (clan Mattheson to be exact). It's fate.

So...lots to do with T minus 4 months until the big day. What an awesome opportunity...and such an amazing show to be a part of. Not only are the clothing and accessories amazing every year, but the local bands consistently tear down the house...not to mention the out of control production skills by all the backstage talents. All I can say is, "f", it's amazing. I guess I know what we are doing prior to my birthday week (4/23) next year. Voltage will be a great kickoff to MN Fashion Week too.

Luckily we had today at the boutique to work on several Spring inspired headbands for our upcoming collection. These are just preliminary thoughts...a mood an inspiration is yet to be nailed down for next season. We'll keep you posted. Right now we are feeding off some amazing found vintage objects and our fave birds. (squeal) Two new custom orders today too...due prior to New Year's...do-able.

This is what Sarah and I call "organized". Joke...this was mid-prep.

Kinda loving these old award ribbons from various time periods and events. The dark blue one featured here was 1st place at a MN Peony show. Peonies are A-mazing, heart.

Also inspired by the awards ribbons to make something reminiscent with blue velvet...

Love this purple sparkle twig. Beauty.

There's a little birdie in here, hiding. You can't tell here but that bottom ribbon matches the bird almost exactly. Great finds. This birdband matched my beret today...great combo eh? Sense my sarcasm?

Working, working, working...

This weekend at the boutique...

Besides being hung over for at least 30 min of working today at the boutique I recovered and was really quite productive, if you can believe it, but first...

I blame it all on Kate Lilienthal...for turning 30 and for us planning her birthday party for last night at Gasthof's in Minneapolis. Go Germany!!! Steins, accordions, ziggy zaggy hoi hoi hoi's, meterbratwurst and a combo of beer/hardwood floors/slippery shooties=you are all the devil!

Who am I kidding...we had a blast. Little miss Bean was a little better today since she woke up early, had aspirin, and went back to bed. I attempted a #2 combo (extremely out of the norm) at McDonalds with a Diet Coke and a hearty dose of chocolate cookies...and then took Ibuprofen when that didn't quite do the trick. But alas, I am alive...and as Sarah so eloquently stated on Facebook today "not in college anymore". Whoa.

Yeah, this is the kind of party it was. Yowsa. I picked up a card at the boutique from Maybe You Should Die...it really summed it all up:

Kate getting crowned...a really special moment for her.

OK, so back to our productivity... ;)

Sarah and I made at least 7-8 new headbands in the store today. Sundays are generally slow so we set up our craft table, plugged in our glue guns and ipod and got rollin'. We also had fun re-merchandising some of the tables within the boutique into color stories while we worked Saturday.

"Dasher" present headband with red grosgrain ribbon bows and a sparkle "sprig" in our red and magenta story.

Beard Day! display in our blue color story...featuring our "Babette" love-birdband and Maybe You Should Die's 'Happy Beard Day' card. I personally love the 'Someone in Minneapolis Loves Me' onesies on the left. Awwwww.

Gold and black table...featuring our birdband "Goldwing". Our sage green feather and tulle headband, "Gilda" with George Moskal's navy blue dress.

"Bumblebee" feather spray band.

"Lady" white birdband and "Sleigh Bells Ring" sparkle headband in the front window.

As noted in a previous post we sold 6 headbands yesterday...but we also had 2 headbands commissioned today. A couple girls who work at Saks next door came in and tried on several of our bird bands. We're going to put something together for them in a peacock style and in a plum/champagne combo. We'll have those ready by Friday...can't wait to make some new "biiiiird bands" (in the tune of "biiiird book...bird book".

The best part had to be when they were perusing the headbands and one of the girls said to her friend, "These totally remind me of Sex and the City!"... as I sat behind the counter just nodding thinking "You're reading my mind ladies...you are reading my mind". I told them that when I post a new birdband on Etsy it's usually followed by that exact quote from SATC: "I even wore a bird in my hair!" "Oh, I thought that was feathers?" "No, it was a bird." "Well it was pretty!"

New, new, new...

Meet "Pearl"...a mini hat box with flower inside...on a giant pink peony with mint colored headband, featured in our green color story.

Sarah and I have also used down time at the boutique to plan for Pea's & Bean's ('s's's) future. Ever seen that Orbitz commercial? "Hernandez's's's". Anyway, we decided to reach out to other local boutiques that offer consignment etc. for locally designed and handmade items. We emailed I Like You (could the name be any better?) today to see if they have any interest in carrying our headbands. It went so quickly, but the holiday boutique will be closing in a few short weeks. It was such great exposure for us to be in the store...and in the future only offering our headbands online doesn't seem like the best strategy.

This is Sarah intently researching our options. ;)

"Photo Booth" pics from the Holiday Bazaar

We are so happy we put up the "photo booth". We set up the fitting room as a photo booth with a fireplace scene setter, big red bow for the faux wreath and oversized Christmas lights. I think everyone had a lot of fun with it. We left several headbands in the fitting room for everyone to try on....this made us laugh all night! You are all good sports for doing this! Look how fabulous the men look...maybe P&B is unisex?

Happy Ho Ho Holidays from Pea's & Bean's...or in this case, Bean's & Pea's.

The Bazaar was...bazaar (in a good way).

OK, before I get into Friday's event I have to share my happiness over the blog revamp. Booya!

Kyle took a picture on Friday of Sarah and I in our custom 'P' and 'B' screenprinted tights, courtesy of Calpurnia Peach. Dig it. The picture dictated our blog's new black/gold/grey color scheme and we feel much more badass now, excuse the language...or don't, either way.

So Friday's Holiday Bazaar was extremely fun and successful! We sold 5 or 6 headbands, many of them being the extremely festive (we love it) holiday headbands! We were told there were plenty of Santa pub crawls happening this weekend so we were happy to have something to offer that fit the bill!

*Disclaimer: Yes, I need a new camera. The pictures are too bright, color is off or too fuzzy. Thanks Nikon Coolpix...cool? No.

Marlene (above) from Candied Yams jewelry purchased this candy cane headband while Katie (above middle, with her boyfriend Jim, and Elizabeth) bought a similar peppermint ring headband to wear to a holiday party on Friday night. Marlene was a real sport and passed out our cards later that night to anyone who commented on her headband. Walking advertisements rule, yes, "rule".

Our friend An was a real sport and wore the coordinating "Lucy" bow headband over his winter hat during the party...which gave us an idea (with Kayla's amazing insights!) for new adorned warm winter headbands. More to come.

Here's Katie modeling our "Bojangles" holiday ornament headband. Bojangles sold this Saturday along with 5 other headbands. A woman came in and purchased 5 total holiday headbands. 2 for a pub crawl she was going to Saturday night...and the other 3 would be for gifts. Sweet!! We were so happy to see the really kooky ones blow out, like the mini top hat, Christmas gifts "Tinsel Town" headband, our tin ornament with maribou "Maybelle" etc.

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"Tinsel Town".

"Maybelle" tin and maribou headband.

I pretty much hogged the top hat most of the night...but was able to let go...just this once..for Rachel (Sarah's sister and our favorite headband model, below). She also helped with the cocktail waitressing and schmoozing which was awesome! Anna Lee requested we make more top hats so we are on it!

Sarah is wearing "Esmerelda" (peach ribbon wrapped band with clear sparkle branches and gemstones) which was purchased yesterday by Anna Balego's mother! Thank you for your support! It was gorgeous with her hair color and we hope to see some pictures of her wearing it very soon, hint hint.

Elizabeth (below) was an amazing cocktail waitress during our party on Friday and wore our maribou 'hat box' headband (which was then sold on Saturday). She greeted guests, explained the theme and purpose of the boutique, ensured guests were escorted to the photo booth for their holiday photo favor, carried a tray of goodies, introduced both Sarah and I to those shopping our headbands and directed people to the beverages (very important). Well done darling, well done. I kept trying to place her look within a vintage decade, but couldn't decide which one it would be...the 30's? With the top hat on I felt like I should have had tap shoes on! I did a few steps, for good measure (time step to be exact).

Also, an enormous thanks to Anna Lee (MNfashion and Ruby3 founder) for working at/attending our event. She switched between several headbands throughout the night and was a wonderful walking advertisement for P&B. She left the shop wearing "Scarlet" and we hope it received a positive response at her meeting later that night. Below left she is wearing 'Back to the Fuschia' which is still available. Beth (right) purchased "Elena" which she is wearing below. The little cameo button was perfectly classic on her.

Elena w/ cameo pin- We've created another version with no cameo called Elise. It is currently at the boutique.

Back to the Fuschia.

Kate was drawn to the "Sienna" headband featuring a tan feather spray, pill box tin with gemstones, peach ribbon and white/gold zipper flower. She was really torn about whether to buy it...and luckily last night was her birthday party so I wrapped it up for her. Perfect fit, we think.

Ashley and Jeff came out to support P&B and had some fun in our photo booth too (pics in the next post). Kyle (right with Sarah (Beans) his soon to be spouse) was our photog for the night (and for all our close up pro-pics). Well done sir...much appreciated!

Overall we had a ton of fun....honestly. There was such a strong showing of support from our friends and family...and quite a bit of outside traffic. The energy was really nice all night and the music inspired a mini dance party. Well, it was just me 80's dancing to the Cure but a few glasses of wine will do that to you. I think another success was our Pea's & Bean's Holiday '09 look book. It allowed everyone to see what we have made even if it was already sold. This helped people decide how to custom design an item as well by showing our available materials.

Thank you thank you thank you all again! We couldn't have pictured a more successful night!

P&B