The Artisan Group...Who Needs To Leave The House To Go Shopping?

You've heard me mention TAG in previous posts, and although I'd like to say it stands for "Talented and Gorgeous" (which is true), it stands for The Artisan Group, an amazing and exclusive organization of gifted artists, founded by graphic designer and powerhouse Valerie Guerrero. This group is juried, so only the creme de la creme are admitted. They are so good, in fact, they regularly participate in GBK Production Gifting Lounges for events such as the Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes, MTV Movie Awards, and this year, the CMAs (Country Music Awards). It's members are also accomplished authors, having published in books and magazines, winners of prestigious awards, participants in New York City Fashion Week, and their products can be found in retailers across the country. Most importantly, they are the loveliest, most supportive group of artists I know. How do I know? I'm blessed to be a member.

Now, anyone who knows me well knows I hate shopping, especially the mall. Maybe I'm just a lazy ass. Maybe I'm claustrophobic. Maybe I hate being attacked by salespeople with samples (reminiscent of my days as a physician, when the drug reps would interrupt my day to hawk their drugs du jour). Not only that, the products out there are kind of....blah. Ok, there, I said it!! I could shop for hours, and search through aisles and aisles of mediocre merchandise, and out of desperation, have to buy a birthday gift I wasn't completely satisfied with. I hate that.

Then, one day, I started perusing the shops of my fellow Tagsters...and guess what? I struck a goldmine of quality, unique, beautiful, merchandise that I would not only be proud to gift, but have now bought for myself, time and time again. "AAAAAAAAhhhhhhh' the angels are singing!

I am dedicating a biweekly series of my blog to the talented and gorgeous TAG artisans:) They produce a variety of merchandise (art) such as stationery/paper goods, bath/body products, jewelry, photography, fiber goods, clothing, baby products, shoes, art pens, dog products, paintings, toys.

This week, I'm starting with our stationery/paper goods "department". It never fails that whenever I need a greeting card, no matter how far in advance I buy it, it's never quite right. The words are too sappy, or the picture is too creepy. The words are too creepy, and the picture too bizarre. You feel my pain?

The talented artisans at TAG that specialize in stationery and paper goods have made my dilemma a thing of the past!! Their talent, imagination, quality, and enthusiasm is reflected in the work they produce.

Jessica Gattone, Owner and Creative Director of Sparetire Design,  http;//sparetiredesign.com, based in New Jersey, offers custom design solutions for every graphic design need. Personal and everyday stationery, as well as custom wedding invitations.

                                                   

Photos courtesy of Sparetire Design

She also has a shop on Etsy http://etsy.com/shop/sparetiredesign.

Jess' work is so amazing, it's been gifted to celebrities such as Hillary Duff,  Zooey Deschanel, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes! It will also be gifted to the nominees and recipients of the Country Music Awards, later this year!!

Laura Hudson, Owner and Designer at Simply Paperie,  http://simplypaperie.com and http://etsy.com/shop/simplypaperie,  based in Missouri,  designs custom wedding and event invitations, as well as beautiful stationery and custom journals. Her gorgeous work has been featured at the 2012 GBK Production Golden Globe Gift Lounge, and has been gifted to celebrities like Ryan Gosling, and Trista Sutter!! 

Photos courtesy of Simply Paperie

Laura's amazing journals are sold on http://etsy.com/shop/studio827kc

Danielle Goff, Owner and Designer at Stampin Crazy in Texas http://etsy.com/shop/stampincrazyintx,  based in Austin, is one talented lady!! Her business was featured by Office Depot in their Thursday Business feature, and her handmade cards, invitations and gifts have been gifted to celebrities such as Vanessa Lachey and Kaley Cuocco. 

Photos provided by Stampin Crazy in Texas

This is just a taste of the talent in the Stationery/Paper Goods "Department at TAG...these three artists were kind enough to participate in my blog series, but there are many others in TAG not featured here today. Many thanks to Jess, Laura, and Danielle!!

In my next TAG feature, we will visit the Bath and Body Department...stay tuned!!!

What's New?

Ah, the long hot, summer...crazy weather..what's new with you guys? I'll tell you what's going on at Alexis Gopal Jewelry and LexiBeads!! I've been working with a very talented team on a new website for the jewelry...a whole new look. Have been working on a new line of jewelry...a bit more elegant, and upscale, but definitely more cohesive. Always made with love and passion. I'm gearing up for NYC Fashion Week again, coming up in September!!! LexiBeads has really been busy..thank you so much for your patronage. I take it very seriously, and want to deliver a quality product, and the utmost customer service.
So, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of you who make this possible...who purchase from me, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and this blog, who support me in my endeavors. Without you, none of this would be possible, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

So, what do you think of these new stretch bracelets??

Alexis Studio Design at 2012 NYC Fashion Week! Pt 2

So, I was supposed to be exhibiting my wares on February 13 - 15th, but the events of the 13th were rescheduled, so I had an extra day...hallelujah!! The event I participated in was the Accessory Lounge at Style 360, produced by two fabulous people, Jono Waks of Product -N- Press, and Susan Sidor. It was a very exciting event, as only a handful of accessory artists were taking part. The venue was bustling with excitement when I arrived to set up my exhibit...

I met a beautiful model named Tory Williams, who was there to model the accessories...and what a wonderful job she did! She rocked my earrings!!

The designers showing that day were Malan Breton, Bebe Black and Sachika... 

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Before and after each fashion show, the guests would come and visit our exhibits...guess who stopped by?

Snooki from Jersey Shore

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Gretchen Rossi from The Real Housewives of OC with Susan Sidor

Check out the ginormous and scrumptious cake by TLC's Cake Boss Chef Dana Herbert, who was on hand personally to deliver the masterpiece.

It was an exciting but exhausting day, talking to fashion writers, editors, celebrities, buyers...standing on my feet started to take it's toll...I had to run out to Duane Reed's to buy a pair of those flats you find in the foot care section. At the end of a long, but thrilling day one, I hobbled off to find a taxi to take me to my hotel to get some sleep....

Alexis Studio Design at 2012 NYC Fashion Week! Pt 1

As a little girl, I remember daydreaming of attending the fashion shows at NY Fashion Week...there was something so alluring and glamorous about the beautiful models in the fabulous clothes. I wanted to be so much like them! However, even back then, I knew these were exclusive events, by invitation only, and would never get to attend one.

Well, here I am, all grown up, having returned from exhibiting my jewelry at the Accessories Lounge at the 2012 Spring NYC Fashion Week!  Isn't life strange? It was an incredible experience, and I have so much to share that I have to break it up into several posts...

On February 10, 2012, I participated on a guest panel I was invited to by Ellen Sears, Director of the AAU School of Fashion, which took place at Flatotel, in NYC. The entire drive in, I was a nervous wreck, not knowing what to expect, feeling ill prepared because I was getting ready for the GBK Productions Oscars Gift Lounge, which is taking place this week, and for my own exhibit at the Accessories Lounge at Fashion Week. When I arrived, however, I was put completely at ease by the lovely Ellen Sears, who greeted me with a big smile, and the other panelists: My good friend, Vivian Kelly, fashion writer at http://thefashionexaminer.com, who is also an instructor at AAU. The lovely Amanda Razzano, a Social Media specialist, as well as the equally beautiful Ksenia Avdulova , of http://giltgroup.com, also an AAU alumnus.

The topic of discussion at this seminar was "Social Media in the Fashion Industry", and was well attended by many AAU Fashion students. We all had to give our perspective on social media, and how it's helped us in our respective fields. I had to chuckle when I was introduced as "the celebrity panelist". I kept turning around to see who she meant! lol!

Hearing the other panelists speak was fascinating, as everyone had something unique to contribute. I also gave some background on my business, and how social media has turned it around.

The most rewarding part of the experience was interacting with the wonderful audience. What a group of bright, enthusiastic, talented women! Many came up afterwards to introduce themselves, and it was such a pleasure interacting with each and every one of them.

This seminar was a crucial turning point for me, as it brought me back to my company mission statement, which is really the empowerment of women. It's a theme that was pervasive in my career as a physician, and is just as important today.

Thank you Ellen Sears and AAU School of Fashion, and the audience members for making that day a memorable experience!!

"I'm Baaaaaaack...from NYC Fashion Week!"

It was an incredible experience, and I will be doing a series of posts on it...NYC Fashion Week was amazing!!!

Alexis Studio Design at 2012 NYC Fashion Week!