AutumnArt: SavingThe AntiCraft

Longtime readers of the ramblings might recall a tale or twelve of my heinous encounters with glue guns and decorative paper. What’s more, any one who’s met me walks away with a clear understanding of how one comes by the nickname The AntiCraft. What’s most, emergency room doctors have a hard time not laughing through gags when faced with a client who may or may not have sewn/stapled/nailed two spray-painted thumbs together. All I know is semi-gloss La Fonda Fireberry never was a good color for me.

When I set out to plan a creative and crafty wedding not so many months ago, I assumed the worst splinters burns paint poisining scars of my DIY mishaps were behind me. With enough research (drooling over gorgeous Pinterest inspiration boards) and positive willpower (indulging in a few spirits), I would blossom from a clumsy Destroy-It-Yourself-er to a pleat-folding-while-bedazzling champion.

Turns out that sometimes terrifically foolish things seem like awesome ideas after a few Rum & Cokes. Luckily, I’m not pregnant, didn’t wake up with a tattoo of my face on my face, and to my knowledge I left only two, sloppy comments on Martha Stewart’s wedding website. Let’s hope she gained a hand-knit poncho and a forgiving sense of humor from her days in the Clink Clink Cupcake Camp. All in all, my first go at righting years of handmade wrongs resulted in a headache and a few bizarre takes on custom bouquets.

The Banana Bouquet

Pardon the half-eaten bit there on the corner. Crafting makes me hungry. In addition to this maimed masterpiece, I spent a few hours (I think?) imperfect-ing other original creations like the Plastic Bag Bouquet, the Toilet Tissue Bouquet, and my pride and joy the Baby Bouquet. The fiance was not so impressed and insisted that I couldn’t count our son as a do-it-yourself creation since technically he helped. The kid also lacked adhesive, ribbon trim, and about a pound of rhinestones.

So quick to  nix my artistic dreams, my saner counterpart suggested I use my time online to find someone who specializes in wilt-less bouquets and not, say, chopping a few fingers off with kiddie scissors. So I shot one, last crude comment to Miss Stewart’s site for good measure, ate another banana, and got down to the business of scouting out businesses.

Then I found AutumnArt on Etsy.

I could tell from her profile summary that this was a match made in Hobby Lobby:

I like creating art, and I like coffee. I especially like creating art while drinking coffee. I like new takes on old ideas. And wise women. Owls are nice, too. And slip-on moccasins. And herb gardens. And vintage aprons. And baby gibberish.

Moccasins and owls and fragmented sentences? I knew immediately this was the perfect vendor to help in the business of bouquets. I also secretly hoped we could become best friends who meet at Starbucks in matching Native American footwear and talk about enticing subjects like Rosemary and Thyme. I digress.

 AutumnArt creates stunning bouquets, boutonnieres, hair accessories, and custom-requested creations entirely of fabric flowers. Incorporating different patterns, textures, and floral shapes, brides and the otherwise artsy can buy lovelies specially tailored to personal style. Super Bonus? For less than the average cost of natural bouquets from a local florist, this shop offers the unique perk of holding on to your bouquet as a keepsake. For the sake of keeping!!!

I love that I don’t have to contribute one, craftastrophic hand to the handmade process. More than this I love that I can save a pretty penny, not have to worry about the cost, availability, or fresh-timed delivery of floral bunches, and still walk down the aisle with a funky, one-of-a-kind statement piece.

Consider me sold. AutumnArt will take the glue-gunning-and-pinning reigns as I happily exclaim “No. No, really. Do It YOURself. I insist!”.

Again, you long time readers know that my inability to create pretty things is hardly my only flaw. I’m also helplessly indecisive. Hence the concept of The Very Bloggy Wedding and the enthusiastic way in which I toss my event-planning duties on to you.  Most people whine, “I can’t do everything“. Not I. I’m lazy, twiddling my spray-painted thumbs in the corner mumbling, “It’s cool. I can’t do much of anything”.

This week, Very Bloggy Wedding Planners, I’ll need your vote and chic opinion on the direction for our custom, AutumnArt fabric bouquets.

Option #1

MONOCHROMATIC: Modern bouquets in one-tone: Red or Pale Blue.

These bouquets are sleek and simple, unique yet understated.

OPTION #2

MIX-N-MATCH: Patterned fabric flowers/bows/details blend multiple colors.

These bouquets are a tad more eclectic and whimsical.

 What’ll it be? Sweet & Simple or Funkified Frilly? Cast your vote in the comment section! 

To my fabric-sculpting, jibberish-speaking, java-guzzling bestie, let me know if we should sport our sequined moccasins next Tuesday. What’s that? This relationship is strictly professional? Bummed. And to the rest of you, be sure to check out the one-of-a-kind works of awesome from AutumnArt!