Happy Friday Friends!  Boy oh boy do I have a treat for you!  Up for today is one of my favorite designers Dear Miss Modern (Christine) from Deluxe Modern Design!  Deluxe Modern Design specializes in logo design, branding, and business identity.

Their mission:  To make your brand sparkle!

Now that is what I am talking about!  Dear Miss Modern design shop also specializes in pre-made logos and marketing templates for photographers and other savvy professionals!    Not only is her custom work fabulous, but I know first hand just how great her instant download items are!   I fell in love with the Pink Coco Starter Logo the minute I saw it and just had to have it!

You can purchase the psd file to change the layers of the logos….I seriously had so much fun playing around with different color combinations to get exactly the look I wanted…..can you say AWESOME?!?!  Here is what I came up with for my logo: LOVE IT!

Check out these other fabulous ready to go logos!  So fun!

In addition to instant downloadable logos, Dear Miss Modern came up with the Blog Sugar Design Kit concept, which has been a HUGE suceess!  There are 7 different styles of Blog Sugar Kits, all with matching Marketing Pieces and Social Media Templates!

Here are a couple of examples of the gorgeous Sorbet Blog Sugar Kits!  I am seriously IN LOVE with these Sorbet kits!!!  SO CUTE!

Now….let’s take a peek into Dear Miss Modern’s artistic mind shall we?

Rumor has it you’re a self-taught designer. How did you get involved in this level of design?

The rumors are true. I was seriously born a hyper-active design fanatic.

I designed a birthday invitation (on a teeny tiny little mac) when I was about 20, with absolutely no computer skills at all. I did it in Microsoft Publisher, printed it out, and glued little confetti hearts to it. I made a bunch of copies and everyone loved them. That was kind of a turning point; I was hooked. After that, I would design anything I could get my hands on, and kept creating new little “businesses” so that I could design the branding for them. Finally someone

(ok, my mom) said, “you know, you could make a business out of doing that for other people.” And here we are.

Where did your inspiration come from for not only your design-style, but also the business in general?

I create what I like to look at. I don’t really know where the design-style itself came from, but like any designer will tell you, I’m influenced by everything. The little Asian market on the corner has the best packaging. I’m a foreign film and magazine junkie, and simplicity always wins.

Just paying attention is the best influence. Every day I’m amazed by my business; how much I love it, how well it’s doing. That’s inspiring.

How did the notion of selling pre-made logos and design templates come about?

I was actually really against selling anything pre-made for a long time. People would ask me if I had pre-made logos and I would cringe. I truly do feel that design should be specific to the client, the personality, and the feeling of the business, but after so much interest in the templates, combined with the wait list for custom work (and the instant nature of technology), I couldn’t say no anymore.

I’ve had the Dear Miss Modern shop for a little over a year, and I couldn’t be happier with it. It’s a creative outlet for my creative outlet, and it’s fun, pretty, instant gratification for my clients. It’s really satisfying to come up with an idea, run it by the facebook crowd, and put it in the shop the next day with smashing results. That’s instant gratification for me.

In addition to your pre-made templates you also offer customized services – what are some of your favorite custom jobs you’ve worked on?

I love custom work, and it’s the main part of the business. My husband and I opened a restaurant in Northern California, and I have to say it was my hands-down favorite design project. Because it wasn’t just design. It was the whole nine. Company name, (complete with fun story behind it) logo, menus, tag line, website, events, decor, marketing, facebook – all of it. It all has to work together, all the time, and it all has to come from the same voice. No excuses.

THANK YOU so much Christine for taking the time to share a little bit of Dear Miss Modern with us!

So…….who wants some good news?   For this weekend only, receive 30% off instant downloads!  Check out the shop to see more of Dear Miss Moderns fabulous work!

Deluxe Modern Designs Website

Deluxe Modern Designs Facebook Page

Dear Miss Modern Shop

Have a GREAT weekend and HAPPY SHOPPING!

xo

Staci

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A favorite little shop of ours is Crickets Creations!
We’ve been loving and diggin’ on Crickets for the past 4 years,
right from the get go!

She was one of my first,
one of my best,
and one of my FAVORITE prop shops still!

Crazy awesome customer service..
and insanely talented props!

Crickets Creations Fashion Accessory and Prop Scarves
Baby Birdz Newborn, Infant, Maternity and Pet Props
Crickets Home Decor & Prop Family Throw Blankets and Accents

It’s Portrait Taking Season….
Save on Crickets Scarves for Every Reason!

Seniors!

Engagements!

Boys!

Girls!

Newborns!

Babies!

Maternity!

Couples & Families!

Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on any order of any size (yes, worldwide!). Just enter promo code CricketsShipsFree at checkout THIS WEEK ONLY when you order scarves (or blankets) at any of Crickets’ boutiques:

Crickets Creations Fashion Accessory and Prop Scarves
Baby Birdz Newborn, Infant, Maternity and Pet Props
Crickets Home Decor & Prop Family Throw Blankets and Accents

PLUS when you order multiple props and use the CricketsShipsFree coupon code at checkout, $5 PER ITEM will be promptly refunded – even if you choose an assortment of goodies from any of the three, separate shops! Now is the time to stock up on all the handmade, top quality goodness that Crickets has to offer!

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Camera Creatures are colorful and adorable stuffed animals that fit right on your SLR camera lens.

Each Creature contains a squeaker, that when pressed makes a fun noise- and the children LOVE it!

You can see all of the adorable creations at http://www.cameracreatures.com.

It’s a great hands-free way to get little ones to look your way and is sure to bring LOTS of smiles. Camera Creatures were designed to fit on all interchangeable SLR camera lenses and I keep mine in my camera bag at all times! 

 Camera Creatues is giving away a Camera Creature of your choice from CameraCreatures.com to not 1, but 2 lucky PI readers!

So, who wants to win?

All you have to do is make sure that you like Camera Creatures on Facebook.   Then, check out Camera Creatures on Etsy and come back here and leave us a comment letting us know which adorable Camera Creature is your favorite!

 Add one to your lens today!  Prop Insanity readers can receive a 15% off  discount for 1 week; just enter the code ‘PropInsanity’ when checking out in the Camera Creatures Etsy Shop!

-Krista

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**CLOSED***

Here at Prop Insanity… we LOVE our sponsors… And one sponsor that has been on the PI teams since day one is the crew at Clickin Moms Forums.

A place created by moms, for moms… with a common love of photography to tie it all together.

With a full Forum, Blog, Store, CMPro Section, and Sponsors (such as PI!)…
CM will offer you more than just a typical “forum”.

It doesnt matter if you are JSO (yep, just starting out)
or a full blast Pro…

….Clickin Moms is a great place to grow and prosper this new year.

When I first joined up at Clickin Moms, back in April of 2008.. I had searched high and low for a great mommy/photography board to help launch my love for the photographic world further. After some other boards had let me down, I found Clickin Moms to be a wonderfully comfy, and sweet, new home… plus hey, what an awesome name… PERFECT!

Over at Clickin Moms I found a placed where I could post my own pictures.. get guidance and help on problems or issues I was having in my photography and/or processing (and personal life)… plus, help out others as well! Did I mention the fabulous friends that I’ve made over at Clickin Moms.. and how w/o CM I wouldnt have met these fabulous ladies
(thanks Maureen, Anna, Jes & Jodi, and all you other fabulous ladies!!!).

Top it off with FREE tutorials,
and some fabulous workshops (check out the Studio Lights 101 w/Jes Gwodz!),
you get so much with your membership.

DISCOUNT ALERT!
discount code INSANITY20 for 20% off new memberships through Jan 20, 2012.

With a FANTABULOUS Forum, Blog, Store, CMPro, and Sponsor section… if you love photography, you will love Clickin Moms.

And when you join.. come find and friend me!
TRACYJOY

WHO WANTS TO WIN?!
One Lucky PI Reader will win a one year membership!!!
HOW TO ENTER:
Leave a comment below and let us know why YOU should win…
are you JSO and looking for a place to grow?
maybe you are a PRO and searching for a special pro forum?
Anything, any reason, why YOU should win!

 If someone signs up with the 20% off and then wins the one year then they will be reimbursed for their purchased membership.

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The Sweet Sugar Beet is a boutique specializing in handmade bags and accessories for every occasion.  Their bags are bright, colorful and super high quality.

All you have to do is make sure that you like The Sweet Sugar Beet on Facebook.   Then, check out The Sweet Sugar Beet’s website, and come back here and leave us a comment telling us which item is your favorite.  It’s that simple!

And because The Sweet Sugar Beet is SO SWEET, Prop Insanity readers can receive a 10% off  discount; just enter the code ‘PROPINSANITY’ when checking out.

- Krista

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Holy Moly!!!!  I can’t believe that Christmas is right around the corner!

 If you are in need of any last minute Christmas presents for your little girl, Samantha Conner Designs is the place to go!!  Her headbands, hair pieces and hats are so stinkin adorable, you HAVE to check them out!!  My daughter LOVED them as we so excited to wear them, she didn’t want to take them off!  In fact, she wore the top hat with her PJ’s around the house, LOL!  So if they were a big hit with her, I know your little one would LOVE them!  They also make the perfect addition to any photoshoot!!

So be sure to head over to Samantha Conner Designs where she has lots of items that are ready to ship and also check her out on Facebook!!  And use the code “PROP12″ to receive free shipping (good through January 12)!!

Want to Win a $30 Gift Certificate for Samantha Conner Designs?!?!?

Then head on over to Samantha Conner Designs and take a look around!

Then come back HERE and let us know what your Must Have item (s) are!

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Sally BubbleGum

One of my all time favorite props are vintage furniture…
and when you can find something vintage….
and baby sized…
that is close to perfection!

Sally BubbleGum makes just this…
VINTAGE LOOKING BABY BEDS!
And the size is PERFECTION! Not too big for a newborn, not too small for a baby.

Top that great product off with a FABULOUS price of only $89 per bed,
(plus see the discount below)
and you have yourself a prop that is just waiting to be placed in your prop stash!

Light weight, it’s also easy to use and store.
I seriously love my Sally BubbleGum, and it is one prop that will never leave my prop collection.

Perfect in size, it’s completely versatile for older babes as well!
Get creative and the scenes you can make are endless…

DISCOUNT ALERT! FREE SHIPPING!
For the next 24 hours, receive FREE shipping!!!
Use coupon code is PROPINSANITY.
(ps, if you choose to buy the bed NOW, and you are selected the winner… you will be 100% reimbursed… so take advantage of that great FREE SHIP sale now!)

(above photo courtesy of Caralee Case)

WHO WANTS TO WIN?
One lucky PI reader will win one free bed (your choice of color)!!!
HOW TO ENTER… simply visit their site >>> Sally BubbleGum
and take a peek around… then come back HERE and leave a comment on which color bed you would LOVE to own!

(ps, if you choose to buy the bed NOW, and you are selected the winner… you will be 100% reimbursed… so take advantage of that great FREE SHIP sale now!)

EXTRA ENTRY!
Come LIKE them on facebook >>>>Sally Bubble Gum on FACEBOOK.
Then come back here and leave a 2nd comment that you did just that.

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ATTENTION VENDORS!
This ones for YOU!

Thirty Seven West!

Looking for a way to really promote your products,
get them out in the public and remind people WHO crafted
that darling prop they use over and over again?
Check out their Custom Product Labels!

Thirty Seven West is a company that I personally use and LOVE for the past 5 years.
Each and every one of my JOY Camera Bags come with a custom label, straight from Thirty Seven West!

PHOTOGRAPHER…. wanna wrap your orders in a super cute,
uber creative way?
How about PERSONALIZED ribbons?
Wrap your orders with a unique & personalized twist!

DISCOUNT ALERT!

Personalized Ribbons…
Personalized and non personalized satin ribbon!
3/8″, 5/8″ and 7/8″ 33% off! Any Quantity! (plates not included)
code: propribbon33

Custom woven labels
250 labels for $210 (reg $245)
and 500 labels for $245 (reg $275)
and 1000 labels for $295 (reg $330)

Semi custom and boutique labels 15% off! codelabels15
Amazing value for personalized woven labels!
good for 30 days

If you want your product to stand out,
and remind your customers WHO and WHERE
their favorite prop came from…
as well as make your product stand out from the rest
and look truly professional…
then come check out Thirty Seven West!

WHO WANTS TO WIN?!

THIRTY SEVEN WEST

One lucky PI reader will win a fabulous prize of
100 of the semi custom labels now called personalized labels…
(semi custom labels)

HOW TO ENTER?!
Simply come visit their FACEBOOK (here)
LIKE them
and leave them a comment that PROP INSANITY sent you!

Come visit them for further discounts & cool ideas….
the BLOG
FACEBOOK

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We are all familiar with newborn photography, and family photography…
maternity photography, the sultry boudoir photography… even pet photography!
But what about the “every day woman” photography?
For someone who wants the sass, style and “Oh WOW” of a boudoir makeover…
but not the lose of clothing.
For the every day woman who just simply wants some really beautiful shots of herself…
a portrait session to remind her of HER and how very special,
unique and beautiful SHE is as an every day woman….??

Now I’m sure you are all used to me writing my own blog posts here at Prop Insanity.. but this next one, well.. its’ special and very AWESOME!
So instead of me botching something,
or using my goofy talk… I’m going to let the master of the site, Mandi Nuttall, take over from here…. I know you’ll enjoy this new idea in photography, even though it’s not a physical prop, it’s still more than worthy for your read… ENJOY! 

When you constantly repeat the same sessions, and go through the same motions, it can at times feel monotonous. If you felt like you are in a little bit of a rut lately or need some inspirations, then Mandi Nuttall of My Beauty Campaign (http://mybeautycampaign.com), would love to share with you a way to add a burst of fresh air into your studio and your clients will just eat it up!

Are you ready to open the doors to the largest market out there? I’m sure you are thinking, “Haven’t all the markets been hit?” Fortunately, they have not and I would like to introduce you to the new phenomenon in photography that is sweeping the world. Women. I’m not referring to senior portraits, family photos or even boudoir, but all woman. Mothers, wives, single women, grandmothers and great grandmothers should all have a purpose for a tasteful portrait session. However, it would take an extremely confident woman to walk into a studio and ask for a random photo shoot just for herself for no reason. Now you can give her a reason, as well as drastically improve her life.

Are you ready for this?

Every woman can and should have a beautiful photo that she absolutely loves, a visual representation of her own transformation and personal beauty campaign. We hope each woman will ultimately be able to say for herself, “This is My Beauty Campaign.”

My Beauty Campaign combines a new brand of photography within an entire experience that also improves a woman’s self-esteem and body image. A Beauty Transformation helps a woman love who she is today, as well as the women she ultimately can become. My Beauty Campaign is redefining the meaning of beauty to mean much more than a description of outward appearance; A beautiful woman is now a woman who feels beautiful.

Photographers simply give the woman the renowned Self Analysis Assignment prior to the photo shoot and she experiences most of her transformation on her own. The photographer then incorporates the easy but effective exercises and techniques during the photo shoot where main focus of the session is not on the way she physically looks, but on what makes her feel beautiful. The result is absolutely fulfilling for photographers as they are able to watch a woman blossom through the lens where she begins to believe she is beautiful! It is so inspiring to read the experiences of the fabulous women who have undergone their own transformations, and you can find those testimonials on the main website.

TESTIMONIALS *click here*

Photographers around the world are joining this movement by becoming MBC Photographers and now offer Beauty Sessions to women in their area. The message of the campaign is rapidly spreading to women of all shapes and sizes through the media and social networking, and incredible photographers are needed from all over to meet the high demand. The Business, Marketing, and Workshop Kit includes licensing, provides step by step instructions on how to quickly become a successful MBC Photographer, and gives many resources and tools to easily incorporate the campaign into your business. You will also be taught over 20 fantastic posing techniques to pose all kinds of body types that will help you with both your beauty sessions as well as all portrait sessions, and you will also learn to use creative methods during and after the session to help her feel natural, comfortable, real, and most importantly…beautiful.

My Beauty Campaign has completely revamped my personal business. What I love about the process of becoming a MBC Photographer is that it will make you a better person and such a better photographer. The training will enlighten you on both technical and emotional levels. By implementing Beauty Sessions into your studio, you will notice several things happening. First off, you will dramatically increase your referrals for not only beauty sessions, but every type of photography you offer because you will be working with the best news spreaders there are. Women! You will also have a new energy about your business and I’m also confident you will become a better photographer. You will be offering innovative and fresh sessions to your community and clients and you will stand out from your competition. You will also be added to the global registry of MBC Photographers and when women in your area hear about the campaign in the media, they will be able to search for a photographer in their area and find you.

The Campaign is literally sweeping the world not only to photographers, but to all woman. Woman are learning to love who they are right now; Not in 10 years, or 50lbs lighter…right now, and you can be a part of it! Personally, I have had such incredible experiences working with these women and seeing them transform into confident women. The positive emotions she feels throughout her journey are truly beautiful and you can be a part of it.

Because Prop Insanity is so awesome, we are offering readers a $50 Discount off the MBC Kits but only on kits purchased before December 20th! Use the discount code: PropMBC50 at checkout. For more information on the campaign,

visit: My Beauty Campaign

To enter, click here! My Beauty Campaign on FB

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Color Inc Pro Lab

Looking for some fabulous holiday products
to offer your clients…
and include on your OWN wish list?!

We welcome you to come take a peekie peek
over by one of our top vendors, Color Inc Pro Lab!

They offer 2 of my favorite products…
the Spiral Bound Photo Books
(a personal & client favorite of mine!)

and the Dry Erase Boards….

Color Inc Pro Lab have templates right in ROES or you can make their own design.
They are really good for to do lists, projects, studio workflow
(great with design aglow templates), and calendars.

PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT for your own loved ones…
or your favorite clients !

DISCOUNT ALERT!
We can do 15% off Dry Erase Boards with the promo code
“Prop15″ until next Tuesday, December 13
Color Inc Pro Lab

With outstanding products,
only topped by their IMMACULATE customer service
and super fast shipping.

Color Inc Pro Lab
is a great addition to any photographers business.

Don’t have a Color Inc Pro Lab account yet?
Sign up here >>>> REGISTER WITH CInc <<< here!
It’s easy, free… and will save you tons of $$$ with their fabulous pricing and deals.

WHO WANTS TO WIN?!
One lucky PI reader will win one of Color Inc Pro Lab most famous products…
their 11×14 Dry Erase board.

HOW TO ENTER:
Simply come check out their product a href=”http://colorincprolab.com/dryerase.php”>Dry Erase Boards
come back HERE and leave a comment below…
letting us know what you’d use YOURS for!

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