100th POST!

YEAH! I made it to the 100th posts!! So being this is a special post! I will let everyone know I heard back from Charleston Fashion Week, and they wanted me to answer a few questions and then I will find out if I am eligible to show at fashion week in the bridal lounge. This is big! REALLY BIG!

Sorry.......for being MIA !!

Having some problems with my Blog.....Trying to get it all pretty again and will I have lots to post about..alot of new pictures...events...and new designs! Keep checking back and by the end of the month, lots of new stuff!!!

Mermaid Shoot was a SUCCESS!!

There is not much I can say, I am pretty speechless...the pictures say it all. Here are 2 of the many fanstastic pictures from the shoot. I have to thank everyone one who was involved in this project.

Hannah Beth-model,

Melissa Hebert-photograher,

Erica Adams-hair/makup,

Olive J Page-garment,

Heather Ivady-set design,

and all the other support we had. Bailey Bennett-assistant, Christie Settle-crowd control, assist to set, plus she opened up her home for model to get ready, Heather- Melissa's assistant. My husband and son's helped with props!

What a wonderful project to be apart of, and I worked with some amazing people! And this will be the first of many, creative...amazing...over the top...photo shoots we will do together!!

WHATS UP WEDNESDAY!!

New designs for the Hair Fashion Show on July 31st.

The theme is a WWII and 1940's. Which is right up my alley! I found alot of vintage broken jewelry over the weekend in downtown Savannah and I can not wait too take those broken piece and make them into beautiful new pieces for the show!

NEW PROJECT!!

I have a wonderful new project I will be working on this month! This hair fashion show will be over the top....Just look at this amazing poster!!

WHATS UP WEDNESDAY!!!

I am so excited about a upcoming photo shoot I am working on for this month. It will be a mermaid scene and I get to design the original headpiece. Which means I am getting to be really creative and alittle over the top! LOVE IT!! The team that is working on this is amazing! Melissa Hebert has a great photography style, the makeup and hair is being done by Erica Adams..her work is fantastic! The special garment is being designed by my good friend Olive J Page, and independant designer. This will be a one of a kind art piece that I cant wait to see, I know it will blow me away!! The scene will be set by Heather Ivady with Social Butterfly Event..It will be rockin!! Also the model is Hannah Beth, this will be the first time I get to work with her and I cant wait..she will make a beautiful Mermaid!! I am so excited about this project...And keep checking back for the pictures...I will be sure to take behind the scene pictures to share with everyone too!!!

WHATS UP WEDNESDAY!!!

Well its the first day of summer vacation here at my house. School has ended, and it was a great but very busy year. Both boys did fantatstic this year! So they both deserve some time off. I have a lot of things on my plate, which will keep me busy this summer. So juggling the boys and work will be tough, but I will figure it out!

I have worked on some new pieces that have shells, freshwater pearls, summer colors. I get inspired by the beach and summer colors. Speaking of shells, I am also working on a projects is a photo shoot and the theme is mermaid, and it will not be your typical mermaid...move over Arial! The team is amazing, the photographer is Melissa Hebert, www.melissahebert.com and the hair and makeup is going to be done by the amazing Erica Adams, www.nsalosalon.com and the unique one of a kind outfit the mermaid is going to be wearing will be designed by Olive J Page, website is being worked on you find her on facebook. I am of course doing the headpiece design, and I have helped pulled this together. Right now I am working on getting a set designer, Heather Ivady of www.socialbutterflyeventsnc.com to do it! It will be a very creative, over the top, artistic photo shoot. Keep eyes out for pictures to come!!

So the summer is off to a great start...and that is what up today!!!

NEW ASSISTANT & EMAIL ADDRESS !!

JMDesigns is growing, I am fortunate to have a new assistant intern, her name is Bailey. She will help in many ways: keeping me organized, contact clients, newsletters, and she may even help with the design process. She comes with a lot of knowledge, she is a marketing graduate from UNCW, she will be a huge help with JMD. So I want to welcome her! Thanks for joining me on this crazy ride....!

You can contact us now by our new email address: info.jmdesigns@yahoo.com Bailey and I would love to hear from you and hope there is something we can create for you!!!

Whats Up Wednesday!!

I have been fortunate to have my designs at Ziabird(http://www.ziabird.com/) since October, and it has be a wonderful experience to work with Lynn and the other ladies at Ziabird. My designs have been selling and that makes me happy. But I have some other places that are interested in selling my designs. So I have been thinking of some different items to offer. These little flower hairpins that I made as a give~a~way at a recent bridal event, have been a hit. So I think I may do them in sets of 3 in many colors, solids and prints..

During a recent photo shoot, we had a little fun with alot of the little hairpins, and Tara...what do you think???

Thats What's Up on this Wednesday!!

Whats up! Wednesday????

I would like to start a new series of blogs called "Whats Up Wednesday!" On each Wednesday I will write about, show pictures of either things that I am working on, or have designed and ready to sell...or just what is on my mind! Hope you will check back each week, to see WHATS UP!

I also have not kept up with "THANK YOU THURSDAYS!" It has been a very busy time, and I am just so THANKFUL for so many things! So I plan next week too get back to writing about these very important things each Thursday!

Beautiful Haylee

I had the pleasure to work with a bride named, Haylee. She had a peacock vintage themed wedding. It was held in a old theater and the marque had the bride & grooms name on it, very cool! She came to me looking for a vintage style hat and we put our heads together and came up with a beautiful tear drop hat coverd with feathers and handmade fabric flowers, french veiling and rare white peacock feathers. That wasn't all , she also wanted to have something different for her reception so we came up with a silk teal colored flower comb with peacock feathers. One of my favorite photographers, Rachel with Millie Holloman Photography took the pictures. I am so lucky they sent me copies! So I wanted to share with you!!

If you would love these pictures check out http://www.milliehollomanphotography.com/ for more amazing pictures. Thanks Rachel, Amanda and Millie for getting me these pictures!

A Huge Thank You to Haylee for wearing my designs and making them look fantastic!!

What a week already !!!!

Big week for JMDesigns!!

Cameron Art Museum Wedding Open House was great, met lovely brides, saw some old & new friends that are wonderful vendors, and got to met some new vendors also! There was beautiful table displays and a awesome candy bar by my friends ,Social Butterfly LLC, you need to check them out at http://www.socialbutterflyeventsnc.com/ Heather and Charyl are the best at what they do from decor, planning, invitations & more. They bring your vision to life at any special event!!

Look at how yummy that candy bar it! They can bring that to any party! With all the yummy treats you want!!

And yesterday was so exciting I had a photo shoot for my headpieces to submit to the Brides Book for the Fall issue, YEAH! The shoot was FANTASTIC and everyone that helped out was amazing!! I want to thank Michelle Butler with http://www.keepsakemp.com/ and founder of Trendy Bride http://www.trendybride.net/, for spending the day with me and taking 500 pictures. I can not wait to see the final pictures. Also want to thank Jennifer and the girls of Stylist Hair Studio, Heather, Kristie and Jessica, they did all the beautiful hair style and they were models too, check them out at http://www.stylisthairstudio.com/. And last but not least, a big thank you to Tara, my #1 model, she travel to come and help me out, she is beautiful and sweet girl, she is the face of JMD!

I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE SO MUCH SUPPORT AND LOVE! MORE GOOD THINGS TO COME!!!!!

Wedding Open House!!

Wonderful event this weekend at the beautiful Camerson Art Museum, Wedding Open House! It will be a great way to meet some of Wilmington finest vendors! I am looking forward to share my designs with all the new brides!! So stop by!!!

New Shoe Clips!!

I wanted to show off the really cute shoe clips I designed for a special bride of mine! Now I want to make them available to everyone. I can make them in any color to match any dress! How much fun would they be for all your bridesmaids in there cocktails dresses!

NEW BUSINESS VIDEO!!

As you may have notice I added my new business video to the top of my blog, please watch... It was produced by Christy and Albert of Rendered Communications! They were so kind to create this for me to use as a marketing tool.......And I love it! Just wanted to share with you! Please watch and let me know what you think.....Please forward to friends and brides!!
More info about what Christy and Albert go to there webpage www.renderedcommunications.com . They are marketing experts!!

How Sweet Is This!!!...........

Lady Pink is Wild !!

Wanted to share another style for the Hat Social! I just love those hot pick feathers!! This wide rim sun hat can be created in any color combination! Special Derby Price $65 for this hat if purchased or ordered by May 1st!!

Look at this Sassy Lady!!

Remember, I can always create these styles in other color combinations!

I would Love to have my designs on a Magazine Cover

My goal is to be on a cover of a magazine, so I thought I would create a business card that looks like a cover. Maybe it will bring me luck!! Love this picture..thanks to Michelle Butler http://www.keepsakemp.com/ and Tara for being a wonderful model, and the beautiful hair was done by Jennifer @ Stylist Hair Studio !!!

For The Cowgirl in You!!

Another fun style that I came up with for the Social. If you are a cowgirl at heart, you may want something like this. It is in a fun leopard print with black flower with feathers. I can create this is a black & white cowprint, with any color flowers and feathes. Wouldn't it be great a b/w cowboy hat with red flower, what do you think??

A little taste.......

One of the Derby style hats I have created for the Hat Social...This beautiful silver hat can be created in many other colors, such as Black, Blue, Pale Blue, Red, Purple, Orange, Brown, and of course White and Ivory...The fabric sash and rosettes will be coordinating colors and the lovely peacock feathers come in all colors, (only white when in season) Or I can do two tone, you can help me create your own original hat!

NO Cheap FLOWER used in my designs, I hand make all flowers and hand bead all centers!!

THANK YOU THURSDAYS!!

" My look is attainable, Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair,

buying the large sunglasses,

and the little sleeveless dresses"

Audrey Hepburn

This will be a fun post...I want to thank a style icon, that has inspired me for as long as I can remember! With her grace, poise and all around wonderful style! With movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady she was or is what fashion is all about. I just love a good little black dress with pearls!! If I could have lunch with anyone it would be Audrey Hepburn! Take a look at some wonderful pictures and memorable quotes by the one and only Ms Hepburn...Tell me your favorite???

"I'm just crazy about Tiffany's-Breakfast at Tiffany's quote by Audrey Hepburn

I love that hat! Like I said she is my inspiration!

" For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only works of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone" Audrey Hepburn

"you can always tell what kind of person a man really thinks you are by the earrings he gives you" Audrey Hepburn

Thank you Ms Hepburn for being my inspiration!!

Hat Social Designs

As I am finishing off hats for the social I will be posting them! Let me know what you think... Here is one that was worn by one of the Jr Leaguer for a meeting. Doesn't she look great!! This style can be made in many different color combinations to match your Derby dress. Also it can be made into a beautiful bridal style too! Keep checking for the next week as I post other! Contact me joannemirandadesigns@yahoo.com if you have any questions, or if you would like me to create something for your special event!!

Remember the Junior League of Wilmington Hat Social is on April 1st 6-8 held at Ziabird in Lumina Station.. Stop by and see all the beautiful things, have a mint julep and purchase your ticket for the Mint Julep Jubilee...Social is open to everyone!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

This day always make me think of my Nana, I miss her so much! She was such a big part of my life, she would share stories of Ireland, and Irish traditions. And on this day I make her Holiday Soda Bread, which is what she called it. It is the best and everyone loves it! There is a wonderful Irish Blessing she always told us and I would love to share........

May the road rise up

to meet you.

May the wind be always

at your back.

May the sun shine warm

upon your face,

and the rains fall softly

upon your fields

and, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I feel very lucky to be Irish today and everyday! Love you Nana and I Miss you MORE!

KICKING IT INTO HIGH GEAR

THE HAT SOCIAL IS COMING!!!!

Ziabird on April 1st is the place to be to get the finishing touches for your stylish hat, fashionable headpiece, trendy headband or sassy fascinator, for you're Derby attire, Azalea Garden Party, Prom, a special occasion, or just for fun! Join me and the Jr League of Wilmington, we are hosting a social on April 1st 6-8 at Ziabird in Lumina Station. There will be refreshments and the new Cameo Nightclub also located in Lumina Station, will be coming and teaching everyone how to make a Mint Julep! Ziabird also has wonderful jewelry and other accessories from many wonderful artisan to purchase. If you can't make the Hat Social or want something custom, orders for your hat or headpiece, headband or fascinator can also be placed up till April 15th, so if you can't make the social, contact me through my website www.joannemirandadesigns.com and set up a consultation!

THANK YOU THURSDAY!!

I have so many thank you's, and I am not doing them in any type of order. So this week I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to my friend, helper, and my etsy girl, NINA! If it wasn't for Nina I would not have gotten my Etsy shop going. It was a big job to load all the pictures and add the descriptions, and she took time from her family to help me. And here is a picture of the first sale, first of many I HOPE! But besides helping with etsy, she helps with my events, jumps in an gets on the sewing machine and even has helped me clean out my emails, most of all she keeps me calm when I need it :) ! We have been good friends for many years, our sons played basketball when they were in second grade and now they are in middle school together. I cherish our friendship and am so thrilled we can work together too! Thank you Nina! I appreciate all you do!

THANK YOU THURSDAY!

My very first thank you for "Thank You Thursday" has to go to a wonderful, talented, & caring photographer named Millie Holloman. I have known Millie for some time now, we met along time at a bridal event that she was photographing at a store I worked in Camille La Vie. After that we would run into each other on and off, but it wasn't till Millie contacted me because she heard I made birdcage veil and she really wanted to have one for models during her Love Affair Workshops. I jumped at the offer to help out, my rewards have been wonderful pictures and friendship with her. So since then, I have helped out in 2 other workshops, and hope to do more. Millie business has grown so much, I admire her so much. She maybe younger than me, but I look up to her in many ways. She now has a fantastic team of photographers, I have been fortunate to have received pictures from them too. Its a very talented bunch over there at MHP!

Beside her Love Affair Workshop, which she and her friends who happen to be amazing photographers came together to share there knowledge of photography with women, and only women. If you want more info on Love Affair go to http://www.loveaffairphoto.com/

This last year Millie has added a new fun service called Truth Booth. You really have to check out this website (http://www.truthboothphoto.com/) and enjoy all the pictures. Just think you can have a relative like dear old Aunt Betty, or Grandpa Joe put on a funny pair of glasses or a silly hat and take a fun picture. More wonderful memories of your special day!

I really want to send a big THANK YOU to Millie, I truly appreciate all you have done for me! I feel blessed to have met you and worked with you! Many wishes to you and your wonderful team and I am here if you every need me!

You can get in touch with Millie or just go and check out all her beautiful artwork or I meant photography http://www.millieholloman.com/

TRENDY BRIDE!!!!

Ask yourself.....

Do you want you wedding to be unique??

Are you looking for a new idea for your wedding??

(question taken from the home page of Trendy Bride)

You must check out the new online magazine Trendy Bride. http://www.trendybride.net/ It is a great place to begin at when planning your special day! Locate vendors that are talented and unique in there own way, so your wedding will be truly a trendy wedding!!

And if you are a vendor with something unique to share, join Trendy Bride with me! contact Michelle and be a part of this wonderful online magazine!!