creative crush: macon et lesquoy

I spotted a few of these gorgeous embroidered pins in GREER's web shop earlier this month and fell instantly in love! Macon & Lesquoy is a French design studio that creates unique, embroidered jewelry, brooches and patches. Of course the envelope brooch is currently beckoning me, but I'm equally obsessed with this tiny croissant.

In non-related, but equally exciting, news; I'm delighted to be participating as a panelist in Tradeshow Bootcamp's two day workshop in Los Angeles - it is aptly named PAPER CAMP! Be sure to check out the details if you're a fledgling stationer that has considered exhibiting at a trade show. The information and networking opportunities are invaluable. In fact, take a peek at Claudia of Fig. 2's current blog post - she perfectly sums up the reasons you need to be there!

{images via macon et lesquoy}

alt summit: rules of blogging by tina roth eisenberg of swiss miss

I can't begin to tell you what an amazing, inspiring and all out awesome event Alt Summit was for me. If it's any indication, I've already started the countdown for 2012. It's that epic, friends...

Tina Roth Eisenberg's closing keynote address was truly the icing on the cake. These are her personal rules for blogging, the italicized notes are my own.

1. Always credit sources.
A simple via (blogger's name) link is always appreciated.

2. Respect the reader.
Keep your template clean and your advertising relevant.

3. Keep it light.
Swiss Miss' "Made me Smile" category is the second most trafficked on her blog.

4. Blog with the right intentions.
Personally, I am looking to promote indie designers and connect with a like-minded community.

5. Images. Images. Images.
Keep your posts more visual than journalistic.

6. Find your place and own it.
Original content is key. Comment and interact with bloggers that have similar interests.

7. There is such a thing as blogging too much.
Don't saturate your readers, you don't want them feeling guilty if they can't keep up with your posts.

8. Be personal and approachable.
Self-explanatory: No one wants to interact with an aloof automaton.

9. Know what not to blog about.
Politics, religion, well... you get the drift.

10. Think beyond the blog.
Expanding your branding into new related businesses is a completely viable option.

{thanks again to swiss miss}