Designer Spotlight: Christina Muscato of Brass Bell Design

We’ve decided to add a new kind of post to the mix here on the Bottle Your Brand blog. From time to time, we are going to be featuring a little behind-the-scenes look and Q&A  with our designers that come up with the lovely labels you all enjoy so much! We thought it might be interesting and fun for you guys to see how it all works.

Our first designer is one talented lady – she has been making awesome label and invitation sets for us for some time now, and we couldn’t be happier with her work. Christina Muscato of Brass Bell Design was actually the brains behind our logo re-design a few months ago, and her work is always fun, inspired and playful. Learn a little more about her…

Milk and Cookies Kids Birthday Party, From Bottle Your Brand, Designd by Christina Muscato

BYB: We love the designs you come up with. Can you talk a little bit about your design process?

Why, thank you! My design process always starts with brainstorming.  I’ll take an idea and let it sit in my mind for a bit… Then I’ll sketch out a few different visuals, and scribble down some thoughts next to each. After that, I take it to the computer… I start drawing the graphics in the design program, play with a few different color palettes, choose my fonts, and create the overall layout.

BYB: How do you get inspired and stay motivated when it comes to new projects?

It’s easy to be inspired – I’m always inspired! I find inspiration in almost everything around me, and being in a pretty city like Charleston, SC, it’s even easier.  There are a lot of artists / art events here that keep me feeling creative, and there are beautiful buildings with uniquely designed interiors that always put me in a good design mood too.  Also, a lot of cool-looking event posters in doorways, and great music. All of the above, keep me motivated and hungry for more design.

BYB: Mac or PC?

Definitely a Mac! The design world revolves around Mac computers so they’ve always been the best in my mind.

BYB: Talk about two of your favorite designs you’ve done for Bottle Your Brand and why they are your favorites.

My two favorite designs are the Royal Celebration invite and the Cupcake invite. The Royal Celebration invite because of it’s simplicity – in the illustration and the pattern design. It reminds me of something printed on a letterpress. The Cupcake invite is my other favorite because I like the way the three little cupcake illustrations turned out… And I have a sweet tooth so that’s another big reason!

Princess Kids Birthday Party, From Bottle Your Brand, Designd by Christina Muscato
Cupcake Kids Birthday Party, From Bottle Your Brand, Designd by Christina Muscato
BYB: How did you get into the design business and how long have you been doing it?
I always liked art growing up and my sisters are all creative too, so it has always been around me.  I went to college for Digital Media, and took some courses in Graphic Design… I really liked it so that’s the area I focused on afterward. I’ve been working professionally for the last 5 or 6 years since graduating from school.  

BYB: What do you love most about your job?

I love the freedom and creativity that’s involved in my line of work. It’s fun and inspiring to me.

BYB: What are you favorite types of things to design?

My favorite things to design are invitations, cute greeting cards, and small poster prints / wall art.  I really love typography and quotes so as long as one of two are involved in a design piece, I’ll enjoy it. Some other favorites are recipe cards, calendars, gift tags, and dessert labels.

Bridal Shower Label, from Bottle Your Brand, Designed by Brass Bell Design

BYB: What do you like to do when you aren’t designing/working?

When I’m not designing, I’m usually checking out all the different art or music-related events around town. There are so many artists here and I really enjoy seeing other people’s artwork and supporting them.

Martini’s and More: A Swanky Bachelorette Party

Maritni Night On the Town Bachelorette Party Invitations and Custom Labels from Bottle Your Brand

Introducing our newest label set – a swanky martini themed invitation and custom labels for a bachelorette party or night on the town with the girls. We love the simple and modern design on this set with just a splash of pink to make it girly and fun. If you’re planning a bachelorette party soon, something swanky, fancy, sophisticated and just for the ladies, consider this fun set! And for a little inspiration….

 

Bachelorette Swanky Martini Party InspirationCookies – Pennies on a Platter, Cocktail and Rings – Do It Yourself Crafts, Pink Martini – Living in Lilly, Colored Martinis – TableSpoon, Ring Cupcakes – Source Unknown

Let the party planning begin!

A Cake Pop for Every Occasion

One of our most recent food obsessions is one tiny bite that comes on a stick -the Cake Pop. These delectable little treats have been taking the world by storm this past year – from party design blogs to Starbucks, every one is getting in on this sweet trend. We rounded up some of the cutest examples we’ve seen so far, so while you think about your next party or event and the theme – don’t forget to accompany your beautiful custom labels with a few tasty treats like these…

From holiday themed versions….

Cake Pops HolidaysBakerella – first three images, Sprinkle Bakes, Catch my Party, Bakerella

 

There are ideas for special occasions – graduations, weddings, maybe even Earth Day!?

Cake Pops Occasions Weddings EventsBakerella – first two, and last images, Earth Cake Pops – Vanilla and Lace

 

Ones that come in adorable animal shapes – perfect for a baby shower!

Cake Pop AnimalsBakerella

 

Adorable cake pops that are ideal for your little one’s next birthday party….

Cake Pops KidsBakerella

 

And let’s not forget the ones that are quite simply, so pretty!

Cake Pops PrettyBakers Royale, Treats SF, Designers Block

Ready to whip up a batch for your next event or party?

Thought so!

Special Occasion Cookies: Edible Delights from JP Creatibles

Cookies By JP Creatibles, Images courtesy of JP Creatibles

We recently developed a major crush on JP Creatibles, an incredible custom cookie studio located in Ashburn, Virginia, where each cookie is hand-decorated by owner and designer Jen Fisher. Every order than Jen creates is one-of-a-kind because each order is completely custom designed and made-to-order. We are so impressed with her work – the cookies we have seen are like tiny little works of art – so detailed and beautiful, we can hardly believe that they are edible!

 

Cookies By JP Creatibles, Images courtesy of JP Creatibles

We love the tiny ladybug cookies – how precious are they?! Jen’s cookie creations would be the perfect addition to any themed party that you may be planning for the future, or think about her cute monogrammed-style cookies for a wedding favor or treat.

 

Cookies By JP Creatibles, Images courtesy of JP Creatibles

Aren’t her creations amazing? We are constantly ooh-ing and ahh-ing over what she comes up with. Very impressive!

What Happens in Vegas…

Custom Vegas Bachelorette Party Bottled Water Label from Bottle Your Brand

After we saw this cute Vegas water bottle label from a customer come in a  few weeks ago, we got inspired. A trip to Vegas for your bachelor or bachelorette party would be amazing, but if you can’t get away, there is no reason you can’t have just as much fun in your hometown. Throwing a Vegas themed bachelor or bachelorette party is a brilliant idea – with plenty of cute ideas to make it totally original and fun. Check out some of the inspirations we found…

 

Vegas Casino Poker Theme Party IdeasTop to Bottom, Left to Right: Welcome to Vegas sign, Playing Card Seating Cards – Martha Stewart, Vegas Cake – Arte di Amore, Playing Card Invitations – Etsy, Cookie Cutters – Amazon, Card Set – Kate Spade, Poker Chip Cookies – L&V Sweets, Dice Candy Pops – Candy Favorites, via Hostess Blog

The dice candy pops and the super-creative poker chip cookies are our favorites. Would you throw a Vegas Casino themed bachelorette party for your wedding?

A Lovely Lavender Bridal Shower

Custom Lavender Bridal Shower Label from Bottle Your BrandAfter seeing two charming lavender-hued labels come through the office this week, we got inspired thinking about how pretty they would be for a bridal shower with lavender and purple accents. Perfectly girly, feminine and sweet. Check out the label that one of our customers sent us that really got our minds going…

Lavender Custom Bridal Shower Label from Bottle Your Brand

Whimsical and stylish, no? It inspired us – and this gorgeous inspiration board:

Lavender Bridal Shower Ideas and Inspiration Board

Top to Bottom, Left to Right: WeddingArchives.Tumblr.com, TheKnot.com, TheKnot.com, ThePartyDress.net, AmyAtlas.com, Kaboodle.com

Have you planned a bridal shower recently with fun and girly labels? Share with us – we would love to see!

 

Hot Pink and Black Custom Bachelorette Party Labels

Wedding season is just getting started – and you know what that means! There will also be plenty of fun bachelorette parties coming up. We’ve seen some really cute bachelorette wine and water bottles labels come through recently – and hot pink and black seems to be a really popular trend right now. As does the Venetian and Fleur de Lis print – great combination in our humble opinion!

Custom Bachelorette Party Wine and Water Bottle Labels from Bottle Your Brand

Choose your favorite shade of this electric pink color and get inspired with designs and ideas like these…

 

Hot Pink and Black Bachelorette Party Theme and Inspiration Board

Sources: Top - Paper Source, Ribbon - Unknown, Plates and Napkins - Polka Dot Market, Cupcakes - Unknown, Vases - Ikea, Bouquet - Hostess Blog, Swizzle Sticks - Hostess Blog, Cookies - The Natos

 

Label Love: Swanson Vineyards

Wedding Wine from Swanson Vineyards

When we stumbled on this collection of wines from Swanson Vineyards, we instantly fell in love with their label design and packaging. This vineyard has been making wines for the past 25 years, and recently started producing special bottles just made for those extra special occasions in life – from bar mitzvahs and weddings to birth announcements and engagement parties. You could serve guests with these charming little bottles, or give a few as gifts.

 

Wedding Wine from Swanson VineyardsWe especially love the black label and simplicity of their design and font.

 

Wedding Wine from Swanson Vineyards

These labels are proof that it doesn’t always have to be fancy to catch your eye and make you want to get a bottle of your very own!

 

Wedding Wine from Swanson Vineyards