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.

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!

Fresh and Beautiful Wedding Palette: Green and Black

As labels come through the offices, we love to see all of the different theme and color palette ideas that our customers choose for all of their events. There are some gorgeous combinations that we never would have thought of! One of the color palette’s we’ve been enjoying most lately is a simple green and black combination. It’s fresh, sophisticated, chic and modern.

 

Green and Black Color Palette, Custom Label by Bottle Your Brand

Green and Black Color Palette, Custom Label by Bottle Your Brand

If you love this color scheme as much as we do, check out some inspiration we found and get to planning your next event!

Black and Green Color Palette Inspiration and IdeasTop to Bottom, Left to Right: Hostess Blog, Project Wedding, Bump Smitten, xoxoBride

 

New Party Trend: Push-Up Cakes

We spend a lot of time keeping up to date on what is happening in the party planning and design world these days – and there are so many brilliant creative options out there – from decor and themes, to favors and food. One trend we have seen a ton of recently? The Push-Up cakes and cookies. A little bit like the retro Push-Pop candy, these adorable treats are a fun way to eat and package cookies, cakes and cupcakes – attach a custom label that fits with your party theme and you’re good to go. We’ve even seen them filled with candy…great idea, if you ask us!

Cake Cookie and Cupcake Push UpsSprinkled Cupcake Push-Up - Cupcake Project, Blue Candy Push-Ups – Kara’s Party Ideas, Crab Party Cupcake Push-Up – Birthday Girl Blog, Pink Frosted Cupcake Push-Up – Love from the Oven, Chocolate Push-Ups – The Decorated Cookie Blog

 

And check out these completely charming holiday and event ideas…we love the graduation push-ups!

Cookie, Cake and Cupcake Push-Ups for Holidays and EventsGraduation Push-Ups – Kara’s Party Ideas,  4th of July Push-Ups – Love from the Oven, Halloween Push-Up – Erin Lincoln Blog

 

Are you going to try your hand at the latest in party treat trends?

Pretty Favor and Party Packaging from Etsy

We happen to love pretty packaging – if it comes in a charming, cute or well-designed package, we usually fall for it. Custom labels are of course, a great way to put that finishing touch on packages and gifts – but beyond that, cute boxes and bags for homemade treats, favors and more, are a great place to get started making your packages look amazing.

We’ve come across a lot of party and favor packaging shops with unique options on Etsy recently, and they are stocked full of charming picks that would look great with your very own custom label. Whether you are an expert pie baker and need boxes to package your goods for holiday gifts for friends, or a cupcake queen that needs a pretty way to carry your little cakes to friends and family on their birthdays – there are a ton of lovely options out there.

Check out our picks from some of our favorite Etsy sellers…

FromSoul has a lot of simple choices for packaging that can be jazzed up with colorful twine, pretty tags and even doilies, lace or ribbon. Each box is sweet and stylish – we especially love the macaroon boxes!

Favor Boxes and Packaging from FromSoul EtsyAll images via FromSoul

 

For all of you cupcake fiends out there, Hey Yo Yo has cute little boxes with “windows” to safely and adorably transport your little cakes.

Cupcake Bakery and Favor Boxes from Hey Yo Yo EtsyImages via Hey Yo Yo

 

Last but not least, and this store is one of our favorites, we have Petit Moulin. We adore their vintage-inspired choices and minimalist (but charming!) options. The little cherries are our number one pick!

Favor Boxes and Party Packaging from Petit Moulin Etsy

But wait, there’s more…

Images via Petit Moulin

Feeling inspired to start creating your own pretty and creative packaging? We are!

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?

Custom Beer Labels for Your Summer Wedding

Tis the season…for outdoor weddings galore! We’re about to enter the peak of wedding season, and brides the world over are finalizing plans and details for their summer weddings. We think one of the best things about a summer wedding is being outdoors enjoying an ice cold brew with family and friends all gathered in one place. Make your wedding brew unique and give it a custom label designed just for you and your new spouse. Whether you want to do a simple, traditional monogram, a catchy saying, use a picture of the two of you together or make it artsy with a modern design – there are so many options that allow you to personalize an otherwise ordinary detail of your wedding and make it memorable for you and your guests! Plus, they look cute and people won’t be able to stop talking about them!

Check out some of our favorite examples of custom beer labels for wedding celebrations, from all around the web…

Custom Wedding Beer LabelsSources: Elizabeth Anne Designs, La Belle Bride, Head vs. Heart, Some Stuff I Like, Tumblr, Wylee Designs, Grapevine Paperie