Archives for July 2014

Nautical Favor Inspiration: Delightful Party Details

July 27, 2014 by Cindy Springer 1 Comment

This inspiration post is all about nautical theme labels on party beverages and party accessories. And no one does nautical like a city on the Puget Sound in the Pacific NW. Prepare to be inspired!

Choosing favors for your party can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many choices and also cost to keep in mind, not to mention choosing favors that fit your style. But, while that can all seem like a lot, never fear! If you’ve chosen a nautical theme for your celebration, we have ideas for you that will banish all your worries. Dear readers, allow us to inspire you with ideas using nautical labels and stickers.

IDEA: Use the same 3.5 inch wide x 4 inch high wine label on both wine bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles. It fits on all three! Save yourself time with this tip. (See photo above).

IDEA: Thread colorful ribbon through white Lifesavers candy and tie around the bottle neck to decorate both beer and soda bottles.

Nautical Labels and Stickers

We found this sea glass colored wine bottle at our local Tuesday Morning for under $8. Our customer Kim created this artwork in our online design studio by uploading a chevron pattern, an anchor, then including her own text. The 2 inch circle sticker fits perfectly on the sea glass colored mini lantern found at Ben Franklin Crafts.

IDEA: Decorate a sea-glass colored wine bottle for serving ice water or sparkling water. Wrap the bottle neck with raffia and twine. Thread seashells with fishing line and hang from the neck. Fill with the beverage of your choice. We chose ice water. Set one on each table.

IDEA: Mini lanterns with LED tea lights for table decorations. We filled the lantern partially with sand and topped with an LED votive candle. Add scattered seashells to the table decor and you’re instantly at the seashore!

Nautical Theme Water Bottle Labels

IDEA: Customize a colorful nautical water bottle label for small bottles of water. Water is healthier than sugary soda. If your child’s birthday party theme is a nautical one you’ll want to customize our “Ahoy” water bottle label (above). Featured on this bottle is a bright red crab, a whimsical lighthouse, a seagull, gold fish and boat. This template is easy to customize and with two label sizes you can pick the size that fits bottles you purchase from the grocer’s.

Beer Labels with Nautical Designs

For the next bachelorette party you throw consider using custom labels on your beverages. This customer submitted label is one of our favorites.

IDEA: Mini mugs for flower vases. Sailors and ale go together! This mini shot glass in the shape of a beer mug is perfect to fill with tiny blossoms making it a great addition to a nautical place setting. We found these online at Amazon.com.

Party Favor Stickers with Anchors and Other Nautical Symbols

For an adult birthday party with a nautical theme use our “Nautical” wine label template. Use the matching circle sticker for favor bags. We also offer this design in a bottle hang tag.

IDEA: Use initials in serif font styles to make masculine looking party favors. If you’re wondering what to do for your favorite guy’s party consider using this tip. Include a caption and date to finish the look. We found these bold-striped party favor bags at the local craft store, but they are available online as well.

Another customer design (see above), but this time for a wedding. This water bottle label uses an ampersand made from rope looking font between the bride’s and groom’s initials.

Use Nautical Style Fonts

IDEA: Use a nautical style font. We have many fonts with nautical names like Lobster, Sail, Seaweed Script, and Trade Winds. So if you’re making your label in our online studio make sure to look at the different font styles we offer to complete your nautical themed look.

Don’t forget that all of our labels and stickers are self-adhesive. They have what is called a “crack and peel” backing. Find the seam on the back, as in the label above, and peel off the paper. The entire label has a sticky back that will stick to most anything including plastic, paper and glass. Featured above is our wine label “Anchors Away”.

For more inspiration be sure to browse our pre-made templates. Many of the templates are easy to customize with your color and message. If you need help please contact us at [email protected]. We answer all emails within 24 hours!

Give Them the Good Stuff – Marketing Your Business in the Real World

July 17, 2014 by Cindy Springer Leave a Comment

Marketing your business isn’t just about buying ads or using social media, it’s also about giving your customers what they want. As one of our customers who orders our custom bottled water says, “Give me some more of the good stuff.”

What is the “Good Stuff?”

Custom bottled water is indeed, the good stuff. It provides customers with fresh clean water, one of the necessities of life, while at the same time branding your business. If you’re considering different ways to market your business remember to give your customers something useful they want, but make sure it reminds them of you. Branded bottled water fills that need. Whether you’re a small office of ten or less or a PR rep for a corporation that employs tens of thousands, marketing with custom bottled water is a great option.

Why Our Custom Bottled Water?

Sure you can go to the local grocers and buy cases of water in bulk, but what are you giving to your customers? First of all you’re definitely not handing out your brand on every bottle. You’re promoting Nestle, Poland Springs, Deer Park or whatever name is on the label. With private label bottled water from Bottle Your Brand you’re marketing your brand. Second, do you know what’s in the bottle? Have you checked to see if it’s from a spring or is it filtered municipal water, a.k.a. tap water? Our bottles are filled at the source, a spring in central Oregon that is analyzed and monitored by an independent testing company. And finally do you know the type of plastic used in the bottles you buy at the store? We use #1 PETE recycled plastic for our bottled water. It’s a high grade plastic which is declared safe by green living experts.

What About Cost?

Some people try to compare our private label bottled water to off-the-shelf brands on a price per bottle basis. It’s like the old saying “comparing apples to oranges.” They’re not the same thing. Our branded bottled water has your proprietary information, your logo, your contact information, your images. It’s something that represents your company and at a low cost per bottle when compared to an expensive ad campaign. Every bottle is a mini billboard declaring your brand. Pricing of our bottled water is tiered so the more you buy the lower the per case cost. We’re happy to help you work with a budget, just give us a call. The price for one case gets you a branded bottle for $1.25. If you order at our lowest price break the per bottle cost is as low as $0.42. Buy a bottle of water at the airport and you’re out $2 or more, so branded bottles are a pretty good deal don’t you think?

How Do I Make My Own Private Label Bottled Water?

It’s easier than you might think to make your own custom bottles. Follow these steps:

Start with your logo. Make sure it’s a version that’s high resolution; 300 pixels per inch. Save your logo on your computer.
Log in to our site and go to Make Your Own>Custom Label Bottled Water and select a bottle size and case quantity.
Click Customize It! You’re now in the design studio.
Click “Image” on the left tool bar to browse your computer files, upload your image and drag and drop to the canvas.
Next, choose “Text”. Start typing your company information. Change your font style, color, and size by selecting the text and using the drop downs on the Text Options tool bar.
If you need to, add a background color or background image. You’ll find that option directly above the canvas; the mountain icon and palette icon.
Use the Text Alignment and Image Alignment tools to place everything where you want it.

If you have a designer who made a custom label for your company you can upload a completed file too. Simply convert the file to JPG, PNG or TFF format to upload. You can always ask for a proof to be emailed to you before we go to press.

What Should You Include on the Labels?

Make sure you include contact info such as a phone number, email or web address. Add your company logo or name and perhaps a relevant photo. A professionally designed high resolution logo is a plus too, but not necessary. The online designer also gives you the ability to add a QR code. This is especially helpful to real estate agents who want to show a listing or companies who have an upcoming event to promote.

Companies that use private labeled bottles for branding are hotels, banks, orthodontists, landscapers, construction companies, pharmacies, churches, veterinarians, restaurants and more. Your company can benefit from handing out the good stuff as well!

Need help figuring out what to put on your company’s private label? We can help. Contact us at [email protected] or Live Chat with us weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm Pacific time.

Master the Art of the Perfect Jam with These Tips and Recipe

July 11, 2014 by Cindy Springer Leave a Comment

Try Your Hand at Making Jam

Making fresh jam or jelly is a rewarding experience every serious cook should attempt at least once. I remember making my first batch of jelly as a very young wife. It was plum jelly made from the plums of a bountiful tree in my mother-in-law’s backyard. Despite my first time dabbling in jelly-making it turned out decently. Ever since, it’s been a learning curve as I experiment with different types of fruit and berries.

The sweetest berries are at their peak right now! Strawberries, blueberries, and other fruit like cherries are in the supermarket and at local farmers markets, ripe for making jams and jellies. Here in the Pacific Northwest we’re blessed with some of the sweetest strawberries and blueberries you’ll ever taste. Since buying local is an earth-friendly practice and local produce is freshest, here in Kirkland we are lucky enough to actually get strawberries in the store the same day they’re picked! Here’s the reason why from Don Kruse of Skagit Sun Berries:

The Secret to Perfect Jam

I’ve learned a secret over the years that might help you. If your jam or jelly turns out runny, more than likely the culprit is the amount of pectin you’re using. When dissolved and cool, Pectin forms invisible strands that hold liquid in. The riper the fruit you’ve chosen the less Pectin is needed, but if you’re using a fruit like strawberries you need to know they’re lower in natural Pectin than other fruits. Here’s some good info to keep in mind:

TIP: Fruits that are high in Pectin include apples, blackberries, crab apples, gooseberries, grapes and plums.

TIP: Fruits that are low in Pectin include apricots, blueberries, cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, rhubarb and strawberries.

Don’t think that by reducing sugar in your recipe you can increase the pectin you use. Every recipe should have the exact balance between the two for the fruit involved. If you want to use less sugar, find a recipe that calls for less sugar, but where the recipe maker has adjusted other ingredients accordingly. Too much pectin in your jam will just produce an unappealing solid lump. If your jam is runny, start by adding an extra 1 T of Pectin and heat the fruit, sugar and pectin mixture up. This should fix the problem.

The ingredients to make strawberry jam.

TIP: “To test to see how much Pectin is present in a fruit juice or stewed-down fruit, put 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol into a glass, and add 1 tablespoon of juice from the fruit (allow the juice to cool for a minute or two first), and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. A jelly-like blob should form. If the blob cannot be fished out with a fork, there’s not enough pectin present to do anything with. If you can retrieve it with the fork, but it hangs down from the tines, you will get a loose gel. If if mostly stays on top of the tines of the fork in a blob, you will have enough pectin to form a very happy gel.” Source – www.Cooksinfo.com/pectin

Strawberry Jam Recipe

Ball, the maker of canning jars and lids, is a good source for learning to make jams or for canning anything. Here is a Strawberry Jam recipe I’ve had good success with. You can click on this image and download a free PDF of this recipe card.

Summer Strawberry Jam Recipe by Ball ®

Make Stickers for Jam and Jelly Jars

After making tasty batches of strawberry, cherry or berry jams and jellies you’ll want the jars to look as good as the contents taste. Order your own custom circle stickers for the lids. A two inch circle sticker fits perfectly on 4 ounce and 8 ounce jelly jars from either Ball or Kerr. Two inch circle stickers also fit many regular 8 oz. jar lids. So if you’re into recycling and use empty jars you’ve sterilized for jam-making you’ll find these stickers fit perfectly, just like the recycled jar below.

Make your own jelly jar circle sticker

New Products for Canning and Jam Making

Ball® has new jars in the stores now for canning that have a vintage look. I found these at a local Kroger affiliate store. If you’re part of the mason jar craze for crafters then you’ll appreciate the look of these canning jars.

New jars from Ball

Ball® also has new lid and rim colors for making your jars stand out. I used their new Design Series Lids with Bands in the regular mouth size in bright green. There was also a brilliant blue color available. I think the green complements the strawberry sticker on top of the lid.

New designer color lids and rims.

Make Circle Stickers for Your Jams & Jellies

Find these three circle stickers on Bottle Your Brand for your jam or jelly. Very Cherry Jelly, Blueberry Jam and Strawberry Festival are all fully customizable or you can make a circle sticker from scratch. Either way we hope you’ll contact us if you need help making your stickers. Our customers come back year after year and we know it’s because of our excellent labels and stickers as well as our prompt customer service.

The Ultimate Guide to Make Frozen Movie Party Favors in One Night

July 3, 2014 by Cindy Springer Leave a Comment

Before the Disney movie Frozen hit the big screen it was expected to be a huge it, but it surpassed even enthusiasts’ expectations. Every little boy, girl, and their respective parents, knows the song “Let It Go”. As a result, children are asking for Frozen themed parties and parents are obliging. After looking at Pinterest and seeing the elaborate lengths which many parents seem to feel compelled to go creating a Frozen party, I can see how a time-strapped parent would feel overwhelmed by such a task. If you’re a parent facing this behemoth then take a deep breath, sit down with a nice glass of your favorite wine and read this compilation of easy Frozen party favors.

You can shop for these items in one evening. You’ll need to know where your closest craft store is like Michaels or Hobby Lobby and also make a stop at the grocers. All the materials for making the snow wand and also the party decorations, like the tissue paper balls, the colored baker’s twine, the chevron pattern straws and the star cupcake toppers were purchased at Michaels. The cupcakes, soda, bottled water, M & M’s, donut holes, patterned cupcake papers and the mini canning jars were purchased at the grocery store. The plastic champagne flutes I already had on hand. I purchased them from Party City for an earlier event. Two stops for a party, not bad. I did not have to bake a single thing for these favors, which made it even faster. I made the labels and stickers here.

Let’s start with the Snow Wand which is a simple party favor, but can also be a kid’s craft activity. This doesn’t look exactly like the one in the Frozen movie, but it’s glittery and colorful, and anyway, that’s where your child’s imagination kicks in. If your child is 7 or older they can probably make this on their own except for one step that you can do ahead of time. I recommend you supervise making this wand with younger children.

Make Your Own Frozen Snow Wand

Materials:

Wilton 8 inch lollipop sticks
Stryrofoam snowflake three inches or larger in diameter
Glitter in your choice of color, aqua, blue, lavender or silver
Glitter tape
Elmer’s glue or styrofoam glue
3/8 inch ribbon in purple, aqua or the color of your choice
An awl or Phillips head screw driver (to punch a hole in the snowflake for the wand handle)
optional: a small art paint brush to spread the glue

Here’s a photo of the supplies I used to make the Snow Wand.

TIP: Not all glitter tape is created equal. I had the best luck with American Crafts brand glitter tape. Other brands didn’t stick as well to the lollipop handle.

Steps to make Elsa’s Frozen Snow Wand

Poke a hole in between two points of the snowflake about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep depending on the size of the snowflake. This is where you’ll push the lollipop stick into the snowflake to make a handle later.
Wrap the glitter tape around the lollipop diagonally from top to bottom pressing firmly and trim at both ends.

Using the glue, cover one side and the edges of the snowflake completely with an artist paint brush or even use your fingers. Sprinkle glitter heavily until the side is coated. Wait an hour or until dry. Flip and repeat on the opposite side.
After both sides of the glittery snowflake is dry you’re ready to add the handle. Take the lollipop sticker and insert into the hole you made with the awl or screwdriver. You can add a dab of glue in the hole before you insert the stick.
Cut two 14 inch lengths of the 3/8 inch ribbon. One at time, tie the ribbon at the top of the handle and trim all four ends with a diagonal cut.

TIP: I put a piece of wax paper down first and set the styrofoam snowflake on it for gluing and sprinkling glitter. I left the snowflake there until it dried. This also allowed me to reuse the glitter that didn’t stick the first time.

Your Frozen Snow Wand is done! Your princess can now melt hearts with her wand.

Other Frozen the Movie Party Favors:

Cupcakes with Star Toppers

I found the Star Toppers at Michaels for under $2. They had 6 inch handles and I cut them down to 2 inches for the toppers. The cupcakes I purchased at the local grocer. Choose white, lavender or aqua blue frosting to match the Frozen colors.

Mini Mason Jars for Sweet Treats

Fill the jars with color coordinated candies like M & M’s. Wrap the rim of the lid with glitter tape. Make a custom Frozen Snowflake circle sticker on Bottle Your Brand. Place the 2 inch circle sticker on the lid.

Soda Bottle Drinks for Melted Ice

I used Jones Soda bottles and soaked off the label. The 2 inch circle sticker is the same pattern as the mini mason jar sticker, but with different text . Every circle sticker design is available in low minimum quantities so you can order as little as 12.

Snowball Champagne Flutes

It takes only three donut holes to fill a plastic champagne flute. Use the 3/8 ribbon and tie a bow at the base. Make another 2 inch circle sticker and place near the top of the flute.

Water bottles with Custom Frozen Snowflake Labels

The bottles in the photo are an 8 oz. size. I used the pre-made water bottle label Frozen Snowflake in the 8.25 inch by 1.75 inch size. It’s easy to customize the water bottle label and you can buy as little as ten for $9.90.

Still enoying that glass of wine? Take your time knowing you can pull off a Frozen party with a few clicks of the mouse and two stops at the store. If you have questions about assembling any of these favors or need help making custom stickers, email us at [email protected].