I am so excited about today's featured guest....the beautiful and oh-so-sweet, Chelsea Petaja of Oh, My Deer! I LOVE Chelsea's beautiful handmade hair adornments.....she is such a talented lady....make sure you visit her Etsy shop and check out all of her gorgeous handmade designs! I had the opportunity to interview Chelsea so let's find out a little bit about the woman behind the beautiful designs...Enjoy!
Meet Chelsea...isn't she beautiful!
TBC: How did you come up with the name "Oh, My Deer"!
CP: I've always been a sucker for a good play-on-words, and "Oh, My Deer" was born out of that love. "Oh, My Deer" struck me as I was driving home from work, completely out of the blue, before I had any use for the name. It wasn't until I opened my Etsy shop that I finally had a reason to dub something with it!
TBC: Describe your client.
CP: An "Oh, My Deer" client is a woman who delights in fashion and isn't intimidated by size, color, or feathers. HA!
TBC: What are the 3 adjectives that describe your style?
CP: A wife, a sister, a daughter and a friend...Wait...those aren't adjectives, are they? And that's four, not three...Sorry!
TBC: What inspires you as a designer?
CP: I'm fascinated by anything with a history and tiny treasures. Often a piece will start out with a vintage button or brooch or earrings, and then the adornment will follow suit. I also have a love/hate relationship with birds, so feathers have a huge influence on several pieces as well.
TBC: What tips can you share with our readers when selecting their hair accessories?
CP: Make sure that it's something that will make you feel beautiful. With every piece, I hope that whoever ends up wearing it feels even more incredible with her little lady nestled in her hair.
TBC: Do you design custom pieces?
CP: The majority of the pieces I've made have been custom orders. And rightfully so...many of my customers are brides with specific ideas and themes and colors that they want echoed in their piece.
Chelsea and her husband Tec...Tec is an amazing photographer..check out his site!
TBC: Describe a day in the life of Chelsea.
CP: Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, you can find me teaching Visual Arts at a Montessori school here in Nashville. My evenings and weekends are crucial for me to catch up on emailing, working on pieces, and perusing the local flea markets for the latest pin or earrings that will start or finish the perfect piece.
TBC: Tell us a little about your personal life.
CP: The largest development in my life recently has been my marriage. We were married in June, so these past few months have been devoted to learning how to live with each other and getting used to each other's quirks, that have only now become evident! It's been a wild, but incredible ride!
Thanks SO much Chelsea for stopping by the cafe today and sharing a "peek" into your world with us! Okay Guys...I'm sure all of you are fans of Kathryn's beautiful blog......Snippet & Ink (I know I am)....well she has hosted a contest all this week and one lucky Snippet & Ink reader won one of Chelsea's beautiful hair adornments......I'm excited to let you know that Chelsea is giving a lucky TBC reader a chance to win one as well...all you have to do is check out the collection on Chelsea's site and leave a comment on TBC letting me know the name of your favorite...sorry...BUT...you can't select Miss Loretta...she's taken...the winner will be announced on Monday morning!
"Miss Lucille"
"Miss Lula"
"Miss Nina"
Oh I love Miss Lula, it's so sophisticated, yet fun!
Posted by: Dutchess of Kickball | October 24, 2008 at 07:06 AM
I love Miss Lucille! That shade of purple is one of my favs!
Posted by: Mary Ann | October 24, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Oh I would love love love to have Miss Viola. Love the headband, love the little jewels in the center, love everything!
Posted by: Kendra | October 24, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Loving Miss Doris! will definitely consider buying it even if i don't win
Posted by: Jordan | October 24, 2008 at 07:17 AM
I am a huge fan of Miss Viola. Those soft colours are so lovely!
Posted by: lemon | October 24, 2008 at 07:18 AM
I love Miss Viola. She is classy yet hip/flirty at the same time!
Posted by: Lydia | October 24, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Such a fan; what lovely art. Miss Lula Rose has all my attention. Simply gorgeous!!
Posted by: bri | October 24, 2008 at 07:21 AM
It's Miss Doris for me! My Mom's name is Doris~a great way to honor her at her 80th birthday in April!
Posted by: Merium | October 24, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Miss Erma is such a delight!
Flirty and sophisticated.
Posted by: alyce | October 24, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Miss Erma is such a delight!
Flirty and sophisticated.
Posted by: alyce | October 24, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Miss Erma is such a delight!
Flirty and sophisticated.
Posted by: alyce | October 24, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Miss Erma is such a delight!
Flirty and sophisticated.
Posted by: alyce | October 24, 2008 at 07:33 AM
What beauties! I'm officially a Chelsea fan. I barely managed to narrow it down to Miss Marilyn b/c it would best match my vintage-theme wedding :)
Posted by: Alejandra | October 24, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Oh, I love Miss Viola--so soft and romantic, but with an avant garde edge!
Posted by: Keri | October 24, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Oh, I love Miss Viola--so soft and romantic, but with an avant garde edge!
Posted by: Keri | October 24, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Oh, I love Miss Viola--so soft and romantic, but with an avant garde edge!
Posted by: Keri | October 24, 2008 at 07:35 AM
I'm so in love with { Miss Erma }. It would transport me back to a time where smoking was good for you and women couldn't even vote yet. A time when the power of a beautiful woman was just being exposed ;)
Posted by: Amber | October 24, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Miss Lula Rose! She is beautiful.. absolutely beautiful. She would make any lady hold her head high.
Posted by: Rachel | October 24, 2008 at 07:37 AM
{ Miss Erma }
I love it!
Posted by: Milene | October 24, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Miss Lula Rose. Lovely.
Posted by: picnic project | October 24, 2008 at 07:39 AM
So glad you featured Chelsea! She is a Nashville Gem, that I discovered a month ago! Talent just oozes out of her & the hubby!!!
http://bridalopulence.blogspot.com/2008/09/custom-bridal-headpieces.html
Posted by: A. Latrice | October 24, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Miss Nina. The epitome of a beautiful bridal hair accessories. Fabulous!
Posted by: London Bride | October 24, 2008 at 07:55 AM
I love Miss Doris. She is just so precious!
Posted by: Chelsea | October 24, 2008 at 08:05 AM
I love Miss Erma!
Posted by: Ashleigh | October 24, 2008 at 08:06 AM
oh, miss erma! what lush redness!
Posted by: cori | October 24, 2008 at 08:06 AM