Weekly Win It!!

Yay!! The Weekly Win It feature is back and what a way to start off!! This week's featured artist is none other than Off the Wall!!! This fabulous duo is made up of partners Jaime and Melissa, two talented and upbeat ladies who specialize in faux finishes for architectural elements, home accessories and pretty much everything in between. I first came across these two via their blog and quickly discovered their wonderful portfolio of work. Some of my favorite items are their frames featuring wonderful Bible passages and quotes. How great are these for framing your loved ones and remembering God's goodness every time you look at their picture?? I also really love their beautifully finished shutter and garage doors as well as kitchen cabinetry.

I've really gotten to know Melissa over the past few months through blogging and email, and I know that both of these ladies are quite talented and special, so I was super-excited when they offered to participate in the Weekly Win It!! I can't wait to introduce you to these wonderful gals (or help you to get to know them better) so sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Off the Wall!

Tell us a little bit about your studio and how the two of you came to be partners? We teamed up in 2004, not realizing the connection we would share. But we knew instantly that God had something strange and uncharted planned for us. I (Jaime) already had an established and busy career in the faux finish industry and was living out her calling, while Melissa was earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising. After graduation, Melissa began work as a human resources assistant… not so much her dream job. Knowing there was something more; Melissa quit her job to pursue her love for something more creative. That’s when a friend told her to call me. Melissa began working for me hourly as I trained her in the skills of the faux world. Beyond working incredibly well together, an immediate friendship was born and we became business partners soon after.

Our studio is in Olive Branch, Mississippi. We welcome clients to come by to customize their orders and shop our existing collection, provided they can appreciate the very fine aroma of paint thinner, the sound of saws and sanders singing, and two boys trying to torture each other in the background (that would be the Roberts boys of course!).

Where do you get the inspiration to create your beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces for the home? We have so many different inspirations, but a love for anything old that we can transform into something that people actually love to buy and place in their homes is motivation to keep trying to come up with some new ideas. We love vintage architecture and salvaged pieces. We can’t miss a thrift store or side of the road where a discarded treasure can be found. We love the romance and the idea that a home is a reflection of who you are and where you want to be. You shouldn’t want to be any place else.



What is your most favorite project you’ve done for someone’s home and why? Our favorite project on the faux finish side of our business so far, has been an old world plaster finish with revealed brick in a beautiful East Memphis home. Our client commissioned us to manipulate plasters in a room that was once her porch. She trusted us to give her the feel of a European villa. The room felt lost in time, at least a couple hundred years old and it was a complete success.

From our product line, I don’t think we can pick just one. When we come up with a favorite, it will probably be time to quit. I hope we never have a favorite… that means we are still breathing!

Do you two have any painting or faux finishes in your own homes? You know the old saying, “ the cobbler’s children has no shoes.” We find with our faux finishes and with our products that we are the last to get them. As soon as we finish something new, someone comes along and ends up buying it. But we will have to change that soon, there are so many pieces that we both want.



What is the largest project you and Jamie have ever taken on and how long did it take you to finish it? I think kitchen jobs are the longest, especially when we come up with something cool in a finish, and the client keeps adding and adding. We have several clients that will never be finished, because they are constantly coming up with ways to keep us in their home. At least they don’t want to get rid of us.

Tell us a little bit about your creative process? How do you figure out what you are going to do when presented with a project? Ultimately, we go with what first comes to mind, and figure out a way to make it work. Instincts are your best indicator that a project will be successful. When you see a project for the first time you know instinctively what should be there and it is just a matter of trying to make it work. We rarely stick with a rigid way of doing things. Usually when we plan, that is when we end up tossing the project plan and starting over. It is when we embrace the unexpected that we come up with the coolest outcome.



Wow!! Thank you so much girls for taking time out of your BUSY lives to share a little more about yourselves and your work...you are both fabulous!!

So now the moment you've all been waiting for...this week's fabulous give away is this lovely Zebra Stripe Table Top Frame (ummm...this would fit in perfectly in my home-too bad I'm not allowed to enter!). This fun and funky frame can be yours...just leave a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite product is from the Off The Wall store.


Please check here for contest rules and regulations!

Thanks again ladies...you're the best for doing this give away and the best bloggin' buddies a girl could ask for!!

Weekly Win It-Rio Oso Designs!

I know I always say I'm super excited about the Weekly Win It featured artist but, I always am!!!! This week is no different, please welcome Angela of Rio Oso Designs! Okay...listen up Etsy artists and business owners, because this shop is a great place to get affordable, custom designed business cards and shop banners!


Angela provides her design services for businesses or individuals looking to add some professional, creative graphics to their website or marketing package. Her fantastic designs include shop and blog banners, business cards, promotional postcards and pretty much anything you need to creatively market your business. She has a great eye for creating well-balanced, creative layouts and seems to be full of endless design ideas. This busy mom also runs another etsy shop called Ambrosia Delights featuring jewelry and clothing items. In her "spare" time, Angie authors three popular blogs, Rio Oso Designs, Ambrosia Delights and The Downtown Boutique. Whew! I'm getting tired just typing all of this...let's find out how this talented artist keeps track of her busy life!

Your banner designs are absolutely amazing! Where did you learn how to create these and how long have you been doing this? Thank you so much! I didn’t even realize I had the capability to do something like this, until I started playing around with my photo editing software…Microsoft Picture It. I’m not a graphic artist…I only put graphic images together that I have purchased the commercial licensing for. I have been doing this since May of 2007.

What made you decide to start selling your design services on Etsy? I figured that I had discovered a niche. With all the shops on Etsy, I figured there would be a need and a desire for my style of banners.


What was the inspiration for your shop name? My husband’s mom calls him “Bear”, and they are Hispanic, so that’s where “Oso” came from. Then, we love to go fishing together as a family, so that’s where “Rio” (or river) came from. It’s kind of who we are.

On top of a great shop, you have another shop “Ambrosia Delights” and at least two very popular blogs…how do you find the time to do it all? I have NO idea!!!! I think my husband is a saint for putting up with it! He actually encourages me strongly in all that I do. But I do tend to neglect some housework, etc. I really need to figure out how to balance better!


Do you sell your items at places other than Etsy? Believe it or not, I sell most of my jewelry to my husband’s family! They love it! I also sell it to friends, and my husband takes it to his work and sells it there…he works with a lot of women. I also sell the burp cloths and greeting cards to friends.

Where do you get inspiration for your banner designs? I pray a LOT! Seriously. I know that God is the one who has blessed me with my creativity, so all the credit must go to Him. Other than that, I just love putting things together and seeing what works. I love pinks and sage greens and polka dots, in case you couldn’t tell. I love the feminine, vintage, swirly looks. I try to work with what’s popular right now, and go from there. A lot of the inspiration comes from my customers themselves.



Amazing! I absolutely love her designs and am so impressed by her humble and gracious attitude!

Okay...now to find out what Angie is offering up from her fabulous shop!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to enter for a chance to win your very own custom banner for an Etsy shop, blog or website!!!!!



You heard correctly...this fabulous give-away will be for one custom banner that you get to collaborate on with Angie!! Please visit Rio Oso Designs to check out Angie's custom banner listing for an explanation of what is included in the design. Please check here for contest rules and regulations! Thank you so much, Angie, for taking time out of your busy life to chat with us and participate in this weeks' give-away. Your designs are fabulous (and you are too!)!!!!!

Stay Tuned...

I'm so excited to announce that I had the opportunity to interview a terrific photographer this weekend!! I will be posting the interview on my blog tomorrow so don't forget to check back!! Stay tuned...