It is happening, people. I am rebranding this blog. As you may or may not know, this blog was started by Courtney O’Dell of Sweet C’s Designs. She is a dear friend of mine, and she recruited me as one of three additional contributors to this blog. I said yes because I love her, even though I didn’t really think I wanted to get into blogging. Boy, oh BOY am I glad that I did! I love blogging now. Love it! It has brought me so many dear friends, expanded my talents and abilities, and given me an identity apart from “Callum and Jade’s Mom.” And, while the title of Mom is my all-time favorite title, it has been so great to have something of my own. Blogging has also helped me enormously in battling crippling postpartum depression, as well as the day-to-day clinical depression which I have been fighting for most of my life. If you want to know my life’s story and how blogging helped me decide to be ME again then you should read THIS POST. More than anyone ever needed to know about me, that’s for sure…
Anyway, when Courtney’s main blog, Sweet C’s Designs, really took off she started spending less and less time here on Craft Quickies, and the other two contributors quickly followed suit. In the meantime, I was starting to try out original tutorials and getting really into this blogging stuff. And, before I knew it, Craft Quickies was mine. She just gave it to me! Just like that. She is one of the most generous and delightful people that I know. I love her, and I am so grateful that she is my dear, dear friend.
Once Craft Quickies became “mine” I kept having this nagging thought at the back of my head that I wished I had started my own blog so that it could be called Bombshell Bling. Bombshell Bling Jewelry is the name of my jewelry business, which consists of an Etsy shop right now. In its heyday I was doing in-person sales and events, but these days I am so busy with blogging and kids that I just sell occasionally online and make custom orders. My sister came up with the name Bombshell Bling when I was making jewelry and wanted to start an Etsy shop many years ago, and I just love it. I may be a frumpy mom now, but back in the day I was a skinny girl with long deliciously curly hair (which I lost after pregnancy—boo!) who wore heels and red lipstick on a near-daily basis. Hence the Bombshell in the title. And I love big, flashy, glittery jewelry and bling. We are talking BIG necklaces here, people. BIG. Hence the Bling in the title. (Some of my friends call me Sarah, DOB, which stands for Defender of Bling because of a FB argument I got into with someone once about the value of diamonds, of which I don’t even have any other than my modest wedding ring which I inherited from my mother. LOL. I have problems.)
When I mentioned my name regrets to people they always said, “No! Your site isn’t about jewelry!” and acted like it was a dumb idea. So I shrugged dejectedly and moved on. But I kept regretting it. And then I went to the SNAP Blogging Conference and attending a class on branding. The gals running the class were vivacious and 100% THEMSELVES! They both have distinct styles and big personalities, for which they do not apologize or make excuses. They are who they are, take it or leave it. I love that! (It was taught by Becki of Whippycake and Mandi of Vintage Revivals. Very different “brands,” but each one-of-a-kind awesome!) In the class they said to figure out who YOU are and to make your blog reflect that. They also said to combine your ventures if you had businesses. Streamline them into one awesome brand. That hit home BIG TIME.
While pondering how I could streamline my two different ventures (blogging and jewelry) and verbally lamenting the fact that my blog didn’t fit with Bombshell Bling, a blogging buddy pointed out that I am always making blingy baby headbands and rejoicing in ruffles and glitter. How is that NOT Bombshell Bling?! Hey, good point.
I played around with other variations of Bombshell —- Bombshell Crafts, Bombshell Creations, etc. But they were either taken or didn’t quite feel right. So back to Bombshell Bling I gravitated. Here’s the thing: my kid crafts and my recipes may not be *Bombshell Bling*, but my long sewing tutorials and recipes aren’t *Craft Quickies* either. It’s not really about the title of my blog, it’s about the content. The title of my blog can reflect ME, even if the content varies. After all, Jen of Tatertots and Jello is writing about DIY projects, not Tatertots and Jello! And Bev of Flamingo Toes is sharing jewelry and sewing tutorials that knock my socks off, not writing about Flamingo Toes!
So that’s my justification. On Friday this blog will be known forevermore as Bombshell Bling: A Creative Blog for Scattered Creative Bombshells. Because that’s what I am. A scattered creative (wannabe, but too lazy to actually follow through with it) bombshell. I hope that you will stick with me over the next week while my talented designer Jonie from Just Between Friends and my coding whiz Courtney from Sweet C’s Designs handle the redesigns and redirecting of this blog to its new URL home. (By the way, Courtney is about to start an amazing simple coding and other techie stuff series on her blog for even computer dummies like me, so be sure to check it out on her blog!!) My site may be a bit wonky for a day or two, but when all is said and done I hope to have a blog that brings myself and my readers more joy than ever.
So get ready, people, because I have more recipes, more sewing projects, more jewelry, more baby headbands, more HALLOWEEN PROJECTS(!!!), and more randomness coming your way! And, oh yeah, the big reveal of my dad’s wholly remodeled and redecorated main floor, followed closely by my kids’ wild bedrooms that I have been working my booty off putting together. Exciting things are coming, very exciting things! Thank you for sticking with me and tuning in to my creative journey!
Have a happy, happy day!!
Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly says
That is so awesome! Way to jump in and made those ch-ch-ch-changes! Btw, Jonie’s so sweet. We were friends in college! Small (blogging) world, eh?!
Sarah says
What the?! Super small world!
Natalie says
It’s about time! I’ve been wondering for awhile now if/when you’d make the switch! For those of us lucky enough to know you IRL, we know that the name is 100% Sarah. I’m so happy to hear you’re continuing to reclaim yourself and this is an AWESOME step!!!
Sarah says
You’re such a great cheerleader! So blessed to have you as my friend!!
Megan says
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see the changes!
Dawn says
Hi! I really like your new blog name.Thanks for sharing that good advice from SNAP- you’ve got me brainstorming this morning!
Chrissy says
Yay! This is one of the things that I treasure and admire most about you, Sarah….you’re genuine, honest, open personality. I’m so happy you’re staying true to it. And I can testify to your tutorial capabilities, as you are the first person to teach me to: belt, wear makeup, style my curly hair, and rejoice in who I truly am.
Sarah says
Oh my word. This comment absolutely MADE MY DAY!!! I am so grateful to have you as one of my dearest friends, Chrissy!!
Rachel Nielson says
Congrats! Awesome!
Heidi @ Happiness is Homemade says
Yay! I’m so glad you’re doing it! I know you’ve been wanting to make the change for awhile, and I think you’re going to be so SO happy that you did! It just suits you perfectly! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks, Heidi!
Cindy Stef says
Yeah!!!! Soooo happy to see you doing this!! It’s very brave to truly step out and show everyone who you really are!! Thanks for inspiring me to do the same! I started recently simply by buying glasses that are just fun and not what anyone would expect from me. And you know what, it feels good! Keep going Sarah! You are truly an inspiration!! And I Love your jewelry! Be who you are and never feel like you have to apologize for that! Have fun w/ your awesomeness!! I love your “new” name!! Bling away you beautiful bombshell!!!!
Sarah says
Thank you Cindy! This comment means so much! Rock those glasses, girl!! 🙂
Stephanie says
Love you, my favorite bombshell!! Congrats on getting the guts -good luck. I’ll still be here for you, so I can imagine everyone else will be too. 🙂
Sarah says
THanks, girl! Love you too!!
Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says
exciting!!
Sarah says
Thanks, Mandy!
Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says
This is soooo so perfect for you! I am so excited – your new name seems like a great fit! 🙂
And thank you for the super sweet shout out – you made my day friend!!
Sarah says
You know you’re my blog crush. 😉
katie says
I’m so excited for you! Congrats on the rebrand!