Buzz and Bloom

7 years ago.... - by Devorah Koronczyk

Seven years ago today, Buzz and Bloom was born. Mum, my sister Gitta and I had a meeting, decided on the name - Buzz and Bloom. "Devorah" means bumble bee - "BUZZ"! And for the Bloom, well, here's the background... As a child Gitta was very upset that she didn't have a middle name and decided that she ought to. She decided it would be "Flower" - hence, "Bloom".

We made albums on the kitchen table, and we put them in the boot (trunk) of the car and drove around to scrapbook shops to sell our wares!

Soon, we were going to craft shows and people were starting to know us by name! Then we introduced some stamps, unmounted red rubber beauties. Far and away, the most poular stamps we had were our hat ladies. Taken from my Nana's old millinery sketches, these ladies in their hats were in high demand. (In fact if you want any today, you can get them from our ebay store!) 

Today is seven years since we embarked on this adventure and I'm really glad we did. We've done so much, but you know the rest of the story! The last few months have been tough, and it was a very hard call to close. But, when I think about Buzz and Bloom, I think of so much fun, laughter, friendships made, art, inspiration, and so much good.

Dr Suess said " Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!" I love that quote, and I do, smile when I think of Buzz and Bloom. So today there are loads of blog posts to see, we hope you're inspired, creative and happy when you think about us too. 

xx Devorah

   

Buzz and Bloom eBay Store

Thank you all so much for all of the comments, emails and calls we've had since we announced that Buzz and Bloom is closed. The last 7 years have been an amazing journey. We've really enjoyed being a part of this industry, filled with so many warm, friendly, supportive and artistic people.

We've been clearing out our warehouse and all the discontinued stock we're finding is being put up for sale on our eBay store.

Once these items sell out, that's it! There are some amazing deals on many of the products that we manufactured ourselves under the Buzz and Bloom brand, as well as some great bargains on items from our old retail web-store.

We've got many of our popular laser cut/engraved chipboard, fabric and acrylic items, as well as discontinued unmounted rubber and clear stamps. We've got ribbons and embellishments packs and we're adding to it all the time as we find more in the warehouse.

We even have our laser cutting equipment and office furniture available for sale. If you have any questions or want any further information about anything, please email us at {wholesale @ buzz and bloom dot com}

Thanks again for all of your continued support, we've still got a few blog posts from our DT, so scroll down to see their latest projects.

xx Devorah

Buzz and Bloom is Closing

Since it's beginnings in 2003, Buzz and Bloom has operated as a small part of a family-owned company. Over the years we've seen many 'versions' of the business. We've done many things... starting with albums, moving into unmounted rubber stamps, a retail webstore, introducing chipboard to our range, going wholesale only, taking our range to CHA and winning first prize in the Innovations Showcase for our denim and cord products and so much more...

It's time again for a change. Buzz and Bloom as we know it is currently closed. In the wake of the illness of one of our family members/directors of the company, we are focusing our resources into other areas of the company. So we're closing our manufacturing and wholesale business for now.

We want to thank everyone out there for supporting us. Whether you love our products and scrap with them, or whether you are one of our customers who has our products on your shelves, and anyone else who applied for our dedsign team, reads our blog, follows our tweets and gets involved in any other way. Thank you all so much for all that you have done for Buzz and Bloom.

Our Design Team has been truly amazing. Keep watching this blog for the final submissions from this year's design team and any future news.

If you are interested in getting your hands on any of our remaining (unpackaged) stock, we have opened an eBay store.

Thanks again to each and every one of you for your support.

Devorah and Mark

New Release Products!

We're proud to present to you, the latest additions to our product range! We've added twelve new products in Chipboard. There are borders, buttons, butterflies & more. 

Go to the New Products section to see them all together, or have a look through the Chipboard category to see them in and amongst the rest of the range. 

XX Div & Mark

Tabbed Book Kit Competition Winner!

So, we ran a competition to see who could create the best project with our ever-popular Tabbed Book Kits. We asked you to post your entries on our Flickr page. The winner of this $250rrp stash of Buzz and Bloom swag is flickr user sindywong. Congratulations! We love what you've done with the Tabbed Book Kit - Hearts!!

If that's you, please email me at blog @ buzzandbloom dot com with your address, because I've got a box of goodies with your name on it! 

xx Div

NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!!

That's right, we've given our website a complete, extreme makeover!!!

Go have a look - www.buzzandbloom.com

Please note that all previous blog posts which link to products on our website will now be broken... sorry, but if you are looking for a product, just use the search function on the website... it'll find it if you're not looking for a discontinued product.

Tell us what you think of it in the comments...

XX Div & Mark

December Project - Sewing

Here we are! This is the last design team project for 2009!

The design team was challeneged to make a project with our fabulous denim and cord products. The catch was it had to put together with stiches! This challenge really got the girls thinking and we love the results!

If you're in need of some last minute gift ideas, be sure to keep an eye on us in the next 24 hours! With these great ideas, we'll have your last minute gift and stocking stuffers wrapped up just in time! Phew!

November Project: Color Challenge

This Month the design team was given a color challenge!

We asked them to create a piece of art using their favorite Buzz and Bloom products as well as this color combo!

Summer-y citrus brights with steele grey:

This Month the design team was given a color challenge!

We asked them to create a piece of art using their favorite Buzz and Bloom products as well as this color combo!

Summer-y citrus brights with steele grey:

Check out the amazing ideas from the design team and then try it out yourself!

Remember to upload a picture to our Flickr group with your creations!

And while you're there, remember all creation uploaded before December 31st 2009 using our Chipboard Tabbed Book Kits have a chance at winning a $250 prize pack full of Buzz and Bloom goodies!

xx Buzz and Bloom

Introducing the 2010 Buzz and Bloom Design Team

Meet the team...

Cookie Aguilar (NSW, AUS)

Lexi Bridges (MO, USA)

Arlene Camacho (NY, USA)

Mia Caniza (PHILIPPINES)

Lynette Davis (VA, USA)

Pauline (Polinka) Dirrig (FRANCE)

Nina Granzien (QLD, AUS)

Bjay Jaminal (PHILIPPINES)

Jennifer Findlay (MI, USA)

Skye Johnson (VIC, AUS)

Tanisha Long (NJ, USA)

Kellie Lusted (TAS, AUS)

Janis Medina (PHILIPPINES)

Gina Rodgers (TAS, AUS)

Sophie Sim (NSW, AUS)

Gaby Alcantara (MEXICO)

Pippa Waddell (WA, AUS)

Keandra Perkins-Willis (LA, USA)

Jodie Zebra (NSW, AUS)

They are a very talented bunch and we are very excited to have them on board. 2010 is going to be a great year and we know these gals are going to inspire and delight us with their work!

I've linked each girl's name with their blog so you can get to know them before they start posting here in the new year! In the meantime, keep reading for more inspiration from the 2009 design team, who will still be posting some amazing projects till the end of this year!

Welcome to the Buzz and Bloom family girls!

XX Buzz and Bloom

2010 Design Team - Applications now open!

Announcing our Design Team Call for 2010

We are looking for a fresh crop of designers to be on our design team for the upcoming new year.

If you think you've got what it takes, and you're interested in applying here's what to do:

Email us the following information:
Your name, email address, phone number and address.
A link to your blog and/or on-line gallery.Previous or current design team / teaching experience. Information on any published work.

Please also include a little bit about yourself and your life, as well as detailing your experience with scrapbooking, your style, favorite products or techniques, and give us a good idea of who you are and what kind of artist you are.

Along with this email, please attach images of four of your best or favorite layouts or projects.

Write a sample blog post for two of the four layouts.Your job as a member of our Design Team will be as much about writing posts on our blog as it will be about designing projects with our products. We want to see how you present your projects in writing. Each sample post should include details of techniques used, products used and should also give us a glimpse of your personality.The use of our products is not a requirement. We will accept submissions which include off the page projects, however we have a limit of one per application.

Successful applicants will be required to submit:

3 projects per month, including drafting of blog posts for each project & occasional additional artwork for catalogs, trade shows and new product releases

You will receive product packs in the mail every two months.

email your application to [email protected] with subject "2010 DT Application". Applications close 31st October.

Looking forward to seeing some amazing talents!!

xx Div

*** ETA: This Design Team call is open to anyone, in any country.