Fab Vendor Monday-{Lola Blue Shop}
Erika contacted me to let me know about her etsy shop! She creates some fun invitation designs and other coordinating paper products. Check her out below!
Name: Erika Batista
Company Name: Lola Blue Shop
Website: www.lolablueshop.etsy.com
Established: Oct 2009
Employees: Self
Pricing: $3.00-$4.25 per invitation. Seating charts and matching paper goods vary in price.
Serving areas: USA and Canada
Services offered: Custom invitations and paper goods for all occasions.
How did you get started in your business?
I designed and created my own pocket fold wedding invitations back in November 2008, less than a year later I designed my cousin’s Sweet 16 circus themed invitations, friends and family loved them, so I decided to do some researching for ways to sell my designs. A lot of my work is through referrals but I am trying to get more and more people to order through my shop.
How long have you been doing it?
I signed up with Etsy in September 2009 but I didn’t start posting listings until October. It was very slow at first because I had to do research on how to promote and be active on Etsy. I would say I have been actively selling and promoting since January 2010.
Describe your style.
When I design I like to think of what I would like for my event, of course taking into account my client’s theme. I consider my style fashionable, unique and pretty. I take inspiration from colors I wear and fashion magazines, even though these are invitations and not a piece of clothing, I like to think of them as a fashion “accessory” for your event.
Do you do have any other jobs?
Yes. I currently work full time as an accounts manager, I am responsible for Accounts Payable and Receivable. But my passion, is design. I love my part time job, it is what drives. I easily spend hours on hours designing and creating. I hope to one day be able to work on my shop full time.
What else would you be doing for a living?
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved colors, painting, designing – it takes me to a whole other world. I enjoy it very much. If I wasn’t designing invitations, I would be designing shoes and clothes 
What is something that few people know about you?
One of my life long dreams is to become a mom. I am very family oriented and family is very important to me. Having a family and being a great mom, I would say, is one of my most important goals.
Do you have any advice to offer engaged couples or those planning a special event?
Yes. Don’t leave anything for the last minute! Second, if you want to have something at your wedding or special event, GET IT! You will regret not having it later. And third, visit my shop I can design your invitations and matching coordinates especially for you
Would you like to say anything about your friends at Creative Custom Card Boxes?
Yes, thank you for the inspiration I know that you also started as a fellow NJ board “knottie” who made your business from designing your own wedding card box. I hope to one day be as successful and popular as you.
Have anything else to share with our readers?
If you don’t see something you like or have another theme or idea in mind for your event, please note that all you have to do is email me. I will try my best to fit your needs. I design not only invitations but also, seating charts, favor tags, table numbers, wedding invitations, etc… Due to my demanding full time job I don’t post wedding invitation listings on my shop but I do them for referrals, so if you want something unique that no one else has, email me and I can make a design for youcr according to your theme and olor scheme.
What beautiful cards Erika creates! Thanks for sharing her shop and her story.