Friday Guest Blog Interview: Amy of Stem Parties!

I’m so excited for this Friday’s Guest Blog… Amy, founder of Stem Parties, is incredibly inspirational and has the biggest HEART of all. Her ideas and parties are clever & creative in that perfect DIY fashion! And her role as the Chief Event Organizer for Operation Shower deserves all of the accolades I can offer. This exceptional organization honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating unit-wide baby showers and “showers in a box” for pregnant or expecting military families in a deployment or high stress situation.

Stem Parties, a boutique event planning service in St. Louis, Missouri, originated from Amy’s love of party styling and entertaining and has transformed into a fabulous blog as well. A quick jump over proves that this designer was born to throw parties — peruse her recent events and you’ll see immediately how easy and effortlessly she pulls off incredible events! It’ll get the wheels upstairs turning!

You must read her answers to our four key questions… you won’t be disappointed! Follow the jump for the interview and pictures from her events, including more from Operation Shower.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

{PDB Interview with Amy of Stem Parties!}

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

What inspires your design style?

My style goal is to create event spaces that are full of details but never to the point of being fussy. So, as for inspiration, I lean toward clean and simple design elements. Anyone and anything that follows that style is usually where you’ll find me. Don’t get me wrong, I love overflowing and lush event spaces, but when it comes to actually creating event spaces, I generally narrow the focus and keep it simple. (At least I hope I succeed at that!)

And, of course, I’m sure it’s no secret to anyone reading this blog that the wonderfully talented and creative blog community is an endless source of inspiration as well!

What do you love most about what you do?

So many things come to mind, but if I had to choose one it would have to be when the guests start taking in all the little details that make up the overall event. Planning an event with detail is a way to let people know you think they are worth the effort. When that effort is appreciated and applauded, the real high is not the joy of them thinking you are so great for creating the event, but the joy of them knowing that you (or the hostess) think they are so great that you want everything to be perfect.

I have to borrow from my girl Chris’ answer from her interview here, too. I have made friends online with some of the most amazing people via doing this and that has really been such an added bonus.

What are your favorite design trends?

I’m not sure you can completely consider this a “design” trend, but I love the fact that there are more and more at home or small businesses cropping up into the online party landscape. Whether it is work-at-home moms, women and men leaving their day job to follow their passion, or people with full time jobs exploring their creative side in their spare time, there are SO many choices out there these days. Places like blogs, websites and Etsy are endless sources of shopping for creative and unique elements for events. Thank you, internet!

What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?

{1} If you don’t have time to do it all then do two or three things really, really well. We’re all busy so if time is not on your side, then don’t stress about not being able to do a million things. Your event will be a much bigger success if you have a few really great elements than if you have twenty mediocre ones.

{2} Stroll through the The Dollar Tree. Yes, The Dollar Tree. Much like perusing thrift stores for unexpected finds, I have found the most amazing “treasures” at The Dollar Tree. I guarantee no one will know you got certain items there unless you tell them. Some of my favorite finds and most asked about items are clear square glass candle holders I use repeatedly for small floral arrangement vases and colorful, rubbery shelf liner rolls I have used for table runners. They also have a great selection of removable wall stickers that can transform spaces without being permanent. I just recently used the “Once Upon A Time There Was A Princess…” wall sticker as a repeating table runner for a Princess Party. Trust me. The Dollar Tree is a party girl’s best friend.

{3} On that note above, don’t limit any item to its original use. Look at everything with “new” eyes. Wall stickers on your tables. Bowls and vases turned upside down and used as stands. Chalkboard paint just about anything and add your own flair to it. The sky is the limit if you just train yourself to look at everything not for what it was intended but for what it COULD be.

{4} I cheated…there is not a #4. I can’t end this though without telling you to remember to HAVE FUN!

Thank you, Amy!
bb
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Amy’s One Thing, Two Thing shower was featured at Hostess with the Mostess — it’s adorable! A big thank you to HWTM for several of these images.

Check out The Sweetest Thing shower pictures here:

And the Pretty-In-Pink party here!

Many more fabulous events… including a modern shower that I love here! Amy, you’re brilliant!