I’m thankful for…
I have so much to be thankful for. If I had to list all of the blessings God has given me, they would easily fill up numerous pages of this silly blog. But as I take time to reflect on the past 12 years of my life, I’d like to thank some very special people who have helped make this little company what it is today.
Okay… what college guy do you know that would give up most of his weekends to travel around Michigan doing art fairs with his girlfriend? Steve unfailingly was there in good weather and bad, great shows and sleepers, early morning set-ups and late night crafting sessions.
People often ask, "How is it working with your husband everyday?" Doing the art show circuit together is some of the best pre-marital counseling out there. After that, the rest is truly a breeze.
Today he’s still helping out with the ‘grunt work’, now it’s just behind a desk dealing with the everyday business that needs to be taken care of (including lugging goods to and from the stores – some things never change)
Danielle first joined the a.i. paper design crew in 2002 to help make our frames and albums… but in the matter of 6 months, we knew she had the moxie to help catching fireflies take flight. As our very first store manager, she set the bar for the level of customer service you’ve come to expect at our whimsical gift gallery. In fact, I believe she is one of the big reasons we were voted Best Gift Shop by the Hour Detroit readers this year.
It’s very evident that Danielle cares about catching fireflies as much as Steve and I do. That is a rare thing in today’s world of business and we are truly grateful for her enduring loyalty and dedication.
Another question I often get asked is, "How do you have time to make all your own products?" Well… I don’t – and that’s where our wonderful studio manager, Todd comes into the picture. He came on board in 2003 and makes sure all our handmade wares look their very best.
It’s definitely a full time job keeping track of over 200 designs, 20 eaves troughs of ribbon spools, 16 large shelves of handmade paper, numerous stacks of stained wood bases and countless drawers of various beads, buttons, charms and findings… not to mention making sure all the orders from our 800+ wholesale accounts are filled on a daily basis.
Todd is a true pro when it comes to juggling all these responsibilities and takes pride in every a.i. paper design product as if it was his own.
Dena rejoined our family in 2006 as our Rochester catching fireflies manager and we’re so happy to have her back. Believe it or not, she is the one who encouraged me to start doing craft shows back when we worked together in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
Throughout the years she has helped us make our goods from time to time while also maintaining her very own handmade business. Her creative flair and eye for looking at things in a different light can definitely be seen throughout the Rochester store.
Dena’s zest for life, caring attitude and love for all things fun and unique couldn’t be a better match for our whimsical gift gallery.
Sara is our most recent addition, coming on board in the fall of 2006. We still haven’t officially given her ‘title’ yet because she does so many different things like… answering our phones, updating data bases, mailing out catalogs, photographing and writing descriptions for the products on the website, pulling web orders, writing press releases, designing advertisements-labels-postcards and this beautiful new a.i. paper design wholesale catalog -I could go on…
Needless to say, she has been an amazing asset to a.i. paper design and catching fireflies. Steve affectionatley calls her ‘little April’, because like me, when given and idea or project – she immediately runs with it and always gives it her all.
Thanks to these wonderful five faces and the rest of our hard working staff, our company continues to thrive and grow every year.
love lazy gal’s goods
Meet Martha Bishop… a.k.a. Lazy Gal from Williamston, Michigan. She creates fabulous scarves, pillows and quilts from recycled sweaters. 
A portion of her artist statement reads, "My studio is in my kitchen, so I can sew and cook at the same time. I love combining the old and the new. I use thrown-out sweaters–this lets me make something out of nothing. And I get to go to thrift stores, which combines business with pleasure! Sewing is fun because friends can get together to do it–what could be better? I like my circles because they look like cookies, donuts or candy. I think that’s why people like them." 
At the recent Ridge Art Show, I indulged in one of her cashmere patchwork scarves and bought numerous potholders that I plan on giving for Christmas gifts. I love finding gifts that are fun and handmade… plus they’re even recycled!
Pregnancy – January ’08
Today, track your pregnancy; one day, post your little one’s art projects. – a.i. paper design clip strip. Available at catchingfireflies.com
whistle your blues away
Just with one listen of this song… you’ll be whistling the tune all day long.
These handsome Swedish boys have my toes tappin… and the video is cute too.
A review reads, "On the Swedish trio’s third album, Writer’s Block, Peter Moren, Bjorn Yttling and John Erikkson offer up a full LP’s worth of the kind of bright, warm pop music that Scandinavia has been churning out like pickled herring the last few years. On "Young Folks," Moren and former Concretes singer Victoria Bergsman trade coy come-ons over a shuffling, pitter-patter beat and the most infectious whistling solo since "Patience." Writer’s Block is one of those albums where the songs seem familiar in a good way." – David Swanson
hip handmade goods at the ridge art show
A talented group of local artists are showcasing their wares for you to peruse and purchase for the upcoming holiday season.
Visit these lovely artists Nov. 16 & 17 – Friday 6-9 and Saturday 10-5.
It’s just a short drive from the Berkley catching fireflies, so if you’re coming out to our open house this Saturday, swing on by to see some of these sweet goods…
Jessica Doty
JoAnn Aquinto
Gretchen Kramp
cranbook house holiday table tour
Every year the historic Cranbrook House invites various designers to create festive table settings for their annual Holiday Tables Tour.
I was lucky enough to be asked and had great fun putting together a catching fireflies flavored table.
I affectionately named my table, Sundae Celebration. I crafted faux sundaes from Model Magic and put together candy-filled goody pails.
The hats and wands are handmade by another artist and will be available for purchase at the stores after this weekend. 
I created the giant paper lantern topiaries by wrapping LED Christmas lights around a pole, then slid the center of the lanterns over the pole and wired them in place.
There are over 20 different tables on display throughout this historic house. Public viewing hours are: November 16-18, Friday – Sunday from 10-4. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 248-645-3147 for more information. All ticket proceeds go towards the upkeeping of the Cranbook House.
hip holiday photo cards
Ahhhh… the beloved holiday photo card. Our stack of cute Christmas kiddies always seem to get larger every year. Most of them are the standard #10 postcard style, which are fine and dandy… but there are so many other wonderful options on this world wide web. Here are a few of my picks:
Simple and sweet with stats and all – Basically Cards
For a more formal flair – Petite Prints
A nice twist on the traditional – Tiny Prints
Capture up to five photos of your kiddies in action – 2 peas 1 pod
Step outside the box and deliver a useful bookmark instead – Ringo Baby
And my absolute favorite for you rock-n-rollers out there – Rattle-n-Roll (PLUS they’ll donate 100%* of the proceeds to the American Red Cross – San Diego Wildfires!)
Don’t forget a hip return address label to top off your slick send-out. – In Good Company Designs
Happy Holidays!
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holiday wishes from the c.f. misses
I really enjoy putting together our store’s window displays, but Christmas themed ones are always my favorite.
Next to a sleigh… this has to be the best way to deliver your holiday goodies. Watch out for this lovely lady biking around Rochester.
Looks like Miss Merry is hoping for a kiss from Santa under the mistletoe.
Building a super snowman is a cinch when you have this helpful ‘Build a Snowman Kit’.
dog-gone great window displays
One of my hobbies is admiring unique window displays. I’ve walked by this adorable new dog store, Teacups & Toys in Birmingham, MI a number of times and have always been impressed.
But this one is my favorite… Here the clown pooches are painting a cartoon bulldog head for the upcoming Detroit Thanksgiving Parade. 
Next frame… the dressed up doggies are watching a parade float pass by (pulled by a cute husky no less) – so super sweet!
getting into the swing
Oh these silly boys… I have to agree, we all need to dance a bit more.
A review reads, "The Kings of Convenience don’t stray too far from their basic formula of guitars, upright bass, twinkling piano, viola, cello and soft percussion in the background. It’s consistent and it works. Nevertheless, they’re smart enough to throw a banjo or a trumpet into the end of a song to keep things interesting. But, like Simon and Garfunkel, the hooks and melodies of the songs are created with the harmonizing voices, credited to Erlend and Eirik in the liner notes as “high voice” and “low voice”, respectively.
Just looking at the cover of the album gives you an indication of what you’re in for: two skinny white boys from Norway, dressed in autumn colors, planted in front of a chess board on a fluffy white rug. One is looking at a smirking brunette reading a hardcover book while the other stares right back at you . . .
It’s the type of music to listen to while drinking hazelnut cappuccinos and watching a rain shower from the porch. And, of course, playing chess." -Nick Mims
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