If you are a bride, or know a bride, who is looking for a one of a kind hair piece, something that isn’t mass produced and found in every bridal salon across the East Coast, for your special day, let me introduce you to? Tracy Williams. Tracy is the owner and designer, of My Sis Designs.? She has created a custom line of sparkling tiaras, hair pins, combs and jewelry for men & women.? All items are handcrafted using only the highest quality crystals, pearls, and other fine materials.? Her products are perfect for brides, proms and other formal events.

Tell me a little bit about the meaning behind the name of your business:

My sister Jenny, my sister in laws, mother, mother-inlaw, and friends are my support systems so it is short for “my sisters”.

Please explain a little bit more about your product and how you developed the concept behind it:

Being creative all my life, due to the influence of my creative father, I pursued graphic design, graduated college and was fortunate to get a job as a designer for a Fortune 500 company in 1999. Time passed and I felt I was “losing myself” in the big company. I volunteered my design services for various community events to tap that unused creativity.

A few years later, my sister-in-law purchased a handcrafted pendant for her wedding and fortunately for me was too much for her dress. I offered to buy it from her and once she gave it to me, I looked at it and thought, “geez… I could have made this!” SO, here I was 7 months pregnant and determined to make one. I took the day off for my birthday rode the train to NYC, and so it began! … designing and hand making hair accessories and jewelry. I also provide custom design services for printed materials such as invitations, announcements, you name it!

Can you explain a little bit about your inspiration behind each piece and how you come up with their “names”:

I like to learn a little about a person before I make a hair piece. I ask them about thier style and things that they like and translate that into a tangible headpiece or piece of jewelry. I work with the person to match a dress or make it completely unique. Recently I let my customers know that would also be able to integrate items that they already have, like great-grandma’s broken stand of pearls. No reason why those pearls should sit in a jewelry box to never be used! Plus most of my designs can be re-used… for instance tiaras can be converted to necklaces and sometimes bracelets! I really would hate for someone to pay money for something for it to be worn for Halloween or sit in a box never to be seen again. I decided I would name my tiaras after “my sisters” / my friends as they are my inspiration. When I make something new for someone I name it after them!

(Is there a “MELISSA” hair piece in the works )

This was one of my personal favorite pieces.?? Not only because it is beautiful, but it actually can be worn after the “Big Day.”? After wearing it as a hair piece, it can easily be converted into a necklace.?? At least something can be worn again after the wedding, not like you can get away wearing bridal shoes again

Is there anything exciting in the works that we can look forward to?

At this time, I just had an advertisement put into a wedding magazine that is trying to get the Hudson valley involved more. I am also putting together more pieces to put out on my Etsy site that are non bridal so that something can be found for everyone!

What is the hardest part or has been some of your struggles starting your own business?

Time, time, time! Who has it? …especially working full time with two young children! Though I would also say a struggle is knowing you have a great product and not getting it out there. I have high hopes and know I have a great product to share with everyone, especially since I can say it is all made with

Rather than a single hair piece, these are individuals hairpins, explain how they work:

The hairpins I create are a nice way to create a customized effect in your hair. They can be placed individually in your hair wherever you place them! So really you could put one into a pony tail, a couple into a bun, three or more in front of an updo, or even dispersed inside the updo!
And don’t forget, they can be different colors, styles, materials, so the possibilities are endless and up to you. An added bonus, you can use them for a formal event or day to day!

Where can we purchase your produces:

Check out my Etsy site at www.mysisdesigns.com

Any special perks for blog stalkers of Surprise Photography:

Anyone who mentions this blog that makes a purchase will get 10% off! PLUS, if you spend over $100 you get a free pair of earrings ($20 value!) BONUS!

Ok, lets get personal:

Tell me about your family, kids, hubby, pets:
I am married to my husband Jason. Our fifth wedding anniversary is coming up this October! I have two beautiful boys, Braden 2 and Holden 9 months. Pets, well we have a lot. Before we had kids we adopted quite a few kitties, bunnies, a couple dogs… so it is quite the “zoo”.
What is your ideal thing to do on a lazy weekend with the family?

Walk around in the neighborhood in the wagon and go swimming at grandma and grandpas! Just hanging out, playing, and dancing around the house with my boys is a joy.

Favorites:

Reality Show: American Idol
Favorite online shopping: No preference, just like to shop in general!
Can’t live without item: Vacuum – Sick huh? I have that Dyson Animal, when you have that many animals something needs to be done about the hair! Next to that, it is not really an item, but a nice QUIET shower with no interruptions.

How do you balance your business and your family?

Do I? Really there are times I am not sure I do, but as they get older it can only get better.

Anything additional to share:

I am thinking of what I would want to send to you… it could be anything really. I am in the process of creating nursing necklaces for Jen so maybe something like that would work. If not I am up for anything!

www.mysisdesigns.com