CANDY WASHINGTON

WRITER | PRODUCER | ACTOR | MANIFESTATION + SELF-LOVE MUSE

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GBK's 2016 Golden Globes Celebrity Gift Lounge Breakout Star: The Artisan Group

Candy Washington2 Comments

Hi lovelies,

Awards season is officially in full swing and one of my favorite events to attend is the GBK Golden Globes Celebrity Gift Lounge. It's always a day full of fun, decadence, luxury, and catching up some of the coolest people in TV and film. 

For the latest in fashion, jewelry, and accessory design, I always head to where the Artisan Group has set up shop. It's one of my favorite parts of the event and uncovering all of the fashionable goodies inside the gift bag is reason enough to attend. 

Check out below to see what was inside my Artisan Group Celebrity Gift Bag:

GBK's Emmys Celebrity Gifting Suite: The Artisan Group

Candy Washington7 Comments

Hi lovelies,

It's no secret that one of my absolute favorite experiences during the GBK's Emmys Celebrity Gifting Suite stopping by the Artisan Group booth. They never disappoint with the loveliest handcrafted jewelry, bath and beauty, and fashion designs. 

Check out the brands below that were featured in this year's gift bag:

About the Artisan Group:
The Artisan Group® is a premiere entertainment marketing organization, and we are on a mission to introduce Hollywood to the best of the handcrafted movement

We do it by providing owners of artisan businesses the chance to introduce their products to celebrities, industry leaders, VIPs, and members of the press through participation in celebrity gift lounges such as those honoring The Academy Awards*, The Golden Globes* and The Primetime Emmys*. 

Because The Artisan Group takes a collaborative approach to participation in these lounges, a marketing opportunity that would be prohibitively expensive for most small companies becomes surprisingly affordable.

Members of The Artisan Group showcase an array of handcrafted products, including jewelry; bath and spa products; designer stationery and paper goods; crocheted and knitted accessories; clutches, purses and totes; hand-poured candles; hand-bound books and journals; illustrations and paintings; fine art photography; hair accessories; and pet accessories and toys.

Since 2011, our experienced event representatives have acted as spokespersons and ambassadors for countless artists at Hollywood's top gift lounges, with fantastic results. Because they know and trust us, most celebrities will pose for a professional photo with our artisans’ products.

Gifting celebrities is a great way to get your product noticed but often overlooked are members of the press and industry leaders. Not at The Artisan Group! At most gift lounges, as many as 50 members of the press will attend—including ABC NewsAOL BeautyThe Style NetworkThe Huffington PostE! NewsLife & Style MagazineTigerBeatSplash MagazinesFox and MSNBC. They are looking for the next 'big thing' to write about and we are there to help, offering specially prepared Press Bags that are designed to grab their attention.

We are also on-point with courting key industry executives, directors, set decorators, celebrity stylists, talent managers, producers, and buyers—because they love their swag too, and are often generous endorsers.

To date, The Artisan Group has placed over 300 artisan products, created by our members, on over 25 hit television shows.

The Artisan Group also offers members guidance in sales, marketing, social media and public relations. 

articipation in The Artisan Group is by invitation only. The result is an exclusive, close-knit community of talented artisans who exhibit excellence of product (appropriate size-wise for gifting), great product photography, impressive branding and online presence on social media, and an established online sales record.

Does that describe you? Apply here.

Want to see what The Artisan Group® members are creating? Check out our Official Pinterest Boards. There you’ll find a wide array of products that have been handcrafted by The Artisan Group members for our many celebrity gifting opportunities.

GBK's 2015 MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge

Candy Washington1 Comment

Hi lovelies,

True to fabulous form, the GBK 2015 MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Gift Lounge did not disappoint. Held at the coveted Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel from April 10-11th, film and TV actors, actresses, musicians, and personalities, enjoyed mixing and mingling with press, media, and other celebs while drinking Bare Organic Mixers, a certified organic, low calorie mixer, and Nuvino Wine, a creative, award-winning and innovative single serve wine.

The event’s presenting sponsor was LifeCell, an all-in-one anti-aging treatment formulated to target every aspect of aging skin, and they are a leader in cruelty-free and high quality anti-aging skincare. Attendees also received sought-after gift bags that included luxury, trendy, and lifestyle gifts.

The breakout brand of the event was definitely the Artisan Group. This is one of my favorite stops during the event because they always have an array of handcrafted gifts from jewelry, beauty, home décor, fashion, and lifestyle designers. This event's stand-outs were:

  • Lorelei Vella

  • Helen's Adornments

  • Bead Lovers Korner

  • River Valley Designs

  • Estylo Jewelry

  • Serafina Fae

  • Becs Beach Feet

  • Designs By Diane

  • Nature with You

  • Serum No. 5 Love Lacquer

  • Little Hill Jewelry

  • One Tribe Jewelry

  • Leetie Lovendale

  • Alyce n Maille

  • Delia's Delight Jewelry

  • Starletta Designs

  • Andrea Designs

  • Soapy Bliss

  • Jewelry by Anju Khanna

  • Red Garnet Studio

  • Great Rock Moon

  • Villian Accessories

  • Glitterfied Nails

  • Hecho Por Liz

  • Bashful Owl

  • Rosy Toes Designs

Additional gifts and sponsors included: Grande Naturals, Celebrity Trainer Lalo Fuentes, CSCS who gifted 3 personal training sessions, Savee Couture, Bible LA, Eye Candy of Beverly Hills, Dara Ettinger, M the Movement, Nerf Rebelle, Naughty Girls Donut Shop, CeBlue Villas & Beach Resort, Boulevard Hospitality Group, and Caribbean Living Magazine.

In the spirit of giving back, the event also highlighted the charitable organizations Alfalit International (alfalitInternational.org), a non-profit organization that provides literacy programs for the underserved in the US and internationally, Lambda Legal (lambdalegal.org), whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy advocacy.

2015 GBK's Golden Globes Celebrity Gift Lounge

Candy Washington1 Comment

Hi lovelies,

One of my favorite things about Award Season is all of the fun parties, soirees, beauty booths, fashion events, and gifting suites. GBK's Golden Globes Celebrity Gift Lounge held at the W Hotel Hollywood did not disappoint this year and had something every celeb and Golden Globe nominee would love.

Pilot Pen, which offers state-of-the-art writing instruments and is famously known for their innovative designs, performance, quality, and customer satisfaction, featured their Vanishing Point fountain pen that is retractable and the FriXion Clicker Erasable Gel Ink 8 Pack Pouch that is changing the game in erasable pen technology.

See below for the breakout brands at the event:

The Artisan Group: The Artisan Group is a privately curated community of skilled artisans, young and old, and from around the world. Some of my favorite gifts included pieces from Studio Jewel by Lisa Lehmann, Four Black Paws, Helen's Adornmments, Nature's Splendour, Beaded by Sandra, Smokey Mountain Lacquers, Megs Broken Wings, Ophelia Jaine, Blvd. Cosmetics, Estylo Jewelry, Pure Lather, Naked Planet Jewelry, Boy Cherie, Brosily Bath and Body, Katie Vaz DesignEllison's Organics, and SassyBelleWares.

Westland Jewelry: Meeting the beauty and the brains behind Westland Jewelry, Melissa Corre, was simply a pleasure at the event. I'm obsessed with the gold rings that I was gifted and I can't wait to get more pieces to add to my collection. Made locally in LA, each collection consists of wearable art consisting of sculptural pieces created by freehand with unique textures, details, waxes, and metals.

My Candy Basket: For a yummy and healthy treat, My Candy Basket lets you create your own basket full of treats ranging from white pearl gumballs, swiss petit fruits, chocolate covered raisins, diamond truffles, and more. Even the design of the basket, paper, trims, and color palette are hand-selected and crafted for their clients.

Brave Chick: One of my favorite booths was definitely Brave Chick. I wanted every single piece that was on display of beautifully designed and crafted rings, bracelets, and necklaces. However, what I was even more impressed by than just the pretty pieces was Brave Chick's mission to inspire and promote women's strength, individuality, and authenticity – a portion of its proceeds goes to charities that support marginalized girls and women.

Burke Williams: I was definitely spoiled during my complimentary massage provided by Burke Williams during the event. My arms, shoulders, and back melted while I was in the chair and I cannot wait to go to the spa and enjoy even more pampering. You can treat yourself to cutting-edge beauty and body products sold at the spa to get the star treatment at-home.

Bare Organic Mixers: Move over Skinny Girl, the new cocktails on the scene are the yummy concoctions mixed with Bare Organic Mixers. You can make organic, low-calorie, and gluten-free drinks from Margaritas, Pom Cran Cosmos, Pom Tequila-tinis, Old Fashioneds, Mimosas, to Lemon Drops and more.

SHEEX: SHEEX lets you sleep on the world's first performance fabric sheets. Inspired by athletes, SHEEX helps you get your beauty rest so you are picture perfect for your close-up or ready to face any day well-rested and energized.

Beyond the Rack: As an actor and fashion writer, one thing I love to do is shop and discover new fashion finds to change up my look and wardrobe. Beyond the Rack offers everything from clothes, home décor, beauty, shoes, and fashion from top designer name brands at up to 80% off. I'm ready to nab a new statement necklace, little black dress, sparkly purse, and heels for a girl's night on the town.

Creeper Crawlers: I am beyond stoked to send my 9-month old niece the pink onesie I scored from Creeper Crawlers during the event. Creeper Crawlers is the first brand to create development clothing for babies with its patented “Easy Grip Crawl Suit” which features tiny gripper bugs on the feet and knees to provide the optimal amount of traction on today's floor surfaces that lets your baby crawl around easily and safely.