Homewood-based interior designer works nationwide

By CRAIG KLEIMEYER

Interior designer Tammy Connor. Photo courtesy of Jean Allsopp.

Tammy Connor grew up rearranging her room in as many ways as she could. Today she arranges homes for clients across the country from her business, Tammy Connor Interior Design, on Oxmoor Road.

The apartment she is currently working on in New York City will soon be added to her list of completed projects: a cabin in Tennessee; an apartment in Chicago; and houses in Pennsylvania, Charlottesville, Virg., and Winter Park, Colo.

Paper and parties: Pinwheel Press

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

Samples of Pinwheel Press Christmas cards. Photos by Anna Cate Little.

When two former Southern Progress graphic designers come together to start a business, a creative enterprise is sure to emerge. In its second year of production, Pinwheel Press is delivering fresh, charming stationery and gifts to customers as far away as Australia and Asia. And it all began right here in Homewood.

“We did a show in May that was a big success and another show in July in Trussville that was also a big success,” said Pinwheel Press Co-owner Dawn Curtis of Homewood.

From calling cards, labels and notecards to invitations, banners and cupcake flags, Pinwheel Press knows two things very well: paper and parties. For the holiday season, the company offers 36 Christmas card designs as well as unique gifts such as kids’ laminated placemats. Also available are personalized sticky tags for gifts as well as a stationery gift pack that includes eight notecards, 24 enclosures and 24 labels (for $30).

An October Open House gave the business a jump start on holiday orders, but more importantly, it gave customers a chance to “see and touch and feel the cards,” said Co-Owner Lauren Wade of Bluff Park.

Pinwheel Press co-owners Lauren Wade and Dawn Curtis.

Arden Photography: Enterpreneur Spotlight

By ASHLEY BERKERY

International photographer Arden Ward. Photo courtesy Arden Photography.

With just one click of her camera, she captures memories that last a lifetime. Whether walking a rose petal-lined aisle or a ruby red carpet, Arden Ward’s brides and clients shine like stars in their photographs.

Her celebrity portfolio includes the likes of Southern Queen, Paula Deen, Dancing with the Stars contestant and NFL football player Hines Ward, President Barack Obama, New York Giants player Justin Tuck, former President George P. Bush, Taylor Hicks and Nicole Ritchie.

A Homewood resident, Arden began her career shooting images with her prized Leica camera at her mother’s ballet studio, capturing graceful movements of the dancers. It was there at an early age that she learned to anticipate the shot and pay attention to lines and details.

Pat-a-Cakes Keepsakes: Entrepreneur Spotlight

By ANNA CATE LITTLE

Cathleen Crunk with daughter Mary Hinson and Emily Heide with daughter Ginny Grace. Photo by Anna Cate Little.

Drive through any Homewood neighborhood and you’re sure to spot a blue or pink bow affixed to a mailbox. On March 20, a pink bow appeared at the home of Cathleen and Jason Crunk, Edgewood parents who welcomed their second baby girl on the first day of spring. Now, Birmingham parents have a chance to create a keepsake for their child’s birth that will last long beyond the mailbox bow.

Crunk and Forest Park mom Emily Heide have recently collaborated to launch a charming new business. “Pat-A-Cakes Keepsakes” are custom ceramic impressions of a child’s hands and feet, lovingly fired, painted and hung with ribbon—to create a wonderful memory of those tots who seem to grow up way too fast. In a city where births are so prevalent, these “cakes” make the perfect gift or memento for parents, grandparents or anyone who treasures those precious fingers and toes.

Custom ceramic impressions of children’s hands and feet make for perfect keepsakes and gifts. Photo by Anna Cate Little.