Sunday Serenade with Jamie of The Shoppe

As promised during Spring Bloggiesta, I've brought back the Sunday Serenade ~where innovators in the bookish blogging world are highlighted and 'serenaded.' Beginning with a book blogger close to my heart, Jamie of Books and Beverages. Together we have served on the Inspys Advisory Board for three years {if memory serves me correctly 😉 } Not only a lovely lady, Jamie is a prolific blogger and idea-creator. Between running TWO successful blogs, featuring the Inklings & their works on her blog, starting a podcast about the Inklings and creating a bookish line of products for her latest project - The Shoppe it's a wonder Jamie has time for her full-time job!

A couple of my favorite items from The Shoppe are the Book Blogger Planner and the keychain with the famous Tolkien quote "Not all who wander are lost." {Starting with my oldest daughter several years ago, I've given each of my children a unique & inspiring quote on a keychain. I gave this keychain to my youngest and only son. To say it is appropriate for him would be such an understatement!}

So thrilled to share with you my good friend and fellow book blogger: Jamie from Books and Beverages!

Thanks so much for featuring The Shoppe Stacy! I'm so happy to join in, especially since I love your blog and working with you on all the bookish awesomeness!Very happy to have you join us, Jamie! Tell us about The Shoppe and how it came to be.It seems like ideas just kind of pop up in my life. I didn't really plan on opening a store when I started looking for a better planner, but as life often takes different turns than expected, that's what happened!I was searching for a planner for my blogging, but didn't find anything specifically geared toward book bloggers. I found myself having to create my checklist and so I looked into getting one custom made. As the process moved forward, I thought it would be great to offer this to my fellow book bloggers. Thus bringing about The Shoppe!Then I thought it would be fun to offer more than planners and I started chatting with designers and Etsy shop owners and it just took off. I love it and can't wait to expand the collections!Most everyone wants to monetize their blog, but I see that you plan to donate a portion of the proceeds earned to several charities. How did that decision come about? Which charities do you support with proceeds from The Shoppe?To go way back :), it came from my parents. They are truly some of the most generous people I know on the planet and have inspired me in so many ways, especially my faith. I want to follow Jesus' example of loving people and my parent's ways in all the work I do. When I started The Shoppe, I thought it would be awesome to donate to places that are helping all over the world and working with all kinds of people. Here's the organizations I donate to:World Vision's work with refugees (Find out more here)It's one small step I can do to make the world a better place and I'm all for that :).
You are very impressive lady, Jamie! How did you come up with the items to include in The Shoppe? Do you have a favorite must-have item?After the book blogger planner came about, I knew I wanted to have something related to the Inklings because I have what you call a "minor" obsession with all things C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. I connected with a designer, shared some of my favorite quotes from the books (and even a couple from the movies) and let her work her magic.Since I have a background in photography and love playing around on photoshop, I thought having postcards (and later prints) of some of my favorite bookish quotes would be fun, so I worked on those. The other items were from Etsy connections and I loved getting to work with them!As far as favorites? Can I say all of them? I love my planner, I definitely have an iPad case, the keychains turned out so awesome and the magnetic bookmarks are lifesavers because I lose bookmarks ALL the time!You've accomplished so much in the past year. What do you envision next for The Shoppe?I would definitely love The Shoppe to continue to grow and to connect with even more fellow readers. I recently started an Instagram account specifically for the blog and Shoppe because I love chatting books and meeting new people!I have a new item coming real soon (should be in the next week) that I'm super excited for! It'll celebrate books, but also beverages. That's all I'll say for now, but seriously, cannot wait.I also plan on a new collection featuring the lovely Ms. Austen. I have some of my favorite quotes collected and am working on creating the vision. I can't wait because who doesn't love Jane?! Also, if you have some quote suggestions, I'd love to hear them!Exile International and their amazing work with rescued child soldiers in Central and East Africa. (Find out more here)Thanks again so much and thanks for reading! Here's where you can find me around the web!
Shoppe: http://booksandbeveragestheshoppe.bigcartel.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jamielynne82?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamielynne82
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/books.and.beverages/
Compassion's work with students and education (Find out more here)
Children's Hunger Fund work to help kids in America and around the globe with supplies they need to go to school. (Find out more here)
Mocha Club's Action Project. (Find out more here)

See why I think Jamie is such a wonder! Giving, gracious and humble, that's Jamie. I can also attest to the products in the Books and Beverages Shoppe - the usefulness, beauty and timelessness are of top quality design and manufacturing. Plus Jamie's a sweetheart to work with! If you've never visited Books and Beverages, the blog, I can promise you that you'll either learn a new interesting fact about The Inklings or add more books to your TBR piles!