STATEN ISLAND, NY - ANNADALE - For the past four years, Christine Wilkins has been handcrafting custom wedding invitations and seating charts from home. It's been a labor of love for her business, The September Rose.
With business continually expanding, it was time for Ms. Wilkins to branch out, however. In July, she did just that, opening up her first storefront at 16 Jefferson Blvd., in Annadale.
"It used to be a barbershop," she said, of the small, but charming, place her business now calls home.
When entering the immaculate store, it's hard to find a spot for your eye to settle on, as Ms. Wilkins' beautiful designs are displayed in every corner. From wedding invitations, to Sweet 16 seating charts, and babies' birth announcements, Ms. Wilkins offers it all when it comes to paper products.
Now, having more space, she'll also be handcrafting centerpieces, favors, money holders, baby clothes and jewelry.
"I was always into art," said Ms. Wilkins, who went to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan.
Word-of-mouth recommendations have contributed to most of Ms. Wilkins' expansion. She's started to advertise more locally by taking out ads out in church bulletins and signing up for several bridal expos. She's also hooked up with a few catering halls; The September Rose will come highly recommended by the Florentine Gardens in River Vale, N.J., for example.
"People come back," said Ms. Wilkins, noting that she gets invited to many of her clients' weddings. "I become friends with my customers. I build relationships with them. I think it's nice to know they can call me, and I'll be available."
Ms. Wilkins resides a couple of blocks from The September Rose, with her husband and two daughters, Ella Rose, 7 and Grace, 5. (The business was named after Ella, who was born in September. The name Rose has a special meaning to her family, said Ms. Wilkins).
With the help of her two assistants, Marissa Cohen and Kim Martinez, Ms. Wilkins ensures each order will be completed to her customers' satisfaction.
"I do free personal consultations, and I work within a person's style and budget," she said. "Customers tell me their vision and I will make it for them. Everything is unique and everything is made by hand."
Upon meeting a new client, Ms. Wilkins makes several samples based on their ideas. Once an invitation is finalized, Ms. Wilkins will print from the three "massive printers" in her home, adding any embellishments and finishing touches by hand.
"On average, the whole process, from start to finish, takes six months," she said, so the sooner a prospective client meets with her, the better.
Looking around the room at the intricate details of the invitations on display, like pearls, diamonds, ribbon or peacock feathers, the time and dedication spent on each one is apparent.
And, while Ms. Wilkins will tell you she "fell into" this business, it's obvious she more than found her niche.
"It's really the best thing that's ever happened to me," she said.
For more information, call Ms. Wilkins at 718-966-6636, or send her an e-mail at
. You can also visit her Web site at
.