Blac Gurlz Ink – A Full Service Greeting Card Biz!

S. Opara, Owner - Blac Gurlz Ink Greeting Cards & Gifts

Blac Gurlz Ink is the brain child of Spring Opara. I am an American lesbian of African descent, who found that I could not find a greeting card, a print, a calendar, or bumper-sticker… that “authentically represented the diversity” of the LGBT community in general, nor the lesbian community, specifically.

Not being one to complain and a creative cookie, I launched Blac Gurlz Ink Greeting Cards, in December of 2008!

Blac Gurlz Ink is, NOT your ordinary greeting card business. We provide a full range of paper greeting and event items, as “in-stock” inventory or “custom” orders to suit your special occasion needs.  In addition to creating unique and authentic “premium” greeting cards, specifically designed with the LGBT consumer in mind, Blac Gurlz Ink also create gorgeous, 3-dimensional, “handcrafted,” couture greeting cards, for ALL occasions, which are so artistic they appeal to EVERYONE!

“See a Need…Fill a Need” ~Robots (the movie)

We are a full-service greeting card business and provide the following services:

• Custom Invitations
• Custom Event Announcements
• Custom Thank You Cards

Current Handcrafted, Couture Greeting Card Line
(Custom Ordering Available)

Birthdays	Baby Showers/Maternity
Weddings	Romance
Holidays Valentine’s Day Mother’s Day Father’s Day Halloween Thanksgiving Christmas Hanukkah and Kwanzaa	Seasonal Special Occasions – Anniversary, Graduation, Congratulation, etc. Pets

Blac Gurlz Ink’s handcrafted, couture greeting cards are also great for any industry professional who wants to add a more “personal” touch to their business interactions: i.e. Non-Profits, Real Estate Agents, Financial Services – a great way to close those BIG deals!

Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

Our handcrafted, couture line of greeting cards can be used as/for:

• Individual gift giving
• Fundraising/Raffles
• Donor/Funder Thank You cards
• Board Member Appreciation: birthday or anniversary
• Annual Event Announcements and Gift Bag Items
• Retreat “Swag”
• We even have greeting cards to celebrate your Pets!

Additionally, many of our designs make great PRINTS and are classy enough to be used in any home or office décor!!

The company’s name, Blac Gurlz Ink, was chosen because I and my former business partner are two, tattooed (inked), black lesbians and it was the most logical commonality we shared.  We felt it was important to ensure that everyone knew who was behind the scenes of this endeavor — two lesbians, who have a vision of providing “positive visibility” of the LGBT community, while filling a need.

Premium Greeting Card/Postcard Design

It is Blac Gurlz Ink’s intent to specialize in bringing quality greeting cards to the LGBT consumer, specifically, and to also produce greeting cards and gift items that appeal to ALL consumers!

Remember our motto – NOT your ordinary greeting card business!

We will continuously conduct “Calls for Submissions” and “Model Casting Calls” for future series that we will be creating to keep presenting “fresh,“ “authentic,” and “diverse” designs.

So Bookmark our website, subscribe to our blog, follow us on Facebook & Twitter or join the Blac Gurlz Ink e-newsletter (link located on the top of any of our website pages), to keep abreast of upcoming series releases and events!!!

Thank You!

Blac Gurlz Ink
www.blacgurlzink.com

Photography – http://www.ephemeralstudios.com/

2010 Butches of the Bay Photo Shoot!

Blac Gurlz Ink 2010 Butches of the Bay Selectees!

The Blac Gurlz Ink’s 2010 Butches of the Bay photo shoot took place this weekend and I must personally say that the wonderful energy of the models, the organic approach I take to photo shoots and Jennipur Jane’s (Ephemeral Studios) phenomenal eye, led to an amazing time and some great photos to work with for our 4th series release!

Our open casting call, which ran from April thru July of 2009 and which we posted to our website; Myspace page; circulated via our newsletter and flyers and spread by word of mouth, yielded quite a few submissions but due to location, date, time etc. — some were not able to be selected, however ALL submissions were placed into our Model’s Database for consideration for future photo shoots!

These handsome women represent a cross section of the submissions we received and the Blac Gurlz Ink Babes feel that based on the models’ energy, personal expression of their “butch-ness,” in addition to being simply handsome…well, we’re happy with our picks!

Now, if you’re thinking, “I dont see this or that represented?”  Well, that means YOU need to model for us!  In keeping with being “authentic” in our designs for the LGBT community, we will not use professional models and thus we wont ever “get” someone to “represent” you.  And well…if you didn’t submit your info during the casting call period…well? Im just saying…

The Blac Gurlz Ink staff would love to get as many of you onto our quality premium greeting cards and

Thanking the Models - Outtake 2

gift items as we can!  We believe “visibility” is important and we have tons of ideas for which we will be putting out calls for submissions — but why wait!

You can submit your information to model for us by completing our Model’s Submission Form on our website:  www.blacgurlzink.com

Also, if you haven’t already joined our email newsletter list, in which we announce all of our casting calls, contests and fun information, what are you waiting for? *Click on the Join the BGI Network at the top of any page on our website.

So look for the release of the Butches of the Bay series — coming soon!!

Happy New Year,

Spring E. Opara
Owner
Blac Gurlz Ink

Happy Valentine’s Day from Blac Gurlz Ink & Flirtatious-T!

Blac Gurlz Ink & Flirtatious-T

Blac Gurlz Ink and Flirtatious-T have teamed up to make this Valentine’s Day a holiday to remember.  With both of us on your side you’re sure to score plenty of kisses from your Valentine!

Everyone knows that flirting is the best way to spark a conversation and one of the quickest ways to a potential love interest’s heart.

However, if you’re not good at flirting why not send a handcrafted, couture greeting card?

In honor of Valentine’s Day 2010, Blac Gurlz Ink has created limited-edition designs to commemorate your sentiments on this special day by honoring romance and all things flirtatious. These handcrafted, couture cards are artistic and the perfect token of affection.

Small tokens of affection on Valentine’s Day can go a long way.

Valentine's Day You & Me Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

To make this offer even sweeter, Blac Gurlz Ink and Flirtatious-T will be donating 20% of the proceeds to the New York Gay Men’s Health Crisis Center and to also show support to team “Flirtatious-T – Flirt with a Cause” who will be participating in the 2010 New York AIDS Walk being held on May 16, 2010!

It’s flirting for a cause.

When you purchase a handcrafted, couture Valentine’s Day card from Blac Gurlz Ink it’s more than just a greeting card — it’s a lifestyle!

www.blacgurlzink.com

www.flirtatious-t.com

Valentine's Day Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

Valentine's Day Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

Black is Fashionable for ALL Occasions!

Winter Wedding designed by Blac Gurlz Ink

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” — and dont forget the white gown?

Some of you may know the above adage as recited by many a bride to be…or at least their mothers or bride’s maid — haha!

Traditionally the wedding ceremony showcases the bride, adorned in the most beautiful of gowns — and in virginal white at that.

Well in 2010 this particular bridal tradition may be turned on its head if the new fashion designers have anything to do with it.  Europe has always been viewed as the heart of the fashion industry.  Continuing to be avant garde and walk outside of the box, their new design concepts are incorporating black as an acceptable option for wedding gowns.  http://w-weddinggowns.com/black-wedding-gowns/

This new train of thought coming out of the fashion houses has determined that “black formal gowns” are suitable for ALL occasions, including weddings and to this end, they are designing fabulous wedding gowns, with intricate and delicate detail, but with a twist — they are introducing “black” — it aint just for funerals anymore — haha!

Beach Wedding Under the Stars designed by Blac Gurlz Ink

So for you brides to be — go ahead and be daring — erase the lines and walk down the aisle as you wish with options galore — wear that “sliming” black  wedding gown you’ve had your eyes on but dare not wear.

We here at Blac Gurlz Ink feel that great minds must think alike — we’ve been designing many of our couture line of wedding cards using “non-traditional” black paper to make the design “POP”!

So when we saw this article we simply smiled and thought to ourselves…yes, great minds DO think alike.

Traditional Lesbian Wedding designed Blac Gurlz Ink

So if you’ve been shy about purchasing our wonderful 3-dimensional wedding cards, dont let that stop you any longer — black is now fashionable for all occasions and Blac Gurlz Ink has a custom couture card for you to mark any wonderful occasion!

www.blacgurlzink.com

Holiday Gift Sets!

Never know what to get that “unique” person on your gift list?

Well, just in time for the holidays, Blac Gurlz Ink has created a “HOLIDAY GIFT SET” for the LGBT family member or friend in your Life!

Unique in design, true to your sentiments!

And don’t forget to check out our Holiday Pets Greeting Cards…we’re thinking we may make these limited edition/collector’s greeting cards!

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The Blac Gurlz Ink
$50 Holiday Gift Set!

1) 1 Blac Gurlz Ink T-shirt
($35 value – 2 designs to choose from)

2) 3 of our Premiere Greeting Cards or 1 Couture Greeting Card
($15 value – your choice)

3) 1 Poster
($10 value – 2 designs to choose from)

*That’s a $60 value…if purchased separately.

Go to www.blacgurlzink.com/shop – to place your order today!

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T-Shirt Designs

Blac Gurlz Ink Logo

Femme Spirit

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Premium or Couture Greeting Cards
(samples below – please go to the www.blacgurlzink.com/shop to view the full selection!)

Premium Greeting Card

Couture Greeting Card

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Poster Designs!

Click here to order the “2009 Holiday Gift Set”

Embrace 1 - Poster

The Kiss 1 - Poster

Holiday Pets on Parade

Holiday Pets on Parade - Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

We all know that our “furbabies” bring us so much joy throughout the year and I bet that many have “stockings hung by the chimney with care”…in hope that St. Paws will soon be there…hahaha!

So to honor our cats, dogs…and all animals who are affectionately referred to as “our pets”…I created a holiday line to celebrate our best friends, comrades and furry members of the family!

Holiday Pets On Parade!

www.blacgurlzink.com/shop

Holiday Pets - Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

And you can custom order any combination you want!

Holiday Pets on Parade - Handcrafted Couture Greeting Card

It’s Raining In London Today

The View from My Window

The weather during this journey has been simply marvelous but this morning I woke to rain which is so appropriate right now…a cleansing rain.

This has been an amazing  journey for me — the first in my 49 years on this planet where I have taken something on solely FOR ME and the energy around that has been amazing, revealing, surprising and well…all I can do is count my blessings.

Blac Gurlz Ink(BGI) turned 1 yr on Oct. 10th and to already be at a point where we are actually going into overseas markets to promote our greeting cards…well, that usually takes place in years 3 thru 5 of a business!  So for us to be at this point now…I KNOW I am blessed.

It has been hard work, long hours, sleepless nights and tons of prayer to get BGI here and as the Supreme One, I have to thank all of the Angels who have “stepped up to the plate” to actively help me make this dream possible.

Total strangers have been supportive of me and that has been my biggest blessings.  I truly had to surrender to Spirit and to allow those who “needed” to get to me…to get to me…as someone who I consider a good friend said to me…”let us help you…we ARE and CHOOSE to be YOUR Angels.”

So as I sit in my quaint little room (space is premium in these here parts…haha!) I reflect on what I

My Room

asked Mother/Father God for…to be successful as defined by Me — which has way more to do with the “quality” of My Life than it does the money I make.  I asked for support, to be surrounded by those who are positive and loving influences, to have doors just fly open — haha! and of course to make tons of money so that I can provide for me, those I consider to be My Tribe and to be a good ambassador for my community.

Im off to Paris in a few days and in this moment of reflection…I am utterly content and absolutely grateful for each and every moment that has passed and the exciting ones yet to come…and so it is…

“its not the rain that makes you sad…its raining because you are sad” MIB2

Introducing Our Couture Line of Greeting Cards!

Lesbian Christmas Couture Greeting Card

The holidays are fast approaching and the Blac Gurlz Ink line of greeting cards is expanding just as fast!  We know that the holidays can present a unique opportunity for same-sex loving members and their allies to exchange holiday greeting cards that reflect and express their sentiments.

So we decided to help out a bit!

Introducing the Blac Gurlz Ink’s “Couture” line of quality greeting cards!

We are introducing the line during the holiday season so that not another day goes by where you’re wondering…”isn’t there something more…something more representative of my community?”  Well, now there is!

And the beauty of the Couture line is that you can place a “custom” order!

These limited edition and signed greeting cards are lovingly handcrafted from the finest materials we have found thus far and can we just add that anyone giving or receiving one of our Couture cards will know that they are SPECIAL to someone!

Once the holiday season has passed they will make wonderful keepsakes AND we didnt just create cards for the Holidays!

Please go to our website to view our complete line:
http://www.blacgurlzink.com/

Holiday Special!

From now until Dec. 20, 2009, when you purchase 4 premium greeting cards or 2 handcrafted couture greeting cards, we will send you a FREE card as our way of saying thank you!

Below are some ideas taken from Gallery Collection of great ways to enhance your greeting cards to fit your home decorating motif.

Lesbian Christmas Couture Greeting Card

Greeting Card Crafts
(excerpt taken from http://www.gallerycollection.com. All photos are of Blac Gurlz Ink Couture greeting cards)

Puzzles
Choose a theme, such “Winter Wonderland” or “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” Cut out the pictures and arrange them on a piece of cardboard (a cereal box is ideal)Glue (Modge Podge works well for this craft) the pictures to the cardboard and then brush Modge Podge on the top of the pictures for a strong glossy finish. After it dries, cut in puzzle size pieces with an Xacto knife.

Christmas Gift Tags
This is so easy. Cut the front of an old Christmas card or just the picture from any greeting card. Punch a hole and place ribbon through it.

Gay Christmas Couture Greeting Card

Wall Plaques
Your local craft store sells wooden plaques in all different shapes and sizes. Paint or stain the wood. After it dries, use Modge Podge to glue the picture to the plaque. Put another coat of Modge Podge over the picture for a glossy finish. This can be great in place of a holiday card or Christmas card.

Place Mats
Glue your pictures to cardboard. (You may want to paint the bottom of the cardboard first.) Laminate or use clear Con-tac paper.

Framed Art
Your favorites designs can be framed and hung on the wall. Or artfully arrange a few personalized greeting cards in one frame.

Lesbian Wedding Couture Card

Gay Wedding Couture Greeting Card

Shine A Light Contest!

I am always looking for ways to expand Blac Gurlz Ink, so I belong to a few business social networks to gather knowledge and information about what’s going on in the business world. And like any emerging business — continued funding is key to growth. So when the CEO of the M3 Race, Nell Merlino posted about an opportunity for a business to win $100K, I answered the call.

Blac Gurlz Ink needs 50 “spotlight” nominations by September 13, 2009 in order to make the 2nd phase of the contest and I know we can do it with your help! We have tons of “views” and I wish those counted, but for $100K they are making sure the “bots” keep their paws off and ask that if you vote for a business you “register” first.

To endorse us, please go directly to “Register” on the Home page of Shine A Light and then once you’ve registered, click on the “banner” on the right that says “Nominate a Business”. Our contact information is public but I will place it here as well to assist you.

Blac Gurlz Ink, PO Box 16182, Oakland, CA 94610. Email: blacgurlzinc@gmail.com. Telephone#: 510/943-8578.

I would like to personally thank you for continuing to support Blac Gurlz Ink as we learn to walk in the business tides and dont forget we have a fundraiser going on where we are giving YOU a “GIFT” for your support in sending us to Europe…another amazing contest that we were honored to win!

Shine A Light!

The “Hello Europe!” FundRaiser Special!

Blac Gurlz Ink is Heading to Europe!

Supreme Challenger of the Status Quo!

Awhile back the Supreme One (aka Spring) entered Blac Gurlz Ink into StartUpNation’s “Face of Opportunity” contest, co-sponsored by British Airways.

Contestants had to write an essay stating why it would be beneficial for their businesses to have access to overseas markets. There were 45 businesses chosen, from 1000’s, to win the *Grand Prize…and well…the Supreme One is off to Europe to promote Blac Gurlz Ink!

We WON!

To assist Spring in covering her lodging expenses, for her time there, the Blac Gurlz Ink Babes decided to have a fundraiser.

“Hello Europe!”
Fundraiser Special

From now until Oct. 10, 2009, when you purchase 4 premium greeting cards or 2 handcrafted couture greeting cards, we will send you a FREE card as our way of saying thank you!

Premium Greeting Card

Please join us in sending positive energy out to the Universe that Blac Gurlz Ink is successful and that Spring has a safe trip!

Always in Gratitude…The Babes!

To view our Current Line of Greeting Cards: http://www.blacgurlzink.com

Premium Greeting Cards retail for $4.99/ea.

Premium Greeting Card

Handcrafted Couture Greeting Cards retail for $14.99/ea.  Custom orders available.

Handcrafted Couture Same-Sex Wedding Card

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*Grand Prize: 1 r/t ticket to Europe (with a 30 day “open” return) and 1 night hotel stay. Any additional travel/stay is at contestant’s expense.