We are truly excited to help promote Ty Christian Wilson, as he embarks on his musical career. We know he has the drive and the passion to be successful!

The three lucky people that will be downloading the debut album “It takes all kinds” are Tiffany, Kirk and Lee. Congratulations!

Please send an e-mail to info@bellaspur.com to claim your prize.

Bella Spur is fortunate to have several ties to singer/songwriter Ty Christian Wilson. Ty and Jamie-Rae are first cousins, and he also played in a band with Laura’s brothers, called Jimmy’s Good Eye. So we’ve had the honor to have front-row seats watching Ty’s career development. From the early days jamming in Northline’s shop, to his first live shows, and now the release of his first full-length album Takes All Kinds.

The record features several brand new tracks, a few songs that Ty has been performing since the days of Jimmy’s Good Eye, as well as his radio hit “Wagon Wheel.”

The variety of music represented has something for everyone – a bit of country, a bit of rock, a bit of humor, and even a little gospel – and it’s all uniquely Ty Christian Wilson. His vocals have a rare, raw emotion that brings the tracks to life and leaves them echoing in your heart.

How can you win your very own copy?

1. “Like” Ty Chritian Wilson on Facebook
2. “Like” Bella Spur Innovative Media on Facebook
3. Comment on this post to let us know you’ve completed 1 & 2
4. Want more entries? Spread the word on Facebook or Twitter, and we’ll give you an extra entry for every mention (tag Bella Spur’s FB page or mention @bella_spur so we are notified)

That’s it! Contest closes Friday, August 5 at 12 noon mst.

Daniel has always sought out a career path as a professional artist. It’s been a long and challenging journey, as anyone who pursues a creative profession will tell you. His natural talent and incredible drive to succeed helped him begin to wedge one foot in the door. He was doing fine, getting some work published here and there, collaborating on a comic book series, and receiving a few custom art orders.

To make ends meet (the whole starving artist bit wasn’t far off!), he picked up some mechanic work on the side, helping a family friend do odd-job mechanical repairs. While working under a car, a jack gave out and hit him on the head with incredible velocity, shattering the front part of his skull. Astounding medical teams at the hospital, he managed to make it through with no serious complications afterwards, save for a scar on his forehead that makes him look like Harry Potter. Feeling incredibly fortunate, Daniel made up his mind that getting by simply wasn’t good enough anymore. He began developing strategies to further his career and sell his extraordinary art. Smashed Head Studios is the product.

With a dynamic new website, he plans to make his art and talent more accessible to the consumer. Custom art orders can be placed and purchased on the site. Sleek new galleries display his diverse artistic range and a blog keeps you up to date on daily musings, rants and general chatter.

We love his custom art pieces – what an opportunity to give and receive a meaningful gifts, for corporate or personal means. One of the perks of being his sister is that Jamie Rae get all sorts of incredible artwork as gifts from him. Her kids think its the coolest, and she has a never-ending string of inquiries from company about the unique artwork on her walls.

Danny is a constant source of inspiration to us. He is steadfast in his belief that if you do what you love, you’ve discovered happiness. We wish him all the best with Smashed Head Studios, and can’t wait to see the future unroll for this dedicated and talented young artist.

Make sure to “Like” the Smashed Head Studios page on Facebook!

I’ll be first to admit my inaugural Bashaw show was a bit scary, but I’ll also attest this rule was an enormous benefit to all of us. We learned we COULD do any job, and made friends with everyone as we helped each other out. The older kids always gave the younger ones a hand, but also enabled them to learn.

This rule has been brought into most of the junior shows across the province, and adopted by many outside Alberta as well.

This past weekend was Canada’s Richest Youth Show in Olds. A friend who recently moved to Canada from state-side was totally blown away by the fact that the kids were doing all the work, and commented on how cool it was to see parents on the sidelines cheering rather than handing the calf to their kid on the way into the ring. She also noted the conspicuous absence of fitters at the chutes as the kids got their own steers and heifers ready for the show.

As we talked about the difference between junior shows in the two countries, I swelled with pride at the work ethic and talent these kids have. Equally as impressive to me though, are the adults and parents who encourage the youth to take ownership of their own success. Their “step back” has allowed the youth to step up and gain confidence in their abilities.

So to all the juniors who do the spectators proud – KUDOS to you! And thank you to the moms, dads and event organizers who have seen the value of “learn by doing” – ya done good.

While chatting with Sarah Anderson from Right Cross Ranch last week, she mentioned how many compliments they have had on their website and that they had received a call from a Saskatchewan news publication about it. The journalist was very impressed with the site and their unique operation, and wanted to write a feature story on them.

The article came out this week, and we couldn’t be happier that Jim & Sarah have received media coverage for their business in part because of their website designed by Bella Spur Innovative Media Inc.

Right Cross Ranch has three pillars to their business: cattle production, custom bull development and a sale facility. If you are in the market for Angus genetics, are looking for someone to develop your sale bulls or need a great facility to host your sale at, get in touch with Jim & Sarah Anderson.

You can read the article by clicking here.

* The lead designer on this site was Katie. Way to go!

In 2010 they exhibited the Grand Champion Red Angus Bull at the grand-daddy of them all, National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. The icing on the cake was receiving the Premier Breeder award. To my knowledge, both were firsts for a Canadian Red Angus breeder at Denver.

Needless to say, Denver 2011 was pretty intense on the Northline home front. Jamie-Rae, Wendy, Justine and I eagerly anticipated each text  on show day. By the end of the bull show, there were five Northline-bred bulls with slots in the champion drive. In a show of 385 head, this was a pretty major feat! Their mature bull, Fat Tony, was making his first show debut and he looked good but we don’t count chickens before the hatching is done.

You can picture us four huddled around the phone, listening to the judge’s final comments. We weren’t  speaking or even looking at each other, we were so nervous. The judge finished on the mic and it was dead silence as he walked the lineup of division champions. When the crowd erupted and Kayne yelled that Fat Tony won, we were ecstatic! There were high-fives and hugs all around the Schneider living room, as I’m sure there were ringside in Denver as well.

Once the shock wore off, the magnitude of their accomplishment really hit me. Northline’s 2010 wins at Denver were amazing, but to repeat both Champion Bull and Premier Breeder for the second year in a row, in a show that literally doubled in size… WOW!

Jamie-Rae just finished this ad for her family. What fantastic recognition for an operation that has worked so hard – the rest of the Bella Spur team couldn’t be happier for you, Team Northline!

(click on image to enlarge)

You can check out their website at northlineangus.ca. Interested in selling right off your website like Northline? Give us a shout at info@bellaspur.com.

So you can imagine the complete joy I experienced when they sent me the dress I wore to the Canadian Country Music Awards last fall. Bliss!

Double D did a blog entry on our win here.

A few weeks ago, Double D released their Spring 2011 collection. Once again they hit it right of the park. The brilliant blues, greens and corals, combined with their signature cool T-shirt designs are amazing. Now the challenge is to narrow it down to which piece I want to order!

Thank you Double D for inspiring us with your beautiful creations, and also for making us look good at the CCMA’s! You all rock!

“Like” Double D Ranchwear on Facebook – here. I also love their Design History 101 blog feature here.

While you are there, you can “Like” Bella Spur on Facebook now as well! – here

Allow me to introduce you to one of my favourite western artists, who I’m also blessed to call family. Gena LaCoste works magic with water colours. Her talent for capturing the spirit of a horse is simply amazing, and recently she began a “painting a day” series that has showcased her ability to portray an array of other subjects as well.

I adore Gena’s use of colour, and her overall technique. The pieces she has been posting every day in January have brightened these cold winter days and brought added life to my designs.

Congrats, Gena, on your most recent show! And thank you for the beauty you bring to the world.

Now that we’ve set all these good intentions, please feel free to hold us to it! Please and many thanks.

From us to you, may 2011 be filled with great success, happiness and ever-larger dreams. Happy belated New Year!

Oh my gosh!  Awesome!  (Just printed it off at work!  Couldn’t wait to see it!!)

I am so excited to show off your work at a presentation I am giving to Dairy Farmers of Ontario on Monday.  They have asked me to present at where we are at with the business, our plans and an opportunity to link our business with a potential large cottage cheese buyer who will presenting as well on their needs for local cottage cheese.

Thanks for all your help.  We are so proud and have already gotten tons of great comments on our marketing.

- Steacy

Steacy and Scott – you are amazing young entrepreneurs and we are honoured to work with you. Good luck with your presentation!