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ABOUT US
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Hello and welcome to my web site.
My name is Anne Palmieri and I am the owner of Anne's Grapevine Invitations.
I am often asked how and why I started my business. So, here is my pretty boring story.
I left full-time employment when my second child was born. For several years I babysat my friend's children and worked as a banquet server so either my husband or I would be home with our children.
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In the fall of 1997, our third child (born November 1991) was ready to begin all-day first grade and I was planning to return to full-time employment. Because there is a seven year age difference between our first (born March 1983) and second child (born May 1990) it took almost 15 years to get all three of our children in school all day. I remember that first silent day well. I phoned my friends and said, "Listen to this. Did you hear that?" while holding up the phone to a quiet room. They responded, "I don't hear anything." I exclaimed, "That's ri-ight!
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Even though that day was anticipated for a long time financially, I wasn't prepared for the true reality. I still had a lot to do with their school functions and activities. Our oldest was now a high school sophomore and there was a steady flow of friends visiting. I wanted to be there; I couldn't imagine it any other way.
So, we began to look into work-at-home options. We saw an ad in a magazine for becoming a Carlson Craft invitation dealer. We purchased our wedding invitations from a woman who worked from her home and thought it would be perfect. We turned our playroom back into an office and ordered a couple albums. On June 18, 1998, Anne's Grapevine was launched with a wine and cheese open house.
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The first order I received was from a friend that attended the open house. She ordered blank Halloween invitations and has since lost a battle with breast cancer.
Business grew through the years with the addition of many other companies and albums. In 1999, I began to work with custom graduation products. Ordering online became possible and I designed and created AnnesGrapevine.com in 2003.
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Office in1998
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Office in 2009
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Through the years the entire family has helped. My guys have certainly lifted their fair share of heavy invitation albums for bridal shows and open houses. My wonderful husband had delivered high school orders and stuffed, stamped, and licked envelopes beyond what is probably a healthy intake of envelope gum. (We like cheap wedding invitations but don't want anyone to die like Susan did on Seinfeld.) Our daughter has met with clients, helped with shows, bookkeeping and marketing. We have all opened boxes and checked orders. My sons have amazingly restrained from wrestling during appointments. Once, my youngest son and I even sat in UPS's parking lot on a nice summer Friday night to assemble and deliver programs that were sent to the wrong address so the bride would have them for her wedding the next day.
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My best friend, Holly, has helped through the years also. She even helped come up with the name. I originally wanted The Grapevine (you know the song I Heard It Through The Grapevine) but the name was already taken. When expressing my disappointment she said, "Why not use Anne's Grapevine. Surely that is not being used."
Holly has also works with me on graduation order and delivery days. She meets with brides when needed and has been a great help through the years. I couldn't do it without her. Oh, and by the way, she has five boys in her family; six counting her husband and a new daughter-in-law.
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Holly and Anne at bridal show
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Of course, it wouldn't have worked without all wonderful brides and grooms and sometimes their parents, siblings, and friends that have ordered from me. I enjoy ordering birth announcements for some of them. I have also been able to order wedding invitations for some of the graduates I have served.
In June of 2008, Anne's Grapevine celebrated 10 years in business. The same year our oldest, our only daughter, Abby, at age 25 moved to Lake Tahoe, California, after graduating from The University of Akron. The same year our second-born, our son, Joey, became an Eagle Scout, graduated from Copley High School, and began his dream to become an architect by attending Kent State University. The same year our youngest, our son, Steven, helped us with several home improvements (we moved five blocks away) and began his junior year as an "only child".
They say silence is golden. I disagree. I love the sounds of a family. I miss them when they aren't here. For me, no amount of precious metal or money could replace the time I was able to spend with them. Holding up the phone in a quiet room didn't last long, and for that I am eternally grateful.
  
Well, that is the story. I warned you it was pretty boring. Anne's Grapevine began because I wanted a flexible schedule so I could work while continuing to be active in our children's lives, their schools, and our community. It has been a blessing to be able keep a loving touch on my most precious gifts, our children, while being able to contribute financially to all the expenses they come with.
I thank you for your interest and hope I can help you begin your "happily ever after" with the perfect invitation.
Thank you,
Anne
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