Monday, August 31, 2009

Equestrian Front Page


That's me up there on the last row! My Life's Just a Merry-Go-Round necklace made it to the front page. Thank you Etsy!

I think it's such a neat arrangement, I just had to share.

It was the last of those necklaces, but I can get more! If you're interested, please let me know.

Drumroll Please. . .

The winner is Deanna of Zo-Be Designs! Who said, "Oh I would so love to win these! For my kids, yeah, that's it, for my kids.

I'd love aqua, lemon yellow, orange, purple, grass green and dark brown."

Deanna wins a custom set of SIX kitty egg crayons! Congrats!! I know that you (and the kids) will enjoy these babies :)

A HUGE thank you to Sara and Ben of Kitty Baby Love for their inspiring interview. It was so nice getting to know you both!

I'm sure they will have many more kitty-inspired goodies to come, so be sure to stay up-to-date by following their blog, signing up for their e-Newsletter, or frequenting their shop.

And thank you for all the wonderful entries and support of my blog!


A new Hall of Fame Interview & Giveaway started today, so be sure to stop by for your chance to win a cute pair of earrings from Lilly Queen. For the first time, there's TWO chances to win! That's right, two winners will be chosen, so be sure to get your entry in. Have a great week!

Hall of Fame {Lilly Queen}

Hi all and welcome back to The Sunshine Studio for this week's featured artist. As I have said before, I love learning about and meeting new Etsians and reading the diversity in their answers and how each interprets my questions. I do hope that you enjoy it too!

Meet Sara, the darling behind vintage inspired jewelry shop Lilly Queen.

Read a little about Sara, learn just who is this Lilly Queen, and get in on a double dose of goodness at the end.



What inspires you?

My supplies inspire me. I don't normally plan out what I'm going to make, I start making and keep building until I'm happy with what I have.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
Southern Connecticut is where I've called home for the last 24 years. Warm summers and bitter cold winters, a typical New England year.

Name something unique to where you live.
It is the home of Pez Candy. It is the birthplace of the can opener. In Hartford, you may not, under any circumstances, cross the street walking on your hands! Connecticut is home to the first hamburger (1895), Polaroid camera (1934), helicopter (1939), and color television (1948).
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
Both my arms are double jointed.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Cautious

What made you decide to open up shop?
I found out about Etsy from Craftster.org. I have been making things since I was young and was always looking for a place to sell my things. Eventually I hope to open up my own storefront.
How did you come up with the name Lilly Queen? Any special significance?
My ferret's name is Lilly. Anytime I would come home from work I'd call out to her and ask where the queen of the house was... somehow "Lilly Queen" came out and decided it would be a cute name for my store.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
Having people enjoy what I made.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
I used to have a boring desk day job, but I was laid off a few weeks ago. It's been a bit of a blessing and a burden. I hated the job so much and wanted to do Etsy full time. So as of right now I'm working Etsy full time and I might go to hair dressing school and take a makeup class.
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I wake up on most days around 8, I get right onto my computer to see if I'd had any sales or convos. I'll respond and take care of what I need to. If I don't have anything new to post I'll try and relist a few items to keep my shop close to the top of the jewelry category.

I then start checking how many views my page got over night, how many hearts my shop and items got and then I check to see if I was featured anywhere. I also check the treasuries list. Then it's time for loads of coffee. Then back to my desk to make jewelry and list.

Around 4 my boyfriend gets out of work and I spend the rest of the evening with him. I go to bed really late and wake up early to do it all over again.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Every purchase I make is a favorite. I love supporting other shops on Etsy. Most of the time I spend all my money on supplies.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Oddly enough, I like working on cars. My boyfriend has a crazy drift car and I like helping him work on it. My godfather used to race Porsches and I grew up on a racetrack, so I've always had cars and racing around me.

Read any good books lately?
No, I haven't had the patience to sit down and actually read lately. Just a bunch of gossip magazines, Vogue and Cosmo.

What is your most prized possession?
My growing Mac makeup collection. I know, it's a terrible (and expensive) obsession.
What are three of your favorite foods?
Beef Jerky, Steak, Coffee (it's not food, but it's a favorite!)

What would you like to learn to do?
Cut hair, do makeup, and learn a little more about cars.
What are you listening to right now?
Lots of dance and techno music.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I'd like to go to California. I know, it's not that special. I don't really like to travel.

It was so nice getting to know you, Sara! Thank you for sharing with us. Your jewelry is lovely!

Please take a minute to peruse Sara's shop and blog. She has some great sales going on right now, and an awesome 5 Dollar Section!

Time for a Giveaway!
And you're in for a special treat...

For the first time, there will not just be one winner, but two! Two readers have a chance to win one of the lovely pairs of earrings shown above! Either the Aqua Etch or Silver Baby Birds earrings. {Winner #1 will receive the aqua etch & #2 the baby bird}

To enter, please leave a comment on this post with your TWO favorite items from Sara's shop. Be sure to include your name and email address or Etsy username. Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries (*NEW: Follow Lilly Queen on twitter for an extra entry!)
Follow my blog and/or Sara's blog : 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Lilly Queen: 10 additional entries

(Please include this info, if applicable, with your comment for additional entries. You do not need to leave separate comments for additional entries. Important: Don't forget to include your name and contact info!)

Contest ends Sunday, September 6th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, September 7th.

Worth Quoting

I have dreamed in my life, dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they have gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.

~ Emily Bronte

Friday, August 28, 2009


Happy Friday!

Just a couple of announcements for you before I take a break for the weekend...

It's Mia's birthday!


That Mia, of Mia Beads. You may have met her here at The Sunshine Studio a few weeks ago. :)

She's having a BOGO sale you don't want to miss out on. Her jewelry is Fabulous (yes, with a capital 'F').

Happy #23, Mia. Love ya girl!


In case you're wondering, I should have more Mystic Flight necklaces ready within the next few days - a week, tops! They don't last long, so reserve yours today!Through midnight tonight, mention this post and get 30% off your order from my shop!! Help me make room for new jewelry!

A warm welcome to the new followers of The Sunshine Studio Blog. I hope everyone has a wonderful, sunny, fun-filled weekend!

Weekend Whimsy {For the Mom On-the-Go}

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Hot Off the Press

Hey there! Have you gotten in on the Kitty Baby Love giveaway yet?! If not, you should! Don't miss out - you could win a six pack kitty egg crayon set in custom colors! And don't forget that Ben & Sara are offering an exclusive offer to my wonderful readers: Receive a 20% discount in their Etsy shop when you mention 'sunshinestudio blog' at checkout! Read the inspiring interview here and get your entry in!

Isn't that little ring below adorable? See more at pangea on Etsy. Angela is running a "Help Me Pay My Bills" sale through tomorrow! Mention 'B20' at checkout and get 20% off your order! {Read full details in her shop announcement.}

Kittredge Candles is having an overstock sale. Select votive sets are reduced from $6 to only $4! You get 4 in an order, so that's only a dollar a piece!! They have many scents to choose from, so stop by while supplies last!

Have a lovely week!

Pssst! Mention this post and get 30% off your order (before shipping) in my shop. That's right, 30% off!! Ends midnight tomorrow, so hurry. Help me make room for new jewelry!

Alluring Artisans: maryink

Purse-aholic

I was so happy to come across this little purse shop on Etsy yesterday. I love her bags' unique shapes, fabrics and appliques. Each is lined with a pretty, coordinating fabric for extra loveliness. The corduroy fabrics and earth tones will also be perfect for fall (which I can't believe is right around the corner!). I love the shop name too - Pesky Cat Designs.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Alluring Artisans: Inspire Somebody

Trendy Tuesday

This week I paired a fun flirty top with simple accessories. It's easy on your wallet too - the pants and earrings are both under $20!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Drumroll Please. . .

The winner is Amanda, whose favorite school supply is a planner. Amanda wins this adorable notecard set complete with 10 notecards, 10 gift tags/calling cards, and 10 stickers. Congratulations!
I enjoyed reading everyone's entries. Thank you for stopping by!

And a big THANK YOU to Erin for her generosity and for sharing a bit about herself with us. Don't forget to stop by her blog!

A new Hall of Fame Interview & Giveaway started today, so be sure to stop by for your chance to meet a beautiful couple, win an awesome 6-pack kitty egg crayon set in custom colors, and take advantage of an exclusive offer for my readers!! Have a great day!!

Hall of Fame {Kitty Baby Love}





Hello everyone! You're in for a real treat today. For the first time, I'm not interviewing an individual, but a talented couple who work together on their craft. I'm so excited to introduce them to you!

Meet Sara and Ben, the work-at-home parents and fellow cat-lovers behind Kitty Baby Love. They have a beautiful son, Mikah, born in May of this year. Their business is a family effort and their wish is "to pass good spirits from our home into yours with something made with love and care."

Read on to discover how Kitty Baby Love came about, their inspiration, a look at their products, and just who is Lulu, Vasia, and Blaquan.


Tell us a little about yourselves.
We are a crafty family with 3 cats. We love self-sustainability from growing your own garden to buying handmade, and making your own music. Creativity inspires our lives. With the addition of our new family member, a baby boy, creativity has reached new heights that inspire our engagement with him as he grows and develops.
We both met each other in San Francisco, where we finished art school and had our son at a home water birth. We recently moved to Portland, Oregon where we hope to continue to build our business and raise our new family.
What inspires you?
We are both inspired by the innate spirit of creating. We love the feeling of being in a 'flow' or getting lost in a body of work we embark on- whether that be Kitty Baby Love stuff, or side hobbies such as making music, drawing, and painting. We want to be examples for our son to show that with determination and hard work, one can achieve carving their own path in life to follow and that he doesn't necessarily have to follow a predetermined path. Some specific inspirations include,
Ben: Francis Bacon, Van Gogh, dub reggae music, his 10 year old cat Lulu (who he has had since she was a kitten), Sara, Mikah, Portland, and being around people who are filled with love
Sara: Bjork, Kiki Smith, hand-crafted textiles, weaving, Ben & Mikah, percussion (such as Taiko), nature, and natural processes
Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
Our home is in Portland, Oregon. We are originally from Hawaii and San Diego, respectively. Having our own son especially releases us from the ties of our original homes so that we can truly call Portland our home.

Name something unique to where you live.
There is a calm and somewhat retro feeling to Portland that gives it a lot of character. The people here are generally friendlier than other cities we have lived, there is a huge support of buying local, and plenty of trees (which we missed while living in San Francisco!). Also there is no sales tax and it is illegal to pump your own gas!
Share an interesting fact about yourselves.
Ben: I have traveled to hundreds of major cities in over 21 different countries (including Brazil, Japan, England, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru) but am really glad to finally be settled down in Portland, my favorite place out of everywhere I have been.
Sara: Even though I have a form of dyslexia with numbers called dyscalculia, I remain in charge of both our finances!
If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Sara: Independent
Ben: Unpredictable

What made you decide to open up shop?
Financial desperation! We were both recently graduated from Art school, had no luck in finding a job, and were expecting our first baby. We decided to make our own fortune instead of waiting for it to happen for us, and so Kitty Baby Love was born.
How did you come up with the name Kitty Baby Love? Any special significance?
We were brainstorming one night and were thinking about what we loved most in the world, which were our cats and this new baby who was about to be born. Thus Kitty Baby Love was most apropos.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
Sara: I love how much more intimate the interaction between customer and business can be. Hearing stories and feedback from our customers always brightens my day.
Ben: The fact that I play a major part in turning something raw into a finished product. Being able to offer that to the world is very rewarding.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
We are currently working on Kitty Baby Love full-time. Unfortunately we are not selling enough on etsy to make ends meet so we have expanded to selling on our own website as well as wholesale and doing local craft shows. Sometimes we sell random house things on eBay or Amazon.com, but have no other "real" job.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Morning Time is rough for us. Mikah or the cats usually wake us up around 7am and we deal with house and family things like feeding everyone, showering, and just organizing our thoughts!

Afternoons we spend cleaning the house, taking care of Mikah, and running errands like going to the Post Office or picking up supplies. If we don't have errands to run we will still try to get out of the house and go to our local coffee shop or park to hang out for a couple of hours. This time is also sometimes used for Ben to work on making Kitty Baby Love stuff while Sara & Mikah breastfeed and nap.

Evening time is focused on dinner and laying Mikah down to bed. Sometimes this can be an involved process- we nicknamed sundown "fussy time" for Mikah as he sometimes has a hard time falling asleep. Once he does sleep however, he is down for the night.

Night time is business hours for us. We spend the majority of our time organizing and creating for our business between the hours of 9pm-4am. It is the only time we have to focus on a task without needing to be focused on Mikah.
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Ben: playing guitar and other instruments, walking through the neighborhood, petting stray cats, spending time with Sara & Mikah, working on building a home recording studio, meditating, reading (when there is an opportunity to do so)
Sara: looking at beautiful images from blogs or magazines, playing taiko drums (I took classes with SF Taiko Dojo for 3 years but have since quit due to having a baby and moving), origami, breastfeeding, finding reading material
Need I ask what your favorite animal is? Do you have any cats of your own?
We have 3 cats. When we first met, Ben had 2 cats and Sara had 1 cat.
Lulu is the oldest cat who Ben has cared for 10 years. She is very extroverted and spends a lot of time sunbathing and cleaning herself. Ben absolutely adores her.
Vasia is a beautiful 6 year old creamy white cat with blue eyes. She is the most difficult and often spends her time being mischievous (like dropping socks into the toilet or chewing on bits of string). We sometimes spend just as much time catching her in the act of something and running after her as we pay attention to Mikah!
Blaquan is the baby of the bunch and is an all black 4 year old princess. She is very skittish and spends most of her time hiding under couches. When she feels safe, she spends a lot of time begging for human affection and meowing around the house like she lost something (meow? meow?).
Read any good books lately?
Ben: Elizabeth I, CEO: Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built an Empire by Alan Axelrod
Sara: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

What is your most prized possession?
Ben: I don't know
Sara: a box of letters from old friends, acquaintances, my mom, and some even from Ben
What are three of your favorite foods?
We both love sushi, and our personal all-time favorites are lasagna (Ben), and chocolate cake (Sara).

What would you like to learn to do?
Ben: Play the drums
Sara: the art of Parkour

What are you listening to right now?
Ben: the album East of the River Nile by Augustus Pablo
Sara: the Vespertine album by Bjork
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Ben: India; because there is so much rich spiritual history that I am inspired by and would like to experience there.
Sara: Iceland; the landscape in Iceland seems beautiful, unique, and most important, mostly untouched. I love nature but want to experience something more unique than the typical picturesque Hawaii sunset.


Thank you so much, Ben and Sara, for sharing with us. You are an inspiration not only in the handmade community, but to all!

It was really hard to choose just a few of Sara and Ben's product photos, so please stop by their flickr to peruse more of their work and amazing photos.

Don't forget to visit Kitty Baby Love's official website to sign up for their e-Newsletter so you can stay up-to-date on new products! Stop by their blog for other inspiring posts. You can also follow them on twitter here.

Time for a giveaway!
{and another special something!}

Sara and Ben will give a 6-pack kitty egg crayon set in custom colors to 1 winner! How cool is that?!

All you have to do is leave a comment telling us what colors you would choose if you win! That's SIX colors! Be sure to include your name and email address or Etsy username

They are also generously offering an exclusive offer to The Sunshine Studio blog readers! Receive a 20% discount if you mention 'sunshinestudio blog' at checkout in 'notes to seller' at their etsy shop.

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or KBL's blog : 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Kitty Baby Love : 10 additional entries

(Please include this info, if applicable, with your comment for additional entries. You do not need to leave separate comments for additional entries. Important: Don't forget to include your name and contact info!)

Contest ends Sunday, August 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, August 31st.

Worth Quoting

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew."

~ Saint Francis de Sales

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Hot Off the Press

Hello! Hope everyone is having a great week. What's new with you? Here's a few great giveaways and other info for ya...

To start, Kristin of {sweeter than me} has TWO great giveaways going on! First of all, she is hosting a giveaway on her blog sponsored by the lovely Sara of Shy Siren. You could win the Moonlight Earrings pictured at left! Click here for details and an additional sale!

Secondly, Kristin herself is sponsoring a giveaway hosted by the rikrak studio. The best part? There will be TWO WINNERS! One gets to choose a bobby pin set and the other a jolie rose necklace (examples of both are pictured below). Enter here!

{sweeter than me} designs

Next, is a giveaway hosted by my friend Jill of JohnMetBetty. Jill has had a pretty bad buying experience on Etsy recently, which ended badly resulting in her shop receiving a much undeserved negative feedback. Let's show her our support by spreading the word, and help her restore her 100% positive feedback! Type the code "End of Summer" in notes to seller when checking out from her shop and receive free shipping until August 31st. Jill also has a blog and is giving away the lovely zip pouch pictured below PLUS a $10 gift certificate. Wow! Visit her blog, Inside My Sewing Box, to enter.
Lastly, Cat of Polarity + Uncorked is hosting another cool giveaway (as always!). Purpose Design is giving away an awesome chalkboard coaster set (shown below). You can write on them and they're magnetic! Here's the details.

And don't forget about the Perfect Sentiment giveaway here at The Sunshine Studio. You could win the most adorable little bird notecard set! Get your entry in HERE :)♥ ♥ ♥
Good luck everyone!

By the way, I'm nearing the 300 blog posts mark, so stay tuned for something exciting that you won't want to miss!

Until next week...