Monday, August 3, 2009

Hall of Fame {Mia Beads}

Welcome back! You've been missed! Once again I want to say thank you for the love and support. The comments, tweets, convos and emails have meant a lot. Thank you, thank you.

I feel so honored to have been able to interview this week's Hall of Famer. Mia is just about the sweetest gal you will meet. She runs a beautiful and successful Etsy shop, Mia Beads, filled with "freshly picked pretties." Her shop is brimming with colorful, unique pieces. Personally, I own a couple of Mia's designs and was blown away by not only the craftsmanship, but her outstanding customer service and packaging. All of this from her little attic studio!

Mia has a bit of experience under her belt, since she started creating jewelry at the age of five! She began making "real" jewelry in middle school and participated in craft shows, thanks to her creative mom and grandma, and supportive father.

I feel privileged to call her my friend and have enjoyed getting to know her better. I know you will too, so read on as Mia divulges a bit about herself (and offers one reader something lovely)...

What inspires you?

Color & nature mostly. I'm also inspired when I find a cool vintage bead or locket and I'll often build a piece around one component that I love.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I live in Western New York, where the weather is crazy and we have snow half of the year. I've driven down snow covered roads where the only thing guiding me was flares. As much as I'd love a sunny & warm climate to call home, I can't leave my family and friends!
Name something unique to where you live.
Buffalo Wings!

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I get the hiccups every time I really, really laugh... and I can cross only one eye at a time.

What made you decide to open up shop?
My cousin told me about etsy and I immediately signed up after checking out the site. Two years later, while selling my jewelry locally, I finally started my etsy shop as a place to send local customers who found me at shows. I definitely wasn't expecting etsy to become my main venue, but I'm so happy it did!
Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I love when I get to know my customers and I think that people who buy handmade really appreciate that; I know my jewelry is going to a loving home.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
I design and sell my jewelry full-time now, through etsy and my wholesale accounts. I do home parties on occasion, but mainly for friends and family. I also teach a workshop on jewelry design at the local bead shop on Thursday evenings... nice to get out of the house once in a while!
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I wake up and do all of the "computer stuff"; Answering emails, relisting sold items and thanking my customers, purchase supplies, type up invoices for wholesale clients & write out my orders to be shipped that day. Then I go up to my workspace to make & fill orders, print shipping labels & take everything to the post office. Once I'm done with these things I'll work on custom orders, making & listing new items, blogging, etc. When my boyfriend gets home from work, we'll make dinner and relax together. I try to stay off the computer and away from my work during this time, but I usually find something I need to do.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I love my "Live What You Love" Print from Hijirik and my Faux Bois Inspiration Board from Shabby Vintage Mom.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I love cooking with my boyfriend, and spending time with him and our puppy! Concerts in the summer, dancing, hysterically funny movies, shopping for vintage goodies and doing crafty things with my mom and friends & just relaxing and having a good time with the people I love.

Read any good books lately?
I used to read constantly, but lately it's been strictly business! The last book I read was "Craft, Inc." which shares inspirational stories and interviews from successful indie entrepreneurs. It's a great book for people just starting or even thinking about selling their work, too.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Indecisive. I can't pick just one.
What is your most prized possession?
I'm pretty psyched about my autographed Bono shirt at the moment. I'm super excited to see U2 in Chicago and Toronto this fall.

What are three of your favorite foods?
Strawberry shortcake, yellow cake with chocolate frosting (both with vanilla ice cream) and chicken parmigiana.

What would you like to learn to do?
I would love to know more about graphic design. It's always been really interesting to me and sometimes I have something in my head, that I would like to turn into an image. Specifically for my blog and packaging, as well as designing things like stationary and labels. I love fonts and colors and making things pretty.
What are you listening to right now?
At this particular moment in time I can hear the tv in the background and the really annoying buzzing noise that my dryer makes, but I am listening to Modest Mouse.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I'd love to visit Europe; Italy, Ireland & the city of Paris. My parents backpacked through Europe when they were my age and they've always talked about it being such an amazing experience. I studied French when I was younger and although I don't remember everything, it's a beautiful, romantic language and I'd love a good excuse to practice!
Thank you to Mia for sharing with us! Please visit her blog for further inspiration, and her mom's shop that she helps out with, Paper Pumpkin, full of paper and fabric goods, and accessories.

Time for a Giveaway!!
One lucky winner will get their choice of any item from her shop valued at $18 or under. Awesome huh? There's so many great pieces to choose from - this may be hard! ;-)

What's your favorite piece from Mia's shop? To enter, please leave a comment on this post with your answer, name, and email address or Etsy username.

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Mia's blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Mia Beads: 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 9th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, August 10th.

142 comments:

Nina said...

I love the Blue. Necklace! Simply gorgeous.

Extra entries:
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/nina0205/statuses/3105039192
Blog follower.

Nina
irina.sagarbarria at gmail dot com

PS~Erin said...

I think my faves are the Sage Victorian Necklace, Fussy Peacock earrings and the Pale Amethyst ones. I am very tempted to go ahead and buy those Delilah earrings that are tempting me with the sale price!

Following.
Abt to go tweet tweet.

Abie said...

My fave item is the Enchanted Necklace! I also love the Out My Window Earrings. I think that bird is so CUTE!

I'm a follower of your blog. ^_^

Abie
abigail.lee {at} gmail.com

throuthehaze said...

I love the Twilight Garden. Hair Pins

Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

follower
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

joannaonthelake said...

Mia's makes the most beautiful feminine elegant jewelry! I like so many of the gorgeous pieces she has created. The Olive. Vintage Necklace is my favorite item, but there are so many pretty items is was hard to pick just one favorite! Thanks so much for the chance to enter.
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#1 - I sent out a tweet:
http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/3122673103

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#2 - I sent out a tweet:
http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/3122673103

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#1 - I am now following your blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#2 - I am now following your blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#3 - I am now following your blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#4 - I am now following your blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#5 - I am now following your blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#1 - I am now following Mia's Blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#2 - I am now following Mia's Blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#3 - I am now following Mia's Blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#4 - I am now following Mia's Blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#5 - I am now following Mia's Blog
joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#1 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#2 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#3 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#4 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#5 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#6 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

#7 - I Blogged about this giveaway here:

http://breezylake.blogspot.com/2009/08/sunshine-studio-mia-beads-giveaway.html

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

Sydney said...

Love the Meadow. Locket Necklace

Sydney S
sszumski @ Etsy

Sydney said...

I follow your blog

Sydney S
sszumski @ Etsy

TZel said...

I really like the Out my Window. Hoop Earrings with the little birdies- thank you!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic giveaway I hope to win. I am following your blog. Marian

mtzeenla@yahoo.com

orion`s daughter said...

I really like the Romance Victorian Necklace. It would look good with casual clothing, but it would also fit in with goth and strampunk garb. What more could a girl ask for?

orionova [AT] gmail [DOT] com

CathyH said...

Love this jewelry! One favorite is Rose. Fleur Earrings. I follow your blog now too.

Erin said...

I'm loving the little bird in Enchanted. Necklace.
erin_melissa at juno dot ocm

Erin said...

I follow

Lily said...

i love the english rose hair pins.
Lily
Lmhoot@flash.net

Daer0n said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Daer0n said...

I loved everything in her shop, it was hard to choose my favorite item but, i love the Daydream. A Locket Necklace!

Extra entries:
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/daer0n/statuses/3134287774

I follow your blog and Mia's blog.

I blogged:
http://ohmygiveaway.blogspot.com/2009/08/mia-beads-shop-giveaway.html

My name and contact info:
Nury
daer0n_ at hotmail dot com

squareby said...

I really like those locket necklaces. Of them, my favorite would be the Daydream. A Locket Necklace. Really nice shop.
squareby@gmail.com

Jessica said...

I LOVE the Sage Victorian Necklace. The soft green color is so pretty!

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

It was so hard to pick a favorite! I like the Out my Window. Hoop Earrings!

Thanks!
Leslie M
always_317537[at]yahoo[dot]com
http://livelovelaughwithleslie.blogspot.com

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I tweeted :)

http://twitter.com/laughwithleslie/status/3137360906

entry 1

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I tweeted :)

http://twitter.com/laughwithleslie/status/3137360906

entry 2

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow yours and Mia's Blog :)

entry 1

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow yours and Mia's Blog :)

entry 2

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow yours and Mia's Blog :)

entry 3

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow yours and Mia's Blog :)

entry 4

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I follow yours and Mia's Blog :)

entry 5

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I blogged :)

http://livelovelaughwithlesliegiveaways.blogspot.com/

entry 4

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I blogged :)

http://livelovelaughwithlesliegiveaways.blogspot.com/

entry 5

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I blogged :)

http://livelovelaughwithlesliegiveaways.blogspot.com/

entry 6

♥ LLL with Leslie ♥ said...

I blogged :)

http://livelovelaughwithlesliegiveaways.blogspot.com/

entry 7

Jodi said...

It was hard to choose but I think my favorite piece is the Blue necklace. I love the simple design of it! Thanks!

Kent Shaffer said...

My wife would probably love the hairpins.

Contact: info [AT] bombaycreative.com

Melody said...

I love the Blue Necklace. It's simple and classic.

MelodyJ
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

stitch said...

My favorite is the Daydream. A Locket Necklace. I'm also a follower now.

AM said...

The Elle Luxe Earrings are my favorite! The twilight earrings are pretty too though.

(email in blogger profile)

AM said...

I'm also a blog follower! (yours)

Good luck everyone! =)

(email in blogger profile)

Anonymous said...

wow that was hard to choose from!
i like the Daydream Locket Necklace. Fussy Peacock earrings are nice too. x3 i like both!

followed your blog

(email on my profile)

T U Dawood said...

My favourite is Orchid. Luxe Filigr... MiaBeads $13.50 USD

So pretty!

Follow your blog via google homepage.

Start To Finish Supplies said...

Great shop! It is hard to decide but I think I like the Fleur Filigree Ring the best. I like how you can choose exactly what you want.

Katie
katie [at] starttofinish.com

Start To Finish Supplies said...

Crap, just realized that I gave an incorrect email in the post above. It is
katie[at]starttofinishsupplies.com

Amber said...

Mia's Fresh Rose Hair Pins are my favorite items from her shop!
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog
entry 1
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog
entry 2
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog
entry 3
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog
entry 4
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog!
entry 5
Thanks for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Lilly said...

My favorite: Silver Shade. Earrings. They are gorgeous!
Thanks a lot.

I am a follower.

Eliane
eli_green22 at yahoo dot com dot br

Cherry Blossoms said...

I love the Fresh Rose Hair Pins!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Cherry Blossoms said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/CherryBlossBaby/status/3148972581

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 1

Cherry Blossoms said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/CherryBlossBaby/status/3148972581

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 1

Cherry Blossoms said...

I follow Mias Blog!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 1

Cherry Blossoms said...

I follow Mias Blog!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 2

Cherry Blossoms said...

I follow Mias Blog!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 3

Cherry Blossoms said...

I follow Mias Blog!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 4

Cherry Blossoms said...

I follow Mias Blog!

CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail

Entry 5

Anonymous said...

I can't decide if I like Nouveau Pearl. Dainty Necklace or the earings with the birds pictured our post, great shop
Jill
jill@besomethingnew.com

Callie Ivy said...

I really think those "Out my window" hoops earrings are adorable.

callieivy(at)gmail.com

Callie Ivy said...

I'm following Mia's blog

callieivy(at)gmail.com

Callie Ivy said...

And I'm following your blog too.

callieivy(at)gmail.com

Cabootique said...

I like the Sage Victorian Necklace.

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

secret cake said...

Loving the twilight locket bracelet. Beautiful things!

Thank you for the opportunity!

secretcake (at) yahoo (dot) com

Wehaf said...

I love the Fussy Peacock. Earrings. I would choose the light sapphire stones for this one!

urchiken at gmail dot com

janil said...

I love Boho Chic. Turquoise Earrings!

thanks!

cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

janil said...

follower!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

Anonymous said...

Love the Powder Almond. Pearl Necklace!

aliciamnieto@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love the Out my Window. Hoop Earrings - the birds are adorable.
jswandrn @ gmail.com

Ginger said...

This was a great interview!! I enjoyed reading this post very much and found many pretty things in her shop.
I love the English Rose Hair Pins..the colors are amazing;)
cyclona66(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Oh, how exciting! My favorite piece is the "Smoke Earrings."

Anonymous said...

I like Romance. Victorian Necklace

the_eternal_voyageur((at))rediffmail((dot))com

MistressFizz said...

The Nouveau Pearl necklace is so lovely! Definitely my favorite, I would get it in bronze!

daemiafirestar at hotmail dot com

♥ meninheira ♥ said...

I love "Out my Window. Hoop Earrings" so sweet and cute!! and like "Sage. Victorian Necklace" too, but my favorite are the earrings :)

meninheira at gmail dot com

Peach Rainbow said...

wow how cute! i love the "Orchid. Luxe Filigree Ring"
"Fleur. Filigree Ring
Chrysanthemum. Ring"

Tickleworm said...

The apple blossom hoops! Very pretty!
rachelherzog@bellsouth.net
www.tickleworm.com

Rachel :)

Tickleworm said...

I already follow you!!!!
rachelherzog@bellsouth.net
www.tickleworm.com
Rachel

Anonymous said...

This is really hard. This work is lovely! But I adore the Strawberry Fields. Hoop Earrings = thanks so much,
Ellenherbert(at)roadrunner.com
thank you!

Lyndsay said...

What a beautiful shop!
I really like the meadow locket!

Lyndsay said...

PS - I'm a follower of the sunshine studio!

denise said...

beautiful pieces!
I love the pearl luxe earrings.
qwaszx024 at gmail dot com

denise said...

I follow
qwaszx024 at gmail dot com

denise said...

I follow Mia Beads
qwaszx024 at gmail dot com

amanda said...

I love the out my window hoop earrings!
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

amanda said...

I follow your blog
oheeyore at hotmail dot com

Sarah Sar said...

i love the blue necklace!

saladforbreakfast AT gmail DOT com

JLMadro said...

I follow Mia's blog when i can, and i have made multiple purchases, she is an absolute sweetheart! I love her jewelry! Everything is so well made, and unique! I pretty much check her etsy shop every day to see what new little creations she has made! LOL! Keep up the awesome work Mia, you rock! :)


jamielynnmadro.etsy.com
jlm471@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

As soon as I saw Mia's "Blue. Necklace", I imagined myself in it. Although I loved so many of her creations, but I would have to say that this would have to be my favorite!!!

And a little bird helped me tweet about it here, http://twitter.com/Shes_Wanderin/statuses/3177589123

Celeste said...

I really like the Sage Victorian Necklace

* I follow your blog
* I also follow Mia's blog :)

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com

Andromache said...

I love Mia's stuff! I love her "out my window" earrings and the "enchanted" necklace..But I also really like Silver shade earrings..soo classy!

I follow Mia's blog
Dominique

dominique.duguay(at)yahoo.com

Kat C. said...

I am in love with the twilight earrings, so that would be my choice!

katch05 at gmail dot com

Christy said...

I just recently discovered Etsy and I'm so glad that I did. I tried to make jewelry but, if you can imagine a two year old with chronic hiccups trying to thread macaroni necklaces...well, that's about what I got.
I love the Tiger Lilly Locket, adore it actually. If I don't win, I'm buying it anyways.
Christy
P.S- The only thing to make strawberry shortcake better is to eat it with Johnny Depp on a water bed after winning the lottery. Other than that, it's God's perfect food.

Christy said...

It helps to leave me email, right? ;)
Cmetalangel249@yahoo.com

Christy, again.

oh, hello friend. said...

what a LOVELY giveaway! mia is just such a sweetheart! :) her shop is so beautiful too!

My favorite is: Powder Almond. Pearl Necklace -- i LOVE LOVE LOVE the simplicity of this!

thanks for the giveaway!
xo.

Abigail said...

I love her shop! I think one of my faves is the design your own Fleur. Filigree Ring...beautiful!!!

Thanks for the chance :)

peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

i tweeted here: http://twitter.com/AMPaway/status/3189770750

entry #1

peters.ab0124(at)gmail

ps. - her comment at only crossing one eye at a time cracked me up! lol

Abigail said...

i tweeted here: http://twitter.com/AMPaway/status/3189770750

entry #2

peters.ab0124(at)gmail

Abigail said...

I follow your blog publicly

entry #1

peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I follow your blog publicly

entry #2

peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I follow your blog publicly

entry #3

peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I follow your blog publicly

entry #4

peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I follow your blog publicly

entry #5

peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #1
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #2
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #3
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #4
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #5
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #6
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

Abigail said...

I blogged about this giveaway!
entry #7
peters.ab0124(at)gmail.com

• friX • said...

My favorite item would be the Fussy Peacock Earrings ! I just think they're lovely :-)

bridgetwhoplaysfrenchhorn said...

I love the scarlet rose hair pins! :)

bridgetwall (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I would love the lilac hair pins for my sweet daughter!
Zoe0825@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love this shop! Such beautiful things! So hard to choose but i have to go with...

Woodland Dainty Earrings

Becky
msbicky@aol.com

Ladytink_534 said...

My favorite item is the Twilight. Locket Necklace
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Ladytink_534 said...

I'm a follower
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

Your blog is beautiful thanks so much ;o) I really like the Fleur Filigree ring and it comes in different colors too!!!!

Shawna L. said...

shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I am a follower of your blog

Shawna L. said...

shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I follow Mias blog

Shawna L. said...

shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I follow you on twitter

Shawna L. said...

shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I tweeted about this contest
http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/3213866860

Shawna L. said...

shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com



I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/3213866860

Catherine Ivins said...

what a woonderful shop- thanks for featuring it- so many faves but I love all of her hair pins!

Kristin said...

I love this! I love all of her rings! I'm a huge ring fan!

I'm a follower of your blog!

Thanks! :)

Kristin
jordenandkristin@gmail.com

julie_is_here_now said...

I am sorry I can't answer this question. As honestly how do you choose only one item as your favourite when there are so many jumping at me saying pick me?

Shelbey said...

Hi! :)

My favorite item is the Creme fraiche. Hair Pins.

I am now a follower of your blog and Mia's blog. :)

Shelbey
shelbeyfaye@hotmail.com

Thank you!