Monday, November 30, 2009

Drumroll Please. . .

The winner is April of Artful Goodies. Her favorite item from Laura's shop, though hard to decide, is the peacock photo necklace!

April wins her choice of a 5x5 print from Laura's shop, Violet Bella Photography. Congrats! Let us know which one you choose!

Laura has introduced quite a few new items into both of her shops this past week! Including beautiful jewelry and wood block art. She also has specials in both shops that end today, so hurry!

Keep up with Laura through her shops: Violet Bella and Violet Bella Photography. And for the latest in Violet Bella's World, stop by her blog.

Laura, your work is absolutely gorgeous, and I am so happy you decided to come by my blog and share with us. It was an honor to have you!

My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who stopped by to enter. I am forever grateful for your continued support of my blog.

While you're here, toss your name in the hat for this week's giveaway! It started today, and one lucky reader will get their choice of a fabulous, repurposed locket necklace from Etsy shop Polarity. Have a great night!!

Hall of Fame {Uncorked + Polarity}

Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying this Cyber Monday and getting some online shopping done. Take a little break to meet the ever sweet Cat of Etsy shops Uncorked and Polarity, and writer of the witty and inspirational blog, Olivebites.

Cat has a passion for "using repurposed, recycled and sustainable materials in new, unique and beautiful ways." Her work truly is unique and beautiful. You'd never think that her lovely little lockets came from an auto part! Or that the cork used in her necklaces is made from a centuries-old tradition in the forests of Portugal and Spain!

Keep reading to learn a little more about her, and get in on your chance to win one of her creations!

What inspires you?
I am inspired by flea markets and junk heaps, crowds, time alone, things my daughter discovers because she has a great eye for the unusual with her camera

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I live in central New Jersey, about 5 minutes from the ocean. I have lived in NJ my entire life (sniffle).

Name something unique to where you live.
Actually, although NJ gets a bad rep- we are actually super-close to 2 wonderful cities- and have the beach and the mountains and a very eclectic mix of people from everywhere.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
Believe it or not, I used to be a bank manager.
If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Hmm, that's a toughie- I may have to leave it at - hmmm

What made you decide to open up shop?
I had a cart in a local mall during the holidays and summers (selling collages and prints) and was very burned out and my face hurt from smiling all the time (I am totally serious). I loved Etsy as soon as I saw it and just had to be a part of it.

How did you come up with your shop names? Any special significance?
Uncorked- I thought was clever because you would 'uncork' the test tube, but often people search for my name under cork and can't find me, so I'm not sure how clever I was with that one. Polarity just seemed perfect immediately.

Tell us why using repurposed, recycled and sustainable materials is so important to you.
Well, I have a very strong need to create things, but a bit of guilt about the entire process of production, sales and the inevitable disposing of those creations. If I am going to create things- I need those things to be made responsibly and I need them to have beauty and purpose.
Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
My favorite thing about handmade is to be able to be imperfect with it- handmade doesn't seek to look manufactured or flawless - it just seeks to make a connection. Seeking connection is a huge life lesson for a wannabe hermit like me.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
I am a full-timer.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I am an early bird- up usually between 5 and 6. I need tea immediately and do family things. Then I check convos and print the day's postage labels and lay out on my shipping table copies of the day's orders. I make most things to order so am making things every day. If the weather is bad and I have to do the transfer process for the cork indoors, which involves chemicals that I wish it didn't- I use an upstairs extra room at the far end of the house (which isn't that far since my house is not very big). I solder and stain cedar on Wednesdays at my husband's shop. I am currently doing wholesale orders on the weekends, but am hoping to get this all a bit more under control after the holidays so I have more time for things other than work. I blog at night after everyone is in bed. I am currently at the point where everything is just impossible and change is inevitable.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
My favorite Etsy purchase is my moo card necklace from 3squares - super clever, I think

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Flea market shopping (or window shopping), antiquing, composting (I get a lot of satisfaction stirring compost for some strange reason), cooking soups and breads, reading, making things out of other things

Read any good books lately?
I just finished the new Dan Brown which I thought was timely and interesting, but definitely written with a very gory movie in mind, I've recently read a David Sedaris short story collection - hysterical as always, The Garden of Last Days, Losing Alice

What is your most prized possession?
A photo book my daughter just gave me of our vacation pictures that she made with an online service- I look at it everyday and dream of the wild ponies and North Carolina
What are three of your favorite foods?
Guacamole (can't eat it too much), diet pepsi (have quit it twice in the past year, but can't seem to stay away), any pasta dish, but ravioli in particular

What would you like to learn to do?
I have to relearn to knit because I have forgotten and I really want to learn the potter's wheel because my earlier attempts were pretty sad...

What are you listening to right now?
Vampire Weekend and Regina Spektor
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Norway- my dad was born in Norway and my sister and I always promise each other we will take a trip there together

Anything else you'd like to share?
Well...I'd love to share the turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce on my special homemade cranapple bread that I am eating as I write this, but you all probably have your own .... I hope


Cat, thank you so much for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better.

If you'd like to learn even more about Cat and her work, read her featured seller interview over on Etsy {here}.

Please take a moment to visit her shops. She has a special in both shops that ends TODAY! So hurry!

Time for a Giveaway!
Cat is so generously giving one reader their choice of ANY LOCKET from her shop, Polarity! Sweet!!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with which locket you will choose from Polarity if you are the lucky winner. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username!

Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Cat's blog - Olivebites : 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Uncorked or Polarity: 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, December 6th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, December 7th.

Worth Quoting

Greet each new day as a magical journey.
Wonderful surprises wait around every bend.


~ unknown

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday BOGO Sale

Today only: Buy one item, get the second 1/2 off!
Buy two items, get the third FREE!

*Discounted/free item must be of equal/lesser value. Discount will be refunded through PayPal, OR wait for a revised invoice before payment.

Happy shopping!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Photobucket

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday surrounded by family and friends.

Please come back tomorrow for my regular features and a HUGE Black Friday sale in my shop! And hurry, it starts early and won't last all day. Don't miss it!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

Drumroll Please. . .

The winner is Nicole-Lynn of Seaside Smitten. Her favorite item from Wendy's shop is the Rosy Grey Herringbone Suiting and Lace Clutch in Vintage Fabric with Vintage Buttons!

She wins the lovely Pink and Black Tie Clutch. Congrats!!

Wendy, your work is lovely, and I am so happy you decided to come by my blog and share with us. It was an honor to have you!

Keep up with Wendy's work by visiting her shop Pook & Thy. Give her shop a heart while you're there!

My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who stopped by to enter. I am forever grateful for your continued support of my blog.

Be sure to toss your name in the hat for this week's giveaway! It started today, and one lucky reader will get their choice of 5x5 print from the fabulous Etsy shop Violet Bella Photography. Have a great night!!

Hall of Fame {Violet Bella}

Howdy! Welcome back for this week's interview and giveaway. Let's get this holiday week started off right ;)

Meet the beautiful and talented Laura of Violet Bella.
Her shop is brimming with unique jewelry, accessories, photos, and art. She also has a shop devoted to her photography - Violet Bella Photography.

You'll fall in love with every photo in her shop - they're all so beautiful! Read on to learn more about this drum-playin, craft crazy, pet lover and life explorer.

What inspires you?
- So many things inspire me. Nature has to be the biggest, especially autumn. The colors of the leaves, the overcast days (perfect for photos), the smell in the air. Next would be other artists. Etsy has opened up my eyes to the realm of craftiness out there. I live in a small town, so before Etsy and really interacting on blogs, I had no idea so many people my age were interested in the same things I am. That is very inspiring. Basically my eye is drawn to so many things. We may be driving in the car and pass an old rusty barn, or I happen to catch the light coming through the tall grass as the sun is setting, that really gets me going!

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
- I call being with my husband and animals home. But I also call the hillcountry my home, as yes I grew up here, in Bandera, Texas. I love being surrounded by nature. As much as I love the old buildings, cool shops, and people watching, I would never survive in the city!
Name something unique to where you live?
- Lets see, Bandera is the Cowboy Capital of the World, so as you can imagine, I stick out in a town like this. On regular occasions you will see people riding down main street on their horses, or even see a longhorn in the middle of town. Oh, and our local museum has a shrunken head thats been stolen twice! It was found and recovered on the side of the road somewhere!

Share an interesting fact about yourself?
- Hmmm...I wore all black in high school! I mean all black, with the blood red lipstick and all. Its a good thing there is a such thing as fazes! Ive always been an individual in the way I dress - if I like it - I wear it! Oh, and I love to play the drums. But I dont have a set anymore. I would oh so love to have a pink drum set one day!
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would that be?
- hard question - either CRAFTY or COMPASSIONATE. {sorry, I cant decide}

What made you decide to open up a shop?
- After losing my mother to breast cancer, I became a waitress for a year. Then circumstances happened that made me want to leave, so I did. I had no experience in other fields, I had worked with my family's business, Broken China Jewelry, since out of high school. I took a huge leap of faith, with the support of my husband, to go for my dream - to support myself as an artist! I have always dreamt of creating lovely things that people would cherish, just like my mom did. I know that she would be so proud of me and that keeps me going everyday.

How did you come up with the name Violet Bella? Any special significance?
- Yes! It just kind of happened naturally. I adore my animals, they are a huge part of my life. My dog's name is Violet, and my cat's name is Bella. They just sounded so pretty together, I didnt think twice about it!
Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
- the satisfaction I get knowing that someone loved something I made with my own hands enough to spend money on it, especially in such tough financial times. I also love being able to reuse and repurpose old or discarded things, reducing the purchases of new items in this world is always a plus in my book!

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full time?
- I am currently doing Etsy full time, along with selling in two local shops, Gunslinger and Cowboy Caliente. I love selling in the shops because I get to fix my space up how I want it, its like playing shop without actually having to run it. Although, my big dream is to own my own shop one day, I just dont ever want to be married to it! I do work for a friend of mine who owns an herbal company, Earthlight Energies. We make all kinds of completely organic herbal products from scratch. I am learning alot about herbs and what they are good for. I also clean her house once a week. I am getting her to set up an etsy shop as well!
You seem to have many talents as a 'photographer, jewelry designer and clothing designer'. Have you had any formal training?
- No. I took a photography class in high school, but I was more interested in finding ways out of class, and actually crushing on my husband :) {we didnt know it at the time} But even in class, I did not like to pay attention to the rules, I just wanted to take the pictures. Same thing in art class, I just wanted to draw, I didnt want anyone telling me how I was suppose to do it. So needless to say, I never learned the 'techniques', I just play until I get it right. My mom taught me the basics of sewing, but again, I cant use patterns. My philosophy in all that I do is to just get in there and try until you get what you want. Rules and patterns are too confining and take away from my creativity. I like never knowing how something is going to look until its done, whether thats a photograph, a dress or a necklace.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
- starts with feeding my animals, I also have a little lovebird, Nico. Then straight to the coffee pot! As I drink my coffee I check all my online sites, email, etsy and blogger. Get super excited if I sold something! I make alot of lists each day of things I want to accomplish, it keeps me somewhat organized. Usually house cleaning is on the list. I post new items, make blogs, try to hit a treasury, as much networking as I can. Then I will begin to craft. This is where the lists come in handy, or else I am all over the place and cant focus on what to work on, the only down side of doing so many different crafts. Then depending on my husbands schedule, I will make dinner and we will watch an episode of House or Psyche. He will usually play a video game, so Im back online! Maybe some more posting, chat room or just general browsing new fun blogs!
Then playtime with our dog Violet, maybe a walk to the post office or just around town and then off to bed!
Share with us a favorite etsy purchase or shop.
- oh man, there are so many good ones, that is a hard choice...I am going to have to say, my friend Renea's shop pennythreads. She only has three items in her shop so far, she just started! But she already has over 100 views on one of her items. if you follow her shop, i know you will be pleased with what is yet to come. She is an amazing painter, you can see a custom portrait she did of me in her shop. She also crochets the most beautiful scarfs and cowls ive ever seen. amazingly talented artist. she is also a poet by the way :)

List a few of your most favorite pastimes. - I am assuming this question means things I like to do to pass the time. I hope so, that is what I am going to respond with :) I love to hand embroider things. Or handsewing in general. I love to read. I love to go to coffee shops. I love to take drives in the hillcountry. And one of my favorite things to do is to just lay in the bath tub! Oh, and yoga!!!
Read any good books lately?
- I dont read novels so much. I read inspiration books, usually buddhist ones. Check out anything by Jon Kabat-Zinn or Thich Nhat Hahn.
my favorite on soul work: Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore
my favorite thought provoking book: Think on these things by Krishnamurti
my favorite daily inspiration: Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie
my favorite love story: The Unimaginable Life by Kenny and Julia Loggins (yes, the musician)
my favorite art inspiration: Letters to a young artist by Julia Cameron

What is your most prized possession?
- I would have to say its a kaliedescope that my mother made when she was about my age. She was working for a company that made them and she was commissioned to make one for Tiffanys. So she decided to put some old china pieces in it, and long story short, this was the seed for her Broken China Jewelry business. Which I am proud to say that she was the original creator of this, now there are so many other people making it!
What are your three favorite foods?
1. Nutella french toast!
2. homeade pizza
3. my moms green chicken enchiladas!

What would you like to learn to do?
- Crochet, Bellydancing, be a better cook, to really play the drums, really cool stuff with photoshop

What are you listening to now?
- currently Coralie Clement (french), Ingrid Michaelson, and Dashboard Confessionals new album (the acoustic version)
- all time favorites: Neil Young, Joni Mitchel, Bob Dylan, Blind Melon, Tegan and Sara, White Stripes, Willie Nelson, etc.
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why?
- since the fourth grade I have wanted to go to Maine after reading a story, I dont even remember the story now, just the wonderful description of Maine. Ive already been to France, Spain and Germany. I would so love to go back to the country side of France. I was not too impressed with Paris, I like the funky outskirts much better!

Laura, thank you so much for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better.

Please take a moment to visit Laura's photostream on flickr. She has so many lovely photos! And for the latest in Violet Bella's World, stop by her blog!

Time for a Giveaway!
Laura is so generously giving one lucky winner their choice of any 5 x 5 print from her shop Violet Bella Photography!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from Violet Bella or her photo shop. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username!

Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Laura's blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Violet Bella or Violet Bella Photography: 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, November 29th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, November 30th.

Advertising Available!

Looking for some extra exposure? Want to promote your shop? Would you like some additional traffic to your blog? Well, I'm so happy to announce that I am now offering ad space here at The Sunshine Studio! My rates are reasonable and I'll even help you design your ad if need be.

{SPECIAL OFFER}
I would love to ad your button to the far right sidebar over there --------->
The first two people to contact me and sign up will get $5 off! You can't beat that!

{more info here}

Worth Quoting

To believe is to know that life is a miracle and all that we dream of is within our reach.

~ Unknown

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Drumroll Please. . .

This week's extremely lucky winner is Wanda! Her favorite piece from Monica's shop is the Hazy Sky Necklace.

Wanda gets the absolutely gorgeous necklace seen below, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we're all a little jealous ;)

Monica, your work is truly beautiful, and I am so happy you decided to come by my blog and share with us. It was an honor to have you!

And thank you to all who entered for the AWESOME turnout! I'm sure you'll want to keep up with Monica and her work, so don't forget to follow her on twitter, heart her shop, and become a facebook fan!

A new Hall of Fame Interview & Giveaway started yesterday, so stop by while you're here and get your entry in. Have a great week!

Alluring Artisans: O Bella Naturals

Trendy Tuesday


Monday, November 16, 2009

Hall of Fame {Pook & Thy}

Welcome back, everyone! You're in for another treat this week. I feel so privileged to be able to introduce you to these fabulous Etsy artists. After each interview, I feel as if I've made a new friend. I hope you will too. . .

Meet Wendy, the seamstress behind the sweet Etsy shop Pook & Thy. Her shop is filled with hand embroidered cards and tags, clutches, scarves, bibs, and handbags!

Wendy is a mother, nurse, thrift store addict, and artist who makes her lovely pieces mostly out of recycled materials.

Read on to learn more about her busy life, how she learned to sew, and just who is Pook. You'll also get to meet her adorable assistant! ;)

What inspires you?
I am inspired by colour combinations and elements of style all around me. I am an avid people watcher. I might see someone perhaps wearing a blouse with a certain type of ruffle which might inspire me to create something of my own with a ruffle as an accent. Also I have always had a love for vintage and classic things which truly never go out of style.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I am from Toronto and have lived within the same neighbourhood since the age of 8. I guess you could call me a real homebody. I'm really not that adventurous or a world traveler. I prefer to stay at home with my sewing machine.

Name something unique to where you live.
In downtown Toronto there is a textile museum and every year they have a massive fundraiser sale of donated textiles and vintage fabrics. For me this is like Christmas. I'm like a child in that I can barely sleep the night before the event.

{Wendy's "assistant" ~ click to enlarge}
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I also work outside of the home as a registered nurse in an occupational health capacity. I started my nursing career working in maternity and labor and delivery.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Wow, this is a really tough question! ...so many options... how bout silly? I love being goofy sometimes, especially with certain friends.

What made you decide to open up shop?
I had been talking about doing something like a shop on another e-commerce site which shall remain nameless and then one of my best friends introduced me to etsy. She apologized when she told me about it because she said it was very addicting. She was right! My shop slowly evolved from there and I'm experimenting with new designs all the time. Sometimes I think my shop is too busy with too much variety and not enough consistency i.e. one item in many different sizes and colours etc., but then again I'm an artisan and not a catalogue company.
How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
Pook = my 5 year old son's nickname
Thy = my dear friend Thyra - whom I met in nursing school and also loves to sew.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I LOVE to think there are people out there all over the world who love my work and are wearing my unique creations.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
***see above.

Who taught you to sew and when?
My mother was trained as a family studies or home economics teacher in the 60s. She is an amazing sewer and actually taught me to sew on her vintage Singer machine when I was 5. This was after having sent back my plastic Holly Hobby machine for repairs for the upteenth time.
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Every day is quite different really at the moment because I am off work on maternity leave with a new baby who is now 4 months old. Between feeding the baby, getting Pook back and forth to Kindergarten and keeping the house in order I try to sneak in some sewing and etsy here and there.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Definitely I have to say that I'm addicted to mother of pearl buttons and belt buckles from grlyhead's shop on etsy. Lately I've also developed a rhinestone button and buckle fascination too.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I love to sew (obviously)
I love love love to thrift shop
Hanging out at my parent's cottage in Muskoka and checking out the garage sales up there.
Playing with my kids and spending time relaxing at home with my husband.
Swimming and downhill skiing

Read any good books lately?
I have to say that I really don't have very much time for reading. I am trying to finish up My Sister's Keeper but it's taking about 6 months, lol.
What is your most prized possession?
Definitely my Singer Featherweight sewing machine. It's so beautiful - all glossy, gleamy and black - and sews like a dream.

What are three of your favorite foods?
Perogies for sure! (must be homemade)

What would you like to learn to do?
Speak Spanish I guess, I'm already bilingual in French.

What are you listening to right now?
My fussy baby, Lol. He likes to be held ALL the time and doesn't like that I've put him down.
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Paris! Paris! Paris! Who doesn't want to go to Paris??? Well it's the french in me I guess and the style there of course.

Wendy, thank you for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better.

Time for a Giveaway!
This week's winner will receive Wendy's Pink and Black Tie Clutch. Lovely!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from her shop. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username!

Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Pook & Thy: 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, November 22nd at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, November 23rd.


Worth Quoting

When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator.

~ Gandhi