Hall of Fame {Moon Over Maize}

Hi there, and welcome back. I'm so glad you stopped by!

Meet Monica, the radiant woman behind Etsy shop Moon Over Maize.

Monica's shop is filled with stunning jewelry inspired by Mother Nature and the beauty she sees in the world around her.

Take a peek, you won't be disappointed. And the prize? It will take your breath away.

Keep reading for a glimpse into her life, her beautiful creations,
and learn how that lovely shop name came about.

What inspires you?
My main sources of inspiration are my two darling children and Mother Nature, both of which keep my creativity flowing.
Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
Home for me is wherever my family is and for the past 3 years that place has been Utah. Before that we lived in England and I would love to go back one day.

Name something unique to where you live.
We live very close to Golden Spike which is where the Union and Central Pacific Railroads joined to create the nation's first transcontinental railroad.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
My husband and I met on Sept. 11, 2001.

{Monica and kids amongst the beautiful UT scenery}

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

What made you decide to open up shop?
I had been thinking about it for years and after I had my second child I just got fed up with thinking about it and dove straight in.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
My daughter's middle name is Maize and I knew I wanted to include that somehow. I tend to produce pieces while she is sleeping hence the "Moon Over Maize" name.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I love everything about homemade! Each piece is so special as it was worked by your hands and each piece will be slightly different and unique, but perfect all the same.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
I stay at home with my two young children and work like mad during naps and after they've gone to sleep at night.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I like to get up by 5:30 so I can hopefully have a bit of time to myself to answer convos, renew items, list new products, etc. My son is usually awake by 6am and plays some games on Nick Jr while I pack up orders or work on a new design. My daughter gets up around 7 and then it's time for breakfast and playtime. We play until nap time and then I work on whatever needs my attention. After naps it's more playtime, running errands and getting dinner ready. The kids normally go to sleep around 8:30 and then I'm busy again with making jewelry!

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I have made numerous purchases on Etsy and have loved every single one! I've recently purchased a ring from JealousyDesign and it is exquisite!
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I love to read, hike in the mountains, play tennis and board games.

Read any good books lately?
The last book I read was over a year ago and it was The Last Lecture. It was a wonderfully written book that I should probably reread again.

What is your most prized possession?
I absolutely adore the wedding dress my Mom made for me. It's stunning and perfect and made me feel like a million dollars on my wedding day!

What are three of your favorite foods?
Artichokes, homemade pizza and stove popped popcorn....mmmmmm
What would you like to learn to do?
I would love to learn more about photography.

What are you listening to right now?
My son playing a game on Nick Jr.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
One place I felt I had to visit was England and I have now had the pleasure of living there. From a young age I was obsessed with the King Arthur and Robin Hood tales. I grew up wanting to marry an Englishman and I did! There is something about the history and charm of England that is constantly calling my name.

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

Follow Monica on twitter or become a fan on facebook to stay up-to-date!
Time for a Giveaway!
Isn't the necklace shown above breathtaking? Well, guess what! Monica is so graciously offering one to this week's lucky, lucky winner!

To enter to win Her Majesty's Necklace, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece (or pieces - it's hard to pick just one) from Monica's shop. Don't forget to include your name and contact info - Etsy username or email address.

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 Moon Over Maize: 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!)

I apologize for the delay in this week's post. As a result, I will be adding a extra day for you to enter, so this contest will end Monday, November 16th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Tuesday, November 17th.