Worth Quoting

To be successful, think of yourself as successful. Then act on your positive thoughts. The biggest difference between sloppy incompetence and brilliant excellence is in your attitude. Truly respect yourself and the work you're doing, and that work will bring results of great value. Your choices determine the direction your life goes. Act boldly on your positive thoughts, and be the success you envision.

~ unknown

Purse-aholic

Mia in Mustard

Wordless Wednesday

Worth Quoting

Happiness does not depend on outward things,

but on the way we see them.

~ Leo Tolstoy

these vintage jars

this three-dimensional monarch display

this pillow

these dainty little studs

this custom cuddly cat snuggle bed (for one of my fur babies, of course!)

this wooden photo necklace

this french lace bag

and this leaf wrap ring

Finally, a Winner! Drumroll Please. . .

The winner of the rose ring is Holly!

Holly, I have sent you an email requesting your mailing info...

Thanks to everyone who entered! What a great turnout. I think being able to enter daily went quite well :)

I appreciate everyone's patience as I get my blog back on track... Major "update post" later today.

xo

Worth Quoting

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Worth Quoting

"Have you any unfulfilled dreams, Anne?" asked Gilbert. Something in his tone made Anne's heart beat wildly. But she made her answer lightly. "Of course. Everyone has. It wouldn't do for us to have all our dreams fulfilled. We would be as good as dead if we had nothing left to dream about."

~Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery

Worth Quoting

In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet.

~ Albert Schweitzer

Wordless Wednesday

Worth Quoting

image sold {here}

Purse-aholic

sorry, but this baby is sold... to me! i finally snagged myself a madebyhank original!!! aren't you jealous? ;) check out her blog where she gives eagerly awaiting buyers a heads up when she's about to list some of her gorgeous bags.

Worth Quoting

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Winner, and a Giveaway

Congratulations to Heather, the winner of Susannah Tucker's "Today Would be a Lovely Day to be a Butterfly" photo block. One of her favorite pieces from Susannah's shop is the "Believe in the Magic" photograph.

Susannah, thank you so very much for stopping by to share with us. It was an honor to have you here at The Sunshine Studio. Be sure to add her shop to your favorites so you can keep up with her lovely work! Her blog is beautiful and inspiring, as well.

Now, my apologies are in order. If I told you everything that's been going on in my life the past few weeks, you probably wouldn't believe me... Three ice storms, snow, no internet, we moved, new computer (a mac... yeow!), new job... Just to name a few! There's still a lot to do to finish moving and get settled in, so I will be away from the blog for a few weeks. I will still post as time allows, but there will not be any Hall of Fame interviews until I return. However, I am going to leave you with a giveaway ;)

Would you like to own one of my romantic rose rings? Well, here's your chance! The Rosalie ring shown below is up for grabs! You'll have plenty of time to enter, so more chances. The contest ends Sunday, March 21st at midnight, and I'll announce the winner when I come back the next day.

To enter, leave a comment on this post. You can enter once per day!!! Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username so I can contact you! You can also tweet this giveaway once per day or follow me on twitter and get an additional entry for doing so!

Regular posts will resume March 22nd. Until then! xo

Drumroll Please. . .

The winner is Sarah Paschall, whose favorite item from Poor Pitiful Pearl is the Pink Recycled Double Hoodie. Sarah gets $30 to spend in Shauna's shop. Congratulations!!

Please stop by and add Shauna's shop, Poor Pitiful Pearl, to your favorites. She adds new pieces all the time, and most importantly she gives back! 10% of all PPP profits go to help orphaned children. Stop by for something handmade and unique, and support a great cause in the process. Don't forget to visit her blog where you can get first dibs on the latest PPP styles!

Shauna, it was so nice to have met you. Your work is so unique and beautiful. 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 yesterday, and the winner will receive a beautiful photo block from Etsy shop Susannah Tucker Photography.

Hall of Fame {Susannah Tucker Photography}

Good morning! Thanks for stopping by today. A warm welcome to new friends and old :)

Meet Susannah, a self taught photographer who's love for capturing moments in time began at the age of eight.

Her shop, Susannah Tucker Photography, is filled with beautiful images "inspired by my daughters laugh, my sons newborn deliciousness, the connection I see between people, the warmth of the sun, and a stark landscape. I love vibrant colours, watching the clouds drift across a blue sky, spring blossoms, the feel of sand and grass underfoot, rustic country scenes, all things vintage and brown paper packages wrapped in string. My favourite thing of all....getting lost in a daydream...."

Keep reading to learn a bit more about the girl behind the camera.

What inspires you?
So many things inspire me – a blue sky, sunshine, all things vintage ~ especially old cameras, pale pastel flowers, the beach, rustic country scenes, dandelions.......I could go on and on......

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I’ve called Australia home for the past 6 years, and lived in the States, London, and Germany, but HOME will always be New Zealand.

Name something unique to where you live.
Koalas, Kangaroos, spiders...the Australian heat!
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
Not enough sleep + not enough coffee = a very grumpy Susannah

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

What made you decide to open up shop?
When I had my daughter and became a full time mother I needed a creative outlet. I had been pottering away at photography since I was given my first camera when I was 8, and thought why not? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I am so glad I did, so many wonderful things have come from having an Etsy shop, and I would be lost without it!
How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
I have dreams of opening a portrait business for families and children, and it just seemed right to use my name for the fine art side of things, and for any other future photography projects/businesses I get into.

Your work is stunning! Have you had any formal training?
No. I am self taught. I used to think I had to be formally trained to ‘be’ a photographer, but the more you experiment and teach yourself, the more your own style develops and you don’t need a piece of paper to follow your dreams.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I get to work at my own pace, doing what I absolutely love, and be at home with my little ones. Plus I think there is something unique about creating something you love, then wrapping it up and shipping it off to someone else in the world....hoping they love it too.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
I am a full time mother to a 3.5 year old, Annabel and a 10 month old, Otis. I fit in the photography around my children, and while I would love to have more hours in the day (and dream of having my own studio), I wouldn’t change anything!

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I am normally woken by my little girl tip toeing in to ask me if I am awake (her face millimeters from mine)– better than an alarm clock! We have breakfast together, I have coffee (mmmm, coffee....) and check emails, respond to any queries, check orders etc. We get ready (which as a lot of you with stubborn little people at home will know, can take hours), and head out of the house for the morning - to the zoo, the park, playgroup, music, depends what day it is and what we have on. During the afternoons when the kids are sleeping it’s my quiet time to package up orders, list new items, work on new photos, email, read a few blog favourites. I have a wonderful husband who takes over when he gets home from work so I can go to the gym and/or do some more photo work. I call it work but it never feels like work!

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
My favourite Etsy shop is Erin Carver. She is the most incredibly talented artist – www.ErinCarver.etsy.com
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Long summer days at the beach or swimming pool, hands down my favourite past and present time!

Read any good books lately?
A Song in the Daylight – Paullina Simons. That lady is such a good storyteller!

What is your most prized possession?
My camera collection, box of polaroids, and family photo albums.

What are three of your favorite foods?
Chocolate, coffee, sushi. Does coffee count as food?
What would you like to learn to do?
Speak Italian

What are you listening to right now?
The sound of summer – cicadas and other insects outside in the garden. I love that sound.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Italy. I’ve spent 2 weeks there, and it is the most romantic, incredible, cultured place I’ve ever been to. The light is incredible. It is AMAZING. We want to spend a year in an Italian village while the kids are still young, and I would spend my days biking around the villages taking Polaroids. Heaven!

***

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

While you're visiting, stop by Susannah's blog and facebook page!

Time for a Giveaway!
This week's lucky winner will receive Susannah's beautiful "Today Would be a Lovely Day to be a Butterfly" Photo Block!

To enter, tell us your favorite piece from her shop. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username so we can contact you!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway, and/or follow me on twitter
Follow my blog and/or Susannah's blog
Blog about this interview/contest
Purchase from Susannah Tucker Photography

Just leave a comment with your answer. Then, an additional comment if you are applicable for extra entries.

For example: If you want to enter and you also tweet the giveaway and follow my blog; leave your original comment + another that you tweeted + another that you are a follower = a total of 3 comments. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

You can also tweet this giveaway once per day or follow me on twitter and get an additional entry for doing so!

Contest ends Sunday, January 31st at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day.

Good luck!

Worth Quoting

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

~ John Quincy Adams

Alluring Artisans: Fresh Line

Drumroll Please. . .

Gosh, I need to get on the ball! I apologize for the delay, again. I started my new job this week, so please bear with me as I work out all the kinks and get back to my regular blog schedule. This is gonna take some planning ;)

The winner is Carrie, who must always have chapstick in her purse! Carrie is one lucky gal, because she wins the gorgeous Augusta handbag from Mayka's shop. Congratulations!!

Please stop by and add Mayka's shop, CindyMars7, to your favorites. She's always adding new, unique items!

Mayka, it was so nice to have met you. 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 the winner will receive a $30 store credit from Etsy shop Poor Pitiful Pearl.

Hall of Fame {Poor Pitiful Pearl}

Hello everybody! Coffee is brewing, the sun is shining, and I know this is going to be a wonderful day!

Meet Shauna, the passionate mom behind Poor Pitiful Pearl. Her shop is filled with beautiful and unique clothing, that she creates in between devotions and nap time.

Shauna is very enthusiastic about helping those in need, and donates a portion of her profits to helping others.

I encourage you to visit her website, and read this interview. You'll be inspired!

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

What inspires you?
Everything. I love colorful happy things. Things you wouldn't expect to go together. Things that don't match, mixing the old with the new. I love the texture of certain fabrics and am drawn to things like nubs on an old worn out dish cloth. I love rummaging through bins of junk, finding a treasure amongst it all. That is so rewarding. I love taking things that are seemingly trash to someone else and make it into something unforgettable and special. I am very much a visionary... a dreamer. I lie awake a lot, feeling a sense of urgency to put my ideas to paper. When I design an article of clothing, I paint a visual picture of a moment and a person in that moment... I think all things tell a story and that's why I feel like I sell more of a lifestyle rather than clothing. The clothing I make is inspired by the girl who lives life without the worry of spilling a bit of coffee on her shirt... I embrace the beauty in imperfections and am attracted to things that are real and authentic.
Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
For now... I reside in Texas. For the last three years that is. Currently... we are building a home in the country. ( that is another design process that has my mind whirling) I love the country and its quietness... the smell of cedar burning... my husband all rugged, chopping wood and me digging up dirt in my organic herb garden. With all that being said... I am a born and raised southern californian... and my husband and I both surfers and lovers of the ocean. He's a lot better of a surfer than I ... lol We hope to live near the ocean again someday. I feel a little off centered when I am not near the pacific. The smell of the salt, the gusto of the unpredictable waves. The ocean is one of my favorite things that the Lord has made. It's one of the few things that calms me and actually silences my ever going mind.

Name something unique to where you live.
Coming from California... Everything in Texas is unique. People are much more friendly to strangers out here... people wave at you when you drive past them... at first my husband and I wondered if they had mistaken us for someone else... Texas Pride is also very unique... so many of the people born and raised here have never left Texas and never intend to.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
The Toms Shoes commercial makes me cry every time I watch it. I have such a heart for the orphans. My dream is to someday be able to be successful enough with PPP, that I can take personal trips to orphanages and bring clothing and necessities to them. This is the dream in my heart that breaks up the routine of everyday life and makes my life full of purpose and intention.
If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
As generic as it may sound.... I would say passionate.

What made you decide to open up shop?
After I finished design school, I was waitressing at my friends Mexican food restaurant, El Gringo. I would roller skate to work and pop on my flip flops to sling burritos... it was a nice simple life.. I always had a big dream to own my own shop and be my own boss. I was driving around with a friend and a starbucks when I saw a "for lease" sign in a small cottage style shop right on the beach in Hermosa. That was five years ago. I filled out an application and got the shop, just like that. I had no money or business plan.. I just winged it and it was a great success. I didn't take out a huge loan that hung over my head... instead I moved in an old vintage sofa, a vintage TV that played Disney movies all day long and brewed tea or coffee at the front door. I hung clothes in the shop like it was my home and people came in and hung out like it was their second home. It was very warm. After being in business three months.. My shop was named best one of a kind clothing store in the South Bay's easy reader. Business was plentiful. However.. When I became pregnant with McCoy.. After only a year of being in business, I knew I couldn't juggle running the shop and being the Mom I wanted to be.. I decided to close shop... and sell on ebay. Then someone told me about etsy and it was love at first sight.
How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
Many significances actually. My grandmother, the most amazing woman who ever lived.... Called me that. She would say I reminded her of the doll that was very popular in the 50's, because of the hobo way I would dress.. . Poor Pitiful Pearl was a doll who came in an orphan dress and then had a nice dinner dress you could change her into. It's pretty symbolic because that's what I do in a sense with scrap.. And turn rags into something valuable. The fact the Pearl was an orphan too.. Is all the more significant having later realized that was my calling. I am sure I am sounding redundant by now... but that is the KEY to my heart... the orphans.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
There is something so personal and rewarding about making something... and it's a nice escape from all the mass manufactured garbage out there. I also have a very rebellious attitude towards trends.. For example I detest Coach bags, McDonalds and Black Friday shopping at the mall. I just don't like things that are over advertised and produce conformity.... And because I don't like following trends, it seems natural for me to make trends.

When did you learn to sew? Who taught you?
Funny because I learned to sew in college... you would think like most people who are crafty they have learned their trade as a young child. I should tell you that my grandmother or mother taught me how to sew or that I dressed up my dolls or something... but that wasn't the case at all. I really had no interest in sewing in my younger years... I was a social butterfly and sewing required too much patience and stillness for me.. In fact I took a home-ec class in high school and was terrible at it. I don't like to follow directions very much. I like to just throw stuff together and see what happens... ( you should see what happens in my kitchen... the food turns out good... but it gets really messy) In college, I had to retake pattern making class a few times, because it was so precise and it involved math.... I cried several times in that class. I swore I would never make a collar or follow a pattern... but I do use pattens now... only I make them how I want them. I find I do better when I make the rules.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
I sell on etsy full time.... and am a stay at home Mama...

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Oh my gosh are you ready for this? I wake up... first thing... coffee... and if I wake up before my daughter.. I open the bible to a random spot and let God lead me in his wisdom for the day. I then take my scraggly lady in the tramp look a-like dog out for some frisbee. His name is Rigster and he was rescued from a land rig. One day my husband and I would like to start a men's clothing line called Rigster Benny in his honor. He is a wild man who sometimes sports a faux hawk.

Then we do breakfast and I check emails. That's when I package up any sold items and respond to etsy questions. I then make a to do list.. I'm neurotic about it... and get my daughter and I ready to head out and conquer... usually these errands include going to the post office, going thrift store shopping, buying threads and elastics, etc. I rack my brain to find ways to make these mundane activities seem like play for my daughter, by letting her hide in the clothes racks and pretend I can't see her or let her count and carry the elastic rolls to the cash register. I always make a park date or picnic in the midst of my running around that gives McCoy and I a nice mommy and daughter break. I try to get an exercise session in there... but being 8 months pregnant. This takes much willpower.

Then we have lunch and rally McCoy up for her nap. I have been blessed with a good napper. McCoy is almost four and still naps for about three hours in the afternoon. The minute her head hits that pillow, I go into work mode and it's nutty over here. I cant stop for even a phone call.. This time is precious to me. When my husband gets home from work we have dinner, and then he does all the bedtime routine stuff, bath time, story time and puts McCoy to bed... McCoy enjoys this Daddy time and I enjoy this time to creatively re-charge. I am able to sew some more, write some on my blog and maybe cut some squares or rummage through my bins for new projects. My husband is very supportive of my job and is very appreciative that I am able to stay home with McCoy and still bring in an income.

Prized time at the end of the day is connecting again with my husband with some hot cocoa and some back gammon, gin rummy or a netflix. .... I am married to my best friend..I feel truly blessed to be in love.

{Rigs & McCoy}

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I can't get enough fire daughter burn out tees and she will make customs too.

I don't really buy clothing from anyone because I make my own.. But these tees are super comfy. Not to mention Samya the owner is one of my favorite etsyers.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I lived in Costa Rica when I was 20... I got a one way ticket and took my dog Rocky. At the time I was a certified massage therapist. I stayed at a surf camp and massaged traveling surfers. My dog Rocky was my wingman, I had Rocky since I graduated from high school.. He was a great swimmer... and ball connoisseur. He was my best friend for many years and the coolest dog ever known to man. He passed away one year ago, I miss him greatly...and will always savor that time in my life when life was simple and it was just he and I on the beach.

Read any good books lately?
Yes! I love books... and the bible is my favorite... I dig up gold chunks everyday in the bible that keeps me centered and encouraged.... I read anything from CS Lewis, Beth Moore, and anything from my quiver of holistic books on herbs and medicine. I recently ordered Caesar Milan's Dog training book.. Lord help me... Rigster Benny is in need of training in the most embarrassing way.

What is your most prized possession?
I try not to prize possessions... but I love my pictures and films of family and past times... those things are priceless.. I also made McCoy a baby blanket out of my grandmothers pajamas. I love it.
What are three of your favorite foods?
SUSHI.... Mexican and the Whole Foods Buffet.

What would you like to learn to do?
This question gives me anxiety. I just signed up for a knitting class in january and would love to learn before my baby comes( I am 8 months pregnant) so I can hunker down and knit while breastfeeding and cuddling with the new babe. I want to learn Decoupage, lamp remaking, mosaic art, get more creative with my stores photography.... I am also slowly going through an online degree in holistic medicine.. So I'm always reading health books on alternative medicine and I love applying what I learn to our mealtime so that my family and I are always eating well and taking care of ourselves.

What are you listening to right now?
Kids Playing and laughing... McCoy has her little buddy over and they are playing dress up.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Italy, my husband is Italian and I think it would be so romantic to go on a gondola ride in Venice.. I imagine Italy being a very romantic place.

Anything else you'd like to share?

I donate 10% to Casa Hogar Orphanage in Puerto Escondido from all my PPP profits.

***

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

Don't forget to visit her website to learn more about her efforts to help kids in need. You can also read more about her, her business, and visit her blog.

Time for a Giveaway!
Shauna is so graciously giving a $30 store credit to one lucky reader!

To enter, tell us your favorite piece from her shop. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username so we can contact you!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway, and/or follow me on twitter
Follow my blog and/or Shauna's blog
Blog about this interview/contest
Purchase from Poor Pitiful Pearl

Just leave a comment with your answer. Then, an additional comment if you are applicable for extra entries.

For example: If you want to enter and you also tweet the giveaway and follow my blog; leave your original comment + another that you tweeted + another that you are a follower = a total of 3 comments. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

You can also tweet this giveaway once per day or follow me on twitter and get an additional entry for doing so!

Contest ends Sunday, January 24th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day.

Good luck!

Worth Quoting

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.
~ James Allen

The Sunshine Award

My blog has received this lovely award, The Sunshine award, from SumikoShop. How neat to be given this award for positive, inspiring blogs. It let's me know I'm accomplishing just what I'd hoped -- bringing some sunshine your way. Thanks so much!!

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world.

The rules for accepting this award:
- Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
- Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I want to pass this award to the following 12 bloggers {in random order}:

Baked by Joanna

Perfect Sentiment
Violet Bella
O Bella Naturals
Gussy
Pesky Cat Designs
LouLouBell
I Should Be Folding Laundry
Bring the Rain
Phydeaux
the b-line
Kind Over Matter

Alluring Artisans: the wheatfield

{you know I NEED that You Are My Sunshine print!!}

Drumroll Please. . .

The winner is Amber! She loves the Crystal Flowers Pendant. Amber gets to select her choice of pendant from April's shop. Congratulations!!

Keep up with April through her shop, Artful Goodies. Each of her unique pieces are hand inked, stamped, and colored. You're sure to find something you love!

April, it was so nice to have met you. 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 very lucky reader will receive a beautiful handbag from Etsy shop CindyMars7.

By the way, I'd love your feedback! How do you like the new contest rules? I welcome any and all suggestions. Just leave me a comment or send me an email. Have great evening!

Hall of Fame {CindyMars7}

Welcome back and Happy Monday. You know what a purse-aholic I am, so naturally I was happy to come across this lovely Etsy shop!

Meet Mayka, the artist behind CindyMars7. Her shop is stocked with the most unique bags with beautiful attention to detail.

Mayka "grew up loving fabric and the idea that you could create virtually anything you wanted with it." She recently fell in love with her sewing machine again, and treats each of her creations as a labor of love.

Keep reading to learn who it is she has to thank for the opening of her shop, and the sweet story behind her shop name.

What inspires you?
I’m mostly inspired by history. I remember being a student at FIT ( The Fashion Institute of Technology) and having access to the amazing archives. The teachers encouraged us to visit museums, thrift shops, and flea markets, so we could have a sense of the way clothing was constructed. I became a flea market junkie after this and fell in love with pretty much all the antique clothes that I came across. I sometimes incorporate details of the past in my handbags.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I am originally from the Dominican Republic, but call Colorado home. I first lived in Bronx, NY for about 8 years ( arrived in '86 ), then moved with my family to New Jersey and lived there until I got married in '08.

Name something unique to where you live.
Oh, the mountains and the wide open spaces! I live in the Western slope, in a town called Silt. It took me a while to adjust to the quiet pace of this quaint little town, but now I embrace it. I remember going back to NY for a visit last summer and I was amazed at how much I was affected by the fast pace of the city. I was actually afraid of driving around!
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
Hmmmm, that’s a toughie. Let’s see:
I sample grapes before buying them at the supermarket, I’m afraid of the shark tunnel at any aquarium ( but go thru it anyway), I like to squish Peeps inside their cute boxes and I was born with just one kidney.…I could go on and on, but you haven’t got all day, have you?

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
A nurturer... I've been told that a lot.

What made you decide to open up shop?
I opened up a shop on Etsy because of my sister. I had just moved to Colorado and was unsure of what the future would hold for me work wise. She begged me to give Etsy a try before looking for a 9 to 5 job. If it had not been for her and my mother, I would’ve never had the opportunity to work from home and take care of my family.
How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
My husband and I met thru an online chat room and my nickname was Cindymars7. If I had to explain to you how the name came about, I don’t think I could. It just came to me in an instant. I decided to use that nickname for the store, because it reminded me of the one chance meeting that changed my life ( just the way Etsy did).

Who taught you to sew?
Most of the women in my family are artisans in one way or another. I learned to sew by watching my mother and my grandmothers. My mom ended up opening a small business, sewing made-to-order girl’s dresses, as a way of earning extra income. Little did she know that I was watching her every move. I would take my dolls and try to replicate the dresses she created. When we emigrated to the US, she held several jobs in the garment industry. My love for sewing grew even greater when I became a teenager and wanted to look different and fashionable.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
The fact that there is no right or wrong way to design! What one person thinks is ugly, another person may find gorgeous.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
Right now I’m selling on Etsy full time.
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
During the work week, a typical day consists of getting my daughter and husband out to school and work. Then I sit in front of my computer with a huge cup of coffee, to see if there are sales from the night before. Then it's off to sewing, post office, housework, library, thrift shop on different days of the week...
Then, in the afternoons is family time: dinner, time with family and yes, maybe cutting a handbag later in the evening, to sew it early the next morning.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
One of my favorite Etsy stores is called Scabbyrobot. My sister and I loved the originality of both the name and the leather handbags. One of my favorite objects I’ve purchased on Etsy is a pair of antique earrings made in silver and tiger eye stones from a store called Kbjewels. I lost a similar pair when I was in my twenties and was very glad to find them again!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I am a treasure hunter at heart. I love to find antique items that have been loved by someone else. It especially warms my heart to find something handmade.

I also love to cook. I sometimes make a new recipe, instead of the usual grub, to give my family some variety.
Read any good books lately?
Well, I actually have been “hearing”, instead of reading books. It is so relaxing and inspiring to work while having a great story being read to you. To me it's a form of lullaby. I have “heard” a series of great books by Malcolm Gladwell: Blink, The Tipping Point and Outliers. He truly inspired me to look past the negative and think towards the future. If you have time read at least one, they will change your life.

What is your most prized possession?
My Christian faith and my family. I know you just asked for one prized possession, but for me, they are one and the same.

What are three of your favorite foods?
Ohhh not fair! I can’t pick just three ( pouting).

Ok, here we go:
1- A dish made with scrambled eggs, white rice and ham that I used to eat as a child...
2- Rice pudding from Rice to Riches ( yeah, but only when I am in NY)...
3- Raw oysters ( too yummy for words)
What would you like to learn to do?
If only I had the patience to learn how to knit with two needles! I have tried, but always come out disappointed. I would also enjoy learning a new career, perhaps in nursing.

What are you listening to right now?
Classical music, 70’s and 80’s music ( Supertramp, Boston, Bread) and Christian Rock.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
My husband and I would love to visit Japan someday. I find their culture incredibly fascinating.

Anything else you'd like to share?
Life is too short…go eat rice pudding with someone you love!

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

Mayka is offering free shipping on everything in her shop through January 15th! Add her to your favorites!

Time for a Giveaway!
Mayka is so generously giving away one of her fabulous bags to one reader! The winner will receive the gorgeous Augusta handbag pictured to the right -- a $50 value. So jealous!!

To enter, name one thing you must have in your purse at all times! Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username so we can contact you!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway, and/or follow me on twitter
Follow my blog
Blog about this interview/contest
Purchase from CindyMars7

Just leave a comment with your answer. Then, an additional comment if you are applicable for extra entries.

For example: If you want to enter and you also tweet the giveaway and follow my blog; leave your original comment + another that you tweeted + another that you are a follower = a total of 3 comments. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.
You can also tweet this giveaway once per day or follow me on twitter and get an additional entry for doing so!

Contest ends Sunday, January 17th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day.

Good luck!

Worth Quoting

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
~ Judy Garland

this el grande cowl

this print

these willow bangles

this cardigan

this hand cast brass necklace

these boots

this adorable vintage cat (looks a lot like Alvyn!)

these postcard posies

what are you wishing for?