Monday, January 4, 2010

Hall of Fame {Artful Goodies}

Welcome to a new artist feature and giveaway, and a new year! I hope you were able to ring in 2010 with family, friends, and fun. . .

Today, I'm so happy to introduce to you a talented Etsian and fellow North Carolinian! Meet April, of Artful Goodies. Her shop is filled with unique hand stamped and inked jewelry.

Keep reading to get to know a little about her and her craft.

What inspires you?
Nature and all things I love. I actually have 2 sides of me. One that loves the sweet, pretty things like flowers, trees, birds and bees. Then my other side that loves skulls, tattoos, and COOL stuff.

Where do you call home?
Are you from there originally? Lexington, North Carolina is where I call home. I have lived in North Carolina my whole life in other nearby cities. Lexington is a small town with not much to do but be creative. lol

Name something unique to where you live.
My town has a BBQ festival every year. We love BBQ here! Local artist are hired to paint and decorate fiberglass pigs for businesses to sponsor. YES I said pigs! They are huge and some artist are very creative and morph them into all kinds of things. A challenge? YES But there have been some really cool ones. My husband and I have worked on 6 of them for the past 2 festivals. They are available for auction if they do not sell prior to the festival. Its always interesting to see what they bring.
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
Well....... I am a chocaholic!! I eat something chocolate everyday!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Eclectic! That is me in a word! I like so many different things and styles.

What made you decide to open up shop?
After many years of making things and selling them to friends and family, I was introduced to etsy and was hooked immediately. I have always tinkered with jewelry but fell into hand stamping images and the resins by accident. Being a scrapbooker I had many stamps to play with. My husband had used resins for fishing lures he was creating and I noticed the extreme shine they had. A light bulb went off and I started playing around with colors and images.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
I feel my pieces are mini art pieces. I have such eclectic style that I wanted to keep the name open to other possibilities. Goodies kinda covered it all. So ART and GOODIES = "Artfulgoodies".
Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
Knowing I am making items that are one of a kind, and lots of love goes into creating something that is a joy to make. The feedback I get when someone says "OMG I LOVE IT!!" is the biggest reward ever!

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
For 12 years I have had my own decorative finishing business (Wallexpressions). I provide unique finishes to home owners, builders and businesses for walls, cabinetry, ceilings and furniture. I also paint murals (which is my favorite thing to paint) in baby rooms, kitchens, salons and recently finished a local winery.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Not too exciting may I say but.... my day is waking up @ 6:00 and starting my must needed pot of coffee. I try to check my etsy every morning and take any pics of any new items to list. I take my daughter to school everyday and start my day of painting and creating. After ending my day around 4-5:00 its time to do homework and feed the family. Following up on e-mails and etsy in the afternoons and any errands (like the dreaded grocery store). Then its time for the baths and my night time chocolate snack. Told you it wasn't too exciting.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
A sock monkey I purchased for my daughter from the UK. We will never be able to travel there but it super cool to have something handmade from another country.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Painting for sure! I also scrapbook and love to make just about anything. Bakeing sweets and snacks :)

Read any good books lately?
My only reading lately consist of Junie B books with my daughter. They are funny and great though.

What is your most prized possession?
The photos of my dad. He died when I was 7 and our home burned when I was a teen so there are only a few that survived.
What are three of your favorite foods?
pasta, stewed potatoes and..........you guessed it CHOCOLATE!

What would you like to learn to do?
hmmm..... take awesome photographs. I do love to play with the camera and really enjoy trying to capture moments. My computer has over 10,000 images I have took over the years.

What are you listening to right now?
Some biker crap my husband is watching on TV! lol
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I would love to visit New York just so I can say I have. My sweet little country life just doesn't compare to that fast pace you get in the big cities!

Anything else you'd like to share?
I want to thank you for having such a great blog and letting me be a part of it! I'm not a big blog reader but was hooked on yours the first time I read it! So kind of you to spread the word of other etsy members.

***

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

Keep up with April through her shop and on twitter!

Time for a Giveaway!
April is so generously giving away one of her beautiful pendants to one reader! The winner will get their choice of any pendant from her shop -- a $16 value. Sweet!

To enter, just tell us what pendant you will choose if you win! Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username so we can contact you!

Please read carefully, as the rules have changed!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway (you can do this once per day!)
Follow my blog
Blog about this interview/contest
Purchase from Artful Goodies

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 the giveaway once per day and get an additional entry for doing so!

Contest ends Sunday, January 10th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day.

Good luck!

129 comments:

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

How lovely! I really love the Post Card pendant and the Butterfly Scrolls pendant--which to choose?!

thesweetestpetunia {at} gmail {dot} com

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

I'm a blog follower. :)

thesweetestpetunia {at} gmail {dot} com

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

Tweeted! @thesweetpetunia

thesweetestpetunia {at} gmail {dot} com

P.S. Lory, I like the new entry rules; it's easier for me, because I can tweet later, not feeling like I have to do it all at once. ;)

penny threads. said...

i would pick the owl bubbles pendant. my sister LOVES owls and would be a great lil' surprise for her. :D

artsy_me4 {at} hotmail {dot} com

penny threads. said...

i follow this blog.

artsy_me4 {at} hotmail {dot} com

TesoriTrovati said...

I follow this blog!
Erin
enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com

TesoriTrovati said...

I like the poppy one shown, or the "Flight" piece. I can see both as part of a necklace and earring set.

Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com

4smartmonkeys said...

I like the I Love Vintage pendant, but they are all very nice.
Great giveaway!

4smartmonkeys said...

I forgot my email-

picklemadmanstinky@yahoo.com

sorry!

Olivia said...

I love the Butterfly Scrolls Pendant! I've always been fascinated by butterflies since a little girl once described the scar on my cheek as a butterfly.
105olivia at gmail dot com

Olivia said...

I follow your blog.
105olivia at gmail dot com

Catherine Ivins said...

Hey Lory- wonderful interview! Love this shop- I think my fave is the postage necklace!

I follow.

Happy 2010!

xo- Cat :)

Jennifer Pellicone said...

I LOVE the Sunset and Butterflies Pendant.
cspmom at gmail dot com

Ashley said...

I love the Paris pendant.

ashley_c_014 at hotmail dot com

Ashley said...

I am a blog follower.

ashley_c_014 at hotmail dot com

Eclectic Wendy said...

I love everything but especially the bee earrings and this pendant:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=37552831

Eclectic Wendy said...

I'm following your blog!

jc said...

My favourite is the Postcard pendant, thanks for the giveaway.
yumihamano@gmail.com

jc said...

I follow your blog.
yumihamano@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like the "RED Poppy Bliss Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies"...

Thanks and Bye bye

Contact: a.spigno@hotmail.it

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog!

Glo said...

I would like: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37549101

Glo said...

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ContestAndCo/status/7400370994

Ľubaša said...

I would choose Butterfly Scrolls Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies. thanks.
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Ľubaša said...

blog follower
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Ľubaša said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/7408761700

Anonymous said...

I like POST CARD Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies.

ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Anonymous said...

I follow.

ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Anonymous said...

I tweet:
http://twitter.com/dakha/status/7408844580

ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Anonymous said...

blog about this contest
http://giveawaymania.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunshine-studiocandy.html

Alessandra
ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Anonymous said...

The Postcard Pendent. Love the store! So many beautiful choices!
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com

Margie said...

Hmmm....I think I would choose the Copper Blue Bird necklace. But it was a very difficult choice...so many that I liked!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

became a follower of the blog
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Kristie from Kristie's List said...

I would select the Large colorful bird and swirls pendant.

Mary Lamoray said...

Great little shop and wonderful designs! Here's my pick if I'm the winner: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31622818

M_Lamoray@yahoo.com

jasmine said...

i would go for the post card pendant. :)

jasmine said...

i follow your blog

Anonymous said...

I do love the flight pendent!

Kristen Laudick said...

I'd pick the Swirls and Stripes Hand Stamped Pendant.
kristenlaudick at yahoo dot com

Kristen Laudick said...

I follow!
kristenlaudick at yahoo dot com

Amber said...

I would choose the Crystal Flowers Pendant if I'm lucky enough to win!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog with google friend connect!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love the postcard pendant!

Meaghan
mnewton1985(at)aol(dot)com

picnut1512 said...

I'm completey torn between the Crystal Flowers Pendant and the Postcard Pendant...they're both beautiful!

picnut1512@yahoo.com

Michelle said...

I would choose the greendeer pendent! SO cute!!

mandm_2002 at hotmail dot com

Gallery32 said...

Thanks for posting this interview. If I am lucky enough to win the giveaway I would choose the 'Postcard' pendant. Oh I hope I win!

Daph said...

Oh I love em all, but sunset crow is THE ONE
http://earthdancedaph.blogspot.com
earthdancedaph@yahoo.com
I follow your blog

Camille said...

Ooh I would choose the floral hand stamped scrabble pendant :)

cam22190 at gmail

Camille said...

I follow your blog :)

K said...

I loved!!! the LARGE Colorful Bird and Swirls Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored I love birds images! at the moment!
Kym - busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

K said...

I am a follower
Kym - busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

Bonnie said...

I would choose the "Night OWL Necklace HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies". My twin sister loves Owls & I think she would love this necklace!

Bonnie said...

I am also a new Follower :) Thanks!

Bonnie

Etsy Username: Brown0530

thebrown-family.blogspot.com

Angie said...

It was really hard to choose! They are all so beautiful! I would pick the Red Poppy Bliss. The color is so vibrant!

Thanks
Angie
rennieangie@gmail.com

audreyscountrycrafts said...

I love pendants!! Would choose this one:
Modern Flowers Hand Stamped Scrabble Pendant

audreyscountrycrafts at gmail dot ocm

Michelle Frame said...

I would choose the Butterfly Scrolls Pendant.
mframe00@yahoo.com

Michelle Frame said...

blog follower
mframe00@yahoo.com

PerfectBlueMoon said...

I would actually choose the Red Poppy Bliss Pendant for personal reasons. Remembrance Day is my favourite holiday here in Canada, and the main reason for that being my great-Grandfather was one of the generals who died at Vimy Ridge. I'm always thankful and this year I hope to plant some poppies to give away as well!

Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

PerfectBlueMoon said...

I blogged!
http://perfectbluemoon.blogspot.com/2010/01/pendant-giveaway.html

Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

Katjamaria said...

Oh, hard decision! But I love bird jewels so "LARGE Colorful Bird and Swirls Pendant" would be my pendant of choise :)

haltiapolku(at)gmail(dot)com

Katjamaria said...

I also tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Katjamarian

haltiapolku(at)gmail(dot)com

katevet said...

I love the Crystal Flowers Pendant. Lovely!

Anonymous said...

I love the poppy pendant. You can't help but smile.

lankylegslass(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog.

lankylegslass(at)hotmail(dot)com

Martha Rose said...

Lovely work. So happy I found you. I especially like anything with birds or butterflies. Or flowers. . Hmm, I seem to like everything I see here.

Heidi said...

I would choose the Wooden FLIGHT and FEATHERS Hand Stamped Pendant. Wow, that piece is so beautiful!

writeme@heidimail.com

rbailey1958 said...

I choose the peace sign pendant
pkbailey@charter.et

rbailey1958 said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/pkbailey01/status/7450768084

pkbailey@charter.net

RR said...

I like the HAND STAMPED Butterflies Pendant. Great stuff!

409cope said...

I like the Sunset and Butterflies Pendant the most. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/dakha/status/7452351337

ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Carapace said...

I really like the Post Card Pendant-- I'm trying to get back to sending real correspondence, and I want to wear it while I write!

carapacenator(at)gmail.com

maxfate said...

All are lovely items! I would choose the Large Colorful Bird and Swirls Pendant.

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

maxfate said...

I follow with Google Connect.

maxfrostfate@gmail.com

free indeed said...

I just love the unique pendants talented people can create. The Lots of Love pendant would be the one I choose for my college age daughter. She loves color and style! THat pendant has it all!
Shelley C
freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

Danielle said...

I love the Lots of LOVE pendant.

The Happy Wife
ldsmom2201 at yahoo dot com

AmbreRose said...

I travel a lot so I really like the postcard one, it shows a little side of me. These are some really cute items, love them. P.S. I used to go to the Lexington BBQ every year and loved it. I miss good ol southrn food. ambrerose.etsy.com

ktkins said...

I love the Crystal Flowers Pendant!

orangegirl779@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Definitely the Sunset and Butterflies Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored!!

So pretty!

selene
shiki6210 at gmail dot com

jennifer57 said...

the snowman pendant

Damla said...

I like the Butterfly Scrolls Pendant: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31622818

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/dakha/status/7476429344

ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Maggie Sue Designs said...

I'd choose the red poppy bliss pendant!
~~Meredith maggiesuedesigns@yahoo.com
http://www.maggiesuedesigns.com

Maggie Sue Designs said...

Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/maggiesuedesign/status/7477386419
~~Meredith maggiesuedesigns@yahoo.com
http://www.maggiesuedesigns.com

Maggie Sue Designs said...

Now following your blog :)
~~Meredith maggiesuedesigns@yahoo.com
http://www.maggiesuedesigns.com

Birdie S. said...

Id choose the Large Colorful Bird since my name is Birdie birdson@roadrunner.com

Birdie S. said...

I follow U on GFC/ Birdson birdson@roadrunner.com

khaski said...

I would choose the 'Butterfly Scrolls Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies'- so pretty and feminine! khaski78 at hotmail dot com

khaski said...

I follow via google, thanks. khaski78 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love everything Coffee! I would pick the Coffee pendant hands down! teresa@thesoapcorner.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog. teresa@thesoapcorner.com

Ľubaša said...

today tweet
http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/7488468986
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Ronnie said...

I like the sunset and butterflies pendant! It's very pretty :)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31735420

Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com

Ronnie said...

I blogged about this giveaway!

http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/01/pendant-from-artful-goodies.html

Ronit
internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com

Kella said...

the pendant i would like to win is:
LARGE Colorful Bird and Swirls Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies

thifasmom@yahoo.co.uk

Kella said...

i twittered

http://twitter.com/CreativeWishes/status/7503204928

thfasmom@yahoo.co.uk

Desi @ Wee Share said...

I like this one:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24774041

Desi
weeshareblog@gmail.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

follow your blog

Desi
weeshareblog@gmail.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

http://twitter.com/WeeShare/status/7504466281

Desi
weeshareblog@gmail.com

crystal said...

Very nice interview!! All of the pendants are adorable. I think that Red Poppy Bliss is very pretty. Also the handstamped Butterfly Scrolls is great :)
cyclona66(at)aol(dot)com

Mary Alice Franklin said...

I actually love the red poppy pendant that's shown! I think I would choose that. The I love vintage one is adorable as well!

Mary Alice
artfeedonline@gmail.com

caronbc said...

Hi,
I really love the Scenic necklace and the Blue Bird necklace....actually, they are all gorgeous.
Thanks
Carn
caron.chester@gmail.com

Lu Gaspar said...

Hi! I love the large colorful bird and swirls pendant :)


Luciana


lucianita[@]sapo[.]pt

Lu Gaspar said...

I'm a follower :)

Luciana


lucianita[@]sapo[.]pt

MaddyRu said...

I would choose the postcard pendant because I love to travel! Thanks!

MaddyRu said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/MaddyRu/status/7525573137

Lisa R said...

I would pick the Hand Stamped Scrabble GIRL Pendant for my daughter

sibabe64 at ptd dot net

janil said...

I love Butterfly Scrolls Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

janil said...

follower!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

Anonymous said...

Snowman Pendant HAND STAMPED and Colored by artfulgoodies

I love the snowman pendant.
I love snowmen!

Thanks for this giveaway!

Anonymous said...

http://twitter.com/mommieschildren/status/7542195796

I twittered this contest.

Janice said...

I will choose the I LOVE VINTAGE pendant if I win the contest :)

cyalalala@hotmail.com

Janice said...

http://twitter.com/jchrysilla - tweeted!

Em Sands said...

The Crystal Flowers pendant is very tempting, but I think I would pick "Lots of Love"!
Thanks so much!
♥ Melanie
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Em Sands said...

I'm following your blog (as M.Sands)
♥ Melanie
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Em Sands said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/SaywardBC/status/7548116650
♥ Melanie
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Cabootique said...

I would choose Floral Hand Stamped Scrabble Pendant.

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

Ľubaša said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/7562912681
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

Roots and Feathers said...

Yay, April is such a sweet and beautiful girl! so happy to see her on here!

i follow the blog!

and i love the postcard necklace!

xoxo,
laura

Kathryn said...

I love the Sunset and Butterflies pendant :)

silverdolphin1771@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

daily tweet:
http://twitter.com/dakha/status/7594043469

ale84.vercelli@hotmail.it

Em Sands said...

Tweet for today:
http://twitter.com/SaywardBC/status/7599292152
melaniesands[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Anonymous said...

I love the Copper Blue Bird Necklace. That's DEFINITELY the one that I would choose if I won!

Thanks for sharing such great stuff!
Vivian

timetoplay.etsy.com

Steph said...

I love April's shop. Her pieces are fabulous. She custom made one for me as part of my Mom's Christmas present and my Mom loved it!
This is my fave:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37698926

Steph
sassybellewares@verizon.net
or
http://www.sassybellewares.etsy.com

Steph said...

I am now following your blog!
Steph
sassybellewares@verizon.net
or
http://www.sassybellewares.etsy.com

Queen of the House said...

Hi! I would love the LARGE Colorful Bird and Swirls Pendant!! I love watching birds on my deck during the summer, especially. The pendant has such beautiful colors on it!
queenofthehouse2@gmail.com

Cindy said...

My favorite is the red poppy pendant. I would definitely choose that one!

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

I follow your blog.

clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amirag said...

I follow your blog already
http://soakinginthislife.blogspot.com/