Hot Off the Press

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . .

Can you believe it?! It's a week 'til Christmas Eve *gulp*

As usual, I'm scrambling to get everything done on time... Gifts to buy, cards to send, decorations to hang, and the list goes on! I can't wait to sit back, relax, and spend time with my family. While remembering the real reason for the season!

Speaking of gift-giving -- I just treated myself to a lovely pair of pearl earrings from The Peach Tree. Amy, the sweet gal behind the shop, is in the Hall of Fame this week! So, while you're here, read a little about her and enter to win a pair of earrings for yourself! ;)And my good friend Mia over at MiaBeads is running a holiday sale and offering free shipping on all orders!

Last minute shopper? My rose rings are now two for $20! Hurry -- it's just for a limited time!

Hot Off the Press

I have some great finds to share with you this week! First of all, the Kotori Blog is giving away a copy of The Happy Book.

About the book, "The Happy Book gives you the opportunity to create a living record of the things in life - friends, memories, family, foods, books, songs, quotes, ideas, dreams - that make you happy. You'll scribble, sketch, ponder, paste, doodle and play. You'll make this book your own."

Sounds great, right? Be sure to stop by Kotori and enter to win!

Now, let me tell you, you'd have to be crazy not to get in on your chance to win the g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s. necklace pictured above. Her Majesty's Necklace is handcrafted by the lovely Monica of Moon Over Maize, and is made up of crystal quartz and multi-colored watermelon tourmaline. Swoon! Get those entries in! I think you've submitted a record-breaking number of entries so far, so pull out all the stops - tweet, follow, blog... you know what to do!

ENTER HERE

I have one more giveaway to share with you, but before we get to that, here's a few other things to talk about...

The holidays are almost here! If you're shopping handmade this season, and for jewelry in particular, what are you looking for? Rings? Necklaces? Earrings? Bracelets? I'd love to hear your thoughts. I have some ideas and lots to list - I need to get to work. Time is flying!

Did you read my post open to your book recommendations? I would absolutely love for you to share! Be sure to stop by while you're here and comment with your favorite reads or with what's on your to-read list. Calling all bookworms!

Tomorrow, I'll be starting a new series! Wishing For will post every Friday after Weekend Whimsy. I've decided to make it a regular post with the holidays right around the corner. What are you wishing for?

Lastly, I've been asked to participate in another Craft Show this year. Yay! This one is indoors, and is called Holiday CRAFT ATTACK. It will take place December 5th from 1pm to 5pm, in Charlotte, NC. I'll let you know when I have more info. (Oh, and I still have pics to show you from last month's show. They're coming, I promise)

I'll leave you with another great giveaway. The fabulous Cat of Uncorked + Polarity is hosting a giveaway by Bonspiel. That adorable little pouch to the left is up for grabs! Check out their shop full of cute things and become a fan on facebook. While you're there, peruse Cat's shops Polarity and Uncorked, and follow her funny, witty blog. It'll make you smile.

ENTER HERE

'Night all! ♥

Hot Off the Press

Hi everyone! How's your week so far? Mine has flown by! How's the weather where you are? I believe it skipped fall and went straight to winter here in NC. Brr! It is cold! And rainy. Blah. They're even calling for snow here in the mountains (about 45 minutes away from me) this weekend. I was hoping to get up there to see the pretty fall leaves and get some pictures. Maybe there will still be some left by the time I do...

This week, I have one great giveaway to share with you. Lyndsay of LouLouBell is hosting a giveaway by Maramiki. The winner gets the awesome remnant stash shown above! You have until October 23rd to enter HERE...

Don't forget to get in on the giveaway here at The Sunshine Studio too! Nicole of Hot Toffee is offering a pair of her beautiful, fused glass studs to one lucky winner! Read the interview and enter HERE.

Check out these beauties she just added to her shop!

flower power bouquet studs

Last of all; I can't believe I just discovered this unbelievable singer. Two words: Michael Bublé. His voice is amazing and mesmerizing. I could listen to him all day! He just came out with a new cd, Crazy Love. I'll be headed to get it tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll leave you with one of his videos. G'night!

Hot Off the Press

Hi there! Isn't this fall weather lovely? My favorite time of year is here!

This Saturday, I will be participating in a craft show in Charlotte, NC. If you're in the area, I encourage you to stop by! I still have a lot of preparation to do, so it's off to work! More info in the sidebar...

For this reason, my shop will be closed starting tomorrow, and will re-open upon my return from the show (probably Monday). I have a lot of one-of-a-kind pieces in there, so get them while you still can!

Also on Monday, another Etsian has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, so stop back by to read the interview and enter the contest.

Here's a couple giveaways I'd like to share with you this week:

Zygopsyche giveaway hosted by Lillyella

and...

MarianneS giveaway hosted by Cat of Uncorked + Polarity

{i really want that bracelet!}

Hot Off the Press...

...a little late!

My friend had her baby last night! His heart rate kept dropping, so they had to take him by emergency c-section. I got to witness! Everyone kept telling me not to faint, and I had to reassure them that this is what I will be doing one day, after all ;)

It was a blessing to be able to share in something like that. The miracle of a precious, new life coming into this world is absolutely amazing. Little Elijah is doing great (and mom too!), and weighed in at 6 pounds 0.9 ounces.

AND my other friend has been induced today, so her little bundle of joy will be here any time now! I guess it's off to the hospital again to visit both little babies. ♥



Before I go, I wanted to remind you about the Baby Muffalatta Giveaway. If you're a vegan or vegetarian, or just interested in trying out some vegan fare, you should really get in on this!! The winner gets a DOZEN muffins from my sister's vegan Etsy shop - Baby Muffalatta! You can choose two of six muffin flavors and will get half a dozen of each.

Get all the details here!

Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Hot Off the Press

Hi there! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

I'm sitting in a comfy hospital chair with my laptop in hand, as I'm blogging today. My friend is having a baby! I'm camped out keeping her company as we snack on gummy bears and watch Depp movies. {They put DVD players in these rooms now!}

If you haven't gotten in on the LH Confections giveaway by now, you better hurry for your chance to win a DOZEN yummy cookies in your choice of four flavors! Get all the sweet details, enter, and read the interview here.


Now for an announcement:

{Advertising Now Available}
Looking for some extra exposure for your shop? Those of you who have Etsy shops, or your own site where you sell handmade goods, or maybe you know someone who would be interested - consider advertising here at The Sunshine Studio!

Check out the far right sidebar, right under What's New. A warm welcome to Fussed, my first sponsor! I will accept static or animated ad blocks sized at 180 pixels wide. If you don't currently have an ad block for your shop, I'd be glad to help you out or recommend some wonderful Etsians who specialize in just that. Please email me if you're interested, and I'll give you all the details :)

{The Sunshine Studio reserves the right to refuse advertisers deemed unsuitable}

Hot Off the Press

Hey there! Have you gotten in on the Kitty Baby Love giveaway yet?! If not, you should! Don't miss out - you could win a six pack kitty egg crayon set in custom colors! And don't forget that Ben & Sara are offering an exclusive offer to my wonderful readers: Receive a 20% discount in their Etsy shop when you mention 'sunshinestudio blog' at checkout! Read the inspiring interview here and get your entry in!

Isn't that little ring below adorable? See more at pangea on Etsy. Angela is running a "Help Me Pay My Bills" sale through tomorrow! Mention 'B20' at checkout and get 20% off your order! {Read full details in her shop announcement.}

Kittredge Candles is having an overstock sale. Select votive sets are reduced from $6 to only $4! You get 4 in an order, so that's only a dollar a piece!! They have many scents to choose from, so stop by while supplies last!

Have a lovely week!

Pssst! Mention this post and get 30% off your order (before shipping) in my shop. That's right, 30% off!! Ends midnight tomorrow, so hurry. Help me make room for new jewelry!

Hot Off the Press

Hello! Hope everyone is having a great week. What's new with you? Here's a few great giveaways and other info for ya...

To start, Kristin of {sweeter than me} has TWO great giveaways going on! First of all, she is hosting a giveaway on her blog sponsored by the lovely Sara of Shy Siren. You could win the Moonlight Earrings pictured at left! Click here for details and an additional sale!

Secondly, Kristin herself is sponsoring a giveaway hosted by the rikrak studio. The best part? There will be TWO WINNERS! One gets to choose a bobby pin set and the other a jolie rose necklace (examples of both are pictured below). Enter here!

{sweeter than me} designs

Next, is a giveaway hosted by my friend Jill of JohnMetBetty. Jill has had a pretty bad buying experience on Etsy recently, which ended badly resulting in her shop receiving a much undeserved negative feedback. Let's show her our support by spreading the word, and help her restore her 100% positive feedback! Type the code "End of Summer" in notes to seller when checking out from her shop and receive free shipping until August 31st. Jill also has a blog and is giving away the lovely zip pouch pictured below PLUS a $10 gift certificate. Wow! Visit her blog, Inside My Sewing Box, to enter.

Lastly, Cat of Polarity + Uncorked is hosting another cool giveaway (as always!). Purpose Design is giving away an awesome chalkboard coaster set (shown below). You can write on them and they're magnetic! Here's the details.

And don't forget about the Perfect Sentiment giveaway here at The Sunshine Studio. You could win the most adorable little bird notecard set! Get your entry in HERE :)♥ ♥ ♥

Good luck everyone!

By the way, I'm nearing the 300 blog posts mark, so stay tuned for something exciting that you won't want to miss!

Until next week...

Hot Off the Press

LOVE YOUR INNER WILD WOMAN

I was super stoked (yes, I said 'stoked') to come across a rockin' new blog this week: Kind Over Matter. A blog which "is dedicated to Kind Acts, Inspirational Art & Kind Projects." They also have a weekly giveaway and lots of freebies! (Psst! Check out the button in my sidebar for some awesome printables!)

I also found this fabulous {free} printable called Love Your Inner Wild Woman. I know that I would love to have it in sight each day to inspire me. Anyone know where I could get it printed in a nice size? You can find it here :)

Speaking of inspirational. I also came across Operation Beautiful. A site whose mission is to "post anonymous notes in public places for other women to find. The point is that WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL. You are enough... just the way you are!" Awesome huh? Go to the site to read more. I'm going to get my post-its out and spread a little sunshine this week. How about you?


Lyndsay, over at LouLouBell is having a $12 SALE!

She has an entire section filled with darling zipper pouches waiting to find a home. And they're only $12! You can't beat that!

Oh, and she has a great blog too.

And of course don't forget about the GUSSY giveaway here at The Sunshine Studio. Click here to meet Maggie and get your entry in by this Sunday, August 16th! The winner gets a $20 store credit to her shop.

Speaking of her shop, Maggie has a red hot sale going on now so check it out, and she's leaving for vacation later this week, so get there soon!

Last of all, wouldn't you just love to have a set of rings like these for your own? Here's your chance! Store & Style is hosting a giveaway through the 15th, and you can enter to win these lovelies customized just for you. See the rings here and get your entry in over here!


Well, summer-time is coming to a close. How has yours been? Time for us to start the mad rush to prepare to go back to school. Check back tomorrow for a collection of handmade items to get your school year off to a great start!

xo

Hot Off the Press

Welcome
Hello everyone and a warm welcome to all of you new blog followers. Thanks for stopping by!

In case you're wondering, Hot Off the Press is my new series that you'll be seeing on Thursdays. I'm happy to have lots of amazing giveaways to share with you this week!

Before we get to those, I'm wondering what you think of my new series, Alluring Artisans? There are so many wonderful Etsians that I can't wait to share with you, that I have decided that this series will not only appear on Tuesdays, but Thursdays too!

On to the giveaways!

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Nicole of Lillyella is hosting another great giveaway. London Purple is in the spotlight this week and one of her pretty West End Clutches is up for grabs. You get to choose the color!

Click here to read the interview, see all the details, and get your entry in.

Visit One Day, One Item for your chance to win the lovely earrings, shown below, compliments of Little White Dresser!

Click here to read more.

On A Limb is hosting a giveaway by T and Little S Designs, where the most adorable, funky bird ceramic coasters will go to one lucky winner!

Here's the details.

Wouldn't you love to have one of these for your camera? Fabulous Fun Finds is hosting a giveaway, and you could win one of Rhembein's custom camera straps!! Don't you love those patterns? That will be hard for the winner to choose.

Click here to get your entry in.

And last but not least is the fabulous giveaway here at The Sunshine Studio, where Mia of Mia Beads has generously offered $18 in free jewelry from her lovely shop!

Enter here! And hurry, it ends Sunday!

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In other news. . .

Here's a cute treasury my Mystic Flight Necklace has been featured in. Love all the teal! Thanks, Freedom Rainbow!

Teal Appeal and a Baby Seal



Lastly, I'm seriously considering moving to Arizona. I have long had a love for the west, and Arizona is one of my favorite places.

Can you imagine living in the same state as The Grand Canyon or even just a few hours drive?! Wow.

I've found a wonderful-looking little town outside of Phoenix called Goodyear. Anyone ever heard of it? Any of you out there in blog-land live in Arizona?

Of course it would be a huge, move for us considering we live in North Carolina, and always have, and all of our family lives here.

But this is our dream, and I know we can make it happen. It feels so good to have a hope, a dream, a plan. Now, to focus on school (nursing for me) and the husband is talking about becoming a firefighter. Our dream may come true sooner than I had hoped!!

Arizona or bust!