Purse-aholic

Mia in Mustard

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

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.

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!

Hall of Fame {O Bella Naturals}

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. You're in for a real treat today!

Meet Betsy of O Bella Naturals -- a lovely, little shop filled with natural handmade soaps, earthwear, knits, and more! I simply love the look and feel of Betsy's shop and designs, and I'm sure you will too.

Betsy is one sweet gal, with a beautiful family. Her mission is to create affordable products that are made from natural materials and ingredients, which are free of chemicals, dyes and additives.

Read on as she takes us on a journey into the world of O Bella, and inspires us along the way.

What inspires you?
Music, nature, mountains, textures, organic colors

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
The town I currently call home is West Palm, Florida. It's about 20 minutes away from the small beach town I grew up in, Jupiter. Wherever my family is, that's home for me. My husband and I are living in a little cottage to save to make a cross-country move to Montana, we are aiming for 2010 to be our moving year! We will be leaving a lot of family here, but hopefully some will come too!
Name something unique to where you live.
My favorite local spot around is Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It was named after a Quaker merchant who landed here in 1696, has the historic home of “Trapper Nelson” still intact, and was a top secret radar training school during World War II. It's my family's favorite place to get together, take walks and bike rides, have Thanksgiving, and it's also where my husband and I got married in 2007.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I studied music in college, I'm one year away from a degree in music education. Music is my first love, it is where I am most at home with myself. I'm classically trained on flute, but I really like to play piano to rock music and violin to bluegrass.

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

My mom has always told me I'm a passionate person, and it comes out in everything I do, for better or worse! It can be a burden and a blessing but I wouldn't choose it any other way. It means I dive into something I love [a movie, a book, a time period, a song] to the point of obsession! But it also means I love deeply, like my family, friends, music and nature.
What made you decide to open up shop?
When I found out I was pregnant with my first baby in 2008, I started to pay close attention [read: obsess] to what I put on my skin, finding out what toys were made of, what was in my food. I started to wonder why I was told to eat good and exercise while I was pregnant, but it was okay to bathe my baby with soap with additives and let her chew toys made of plastic made with toxins. It really started in April of 2009, my husband, baby girl Isabella, mom and dad took a trip to Idaho to visit my brother and sister-in-law. This trip was really the inspiration behind my whole shop. I had just learned to knit and knitted my baby a pair of hand warmers and had wonderful feedback! It was so rewarding making something useful and people actually asking about it! That was the start of [knits]. While there we made some necklaces from the stones we collected at the lake.. that was the start of [earthwear]. We spent a few hours searching for stones, and my mom also took a trip back to Idaho and must have collected 10 pounds of stones for me [thanks mom!] The summer of 2009 I finally started making soap for myself after wanting to for years. I was spending a fortune on natural soap for me and my little family, and I experimented and came up with a great, functional, natural recipe! Since then it has sort of blossomed from there. Natural function is really at the heart of O Bella.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
It is named after my lovely daughter, Isabella. Her 1 year old cousin actually came up with the name. When she was born all her cousin would say was “Oh, Bella,” in such a sweet voice. It sounded like a perfect name. I chuckle every time I catch my self saying it, especially when she has created a big mess on the floor!

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
My favorite thing about selling [and buying!] handmade is the connection to people that you can't get buying in a commercial store. There is something very traditional, settling, and grounding about making things handmade and receiving handmade. You know the time went into prepare whatever it is, and time is the most special gift anyone can ever give.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
My full time job right now is raising and guiding my daughter – it is such a special job! Etsy is like a part-time job with a bonus of potentially becoming a full-time job. I would love for it to be able to be a full-time job while I am in my season of motherhood.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I wake up and say goodbye to my ever faithful, hardworking husband in the early hours. My baby girl and I [who is 1 years old today!] wake up, have our toast and coffee [minus the coffee for her] and enjoy the morning while catching up with online stuff like convos, any orders that may have sold, blogs or other things. We play and get ready for the day. I may make soap and other batches of lotions if need be, or create some necklaces. I may head out to do errands, mail packages, get new supplies, visit with some family, go to the park, visit some local shops.. Husband usually comes home in the afternoon and we do dinner and more playtime. We may watch a movie, or I might get to sewing or knitting once the little one has fallen asleep while he records music or some computer stuff. I find time to read late, it's my favorite time to settle down and read.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I currently have two ultimate favorite shops on etsy, although there are so many I have found and loved! The first is Gaia Conceptions – she makes eco-chic clothes for the urban nomad. I am in love with her materials and designs, I own one of her dresses and wear it more than I will admit to! The second is Violet Bella, whose store I found on your blog! I love all of her photos, jewelry designs, and clothes, they are so unique and capture a wonderful essence!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Anything that involves things with naturalness - the way things used to be made. We started our own organic garden and I like to find fresh produce and cook with it. I'm really interested in alternative building materials, especially with cob, and my husband and I are in the beginning planning stages of a future cob house. Cob is a building material made from earth, clay and straw, it used to be used in houses in Wales. You mix it with your feet and lay it with your hands. Talk about the ultimate natural handmade project! Some houses still stand today and are over 500 years old. My great-grandfather grew up in one in Ireland, so it will be an amazing and traditional project!

I mostly love to spend time in the mountains in the west - which is pretty far from where I am. I try to get out as often as I can to camp, hike, see small towns, pick flowers, collect rocks, splash around in rivers. While I'm not out camping in the west, I'll visit the beach here or get my favorite lunch [subs and cupcakes] and eat them at the park. I'm also really getting into sewing, it's quickly becoming a favorite hobby!

I love to play music gigs, teach and learn new styles of music. My husband plays guitar and bass guitar and we love to sing and play a good Pink Floyd song together while our little one plays at our feet and dances along.

Read any good books lately?
I have read a few good books lately:

The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson

End the Fed by Ron Paul

The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

What is your most prized possession?
After my family of course, which I can't really count because I don't possess them :) But they keep me going, day in and day out, I could own nothing and still have the world with them.

I really cherish the handmade bench my mom passed to me recently. My parents bought it in the 70's, I used to play on it as a baby and now my daughter plays on it. Pretty special to me.
What are three of your favorite foods?
Anything homemade! Some favorites I've made lately are:

homemade guacamole with avocados my husband brought home

homemade honey butter

creamy chicken and wild rice soup

What would you like to learn to do?
I'm learning to sew right now, it's something I've been wanting to learn how to do for a long time, so I guess I would like to learn how to get better at sewing :)

What are you listening to right now?
Hello Hurricane album by Switchfoot

Animals album by Pink Floyd

Soundtrack to Ink

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
It's always been my dream to visit the old castles in Ireland and England. I have always been preoccupied.... (obsessed?) with the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance eras. I would also love to visit the birthplace or home where my favorite composers lived in Europe.

Anything else you'd like to share?
Thank you to Lory who so kindly took interest in my shop and thanks for doing this interview with me, and thanks for taking the time to read a little about the woman and story behind O Bella. Don't hesitate to contact me with questions or just to chat, I'm always up for meeting new people!

***

Betsy, thank you so much for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better. And wishing a very happy birthday to little Bella today!

Keep up with Betsy and her growing shop by visiting her flickr, becoming a facebook fan, following her at her blog and on twitter, and adding O Bella Naturals to your favorites!

Time for a Giveaway!
Betsy has so generously put together a special sample set for this contest! It includes: A Set of 4 Sample Soaps - Mocha Cream, Brown Sugar, Honeybee, and Lemongrass, a sample Brown Sugar Rustic Butter, and a Natural Vanilla Lip Butter, all wrapped up in cotton cloth! Wow!

To enter, just tell us what your favorite scent is! Maybe you love the smell of freshly baked bread or sugar cookies? Or perhaps lavender, crisp spring air, or the smell after it rains? 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
Follow my blog and/or Betsy's blog
Blog about this interview/contest
Purchase from O Bella Naturals

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.

Contest ends Sunday, January 3rd at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day.

Good luck!

Purse-aholic

Red Harris No More Bag

Hall of Fame {Knot Original}

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. . .
Ok, ok. I won't start that again :) We got some snow here in NC this week. How about you? I'm hoping we get some more for Christmas!

Well, wherever you are, it's probably cold outside. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and keep reading. This is sure to warm you up!

Meet Sharon, the lovely lady behind the shop Knot Original. Her shop is filled with unconventional, handknit accessories which are sure to help you stand out of the crowd.

Sharon divulges a bit about herself below. You even get to meet her adorable dog, Francis! And of course, enter for a chance to win something to keep you warm and toasty this winter.

What inspires you?
I can't imagine anything that doesn't inspire me.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
For the past 2 years home has been a small peninsula on the Puget Sound of Washington. I grew up in South Jersey, followed by detours through Boston, Florida, Cancun, Philadelphia, and then Arizona before arriving in Gig Harbor.

Name something unique to where you live.
Unusually clean clear air
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I'm blind in one eye all thanks to following my neighbor Fred right through a sliding glass door. Boys were trouble even at 5 years old!

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

What made you decide to open up shop?
I don't remember coming to a decision, one day I had no shop and then I did.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
I had a long list of about 20 names written out. Knot Original was the first one I came to that hadn't already been appropriated by the 12 other sellers/buyers who I have yet to run across and swear don't exist.
Who taught you to knit?
I taught myself with the help of Knitty Gritty on the DIY channel and the freeze frame feature on the dvr.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
There's an appealing charm about objects that don't have to be, or aren't even supposed to be machine-looking perfect. I like the thought of on any given day there could be someone walking around different parts of the world wearing something that began as an idea in my head and was created with my hands.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
Not a full time day job but I do freelance medical illustrations for law firms and paintings for fine art gallery shows.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I no longer have anything resembling a typical day. We recently adopted a 180lb mastiff from the rescue shelter. After driving my husband to catch his bus at 5:30am, much of my time is spent teaching Francis (he came with the name) that I am not a squeaky toy, he needs to share the couch and that his new full time people aren't going to abandon him. I get spare blocks of time in to knit and do other things when the overgrown baby is napping!

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I could spend days in christopherpines looking through all the pretty colored ribbons and trims and I just discovered the most delightful tea stained hand printed muslin ribbons from homesteadtreasures today. I can't wait until they arrive!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
playing volleyball, rockclimbing, and snapping the suspenders of strange men

Read any good books lately?
I just got the cutest 2010 calendar of baby pigs called Pretty in Pink, there is a bit of type involved
What is your most prized possession?
My husband, getting that clingy exgirlfriend to disappear was a lot of work!

What are three of your favorite foods?
bacon on the verge of being burnt, grilled mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwiches, and ruby grapefruits with honey

What would you like to learn to do?
Iron so that when I'm finished the wrinkles don't mockingly reappear in a matter of minutes
What are you listening to right now?
my ocd neighbor in yet another attempt to blow every last pine needle from his driveway

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I would love to spend some time at the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda to study the gorillas.

Anything else you'd like to share?
If you put a candycane in a ziplock bag and smash it to dust with a hammer it makes for an amazing taste sensation when added to chocolate chip cookie dough.

***

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

Please stop by and give her shop a heart while perusing her lovely things!

Time for a Giveaway!
Sharon has so generously made a special pair of fingerless gloves for this contest! The winner will receive the colorful pair pictured over there to the right!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from Sharon's 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 Knot Original : 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 27th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced the following day.

Purse-aholic

forest green chiffon ruffle flower handbag

Hall of Fame {The Peach Tree}

Hello there and welcome back to The Sunshine Studio for this week's featured artist interview. I hope the sun is shining where you are! And if not? Maybe this will brighten your day...

Meet Amy of The Peach Tree. Her shop is filled with classic, gemstone jewelry. With her simplistic designs, she strives to "show off each stone's truly unique beauty."

Read on to learn a bit more about her, find out where her pieces get their creative names, and how her shop came about!

What inspires you?
For my jewelry, nature inspires me most. The detailed simplicity of each stone astounds me and I try to bring that to light in each piece that I create.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
WI born and raised. I moved to New York City in 2001 and have called it my home ever since!

Name something unique to where you live.
Oh to put Brooklyn into one sentence! There's too many things to count. I live in a historic waterfront district which is known for being called the first "suburb" of Manhattan. I guess that's just chipping the iceberg but I'll leave it there!
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I've never been out of the United States. And I desperately want to change that :)

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

What made you decide to open up shop?
I met an Etsy shop owner in an airport a few years back and listening to her talk about the community and handmade life, I couldn't resist!
How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
Ah, I wish I had a better answer, but my boyfriend named it :) As well as every piece in my shop!

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
Quality control. I make EVERYTHING that gets sent out and I love knowing that these things that I've created are being worn all over the world!

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
1/2 and 1/2 I'd say. My boyfriend and I run our own pet sitting business :)
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Wake. Etsy. Feed Cats. Tea. Etsy. Visit Cats. Etsy. Tea. Etsy. Sleep. And meals and recreation in there somewhere as well.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Ooo, that's difficult but it would have to be the number of cases that I've custom ordered from GetReadySetGO.
Here's the latest one!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Walks along the Hudson, Row Boats in Central Park, anything outdoors really!

{Central Park}

Read any good books lately?
Lots! I'm reading Suttree from Cormac McCarthy right now. Before that was Hemingway's short stories which I highly enjoyed.

What is your most prized possession?
My readiness for laughter :)

What are three of your favorite foods?
Cakes, Cookies, and Pie!

What would you like to learn to do?
Knit and/or Crochet.. I tried to teach myself.. I'm not a very good teacher!
What are you listening to right now?
WBGO Newark Jazz

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
Paris. I think every woman want to visit Paris once in their life, yes?

Anything else you'd like to share?
I'd love to share a few of my very favorite Etsy shops that I think everyone should RUN to and buy them out!

GetReadySetGO
Xenotees
Fiberstory
SunBasilGarden

And SO many more but anyone can search my favorites for a more in depth look :)


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

To keep up with her and her work, follow her on twitter, become a fan on facebook, and visit her blog. Don't forget to give her shop a heart too -- she often has awesome sales!

Time for a Giveaway!
Amy is so generously awarding the winner with the charming Northern Exposure Earrings pictured there to the right!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from Amy's 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 Amy's blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from The Peach Tree: 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 20th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced the following day.

Hall of Fame {Genevieve Gail}

Welcome back y'all! I am so excited to introduce you to this week's featured artist!

Meet Genevieve, the beautiful and creative gal behind Etsy shop Genevieve Gail. Her shop is filled with unique accessories - "a mix between what you would find in your Grandma's jewelry box and a trendy Soho Boutique."

Genevieve is a master of many traits and is quite popular among the handmade community and craft world. Her work has been featured in several publications, including Boho Magazine and Cooking with Paula Deen. She also has designed not one but two beautiful fabric collections for Windham Fabrics - Gypsy Garden and Flower Bucket.

And she doesn't stop there! Genevieve also writes a fabulous blog filled with her own DIY projects. Stop by! You'll be inspired!

Keep reading to learn more about this lovely lady, get a peek at her work, and enter to win one of her little pieces of art!

What inspires you?
Fashion, music, nature, vintage jewelry, old rusty things, boxes of buttons and trims...

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I'm from the Athens, Ga area and have been here pretty much all of my life. I love it here!
Name something unique to where you live.
Athens is a college town (home of UGA) and has an awesome music scene. There are always great shows going on and it's where bands such as R.E.M., The B-52's, and Widespread Panic got their start.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I got married in cowboy boots :)

{Genevieve on her wedding day}

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

What made you decide to open up shop?
I've always loved making stuff and thought Etsy was so unique because it featured Handmade artists. It also seemed like a user-friendly format as far as getting an online shop started.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I really enjoy the human connection with selling handmade. When someone buys a piece of my jewelry that I have put a lot of time and thought into making, it's a pretty nice feeling when someone appreciates it enough to purchase it!
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
In addition to Etsy I work on other freelance projects such as my fabric collections for Windham Fabrics. I'm trying to get some other things up and running so we shall see what happens...

You are so talented - creating jewelry, crafts, illustrations, and fabrics! Have you had any formal training?
Well thank you, Lory! Yes, I went to UGA and graduated from the Graphic Design program. My focus was in illustration so I took a lot of drawing and painting classes in addition to the computer classes.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
No day is really quite the same- I like to switch up what I'm working on so I don't get burnt out on one particular project. One day I might work on jewelry, the next day I might be working on a new fabric line, etc. I also like to catch up on blogs and twitter (I'm addicted)!

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Ooh, that's a tough one, there are so many! One of my favorite spots in my home is what I call my "Etsy Art Wall." I have a small collection of prints grouped together above my desk from irenesuchocki, danitashop, theblackapple, ipullprints, and mcaplan.
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Playing with my 3 dogs, road trips, going to concerts, date night with my Hubs at our Local Barnes & Noble (he reads the golf magazines and I read the craft magazines)!

Read any good books lately?
It's been hard to find the time lately since I'm getting ready for some Holiday craft shows, but one of my favorite books of all time is The Secret. I can't lie, I'm also in the middle of the Twilight series ;). Oh, and I have My So-Called Freelance Life and Birthing the Elephant business books that are sitting on my shelf waiting to be read (hopefully soon)...

What is your most prized possession?
My wedding rings are really special to me. My band is from the 1920's and belonged to my great-grandmother, and the engagement ring my husband gave me is a reproduction from that same time period. They make me happy.

{a look at her flower bucket fabric collection}

What are three of your favorite foods?
Anything chocolate, anything Italian, anything Mexican. Sorry, that's pretty vague, but it's true! How about drinks? Starbucks White Mochas, Lavender Mojitos, and frozen Margaritas.

What would you like to learn to do?
I would like to learn more about web design and eventually build my own site. I took a course in college years ago, but web design is one of those things if you don't keep up with it you will forget how to do it. HTML makes my brain hurt...

What are you listening to right now?
I really love Pandora! You type in an artist that you like and they make a "station" for you that plays that artist and ones that they think you will like. It's really cool because I come across new bands all the time that I have never heard of before. I'm constantly on the search for new music...

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I was lucky enough to visit a lot of different countries when I used to be an Art Director, but I have not really gotten to explore the U.S. as much as I would like. I really want to take a road trip out West. I will be turning 30 in a few months so I think now would be a good time to do it!
Anything else you'd like to share?
Thanks Lory for asking me to participate in this interview! For all of you out there debating on whether or not to start your own Etsy shop, I encourage you to take the plunge!


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

To keep up with her and her work, visit her flickr page, follow her blog and twitter, and add her shop to your favorites. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!!

Time for a Giveaway!
Genevieve is so generously awarding the winner with the lovely Bee Charmer necklace pictured over there to the right!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with whatever you'd like... A favorite piece from her shop? Favorite photo? Something you'd like to see in 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 and/or Genevieve's blog - : 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Genevieve Gail : 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 13th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced the following day.