Hall of Fame {Baked by Joanna}

Welcome back! You're in for a sweet treat this week, so I hope you didn't eat too much candy over the holiday weekend ;-) Don't worry, it's ok to indulge a little, right? And who could resist the sweet treats this girl comes up with. Meet Joanna, the baker behind the Etsy shop aptly named, Baked by Joanna.

A baker at heart, Joanna has found the best way to express herself to be through her oven. Now, her virtual bakery is her creative outlet. Learn more about her below, and see first-hand what she's cooking up in her Dessert Lab.


What inspires you?
Luckily for me, I feel as though I have always been the creative type. My mom was just as creative and perhaps that was where it all began. She is a terrific cook and loves to create anything from crocheted blankets to jazzing up plain, old shirts. Growing up I participated in theater, the symphony, art exhibits and tons of other stuff just to always keep busy, and I loved it. I even worked in a bakery for a little while several years ago in Texas; nothing too big, but I had a great time and always loved having a finished product that people enjoyed looking at and eating. With all the creative and fun things I’ve done, it’s molded my craft into what it is today. I can find inspiration in everything, even imperfections…those are the best!
Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I would say that home for me, right now, is Tempe, AZ. With the support of all my friends here, how can I not feel like this is home? To top it off, I have the encouragement of my husband Ben and the love of my dog Halo to complete my family. Their support has meant the world to me and keeps me going. Originally, I am from Beaumont, TX.

Name something unique to where you live.
The Phoenix Suns are located here! I absolutely love this team and even have a Christmas tree that I put together, and handmade most of the decorations, every year. They are so exciting to watch and though they are not the same team today as they were when I first watched them, they are the team that made me love basketball.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
When I was little, I wanted to grow up and be an ice cream woman. I know, not so glamorous, but when you are 5 years old, it sounds great!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Imaginative
What made you decide to open up shop?
I have a dream of opening up a bakery one day, by 30 I hope, and thought this would be a great way to get an idea of what it feels like to own one. Plus, I love the Etsy idea of selling all things handmade. It is important to me that we support the arts, local entrepreneurs and anything that allows us to express ourselves, so Etsy was a no-brainer when choosing a place to open a virtual bakery.

Who taught you to bake and when?
I actually taught myself. Growing up, we weren’t allowed any sweets really unless it was a special occasion and even then, it was store bought. I truly began baking probably about five years ago when I first started working in a bakery. With all the ingredients and tools at my disposal, I learned to primarily decorate baked goods while doing some baking on the side.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I can make my products reflect what I envision them to be. The best part, I suppose, is sharing my art with others so they can enjoy them.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
Well, like many, I still have a day job (marketing). I also go to school part-time. One day, I hope that I will be able to just focus on my baking and treats.
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
7:30am Wake up and get ready for work.
8:30am-5pm Work my day job.
5pm-7pm Workout at the gym.
7pm-11pm A mixture of completing school work, making/eating dinner, bakery/Etsy stuff and then getting cleaned up for bed.
I am a busy bee.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I have really been eyeing this store on Etsy called Oktak. They sell framed pouches, like clutches almost, that are way too cute. They use very unique fabrics that I think completes their product line. I will be buying one in the near future!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
That’s easy! Baking, spending time with my husband & dog and hanging out with my girls. Also, I love every Christmas when a few of my girlfriends and I get together to mass produce tons of baked treats for gifts…great times and memories.
Read any good books lately?
With school, I spend more time reading textbooks lately than books for fun. My favorite, though, is The Notebook. I loved it! In the future, I would like to read the Twilight series, so many people rave about it.

What is your most prized possession?
I would have to say that I would never be able to live without my cell phone. I know it’s materialistic, but it’s true. I use it as a PDA, to check the internet, make and receive calls and tons of other things. It keeps my life in order. I am lost whenever I forget it at home.

What are three of your favorite foods?
I love sushi, soft cheddar & jalapeño pretzels (with a side of cheese, of course) and all Vietnamese foods.
What would you like to learn to do?
I’ve never been rock climbing and would love to learn how to do that. (The rock climbing gym does not count; although, it is a lot of fun!)

What are you listening to right now?
The television is on, so of course, I am listening to the football game. Go Cardinals!

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I would love to go to Greece. I never really had a reason why other than I think it would have great hiking and lots of cool architecture to see.

Joanna, thank you for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better. Best of luck with your new shop!

Don't forget to stop by Joanna's blog to stay up-to-date!

Time for a Giveaway!
This week's lucky winner will receive a dozen of Joanna's scrumptious cupcake lollipops! Sweet!!

All you have to do is comment on this post and tell us what your favorite sweet is. Please leave your name and Etsy username or email address along with your answer.

*Important note: This giveaway is open to residents of the US only.

Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Joanna's Blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Baked by Joanna : 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, November 8th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, November 9th.

Alluring Artisans: Fancy That Cookies

Hall of Fame {Baby Muffalatta}

Welcome back! You're in store for another sweet treat this week!

I am so happy to introduce you to Stephanie, my beautiful sister behind Etsy shop Baby Muffalatta.

I have Stephanie to thank for ever getting started on Etsy! She is the one that introduced me to the site, and encouraged me to open my shop. The rest is history, and here we are!

There is an eleven year age gap between my sister and me. I remember, as a child, that it seemed like such a huge difference. Although, as I've gotten older, the gap seems to be closing (my sister, my mom, and I, often get mistaken for three sisters *hehe*). When I was ten, my sister joined the Air Force and moved to Texas. Then after several years back in North Carolina, she now lives in Tennessee. Even though we have often been apart, I have always looked up to her. She has never failed to be an inspiration to me. I am so grateful for her and blessed to have her in my life.

Read on to learn more about Stephanie, her yummy shop, and discover her passion in all that she does.

What inspires you?
My animals, my husband, daughter, my sister, nature, my grandmother Mildred Smith Nelson (German Moravian), my grandfather Clyde Shreeve Nelson (Swedish), both of whom were awesome bakers. My Grandfather baked for a bakery. My close friends, my dreams for the future, my political views, animal welfare activism, Etsy Artists, my Mom Frances' awesome food growing up, my step-father Mallory's awesome food and Upside Down Cake growing up and his wonderful garden (me shelling buckets of peas)!!!! My Grandparents Edith and Roland DeMers, so many things.....of course, the dreams of others in our Society, the needs of others around the world......

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I call North Carolina home. I am from Union Cross, an area near Wallburg, Kernersville, and Winston-Salem. When my grandmother's ancestors moved to Wallburg from Germany in the middle 1700's, it was called Abbott's Creek. It is about 10 minutes from Old Salem, the second original Moravian settlement in the United States. For the past 5 years, I have lived in Columbia, Tennessee with my husband, daughter, and our animals. I love it here but it is not home.
Name something unique to where you live.
I absolutely love the Duck River!!! We love to canoe it! It is one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the United States and is home to an endangered species called the Pearl-lipped Mussel, which has an absolutely beautiful shell!!!

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I have webbed feet!!!!!! Just kidding..... Well, I can't really think of anything out of the ordinary or interesting. Oh, okay. I was in the military as a young adult!!!!! I was a United States Air Force Medic!!!!!!!

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

What made you decide to open up shop?
Well actually, I was looking up resources on how to open my own internet store back in 2006 and came across The Black Apple on the search engine "Google". It said Etsy, hand-made goods in the Google Search and I clicked on it. The Black Apple was the first person I ever favorited, I think!!!!! I love her artwork!!!!!
The name Baby Muffalatta is so cute! How did you come up with it?
I had a little muffin hat for my daughter when she was a toddler. It looked like "Blueberry Muffin's" hat from "Strawberry Shortcake". I automatically thought of it. I love to name stuff after the thoughts of my daughter.

Why vegan?
Well, I believe in believing 100 % in your product. You must use it to sell it. This is what I eat and many people I know personally love it. The ingredients I buy make a political statement about me - who I am and what I believe in. Rather, how I wish my values and beliefs to be remembered. Also, it is much more healthy. I didn't really understand this perspective until a few years ago. It was a slow evolution. My sister also gave me this awesome book Skinny Bitch which highlights things about foods I didn't know before or did not believe as 100 % fact. Thank you Lory!!!! I love you!!!!

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
Nothing really beats being able to homeschool my daughter and be there for her. To support her and give her more options in life. I'm just so appreciative of this opportunity to take things day by day with her.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
Wow, well there's a long answer to that little question!!! I have no day job right now. I sell on Etsy full-time. My mind is always brewing with things to do. I try to take things day by day. Right now, I am planning on taking a metal smithing class. My other shop, Moon Garden Studio, was my first shop. I did a few metal smithing projects, but have found teaching myself how to transform the sculptural ideas in my mind to metal difficult. I put that on hold a while back. I love sculpture. Clay and metal are my favorite mediums. My third favorite medium is food and the process of food preparation and cooking.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Well, there are many favorite Etsy shops let me tell you!!!!!! I love my Jibby and Juna necklaces!!!!! I love her textures and mixed media pendants so much!!!!!

I also love my Maggie J's necklaces!!!!!!!! She is a North Carolina artist with a store in Cullowhee. My latest purchase is from Lisa's Lovlies. It is a Fossilized Sand Dollar in a sterling silver bezel. I love it so much! I'm actually wearing it in the picture you have here!!!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.

Watching educational television programming of course!!!!!! I love nature and history shows!!!!!!

I cook, of course!!!!!!! I have recently been looking into my own organic farming and food preservation!!!!!!! I absolutely love playing tennis with my husband and daughter. I adore spending time sleeping with my dogs and cats!!!!!! We all also love to watch movies together!!!!!!

Read any good books lately?
Not really darling!!!!!! I haven't read a book in a very long time!!!!!! I actually love to read books though!!!!!! My favorites are probably Edgar Allan Poe and historical autobiographies, especially slave narratives, such as Olaudah Equiano. I have a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology with coursework in Native North Americans and Cultural Anthropology, so you see where I'm going with this. I subscribe to Mother Jones Magazine, The Utne Reader and if I subscribed to all the journals and magazines I had interests in, I would never do anything else!!!!!!

What is your most prized possession?
My wedding ring.

What are three of your favorite foods?
Tofu, especially the faux-chicken-fried tofu you buy in the prepared service area at Whole Foods. It's like chicken nuggets!!!!!! I used to hate vegetables. My second favorite food is probaby cremini or baby portabella mushrooms. My third????? Hmmmmm????

Right now, believe it or not, my third I have to say is the Bob's Red Mill brand Vegi Soup Mix. It's a bag of lentils, beans, and small whole-grain alphabet pasta. The bag is like, $4.50. It will feed our hungry family of three humans and three dogs for about 4 days, no kidding!!!!!! It is almost like a "Stone Soup"!!!!!!! I just found it!!!!!!! You can add any kind of broth, mushroom, vegetable, or just water. It takes a little over one hour to cook. I throw whatever in it!!!!!!! Last night, I put in about a cup of old dry wheat corkscrew pasta, about 1 cup of leftover jasmine rice, looked in the freezer- threw in some frozen corn, some frozen black-eyed peas and LOTS of roasted garlic!!!!!!!! Salt, pepper, a dash of Garam Masala, some ground coriander (Alex insisted so just a dash, I didn't want this to taste like an East Indian dish), and VOILA!!!!!! It was AMAZING!!!!!!!

What would you like to learn to do?
Metalsmithing and Pottery most definitely!

What are you listening to right now?
Well, I am eclectic in my musical tastes. I grew up dancing to Soul Train in the late 70's thru the 80's.My grandmother said I danced as a baby holding onto the dresser and stomping my feet to my mom's record player!!!!!!

Music and dancing is in my blood. My husband of 9 years has really introduced me so much musically. Right now, I am listening to LUX and I also just discovered Lady Gaga! I love her song Love Game! It's a little wild 'n crazy for me as a mother, but my daughter and husband don't know! I guess when they read this they will, though!!!!!!

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
This is a hard one!!!!!! I'd like to visit many places!!!!!! Probably Hawaii!!!!! I have this idea in my mind of tropical flowers, waterfalls, lagoons......

I always wanted to go to a luau and eat the pork (pig) cooked in a pit with banana leafs on top- the whole smoking pit thing!!!!!! Now that I am a vegetarian, it doesn't really work!!!!!!!! : ) I think I would love a home in Hawaii and could find tons of vegan fare that would suite me just fine!!!!!!

Stephanie, thank you for participating in my Hall of Fame series and sharing with my readers. Keep up the good work. I love you!!
Time for a Giveaway!
One lucky winner will get a DOZEN MUFFINS from Stephanie's shop! The winner will get to choose two muffin flavors, and will get six of each.

Flavors to choose from are:
I Love You Chewey: Double Chocolate Cherry Chocolate Chip
Oh My Gosh Give Me One: Sweet Potato Vegan Chocolate Chip
Vegan Apple Walnut Cinnamon with Brown Sugar Top
Groovy Blueberry with Agave Nectar
Popping Over Deelish Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chunk
Kiss Yo Mama Lemon Cream Poppy Seed

I don't know about you, but my mouth is watering! :}

To enter, heart Baby Muffalatta and leave a comment on this post with your name and email address or Etsy username.

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 Baby Muffalatta: 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, September 27th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, September 28th.

Hall of Fame {Lynsey & Harper Confections}

Happy Monday everyone! You're in for a mouth-watering treat today. For the first time, this week's interview features a lovely little shop that is sure to tickle your taste buds.

Meet Brienne, the talented baker behind Lynsey & Harper Confections.

Brienne Lynsey, and her partner Tevye Harper, are the creative duo behind the shop, which in Brienne's words was, "Created from brilliant minds over a glass of wine under a starry sky."

Read the interview below as Brienne divulges a bit about herself. After all, "Cookies are always better shared!"

What inspires you?
People with passion. There is nothing like someone who is passionate about what they are saying or doing. It really makes me want to do more and pay attention to what makes you smile at the end of the day.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
California is home at the moment. It’s home because most of my family is here now. Originally, I am from Maui. Ok, well born in California, but we moved when I was little. Most of my earliest memories are from our life in Maui.

Name something unique to where you live.
Wineries. I was surprised to see such a variety of wineries right around the corner from us. It is so desert like out here, figured that was the last thing I would find. Low and behold, the wineries are really popular and a lot of fun. Great weekend getaway, even if it takes only a few minutes to get there.
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I have my own language! Yeah, I switch it all up. I will be surprised if you don’t come across something I have written and you have to ask yourself what I am trying to say! Nicknames end up being crazy too. Example: My cousin’s name is Nathaniel.. So it went from Nate to Nattie to Fattie (yeah he is far from fat..it just rhymed) to Fattalina. Yeah he is a trooper.. and yeah I am goofy. My sisters are always laughing at me!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
Loyal. There is not enough loyalty in the world anymore. It can be hard to keep that up when you don’t always get that in return. But at the end of the day you're always happier when you are being true to yourself.
What made you decide to open up shop?
Actually the thought came to me a while back joking with a friend about selling cookies to the neighbors to make extra money. My partner at the time loved my Peanut butter Cookies and so watching GMA one morning I decided that was what I was going to do. Sell delicious cookies. Single mom, needing to provide for my son really helped me stick to my guns and really follow through. Now I get to stay home with him, even though I am still pretty busy.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
Yes, my middle name is Lynsey and two of my favorite people share the last name Harper. Between the three of us there is a great deal of inspiration.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
I like that it is from the heart. To make it handmade really shows the joy and passion one has for what they do. I love to see it expressed!
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
LHConfections is my full-time job. That and being a mom of course. I wasn’t sure if it was more a hobby until I first listed my items and actually got orders. They kept coming and I have gotten some amazing feedback and things are looking promising. I still can’t believe I own a business. Etsy is rather addicting if you ask me. There is so much going on, time gets away from you.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
Typical day? Well Khyre, my nine month old, usually wakes up smiling around 7a.m. I get up with him and start the coffee. He has his Cheerios and I have my java. Then off to work for a bit in between feedings, naps, playing, diapers, you know, the usual mommy stuff. I try to give myself a “To Do” list every night before bed so I have a game plan for the day. Doesn’t always get accomplished but I try. Then Khyre goes off to bed about 7:30p.m. That is when I get a few hours usually to myself. Usually I try to finish anything I have had to hold off on due to taking care of the baby. I just try to maintain some sort of balance, which is always a work in progress!
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
Hard to say, my favorite. Well I have a lot of favorites, especially the children’s shops. I love them. They are so tempting! I do definitely have a FAVORITE item. The Sock Monkey Shoulder Bag from iSew. I hope it doesn’t sell before I can grab it!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Rollerskating.. No bed time!.. Sitting at the beach with my cousin, Nate, reading and chatting about nothing.. The Chocolate Affair! (wink wink).. Cake decorating with my bestie!

Read any good books lately?
Haven’t read anything since the baby was born. Guess the last book I read was What to Expect When You're Expecting.

What is your most prized possession?
At the moment Khyre’s pacifier!!!!!!

What are three of your favorite foods?
Chips and salsa… My dad’s preferably… Cookies of course… Anything Tevye makes!
What would you like to learn to do?
Kind of weird.. I would love to be able to chop like the pros!

What are you listening to right now?
Sesame Street is on!

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why?
Wow that list is kind of long. I think about all the places I can’t wait to take Khyre. His first big adventure was the beach and the next will be Disneyland when he turns one. How fun is that going to be!! I can’t wait, he has no idea!

Brienne, thank you so very much for sharing with us! It was a pleasure getting to know you...

Please stop by her shop and blog. You'll be glad ya' did!

Now, on to the good stuff ;)

Time for a Give-
away!

This week's winner will receive a sampler package like the one pictured to the right.

That's a DOZEN COOKIES!!
You get to choose four flavors, and will receive three of each. Yum!

Brienne would like to know what your favorite kitchen gadget is!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your answer. Please be sure to include your name and email address or Etsy username.

*Important Note: This contest is open to residents of the US only.

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog and/or Brienne's Blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from LHConfections: 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, September 20th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, September 21st.

Creative Corner

One word. Yum!

{from left to right}
Kiss Yo Mama Lemon Cream Poppy Seed Vegan Muffins
Almond Raspberry Cookies
Walnut Fig Granola

Creative Corner

Welcome to the first in a new series - Creative Corner! A weekly dose of handmade goodness. This week's mini collection is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and tantalize your taste buds.

Lemon Sable Cookies Buttermilk Bake Shop

Heathens Hearth White Chocolate Lemon Truffles Fat Daddy Sweets
Amaretto Lemon Buttercream Vegan Cupcakes the cupcake mint