Hall of Fame {Get The Picture}

Hello! And welcome to this week's feature! Another fabulous artist has been inducted into my Hall of Fame. Stay tuned for the interview & giveaway. You won't want to miss it!

Meet Beth, the lovely woman behind Get the Picture. With her keen eye for photography, Beth's shop is filled with the lovely images she has captured. She loves photographing the great outdoors, or wherever the opportunity arises, and has since childhood.

Read on to learn about her love of gardening, her day job, and get a look at her work. You may even see one of her furry friends - she owns a dog, three cats, and two horses!

What inspires you?
My awesome husband, who always supports any (crazy) thing I do! Also shapes, colors, and scents of the great outdoors. And architecture.

Where do you call home? Where are you from originally?
Right now we are living in New Plymouth in SW Idaho, but very soon we'll be moving to the Texas Hill Country (Kingsland). I grew up in Moses Lake, which is in Eastern Washington.
Name something unique to where you live.
Idaho has the greatest number of free-flowing rivers in the contiguous US. Plus with mountains, lakes, and sand dunes it's an outdoorsman's mecca!

Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I'd rather hoe weeds than vacuum (silly me!).
What made you decide to open up shop?
I've always created things (paintings, rustic furniture, photographs), but I'm not a great sales person, so an online venue is perfect for me!
Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
It's so exciting having other people appreciate the things I create enough to want to own them or give them as a gift to someone they love!

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full time?
My day job is taking care of my family and keeping our 8 acres in shape (we have a huge yard, a small vineyard, and horses), but I'd love to have my Etsy shop really take off!
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
My new favorite shop is The Sunshine Studio (thank you, Lory), but I also love the artwork of Kellyrae and Geninne, and the photography of streambound and urban design. So many great shops...
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
I'm crazy about gardening, I especially love roses, and I like to putter in the vineyard. My husband and I would like to own a winery someday soon!
What are your 3 favorite foods?
BBQ pork ribs, grilled tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and garlic, and a fresh garden salad! Mmmmm!
What is your most prized possession?
I'm not really attached to any possessions, but I would really, really miss my camera if it disappeared. And I'm so fortunate to have such a great husband, son, and daughter!

Thank you, Beth, for taking part in this interview and telling us a bit about yourself!

She's pretty new to the Etsy community, so stop by and show her some love!

Time for a GIVEAWAY!
Win some of her lovely work! Beth has generously offered for the winner to choose a print of their choice from her shop. Sweet!

Beth would like to know, "What is your favorite picnic spot?"

To enter, please leave a comment on this post with your answer, 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 Beth's shop: 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, July 12th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, July 13th.

Hall of Fame {Maya & Ruhi}

Hello again! Thanks for coming by. I hope your Monday has gotten off to a great start. Reading about awesome artisans cheers me up, and I hope it does you too. Another talented Etsian has been inducted into the Hall of Fame!

Meet Pearl, the talented woman behind Maya & Ruhi. Pearl, is a stay-at-home-mom and self-taught jewelry maker. Learn about the passion that has overtaken her dining room table, and get a look at her exclusive designs.

Read on to find out what inspires her, discover the real Maya and Ruhi, and how she finds balance in her life.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I was born in Singapore, and live here now. I lived in England and Dubai for about 10 years, over University and after getting married, but moved back to Singapore about 8 years ago, because my husband and I agreed that Singapore was a good environment to be bringing up kids.
What inspires you?
Anything or everything, really. It just depends whether I am "in the zone" at that moment. If I am receptive, anything can become an inspiration.

A lot of the time, I look through history books on art, jewelry, architecture, cultural movements. My particular favourites are those on the Pre-Raphaelite and Art Nouveau movements, Elizabethan and Baroque jewelry, and the treasures of the Mughals. These amaze me to no end. The ostentatiousness, the artistry, the creativity, the inspirations. I also am an avid magazine "flicker-through-er". I am always bowled over by the gorgeously styled photo shoots of VOGUE.
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I have 3 pretty large tattoos. One sugar skull on my leg, one Japanese demon on my arm, and the Chinese character for 'love' at the back of my neck.

What made you decide to open up shop and create jewelry?
I started dabbling in making jewelry about 5 years back. My sister is a fashion designer, and has her own boutique, so I put them in her shop on a consignment basis. It was an outlet for my creative energies, and to stay sane while being a stay-at-home-mom.
How did you select the name Maya & Ruhi? Any special significance?
Maya and Ruhi are my daughters. Maya is now 10, and Ruhi is 5. Both are Sanskrit names - my husband is of Indian origin. "Maya" means "illusion", and "Ruhi" means "spirit". They also have Chinese names, as I am of Chinese origin. But I think MAYA & RUHI sounds much more alluring than SHAN & MIN. ;)
Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
Hands down, my favourite thing about selling handmade is the relationships I develop with my customers when I work on a custom piece. It gets unbelievably fun bouncing ideas off each other, seeing how things inspire other people, and helping them materialise their visions.

Many customers have become good friends over the years, and I have customed many meaningful pieces, including for weddings, and family pieces. By family pieces I mean jewelry sets made entirely of the birthstones of the whole family, intended to be heirlooms. I am just so honoured to be able to do these things for my wonderful customers who have become really good friends.
Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
My day-job is the real Maya and Ruhi. And that's really a 24/7 job. No weekends, no off days. Etsy is my escape! ;) I work mainly after they go to bed. But now that both are in school, I do get the mornings to myself, and get some work done then as well. Timing has been pretty good, 'coz they are getting more and more independent, and I am able to spend more time on my growing business.
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I bought this Watching Ring from DillonDesigns, and this Folded Wings Ring from RagTrader. I wear them ALL the time.

Just a few days back, I bought a couple of feather headbands from AFarmersDaughter. I can't wait for them to arrive.

Right now I am thinking of getting some art from MyPinkTurtleStudio. I love Frida Kahlo, and Lulu's interpretations and visions are just out-of-this-world. I am seriously in love...
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Reading
Watching The Style Network.
Yoga
Surfing the Net
Playing Junior Monopoly
Blogging (here)
Hanging out at Borders The Bookstore
What is your most prized possession?
I don't really have one. Possibly the real Maya & Ruhi's few pieces of baby clothing that I have preserved. Other than that, I try not to accumulate stuff. I used to be a serial hoarder, keeping every single thing for any sentiment's sake. Until I met my husband, who taught me the importance of De-cluttering. Just one of the things that I so admire about him. :)

The one other thing...
Yoga is my lifesaver. Since I began doing yoga regularly (again) about 6 months back, my energy levels are up, and I feel more in control of things. In turn, I am finding more balance in my life, setting aside crafting time from being at the computer, and being in-the-moment when I am with the real Maya and Ruhi, instead about worrying about a certain project or completing orders.
Giveaway Time!
Pearl is going to let the winner choose any piece from her shop valued at $32 or less (this includes shipping) *If the piece you choose exceeds $32, just checkout normally, but wait for a revised invoice (for the difference) before paying.

Pearl would like to know the things YOU do to keep your lives in balance!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post with your answer, name, and email address or Etsy username.

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow mine and Pearl's blogs: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Maya & Ruhi: 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.)

Contest ends Sunday, June 21st at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced Monday, June 22nd.

Toss your name in the hat!

Just a reminder for those of you who haven't gotten in on The Vintage Bag giveaway yet. Enter here for your chance to win a unique, vintage bag for yourself! Time runs out this Sunday, June 14th at 11:59 est. Winner TBA the following Monday. Thanks to all who have entered so far! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment about your antique treasures.

Millionminds Giveaway {hosted by Kristin Friesen}

Kristin {Sweeter Than Me Designs} is hosting another awesome
giveaway on her blog.
Up for grabs are three bookmarks from talented artist Vinca from Millionminds.

I love her bright, colorful prints - some of my favorites are above.

Enter the contest here . . .

Toss your name in the hat!

Only a couple hours left to enter the giveaway at the b-line! Get your entry in by 11:59 tonight (EDT). I'm amazed at the number of entries so far. I'm going to have a lot of reading to do - so many great book recommendations.
Good luck!

Be Back Soon!

What a beautiful day here in Carolina! I'm finishing up the final details, and we'll be on our way to Virginia as soon as the hubby gets off of work! I can't wait to see family and take lots and lots of pictures! I hope we have time to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway -
I'm sure it will be spectacular.

Also, a reminder that TODAY is the LAST DAY
to enter to win FREE JEWELRY from my shop!

All you have to do is click here and leave a comment!!

One last thing; I only have ONE bunny bracelet left. These bunnies are out of stock everywhere and are so hard to come by. If you've had your eye on it, you better get it while you can.

Have a great weekend folks!!

Mopsy, Flopsy, and Cotton-Tail Bracelet
SOLD

Jewelry Giveaway

I love spreading sunshine,
so I think it's the perfect time for a giveaway!
All you have to do is mention your favorite piece of jewelry from my store in a comment on this post.

You have until Friday, April 3rd. All entries will be included in a drawing, and the winner will be announced Monday, April 5th.
Winner will receive their favorite item!

Have fun!

(Please include your email address or Etsy username)

Working Weekend

LOL! No, not really, but that pic was too cute to pass up.
Here's a few new items from my store.
Psst... Don't forget to enter The Name Game. Tomorrow is the last day to get your entries in! Hope you're having a great weekend!!

Cracked Crystal Earrings

Vintage Heart Locket Necklace

Autumn Butterfly Necklace

Postcard from Paris Necklace