Merry Christmas!

Giveaway winner....

Does this feel like you? Yea, me too.

Well, since there was only one entry for the last giveaway, there's no sense on running random.org. Silvergirl is the winner!

Okay, either everyone is super-busy with the holiday season or I have lost all my blogging buddies! Hope to see you all after Christmas! I admit I have been too busy to get on the computer much these days. For as much as I love Christmas, I can't wait until things slow down. My business saw business it has never seen before...I have tripled this year from last year, which makes me so very happy. Although, I wasn't prepared for it! Lesson to me: always be one season ahead of the game!

Backyard Nature Photos Feature and Giveaway...

Today we will be discovering Jane of Backyard Nature Photos. Jane's work is inspired by the surroundings of her home in the woods. She offers primarily photographs and greeting cards created with the images she captures.

Bluejay Digital Watercolor Blank Greeting Card $6

Jane resides on a small piece of property nestled amost old plantations. Her love for animals encourages her to be as eco-friendly as she can, which in turn has encouraged lots of woodland animals and plants to find refuge on her property. She decided to begin capturing these images digitally and transforming them into greeting cards for her family and friends. At this point, an artist friend invited her to show her work in her small gallery where they continue to be displayed. It was also this friend who introduced her to Etsy.

Soganofa Sunrise II 8x10 $28

Jane spends about 20 hours a week on her photography which includes the usual business aspects of her Etsy shop. She states that the most satisfying part of this time is taking the actual photographs and deciding how to present them. Jane states that photography at this time of the year is very challenging with the lack of sun typical of this season. In her down time, you can find Jane entertaining Chester and Maya (her cats) or interacting with various other animals that gravitate towards her property. She amuses herself with the sense of humor she sees in the animals.

Flowers on Glass Kaleidoscope Photograph 8x10 $28

I asked Jane if she could win a free life-time account with any one supplier, who would it be? Her response? "Staples is my main squeeze". When she decides to present her art in a wearable form, she will probably seek a supplier right here on Etsy!

Accordian Journal / Greeting Card 5x7 $12

Finally, I asked Jane what her favorite part is of selling her wares during the holidays:
"My intent is to present photographs that evoke reactions/feelings. Generally, when a customer connects with one of my pieces, it's time to smile, laugh, and swap stories. That, my friends, makes it all worthwhile."

Now, on to her Giveaway....

Jane has offered her "Ultimate Greeting Card".
The accordion journal has 8 pages (16 front & back) of acid free artist paper. Room for photos, poems, personal messages ... whatever strikes your fancy. These are perfect for that special family member or friend who's too far away to join the festivities.

Each entrant can earn up to 19 entries for this greeting card.
Please make a separate comment for each entry you cast to increase your chances. If you did 5 things and put them in one comment, you only have one entry.
Please remember to leave your email address or shop link so I can contact you if you are the winner. I DO NOT have outlook, therefore I cannot access your email through Blogger.
Comments will each be assigned a number from top to bottom. The total number of comments will be run through random.org and the comment that corresponds with the number chosen will win the greeting card!
The contest runs today through Monday, December 21, 2009. You can cast one entry, you can cast all entries...the choice is yours. The important thing is that you enter!

Entry chances:

1. Go to Jane's Backyard Nature Photos shop on Etsy and comment here what your favorite piece is for 1 entry
2. While you are on her Etsy shop, shoot a heart her way. Don't forget to come back here and comment that you did for 1 entry.
   
3. Purchase something from her shop and receive 5 entries! Please leave 5 separate comments with the first comment including the link of the item you purchased and the 4 remaining comments "purchase2", "purchase3", "purchase4", and "purchase5".
   
4. Follow this blog and comment that you did or are already a follower for 1 entry.
   
5. Follow me on Twitter and comment your twitter name so I can follow you :) for 1 entry.
   
6. Retweet this post (link in post) up to three times and post that you did in separate comments for up to three entries.
   
7. Tweet your own twitter up to 3 times. Comment that you did and be sure to include your tweet URL in each comment for up to three entries.
   
8. Fan my FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did for one entry.
   
9. Blog about this giveaway and earn 3 more entries. Be sure to actually create three comments for this: "blog entry 1", "blog entry 2" and "blog entry 3" with the URL to the post.
   

I will contact the winner to get your mailing address so I can forward it to Jane.

With 19 chances to win and nothing to lose, what are you waiting for?

A Touching Story...and Huggermugger's Winner!

As promised, I wanted to post an article written about last weeks giveaway host, Gayle. I have received permission by both the author of the article and Gayle herself, however, due to the fact that I am not a super techno-computer geek, I can't copy the article from the original website without messing with the margins and everything. Believe me, I have tried. So, please click the link below to read the article. It is a quick read and well worth it!

Google, God and an Artist Named Gayle
by Sharon Cohen
Associated Content

On to other things...The winner of Rachel's scrubbies is...........



Split Rock Ranch!
I will be in contact tomorrow to get your address to forward to Rachel!
Congratulations!

Another giveaway presents tomorrow...please stay tuned! The giveaways are almost done, so be sure not to miss tomorrow!

Really?

No one wants to try for Huggermugger's giveaway? Perhaps you have overlooked it. Please scroll down to the next post for a chance to enter!

HuggerMugger of Etsy Giveaway!

I hope every one's Christmas Season has been as busy and fulfilling as mine. I am a day late, again, in getting the features and giveaways posted, so, today we are going to hang out with Rachel of Huggermugger on Etsy! Rachel comes to us from Danbury, CT. Rachel is a stay at home mom to a lively toddler. Let's take a peek into her creative life.

Groovy Geometry
Instant Canteen
$10

Rachel has been creating for as long as she can remember. Her mother taught her how to crochet when she was about 7 or 8 and was sewing bits of fabric together and engaging in collage since early childhood. In college, she gave collaged notebooks to her friends as the creative streak continued. When her son experienced his first real summer, Rachel began crocheting little hats for him to protect him from the sun. Her hats drew lots of compliments and she was encouraged by friends to sell them on Etsy. She has been enjoying her creative life since then coming up with new designs to feature in her shop.

Vine and Branches
Cross Ornament / Magnet
$3

Rachel is expecting her second child in February and her toddler son keeps her very busy. While she loves being a mother, she doesn't get to spend as much time on her shop as she would like. Typically, creation happens when her son is taking a nap which boils down to about 5 hours per week on her shop. If she has custom orders, she will try to fit more time in to meet the demand. Her most satisfying part of this time is getting a new idea and seeing that idea come to fruition with experimentation.

Bright Baubles Hat
$19

In her down time, she loves to read, watch movies and daydream. Currently, she is addicted to Lost and has been working at getting through the seasons little by little.

Cherry SnoCone Sun Hat
$16

I asked Rachel what one supplier she would love to get a free lifetime supply from. What did she respond? A Yarn Company! She loves to play with the new yarns coming out and has boxes and boxes of yarns just waiting for the right project.

Once Upon a Time Journal
$14

Finally, I asked Rachel what her favorite part of selling her wares during the holidays is. Her answer?
"Getting to make fun Christmas-themed items! I've always loved the Christmas season, and I really enjoy making things to celebrate it."

Now, for Rachel's Giveaway.....

Eco Friendly Spiral Scrubby $12 value

Each entrant can earn up to 20 entries for these scrubbies. Please make a separate comment for each entry you cast to increase your chances. If you did 5 things and put them in one comment, you only have one entry. Please remember to leave your email address or shop link so I can contact you if you are the winner. I DO NOT have outlook, therefore I cannot access your email through Blogger. Comments will each be assigned a number from top to bottom. The total number of comments will be run through random.org and the comment that corresponds with the number chosen will win the earrings! The contest runs today through Monday, December 14, 2009. You can cast one entry, you can cast all entries...the choice is yours. The important thing is that you enter!

Entry chances:

1. Go to Rachel's Huggermugger shop on Etsy and comment here what your favorite piece is for 1 entry
2. While you are on her Etsy shop, shoot a heart her way. Don't forget to come back here and comment that you did for 1 entry.
   
3. Purchase something from her shop and receive 5 entries! Please leave 5 separate comments with the first comment including the link of the item you purchased and the 4 remaining comments "purchase2", "purchase3", "purchase4", and "purchase5".
   
4. Follow this blog and comment that you did or are already a follower for 1 entry.
   
5. Follow Rachel's Huggermugger Blog - and comment that you did or are already a follower for 1 entry.
   
6. Follow me on Twitter and comment your twitter name so I can follow you :) for 1 entry.
   
7. Retweet this post (link in post) up to three times and post that you did in separate comments for up to three entries.
   
8. Tweet your own twitter up to 3 times. Comment that you did and be sure to include your tweet URL in each comment for up to three entries.
   
9. Fan my FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did for one entry.
   
10. Blog about this giveaway and earn 3 more entries. Be sure to actually create three comments for this: "blog entry 1", "blog entry 2" and "blog entry 3" with the URL to the post.
    

I will contact the winner to get your mailing address so I can forward it to Robin.

With 20 chances to win and nothing to lose, what are you waiting for?

Giveaway Winner and Celebration!

The Etsy Synergy was certainly converging in my shop this past week. Not only were my products featured in about 8 or 9 treasuries during the last week (I lost count in my excitement), but I made the Front Page twice in the last week...one on Cyber Monday. The best day ever for that to happen! To sweeten the pot, a product was featured in The Storque last weekend. I have tried so hard for two years for this to happen! Needless to say, it's a little bit busy over here - I give all the glory to God!

Now, for the moment you have been waiting for...The winner of last weeks giveaway:
There were 12 comments and random.org pulled number 1 which is:

SilverGirl!

I will be emailing you for information to pass on to Gayle.

In the mean time, look for the next giveaway coming tomorrow (if all goes as planned) and a special surprise later in the week.

Congrats, Silvergirl!

Kit and Caboodle Shop Feature and Sterling Silver Earring Giveaway...

I apologize for running a day late with the weekly feature. I have done an interview with Gayle so that you can learn more about her and what she does...her Giveaway follows after the interview....

Today, you are going to meet Gayle of Kit and Caboodle Shop on Etsy. Gayle's shop is a joint effort with her whole family. Everyone has a part in either funding or creating this jewelry so that a percentage of the proceeds benefit orphanages in Africa.

Wisdom's Worth Freshwater Pearl and 14k Gold-filled Necklace $50 100% to benefit orphanages

Gayle believes that creating jewelry is her way of expressing gratitude for God's blessings and recognizes that God blesses her when she does the work that He has purposed her to. This is evident in a story that Gayle relayed to me about herself that I wish to share with you later in the week, that is if Gayle approves! As she home schools her teen daughters, she finds her business as a great opportunity for teaching them art as well as business management and finances.

Aquamarine Swarovski Crystal Earrings with Sterling Silver $32 100% to benefit orphanages

Since Gayle's top priority is family and her children, she finds her time a little more limited for creating. She figures about 15 hours a week in actual creativity, the rest of her free time for promotion. What she finds most satisfying about this time is the fact that she is helping to supply rudimentary things that we take for granted, like clothing, food, education, medical care and shelter to the children of the orphanages: one in Zimbabwe and one in Tanzania. In her down time, she spends it with her family camping, hiking, biking and traveling overseas when they can.

Fire Crackle Agate and Brass Necklace $18 100% to benefit orphanages

I asked Gayle if she could have a free account with any one supplier, who would it be. Her response? Artbeads.com. If you haven't seen it yet, visit it...you won't regret it!

Finally, I asked Gayle what her favorite part of selling her wares over the holidays is. This is what she had to say:
"I like knowing that my items will be given as a gift to someone special. I create many of my Christmas gifts to give to my own special people, because creating something handmade is like giving a piece of my heart. I also like receiving handmade gifts. In our fast-paced materialistic culture today, it is nice to know someone took the time to make something special for me. "

Now for Gayle's Giveaway....

Swarovksi Crystal, Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Earrings

Each entrant can earn up to 17 entries for these earrings. Please make a separate comment for each entry you cast to increase your chances. If you did 5 things and put them in one comment, you only have one entry. Please remember to leave your email address or shop link so I can contact you if you are the winner. I DO NOT have outlook, therefore I cannot access your email through Blogger. Comments will each be assigned a number from top to bottom. The total number of comments will be run through random.org and the comment that corresponds with the number chosen will win the earrings! The contest runs today through Monday, December 7, 2009, 6am EST. You can cast one entry, you can cast all entries...the choice is yours. The important thing is that you enter!

Entry chances:

1. Go to Gayle's Kit and Caboodle shop on Etsy and comment here what your favorite piece is.
   
2. While you are on her Etsy shop, shoot a heart her way. Don't forget to come back here and comment that you did!
   
3. Follow this blog and comment that you did or are already a follower.
4. Follow Gayle's Blog - This Artist's Journey - and comment that you did or are already a follower.
5. Follow me on Twitter and comment your twitter name so I can follow you :)
6. Follow Gayle on Twitter and comment your twitter name.
7. Retweet this post (link in post) up to three times and post that you did in separate comments.
8. Tweet your own twitter up to 3 times. Comment that you did and be sure to include your tweet URL in each comment.
9. Fan my FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did.
10. Fan Gayle's FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did.
11. Blog about this giveaway and earn 3 more entries. Be sure to actually create three comments for this: "blog entry 1", "blog entry 2" and "blog entry 3" with the URL to the post.

I will contact the winner to get your mailing address so I can forward it to Gayle.

With 17 chances to win and nothing to lose, what are you waiting for?