And the W I N N E R is........

And the winner of our Giveaway is..............

#4  Marietta of Blue Room Pottery etsy shop

(okay, so I still haven't figured out exactly how to show you the random.org widget.....sigh, I'll keep working on it)

Huge Congrats Marietta!  Contact Jami at jami@freckledlaundry.com

Marietta makes some of the most beautiful pottery I've ever seen...and as luck would have it, she agreed last week to become my next interview and GIVEAWAY...so stay tuned for that.  She is also an amazingly nice person :)

And I owe a huge, I mean HUGE "Thank You" to Jami for this awesome interview and GIVEAWAY!!!   She was so professional, yet warm to deal with.  A true pleasure...

GIVEAWAY!!!! Last Day to Enter....Don't miss out!!!!

I don't want anyone to miss out on my awesome GIVEAWAY from Jami of Freckled Laundry etsy shop
and Freckled Laundry Blog

Go here for the rules and to enter.

Jami's giving away these adorable tags to one lucky winner (Jami has her shop on vacation mode for the next 2 weeks, but she is still available for the giveaway).

And These....

So even though you can't see all the items in her shop, you can see a few of them in the orginial post and post your comment on that post . 

GiveAway and Interview -- Freckled Laundry

The promised Giveaway is finally here!!!

Etsy seller and blogger, Jami of freckled laundry shop and freckled laundry blog has graciously agreed to an interview with moi and is offering a truly outstanding prize to the winner. 
(rules found at bottom of post)

I first found Jami through blogland, don't remember exactly where, but I am sooooo very grateful that I did!!!    Her blog is completely chock-full of gorgeous photography of her home decor, tutorials....and items she has made to sell in her etsy shop.  I am completely in love with every single item she makes....her items have such a dreamy, ethereal quality about them, you'll want one of everything as well.

I've just placed my first order with her....her number tags...and can hardly wait to get them, I plan to hang them on a few vintage clear milk bottles....I'll be sure to post pics when I can.

I cannot forget to mention what a total "sweetie" she is...I mean Total!  One of those peeps we "meet" on the internet but wish lived next door....seriously.   So take a quick moment and GO...check out her shop, then come back here and tell me YOUR favorite item...

Now onto the interview...(I am personally very inspired by every answer she gave)...

1. What is life like at your house? (husband, pets, children, etc)

Life is perfectly imperfect. With 21-month-old (boy/girl) twins and a high-energy 8-yr.-old son, life at home is a little...intense! My husband is a Corrections Sergeant on the 2-10 pm shift and is gone most days so it’s usually just me and my beautiful children. Blogging and designing wares for my Etsy shop keep me centered, especially on days when I’m leaning a little too far to the left!

2.  What is your morning routine?

I wake up at 6:30, make a pot of coffee or a latte and hop in the shower. At 7:00, I get the twins up, make them breakfast and put on Sesame Street while I get my oldest son ready for school. Dad takes him and I check emails real quick to see if I have any Etsy or urgent blog emails. The babies and I play for a couple of hours (go for a walk or trip to library, etc.) and then Dad takes over for a bit while I work in my craft room. (My baby girl follows me around like a duckling so she's usually sitting at my desk coloring or exploring the wonders of my craft room while I work). When they go down for a nap at 11:00, it's serious business and I use every bit of the hour and half to work on what needs to be done before Dad leaves for work. My morning routine is pretty flexible though, which is important when managing a family and a new business. Neither are predictable 100% of the time.

3. What hobbies do you enjoy?

I love decorating my home, sewing, photography, and reading a good book.

4. How did you become a designer?

I'm still getting used to calling myself a designer. It's just something that I've always loved to do. I've always followed a creative path and have a bachelor's in Fine Arts. For a short while, I veered off of my creative path (in terms of doing what I love to earn a living) so I'd have to say that making the decision to say home to raise my twins, an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and a dream made me a designer.

5. How did you start your etsy business?

I signed up. Plain and simple. I had been blogging for about 6 months when I finally decided to follow my dream of selling my handmade wares on Etsy.

First, I registered online for a federal tax ID (took minutes) and then registered my business and name with the state of New York (online). Once I had the particulars in order, I started designing and making my handmade baby shoes and added them to my Etsy shop.

My very first sale was such an amazing feeling. It really helped my confidence to know that somebody loved something that I made enough to buy it. My shop continues to grow and I'm growing right along with it. If you've ever considered opening an Etsy shop, just do it. You'll be so happy you did. And, I'm happy to help if I can.

6. How does your creative process work (where do you find inspiration?)

I find inspiration everywhere...blogs, websites, magazines, flea markets, photographs, music; you name it.

I have a sketch pad and sometimes I'll staple a photo of something that inspired me. As ideas come to me on how to rework it in my own style, I'll sketch them out. It could be something specific (like clay tags) or just a photo of a room with a shabby style that appealed to me. It inspires me to think of something that would look lovely in that space, etc. Often times, I'm just working with a blank page and scribble out ideas (written or illustrated) that come to me. I love working with laundry (textiles) so sometimes I'm inspired to create something to fit the laundry. My mind is constantly in mommy, blog or business mode so it's when I just stop and reflect, that I'm most creative...usually in my dreams.

7. What one thing do you keep close to you at all times?

Sketch book. (I'd say my children but that's 3 things.)


8. Since starting your etsy store, what one thing are you most proud of?

That I believed in myself.


9. What is one thing you would do differently (in your etsy business)

Everything is made to order at the moment. Although my wares typically ship within three days, I wish I would have built up enough of an inventory before opening my Etsy shop doors to ship immediately (aside from custom orders, of course).


10, Is there anything new you have an idea for or are currently working on to add to your etsy store in the future?

Yes. Several. I plan to add my Lavender Dipped Letters to my shop as well as several lavender-inspired wares (laundry wrapped bundles, petite pillows, homemade laundry soap;and linen spray, etc... I'm working on a lavender bunting/banner. I'd also love to sew more ruffled linens, shower curtains, cotton jersey throws and chair hugs, etc. are in the plans. I have ideas to combine textiles and silver metal (i.e. rabbit wire and oxidized steel wire) to create shabby and vintage-inspired hat holders, wireliers (wire-chandeliers), wall pockets, storage baskets, photo clotheslines, etc.

11. Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny? (why)

Mickey Mouse. I lived in Florida for a year after college and weekend trips to Disney World were frequent! Also, Mickey is just a happy lil' mouse whereas Bugs Bunny has a bit of a mischievous streak. Ha!

12. Handmade vs Manufactured (your thoughts)

Oh, my. Handmade. I have such an appreciation for handmade things. Something manufactured on an assembly line doesn't even compare to the heart that goes into making something by hand. Handmade tells a story. It reflects someone's dream or passion whereas manufactured reflects the dollar bill. Manufactured usually ends up in land fills but handmade is loved for generations from both quality and emotional aspects.


13.   What is one piece of advice you'd give to other women who are fortunate not to have to work outside the home?

I guess I would say follow your hearts. Dreams inside your home matter just as much as dreams and goals chased outside of it.

Jami
www.freckledlaundry.com
www.freckledlaundry.etsy.com

Okay, now tell me, did you learn as much as I did???   Are you inspired to make something???

Here's what the winner will receive...

-1 set of hand-stamped White Clay number tags 0-9 in the winner's choice of petite or large size

AND

-1 set of (3) Vintage-Inspired Ticking Stripes Tags in winner's choice of Red or Gray

The photos of the items are posted above.

Now for the rules:   As you know, I like to keep them simple...although it would be nice if you became followers of my blog and Jami's, that is not a requirement...all you have to do is go visit her etsy shop, choose a favorite item, then come back here and let me know what that item is in this posts comments section.  The giveaway will end Monday, July 19th at 9pm est.

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced next week!!!!! 

Girl and Guy Grad Gift Guides -- And a Front Page Honor

Graduations are coming up fast....here you will find some truly awesome gift ideas for the girl and guy grads you need to buy for, items made by some outstanding Etsy Artisans.

This first treasury is for Guy Grads and it made it to Etsy's Front Page last evening, my first curated treasury to do so, so I'm extremely excited...HUGE Honor!!! I'm attaching the widget for the front page AND the actual treasury...Go check out the sellers etsy shops and see what else they have.

This one is all about the Girls...

Comments on the treasury pages and here are of course always welcome, and please feel free to share this post and the treasuries on twitert, facebook, blog...whatever you social networks are. I've always had a hard time coming up with ideas for gifts for grads, but these etsy shops take all the guess work out of it, so Enjoy!!!

Gift Guide for Mother's Day...

April 16th is my mother's birthday and to honor her, I made a treasury (which I included at the bottom of this post) dedicated especially to her.

My mother is amazing, she grows her own garden and cans all the veggies, she's an amazing cook, she knits, crochets, sews. She makes beautiful quilts. She made my first dance dress when I was in 8th grade, she taught me how to make flannel pajama pants and a purse, how to crochet, how to quilt. She helped me make my first door wreath.

She's one of those women that will learn a new craft and make it look easy. If she doesn't know how to do something, she'll learn if she wants to.

She's the kind of mother that all my friends loved and enjoyed having around. Is she perfect? No...but that's what makes her "perfect" for me, as I am sooooo not perfect, although she usually makes me feel as though I am.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought this was the perfect time to share some awesome gift ideas for other moms....Enjoy!

Modular Messenger Bag by bayanhippo

Organic Lavender Sachets by PeppermintPinwheels

Mini Quilted Soap or Lotion Dispenser by MidwestFinds

Bulletin Board - Chalkboard Keyhook by KARozWoodworking

Reversible Organizer Fabric Bin Basket in Chocolate Brown Paisley by baffinbags

Family Personalized Letter Sign by NelsonsGifts

Organic Cotton Big Tote Bag by ecofriendlybeauty

Welcome - Burlap Feed Sack Pillow Door Hanger by nextdoortoheaven

Happy Birthday MOM and Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homemade Christmas 2010

I love the idea of rooms having a name instead of the traditional "formal living room" or "family room" so I've decided to call my "formal living room" (which we never use as a formal) the Blue Room. The walls are white and the ceiling is sand, so to dress it up I used robin's egg blue, aqua, and cream colored pillows, art and accessories.

To go along with my "blue" theme, I was lucky several years ago, to have purchased a HUGE box of all silver, glass, and glittered ornaments at an estate auction for $5.00. Most of the ornaments were in their own box all marked "Elder Beerman" and some still had their price tags on. It's one of my favorite bargains. So, to those ornaments I then added ones I already had in whites and silver, and have purchased some blues at after Christmas sales, usually from Hobby Lobby.

I also started collecting snowmen years ago, most of them were gifts to me from salon clients, at least half of them were handmade by the gifter (I love them all).


I always pick up wrapping paper, tissue paper, tags and bows at after Christmas sales almost always at 50% off. This year I added the color chartreuse and lime green to my blue and silver decorations.

For my Homemade (or should I say Handmade?) gifts, I made Kahlua and dressed up the bottles with a label I made up on the computer and Martha Stewart die-cut borders, along with jute string that I added some jingle bells and large sequins to. Wrapped up in blue and green tissue paper with a white satin bow, they looked pretty snazzy I thought.

I also found an idea from Melissa at theinspiredroom website (she's my hero right along with Martha)...you take a mason jar, add some jute around the top with a couple of jingle bells and some snow glitter (also Martha Stewart)...add epsom salts in the botton, a white votive and wallllaaa, cute and cheap but fun to make. Sorry I forgot to take a pic of them but the photo shows how I wrapped them up in green bags with the blue and green tissue paper and attached to the handles, I found the prettiest glittery ornaments in all different colors at Wal-mart for only a $1 each!

Homemade doesn't have to look cheap or tacky, but it DOES have to be thoughtful, and if you love what you are doing when making items for gifts, I think the recipients feel it!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!