Friday, August 26, 2011

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Mari from Hobbies from the Heart

Please welcome my new favorite Etsy shop owner, Mari from Hobbies from the Heart!
I see a lot of new favorites in Mari's future, once you all see what she's giving away!

Mari has kindly offered to give one lucky winner a 
$15 gift certificate to Hobbies from the Heart!
Trust me, $15 will go a long way there!
Baker's Twine Sampler- All 9 Colors...225 yards total (675 feet)
Buy it here

First things first, let's get to know your new best friend, Mari:



Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: Well, I am originally from Puerto Rico, born and raised.  I moved here to San Diego a little after high school and have been here ever since.  More importantly, I’m a mom to a wonderful, full-of-energy 16-month-old girl, and a wife to the most amazing husband a woman can have. (Really!) They are both my life! Besides that, I’m a full time graduate student and work part time in a psychopharmacology lab (at school) doing research. I opened my etsy shop as a way to express my creativity and take a break from books and journal articles :)  



Q: What inspired you to sell crafting supplies?
A: As a little girl we didn’t have  a lot of extra money, but one way I was able to show people how much I cared for them was by making cards for them on special holidays/occasions.  I loved it, but I kind of forgot about till around my daughter’s 1st birthday.  As I was looking for ideas to plan her first birthday, I realized that I could make most of the décor myself. I started by buying 2 paper punches to create the cupcake toppers and the rest is history.
Mari's Craft Room
Q: It looks as though you make quite a bit of the stuff in your shop, so creative! How did you learn to make your products?
A: Most of the ideas for my handmade products came spontaneously. The few times I am in my craft room not putting an order together, I just start creating as I go. I really enjoy those times, but I do not get them too often.

Q: What is the most popular item in your shop?
A: As you probably already guessed, baker’s twine is my most popular item, followed closely by tags, my handmade stickers, and vintages cutouts. By the way... I am getting 3 new colors of bakers twine coming next week and I’m pretty excited about it.

Q: Your prices are ridiculously reasonable! How do you manage that?!?
Handmade mustache Seals/Stickers
Buy it here
A: I ask this same question everyday. To tell you the truth, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and review how much I should really charge for some of my products. I’m currently just going by what I see other people charge. I truly started this shop as a hobby, not expecting to make much money other than at least getting back what I’ve spent on materials. However, I’m hoping it will transition to more of a “real” business before the end of the year.

Washi Tape: One roll of your choice
Buy it here
Q: You've only been open a short time, and yet you've been very successful. To what do you attribute your success?
A: I do not know. Perhaps it is the prices, or the fact that everyone loves baker’s twine and paper as much as I do.

Q: Do you have any advice for new sellers out there?
A: I guess, my advice would be to not get discourage if you don’t sell right away. It takes time to get noticed in this sea of amazing artist that is Etsy. I got soo happy when i got my first sale (it was ridiculous how much jumping up and down i did. lol).. and then I didn't sell anything until a month or so, but again. I started selling baby girl headbands and i only had about 5 things listed (silly uh?!) but you have to start somewhere.

Q: What are your future plans for your shop?
A: Well, I will be adding a few more supplies and hopefully try to keep a systemic posting on my blog/facebook/twitter.  I also want to add more handmade items that I personally do like the scrapbooks I make as well as other random ideas I have bouncing around in my head. (It is so much to keep up with and so little time). I have high hopes though.. ;)


Raffle/Carnival Tickets Sampler- 200 (8 Colors)
Buy it here
This is one of those times when if I could, I'd put up a picture of everything in the shop! I seriously love it all. Mari sent me samples of her twine, washi tape, stickers, dollies, & tags. I can't even "tag" them all because she sent me so many!It was like Christmas in August when the package arrived. Mari individually wrapped every item she sent!


It didn't take me long to put them to use. Here's a first look at some mini notebooks I used the striped washi tape for (just listed in my shop):

Buy it here

Mari's handmade item and supplies are SO inspiring! I have so many new project ideas. You, too? Well get shopping already! Start with Mari's Etsy shop.

Bonus Alert! Mari is offering my readers an exclusive coupon code! Use the code MODERN10 at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase! That really is an incredibly good deal, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to resist it.

 Don't stop there! I highly recommend her Facebook and blog where you'll find more fun filled crafting ideas :)

And, of course, don't forget to enter the giveaway!


How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)
and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. "Like" Hobbies from the heart on Facebook
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.


3. "Heart" Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy 
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

4. Follow Mari's blog
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.


Don't Forget about the Other Great Giveaways!

Good luck!


Fine Print:

Only 4 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen September 6th at midnight PST
Winner will be chosen by random.org
Entries will be validated
Winner will be announced here
Winner will have 3 days to contact me, 
after which a new winner will be chosen
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter 

Thank you Kraft Oval labels/seals (20 Seals)
Buy it here

111 comments:

  1. I follow your blog!

    darlingcupcakez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like Hobbies from the Hip on Facebook!
    [Sierra T.]

    darlingcupcakez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hearted Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy!
    [femmefatale25]

    darlingcupcakez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow Mari's blog!

    darlingcupcakez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am now a proud follower of this cute blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like Hobbies From the Heart on facebook
    -Ingrid M

    ReplyDelete
  7. I heart Hearts from the Heart on Etsy
    -mendezingrid

    ReplyDelete
  8. I follow Mari on her blog
    -Classy Cute

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have added her shop to my favourite shops on etsy. Thank you! Marta martaplayita at gmail dot com http://englishinbarna.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow your blog via GFC. Thank you! Marta martaplayita at gmail dot com http://englishinbarna.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a blog follower!!

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like Hobbies from the Heart on facebook! Katy A.

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hearted Hobbies from the Heart on etsy! katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am now following the Hobbies from the Heart blog!

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. i follow you on GFC as Nadox

    nadoxie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. i Like Hobbies from the heart on Facebook name is : nada nadox

    nadoxie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I Heart Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy

    nadoxie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I Follow Mari's blog as Nadox

    nadoxie@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I hearted her shop on etsy (HomespunHandmaiden)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hearted Marni on Etsy! I love it

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am now officially following Hobbies from the heart

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am an official follower of modern typography! YAY!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I also LIKED Hobbies from the heart on facebook. Great stuff!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I follow this blog.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like Hobbies from the Heart on FB (Suzanne Gregg).

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I already had Hobbies from the Heart as a fave on Etsy (houseofplush).

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I follow Mari's blog.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. GFC follower - ArtsyChaos.
    hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like Hobbies from the Heart on facebook as Wendy R.
    hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Added to my Etsy favs (artsychaos).
    hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow your blog!

    geminicalli at yahoo dot dom

    ReplyDelete
  32. I follow your blog

    sammybigtoesure(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I hearted her shop on etsy under Sammybigtoe

    sammybigtoesure(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow Mari's blog now
    sammybigtoesure(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm a follower.

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. "Like" Hobbies from the heart on Facebook - Aik Chien

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. "Heart" Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy - bloomingblossom

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Follow Mari's blog

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I "Hearted" Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy (katfries)

    fastkat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I follow your blog!

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am following your blog.

    Angela
    afr26@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I liked her on facebook.

    Angela Owen
    afr26@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Following you publicly via GFC as lyndaclark81
    lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Liked Hobbies from the Heart on Facebook as Lynda Clark
    lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hearted Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy (Etsy: LyndaDClark)
    lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Following Mari’s blog via GFC as lyndaclark81
    lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm a new follow of your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I Hearted Mari's shop

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm a new follower. Thanks for the opportunity to win! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. GFC
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  51. hearte etsy shop (deannalw47)
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  52. like hobbies from the heart on FB as deanna time
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  53. GFC Mari's blog
    deannalw47 AT hotmail DOT com
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  54. I followed your blog!!

    Sarahann18 @ gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I follow.

    emtaylor98 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I liked hobbies from the heart on facebook.

    emtaylor98 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I heart hobbies from the heart on etsy (penelope plum)

    emtaylor98 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I follow Mari's blog.

    emtaylor98 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. following you via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. following Mari's blog via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. hearted her etsy shop- username bokononist

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. New Follower of your Blog!! South Texas Wedding

    southtexaswedding [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow this blog!!!

    mubinster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Hearted Hobbies From the Heart on Etsy

    mubinster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Following Hobbies From The Heart Blog

    mubinster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I like HFTH on Fb!

    mubinster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I already follow your blog!

    eonyoung@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I liked Hobbies on FB! (Eonyoung Chung)

    eonyoung@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hearted Hobbies on Etsy! (peachmocha)

    eonyoung@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Followed Mari's blog!

    eonyoung@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. Follow this blog = Lyudmila
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I "Like" Hobbies from the heart on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  73. I "Heart" Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy

    ReplyDelete
  74. I follow your blog via Google Friend Connect!

    MIMIBUNNY11@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I like Hobbies from the Heart on Facebook!(Under Elizabeth Simi W)

    MIMIBUNNY11@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Hearted Hobbies From The Heart on Etsy( Under CupcakesandFoodstuff)

    MIMIBUNNY11@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Following Mari's blog via Google Friend Connect

    MIMIBUNNY11@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. FB Fan : Amor Cielo Brown Pinay

    email:cielomatrix@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  79. Followed Mari's Blog: GFC Follower: Cielo

    email:cielomatrix@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. GFC follower (Beads by roni)
    roniros (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. FB fan (Beads by roni)
    roniros (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. hearted etsy shop (Beads by roni)
    roniros (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. already gfc follower
    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  84. gustosa giveaways like hobbies from the heart on fb
    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  85. gustosa heart Hobbies from the Heart on etsy
    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  86. following hobbies from the heart blog
    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  87. Follow you on GFC. Thanks!

    annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Like on FB: http://www.facebook.com/sweepstakelover

    annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Heart on Etsy.
    Name: SweepstakeLover

    annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I follow your blog! Such a cute giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Following this blog

    sukanya dot doshi at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  92. Liked the shop on etsy (as fbubbleshorts)

    sukanya dot doshi at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  93. Liked MAri's blog

    sukanya dot doshi at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  94. Wow! 113 Entries...this is amazing! Good luck everyone! and Thank you so very much!

    ReplyDelete
  95. The giveaway is officially over! Winner announced soon :)

    ReplyDelete