Monday, March 9, 2015

Giveaway and Review: Hobbies from the Heart

Two of my all time favorite Giveaways were from Hobbies from the Heart.
Here's a link to the first, and the second.
It's how I met my very first Etsy friend, Mari!


Of course, she wants to do another giveaway!
And this time it's a choose-your-own-adventure Gift Certificate for $20.

 

You can buy like 1 million things from Hobbies from the Heart for $20, I'm not kidding. Okay maybe a little less than 1 million. But seriously.

So, I love Q&A because people are awesome, especially Mari!


Q: What have you been up to since your last feature?
A: Hi Melanie. It is so nice to be back. Well, since the last feature back in June of 2012, many things changed. That summer I finished my Master’s degree in [Experimental Psychology/Behavioral Neuroscience] and moved across the nation to beautiful-but-freezing Wisconsin. Now I’m spending quality time with my sweet daughter and loving husband, working as a Spanish Medical Interpreter, while concurrently selling my handmade goodies via Etsy, local stores, and local craft fairs. 


Q: Any new products headed our way?
A: Since we last “spoke”, I’ve been making simple everyday wear jewelry, which I sell via consignment at some local stores here in Wisconsin and in craft fairs. I am also planning to make some of the cards I sell into stationary sets. (I currently sell these cards at local stores and craft fairs).


Q: Any advice for new Etsians?
A: My advice to people starting out in Etsy is: Love what you do, and never give up. Etsy is getting so big, and you cannot really compete with some stores, but if you stay true to yourself, your love and passion will show, people will notice you and will come back to you.





Q: Have you bought or lusted after any fabulous Etsy finds lately?
A: Oh Yes! I have bought more than I should, and I will just mention a few of my favorites. I bought a total of 3 beautiful knitted headbands from Pointelle Design, which are great to protect my ears from this freezing weather, while still showing my pixie cut. My daughter owns 4 beautifully made scarfs from The Wild Purple. I just love these, and sometimes I “borrow” them from my sweet girl. I just got a beautiful burp cloth and bandana bib set from DeeksandMe. These are for my first nephew, who still needs a few more months of “baking.” And of course, I cannot get enough hand-carved stamps from my dear and talented Etsy friend Cassandra from Cassa Stamps. These stamps stamp so sharp and are so well made that you won't be able to resist buying more than one. 





Thanks Mari, you are amazing and I've already favorited several new items!
#enabler #justkiddingnotkidding

To keep up with Mari & Hobbies from the Heart follow her on Facebook.
Find here on Instagram @hobbiesfromtheheart
Here's a link to her Etsy Shop.
Sign up for emails with updates & promotions here.

AND

If you'd like to enter to win the $20 gift certificate to Hobbies from the Heart, simply visit Hobbies from the Heart on Etsy and tell us which item is your favorite in the comment below!
Please leave your email address or a way to contact you.

Thanks for reading, and good luck!
Be sure to follow me by email for future giveaways & product reviews, and visit the giveaway tab at the top of the page for more chances to win.

Giveaway winner will be chosen on Friday, March 20, 2015 at noon PST.
Must be 18 years of age and a US/Canada resident to win.
Winner will be chosen with random.org and have 3 days to respond to this post or email.

46 comments:

  1. I like the live laugh love washi tape roll. Very cute!

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  2. Oh my goodness, those brain stationary cards are super cute, not sure who I would send them to, but I'd figure it out! :)

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  3. The surprise elepahnt labels are adorable!

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  4. I like the washi tape, all of them!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  5. I like the "Wedding Stickers 1.2" - CUSTOM Thank You - Spring." Very cute.

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  6. I like the "Wedding Stickers 1.2" - CUSTOM Thank You - Spring." Very cute.

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  7. There are so many cool washi tapes. I like the Washi Tape Roll (1) Red Grid.

    satsukirebel AT gmail DOT com

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  8. Loving the Handstamped Gift Tags - Set of 10- Love You / Heart / Wings

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  9. I love the neuroscience stationary cards! So cool :)

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  10. I'm loving the vintage postage stamps! So cool!!!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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  11. Loving the Small Atlas Butterfly Cutouts!!

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  12. OHHH my goodness... I am such a fan of Hobbies for the heart now! I kinda adore every single item, but especially the heart atlas (would go great with my business) & the mini thank yous are SO cute. Thanks both for the super sweet chance!

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  13. I think I'd have to "splurge" on several rolls of washi tape!

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  14. I love the 12 Journaling Spot SPEECH BUBBLE Quote Sticker.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  15. I love the vintage atlas map confetti!

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/152908196/1050-small-vintage-atlas-map-mini-heart?ref=shop_home_active_3

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  16. I like 50 Blank Buff / Manila Lined Tags with designs and string-
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  17. So many gorgeous things here - the brain notecards, the tribal heart stickers, those are all great. But I'm most in love with the postage stamp and anatomy stickers! i've gotta show this shop to my friend, she's getting married soon and she'd love some of this stuff.

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  18. My favorite item is the Mini Thank you card 2x2 (Set of 6) with Glassine Envelope. Adorable.

    apicazo@umich.edu

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  19. I'm loving the The Subtle WISH BRACELET - Friendship bracelet. Lucky 7.
    connsean@yahoo.com

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  20. I like the Love is Spicy labels! They're so cute!

    giovannas.wedding.email@gmail.com

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  21. I love the mini thank you card set!

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  22. I like the "throw me" hearts

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  23. I love love love twine, so my fav items are the baker's twine and jute string. I especially love the Bakers twine - Pink and White - 25 yards (75 feet)-New Color found here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/81325455/bakers-twine-pink-and-white-25-yards-75?ref=shop_home_active_4
    Angie
    14earth at gmail dot com

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  24. The brain stationery set is so FUN!

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  25. Bloggers please remember to leave me a way to contact you if you don't have an email associated with your account, or accessible to everyone

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  26. LOVE IS SPICY 2"- round labels/seals - wedding seals - Mason Jar top labels is my choice, but what a nice collection of goodies in that shop.

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    Replies
    1. You won! Send me an email for directions on how to claim your gift certificate to Hobbies from the Heart!

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  27. I like the Washi Tape Roll (1) Live Laugh Love Red.

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  28. I like the small atlas butterflies. tgalbraith00 at gmail dot com

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  29. I love the "Just Married" craft labels! So cute! // lkhightower11@yahoo.com

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  30. the Baby Chic and Bunny Tags are cute!
    crluckystar at yahoo dot com

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  31. i like the thank you custom wedding seals
    dtdady at gmail dot com

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  32. Mini thank you!
    Kristenmontague@aol.com

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  33. I like the 25 Vintage Postage Stamps! (I love anything vintage.)

    akinder209[at]gmail.com

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  34. So many awesome things! I like the 24 Destash Sampler Thank you stickers - mix. :)
    michdtucker at gmail dot com

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  35. I like the Throw Me Heart seals!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  36. My favorite item is the With Love gift tags. They are so cute. I love them

    alisonhearts at gmail dot com

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  37. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/177823554/mini-thank-you-card-2x2-set-of-6?ref=shop_home_active_9

    my favorite! jsimo1iv@gmail.com

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  38. The 12 Christmas Tree Sticker are my favorite.

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  39. Fun, fun stuff!! I like the custom oval labels. :)
    hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com

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  40. I looked and I like the Golden Totes the best of all the products available.
    versatileer at gmail dot com

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  41. The Subtle Wish Bracelet looks very nice!

    mslilyk@yandex.com

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  42. I love all of the custom wedding labels. It's the personalized touches that make a wedding so special and unique to the couple. I love the way it makes a wedding feel!

    Cate: catie.sinead@gmail.com

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  43. I adore the Vintage Atlas Heart Seal stickers! I have a sister who works at a mapping place, so that would be a perfect gift for her.
    Email is in profile. Thanks!

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  44. I love the vintage postage stamps! craving4chocolate@gmail.com

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