Giveaway Sponsor #6: rec1008

I think you're going to love what I saved for last.....dessert! One lucky winner will receive a dozen cookies with the design of their choice made by Rebecca from rec1008 AKA Canvas Cookie Co.

Which will you choose, the suspense is killing me! Will it be the bay onesies featured in our New Beginnings Giveaway photo?

Buy it here

The best seller, Rebecca's favorite - the artist palette's?

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Okay, seriously...these elephants are killing me:

Buy it here

Rebecca and I share a love for french macarons. Read on:

Q: When did you begin your craft?

A: I began decorating (sugar cookies specifically) fairly recently. I saw some online almost two years ago, and because I am an avid baker and amateur artist, I decided to try them. I have been obsessed ever since! :) I love the artistic aspect of decorating and I am continuing to learn and improve my skill set all the time. 

Q: Who inspires you?

A: My favorite shop on Etsy is sparkleskitchen, she specializes in making french macarons. Her macarons are absolutely beautiful (and delicious) and I've been inspired to take on the task of learning how to make these gorgeous little treats from browsing her shop often! 

Q: What is the best business decision you ever made? Worst?

A: I think the best business decision I've made so far is to get my own website, which has yet to launch, but will very soon! The worst business decision I've made has probably been underestimating the cost of shipping; I unfortunately had to raise my shipping costs very shortly after opening my shop.

Q: What advice do you have for new sellers?

A: My advice for new sellers on Etsy would be to take great pictures for their listings. I've heard so many people say that but I guess there's a reason for it; it's true! I know when I browse Etsy, I am instantly drawn to the listings with better photos every time.

Q: What are your future plans for your Etsy shop?

A: Future plans for my shop include more sweet items to choose from, the addition of several varieties of gourmet cookies, and possibly other bite-size treats and confections.

Click here to follow Rebecca's on Facebook. I'll be sure to post Canvas Cookie Co.'s website when it goes live!

I can't believe the giveaway is almost over! Don't forget about the 10% off coupon code going on through tomorrow, MODERN10.

Thanks Rebecca. Love the cookies, love the kindness, love you!

-Melanie

Giveaway Sponsor #5: sheilalikestoknit

Meet Sheila from sheilalikestoknit. Sheila sent a sweet little acrylic and angora OOAK pig named Percival. 

Yes, it is one of a kind (don't be sad, you may win it), but Percival has an irresistible second cousin, Peter the Pachyderm that is readily available! 

Buy it here

I fell in love with Sheila's shop the moment I saw her unique reversible crocheted blankets:

Buy it here

While her shop offers plenty to spoil your children with, Sheila also offers a variety of  lovely cowls and scarves for Mommy's, too. She even sells pattern, lucky you! (Did I mention I can't knit/crochet? I'll leave it up to you Sheila!)

One thing I've just loved about getting ready for this giveaway is talking to Sheila. Here's a little taste:

Q: When did you begin your craft?

A: I was taught to knit by my mother in my teens in the '70's and I quickly went from that to cross stitch and then needlepoint. Life goes on to a full time job, marriage, a child and then in early in 2004, I was forced to stay off my feet. I pick up the needles and started with knitting a scarf and then another, and then another! Next thing I know, I have 50 of them! Off to a local art gallery I go to peddle my wares! They loved and sold them all! Creative Design was born! Two upscale children's boutiques later, here I am! 

Q: What is your favorite item in your shop?

A: I love the original baby blankets in my shop! And they are the most popular item!

Q: Use 3 words to describe yourself/your style:

A: I am opinionated, passionate and I love clean classic styles!

Q: What is the best business decision you ever made? 

A: The best business decision I made was to make my shop a business and not a hobby! And re listing EVERYDAY!

Sheila I will miss chatting you up about this giveaway, I'm just going to have to beg you to do another I suppose! 


Don't forget about the 10% off discount coupon code all of our giveaway sponsors are having through Monday! Use MODERN 10 at checkout before it's too late!


Want to know more about Sheila and her wares? Check out her blog or Etsy shop. 


Thanks Sheila, you're the best!


-Melanie

Giveaway Sponsor #4: Whimsydream

I just know you are going to love my next New Beginnings Giveaway sponsor, April from Whimsydream!

She donated this adorable little hand-stitched premium felt whale:

Buy it here

When this came in the mail and I saw it for the first time I just couldn't wipe the grin off my face! It is super soft and light as a feather. The modern polka dot fin gives it just the right touch.

April also makes decadent felt desserts. The sugar vanilla cream tarts and petit fours run neck and neck as the most popular sellers. These look good enough to eat:

Buy it here

April is truly a jack of all trades. In addition to her funtastic felt items you will also find original artwork, paper creations, magnets, paperworks and more! 

April's favorite item in her shop is an acrylic on canvas called "First Love"

Buy it here

Let's see what else April had to say:

Q:  Use 3 words to describe yourself/your style:

A: Whimsical, Eclectic and One-Hot-Mess

Q: Who inspires you?

A: forgivingworks; The heart and soul that she puts in to each of her pieces is beyond extraordinary.

Q: What is the best business decision you ever made? Worst?

A: Best:  Making the choice to pursue a 3-tier career in writing, photography and art/craft.

Worst:  Staying in the Corporate World for as long as I did.

Q:What are your future plans for your Etsy shop?

A: I plan to continue with what I've been doing up to this point.  I'm also beginning to show my work locally as a way of supporting and funneling business to my Etsy shop.  Quality of life is important to me, so I'm careful to balance Etsy and family.  Stress does not sell well!

Q: What advice do you have for new sellers?

A: Do NOT be discouraged!  It's easy to give up in the beginning because you feel no one is interested in your creations.  But if you believe in yourself and your craft, take every opportunity you can to promote yourself and your shop.  That's the most important thing.  Exposure.

Reminder: ALL of our sponsors are offering 10% off purchases during the giveaway! Use the coupon code MODERN10 at checkout to take advantage of this offer. 

To find out more about April or sweetKM and her work check out her website or portfolio.

Thank you so much April for your fun and fanciful creations and for taking the time to work with me. I'm feeling inspired!

-Melanie

Giveaway Sponsor #3: sweetKM

I'm so excited to introduce you to my next New Beginnings Giveaway sponsor, Kristi from sweetKM!

When I received the magnificent heather gray ribbed pixie bonnet she sent, I couldn't help but grin about how adorable it looks in a size 3-6 months! If it weren't for some lucky winner, my baby would now be clothed in birdie baby booties AND this iddy biddy hat!

Buy it here

Kristi offers this playful hat in a variety of colors to suit your babies mood:

Buy it here

If you're the type to make your own, she's even selling the pattern:

Buy it here

Let's have a look at what Kristi had to say about knitting :

Q: When did you begin your craft?

A: I started knitting just after college. My little sister wanted leg warmers for Christmas, I went to Benetton to buy some and totally balked at the price. I thought, "I could make those." The next day I bought myself some needles and stayed up all night knitting a very sad pair of bright pink leg warmers. 

Q:How has your shop changed since it began?

A: I have started offering my patterns for sale. It was a tough decision to let people know my secrets (the main secret is that knitting is easy), but it allows me to spend more time making new things. 

Q: What is the best business decision you ever made?

A: Its not much of a business decision, but I only sell things I love to make. Like many Etsy shop owners, I am a busy mom, I don't want to dread making an order. I knit for fun, its an added bonus that others want to buy the finished product. 

Q: What advice do you have for new sellers?

A: Listen to your customers, they often have great ideas. After receiving several custom orders for plain bonnets in neutral or little boy colors, I finally took the hint and made the Ribbed Bonnet.   

Q: If you were to buy yourself something on Etsy, what would it be?

A: I just bought myself a vintage charm necklace from Contrary. It was in my favorites for months, I finally decided I would be crushed if someone else bought it and now its mine!

To find out more about Kristi check out her blog.

Kristi has graciously agreed to offer 10% off a purchase from sweetKM for our readers during the giveaway. Use the coupon code MODERN10 during checkout.


Thanks Kristi for great advice and great products!

-Melanie

Giveaway Sponsor #2: hana31

Our second New Beginnings Giveaway sponsor is Kana from hana31 who has donated these adorable baby booties:

Buy these here

One of the great things about hosting a giveaway is you get to see the prizes up close. Let me tell you, these booties are even more delightful in person! Kana has paid close attention to detail in making these down to every last stitch. The cotton is luxuriously soft. I have to tell you, I was tempted to put them on my baby boy, but I'll leave the pleasure up to our lucky winner!

Choosing which item to have donated was no easy task, all of the booties in Hana's shop are cute as can be! I can't get enough of the indigo booties which I feature in my "Mood Indigo" treasury.

Buy these here

And the Cloubow booties just make me smile.

In addition to her best-selling booties, Kana also makes lovely hats, scarves, bags and more.

Kana had this to say about her work:

Q: When did you begin your craft?
A: It all started when I was in grade school; I loved to make crafts

Q: What is your favorite item in your shop?
A: The Rosie baby booties

Q: Use 3 words to describe yourself/your style.
A: Casual, natural, elegant

Q: What advice to do you for new sellers?
A: Never give up, and always think positive!  Go out and find your inspiration, and find your own style.  Lastly, know what your customers want.

Q: Just for fun, what is your favorite Etsy shop?
A: Brokenghostcouture

Kana has graciously agreed to offer 10% off a purchase from hana31 for our readers during the giveaway. Use the coupon code MODERN10 during checkout.

Thank you kindly Kana for your time and beautiful creation. You inspire me!

-Melanie

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