Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Congratulations, Michelle Willow, AKA besttoddlertoys, AKA PlayfulTots, you've won the Girly Girl Giveaway! Some lucky little girl is about to get all decked out. You have 2 days to reply to claim your gift, so check your email!

Didn't win? Don't lets be gloomy. You won't believe how many giveaways I have lined up for August!

In the mean time, I'm sponsoring a giveaway for a $15 gift certificate to my shop over at Simply Stacie. You have until August 11th to enter, but why wait?!

Giveaways are awesome, in case you didn't know! Recently I won this colorful set of place mats from toocutecustomcrafts on the Etsy Stalkers Blog:

Buy it here

I also won these funtastic hair pins from HiddenCupcakes over at Delirious Rhapsody:

Buy them here

I am on a roll, right?!

Stayed tuned for more giveaway madness!

-Melanie

Giveaway Sponsor #7: ElizaAnneCollection

Last, but certainly not least of my giveaway sponsors is Elizabeth from ElizaAnneCollection. She was kind enough to offer this bright multicolored halo for the giveaway:

Buy it here

Elizabeth makes adorable photography props. Her headbands, hats, and cheesecloth wraps come in a variety of rich colors like these:

Buy it here

Another baby I'd like to eat ;)

Buy it here

Aren't they adorable? If only my baby was a girl :( Good thing my family continues to grow! I never run out of excuses to buy girly accessories.

A little Q & A on Elizabeth:

Q: What is the most popular item in your shop?

A: The Vintage Inspired Head Piece.

Q: Where did you learn your craft?

A: I just taught myself everything.

Q: What do you do when sales are slow in your shop?

A: Every week I have a ready to ship night.

Q: Where do you promote your Etsy shop?

A: I do most of my sales right through Facebook.

Q: How do you balance work and home life/real job?

A: I work 20 hours a week at my job. I am also a full time stay at home mom, which means I have to get up very early to do my job.  And then I create/make during the weekend and during naps.  You have to stay very focused, and be very organized.

Q: What has been your biggest success so far?

A: Biggest success in my business or life? My children!!  In my shop would have to be all of the returning customers.  There are people I have never met that I feel like I have known forever!  It is very rewarding.


I can see why they keep coming back Elizabeth! Want to know more about ElizaAnneCollection? Check out her Facebook page. 


Thanks for taking the time to do this Elizabeth.


-Melanie

Girly Giveaway Sponsor #6: gingiber

I can't wait to see what ya'll have to say about the art from gingiber! I was delighted when Stacie told me she'd send me these:

Buy it here

As a new artist I am completely in awe of the intricacies of Stacies art. Like this one:

Buy it here

 I most likely originally stumbled upon gingiber when searching for owls. Have I already mentioned that I love that each owl "created" has a unique personality? Well, not only did Stacie create one or two, but a whole alphabetful of OOAK owls! 

Buy it here

Here's a little orientation to Stacie 101:

Q:Where did you learn your craft?
A: I am a mix of being self taught and also have a degree in graphic design. 


Q: Who (on Etsy) inspires you?

A:  AshleyG, BlackoutWell, SparklePower

Q: What do you find most challenging about running your shop, and how do you overcome it?
A: The most challenging thing about running a shop is staying positive and focused, even during the slow times. Also, you have to be at least a season a head in your new product design to be ready for busy times like the holiday rush!


Q: What has been your biggest success so far?
A: Biggest success: my 2011 Owl Calendar! I kinda just doodled it up and listed it last year, thinking I would sell 1 or 2, and ended up selling 200+!


Q: What is the last thing you bought yourself on Etsy?
A: I bought 2 AmyMarcella Prints! So beautiful and botanical!


Stacie is offering an exclusive coupon code for my blog readers! Enjoy 10% off a purchase from her shop using the code MODERN10 at checkout. 

You can read more about Stacie on her blog or follow her on Facebook. I know I will!

I feel so inspired! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this Stacie! Best of luck with gingiber :)

-Melanie

Girly Giveaway Sponsor #5: bridechilla (just us three)

A few months ago I searched the pages of Etsy to find a gift for my 3 year old niece and stumbled upon bridechilla. I was just so thrilled with the quality and cuteness of the item I ordered that I just had to ask Rachel to send us something for our Girly Girl Giveaway! She was kind enough to send this:

Buy it here

I had never seen anything like it, such an original concept!

Rachel really knows how to doll something up. Look at this adorable headband:

Buy it here

It's just TOO much, isn't it?! I just want to eat that baby ;)

Or this one (wearing both a headband and a bracelet from bridechilla):

Buy it here

I would run out of room if I posted all of the items/babies I love! It'd probably be better if you went and checked them out yourself!

Okay, fine. ONE more.

Buy it here

No, I'm sorry but the baby is not for sale!

Let's change gears and talk about the girl behind these amazing finds at bridechilla:

Q: Where did you learn your craft?
A: Self taught on everything from my artwork & paper goods to my baby products. I have experience in designing cards and other paper goods that started in the work place and I began to do it personally for my own wedding and then all the baby goods came with the birth of my daughter. I love how my own life experiences have led me to make things that others love just as much as I do! It's the best feeling in the world to know that what I considered a hobby has turned into something more. It's definitely nice to have an outlet for my crafty talents.

Q:  How do you balance work and home life/real job?

A: UGH! This! Haha! It's always a struggle especially when you add an 11 month old baby into the mix. LUCKY for me I am a TOTAL night owl that does well on little sleep. I do most of my work on weekends, while watching TV or late at night when others are sleeping...including my husband. LOL!

Q: What do you find most challenging about running your shop, and how do you overcome it?

A: Not giving everything away! LOL! I started my shop for this very reason. I was doing practically everything for free and while most of my friends and family appreciated it they encouraged me to start a shop where I could charge for my work at a reasonable rate....a WIN WIN for everyone.

Q: Where do you promote your Etsy shop?

A: I promote on my Facebook, Blog and pass out business cards to anyone and everyone. Hehe! I've been involved in some giveaways lately and am thrilled to be approached about opportunities like this anytime! 

Q: Who (on Etsy) inspires you?
A: SO MANY PEOPLE! Eight Baby Legs, The Shop House, Potter and Butler and the list goes ON AND ON! Check out all my favorites...there are TONS of them!

Q: What has been your biggest success so far?
A: My feature in July 2011 Edition of Arizona Bridal Magazine for my Floral Wedding Invitation. I of course have purchased several bridal magazines for a single feature page {45.}

But I love to make people happy. For me it's all about making a fabulous piece for a person that will make their event/gift/day! There is nothing more that I love than working with someone to get them exactly what they want and hear how thrilled they are. I'm cheesy like that!

Also the launch of my Etsy shop + Facebook + Blog has been something amazing that I never thought would happen. For me it's not about the number of sales, likes, hits or views...it's about having items of mine out there that will find a home with fabulous people that love them as much as I do!

Congratulations on your many successes Rachel!

Rachel at bridechilla wants you to know she can do anything custom. She says the sky is the limit and she LOVE special projects that force her to think outside of the box!!!

Thank you so much Rachel. We really want to wish you the best of luck, both with your new shop & your family :)

-Melanie

Girly Giveaway Sponsor #4: theolivetreeboutique

Please give a warm welcome to Christina from theolivetreeboutique! Christina has sent us one of her fun new fabric  hair clips!

Buy it here

Don't you love it?! Christina really knows how to put a couple of pieces of fabric together to make something pop. It would be impossible for me to ever decide which fabric I LOVE the most. This is probably why I was originally drawn to the shop by this festive garland:

Buy it here

Wowza! I really love it. And check out these rosettes, SO colorful: 

Buy it here

Christina adorns many a useful things with these fabulous creations including onesies, headbands, and wipes cases. I can't get over the extremely reasonable prices either! These ALL are a serious steal.

A little info on Christina: 

Q: Where did you learn your craft? 

A: Good question. I got my degree in art so I would love to say art school...but if I am being honest...you tube and my BFF Google.

Q: What do you do when sales are slow in your shop? 

A: When my sales are low that shows me people aren't interest in what is currently in my shop so I clearance everything out and make new items with fabric that is more up to date with what is in season. Nobody wants to by 4th of July clips in October. 

Q: How do you balance work and home life/real job?

A: I am truly blessed to be able to be a full time mamma...I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old... I can't really lock myself inside a studio all day so I work where my kids are. I hand sew everything so this works...if they are playing outside...I sew out side. If they are riding bikes...I sit on the porch and sew and I take full advantage of nap time! My first job is my kids so as long as they are happy I work...some days I can't do anything...and that is fine.

Q: What do you find most challenging about running your shop, and how do you overcome it? 

A: All the emails!!  I try to keep a list to keep my mind organized and I make folders for my convos...a "work in progress" folder a "need to answer" folder  and "finished" folder.

Get to know Christina better by following her blog. 

Stay tuned for a full product review featuring theolivetreeboutique. Thanks so much Christina for giving me something to smile about, something I really value my "job" :)

-Melanie

Girly Girl Giveaway Sponsor #2: theStarcraft

The very first thing I received in the mail for this giveaway was the pink carina mobile from Frances over at theStarcraft. There is something really magical about these mobiles. These light as a feather creations hang from delicate metal wires and are made with lustrous ribbon-like papers. The stars hang from invisible wires and float about with even the slightest hint of wind. I'll hate to see this one go:

Buy it here

I am amazed by Fraces' ability to manipulate paper! Look at these intricate designs:

Buy it here

I absolutely love the stars with sheet music!

Buy it here

Here's a little more info about Frances:

Q: Where did you learn your craft?

A: From my great grandmother 14 years ago.

Q: What is the best advice about Etsy you've received? 

A: From my husband, that it is ok to take a break every once in a while :)

 

Q: How do you balance work and home life/real job? 

A: My real job is watching my kids, so thankfully I can work on my stars while watching them. They come first, so when I get busy I get up early or stay up late to work.

Q: How do you define success? 

A: Loving what you do and making money doing it

I know some of you out there are thinkin', I can do that! Frances happens to sells a book on how to make these and all other kinds of fun stuff on blurb. You can also find paper supplies in theStarcraft Etsy store. 

In the true spirit of generosity, Frances is sharing with us an exclusive 10% off coupon code for her shop! Use MODERN10 at checkout during the giveaway to take advantage of this offer.

Thanks Frances, loved every minute of it!

-Melanie

Newest Giveaway Sponsor #1: Modern Typography

Me again, Melanie from Modern Typography! I love designing custom birth announcements, nursery artwork, family trees and more. This time I am giving away my latest work, a print of an original hand drawn illustration called "Ella Reads."

Buy it here

This is the beginning of a series of drawings inspired by my daughter who always has her nose in a book. Recently she picked up a book I had borrowed from a friend called "Heaven is for Real" and it just blew my mind that she is already reading books at that level, and she'll just be starting 4th grade!

Drawing has become my newest stress release. I've been a doodler my whole life, but never really sat down and perfected something. I figured it was about time, and I'm so glad I did. There is something very peaceful about a pencil on paper that I just don't get from working on illustrator. To add to it's charm, drawing is also a great way for me to spend time with my daughter and encourage her to use her imagination. She and I came up with this concept together, making it even more special to me.

I'm hoping these new designs will inspire or reaffirm a love for reading. Reading a book is one of the only ways I seem to be able to get my 2 year old to sit still! I love to watch his eyes light up over the pages of the books my eldest child once held dear. I also get a chuckle out of his pronunciation of numbers and letters he's learning. I can't wait to move from board books (with bit corners) to picture books. You wouldn't believe the size of our collection!

That reminds me, I found a shop on Etsy that sells "book mobiles" made with pages of vintage children's books, just lovely. It's called theshophouse. Made me want to get my craft on, and that's hard to do!

I can't wait to introduce you to a few more of my favorite shops over the coming week! Stayed tuned for more on the sellers featured in my latest giveaway! One of my favorite things about these features is the great advice each has for new sellers. The one that has my wheels turning lately is from Sheila from sheilalikestoknit. She said to re-list an item everyday! Ponder that one with me, will you? If I'm going to do that I'm going probably going to have to create a lot of new items! Trust me the ideas are there, but I sure hope I can find the time!

To start I'll be re-listing some of my custom birth announcement art prints as print-your-own birth announcements. This is one of my personal favorites.

Buy it here

Well, this busy bee needs some sleep!

In the mean time find out more about me at :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Modern-Typography/136504933091612

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ModernTypography?ref=pr_shop_more