Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Linda from Pool Pony

Are ready for ANOTHER giveaway? I thought so!

This time I've teamed up with Pool Pony

who has graciously agreed to offer one lucky winner

1. A set of 3 postcards:

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AND

2. A print:

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Don't you just love it? I really love mine :)
Linda sent me this awesome print, 

not even knowing I'm obsessed with owls!

Buy it here

I know you want to see more, so head on over and check out Pool Pony for yourselves.

In the mean time, let's find out more about their shop :) 

Q: Tell us a little about how Pool Pony came to be.

A: Some friends were decorating their new house, and asked me to design some artwork for them. Over a period of weeks I became more and more engrossed in the project, and the drafts mounted up. These pieces formed the beginnings of pool pony.

Q: What three words would you use to describe your style?

A: Mid-century modern inspired

Buy it here

Q: Why Etsy?
A: Etsy is a very accessible way to present your work for sale online to lots of people. It also has a great community feel to it which I enjoy.

Q: Do you have any advice for new sellers?
A: I think it's very important for artists to do what they love, and not try to pander to what they think the market wants. And I also think that good customer service is important - after all, making contact with people and getting their feedback  is a very enjoyable part of selling online.

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 Q: Anything new in the works?
A: Heaps! I have lots of unfinished pieces which I'll revise and adjust and fiddle with until I'm happy with them, so I'll be continuing to add new pieces to the shop. I'm also very close to being able to make larger prints which will be very exciting!

Q: Just for fun, what is your favorite treasury you've been included in?
A: I'm always delighted by the number of talented curators there are in the etsy community, but if I have to pick just one, I would choose this recent one.

Buy it here

Not only is Linda giving away some really amazing products, she offering an exclusive discount code, too! 

For a limited time, use the code PONY10 at checkout 

to receive 10% off your entire purchase! 

When you're all done shopping, don't forget to head on back 

to enter to win the lovely postcard set and print.

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Heart Pool Pony or an item from their shop

and leave a separate comment here about your favorite item(s).

It's that easy!

Oh yeah, and so are all my giveaways, so check them out!

Fine Print:

Only 2 entries per household please
Giveaway ends October 19th 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

P.S. Over the last month I have had to choose a second winner for 3 different giveaways due to lack of an email response from my winners. If you really want to win, check your SPAM folders often, or better yet 

add moderntypography@aol.com to your address book. Good luck!

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Winnie from Chickydoddle

I finally feel like I'm getting to know you.

One thing I know for sure, ya'll are crafty!

Which is why I know you are going to love this giveaway from Chickydoddle!

Winnie has graciously agreed to give one lucky winner:

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the Matchbox Stamp Set of their choice

AND 

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a Roll of the Washi Tape of their choice from Chickydoddle!

Yeah, so, I'm a little addicted to washi tape, and Winnie totally fed my addiction! She sent me 14 rolls of washi tape AND an envelope template. Of course, I immediately put them to work! 

First, I made a set of three washi tape "bunting" cards:

Buy it here

Some of you may remember awhile back I put up a mini envelope tutorial.

I made my own pattern, printed it on to cardstock and cut it out.

Well guess what, I've used those templates so much they've changed shape!

Winnie could not have sent the envelope template at a better time!

SOOOO much easier, check this out:

Buy it here

There is SO much more to see in Winnie's shop. Let's have a look whilst getting to know her :)

Q: Tell us a little about yourself

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A:  My name is Winnie.  I'm a mother of 2 little kids ages 6 and 9.  I'm an expat from Hong Kong and my husband is an expat from Canada.  I was in the Information Technology field for over 10 years.  I became a stay at home mom after my first child was born. Now that the kids are a bit older, I decided to pursue a job that I can work from home and help supplement my family's income. I make jewelry as a hobby and I love unique stationery and craft supplies. 

Q: How did you get started on Etsy?

A:  I started on Etsy after I've accidentally came across the site while searching for supplies to make jewelry.  My first shop on Etsy is called "The MaKuCollection" where I sell my jewelry creations. 

I started my "Chickydoddle" shop earlier this year to bring craft supplies from Asia to the USA so we'll have a broader variety of products to choose from for our arts and crafts creations. 

Q: What do you think sets you apart from other suppliers on Etsy?

A:  I think what sets my business apart from other suppliers is that I donate a portion of my profit to public schools and non profit organizations. I've helped some local public schools to get books, overhead projectors, technology based learning equipment, etc.  I've also run fundraisers for my local YMCA.

Q: I've noticed you sell a few handmade magnets in your shop. Any other

hidden talents?

A:  I love to create!  Other than my Domino magnets and jewelry, I also create wooden photo cubes which I mount photos on hand stained 6x6 or 8x8 wooden cubes that can be used as wall hangings or self standing

decor. 

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Q: What is your favorite item in your shop?

A:  I love everything I sell.  To pick one particular group, I think the Japanese Washi Tapes would be my favorite.  I'm addicted to them.  You can do so many things with this beautiful tape.

Q: Any new items in the works?

A: I have made some new Domino magnets that I'll list very soon and I'm going to sell full rolls and sets of the Japanese Washi tapes later on next month.

Buy it here

Q: What is the best compliment your shop has received?

A: My customers have been wonderful!  Their feedback always puts a smile on my face.  They love my products and the great customer service I provide.  Here is customer comment: "Now here's a dedicated

seller who goes the extra mile to give top notch customer service. And her inventory is simply smashing!"

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Q: Just for fun, where do you like to shop on Etsy?

A: Some of my personal favorites are imeondesign, beadandribbon, and NzLbags.

Are you ready to win some fabulous crafting supplies? Alrighty then, get to work...okay not literally, it's SO easy:

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Heart Chickydoddle or an item from their shop

and leave a separate comment here about your favorite item(s).

It's that easy!

Oh yeah, and so are all my giveaways, so check them out!

Good luck :)

Fine Print:

Only 2 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen October 10th 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 

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Beth from sweetnaturedesigns

Are you sitting down? I've got some REALLY great news!

Beth from sweetnaturedesigns was kind enough to offer to send

one lucky winner a towel of their choice 

from sweetnaturedesigns!

Buy it here

Beth sent me the towel pictured here. I think I looked twice at every item in her shop before deciding which one I wanted. I love them all! And it is even more gorgeous in real life than in the picture :) These items come wrapped adorably making them perfect for gifting....if you can bear to give them away! You'll see a few as we get to know Beth, but you are going to want to be sure and go check out sweetnaturedesigns to see the full collection!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: My name is Beth Tobey and I LOVE whimsical and quirky fabrics and house wares! I started out painting colorful and eclectic paintings, which I still try to find time for, but once I figured out how to make my fun tea towels and pillow covers, I decided to go for it. I work at home (yeah!) while my kids are at school but Mom-mode turns on at 3:00pm. My husband is awesome and has always been supportive of my artistic adventures.

Buy it here

Q: Your designs are smile-inducing, just my style! How would you describe YOUR style?
A: Do I have a style?? I love swirls, color, whimsical, and eclectic furnishings. I think a fun pillow cover or colorful kitchen towel can really brighten up a room and I don’t think you need expensive items to have a unique look in your home. Sometimes all it takes is a small pop of color. I like the little reminders on some of my items. Everyone should remember to SMILE at some point in their day!



Q: How did you get started on Etsy?
A: Once my youngest child started first grade, I decided to see if I could find a way to use my artistic skills while still being available at home. Etsy has been the greatest avenue for this adventure! I started out slowly, with paintings and cards, but I soon found my way into screen printing and textile design and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.


Q: Tell us a little about your process? How do the lovely items in your shop come to life?
A: All of my designs start from a drawing…no digital work from me! I prefer the hand-drawn look and I think it’s part of my signature style. Once I have the design the way I have imagined it, I turn it into a screen in which I can use over and over on all sorts of fabric. Luckily my Mom taught me to sew when I was little, so I am able to cut and sew all of the items in my shop. I started out buying pre-made towels and bags, but I decided to make it a point to create all of my products from scratch. I cut, sew, and hand screen print every single one of my items and I haven’t gotten bored yet. The sewing and ironing part of my job is actually pretty therapeutic. I will tell you, though, I have a huge pile of my family’s clothes that need to be ironed and mended laying in my work-room!

Buy it here

Q: I understand you take custom and wholesale orders. Busy lady! How do you balance this with home/family life?

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A: My family is awesome! I am blessed to be able to work from home in order to keep an eye on everything that goes on throughout the days, especially during the summer time. Since I have so many
different colors of ink and fabric choices I am happy to customize for those customers who have special requests. The wholesale business has really taken off, and it can be busy while I have to make 30 towels in just a few days. I have learned to plan my time wisely in order to stay on task. As a matter of fact, today I just decided I need to make a weekly schedule that includes housework as well as business work. The house and laundry won’t get clean by themselves and accounting isn’t my favorite part of the job, but all have to be a part of my daily plan.



Q: I am super jealous of your fabulous color matching skills. Your color combinations are so modern and refreshing. What is your secret?
A: I don’t really put much thought into it…for some reason I am just drawn to unusual combinations of color. I think having a background in painting helps, because you learn to see objects as various blocks of many different colors. A sky, for example, isn’t just blue…look closely…it’s filled with gray, yellow, purple, sometimes pink. I look to nature for ideas on how colors work with each other. Then other times I just use the closest tube of ink on hand!

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Q: What are your future plans for your shop?
A: Well I have big plans to work on my website, my facebook page, and other networking sites, but I never seem to make the time! Maybe this is where my kids can help me? I have also joined other online stores, and now I just have to add my products. I found some fabulous blue and white striped fabric so I’m planning on making more pillow covers and aprons, too. I have too many ideas and not enough time! But I think that’s probably the case with everyone…

Buy it here

Q: Any advice for new Etsians?
A: Find YOUR style and be confident! It can be daunting and scary to put yourself out there, but having the confidence in your product makes a huge difference. Try to learn from others, but don’t compare yourself to them. BE YOURSELF!


Inspiring! Okay readers, are you ready to get your giveaway on? Here you go!

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog

and leave a comment here saying you did.


2. "Heart" sweetnaturedesigns or an item from their Etsy shop
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

Don't forget to visit the Giveaway Page for other great giveaways :)

Fine Print:

Only 2 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen September 30th 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 

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Stephanie from Weird Woolly Designs

One thing I LOVE about Etsy is that every once in awhile I find something really unique.

This was the case when I encountered Stephanie from Weird Woolly Designs.

Stephanie has graciously agreed to giveaway

a $35 gift certificate to Weird Woolly Designs!

Buy it here

Have you noticed a trend in embroidery in your Etsy feed?

The hoop is like the new canvas! Well, Stephanie was in on it long before the crowd!

I think Stephanie is an artist to keep your eye on when it comes to trend setting.

I was pleasantly surprised by a lovely package in the mail from Stephanie the other day.

She sent me this fun little work of art:

Buy it here

I just had to take a close-up to show you the fine detail and craftmanship 

that Stephanie puts into her work:

I love the fibrous texture and really enjoy the colors Stephanie has chosen to make this one of a kind treasure. Let's get to know the artist while having a look at some of her other masterpieces.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A:  I’m a craftepreneur, a blogger, and an animal lover.  In my craft-making endeavors I’m primarily an embroiderer and surface designer.  Recently I’ve been getting into a lot of graphic, digital and fabric design.  I live in the great city of Louisville, KY with my husband and my cat Beans.

Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you want with you?

A:  Embroidery floss, a needle and pie -my favorite food.  (I’ve watched enough Man vs. Wild to know how to find fresh water and items that can be used as an embroidery hoop and fabric J).

Q: When did you learn to embroider?

A:  I learned how to crochet when I was about 8 or 9.  Soon after that I taught myself how to embroider.

Q: Do you have any other hidden talents?
A:  I’m an eggplant farmer and a French horn player

Buy it here

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

A:  Detailed, Retro-modern, Pop art

Q: What inspires you?

A: I love wonderful fabrics, lots of color and polka dots.  I also get inspiration from gardening and baking.

Q: What do you think makes your work unique?

A:  My style is unique in that it’s kind of a modern, graphic design version of embroidery.  Also, the way that I incorporate paint and embroidery into my work, along with using various types of threads in a single design, make it unusual. 

Q: Why Etsy? Do you sell your work outside of Etsy?

A:  I’ve always loved Etsy for how they promote crafters and the handmade industry.  I like the fact that Etsy isn’t just a website for selling products but it’s also a community.  In the past I’ve sold my work in local boutiques.  Currently I’m selling mainly on Etsy but I’m looking into some on-demand manufacturing sites as well (like Fine Art America, Spoonflower, etc).

Buy it here

Q: What do you find most challenging about Etsy?

A:  Getting my products seen among such a large pool of items.

Q: Where do you promote your shop?

A:  I write about all of my crafty adventures on my blog Weird and Woolly: Crafting a Life.  I also have a Facebook fan page and I’m on Twitter.

Q: Are you on any Etsy teams?

A: I’m on about 10 teams including Etsy Friends, Etsy Needle Arts Team and Louisville on Etsy.

Q: What are your future plans for your work?

A:  I’ve recently started designing DIY embroidery patterns and I plan to create many more of those.  I’ll also keep making my embroidered wall hangings as well as turning my designs into fabric, stationery, linens, and fine art prints.  I guess the sky’s the limit!

Ready to win a gift certificate to Weird Woolly Designs? I thought so. It's easy, here's how it goes:

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. "Heart" WeirdWoolyDesigns on Etsy

and leave a separate comment here saying you did.


3. "Like" Weird Woolly Designs on Facebook and let them know I sent you
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.


4. "Tweet" about the Weird Woolly Designs Giveaway
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

Don't forget to visit the Giveaway Page for other great giveaways :)

Fine Print:
Only 4 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen September 29th 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