Monday, September 12, 2011

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Lisa from theshophouse

You know those gorgeous hanging book mobiles you've seen on the front page of Etsy and in over 800 treasuries? Of course, we all want one! It never occurred to me I could make one myself until my recent encounter with the creator, Lisa Occhipinti from theshophouse. Instead of sending me a book mobile to giveaway, she sent me something much more valuable, a "how to" book she authored, The Repurposed Library.


Lisa suggested that before I give the book away I skim the pages and see what it's about, maybe even try my hand at a project. I'm not sure who was more skeptical about my ability to create my own mobile, Lisa or myself! You see, I admitted to Lisa I had limited crafting experience. Still, I pressed on and carefully followed the details outlined in the book to create a book mobile for my daughters room.


I chose a used book I'd bought a few years back that had just been sitting on my daughters book shelf. I snapped a few pictures along the way so you could see first hand the transformation.


My daughter Eleanor got excited about the project when she saw me working on it and decided to join in.


She chose an old copy of Blueberries for Sal.
We were both very pleased with the way our book mobiles turned out!



Needless to say, I highly recommend the book! I will truly be sad to see this book go! I'd still like to make the Sewing Box, Story Time Clock, Birdhouse & Two-Book Luminary projects. My daughter would probably love to do all 33 tutorials included in the book!

Let us take a moment to get to know the amazing artist behind this inspiring book.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I am a fine artist, specifically a painter, and since childhood have always held a love for books.
As a painter I use book pages as collage elements in my compositions and conversely use books as surfaces for mark-making and color. I utilize book pages and text as substrates and extract content from them while maintaining their mien for my sculpturals, stitching, mending and assembling them into new objects.With transparency central as a means of depth and intrigue, I harness the filminess of beeswax and encaustic as part of my layering system.

I began my book work with studying traditional handmade binding techniques at the Museum School in Boston, which then led to altered book practices which in turn led me to where I am now: transforming the book, either in its entirety or as components.

My work is in collections worldwide and is always evolving. I also teach, design and sew. I believe creativity is an expansive exploit. You can see more of what I do here and catch my blog here and feel free to pop into ShopHouse.


Q: What made you decide to write a "how to" book on your mastered techniques for repurposing used books?
A: I have always wanted to write a book, but know how hard it is to get published. I was fortunate enough to be approached by a literary agent who was crucial in the birth of this book. As an art instructor I think of The Repurposed Library as an extension of teaching where I can reach a far-reaching audience. The book shows how to make specific projects, but its undercurrent is about the vision and ingenuity we all carry within.


Q: I have noticed there are a few other craftsmen on Etsy using techniques from your book. How do you feel about that?  
A: Well first off book arts have been around before "The Repurposed Library" and I am by no means the founder of that practice! The point of "The Repurposed Library" is to enlighten people to the possibilities of what they can create and what they do with their creations is up to them. Each of us brings their own tastes, associations and levels of craftsmanship to what they make. And that is what makes ShopHouse unique. My own imprint is on everything there and that is specific to me, just as another etsy seller's mark is unique to them. 

Are you ready to win a signed copy of this inspiring book? Well, let's get to it already!


How to Enter the Giveaway:
1. Follow this blog
and leave a comment here saying you did.


2. "Heart" theshophouse on Etsy or an item in the shop
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.


Want to see what I've made with the left over pages from my book mobile project?
Visit the Upcycled Books section of my Etsy shop!
And 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 21st 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 

84 comments:

  1. Would it be terrible to enter into another giveaway! This is just too cool to pass up! You host good giveaways, what can I say? I am following this blog already, so yay. My email is mtaggart4852@gmail.com

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  2. I hearted theshophouse on Etsy under my username, sweetsweetmorgan. My email is mtaggart4852@gmail.com Cheers to another giveaway! Thanks so much!

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  3. I am a follower via GFC!

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

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  4. I added the shop to my etsy favorites! katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

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  5. I'm a follower. What an awesome giveaway and a lovely interview. Your book mobile and your daughter's turned out awesome!

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  6. This is really cool! I follow your blog. :)

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  7. I added her shop to my Etsy favorites. :)

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  8. I AM already a follower
    GFC Elena Rabkina

    elen.rabkina(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. hearted the shop on etsy
    username rabkina

    elen.rabkina(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am a new blog follower on GFC! Love your stuff!
    bcbeaveratheart@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am following this blog

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow your blog publicly with google friend connect as Amber
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I heart ShopHouse on Etsy - my Etsy name is Hurdler4eva
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Following this blog through GFC

    mubinster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I hearted the Framed Page-Globe Theatre - Lovely!!!!

    mubinster at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm a new GFC follower!
    katelyn.j.stephens at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. i already follow on gfc
    yanuzo at hotmail dot com

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  18. following via GFC!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I hearted the shop on etsy- username bokononist

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Added the Storied mirror The wizard of Oz to my favorites

    nineteen19 at blackfoot dot net

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  21. GFC follower
    I like the idea of reporposed books!

    nineteen19 at blackfoot dot net

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  22. followed via kandulidemusikken (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I just added your blog to my google reader! Perfect!

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  24. I follow this blog by email

    DESPINA
    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

    ReplyDelete
  25. I hearted her shop on Etsy, as deboro

    DESPINA
    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

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  26. OMG I love this! I love books, reading and writing (I'm a book blogger, you see), and I like to try out crafty things every now and then *fingers crossed*.

    GFC follower
    danaan at gmx dot at

    P.S.: Hope the giveaway is international?

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  27. Hearted the shop (BLehner)

    danaan at gmx dot at

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  28. I follow you via gfc as M.j...ciao4now64@yahoo.com

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  29. I hearted your etsy shop....ciao4now64@yahoo.com

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  30. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  31. Subscribed to blog!! exciting
    laurasolestrella at gmail.com

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  32. hearted this item on etsy... http://www.etsy.com/listing/81571758/bookmobile-poetry-childrens

    laurasolestrella at gmail.com

    great giveaway!

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  33. Love this post! I now follow modern typography.

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  34. I also hearted theshophouse. Sharing the process of her work through this book is something I admire; her recreations are just so fantastic.

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  35. I follow your blog on Google Friend Connect under the name Kairi.
    niuniuzheng@gmail.com

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  36. I hearted her shop on etsy.
    niuniuzheng@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am following the blog via google connect :) (somethingfrugal)

    something frugal at yahoo dot com

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  38. I "hearted" her etsy shop

    something frugal at yahoo dot com

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  39. Just fabulous thank you!

    GFC: Mary Preston

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  40. oh my god I love it.

    I'm already a follower of your glorious blog ;)

    jogblogjog at gmail dot com

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  41. I have given the shop my heart

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  42. Following the blog! Love the book and projects!

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  43. "Hearted" the shop as niecynotes. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. :D

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  44. I am now following.

    eveyinorbit at gmail dot com

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  45. added shop to favorites

    eveyinorbit at gmail dot com.

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  46. Just became a follower of your lovely blog!

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  47. Just "hearted" theshophouse on etsy! Gorgeous work there. Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I've had my eye on that book for a while now!

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  48. following the blog.

    shoujohime @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. hearted the shop on etsy.

    shoujohime @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I already follow this blog via GFC!

    faymara(at)ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I hearted the shop on Etsy! :)

    faymara(at)ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Following you via GFC.

    saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. "Hearted" theshophouse on Etsy. sn: wiccankitty89

    saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am following using GFC

    allison b rose at gmail dot com

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  55. I favorited them on Etsy (timeandagainshop) and couldn't decide on which I loved the most!!!! I have also added the to my circle!!! SOOO cool!!!

    allison b rose at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I follow your blog
    littlegray88 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I heart the shophouse on etsy
    littlegray88 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Blog follower

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Added shop to favorites

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Awesome mobile there!!! You ARE crafty! Following you now :)

    Bless your heart!

    Christina
    http://calej.blogspot.com
    calejbitsvyk (at) gmail (dot) com
    http://twitter.com/calej

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow with GFC as A. Tolar.

    supaflychikenpi2 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I'm a new follower! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I favorited the Etsy shop!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I already follow your blog! <3

    darlingcupcakez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I heart theshophouse on Etsy!
    [femmefatale25]

    darlingcupcakez@gmail.com

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  66. I heart both the shop and the Storied Mirror- Wizard of Oz! [nikxmarie]

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  67. I heart theshophouse (houseofplush).

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  68. I heart your etsy shop as jillhogan

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  69. i hearted her etsy shop


    lauren51990 at aol dot com

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  70. GFC: Sarah Crawford
    sarahandmike@hellokitty.com

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  71. Etsy: SarahEC
    sarahandmike@hellokitty.com

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  72. What a great book!

    Following you . . .

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  73. i'm a new GCF follower! thanks! amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  74. i <3ed her shop on etsy! amazing_alex.0818[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I am following your blog.

    serenap95(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I hearted The Shop House on etsy.

    Username - serenap95

    serenap95(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Following on GFC as PennyMindingMom.

    pennymindingmom (AT) hotmail (DOT) ca

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hearted theshophouse :)

    pennymindingmom (AT) hotmail (DOT) ca

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  79. Winner announced soon! In the mean time, check out my other giveaways by clicking on the tab above :)

    ReplyDelete