Friday, November 18, 2011

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Helene from FireWorks Copper & Glass


I'm very excited about this next giveaway! 
Helene over at FireWorks Copper & Glass has graciously agreed to offer one winner their choice of either 
a round or star Christmas ornament or a set of 6 buttons in the color of their choice.

Copper enamel tree ornament- white, blue, red, green
Buy it here
Helene sent me this lovely ornament and a couple of buttons for review.

Buy it here

Buy it here
  Aren't they lovely? Helene doesn't know it, but I'm actually an ornament collector!
Handmade ornaments add such charm to a tree, don't you think?
I can't wait to add the buttons to one of my projects, too!


I'll be showing you more of Helene's lovely items while we get to know her a little better.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I live in a small community in British Columbia, Canada and I am co-owner of FireWorks Copper and Glass, a small business where we create copper enamel jewelry, home décor items, barrettes, buttons and more. I love color and putting together new combinations. I draw much of my inspiration from nature and the beautiful place where I live.

Copper enamel switch plate- trees
Buy it here
Q: I understand you have background in fashion design, textiles, weaving and felting. Now it looks as though you exclusively enamel. Would you say it's your favorite medium? Do you still have time for your other talents?
A: I enjoy enameling very much and I devote a lot of my time to this medium, as it is my business and full time job. I still enjoy creating and playing with textiles, though I haven’t spent a lot of time on that, as I have been focusing mainly on enameling. I have a few ideas about combining textiles and enameling, which I hope to pursue at some point.
Q: How would you describe your style? What sets you apart from other artists on Etsy?
A: My style is a celebration of the beauty of nature, expressed with vivid color and a hint of whimsy at times.

I use a scrolling technique in many of my pieces, where I pull a red hot rod through the molten enamel (glass) creating freeform, swirling patterns. I haven’t noticed other Etsy artists using this technique.  Also, in addition to the jewelry line I have home décor items, Christmas ornaments, and buttons, while most enamellists focus on jewelry exclusively.

Q: How does running a shop on Etsy compare to running a real-life store front?
A: I run my Etsy store by myself and it is a very small part of my business. The Forge and Furnace Gallery is my main selling venue and it is a collaboration between me and my business partner, the blacksmith and glassblowers. Selling in the gallery has many advantages; customers are able to see a wide variety of items, try things on, pick them up, and see the actual size, colour and texture. I think it is much easier to sell under these conditions. Selling on Etsy has the additional challenges of portraying work accurately and effectively to the potential shoppers, and just being found in a vast sea of competition.
Q: Any advice for people just starting out?
A: Make something beautiful that you love, and other people will probably like it too. Always strive for improvement and don’t take yourself too seriously. A mentor is a great asset.

Q: What direction do you see yourself headed on your artist adventure? Any big plans in the near future?
A:  I am developing some new products and I am also planning some larger expressive pieces.
Q: Just for fun, what is/are your/some of your favorite shop(s) on Etsy?

To find out more about Helene be sure to check out her website: http://artisansofcrawfordbay.com/fireworks.htm

Helene would like to offer my readers an exclusive coupon code for her shop :)
Just enter the code MODERN at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase!
Be sure to get your orders in time for Christmas.


How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)
and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Heart FireWorks Copper & Glass on Etsy
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

3. Leave a separate comment about your favorite item from
FireWorksCopper & Glass.

Make sure to bookmark my giveaways page if you haven't already, 
and READ THE FINE PRINT

Fine print:
Only 3 entries per household please
Giveaway ends November 28th 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

Recently I have had to choose a second winner for quite a few 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!

57 comments:

  1. Love the combination of glass and enamel
    morgancc@bigpond.net.au

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have hearted FireWorksCopper & Glass

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow: Mary Preston

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I HEART FireWorks Copper & Glass on Etsy

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the BLUE BIRD EARRINGS

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i am following as eugenia g


    bohemian_sin(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. THOSE EARRINGS ARE FABULOUS!
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/67520950/hoop-earrings-copper-enamel-with-red

    ReplyDelete
  8. Following this blog via GFC under Berendina Dykema

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hearted FireWorks Copper & Glass on Etsy under Berendina Dykema

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Favorite item is the Blue star Christmas tree ornament - copper enamel with scrolling.Love the design and colors.


    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Already following your sweet blog via GFC! (ksyshenka)

    Thank you for the chance!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I hearted FireWorks Copper & Glass on Etsy! (oksana2372)

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I adore and hearted Christmas tree ornament - copper enamel stocking! (oksana2372)

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/84888290/christmas-tree-ornament-copper-enamel

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I follow you on GFC (same name)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  15. I heart Fireworks Copper and Glass on etsy (id: megnate)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the Blue Bird Earrings!!
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/86486103/blue-bird-earrings-copper-enamel-with

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  17. What amazingly lovely pieces.
    I am following your blog

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have given the shop my etsy heart

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have chosen Pink and Purple Enamel 1972 Penny Pendant as my favourite but love the rainbow button selection too. It was a hard choice.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love these earings http://www.etsy.com/listing/86061820/handmade-peacock-feather-earrings-copper
    Thanks for the chance
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oops, forgot to comment that I'm a blog follower :)
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I follow you on GFC

    The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia
    ldsmom2201 at yahoo dot com
    http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com
    Twitter: The_Happy_Wife

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the butterfly earrings, especially the pink ones.

    The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia
    ldsmom2201 at yahoo dot com
    http://juanshappywife.blogspot.com
    Twitter: The_Happy_Wife

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the copper tree switchplate!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Following as vaverine.


    You can reach me at vaverine at gmail dot com
    Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hearted on Etsy as vaverine.

    You can reach me at vaverine at gmail dot com
    Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  27. My favourite item at the store is the Copper enamel, red star earrings on titanium earring hooks (http://www.etsy.com/listing/68263922/copper-enamel-red-star-earrings-on) They remind me of the little Japanese maples at my place in BC.

    You can reach me at vaverine at gmail dot com
    Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  28. following you via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I hearted the etsy shop - username bokononist

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. My favorite items are the handmade peacock feather earrings.

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. My Etsy shop ... jessvartanian.etsy.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Blog follower - Cynthia Richardson

    Cynthia.Richardson@azbar.org

    ReplyDelete
  33. Added to my Etsy favorites - Hofken

    Cynthia.Richardson@azbar.org

    ReplyDelete
  34. My favorite item is the Green leaf earrings - Copper enamel earrings dangle from titanium earring hooks

    Cynthia.Richardson@azbar.org

    ReplyDelete
  35. Already following your blog :)

    Ashley
    shopjinx@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. http://www.etsy.com/listing/63520111/copper-enamel-switch-plate-trees would be my favorite item!

    Ashley
    shopjinx@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. <3ed them on etsy:)


    jinxas @etsy

    Ashley
    shopjinx@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I follow Heart FireWorks Copper & Glass on Etsy!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. My favorite item at Fireworks Copper & Glass is the Holiday ornament - Copper enamel stocking tree decoration - red, green

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. My fav is Copper enamel earrings- golden, blue and green dangles on titanium earring hooks

    ReplyDelete
  41. GFC follower = Lyudmila
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hearted = Ludmilochka
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like the Purple Hoop Earrings - Copper enamel on titanium ear hooks
    lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. following your blog and hope I win the round ornament. so cute.

    lindajlue@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I'm a GFC follower!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I added the shop to my favorites!

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love the brown owl necklace! Super cute.

    walindeman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thank you for entering this giveaway! Winner announced soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. GFC: France Irish

    franceirish_c(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hearted FireWorksCopper
    http://www.etsy.com/people/franceirish?ref=si_pr

    franceirish_c(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. My favorite item is:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/66057829/handmade-peacock-blue-mandala-necklace

    franceirish_c(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete