Lanatema Giveaway and Review

I would like to introduce you to my new Italian Etsy friend Alessandra,
owner of the super cute shop Lanatema. When she contacted me
about sponsoring a giveaway and review I was delighted
to find her shop full of adorable felt plushies, magnets and bookmarks.

She sent me this fuzzy little treat last week, and my refrigerator couldn't be any happier!

I love this particular design because you can center it over a face on a picture or a date on a calendar.

 

I think these little treasures would make a perfect "Thinking of You" gift,
all wrapped & ready to go.

Alessandra would like to giveaway one of her scrumptious little cookie bookmarks

to one lucky blog reader!

First, let's find out a little more about Alessandra and her brand new small business.

Q: Congratulations on starting a new Etsy business! I see you are just 21 years old. I don't think I was as entrepreneurial at that age.  Tell us a little more about yourself.

A: First of all thank you for your congrats! I opened my shop on August 2014 with curiosity, to try a new experience and to see if other people would like my creations.

I study at the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera most of the day and spend every minute of free time doing something for my shop  (for example during train travels to the academy); it takes a lot of effort but it is so much fun.

Q: How did your products come to be?

A: When I create a new item, I take inspiration from things I like such as animals or little colorful objects that attract me. Once I have an idea, I draw it on cardstock. Then I copy it on felt, cut, and sew all the parts together.

I am very lucky because in my town there is an amazing fabric shop where I can buy very good quality materials (I almost live there :-) ).

Q: What do you think sets you apart from other Etsy shops? What do you want people to know about you?

A: I try to create something useful, that also makes people happy. This is the reason why many of my creations have a lovely smile. I put all my best in every stitch, in fact my family makes fun of me because they say that i'm too particular. I've made many custom orders (in particular for friends) and I am very happy to do it because it helps me to create new objects. Creating something personalized is very exciting because I can bring to life any item you can imagine.

Q: I see you've joined the Etsy Italia team. I would never have known so many Etsy sellers were based in Italy! Have you focused your efforts on sales locally or do you hope to take on the international market?

A: Yes, it is a very big team of Italian sellers; we try to help each other with suggestions or tips. I hope to take on the international market because handmade is more appreciated and valued. In Italy e-commerce isn't as widespread as in the US . Here, we prefer stalls or little shops where one can touch and see the product.

Q: Do you have any big plans for the future?

A: Yes of course :-) I would like to increase my online sales! I'd also like to have my own stall and meet people so I can show them how I make my items. But my adventure has only just begun.

Now, on to the good stuff!

We are making it super easy to enter the giveaway.

Simply visit Lanatema & tell us what you think

in a comment below!

*Bonus entry for sharing this giveaway on Facebook and tagging www.facebook.com/lanatema

Don't forget to leave your email or a way to contact you!

Alessandra would like to offer everyone a coupon for 20% off, 

now until the end of the giveaway.

Use the code 20COUPON to receive a discount off your entire purchase at Lanatema!

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Be sure to follow me by email for future giveaways & product reviews.

Visit the giveaway tab at the top of the page for more chances to win.

Giveaway winner will be chosen on Monday, April 20, 2015 at noon PST.

Must be 18 years of age and a US/Canada resident to win.

Winner will be chosen with random.org and have 3 days to respond to this post or email.

My Etsy Christmas List - No. 19 Sew Sweet Stitches

I'm SUPER tired, but I still love doing this :)

Especially when I get to show you something really pretty, like these lovelies from

Sew Sweet Stitches.

Funtastic rings:

Buy it here

Pretty, pretty hair pins:

Buy it here

Beautiful Brooches:

Buy it here

Even necklaces:

Buy it here

Amazing color combinations:

Buy it here

So many reasons you should jump on this one...

but mostly because it's only 19 days to Christmas, Eeekkk!

Hurry on over to Sew Sweet Stitches.

Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Courtney from LilNoodleBug

I'm excited for ya'll, 

I've got so much to giveaway!

Buy it here

I've teamed up with Courtney over at LilNoodleBug

who has graciously agreed to offer one lucky winner a
$40 gift certificate for her shop!

Let's get to know Coutrney while having a look
at all of the wonderful stuff you could buy at LilNoodleBug with such a generous gift!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I am a Wife and Mother before anything.  I love Dr. Pepper.  I am quite quirky as my hubby would say.  I try to enjoy life and take in every moment with my kids.  I try to do it all myself, but sometimes realize help is not only necessary but nice (every once in awhile).

Q: Your babies are adorable! I can't believe you work, go to school and you're a mom and wife! Makes me tired just writing about it. How ever do you manage?

A: It is tough and sometimes I feel like I don't manage.  It is all a balancing act and I just have to take each day as it comes.  I have to re-prioritize weekly and post-its are my best friends.

Q: I've noticed there aren't a ton of pictures of your little girl "modeling" your wares. Does your baby girl like to get dolled up, or is she just about as impossible as my children? :)

A: Hahahah...this is a good question.  She actually LOVES to get dolled up in her princess dresses.  Every morning it is the same fight about me doing her hair.  She is a little fashionista when she wants to be...not when Mommy wants her to be.

Buy it here

Q: What inspires you?

A: My children inspire and motivate me to keep going.  I want to make them proud and to show them that anything is possible if you put your mind and heart in it.

Q: I find a lot of sellers were crafters from the start. Have you always been crafty?

A: Yes I have always been crafty.  In elementary school I sold handmade friendship bracelets...hahaha...I think I sold them for like 25 cents, but they were a big hit!


Q: Use 3 words to describe yourself/your style.
A: Cute. Quirky. Accessorize!

Q: What is your favorite "medium" to work with (fabric, tulle, felt, etc.) and why?

A: I love felt.  I think because there are SOOOO many different colors to choose from and you can create a ton of different things.  It is versatile!

Buy it here

Q: Why Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else? Online, local, etc.

A: I actually am selling at my first craft fair in November and I am excited and very nervous.  I chose etsy because I have shopped from that site for years now and it is very simple and easy to use. My goal is to do more local craft fairs though.

Buy it here

Q: Just for fun, what's the last thing you bought yourself on Etsy?

A: I bought cookies for my son's Dr. Seuss party from Chocolatebykim.  They turned out adorable.  They were miniature sugar cookies shaped like fish with red, yellow and blue frosting!

Courtney sent me one of her gorgeous felt flower pins. I can't wait to pin it, there are so many ways to use these! Dress up a sweater, adorn a purse, liven up a scarf, personalize a hat... You guys have got to get one of these. At $8.00 each they really are a steal!

Buy it here

Wait...stop the presses...

Courtney would like to offer my blog readers 

an exclusive coupon code to LilNoodleBug, isn't that sweet?! 

Just punch in BLOGGIVEAWAY at checkout to receive

10% off your entire purchase!

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

and enter this fantastic giveaway for a $40 gift certificate to her shop:

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Heart an item from LilNoodleBug

and leave a separate comment here about it.


3. Follow Courtney's Blog 
and leave a seperate comment here saying you did.


4. Follow LilNoodleBug on Twitter
and leave a seperate comment here saying you did.

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

Fine Print:

Only 4 entries per household please
Giveaway ends October 24th 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 too many 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: Erin from goodbyebluemonday

You guys aren't going to believe what we are giving away next!

Erin from goodbyebluemonday has graciously agreed 

to give this one of a kind 

handmade doll, Flora, to one luck winner!

Buy one like it here

Erin sent along Edith with Flora, this adorable little red head. She'll fit right in with my Eleanor, Henry & George, don't you think?

Buy it here

When they arrived, I sat down at the table with my baby boy in my arms and opened the package. Inside were these fun brown paper bags adorned with spray painted clouds and twine.

I opened them up and studied them carefully. Suddenly, I looked down and my baby had this huge grin on his face. I guess the joy I felt was contagious! I sat and thought..this would kill any blue mood! Erin, you've come up with the perfect store name!

My next thoughts were of all the little girls I want to buy one for! There are so many to pick from, and they are customizable! I love the clothes and accessories, they really give each a personality of it's own.

Buy it here

Let's get to know Erin, one of the masterminds behind these great dolls, while having a look at some other fun stuff from goodbyebluemonday:

Q: I understand goodbyebluemonday is a joint effort, run by yourself and shoshana. Tell us a little about how that came to be?

Where the magic happens

A: Shoshana and I have been friends for about six years now; we bonded quite a bit over knitting and crafts in general. We would always be working on a project whenever we got together, so eventually, we figured why not open up a shop on Etsy and see if everyone else might enjoy our work as much as we enjoy making it.

Q: Your dolls are amazing! Do you remember the first one you made? How did it come to be?

A: I’ve been making dolls for about two years now; I started by making one for my daughter Josephine. It was pretty remedial, but I learned a whole lot from the process and was able to see so many possibilities for future work. There’s something so exciting about producing art that is functional. It pleases me so much to know that what I make won’t just be looked at, but instead, will be touched and held, played with and (hopefully!) loved.

Q: Which of your products holds the most personal meaning to you?

A: Hmnnn. I guess my cloud dolls, because they are completely original, and they reference my most favorite occurrence in nature. I’ve always responded to the soft, impermanent and somewhat moody attributes that clouds represent.

Buy it here

Q: Whilst getting to know each other, we talked about our children's name and your doll names. I really love the classic names you have chosen! How do you come up with these?

A: I have a running list of names that I like, but I actually almost never name a doll until I’m setting up a listing for it. I do favor old fashioned names for my dolls, for one because I prefer them, but also, I like how they references the more traditional nature of doll making.

Buy it here

Q: I've noticed you carry both sewn and knit items in your shop. Do you have any other hidden talents? (painting, photography, taxidermy ;) )

A: Well I am a formally trained fine artist first and foremost, so I can handle all sorts of different mediums, but, beyond that, I’m a pretty decent bread baker, and I can wiggle my ears.

Q: What inspires you?

A: Everything. I take in a lot of media in general; old movies, lots of children’s book illustrations, lots of music. I’m a pretty sentimental person, so I reference a ton from my own childhood; I was in love with all of my dolls when I was a child, and I think that I unintentionally incorporate certain characteristics of my favorites into my doll designs.

Q: You've been very successful in your Etsy shop. To what do you attribute your good fortune?

A:I think that having an honest and personable relationship with our customers has benefited our shop greatly. It's definitely affirming when you start seeing previous customers return for other purchases. We try to work wholeheartedly, with each step cared for equally, and it is my hope that that shows in the quality of our items. I really am appreciative of it all, especially of the fact that people are choosing more and more often to buy handmade products for their kids and choosing to support small and uniquely niched businesses like ours.

Buy it here

Q: What are your future plans for your shop?

A:One of the issues with having a busy shop, is finding the time to develop new items. Luckily, my super talented assistant, Dru ( Shoshana's husband), helps me immensely in that regard, so I am able to work on new designs from time to time. I do plan to add some more boy dolls, some basic babydolls with removable clothing, and perhaps finding a way to simplify the customization process. 

Q: Just for fun, what is the last thing you bought yourself on Etsy? 

A:The last thing that I bought on Etsy, were some wonderful, handmade felt fruit (strawberries and a banana) from AlphabetEmporium, for my children (Benjamin,9 and Josie, 4). They are so beautifully made, and my daughter insists on tucking them into her backpack every morning before school, just in case she ever feels like  having a little "snack".

After you've gone and checked out Erin's shop, come on back and enter to win the fabulous OOAK Flora!

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog

and leave a comment here saying you did.


2. "Like" goodbyebluemonday on Facebook & let them know I sent you
and leave a separate comment here saying you did.


3. Tweet about the goodbyebluemonday 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 3 entries per household please
1 winner will be chosen September 22nd 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: Shelly from Gingermelon

I'm delighted to introduce you to Shelly from Gingermelon 

who has graciously agreed to participate in a giveaway :)

This talented artist has offered to giveaway not 1, not 2, but 3 sets

 of Color-Your-Own Paper Dolls!

The winners can choose between these 2 sets:

Buy it here

OR

Buy it here

Shelly sent me a copy of the first set and my daughter Eleanor and I had a blast putting them together. The great thing about Shelly's paper dolls is immediate gratification! Since they are sent via email, you can download the images in seconds, print them out at home, and start creating them right away!

You need very few materials: white cardstock, colored pencils, scissors, and brads, how easy is that! Here's a little slideshow of our project:

Aren't these adorable? We're dying to try the Patisserie set now! It has the more traditional tabbed outfits, and a bunch of little accessories, too. 

Shelly is no one trick pony; the paper dolls are only the latest of her crafting adventures. I'll show you more as we go along. Let's get to know Shelly a little better.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I live in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.  Originally, I am from South Africa were we lived till I was 17.  I have always loved drawing, though to tell you the truth, my sewing skills were always terrible!  My mom ended up fixing or finishing anything I attempted to sew, so I like to make everything I create very simple!

Q: I see that you and your mom run myfairdolly together. How did that come to be?

A: I convinced my mom to open myfairdolly because she loves to sew and her skills are amazing!  I had started to collect Blythe dolls and wanted to try my hand at making outfits for them in my spare time.  Unfortunately, I really don't have any spare time anymore, so mom does everything in the shop now and along the way has started a collection of all sorts of dolls, too!
 

Q: I've noticed that Gingermelon is now primarily patterns, whereas at one point you were selling mostly dolls. Why the change?

Buy it here

A:When I began selling on etsy, I concentrated on making the Little Ladies which are cloth dolls with embroidered faces.  After a while, I started experimenting with little felt bears, kittens and bunnies.  I loved making up little stories for them as each seemed to have it's own personality.  As time went on, I created the Sweet Stufflings and that's when I got the idea for creating a pattern for them.  I knew that if I could make them, anyone could!  So, when I designed the pattern, I decided to add hand drawn illustrations so that if a person had trouble reading a pattern (like me!), they could really just follow the diagrams.  I was amazed at how quickly the patterns sold and how appreciative my clients were for the easy instructions!  My head is always full of new ideas and I have a little sketchbook that I keep on hand for rough drawings.  At the moment I'm working on a new project that will be lovely for kids who have a little basic sewing knowledge.  I'm planning on making a kit that would contain a super simple, mostly illustrated pattern, the felt needed to make it and a few embellishments, including the safety eyes.  There will be many to choose from:  a bear, kitten, fox, owl, raccoon and a little doll.  I'm very excited about these and hope to have them ready for my shop before the end of September!

Q: You've been very successful with Gingermelon in a relatively short period of time. What do you feel is the "secret" to your success?

A: I think the key to becoming successful on etsy is to keep being creative!  Constantly challenge yourself to come up with new ideas and most importantly, treat your customers like gold!  I believe that if you are passionate about what you do, it will show in your work.  Every item I make is made with love and attention to detail.  I want people to notice that I have put a lot of thought into each piece and I try to keep each one unique.  Even if I'm asked to make another one just like a particular one I've done before, it'll be slightly different in some way.

Buy it here

Q: What is your favorite medium, and why?

A: I have many favourite mediums:)  Hand woven felt is by far my favourite in the world of felt. I love paper and have oodles of it, pencil crayons, paper clay, Japanese linen, seed beads, mohair, lace, I could go on forever!

Buy it here

Q: What item that you sell holds the most personal meaning to you?

A: My most meaningful items are my cloth dolls, the Little Ladies.  These are what got me started and every time I make one, I enjoy the entire process!  They are very time consuming, but worth every moment spent on them!


Q: Your paper dolls have so much personality. Where do you find inspiration for their features and accessories?

A: I absolutely loved doing the Paper dolls!  In fact I have quite a few more that I've started on, but again, lack of time has kept me from going much further with them.  My inspiration for them comes from vintage/retro cards, ads and children's books.
 

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

A: Future plans include more sculpted dolls, more paper dolls and lots more patterns!  Just think, we have Halloween, Christmas, Easter - there's a theme for everything!
 

Buy it here

Q: Has your work been featured in any publications?

A: My work was recently featured in 'Stuffed Magazine'.  It was such an honour and I was delighted to be part of their summer edition!  I have also been featured on babyology, a few blogs and facebook fan pages.


Q: Just for fun, what is your favorite Etsy shop?
A: Some of my favourite shops on etsy are abimonroe, Dilkabear, loopyboopy, and sweetbestiary, to name a few. Too hard to just pick one!


After you've run over and bought yourself something nice from Gingermelon be sure to check out Shelly's blog, Facebook page, and Flikr. And, of course, come on back and enter to win your free set of paper dolls:

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Leave a separate comment here about the fantastic stuff you saw 

while visiting Gingermelon.

How easy is that?

Best of luck to all who enter.

Make sure to visit the Giveaways tab for more great prizes!

Fine Print:

Only 2 entries per household please

3 winners will be chosen September 15th at midnight PST
Winners will be chosen by random.org
Entries will be validated
Winners will be announced here
Winners will have 3 days to contact me, 

after which new winners will be chosen

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter