I wanted to thank all of the people that entered the contest! The winners have been determined, and I am contacting them now. Here they are:
1st place: Jenny Bolech
2nd place: Poppyland
3rd place: julssewcrazy
I really appreciate all of the feedback and critiques, and they really were helpful! I am working on some new photography set ups. Unfortunately, I also need a new camera so the new pictures may take a little bit. But they are coming!!!
I have to say, I am very disappointed in my lack of blogging lately! So to get me back in the swing of things I have decided to hold a very simple contest.
At this point, I have three active shops. They are:
SimplyRaevyn - Etsy Shop or Artfire Shop
PeculiarParchment - Etsy Shop or Artfire Shop
WhatYouCrave - Etsy Shop or Artfire Shop
Despite my recent laziness, I have been fairly good at keeping them stocked up. But I would like some feedback on my inventory! So here is the contest, simple and straightforward!!
Leave a comment with a link to an object you would like to comment on. Then, leave me a critique/comment! You can say you love it because (fill in the blank), or let me know something that needs improving on it. Maybe the pictures are not flattering, or it just doesn't look good! I need your feedback so if you want to critique, please don't be shy :) I really want to stress that this is not just a love me fest. I want honest feedback :) I have three shops, so you can earn a total of three entries into the contest. Please leave a separate comment for each shop.
Yes, there is a way to earn extra entries. That is, make a purchase! If you make a purchase from any of my three shops you will get 2 additional entries. Leave a comment here with your transaction link.
Let's run this contest until Friday, August 6th at midnight (est) On the 7th I will use random.org to select the winner.
And of course, the prize!!!! There will be three prizes. Here they are:
*First Place - $30 gift certificate good in my SimplyRaevyn or Peculiar Parchment shops.
*Second Place - $20 gift certificate good in my SimplyRaevyn or Peculiar Parchment shops.
*Third Place - $10 gift certificate good in my SimplyRaevyn or Peculiar Parchment shops.
Please note that the gift certificates are NOT redeemable in my What You Crave shop.
So that's it! Simple and straight forward :) If there are any questions, just email me at raevyn77@gmail.com . Have fun!! :D
Well it happened. I did my first craft fair! And this is something I really thought I would never be able to bring myself to do.
It all started when Debra asked Paul if I would be interested in setting up at the Downtown Art Market here in Lubbock, Texas. Debra works with Paul and we have sort of developed a friendship through communications online and through Paul. She knows about my "issues" so she said all I had to do was supply the items for the show, and she would be the one at the show. I didn't even have to go! So I said yes! And immediately started getting ready. We bought a table, canopy and chairs along with a few things to display my jewelry. And I of course got to work making a ton of new things.
As time went on I got to thinking that maybe with Debra as a buffer, I could survive actually going to the art market. Since I only have sold online in the past, seeing people's reaction in person to my work would mean a lot! So in the end, I decided to go. And I am so glad that I did! I went with the expectation that we would not sell anything. But we actually did very well. Now we plan on going for every show, which is the second Saturday of every month. I am also now looking at doing a show in Oklahoma as well as a larger craft show in Lubbock that a man in the booth next to us told me about.
I am not sure if I will always function well at these events. My anxieties, OCD and bipolar can make leaving the house near impossible for me. But I am going to try. And Paul, Debra, and some other family members have offered to be my buffer at every event. This is an area I never thought I would be able to get into, so to say the least I am very happy!! I snapped a few pictures at the event. They are not my finest pictures, but at least it gives you an idea of my set up.
The lady in this picture is the lovely Debra! My newest hero :)
I also wanted to mention that the other crafters, artists, growers, etc. at the market were wonderful! So many of them made me feel completely welcome, and I can't say enough how much that means to me! I also spent quite a bit of money shopping at their booths, there is just so much talent in this town. I am looking forward to more markets!
I wanted to take a moment to blog about my cousin, Jen. She has spent the last few years turning her life around, and she really is inspiring! When I was last up in Brattleboro she told me that she was going to be interviewed by a company called PolarUSA. She uses their equipment to help her train. The commercial is really like a mini documentary about how she has turned her life around by running. Running is very important to her. Her father was a lifetime runner, and he was set to run in another marathon, when he was all of a sudden struck down with an illness and died. So she decided to start training and run for him. I miss him very much, and I know that he would be so proud of her progress.
I have been told that if she gets enough views, they are going to do another feature on her. So I really hope that everyone will take a minute and check out her video. She is an inspiring story, and it really means so much to her.
Please take just a minute to click and watch her story.
