Contest Winners

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!!!

Time for a New Contest!!

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

My first craft fair - I did it!!!

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!

My Cousin - I am so proud!

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.

Winner of Nativebeads' Giveaway

Well it's time to announce the winner of Nativebeads giveaway! Congratulations Jodaycraf!!! I will be contacting you about your prize. And thank you so much to all that entered!

Gonna be a bit of a break before I list the next contest. I am super busy making new inventory and filling custom orders.

Nativebeads' Giveaway

This giveaway is sponsored by Nativebeads. Make sure to check out her feature right here on this blog, just click here!

The prize is terrific, and so much fun! Theresa from Nativebeads is giving away a a kit to make a gourd doll. Here is how she describes it:This is a bead kit that teaches you how to add horizontal bead netting to embellish a gourd doll. The kits includes step by step instructions, illustrations, a painted gourd doll, beads, needle and thread. It also includes instructions on how to make a beaded basket that is glued onto the top of the doll head when you are finished with her beaded skirt. The kit contains all the materials in a ziplock baggie. The photo shows the finished doll. The kits normally sells for $10 in my shop.





Entering is easy. Visit Theresa's shop Nativebeads, then come back here and leave a comment with a link your favorite item from her shop!

Earn Bonus Entries!
*Earn 5 bonus entries: Make a purchase from Nativebeads. Come back here and leave a comment with the link to your transaction. Please tell her in check out that Raevyn sent you :D

*Earn 1 bonus entry: Sign up for my newsletter and come back here and leave a comment that you signed up. If you have already signed up for it, just leave a comment here letting me know and you will get the bonus entry.

*Earn 1 bonus entry: Follow this blog! Leave a post here letting me know you are a follower.

*Earn 2 bonus entries: Blog about this giveaway! Then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.

Please make sure to leave a way to contact you on your entries. If I can't contact you, you can't win! This contest is open to everyone, you do not have to be in the US to enter. October 6th will be the last day to enter, and I will draw the winner on October 7th.

Etsy Featured Artist - Nativebeads

When I first became active with the Trade-A-Holics, I was lucky enough to meet Theresa, the owner of Nativebeads. When I first looked at her shop, I recognized right away that this is a beader after my own heart. Her work with seed beads, and her native style, is the kind of thing that attracted me to beading. And then I saw that she wrote the book on beads - literally! Not only is she amazingly talented, but she is a published author on the subject of beading! I am lucky enough to own two of her books, and I love them! The Illustrated Bead Bible is my favorite. I am a completely self taught beader, and this book has gone a long way in educating me about beads, materials, and techniques.


Her bead work is also quite amazing. Her love for her craft shows through in everything she does. If you love beads, you are going to love her! Her work is diverse and never boring! Take a look at her shop, and if you are looking for beading books, you will not go wrong with hers.





Theresa took time to answer a few of my pesky questions recently. Here is what she had to say:

Name: Theresa Flores Geary
Age (if you don't mind): 58
Where do you live? Moriarty, New Mexico

How did you get started working with beads? My dear mother invited me to a bead class with her “old lady” friends when I was 14. I was surprised to be included in such a group and had NO IDEA how much fun she was having. I got hooked immediately. Now I hang out with MY “old lady friends” who act a lot like teenagers.

What inspires you most?
My friends and other artists are so inspirational when they share their artwork and techniques, where they get their supplies, information on sales opportunities, etc. We teach each other new techniques. The social aspects like laughter and sharing make the pursuit of artwork even more delightful. I spent way too many years as a solitary beader, all by myself into the wee hours of night.

What do you do in your spare time?
Well, I grow gourds, vegetables, fruit trees and chickens for eggs. I have two cats and two dogs as well. My kids are grown and living independently so my husband and I share a quiet life in the country with our animal friends.

Tell us a little known fact about you.
I am a retired clinical psychologist. My career was very rewarding and interesting but I am so happy to be doing what I am doing now – much less stress too!

What are you working on now?
Right now, I am finishing up an order for a bead store that is doing a display for Day of the Dead or Dia De Los Muertos. It is a fascinating Hispanic and Native cultural celebration to honor people’s deceased relatives. The folk art that has developed along with the ceremony is delightful in its own right. Part of the tradition is to make arts and crafts to leave as an offering on an altar or at the gravesite of their loved ones. The five senses are emphasized to help guide their ancestors to join the celebration. As such, there is music, colorful flowers like marigolds and roses, rattles or noise makers, food, costumes, jewelry and various arts. Our family did not celebrate this particular ceremony but now that I am older, I find it intriguing. Etsy has it listed as one of its most popular holidays. Do a search to see a huge variety of artwork mediums.

Do you sell anywhere besides Etsy?
Yes.
Where?
I have my own website www.beadbible.com. I also do occasional shows, maybe 1-3 a year, plus have a few local connections like a farmer’s market and bead stores where I sell my beadwork, bead kits, books, dried gourds and gourd art.

I see that you are a published author! What books have you written, and where can people purchase them?
The first two books are project books, mainly emphasizing Native American beadwork. The books include information on cultural traditions and symbolism used with designs, colors and ceremonies. The first book is called Native American Beadwork – Projects and Techniques of the Southwest.
The second book is called Creative Native Beading. They both categorize projects according to skill level, such as beginner, intermediate and advanced. The third book, published just this year is called Illustrated Bead Bible – terms, tips and techniques. It is more of a reference book on everything you ever wanted to know about beads including gemstones. It has over 500 color photographs to help you learn bead names, stitches and bead types plus reference charts on things like needle size, bead size and threads. It was designed to help people learn about many facets of beading, including how beads are made, different cultural and historical information and samples of beadwork from around the world. I carry my own books to sell on Etsy but run out from time to time. They are also generally available in many fine bookstores, museums and gift shops throughout the world and online, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

You have several types of bead art that you do. From gourds to jewelry...what is your favorite thing to do with beads?
Since I was intrigued with beads at a young age, I first learned how to make jewelry and after so many years of that, I wanted to branch out to discover different uses of beads and different types of techniques. So now, the challenge is to continue discovering all the ways to use beads in a variety of projects besides jewelry, which is why I started doing beadwork on gourds. I still make jewelry too because it is simply delightful to handle so many beautiful beads and gemstones.


Do you twitter, flickr, facebook, blog..or anything else where people can follow you? Please feel free to list all of you "social networking" addresses.
I am on Face book and
http://tradeaholics.ning.com/ , a social networking site for artists who enjoying trading with each other. I just joined this site: http://busymitts.com which is a group of crafters, many of whom are from the UK and Ireland. My profile name is NativeBeads. It is more of a place for “Show and Tell” rather than a market place.
I do NOT do twitter or blog seriously, although I do have a blog with Amazon.com. People can reach me there by searching under my name (Theresa Flores Geary) and leave comments. However, I seriously do not have the time to sit in front of the computer all day. I have chickens and veggies and gourds to tend to!!!

Winner of jerseymaid's Giveaway!

And that's it, jerseymaids great giveaway is over! And the winner is.....
Heather!!!!

Congratulations! And thank you to everyone that entered. I will be continuing with my series of Etsy featured articles followed by a great giveaway later on today, so check back!

jerseymaid's Giveaway

This giveaway is sponsored by jerseymaids. Make sure to check out her feature right here on this blog, just click here!

The prize is awesome! It is an Interchangeable Polaroid Ring from jerseymaids. You can choose your ring from the rings she has available at her shop.


Details:
Typically sold for: $30

*A lead and nickel-free adjustable ring base (approx. 6 1/2 - 8 US sizes) available in silver plated, gunmetal black, or antiqued bronze
*5 interchangeable glass Polaroid snap-on charms (shown in the first 2 photographs.) These are interchangeable by a magnetic mechanism using Earth Magnets, some of the strongest magnets known to man. And perfect for jewelry!

Each charm measures approximately 5/8" x 3/4" (17mm x 19mm). Though they are sealed with many coats of waterproof sealant, I would still try to avoid submerging these rings in water (i.e. washing dishes, showering, swimming, etc.)

Entering is easy. Visit Lauren's shop, then come back here and leave a comment with a link your favorite item from her shop!

Earn Bonus Entries!
*Earn 3 bonus entries: Make a purchase from jerseymaids. Come back here and leave a comment with the link to your transaction. Please tell her in check out that Raevyn sent you :D

*Earn 1 bonus entry: Sign up for my newsletter and come back here and leave a comment that you signed up. If you have already signed up for it, just leave a comment here letting me know and you will get the bonus entry.

*Earn 1 bonus entry: Follow this blog! Leave a post here letting me know you are a follower.

*Earn 2 bonus entries: Blog about this giveaway! Then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.

Please make sure to leave a way to contact you on your entries. If I can't contact you, you can't win! This contest is open to everyone, you do not have to be in the US to enter. September 21st will be the last day to enter, and I will draw the winner on September 22nd.

Etsy Featured Artist - jerseymaids

I love photography. Both taking pictures and looking at pictures. At a very young age I fell in love with snapping my own shots, and in high school I took a few photography classes where I developed my love even further. And as long as I can remember I have loved looking at photographs. I love seeing an artist's point of view through their pictures, but I also love just looking through family photo albums and seeing the moments of people's lives captured.

Today's featured artist is a shining example of all that I love about photography. It is jerseymaids. She is a Polaroid photographer that I met during my travels on Etsy. To be sure, her work is passionate. Her absolute love for her medium comes through in all of her pieces. Here is one of my favorites:

Cherry Blossoms Polaroid

Her subject matter is extensive! I encourage you all to click on over to jerseymaids and take a look.

Besides her amazing prints, Lauren also has several other ways to show off her passion for Polaroids. She has Totes and Shirts, Polaroid Night Lights, Polaroid Jewelry, and Cards.

Not only is Lauren's work beautiful, but she is a really wonderful person. She goes out of her way to make her customers happy and she is very easy to contact and talk to. When I decided to do this feature on her, she was nice enough to take the time to answer a few questions for me.

Name: Lauren Beacham
Age (if you don't mind): 23
Where do you live?: Shepherdstown, WV but soon to be Frederick, MD

How did you get started with photography?
I started off in high school somewhat by accident. A teacher of mine had been a photo journalist at a Baltimore newspaper and had secretly created a makeshift darkroom in the back closet of her classroom. She pulled me aside one day and asked if I wanted to learn how to develop black and white photographs. I immediately fell in love and spent every spare second I had in that teeny dark little room with expired papers, chemicals, and really bad negatives. But the magic of it all was completely addictive, so I went on to study it more thoroughly in college. I got my degree in Photography and Computer Imaging and, also by somewhat of a happy accident, was introduced to the delight of alternative processes (particularly Polaroids.) I haven't looked back since and have been working almost exclusively in Polaroids and other alternative processes since 2007.

You use Polaroids, why did you choose that particular medium?
Polaroid has a magic to it that really is unmatched by anything I've experienced. It paints with light and romance, and it wraps up heightened anticipation and instant gratification into one little package. The colors and glow aren't found anywhere else, and no matter how well you know your film and camera...you are never in complete control. It's always a big adventure.

What inspires you most?
Moments. People and places, music, nature, romance. Color. Light.

What do you do in your spare time?
What spare time?! Haha. I spend most of my time that isn't at work (I'm an art gallery director in Frederick) creating new things, working on jewelry and expanding my artwork, networking with other Etsians and Polaroid fanatics, and sometimes I'll be able to squeeze in some down time with my guy and our Scottish terrier pup.

Tell us a little known fact about you.
I have a strange fascination with hot air balloons (to the extent that one is permanently etched onto my wrist) but have a horrible fear of heights and have never taken a ride in one...nor do I ever plan to.

Do you have a favorite subject to photograph?
Though most of my photographs are done of flowers and nature, I really love photographing people. Absolutely love it.

Do you sell anywhere besides Etsy? Where?
I sell in a number of galleries and shops and have also taken a try at shophandmade.com I only made one sale and felt it wasn't worth my while for now. You'll also find me at various craft shows, and hopefully more shops to come! But for now, Etsy is my number one home.


What advice do you have for anyone that would like to start selling their own
photography?
Well firstly, don't give up. There are TONS of photographers out there trying to make their way. Secondly, shoot what you absolutely love. People can tell if you're shooting to make money or if you're doing something you adore. Passion needs to run everything you do. And thirdly, do something different. Separate yourself from the norm! Don't be afraid to jump into the unknown because you never know what you'll find...and it may hold the answers you're looking for.

Do you twitter, flickr, facebook, blog..or anything else where people can follow you?
Please feel free to list all of you "social networking" addresses.
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jerseymaids
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/jerseymaids/77302554915
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerseymaids
blog: http://jerseymaids.livejournal.com
website (under construction): http://www.laurenbeacham.com

******

Make sure to enter the newest giveaway, featuring jerseymaids. Just click here!

Winner of thegirlyplace's Giveaway!

Well the results are in! Thank you too all of those that entered. The winner of a $5 gift certificate from thegirlyplace is ShoreDebris! Congratulations!!!

I have a new featured artist and a new giveaway going up today, so stay tuned!

thegirlyplace promo and Giveaway!

This giveaway is sponsored by the fantastic artist, Joanie Reeder of thegirlyplace, ruascrapper, and *coming soon* tailsnsnails.

Get a free $5 gift certificate to use in any of Joanie's shops thegirlyplace, ruascrapper, tailsnsnails.

Entering is easy. Visit both of Joanie's open shops, then come back here and leave a comment with your favorite item from each shop. If you comment on 1 shop, you get 1 entry. If you comment on both shops, you will get two entries.

Earn Bonus Entries!
*Earn 1 bonus entry: Sign up for my newsletter. If you have already signed up for it, just leave a comment here letting me know and you will get the bonus entry.

*Earn 1 bonus entry: Follow this blog! Leave a post here letting me know you are a follower.

*Earn 2 bonus entries: Blog about this giveaway! Then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.

*Earn 3 bonus entries: Make a purchase from thegirlyplace and/or ruascrapper. Come back here and leave a comment with the link to your transaction. Please tell her in check out that Raevyn sent you :D And make sure to check out the two amazing deals that Joanie is offering, they are listed at the end of this post!

This contest is open to everyone, you do not have to be in the US to enter. September 7th will be the last day to enter, and I will draw the winner on September 8th.

Don't miss out on these amazing deals!!
During this contest, Joanie will be running a special promo!
* Buy a Fluff N Stuff tutu from thegirlyplace and receive a FREE matching teddy bear tutu. No need to purchase the teddy bear tutu. Just put "RaevynBlogTBT" in message to seller.



* Buy a premade scrapbook from ruascrapper and receive a set of mini notes (great for lunch boxes, thank yous and more) FREE. No need to purchase mini card listing. Just enter "RaevynBlogRUAS" in message to seller and let me know which set you would like.

Etsy Featured Artist - thegirlyplace

A few months ago I found out that my cousin was adopting to little girls that were sisters. We live very far away from each other; she is in Alaska and I am in Texas. But I wanted to be able to welcome these two angels into our family, so I set out to gather a box of Etsy goodies to send on up to Alaska. This is how I came across Joanie Reeder and her amazing shop thegirlyplace. I immediately feel in love with her huge selection of bows, headbands and korkers for little girls. Ever since then, every box of goodies that I have sent up to Alaska has featured goodies from this darling shop. In the short time that I have known Joanie, she has expanded her shop quite a bit. She now has crayon keepers, hair goodies for all ages, jewelry and the most adorable tutus!

Red and white Christmas bow

Fun frenzy butterfly haircomb facinator

Flower crayon keeper

Recently Joanie opened a second shop dedicated to scrapbooking and other paper crafts.

Premade Scrapbook Pages

And Joanie will be opening her third shop on September 15th! tailsnsnails will be a shop catering to little boys!

Although Joanie keeps herself very busy with three etsy shops and her family, she took the time to answer a few questions for me.

Name: Joanie Reeder
Age (if you don't mind): 30
Where do you live?: North Carolina

Well it looks like you are busy with 3 Etsy shops these days! Do you have a favorite?
My mothership, thegirlyplace, is my favorite because it's my first, but I really do love all three. My boy's shop, tailsnsnails, is opening Sept. 15 with treasures for all little boys.

When you are able to sit down and craft just for fun, what do you make?
Bows. I really enjoy making bows and I've got plenty of outfits for my baby girl that need matching bows. I sometimes don't get a chance to make her bows because I'm busy making them for everyone else.

What inspires you most?
My kids. They are the reasons I opened my boy and girl shop.

What do you do in your spare time (if you have any of course lol)?
If I'm not making something? Sleep, eat, veg out in front of the TV. Really, it's not that interesting.

Tell us a little known fact about you.
I have nine brothers and sisters. There are 10 of us in my family.

What are you working on now?
Building up inventory in my scrapbooking shop, ruascrapper and in my boy's shop ((author's note: tailsnsnails).

Do you sell anywhere besides Etsy? Where? Not really. I've got my first big craft fair coming up in October. I'm excited about that, and nervous too.

Do you have any advice for people that want to start selling their handmade goods?
Look before you leap. Prepare your inventory, get an idea of what people want, write descriptive listings and don't overprice your stuff, but don't sell yourself short either! Great pictures are obviously a plus.

Do you think it is important to shop and buy handmade? If so, why?
Absolutely. Someone sat down and crafted something unique for you. Even if it's something that gets relisted, chances are no one you ever meet will have the exact same product you got. That's the beauty of handmade.

Do you twitter, flickr, facebook, blog..or anything else where people can follow you?
Please feel free to list all of you "social networking" addresses.
Yes. My addresses are:
www.twitter.com/joaniereeder
http://companies.to/thegirlyplace/
I almost don't want to tell you though, because I've been a bit slack about updating them thanks to busy with the kids, busy with crafting and busy with life in general!

****

I can honestly say that I highly recommend shopping with Joanie. Her items are very high quality and she is a very friendly person to work with. Make sure to keep an eye on this blog for a contest featuring Joanie!

No Updates and Vacation

Howdy! I just wanted to let everyone know why I neglected my blog for so long. Right now we are on a vacation in Vermont, visiting my family. The entire month before we left I made myself crazy trying to get ready. I decided not to close up my shops during the vacation, but to instead bring all of my inventory with me. That meant that I also wanted to stock up my inventory! So here we are in Vermont. We return home on August 18th. I hope to blog a bit from here. I do have some plans for the blog when we get back though! I have some fantastic etsy artists lined up to do some features on, as well as some contests already planned out! So stay tuned folks :)

:w

Glassredefined Giveaway Winners!

Now, time for the winners of the Glassredefined Giveaway!

First place goes to rubymoon!

Second place goes to Linda!

Third place goes to NewYorkMemos!

Congratulations! I will be contacting each winner about their prize :)

Thank you to all that entered! And an extra special thanks to Kim for creating such gorgeous prizes. Keep an eye out, I will be posting a new contest in the next few days.

Glassredefined Giveaway

This giveaway is sponsored by the fantastic artist, Kim Novak of Glassredefined and KimCreative.

Kim has designed three beautiful pieces as prizes for this contest. Here are they are!

1st Place: Painted sea glass with Sterling Silver wire wrapping

2nd Place: Glass and Sterling Silver pendant

3rd Place: Glass and Sterling Silver earrings

Entering is easy. Visit both of Kim's shops, then come back here and leave a comment with your favorite item from each shop. If you comment on 1 shop, you get 1 entry. If you comment on both shops, you will get two entries.

Earn Bonus Entries!
*Earn 1 bonus entry: Sign up for my newsletter. If you have already signed up for it, just leave a comment here letting me know and you will get the bonus entry.

*Earn 1 bonus entry: Follow this blog! Leave a post here letting me know you are a follower.

*Earn 2 bonus entries: Blog about this giveaway! Then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.

*Earn 3 bonus entries: Make a purchase from Glassredefined and/or KimCreative. Come back here and leave a comment with the link to your transaction. Please tell her in check out that Raevyn sent you :D

This contest is open to everyone, you do not have to be in the US to enter. June 30th will be the last day to enter, and I will draw the winner on July 1st.

Etsy Featured Artist - glassredefined and KimCreative

Well I think it is about time for me to once again feature a fantastic Etsy artist. I actually met this artist on my Etsy Trade-a-holics team. Glassredefined is the name of her shop, and she specializes in hand painted and wire wrapped sea glass jewelry. Here are just two examples of her fantastic work!





She also just opened a supply shop called KimCreative. She really has some great things in the supply shop, and of course I am a total supply addict!

After spending a long time browsing through Kim's shops, I decided to ask her to answer a few questions for me, so I could do a feature on her. Here are the questions, and her answers.

Info
Name: Kim Novak
Age (if you don't mind): 44
Where do you live?: Pasadena, MD

You have two shops on Etsy. Please tell us about both of them:
My first and primary shop is Glassredefined.
Glassredefined is a creative glass jewelry business. Hand discovered seaglass is finely painted, then wrapped and designed in solid sterling silver or 14k gold filled wire. Handmade artisan glass is defined in quality wire as well.
Glassredefined recycles seaglass “gems” our local beaches deposit, promoting and supporting a clean environment .Recycled paper mailers are used in shipping these redefined works of art.

My secondary shop is KimCreative
KimCreative is a creative supplies shop, which at times will .also feature completed projects that a family member or myself have created, as well as the occasional antique. This shop was implemented to reduce, reuse and recycle, so that many may creatively express, both economically and responsibly. I recycle all shipping supplies from both shops back through this one.

What inspires you most?
Nature, I am in awe of the world around me, the textures, color, movement and abundance of life, which God created, deeply inspire me. Art is my passion.

What do you do in your spare time?
I paint in acrylics and watercolors, drink coffee, read and share pizza Goldfish with my Golden Retriever~Leo. I am also very active on the Creative Design Team of my local church .

Tell us a little known fact about you.
Green has ALWAYS been my favorite color. Even as a three year old, when other little girls liked pink and said green was yucky, it didn’t phase me. Always and forever a lover of the color green, that’s me!

Do you have a favorite piece? If you have pictures of it (or them), please show us!
I have two favorite pieces. This hand blown Peace Rondelle, and my Signature Waves piece, which is also my Avatar. I wear each of these around all the time, just not together :)








What are you working on now?
I am currently designing a Monochromatic Wave Series of pendants, to be introduced in my Etsy Shop, during the month of July. The designs will be painted on white seaglass and be similar to the piece featured in my Avatar. This line will showcase in the following four categories:
* Aqua ~ blues
* Mist ~ greens
*Coral ~ reds
*Twilight ~ black/grey
I am really excited about it!

Do you sell anywhere besides Etsy? Where?
In addition to Etsy, I sell locally at various art/music vendor events, and upscale home jewelry shows .


Do you twitter, flickr, facebook, blog..or anything else where people can follow you
or see more of you? Please feel free to list all of you "social networking" addresses
and websites.
I have a Glassredefined Facebook page, where I invite you to become a fan!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Glassredefined/55156566582?ref=ts
I do not twitter, flickr or have a blog as of yet, but a blog is something I hope to design in the near future!

SimplyRaevyn Gift Certificate WInner

Hello folks! The winner for the $25 gift certificate, good in any of my 3 shops, is Lily! Congrats Lily! And thank you to everyone for entering my contest. I have the next contest all ready to go, and it is a fantastic one. So stay tuned!

Etsy Promotion Project

Make sure to enter my giveaway! Click here.

Howdy! I decided that I want to blog a bit about a promotion project that I have been working on for almost a year now. I do a lot of shopping on Etsy, and I noticed I was really starting to accumulate a lot of business cards from other Etsy sellers. I did not want them to go to waste, so I made a business card sized envelope and I taped a note to it that said:
~ Promote Etsy, Pass it On ~
Add your card; take the one(s) you want
and send this out with your next order!
Let’s promote Etsy and each other!!

Then I filled the envelope with the business cards, and I sent it out with an order. It reminded me a lot of when I was a teenager. I had LOTS of penpals. We were all heavy metal fans, and would pass along these little books called friendship books. They were just pages of names and addresses, then the favorite bands of people. If you saw someone with the same bands you liked, you wrote to them! It was fun, and so addicting! So I decided I wanted to do this business card idea on a bigger envelope.

I posted in the forums asking people to send me their business cards, and the response was huge! And to make a long story short (too late!) I have been at it ever since. I love to do it. And I know that some of the envelopes have led to sales for Etsy sellers, which really makes me smile.

A while ago I came across a Yahoo group called the Etsy Business Card Trading Group. I joined up. It is such a great way to get business cards from people, as well as getting my cards out there. There is not a lot of time involved in the group. There is a database with the names and addresses of the members, and you send cards to the ones you want to send to. Of course there is a message board and stuff if you want to say hi, or make a special request. Recently the owner of the group had to step down because of personal obligations, and I was made the owner. I love being in this group. Since I found Etsy, I have promoted it to everyone I know. And I love doing it at this larger level, if that makes any sort of sense.

Wow that ended up a lot longer than I thought it would! Summary: Promote each other! More buyers coming to Etsy is good for all of us. If you want to get involved with disbursing business cards and having yours disbursed as well, join the yahoo group! Or you can just message me for my address so that you can send me your cards :) I send out TONS of cards, and I love to do it.

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Make sure to enter my giveaway! Click here.

Simply Raevyn Blog Giveaway

The winner of this contest wins a $25 gift certificate, good in any of my three shops.

Entering is easy! Simply go to one of my three shops, and leave a comment here with a link to one of your favorite items and why you like it. My shops are:
Raevyn77
SimplyRaevyn
PeculiarParchment
If you leave a comment about one of my shops, you get 1 entry. Two shops, two entries, etc. There is a maximum of three entries for this portion of the contest.

Earn Bonus Entries!
*Earn 1 bonus entry: Sign up for my newsletter. If you have already signed up for it, just leave a comment here letting me know and you will get the bonus entry.

*Earn 2 bonus entries: Blog about this giveaway! Then come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.

*Earn 3 bonus entries: Make a purchase from one of my three shops. Come back here and leave a comment with the link to your transaction.

This contest is open to everyone, you do not have to be in the US to enter. June 15th will be the last day to enter, and I will draw the winner on June 16th.