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.
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.
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.
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!!!
