Meet Linda from StudioLTD & Enter to Win a Free Brooch

Can you sum yourself up in 3 sentences? Give it a go!
I’m a geek and a nerd, and a lifelong bibliophile. I’m happy when I have paint and glue on my hands. I love to walk and get inspired by my surroundings, and pick up interesting bits of rusty metal while I’m at it.

Steampunk Raygun Shadowbox – $20

Tell us about what you sell:
Recyled everything! I take apart broken jewelry and make new jewelry, I make walking sticks for cosplay out of broken umbrellas, curtain rods, and real canes, and my favorite thing right now is making Steampunked or SciFi raygun shadowboxes. I think circuit board looks cool, and have just started using that in projects. I just was featured on Crafster for my jewelry encrusted mirror. Don’t tell my sis, I haven’t given it to her yet! I can’t wait to make another one.

What is your favorite thing about creating?
I think everyone needs to have a creative outlet! It stretches my mind, it’s a relief from the cares and worries of life. I like challenging myself, going ‘okay, what can I make from this?’

Retro Raygun Shadowbox – $40

Where do you find your inspiration?
Walking through my favorite part of town. And I’ve hung out on Craftster.com for years as Bookstorebabe. The folks there encouraged me when I began making things, and they inspire me with their creativity.

Do you have any advice for other sellers?
Have fun. If you’re not having fun with what you do, it’s time for a change. Ask people for advice! There’s a wealth of information out there, and people who are happy to share it. You will make mistakes-I have, and I will again. And every time I’ve learned something. Take chances! I showed my first cane to someone, who sent me to a local art gallery-I almost didn’t go! Being accepted there gave me the confidence to do a dealer’s table at the local sci fi con. That success gave me the courage to apply for my first juried art show this year. I had to force myself to take that first step, and I’m glad I did.

Mirror Mirror (from DeviantArt)

Do you have a coupon code for us?
Yes! Use code just4u for 15% off at my Etsy shop.

Where else can we find you?
Please check out my deviant art account! Anything you see, I’d be happy to make an Etsy listing for if it’s still available. Or I’ll work to create something unique just for you. Heck, just say hi, I love getting comments.

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Linda is being super awesome and offering you all a chance to win one of her cool circuit brooches for FREE. Check out all of the simple ways you can add you name to the hat below for you chance!

Enter to win this cool circuit board brooch for free!

1st Entry:
Subscribe to the Megan’s Beaded Designs newsletter. (Or let me know that you already do, you savvy online shopper, you.)

2nd Entry:
Visit StudioLTD on Etsy, and let us know which listing is your absolute favorite in the comments below!

3rd Entry:
Heart StudioLTD , and let us know you’ve done so in the comments below.

4rd Entry:
Buy something from StudioLTD. Show off your purchases in the comments below.

5th Entry:
Blog about this giveaway, dropping a link to your post here afterwards.

6th Entry:
Tweet about this giveaway. Let us know your twitter ID afterwards.

7th Entry:
Share this giveaway on Facebook.

8th Entry:
Pin this giveaway on Pinterest. Share the link to your pin here afterwards.

Contest ends May 21st at midnight. The winner will be selected via Random.org and announced on Wednesday, May 22nd. Good luck everyone!

Treasury Tuesday

‘fresh and fabulous’ by pamelasjewelry

‘Bright Color Gift Ideas for Mothers Day! ‘ by mirandas31

‘Plaid’ by MyveraLinen

Meet Shawna Mayo of JSB Maine

I’m really excited to introduce you to Shawna Mayo of JSB Maine and JSB Arts. Her story is so powerful and inspirational, I have no doubt you will be touched by its facets as I have been.

Can you sum yourself up in 3 sentences? Give it a go!
I am a disabled OIF veteran that has now embraced the ceramic arts as both therapy and a way to make extra money. I am the mother to an amazing 10 year old son and fiance to a man that has stood by my side as my health has continued to decline. I live each and every moment to the fullest and choose to find the silver lining in every event; every moment and event in our lives provides a life lesson if we choose to listen.

Kokopelli Ring Holder – $12

Tell us about what you sell:
I sell a wide variety of ceramic arts; primarily hand built. I love making pieces that make people smile and are also functional. Ring dishes, garden stakes, small mugs, plates, and lots of wearable art.

What is your favorite thing about creating?
My favorite thing is the release and therapeutic effects it has for me. When I sit down in my home studio to “work”, I go into my own little world and am able to block the physical pain and emotional turmoil. I lose all track of time and am enveloped in a creative fog. I listen to music on my iPad and let the creativity flow.

Black Cat Silhouette Plate – $18

Where do you find your inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from nature, my family, and my heritage. Living in the middle of the woods in northern Maine offers daily inspiration.

Do you have any advice for other sellers?
The biggest piece of advice is not give up. Getting noticed on Etsy and anywhere else in today’s market does not happen overnight. Perseverance is key. Believe in yourself and believe in your product. Do not allow yourself to produce products that are of lesser quality just to be able to push them out faster. Quality will always win over quantity.

Pink Rose Cabinet Knobs – $12

Do you have a coupon code for us?
MEGANSBLOG = 15% OFF Just for readers of this blog.

Where else can we find you?
www.facebook.com/jsbarts
jsbarts.blogspot.com
pinterest.com/jsbarts
Twitter – @JSBArts

Treasury Tuesday

‘Into the woods’ by ladyinthetower

‘flash’ by LouisestArt

‘Happy Earth Day!’ by karinkaufmann

‘Dreamy Spring’ by snlcreations

Meet Sue from A Word Fitly Spoken

Can you sum yourself up in three sentences? Give it a go!
*I love to be creative. *I never met a piece of fabric I could not love. *I find great fulfillment in being able to use my creative juices to make something of lasting value, especially something that represents memories of a loved one.*

Quilted Coaster Card, Heart Shaped Mug Mat Patchwork – $12.50

Tell us about what you sell:
I sell all kinds of quilted items, but my main focus is Memory Quilts and Pillows. This is the most rewarding. It is all custom work, of course, but I get to know a little something about the people I design for, and I derive great satisfaction in knowing that I have given them something to cherish.

Cotton Quilt Fabric – $4

What is your favorite thing about creating?
Wow. I eat, sleep and breathe creating, I think. I even have to get my mind to shut down at bedtime because I am still envisioning something I want to do tomorrow. I guess I would have to say that for me it is a little like giving birth. I enjoy the whole process of hearing what my customer wants, deciding on the right layout and style, fabrics and any other materials, all the way up to the joy of finally seeing the finished product.

Where do you find your inspiration?
My journey with my quilting is a pretty spiritual one actually. My inspiration comes from truly wanting to bless my customers with a keepsake treasure that will comfort them and bring them joy. Every quilt is new – completely different from any other – and that is because every customer is unique.

Grammy’s Sweater Memory Pillow – $36

Do you have any advice for other sellers?
Do what you love and love what you do. Don’t let yourself wallow in discouragement if your sales are not as high as someone else’s. I did a lot of different things in the sewing and craft world before I landed on Memory Quilts. I’m in a very small niche of a market, but I finally know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and it suits me.

Do you have a coupon code for us?
WELCOME2013 That’s a 15% off coupon for new customers, and if they convo me before making payment, mentioning this article, I will even add free shipping on any purchase over $25.00.

Bible Themed Inspirational Blank Note Card – $4.95

Where else can we find you?
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/astitchintimewithsue
My Informational Website: www.awordfitlyspokenonquiltedtreasures.com/
My WordPress Blog: sueswordfitlyspoken.wordpress.com/

Easy way to win a $15 Gift Certificate to Sue’s shop:
I will give a $15 Gift Certificate for my shop to the 15th person who drops by my Face Book page and posts a non-promotional post mentioning this interview. (Please note that if you choose to spend the certificate on an item under $15.00, no balance will be carried over.)

Enter to win $15 to spend at A Word Fitly Spoken, easy & free!

Earrings Giveaway Winner

In case you missed it, last Friday we were introduced to TrinketzJewelry. The shop owner, Nancy, graciously offered all of you a chance to win a pair of her beautiful handmade earrings.

…and the Random.org winner is…

…Maegan Morin! Congratulations! Nancy will be contacting your shortly to get your address and all that good stuff.

For those of you who didn’t win, do not fret, we’ll have YET ANOTHER giveaway up for grabs tomorrow. So stay tuned. ;-)

Treasury Tuesday

‘Beyond the Pale’ by PenguinflyDesigns

‘for you’ by 4everinstlye

‘balanced’ by martinasteinsberg

What values are you supporting with your money?

Gone are the days when it was acceptable to buy a widget from the cheapest place it could be found. (Thankfully) we have moved past that as a culture, and many of us are coming to recognize the values that we are upholding when we spend our earnings with certain companies or individuals. For example, when you buy from a company that treats their employees well, you are supporting the likelihood that these employees will get to continue to keep their good jobs, while simultaneously rewarding the company for their practices.

When buying gifts, or when selecting items for yourself, the culturally-conscience among us will advocate this rule of three: (1) shop local, (2) buy handmade, and (3) reuse second-hand.

Shop local campaigns are broadcast from communities to encourage spending at small local businesses who inevitably contribute more to the local economy and employment opportunities than the larger, bog-box department stores do. Similarly, “Buy USA” type campaigns are implemented to support the manufacturing economy on a national level.

Buying handmade or hiring a freelancer or self-employed individual means you are directly supporting someone’s livelihood, supporting the arts, and indirectly saying “no!” to the unfair labor practices of overseas factories.

Finally, buying or donating second-hand items prevents land-fills from compiling unnecessarily, and often goes to financially benefit local charitable causes.

What’s one small thing you normally buy at the department store that you can purchase from a smaller business or get handmade in the future? Every little bit helps!

Discover TrinketzJewelry and Enter to Win a Free Pair of Earrings

If you haven’t visited TrinketzJewelry on Artfire yet, then you are in for a delightful surprise. The online store is filled with exquisite, elegant pieces of jewelry that easily make any outfit more upscale. You’ll love her intricate wire pieces and featured gemstones. Plenty of pieces that would work perfectly as a gift for mom in the upcoming month.

moky Quartz, Andalusite and Gold Fill Necklace – $111.20

Learn more about TrinketzJewelry in the interview below. Plus, find out how you can win one of the shop’s gorgeous handmade earrings (valued at $49) for FREE!

Can you sum yourself up in 3 sentences? Give it a go!
I am retired and as a hobby I started making jewelry. After gifting pieces to friends, I was encouraged to start selling my work. I started by selling wholesale to boutiques, but recently decided to open a shop on Artfire.

Amethyst and Sterling Necklace – $124

Tell us about what you sell:
Handcrafted, one of a kind jewelry composed of semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, with sterling silver and gold filled components.

What is your favorite thing about creating?
Discovering pretty color combinations and balanced designs.

Moss Aqua and Keishi Pearl Necklace – $164

Where do you find your inspiration?
When I purchase gem stones I chose the ones that are a pretty color, or have a unique shape. When I start to design, the stones themselves inspire the complimentary colors and shapes.

Do you have a coupon code for us?
HOLIDAY20 (20% off shop wide)

Where else can we find you?
facebook.com/TrinketzJewelry

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Nancy of TrinketzJewelry is being very generous and offering you all a chance to win this beautiful pair of earrings (valued at $49) for FREE. Check out all of the easy ways you can enter to win below.

Check out all of the ways you can win this pair of earrings for FREE! ($49 value)

1st Entry:
Sign up for my e-mail newsletter (or let me know you already have.)

2nd Entry:
Pick your favorite item from TrinketzJewelry, let us know what it is in the comments.

3rd Entry:
Buy something from TrinketzJewelry. Show off your purchases in the comments below.

4th Entry:
Follow TricketzJewelry on Facebook. Let us know your Facebook name here afterwards.

5th Entry:
Tweet about this giveaway. Let us know your twitter ID afterwards.

7th Entry:
Share this giveaway on Facebook.

8th Entry:
Pin this giveaway on Pinterest. Share the link to your pin here afterwards.

9th Entry:
Blog about this giveaway. Post a link to your blog post here afterwards.

10th Entry:
Share TricketzJewelry on Google+. Share the link to your post here afterwards.

No entry is mandatory before you are able to do any of the others, you can pick and choose and add as many additional entries up to the 10 as you want to maximize your chances of winning! Your comments do not all need to be separated for each entry as long as it’s clear how many entries you are adding. (Also, make sure it’s easy for me and Nancy to contact you if you win!)

Giveaway ends on April 24th at midnight, Pacific Time. Winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on April 25th. Good luck everyone!

Treasury Tuesday

‘Colors of Love’ by suefern643

‘Spring Browns’ by FemalePowerTeam

‘Retro Summer’ by CCARIA