Giveaway – Gilded Galaxy Earrings

giftwrapGreetings! and welcome to my weekly giveaway!

Did you know that you can always see last week’s winner by clicking on the colorful “Giveaway Info” button on the right side of this page? 😀

In the very early days of my giveaways, when there were just a small number of entries, I used to write the names on slips of paper and then draw one out of a hat. Within a few months, there were a lot more entries, so I switched to using the random number generator, and I have been using it ever since!

I like the fact that winning here is just a matter of luck. It’s very fair that way. Although I really do wish I had enough prizes each week so that everyone who enters could win – I’m afraid my budget could never support that. 😉

But don’t give up – there’s one winner every week and you could be next! 🙂

For this week’s giveaway, I have a very chic pair of earrings!

“Gilded Galaxy” Earrings

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These earrings feature Vintage Lucite beads in a beautiful, rich, cobalt blue with elegant little splashes of gold paint, which gives them a royal look.

For accents, I’ve used Swarovski Tanzanite Aurora Borealis crystals, and 14K gold-filled beads with a fluted design. The artisan-crafted earwires are 14K gold filled.

MEASUREMENTS: just under 2″ in length.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back another day this week and comment on a different post – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway! There are usually 5 posts per week – Monday through Friday – so you can have up to 5 chances to enter!

When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

Today’s question is:

Are you the oldest, the middle, the youngest, or an only child in your family – and do you think “birth order” affects our future personalities?

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The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If the winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed via USPS First Class Mail

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 01/31/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 02/01/10.

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Giveaway – Sweetheart Necklace

Welcome, welcome! 😀

It is no exaggeration to say that the answers to last week’s giveaway question were truly the best ever!!! I’ve never seen such a wide range of interesting, thoughtful, clever, and very amusing responses. You sure know how to make me feel lucky to have you as readers. 😀

And I really love that you are beginning to talk to each other here, too! My dream is that it will continue and that we’ll have even more back and forth chat as the weeks go on.

For this week’s giveaway, I wanted to do something with a Valentine’s theme – something dressy enough to wear out to dinner, but still casual enough to throw on with a t-shirt.

Sweetheart Necklace

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The focal point is a Swarovski Clear Crystal Heart with gorgeous facets that dance and glitter as the light hits them.

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For accents, I’ve used Czech fire polished rounds in deep garnet red, and Swarovski Clear Aurora Borealis crystal beads. Tiny glass seed beads form the rest of the strand and the closure is a silver-plated screw-twist barrel clasp. The necklace measures 19″ in length.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back another day this week and comment on a different post – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway! There are usually 5 posts per week – Monday through Friday – so you can have up to 5 chances to enter!

When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

Today’s question is:

Can you tell us about something that you’ve never tried, but would like to – because you think you might enjoy it?

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The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If the winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed via USPS First Class Mail

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 01/24/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 01/25/10.

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Interview with the Artist – Bird Ahoy

snowflakeperiwinkleSometimes there are a few spare moments in the day when I’m waiting for something to finish – like when the timer is ticking for a pot on the stove, or I’m waiting for the dryer to buzz so I can rescue the clothes before they become permanent-wrinkle. 😉

It’s not enough time to get involved in much – but it’s just enough time to take a quick peek on etsy to see what’s new!

Recently, I discovered an artist who creates unique and very beautiful pendants from beach pebbles! Many of her designs reflect the beauty of nature and the splendor of its simplicity. She graciously agreed to chat with me for this installment of Interview with the Artist, and I’m just delighted to showcase her work here today.

Please meet birdahoy!

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Were you interested in art as a child?
One of my early memories is when I was about 4 years old at school, sitting painting an American Indian with powder paints and getting a little thrill that it had character that I hadn’t expected to achieve. I think that was the first time that I ever felt proud of anything I’d done. All through school I loved art, and it was fantastic because they gave us the opportunity to try all sorts of crafts like working with clay, batik and making huge sculptures with chicken wire and plaster impregnated bandages! Those were the days!!

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What were some of the earliest projects that you created?
My mum still has some of those things I made at school. My favourite teacher at school used to let me do art all day after I’d finished my math exercises! There is a clay relief slab that is modelled on his beloved Mini with its bonnet up so you can see the engine. I think I was about 10 when I made it. He proudly displayed it on the shelf that year (he loved his car so much!!) and one day a naughty boy knocked it off and it broke in two. He was furious and glued it back together!

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When did you first become interested in using beach pebbles for your art?
There is a huge draw to the sea and the great outdoors for me. I love the idea of using natural materials to create jewellery because I’m a nature girl at heart. I think I first wanted to create something for myself that tied me to my favourite environments and I’ve always had little collections of pebbles and shells. I’d been making jewellery for quite a while with beads and I really wanted to branch out and create something unique that was one of a kind. Other people seemed to like their simplicity so I thought I’d try selling them.

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Besides working with the stones, what other materials do you enjoy using?
I love using silver in my jewellery. I’ve just bought my first block of PMC. The idea of using recycled silver that starts as clay and fires to solid silver seems like magic to me! I’m also in love with my camera. I’m obsessed with how things change in different light. I drive my husband mad whenever we go anywhere and always come back with hundreds of photos! I enjoy trying as many different crafts as I can. My little room is stuffed full of different materials. Carving rubber stamps, making lino prints, modelling with salt dough, painting, freezer paper stencils… you name it, I’ve probably tried it or want to try it!

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Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration everywhere. I’m always absorbing things wherever I go, be it the forest, seaside, city or countryside. I love to find patterns everywhere. We have a cocker spaniel puppy and I now get inspiration on our daily walks through the forest. My imagination runs riot! I think the more you repeat a walk, the more you start to create things in your mind. My ideas go into my sketchbook/journal and evolve into designs for my jewellery.

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Do you keep any examples of your best work – just for yourself? 🙂
Yes I do have one pebble necklace that I made for myself featuring a leafy branch. People always ask if you’re wearing any of your own work when you tell them you make jewellery so I think it’s a good idea.

What advice would you give to people who would like to begin selling their art, but could use a little guidance?
My advice would be to first and foremost make art for yourself. If you love what you do it shows through and it makes selling it so much easier. Then try to build up a collection of work that looks as though it belongs together, something unique to you. Try to find your niche. Etsy is a great place to sell online. The most important thing when selling on the internet is to make friends with your camera. Good photos with good lighting make all the difference I think.
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For more information on the art of Bird Ahoy, you may visit her etsy shop or her blog. 🙂

‘Til next time,

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Giveaway – Blue Velvet Necklace

giftwrapHi there 😀
It’s time for another weekly giveaway! If you’ve just landed here for the first time, I hope you’ll subscribe through the orange RSS button located on the sidebar, or put me in your “favorites” so that you’ll never miss your chance to enter.

A great big thank you goes out to each and every one of you who, last week, generously offered your input regarding the giveaways. I was just blown away by your thoughtful opinions, and the time you devoted to answering the survey. I truly appreciate it and I’ll be carefully considering everything that was suggested. There was one feeling that was almost unanimous though –

KEEP THE QUESTIONS!

Ok! I hear you loud and clear and I definitely will. 🙂

Now on to the giveaway!

This week, I have a necklace in royal shades of blue that’s fit for a princess.

click photo to enlarge

BlueVelvet

I‘ve used some very special vintage beads in luscious light blue, midnight blue, and deep royal blue. The ovals have a gorgeous luster. They’re Vintage Moonglow Lucite, which is particularly rare in the oval shape. The larger round beads are Vintage Czech glass and they have exquisite faceting and an aurora borealis flash on one side. The smallest beads are contemporary Czech glass with a rich velvety sheen. Measurements: just under 20” in length. Closes with a textured, silver-plated, toggle clasp.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back tomorrow and comment on tomorrow’s post too – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway – so you’ll have 2 chances!

Return on the next day, comment, and you add another chance! And so on through the week. When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

The giveaways end on Sundays, so you’ll have a little time to “catch up” if you missed any weekday posts.

Today’s question is:

Can you tell us about something that *you* really love – but friends, family, or co-workers just don’t seem to appreciate?

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If the winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed via USPS First Class Mail

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 01/17/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 01/18/10.

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Giveaway – Blue Skies Necklace

winterbirds

Happy 2010! I hope you enjoyed the holidays, and that you were able to find a little time to relax as well!

I did and now I’m ready for more fun and surprises here on the blog. I’ve been thinking about the weekly giveaways, and how I might spice them up a bit for the new year!

I’ll need your help on this! To give your opinions on some of the ideas I’ve been considering – please click here!

And now, on to this week’s giveaway. 🙂

I can hardly believe this is my 59th giveaway! In all that time, we’ve never had a necklace and so to start 2010 off right, here’s a pretty design in blue/aqua.

“Blue Skies”

Blue Skies Necklace

It truly is that gorgeous sky-blue color that you see on a bright sunny day, and it features Czech beads that resemble swirled cinnamon buns! These beads have an iridescent flash on one side, and I’ve accented them with coordinating Swarovski crystals and smaller Czech glass spacers. The metal components are sterling silver and silver plate. The necklace measures 18-1/2” in length and fastens with a pretty toggle clasp.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back tomorrow and comment on tomorrow’s post too – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway – so you’ll have 2 chances!

Return on the next day, comment, and add another chance! And so on through the week. When you comment you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing! 😀

The giveaways end on Sundays, so you’ll have a little time to “catch up” if you missed any weekday posts.

Today’s question is:

What tourist attraction in your area have you never visited? It doesn’t have to be a world famous attraction – just a place that visitors to your area usually want to see.

{For us, it’s the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. From all accounts it’s a fabulous place that’s rich in history with wonderful exhibits and photos. (Sir Beads-a-Lot, if you are reading this, let’s go there in 2010!)}

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If the winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed via USPS First Class Mail

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 01/10/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 01/11/10.

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