Our December giveaway is being sponsored by Sarah of TheOoakTree.
She will be giving away these beautiful sterling silver plated snowflake earrings. How can you enter?
1. Visit the TheOoakTree Etsy Shop and leave a comment here about any of the items the shop. (one chance to win)
2. Follow the Bluegrass etsy team blog if you are not already a follower. Let us know you are following by commenting below. (one chance to win)
3. Subscribe to the Bluegrass etsy emails from this blog if you are not already a subscriber. Let us know you have subscribed in a comment below. (one chance to win)
4. Post about this contest on your own blog and leave us the link below for your blog. (one chance to win)
5. Tweet about this contest from your twitter account and leave us your twitter name. (one chance to win)
6. Make a purchase from TheOoakTree for 3 chances to win. List the transaction ID in three separate comments below.
This contest will end at midnight on December 31st. The giveaway for this month is open to US residents only. The value of the earrings is $10. Good luck to the winner-a great way to start the New Year!
To find more handmade items from the Bluegrass Etsy Street team simply log into etsy and search "teambluegrass
Our Bluegrass Etsy April giveaway is sponsored by Kim Ries of Creative Eye Studio. This month you can pick your own prize!
Knowing that everyone has their own preferences, I decided to let the winner
choose their favorite pair of earrings from the Creative Eye Studio shop.
So tell me which you will choose if you win! What is your favorite?
Prize: One pair of earrings of your choice
Value: Up to $19
How to win:
1. Visit theCreativeEyeStudio Etsy Shop and leave a comment here about any of the items in the shop. Or tell us which pair you would pick if you are the winner.
2. Follow the Bluegrass etsy team blog if you are not already a follower. Let us know you are following by commenting below. (one chance to win)
3. Subscribe to the Bluegrass etsy emails from this blog if you are not already a subscriber. Let us know you have subscribed in a comment below. (one chance to win)
4. Post about this contest on your own blog and leave us the link below for your blog. (one chance to win)
5. Tweet about this contest from your twitter account and leave us your twitter name. (one chance to win)
6. Make a purchase from CreativeEyeStudio for 3 chances to win. List the transaction ID in three separate comments below.
This contest will end at midnight on April 30th. The giveaway for this month is open Worldwide.
To find more handmade items from the Bluegrass Etsy Street team simply log into Etsy and search "teambluegrass."
Today we feature a new team member and jewelry artist, Danielle Hammon of Lovelettersdesigns.
How did you first hear about etsy?
I believe I saw it on a blog a few years ago. I’ve wanted to have my own shop ever since but it wasn’t until a few months ago that I took the plunge and decided to do it.
Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!
I am the Design Director for Underwired Magazine, a local women’s magazine in the Greater Louisville/Southern Indiana area. I decided to start I make earrings to sell on etsy about three months ago. I wanted to create earrings that were unique, but also simple and sophisticated. I love the simple elegance of v-shaped earwire to take a fun element or bead and make it a little more grown up. I think there is really something in my shop for everyone. Whether meeting a friend for coffee, or going out for a night on the town, my designs are functional and eye catching. I wear them everyday and get compliments all the time!
How did you get started as a designer?
I have done art for as long as I have been able to hold a crayon. My mom was constantly making things growing up. Our dining room turned into a workshop every year in November as my mom started making Christmas gifts for people, most of which showcased her painting skills. I started making my own jewelry in high school and have kept is as a hobby until now. It hasn’t been until recently that I thought about turning it into something more. I was in a bead store with my sister in July and I thought suddenly “I can do this, I’m going to do this.” I came home, made a bunch of earrings and opened my shop the next day.
What inspires you to create?
I draw inspiration from everywhere... art and design, nature, life. My husband has been a huge encouragment. He has been the push I need sometimes to go out and make my dreams happen.
How long have you been a member of Bluegrass etsy and how did you hear about the team?
I have been a Bluegrass team member for about a month and a half. I met Kim and Libby when they were thinking about advertising with Underwired. At that point I was only a month into my shop. The night I met them I had my first sale!
Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?
I’m more in a place of taking advice rather than giving it right now, but I have learned so much in the little time I’ve been a part of etsy. I guess my advice would be to take advantage of every resource out there. There are so many! And don’t give up or get discouraged.
Many thanks to Devin who got this interview together on our Facebook page. I copied and pasted from there. Thanks so much to our superstar Jama Watts for participating
!
1)How did you first hear about etsy :
I'd heard about etsy a while back from a friend who was purchasing items and thinking about opening her own store. Last year, when I made the conscious decision to promote myself better, I opened my store in July. It took me a while, but I really enjoy it!
2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I'm a single mother of one fantastic little girl, own a small gallery/coffee shop in Lebanon, Ky, work part-time at the local public library and am very involved in the community with our Arts & Humanities Council, Main Street Committee, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and other organizations. I like to be busy!
I'm a jewelry designer, focusing primarily on beading, but I also do wire work, silver clay, resin, bead crochet and anything else that strikes my fancy. I'm too ADD to really focus on one medium and I LOVE to learn, so I'm always buying books and magazines to learn new techniques.
3)How did you get started as a designer?:
I started out as a painter and sculpter, getting my art degree from Campbellsville University. Like many artists, I ended up with jobs that had nothing to do with my degree for a while. I kept painting in my spare time, but wasn't doing anything career wise or promoting myself.
In 2002, I was pregnant with my daughter and working as a web designer/office manager for my mom's computer programming & repair business. My OB kicked me out of my art studio and I needed to find some sort of creative release. I bought some beads, beading wire and inexpensive tools, figuring that I could create jewelry and have something to wear or give as gifts. I found I really enjoyed it and started snatching up every beading book and magazine I could find!
4)What inspires you to create?:
I have to create. I can actually feel when I haven't been able to produce something. I think that's just something inside me that has to be released. As for a muse or something to that effect, I have music going 99.9% if the time that I'm working. I find inspiration in music, artwork and nature. Sometimes, it might be the thrill of learning a new technique of a challenge, but the inspiration comes from those three key items.
5)How long have you been a member of Bluegrass etsy and how did you hear about the team?
I joined the BEST team right after joining etsy, probably in August or September of 2008. I searched through the etsy team listings, hoping to find a group of Kentucky artists. I couldn't be happier that I found you guys! 6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
Always push yourself beyond your comfort zone. There's nothing wrong with perfecting a technique and working on your favorite items, but you don't want your art to become stagnant.
