4/5/12

The Winner of 100 custom printed postcards from PrintRunner ...

Lots of great stuff going on here today! 
Two giveaways to announce today & one tomorrow - woohoo!

Did you enter the random drawing sponsored by PrintRunner.com? One lucky person is about to win 100 color printed postcards of their own design.....

postcard printing from PrintRunner
So with a little help from random.org, the #1 winner is.......


Elena Mary Siff from http://elenamarysiff.com/

Congratulations, Elena Mary!! I bet you have some creative ideas for your cards. I will contact you today with directions for claiming your prize.

A hearty thank you to PrintRunner.com for sponsoring this great giveaway! 

Also, many thanks to all who took the time to leave their thoughts. Your comments keep these fun prizes coming. Be sure to pop back later today to see if you are the winner of ChrisO's handmade bracelets.

4/3/12

Let's push Scott over the edge!

Scott Stanley  

Scott Stanley is a flagmaker, fellow Etsy seller ( SpinYourWorld.etsy.com ) and an old friend. We met  in high school during a state run summer arts program for "gifted" kids. Scott is in the final stretch of his fundraising campaign on kickstarter, and he needs our help.

SpinYourWorld.etsy.com

Scott has until Thursday to collect $1500 for his project. As of this typing he is only $185 away from being fully funded. (To receive the donations, he has to reach that $1500 goal by the deadline).


With this funding, Scott will be able to set up as a vendor at high school color guard competitions. This will enable him to present his colorful creations "to High School Color Guard and Winter Guard students, who already have the skills to spin and enjoy them. "

Click here to find out more about Scott's kickstarter project. Even if you do not wish to donate, please spread the word. 

photo courtesy of Scott Stanley

Today I contributed to Scott's Spin Your World: Bring Flag Dancing to High School students project. If Scott reaches his goal, in return for my donation I will receive "a hand-dyed drawstring backpack" .... which I am going to give to one random Artsnark-blog reader....

Would you like an entry in my backpack random drawing?  Will you help spread the word about Scott's Kickstarter campaign? To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post before time runs out on the project clock Thursday (4/5). You can see how many hours are left (& how much funding is still needed) on Scott's kickstarter page.

If the Spin Your World project is fully funded, I will receive my colorful bag.... and on Friday 4/6, I will choose 1 random winner from everyone who comments here before the deadline.

So, before you leave today please share your thoughts. If your contact info is not in your profile, please leave an email address (so that I can get in touch with you if you win).... And be sure to spread the word! 

Remember, if Scott's goal is not met in time (1) he doesn't receive the donations, (2) I don't receive the bag, so (3) there is no random drawing for it (& no winner) on Friday.


4/2/12

Musical Monday - Hello world

Hello world - are you still spinning?


How have you been?  Due to a,ehem, gardening error our Fios was cut so my world has been off the grid for a few days. Sadly there were messages & commitments that I couldn't follow up on. (So sorry guys - you know who you are). But believe it or not, we survived! 

Spent the weekend very 80s style (minus the big hair & shoulder pads) - lots of gardening, chilling & face-time with the neighbors. Nice change actually.

Many thanks to those who left comments on Chris O's 3 bracelets giveaway! The random drawing is Thursday, so there is still time to enter if you haven't yet.

Set of 2 personalized friendship bracelets from Chris O's Creations

Plus there is the 100 custom printed postcards giveaway I'm hosting for PrintRunner - also to be drawn on Thursday. Open to USA only tho - but if you are in the region it is worth entering.


Photobucket

I am soooo glad to have made it back in time for Musical Monday. While too tired to check out the tunes myself tonight, I will catch them over coffee tomorrow. If you are awake & looking for some ear candy, be sure to pop over to Xmas Dolly's and hear what folks are sharing. Today is a "freebie" so the music will be all over the map - a good thing, I think.

Well, my garden-tired chief cook & bottle washer self is calling it a day (dang, the real world is tiring!) Wishing you all a wonderful week & "may the odds be ever in your favor!"

3/29/12

playing with family photos

the guys (2004) before
Playing around with some inferior family photos last night. I got rid of the chair on the upper left & with hints from Susan Tuttle's Toy Camera Effects class gave the whole thing a senior photo-type vibe. 

the guys (2004) after

The lesson was for more of a "Diana" camera effect, but I didn't pick the right photo for that look... So I decided to go for a mid-80's over lit, furry "awww" feeling.  I could have done a better job hiding the chair & the hat is wayyy to hot, (note to self, fix hot spots 1st next time) but it was a lot of fun to play with.

3/27/12

A Perfect Day


Greenfest 2012

If you a curious, here's a link to who sings what on Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day' above

3/22/12

Visit with Chris O's Creations + Enter Jewelry Giveaway

Set of 2 personalized wrapped crochet bracelets (mix & match) from ChrisO'sCreations

One thing I love about Etsy.com is meeting artisans from around the globe. Today we are visiting with  Chris Only from ChrisO's Creations on etsy. She's popping over from Athens, Greece to share her her thoughts and creations .... and she's brought prizes! 


ChrisOsCreations.Etsy.com


But first let's enjoy a chat. Please note that clicking the captions below the photos will open a new window with more details about the piece.


Hi Chris. Thanks for stopping in today.

CO: Hi all! I'm Christine and I love crafts. I'm a university student (I hope not for very long). When I have free time i mix colors and materials! Crafts are my sanctuary since I remember myself. I barely make the same piece twice. I don't know, I just like variety. Every piece I create is part of my soul. 

Carnelian Tree of Life soft leather bracelet from ChrisO'sCreations

When did you first become interested in art, jewelry design & crafting your own items?

CO: I can't remember myself as being idle, I was always messing around, colors, pastels, sketching and so many other things. I designed my first pair of earrings 10 years ago, I just couldn't find the perfect dark blue pair for my dress and that was the beginning, since then I've been experimenting and trying new techniques.


Earrings with Flourite beads & guitar chord discs from ChrisO'sCreations

What are your favorite materials & why?


CO: I like working with polymer clay and semi-precious stones. I like transforming the clay as I work. As for the semi-precious stones I like their feeling when i have them in my hands, a little heavy and cold.


Gothic Black Rose Necklace (polymer clay & hematite beads) from ChrisO'sCreations

Where do you find inspiration?

CO: Everywhere. Life, nature, music , colors, fairy-tales, everything can be inspiring! 

Tree of Life soft brown suede leather bracelet from ChrisO'sCreations

What is the last book you read?

CO: The last book I read was The Halfling's Gem by R.A.Salvatore, just amazing!


Do you listen to anything while creating?

CO: Almost always. I usually listen to Blind Guardian & Grave Digger and recently Amorphis as well.


In your Etsy shop, you have a lovely mix of hand-crafted pieces at very reasonable prices 

CO: The prices of my creations do not reflect the quality of the materials I use. I just want everyone to be able to enjoy my creations. As a student there are many times I hesitate to buy something because of its price, so I want my creations to be more approachable.

Handmade polymer clay one of a kind buttons from ChrisO'sCreations

How long have you been selling your creations? Any advice for sellers new to Etsy.com?

CO: Let me think, almost 10 years, but only the last 7 months at Etsy. I'm not the best person for advice... just be yourself :-)


this photo © Pelagos Institute

I see that you that you donate 100% of the profits from some of your listings to a favorite environmental cause.

I support the PELAGOS - "ΠΕΛΑΓΟΣ" Cetacean Research Institute (www.pelagosinstitute.gr), a scientific non-profit NGO for the conservation of Mediterranean whales and dolphins. Some items, such as this Set of 2 beautiful black wrap crochet friendship bracelets with handmade polymer clay beads have 100% of the sale going to this important cause.

Set of 2 friendship bracelets with handmade polymer clay beads 

What do you like to do when you are not creating?


CO: A little bit of everything! Long walks, cooking (actually, I think I create chaos in the kitchen rather than cook ), watching movies with my boyfriend and other relaxing things.

Chris, thanks so much for sharing your lovely pieces with us today! And thank you for sponsoring the new giveaway... 

Christine has brought by some fabulous bracelets for one very lucky winner! Ready for the details?

Prizes include this Autumn-Colored Hand Painted Leather Cuff, designed with pyrography- click here for more photos & info about this piece

Autumn cuff front
& back

PLUS a mix & match set of 2 boho wrap friendship bracelets (like the ones in the photo at the top of the post). Winner chooses which 2 colors to take home. Click for details & more photos of sets



And all these goodies are for 1 very lucky winner!! So, how can you enter? 

Simply leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 4/5 to get your name in the hat (actually random.org). If your contact info is not in your profile, please leave an email address. This random drawing is open worldwide with free shipping to the winner.

Want to see more of Chris O's wonderful work? 

Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts. Your interest keeps the giveaways coming! Also, many featured artists & artisans have told me just how much your comments mean to them. Getting feedback from friends & strangers can be very encouraging, as well as provide some important ideas to push the envelope further.

----------------

Before you go today, I am also hosting another random drawing for PrintRunner.com . They are giving away 100 custom printed postcards to one lucky (USA only) winner. Click Here for details.

3/19/12

Win 100 custom postcards from PrintRunner - ends 4/5

postcard printing from PrintRunner

Feeling Lucky? I hope so because the folks over at PrintRunner.com are sponsoring a new random drawing. On April 5 one lucky winner will be picked to receive 100 custom printed postcards.  It could be you!

Prize Details:

Details of the giveaway prize: Postcards
Postcard Size : Postcards 5"x 7"
Quantity : 100
Colors : 4/0 Front Only Printing
Paper : 14 PT. UV Coating on Front, 
Rounded Corners : Yes
Proof : None
Ready to Ship In : 4 Business Days

How do you enter? 

Simply leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 4/5 to put your name in the hat. On April 5th I will use random.org to select the lucky winner. I will announce the winner on my blog & also contact them via email. If your email is not in your profile, please leave it in your comment.

Please note giveaway is open to US Residents only, ages 18 years old and above. 

International readers - Be sure to pop back in the next week or so since I will soon announce a (jewelry) drawing that will be open to all regions.

Many thanks to PrintRunner both for sponsoring this giveaway and for offering me the same reward for hosting. I was just thinking the other day that it's time to print postcards .... when their offer arrived ... perfect timing! Now I just need to decide which image to go with. While I like my old designs, it is time to freshen things up a bit.

my previous postcards

Plus big thank yous to all who enter this random drawing! It is your interest that keeps these giveaways coming.

If you win the prize, what will you put on your postcards? Do you have a special event or a shop to promote? Perhaps a fun family announcement or even a vacation photo you would love to share?

Want to find out more about this online printing company? 
visit their website:  PrintRunner.com 
check out their Facebook Page: facebook.com/printrunner
follow on Twitter: twitter.com/printrunner

Good Luck!