I won!

Today, I received word that I won this amazing print by Emiko, of f2images! Thank you, Emiko!


I have been a long time fan of f2images, a husband/wife collaborative. Here are just a few of my favorites from their shop. It was difficult to decide on these because I just love everything there! There's so much movement and evoked emotions in these.. just lovely.

Almost Free

Haunting

Red Boots

This shop is a must visit if you haven't already seen it! What are you waiting for?

Oh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN, everyone!!!

eNVe Designs on DJ Neekola!

"Clarity", one of my wrap and thread necklaces was featured in a photo shoot with DJ Neekola! She's an international dj who tours Europe and South America. This totally made my day!!!

{credits: model is DJ Neekola; photography by Tim Coburn; hair and makeup by James Cornwell; Wardrobe by Aidah Collection; jewelry by eNVe Designs}

And the winner is.... *drumroll please*

***CONGRATULATIONS NANOUKE ***

You won a pair of earrings of your choice!

The winner was chosen at random, thanks to random.org. Thank you to everyone who participated! There will definitely be more contest fun in the future so check back often.

I wish I could make everyone a winner, but alas, I can't possibly afford to do that. :) But check back tomorrow for a super duper weekend special you can't pass up!!!


ADDENDUM: I just realized that I entered Shawna only once, when she should have gotten two entries (for joining my mailing list). So sorry! That means the fairest way to remedy this is to do an additional drawing. Everyone gets another chance!!! There will be a 2nd winner (of a pair of earrings of her choice) randomly drawn and will be added to this post shortly. Stay tuned... (if I made a mistake with anyone else, please let me know asap. it was sometimes tough to figure out who's name matched with their email since not all subscriptions were contest entrants).

And the 2nd winner is: MELODY

***CONGRATULATIONS MELODY***

You won a pair of earrings of your choice!
Please respond to this post and let me know which pair of earrings you would like.

Weekend Fun

This past weekend was just gorgeous out so we decided to take advantage of the fleeting warm weather. Spent Friday evening walking along the Charles river and hanging out at the park with Jax. He's just starting to walk on his own now so he can't really play on the equipment yet, but he LOVES the swing! He just giggles and giggles.. so adorable!

Saturday was spent in Salem, MA. It was their first big weekend (although pretty much the entire month of October is a big deal in Salem). A lot of people usually come out in costume so we put Jax in his halloween costume. He's a little monkey. Clearly he didn't know what to make of it. At least it kept him nice and warm. It was a little chilly out. He sure got a lot of attention in this costume! It's funny how much more approachable you seem to be when you have a baby... or an animal... or a baby dressed like an animal. All kinds of people smile and say hi, stop and chat, even try to hold your baby. Never happened when we were sans child.



Sunday was equally gorgeous so we went apple picking! We went for the first time last year, a couple weeks before Jax was born, so technically, this is Jax's second time as well. Again, not sure what he thought of apple picking. He seemed much more interested in the planes flying overhead than in the apples. Although he did like eating them!









Here are a few more of my favorite snapshots from the weekend.

Hope everyone had a relaxing one as well!





And don't forget... ONE WEEK LEFT to enter my BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY! :)

FEATURED ARTIST :: Lillyella

Because there is such vast talent on etsy, I've decided to feature my favs here.

My first etsy artist feature spotlights Nicole of Lillyella. Her etsy shop has boomed shortly after her opening it and it's no wonder! Her jewelry is outstanding and she is also one of the sweetest people you'll meet on etsy. Her success has been so amazing that she's been able to quit her day job and design jewelry full time. How awesome is that!

So being a psychologist and all, I decided to pick her brain a little. ;)






........ the interview ........

A random fun fact about yourself:

I had a 40lb cyst. Although, it wasn't very fun - but definitely weird.

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:

cantaloupe

jackal

hydrangea

How would you describe your work?

eclectic, pretty, unique, totally kick ass haha

How long have you been at it?

as long as I can remember, but seriously as a business, about a year

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?

innate, for sure.

From where/how do you find inspiration?

typical answer probably, but things I love or am drawn to for whatever particular reason - be it something in nature like my favorite flowers waterlilies and lily of the valley, or just a particular bead or stamping I find.

What was your most memorable creative experience?

Totally aside from this area of my creative life, jumping into my past career, I'd have to say working on world series designs for the Cleveland Indians.

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?

Gosh, this is something Ive dealt with for a long time. Having worked as a graphic designer for 10 years, the hardest part was being creative all day every day. I'm sure it doesn't compare to brian surgery, but it does wear on you. If I am feeling drained, I do one of two things - I work on something more mindless like paperwork, book keeping, etc or I go shopping for supplies and hope that something new will regenerate me. Luckily though, I havent had that problem too much with my jewelry designs. I have such a passion for it that I'm not sure I will ever run out of ideas. The hardest part for me is usually having too many ideas for one particular piece!

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?

Hmmm... I guess maybe the summer months on Etsy - learning just how slow they can be and understanding how to be prepared for that next year.

What is your formula for success?

4 hours of sleep per night + peanut butter + curly fries + green tea = success!

And for those who don't like peanut butter and like their sheets, a more serious answer...

There are a lot of things that go into it - a good product, energy, determination, motivation, a good head on your shoulders, an ability to be intuitive and learn quickly, kindness, appreciation and passion.

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?

When I saw my "quit your day job" story on Etsy.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?

I wish I had something really ingenious to say here, but Im not sure I do! This is something I have been dreaming of for a long time, but I truly believe you have to be completely prepared and ready if you want to make a go at your craft full time. Have some money in savings, have a back up plan, a bit of stability, and a plan on how you are going to make it happen.

I had been working my little behind off for 5 years balancing a full time job, a part time job and my craft , in the hopes that I could get where I am today. You just can't give up. If what you are doing isnt working - try something else. But if you want it bad enough - you'll make it happen.

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?

Eatings, working on some sort of project around the house or yard that requires power tools, eating, shooting, bowling, eating, playing putt putt, eating or teaching dance.

In a parallel universe where you are not a fabulous jewelry designer, what would you be?

Definitely an archaeologist.... or a genetic engineer.

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?

wow, this could take awhile...

in no particular order:

xenotees

redrubyrose

whitneysmith
wyndbrookdesign
f2images
flutter
esdesigns
amberalexander

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?

wow that is so hard, but currently...

this ring

Any suggestions for my next featured artist?

wow - even harder!

westernartglass
resurface
ralphnuara

cottageinthesun

sugarsusan

ok.. Ill stop now, I could go on forever - there are so many amazing artists on etsy!

............ end ............


Thanks for letting me fire questions at you, Nicole!