1.18.2010

Featured Artist and GIVEAWAY :: Moonovermaize

 It has been a long while since my previous artist feature and now we're back with a bang!  Today's featured artist is Monica of moonovermaize, and she's here with a superb giveaway (details below the interview)!!!  Plus, she is offering 15% off your purchase if you mention this interview!



 Monica, along with her lovely family


I was first acquainted with Monica after she had signed up for my Warm Hearts Around the World project.  I've been a fan of her gorgeous work ever since.  Each one of her jewelry pieces are unique masterpieces and truly shine on their own.  Not only is she an amazing jewelry designer, she has a shining personality to match.  I've had a lot of fun getting to know Monica through the wonderful world of twitter. :)   And now, you can get to know a little more about this lovely lady.


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


A random fun fact about yourself:
I was once a ball girl for Jimmy Connors.

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
popcorn, kids, jewelry

What's your favorite read of all time?
I have many, but A Wrinkle in Time is a great one!

Any guilty pleasures?

Starbucks


If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?
I would love to be in Florence, Italy with my family.

(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?
I think simple, natural and organic describe it well.  I like to take natural stones that have been cut and polished and use them in a simple design to showcase their beauty.

How long have you been at it?
I have been making jewelry for many years, but started taking it seriously two years ago.


So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
Well, I guess there is an innate part for choosing stones and knowing how I want to use them, but the techniques are, without a doubt, a case of practice makes perfect.

From where/how do you find inspiration?
Every facet of life serves as an inspiration.  My children inspired me to work on the 'Mothering' line of jewelry I have where as nature is a huge inspiration for my other pieces.


What was your most memorable creative experience?
Amazingly, it happened today.  I was home alone (doesn't happen very often with two young kids) today and I had this wild burst of creativity and was able to make 5 new pieces and I still have more ideas that I need to put to work.  It's been an awesome day!

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
I focus on restocking and organizing my work place.  When I have a clean work area inspiration comes much easier.

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
Not really. I have just recently broken a stone I was setting which is never nice, but that's about it.


What is your formula for success?
Be true in your work, make pieces that resonate with you and others will see the beauty in it.

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
When people began to purchase the pieces the I so lovingly created I felt I had succeeded.  Each and every sale is so special and always makes me smile.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
Always keep your head up..things will turn around. I am definitely an optimist :)


When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
Playing with my two lovely children.

In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?
I'm very much into natural childbirth so maybe a doula.

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask about?
I think you're an amazing person, mom and jewelry artist and I'm honored to be featured here! (aw, Monica, the honor is mine!)


What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
Jealousydesign
Sigmosaics
gloilocksandbody

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
Again, so many I don't know where to start!
This top looks so sweet, sexy, simple and stylish (plus it looks like a good maternity shirt when I'm next expecting)



Any suggestions for my next featured artist? 

Have fun!

And, as a fun tribute to my inner psychologist, what might this be?  
My first thought was the Japanese flag.  I know it's a different color, but it is such a simple and distinct design.





.......................... end interview .........................

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!! (winner selected on Monday, January 25th)



The very generous Monica is giving away this gorgeous piece (the Queen Ann's Necklace featuring AAA quality stones, valued at $52) to one lucky winner!

Here's how to enter:

visit Monica's shop, Moonovermaize, and tell us what your favorite piece is (don't forget to check out the sold section).

* you must include your contact info (email, blog, or etsy shop)


Bonus entries:
Leave a separate comment and contact info for each entry.


1) follow Monica on twitter: @moonovermaize
2) follow me on twitter: @eNVeDesigns
3) tweet about the giveaway as many times as you'd like (include @eNVeDesigns and a link to this post for validation), one tweet = one entry so leave separate comments here for each if you want it counted
4) fan Moon Over Maize on Facebook
5) fan eNVe Designs on Facebook
6) follow my blog (anonymous followers not a valid entry)
7) subscribe to my mailing list (email to subscribe [at] envedesigns [dot] com)

Your odds are in your hands!  You have one week to enter.  The lucky winner will be selected at random next Monday, January 25th.  Good luck! :)

 

93 comments:

Jennifer Cowgill said...

1) I already follow Monica :D,

2) I already follow you :D,

3) I tweeted it :D,

4) I am already a fan of Monica :D,

5) I am already a fan of you :D,

6) I already follow your blog :D,

7) I subscribed!

jen.on.earth@gmail.com

Jennifer Cowgill said...

ooops I forgot to add my favorite! My favorite right now of Monica's is the sedona sunrise ring. I love the way the gold plays with the silver and white, just beautiful! Monica is really becoming an expert at her metal crafting!

Unknown said...

I follow @moonovermaize on twitter

@abbylbarnhart
abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

i follow @envedesigns on twitter

@abbylbarnhart
abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I fanned Moon on facebook

@abbylbarnhart
abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

i fanned Enve on Facebook

@abbylbarnhart
abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I follow your blog now!

@abbylbarnhart
abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I subscribed to your list - can't wait!

@abbylbarnhart
abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

tweeted about the giveaway :)
http://twitter.com/abbylbarnhart/status/7913604536

abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Love the shop and would pick the turqoise Vibrancy necklace - gorgeous!

abby.l.barnhart@gmail.com

Cameron said...

e-mail: cam.gage@gmail.com
site: eyesonetsy.wordpress.com
favorite piece: Darkest Night Brightest Moon Necklace

Thanks for the opportunity! Several comments to follow...

I follow Monica on twitter!

Cameron said...

I follow you on twitter! :)

Cameron said...

I tweeted about the giveaway!

https://twitter.com/eyesonetsy

Allison said...

I follow you on twitter! I'm twitter.com/outodry

Allison said...

My favorite piece is the Tranquil Kyanite Necklace...very modern and "tranquil"...

http://outodry.etsy.com

Allison said...

I'm now following eNVeDesigns...

twitter.com/outodry

Allison said...

Just became a fan of Moonovermaize on FB...
http://bit.ly/5xX9De

Rockstar Mommy said...

I LOVE the Pregnancy Curves necklace. A friend of mine just found out she's pregnant with her first, and that would make a wonderful gift. Thanks for the giveaway!

Nicole
rockstar.mommy [at] yahoo.com

Rockstar Mommy said...

Following @moonovermaize. (I'm @1rockstarmommy)

Nicole
rockstar.mommy [at] yahoo.com

Rockstar Mommy said...

Following @eNVe Designs. (I'm @1rockstarmommy)

Nicole
rockstar.mommy [at] yahoo.com

Stacy said...

It was so difficult to choose ONE favorite but I have to go with the Pure Passion Necklace. Gorgeous!

http://foxgloves.etsy.com

Rockstar Mommy said...

RT'd your post about the interview/giveaway.

Nicole
rockstar.mommy [at] yahoo.com

Stacy said...

I'm already a Facebook fan of Moon Over Maize!

http://foxgloves.etsy.com

Rockstar Mommy said...

Became a fan of Moon Over Maize.

Nicole
rockstar.mommy [at] yahoo.com

Rockstar Mommy said...

Became a fan of eNVe Designs.

Nicole
rockstar.mommy [at] yahoo.com

Stacy said...

I'm a Facebook fan of eNVe Designs!

http://foxgloves.etsy.com

Stacy said...

I am following your blog with Google Friend Connect.

http://foxgloves.etsy.com

Rockstar Mommy said...

Following your blog via Google.

Rockstar Mommy said...

Subscribed to your mailing list!

Ginny Huber said...

I follow your blog! Love Monica and lots of her work; today's fave: Persian Turquoise earrings. My etsy shop is ginnyhuber.etsy.com

Kate said...

omg in love with the Darkest Night Brightest Moon Necklace!!!

glittergurl04 @hotmail.com

jealousydesign said...

My favorite is the now sold Ashen Sky Necklace! That necklace is gorgeous! Thank you for liking my shop :)

1 I follow Monica on twitter

jealousydesign said...

2 I am already following you too :)

jealousydesign said...

3 I tweeted it :)

jealousydesign said...

6 I already following your blog :)

Catherine Ivins said...

I love Monica's shop and it was wonderful to learn more about her. It is hard to choose a favorite- I love the fertility piece and have always loved amber visions.

I follow your blog and both of you on Twitter. I will tweet this a bit later.

xo- Cat :)

Jill said...

Yeah! What a delicious surprise to find MoonOverMaize featured for your giveaway, Ngan! Monica's "Centered Necklace" has my heart going pitter patter. I love that one as well as everything else in her shop.

Jill said...

I already follow Monica

Jill said...

I already follow eNVeDesigns blog

Jill said...

I am already a fan of Monica on FB

Jill said...

I am now a fan of you on FB too.

Rebecca said...

I hearted Monica's shop a long time ago... love the earthiness of her work and its simple beauty. My favorite work in her shop, though there are MANY items I love, is the Pregnancy Curves necklace.... it is simply stunning!
Rebecca
http://kneedeeporiginals.etsy.com

Rebecca said...

I am now following your blog too.

Rebecca said...

I am now a fan of yours on FB :)

Rebecca said...

I am also a fan of Monica's on FB!

Sydney said...

I follow Monica on Twitter

scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com

Sydney said...

Oh...sorry, forgot the first entry, lol. I love Monica's Days Gone By Necklace.

scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com

Sydney said...

I follow you on Twitter

scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com

Sydney said...

I follow Monica on FB

scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com

Sydney said...

I follow your on FB

scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com

Sydney said...

I also subscribe to your mailing list...phew...that's a whole lot of following, lol.

scoobidoo540(at)aol(dot)com

Sew Charitable said...

I love the Centered necklace!

I am fan of both you and MoonOverMaize on Facebook.

So that is 3 entries I believe!

3 squares said...

not possible for me to choose a favorite in monica's shop. everything is gorgeous! but i do love this mod ring. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38245187

thanks!
3squares@live.com

3 squares said...

i follow monica!

3squares@live.com

3 squares said...

i follow you!

3squares@live.com

3 squares said...

i'm a moon over maize FB fan!

3squares@live.com

3 squares said...

i'm an eNVe FB fan!

3squares@live.com

3 squares said...

i follow your blog!

3squares@live.com

3 squares said...

i tweeted!

3squares@live.com

karuski said...

Lovely interview, thanks for sharing!

One of my favorites from her shop is this necklace: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38794294

minna
http://etsy.com/shop/karuski

karuski said...

I'm following Monica on Twitter!

minna
http://etsy.com/shop/karuski

karuski said...

I'm following you on Twitter too!

minna
http://etsy.com/shop/karuski

karuski said...

I'm Monica's fan on FB! (minna soininen)

minna
http://etsy.com/shop/karuski

NimiJewelry said...

How can I pick just one favorite?!!! All of Monica's stuff is gorgeous! I guess if I'm FORCED to, I'll go with the oxidized Glacier Green necklace. LOVE that stone!

nimijewelry@gmail.com

NimiJewelry said...

i already follow monica on twitter

@nimijewelry
nimijewelry@gmail.com
nimijewelry.etsy.com

NimiJewelry said...

i already follow ngan on twitter

@nimijewelry
nimijewelry@gmail.com
nimijewelry.etsy.com

NimiJewelry said...

i'm already a fan of monica on facebook! (jen cobb garry)

NimiJewelry said...

already a fan of envedesigns on facebook! (jen cobb garry)

NimiJewelry said...

already subscribe to the blog!

nimijewelry@gmail.com

NimiJewelry said...

just subscribed!

nimijewelry@gmail.com

NimiJewelry said...

tweeted!

@nimijewelry
nimijewelry@gmail.com

Aik said...

I love the Hope and Wish Necklace.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

follow Monica on twitter: @aikchien

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

follow you on twitter: @aikchien

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/8025295178

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

fan Moon Over Maize on Facebook (Aik Chien)

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

fan eNVe Designs on Facebook (Aik Chien)

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

I'm a follower.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Lynn Lunger said...

My favorite piece, out of her many fabulous pieces!!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37912454

Lynn Lunger said...

I am now following Monica. :^)

Lynn Lunger said...

I already follow you on Twitter. :^)

Lynn Lunger said...

Tweeted!

Lynn Lunger said...

Fanned Monica on FB!

Lynn Lunger said...

Fanned eNVe on FB!

Lynn Lunger said...

I follow your blog.

Lynn Lunger said...

I subscribed to your mailing list. :^)

Unknown said...

I love her shop!! My favorite is the Hope and Wish Necklace.

jullpete(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lickety Split said...

what a great and generous giveaway! thanks!
I love all of Monica's pieces but my favorite is Falling Leaves Necklace in her sold section.

I follow you and am fan's on both of your facebook pages and follow both of you on twitter, and subscribed to enveblogspot.
thanks Ngan and Monica!

jennreese7@gmail.com

allisa jacobs said...

well, i love all of monica's work! but i can say the "centered" necklace is one of my faves- great design & color.

thanks for the chance :)

allisa jacobs said...

just tweeted this fantastic giveaway!
thank you :)

allisa jacobs said...

oh yes & i already follow monica on twitter. love her tweets :)

allisa jacobs said...

just started following you on twitter, yay!

Unknown said...

well i'm still slow to the draw with tweeting and facebook-- but i do know monica's work and i enjoyed reading about her in your featured artist post! -- and it turns out i share the same guilty pleasure as monica

o.k. so -- i will have to narrow down ( not easy ) to dark lagoon-- love the deep mysterious color...

thanks ngan -- i love your interviews!

XO,

kathi