Featured Artist and GIVEAWAY :: Sleepy Moon Design

For all my fellow jewelry lovers out there, here is another fabulous interview and jewelry giveaway!  Meet Zoe of Sleepy Moon Design!  She creates gorgeous jewelry featuring beautiful gemstones as the centerpiece of all her designs and does a wonderful job showcasing the natural beauty of those gemstones.  You wouldn't know it from her creations, but she's a relative newbie in the art of jewelry!  Let's meet this natural talent.

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

A random fun fact about yourself:
My middle name is Adrian




What's your favorite read of all time?
Honestly I don't have enough time in the day to read.  :(  I always end up staying up way to late reading then I am exhausted in the morning. So usually all the books I read are good or else I don't finish them I really liked the last book that I read called The Gargoyle.

Any guilty pleasures?
Handbags on Etsy and Pickles!

If you could be any place in the world right now, where would it be?
I kinda like it here in Vancouver! I have had this urge to go to the lake recently though. Relax in the sun go for a swim and everything else you can do at the lake! 

(Ok, now onto business)
How would you describe your work?
Edgy, dreamy, with a kind of chic, dark fairy tale vibe like each piece holds a secret. My jewelry is easy to wear and any one who loves gemstones will appreciate how I make them the focal point in each piece.

How long have you been at it?
I've been making jewelry since January 2008. I have learned a lot in the last year and a half and I am excited to learn so much more!

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
For some things it really does come naturally, but with everything you do get better over time with practice! Some things it is practice practice practice from the start.

Do you dabble in any other forms of art?
Before jewelry I was into photography. Now I use those skills to do my product photography. I don't get out much with the camera as much as I like to so I started posting a Random Daily Photo on my blog so I would… http://sleepymoondesign.blogspot.com

From where/how do you find inspiration?
My favourite thing to do is start playing with the metal or gemstones and see what happens from there. I also take pieces of nature and try to replicate the shape or the colours. 

Share something about your creative process that most people wouldn't know.
I work well with a deadline! lol

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
I stay the heck away from my jewelry! I know now that when I am not feeling creative it is best not to waste supplies on designs that don't turn out! Instead I will relax and take a day off. That usually does the trick.

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
A low point for me was when I realized that getting 4 sales a month was just not enough!!! It was also a turning point for me because I then sought out a solution to fix the problem.

What is your formula for success?
Hard work and doing what I love!

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
It wasn't the moment I realized that I had achieved success because I am still working hard at that! It was the moment that I realized that I could achieve success.

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
Don't even think about giving up! Look inside your self for inspiration and direction instead of on the internet or wherever else you might look.

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
Hanging out with my two year old son Wyatt or around Vancouver checking out the sites.

In a parallel universe where you are not an amazing artist, what would you be?
In a parallel universe I might be a youth addictions worker of some sort or a marketing rep for small businesses. Though when I was little I always said I was going to be a vet. Or an artist like mommy and a carpenter like daddy.

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
LittleHouses
lamorez
feltmeupdesigns
orglamix


What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
This jacket by a local designer (Little Houses)

And, as a fun tribute to my inner psychologist, what might this be?  
My first thought was a black and white Japanese flag and my second thought was a hole.

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

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!!  
(winner selected on Wednesday, June 30th)

Drawing closed :: CONGRATULATIONS, SOM!!!


Zoe is giving away this Green Onyx Suspension Necklace to one lucky winner!

Here's how to enter:

 
*  visit Zoe's shop, sleepymoondesign, 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)
so we can contact you if you win.

Bonus entries:

Leave a separate comment with contact info for each entry.


1) follow Zoe on twitter: @SleepyMoon
2) follow me on twitter: @eNVeDesigns
3) tweet about the giveaway (include @eNVeDesigns and @SleepyMoon and a link to this post for validation)
4) fan Sleepy Moon on Facebook
5) fan eNVe Designs on Facebook
6) follow Zoe's blog

7) follow my blog (upper left column)
8) subscribe to Zoe's newsletter
9) subscribe to my mailing list (using the form in the left column)

You have one week to enter.  The winner will be selected at random next Wednesday, June 30th.  Good luck! :)