Pixe's Ring giveaway!

As an artist, I'm always contemplating new creations! I've been wanting to learn the art of ringmaking, so I bought my supplies, some extra practice wire, and started playing! I then broke out the sterling, and this is my first offering!

To celebrate, I will be giving this ring away to one lucky winner!! The contest ends Friday, May 1, 2009 at 12 noon EST. I will then pick one lucky winner, and notify you!

Twirls and Swirls

Here are my rules:

1. Visit my shop, Pixe's Treasure Chest , and pick your favorite item, and post it on the blog. This will earn you your first entry.
2. Follow my blog, and post here that you're following. This will earn you one additional entry.
3. Purchase anything from my shop, post your purchase here. This will earn you 2 entries. All jewelry is on sale this week 15% off with free worldwide shipping!
4. Be sure to leave your contact information. I need to find you if you are a winner!!! I will then ask for your ring size, each ring is made to order!

This gives you the opportunity to earn 4 entries!

Good Luck to all of you!

Have a peaceful, and wonderful day!

Mich

Demandablue

Welcome to today's Pixe's Picks!
Today, I would like to introduce to you, Amanda, owner of demandablue!

Enjoy your stay!

Little Lolita

Amanda tells me she's been building and making things since before she can remember: I used to have an old suit case that I kept in our attic as a kid, that was full of rocks and pine cones and even locust shells that I would use to make art projects.

This is how Amanda tells me she got her start sewing: I had a credit card when I was 18 and I was very irresponsible with my spending. A sewing machine was one of my immature impulse buys. Sewing just stuck with me!

Why did you choose Etsy, and do you sell anywhere else? I also sell on ebay, but only sporadically when my etsy sales are lagging for a few days. I chose etsy because a few friends of mine used it and loved it. The awesome selection of bath and body products on etsy got me hooked! (Plug for http://madcitysue.etsy.com/ I have purchased more items from her shop than I could possibly count or remember and they were ALL amazing.)

Quirky Black and White Patchworked Skirt

What is your favorite item in the shop, and Why? Little Lolita - Triple Ruffle Layer Skirt, Full Flirty Fun and Quirky Black and White Patchworked Skirt with Double Ruffles because they're quirky and fun!!

Is there anything you would like to share with us? I love being a stay at home mommy for my (almost) 2 year old little girl, Scout. Etsy enables me to do that while still making ends meet in our household. I'm so grateful for that.

Shabby Rose Patchwork Spring Skirt

Pixe's Pick! Amanda' shop is full of adorable skirts, and this is the one that jumped out at me!! I love this skirt for it's colors and it's design! It's so very feminine and casual! I'm talking about the Shabby Rose Patchwork Spring Skirt ! Hmmm...wondering if she can do that in a plus size????

Wednesday's Pixe's Picks

Welcome to this today's Pixe's Picks! Today, PoshMommaStore is being featured! So...Kick back, relax, enjoy the read!! Comments are always welcome! The artists love to hear what you have to say!!! This week, I'm going to do something a little different...I'm only featuring one artist today, and will feature another artist tomorrow.

Unlocking Purity

PoshMomma has been crafting for as long as she can remember. She tells me: I've been a crafter as far back as I can remember. I actually remember trying to sell painted rocks to neighbors when I was in my early years of grade school (I don't think I ever sold a rock, surprise). All of my birthday cards and holiday cards to people always had to be homemade and I've always preferred giving gifts that I made myself over bought ones, even if they were really crappy. I can not remember a time when I was not crafting in one way or another.

PoshMomma says this is how she got started making jewelry: I began making jewelry in middle school. It started as friendship bracelets, then hemp necklaces. I fell in love with beads and charms through making these hemp necklaces. While in my early years of college, I bought a tanning salon and decided to sell my attempts at fashion jewelry. They ended up being a huge hit and it has grown from there.

Why did you pick Etsy for your shop?: I think I chose Etsy for the same reason everyone else does: I became obsessed with everyone else's stuff. I stumbled upon Etsy on someone's blog and had to open my own shop. I had not made jewelry in years until that point. I put my scrapbooking away and pulled out my stash of beads and headpins. From there, PoshMommaStore was born.

What is your favorite piece in your shop and why? My absolute favorite piece that I've probably ever MADE is the "Unlocking purity" necklace that is in my shop. There is just something about it that I love immensely. I love the combination of silver and pearls, and keys are just so mysterious to me. I really almost hate to sell it but I want someone else to love it as much as I do, and I'll just make another one if I can't bear the pain. Ha!

Wine Cork Earrings with Multi-Colored Beads

Pixe's Pick: PoshMomma not only offers really cute jewelry at affordable prices, she also offers wine tasting cards, which I think is a great idea, especially since I enjoy going to local wineries and sampling the vino! My favorite item is also wine inspired! I love the Wine Cork Earrings with Multi-Colored Beads I found this to be a clever way to re-use the corks! The colorful beads really make these earrings stand out!

That's today's Pixe's Picks! Please take a moment to visit PoshMommaStore to enjoy all she has to offer!

Have a wonderful and peaceful day!

Mich

Pixe's Pick!!

Hi everyone! Welcome to today's Pixe's Pick! This is the place where the really cool and talented Etsy artists are showcased! Please feel free to leave a comment...The artist loves to hear your thoughts!

Yellow Rose Petal Earrings, Triplets, from the Captured Collection

Today, I'm featuring Ann, from Dreamspiralart. Ann's specialty is metal and enamel jewelry!


I asked Ann how she got started in her craft: My love affair with metals was totally accidental. It happened during college in my third year. I had already switched majors several times from pre-med to nursing to undeclared, so I was exploring classes of interest to find a good fit. An advisor recommended that I take a class in metalsmithing/jewelry-making. That sounded cool – I had never worked with metal before. Two weeks in and I was hooked. I changed majors with a new found resolve: I was going to study the arts and become a working artist. I realized I had wanted to do this all along, but had dissuaded myself from pursuing it since it seemed ‘impractical’.
So here I am, ten years later, still doing what I love… and still being ‘practical’ (I haven’t given up my part-time day job yet, but I move closer to this goal with each passing year). I’ve finally found a balance that works for me.


This is why Ann chose Etsy as her selling platform: A friend told me about Etsy and encouraged me to open up a shop. She sells her work at: http://www.juliasews.etsy.com/


Of course, I wanted to know Ann's favorite item from her shop:
I love the “Captured Collection”! It is my newest collection. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5103840&section_id=5573695I have always been attracted to the plethora of color, texture, and pattern that is nature's canvas. I often bring plastic bags with me for long walks in the woods (and not because I have a dog), rather, I like to collect the random bits of nature that inspire my creative work. It wasn't until recently that I discovered how to incorporate these materials into my metal jewelry, in the "Captured Collection." The "Captured Collection" explores the human need to make timeless the treasures in life that bring us joy. All things organic are in a constant state of change. By sealing these found materials in a clear epoxy resin, I am able to suspend them in time. By becoming a wearable object set in precious metal, each bit of bark, tiny flower petal, or autumn leaf is viewed in a new light that can be shared with a broader audience.

Recycled Retangle Bits and Double Spiral Link Bracelet

Pixe's Pick: Being the nature lover that I am, I'm sure you've all figured out that Ann's favorite is also my favorite collection. However, I want to show what other tricks she has up her sleeve, So I'm proclaiming this as my favorite: Recycled Retangle Bits and Double Spiral Link Bracelet. I love the texture of this bracelet, and the swirls (I've been known to use a swirl or two in my designs), and I really like the fact that she has found a way to reuse her bench scraps! Either way, it's a gorgeous bracelet!

Take a few minutes to visit Dreamspiralart, and see what wonderful pieces of jewelry Ann has to offer!
Wishing you all a peaceful and wonderful day!
Mich