CLOSED. GIVEAWAY for a Great Cause!

This Giveaway is now closed. We will be announcing the winner on Friday, September 30th. Thank you to everyone who entered, and to Sarah for sharing her work with us!

xo
J&A


 It's been a while since we've done a giveaway here on Miskabelly, but it seemed like a good time to change that.   We sell on Etsy to make money (to hopefully, one day, make a living!), but there are some shop that make things in order to support other creative endeavors. Enter my friend Sarah Council and her shop, Crafty Dancer.

Sarah runs her own dance company in New York ( no small feat), but even more amazing is that she's about to become a mom! The profits from the shop help to fund her dance projects.  I want to share a little more about Sarah and her project here.  Sarah's work is also near and dear to Jayme and I as girls who grew up in dance classes and who have a passion for art (and for women who are living their dreams!).

Sarah, hard at work.

How did CraftyDancer start?

 

I am a choreographer living in New York City and lifelong Craftster.  I am most at home sitting right in the middle of the creative process. As I was looking for ways to support my dance company Sarah Council Dance Projects, CraftyDancer was conceived. What better way to raise funds for my dance projects than sharing and selling my crafty projects.

Who makes the crafts in the shop?

 I make most of the crafts in the shop with an occasional Craftydancer guest artist. 

 Are you involved in any other arts besides dance? Crafting, etc?

I am addicted to color and line, my creations range from original paintings and one-of-a-kind wearable art, to paper crafts. I would love to learn to sew but beyond the occasional dance costume alteration I really haven't had much success. Maybe that's my next project!

Are there other ways to support Sarah Council Dance Projects? 

Sure!! Along with visiting our Craftydancer Etsy shop, take a peek at our some of our latest dance projects at on our website.  You can check out pictures, videos and help keep us dancing by giving a tax-deductible donation here.

You can also catch up with us on facebook for the latest news from the studio and the stage. 

Images from Sarah Council Dance Project performance of Shadowlands

  

Do you have any favorite Etsy shops (besides your own!)
 

I love the bags and fun graphic fabrics at fromnancy.

The abstract wood sculpture art from paintsquare is so interesting. I especially enjoy the lines and texture.

The illustrations at mamarobot are so fun! As an expectant mom I've been eyeing the robot baby onesie made of soft organic cotton.

What's your favorite item/bestseller in the shop?

I really love the newest miniature painting pendants just recently added to the shop. I worked with some different shapes and sizes and added lots of bright colors!

Sarah is giving away one of her beautiful miniature painting pendants from the Craftydancer shop to one lucky reader.

About the pendant:  This pendant is an original miniature abstract painting on canvas set in a 5/8 inch square tray and preserved in resin.  Hang it on your favorite chain, cord or bit of ribbon and you'll have a beautiful one-of-a-kind necklace, an original work of art and a wonderful conversation piece. Pendant tray is silver plated, with a base metal of pewter and is antiqued, oxidized and lead free.

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry

1.  Visit the Craftydancer Etsy shop, and leave a comment letting us know what your favorite item is.

Additional Entries:

1.  Become a follower of our blog...and leave us a comment to let us know! (If you're already a follower, keep reading for other additional entry opportunities).

2.  LIKE Sarah Council Dance Projects on Facebook...and leave a comment.

3. Follow @miskabelly on Twitter (if you don't already)...and leave a comment. :)

4. Tweet/Retweet this giveaway...and again, let us know you did in the comments! 

This giveaway is open to everyone and will end Wednesday, September 28th.  Good luck!

CLOSED: Handmade Feature/Giveaway: My Little Critterz

We are super excited to share with you this fun and colorful etsy shop as our second feature for 2011!

My Little Critterz is full of crocheted and handmade hats, headbands and more!  We love all the bright colors and playful designs that shop owner/designer, Lindsay uses.  

Meet LINDSAY of My Little Critterz:

What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?

When I am not working on listing items, renewing, photographing or shipping purchases for my shop, MyLittleCritterz, I spend hours at night crocheting my handmade hats, headbands and toys. What I sell in my shop is not made on a machine, so it becomes very personal to me when I am fulfilling my orders. During the day, I am a substitute teacher for my school district in southern California until they are able to start hiring full-time teachers. I enjoy going to different classrooms because I get a lot of great ideas and I love working with the various grade levels. When I’m not at school or “working” for my shop, I enjoy spending time with my loving husband (of almost two years) and my wonderful family. My niece and nephew give me a lot of inspiration through the television shows that they watch, and what I think they would enjoy wearing. I am a book enthusiast (just like some people are wine enthusiasts); I love reading!! I read all different genres and authors. Anything that is suggested to me I read, and I could spend hundreds of dollars at the bookstore if my husband would let me. I am also trying to enjoy working out and getting in shape, but it is difficult to say the least…(torturous, horrendous, time-consuming, exhausting, just a few more words to describe those experiences!!!) In the future, I would love to own a home with my husband, start my family, become a full-time teacher and continue to grow my shops while doing what I love.

Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.

Loved, Creative and Intelligent (from my husband)

Beautiful, Patient and Giving (from my mom)

Fall piece you can’t live without:

This winter, I can’t live without my comfy boots and scarves. Even though it doesn’t get very cold in southern California, it is wonderful to get bundled up to go out!

Most recent fashion-related purchase:

I haven’t bought anything fashion related for a long time, but I can’t wait for Spring to come so I can go shopping for my trip to Hawaii in April!! I will be looking for light fabrics in great colors. Shorts, skirts, tank tops, summer dresses, swimsuits, sandals and so many more fun things to get…

Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?

 I am an endless crafter! Besides crocheting, I do needlepoint, sewing, quilting, I make my own jewelry (and sell it), and being a teacher allows me to share my creative side with the students I work with. As I mentioned, I have another Etsy shop, houseofjewelry.etsy.com where I sell my handmade and one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Any Pet Peeves?

 My biggest pet peeves are people who are late (my husband is notorious for this), being interrupted when I’m talking (it’s a teacher thing), and people who don’t know how to drive in California.

Bad Habits?

 Trying to take on to much at once and stressing myself out. I’m working on not sweating the small stuff.

Desert-Island food?

 Chocolate!!! (anything.) This is my down fall…..LOL.

Three bands/ singers you can’t get enough of:

 My musical choices vary greatly! I honestly like almost all music depending on what kind of mood I am in. I can’t pick just three…..so, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Sugarland (my country favorites), Armin Van Buuren, Cascada, Groove Coverage (my techno favorites), Evanescence, Linkin Park and Ill Nino (my other music favorites).

Another blog you follow regularly?

Unfortunately, I don’t follow blogs as much as I would like to, but I would like to create my own so that I can share my process of creating, my ideas and my stream of thought to my shoppers/buyers and whoever wants to read about it.

What made you decide to start a shop?

 I started my shops (both HouseOfJewelry and MyLittleCritterz) because I love making items for myself, but most importantly, I wanted to be able to share them with other people. I have always loved looking on Etsy because of the great handmade or vintage items that are available. So this was a natural progression for me. I will admit that it is stressful at first because you’re not sure as a seller what people will think of your products. However, with My Little Critterz, I have gained confidence in my creations.

Significance of your shop name?

Lindsay's Hoot! The Owl Hat

My Little Critterz has two significances for me. First, the Little Critters books were my favorite children’s books growing up, so I just adapted the name a little for my shop. Secondly, I think of my hats as my little critterz, my creations that children and adults alike will fall in love with and treasure as much as I do. Someday, I will be making them for my own children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Favorite item in your shop right now?

 My favorite item right now is my Hoot! The Owl Hat. It is available in three sizes:

 Newborn/Infants 0-12 Months

Toddlers/Kids 1-10 Years

Preteens/Teens/Adults

This hat is adorable with the big eyes; it is warm and practical with the earflaps and ties and can be customized with yours or your child’s favorite colors!!

Lindsay is offering a Hoot! The Owl Hat to one of our lucky readers!  

The winner will get to choose between the Newborn/Infants 0-12 Months size or the Toddlers/Kids 1-10 Years size and will be able to choose their child’s favorite colors to customize this hat (we will email the winner a color chart to select from)!  

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry 

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from My Little Critterz is.  If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from My Little Critterz is!

Additional Entries
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from My Little Critterz is.

3. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

4. HEART  Miskabelly on Etsy (leave us a comment to let us know!)

5.  HEART My Little Critterz on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

 This contest will run until next Monday, February 7th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 

Good Luck!!

Manda &Jayme

CLOSED: First GIVEAWAY of the New Year: Six Little Hands

We're excited to be back with some amazing handmade giveaways for our readers in 2011.  We're even more excited that our first giveaway is from Six Little Hands, an all natural body products shop.

Meet Melanie of Six Little Hands

--What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?

I am a wife to an amazing husband and mommy to three beautiful girls.  My husband and I have been married for 13 years, and our girls are 7 years, 5 years, & 9 months old.  I had a life in molecular biology research for years before having children, but I enjoy being with them so much that I no longer work outside of the home.  I stay home with the girls and home school our two older girls.  We have so much fun getting to travel around and play in Southern California!

--Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.

Intuitive, introverted, compassionate (my husband’s words)

--Winter piece you can’t live without:

My jeans (any of them)

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:

This cute, lace dress that I love to wear over my jeans

 --Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?

I love to bake.  Cookies are my favorite.

--Any pet peeves?

Mean people (it’s the first thing that comes to mind)

--Bad habits?

Staying up way too late and over-extending myself

--Desert-island food?

Any and all sweets, no question about it!

--Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:

Ooooh, I love all kinds of music.  To narrow it down, I’ll go with Gatlin Elms, Sarah McLachlan, & Kenny Chesney (random, I know)

--Another blog you follow regularly (link us!):

http://www.healthhomehappy.com/

(and my own blog which I’ve slacked on since trying to get the Etsy shop up and running: http://naturallivingsimplelife.blogspot.com/) 

--What made you decide to start a shop?

I wanted to make all natural soap for our family, and at first, I thought I could just gift and sell the rest.  Then it turned into much more than soaps!

--Significance of your shop name?

I named the shop for my three little girls.  The two older ones love to help me bake, so I knew that they would love creating bath and body items (they love using them, too)!

--Favorite item in your shop right now:

That’s hard, but I’ll go with the Pure Luxury Milk Bath Salts.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66442116/10oz-all-natural-milk-bath-salts-with

Melanie is giving away a generous prize pack 
to one lucky reader!

 The Six Little Hands Giveaway Pack includes:

-Jenny's Organic Lavender sugar scrub

-Hana's Lavender Natural Castile Soap Bubble Bath

-Baby Cheeks Organic Body Butter

-Ella's Oatmeal Shea Butter Soap

-Morning Mimosa Organic Lip Balm

The items are safe for children, too.

Here's How To Enter (Multiple Chances to Win!)

Mandatory Entry 

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Six Little Hands is.  If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Six Little Hands is!

Additional Entries
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from Six Little Hands is.

3. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

4. HEART  Miskabelly on Etsy (leave us a comment to let us know!)

5.  HEART Six Little Hands on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

 This contest will run until next Monday, January 31st.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 

Good Luck!!

Manda &Jayme

 

--CLOSED--VINTAGE Feature/Giveaway: A Wild Tonic

So it's pretty obvious that both Amanda and I have got babies on the brain (her being a mama to an 8 month old and me being 8 months into my first pregnancy).   But let's not forget our other obsession...VINTAGE.  This week we're featuring a super lovely vintage shop: A Wild Tonic.

An artfully chosen selection of vintage clothes, accessories and housewares.  The curator/owner, Lauren, has a keen eye for detail--collecting vintage shoes with unique details, quirky vintage goods for your home, classic hats with oversized accents and much much more.  With my growing baby bump in mind, I went window shopping for my faves:

LAVENDER FIELDS Purple Floral Carpet Bag:  Love the oversized button and suede flap on this ultra-pretty bag.                         

CLASSIC GRUNGE Black and Orange Floral Dress :  Add some Doc Martens and you have grunge revival perfection.  (And roomy enough for a baby belly!)

FOXY LADY 1960s Brown Cut Out Wedges: I have never seen anything like these shoes!  The cut out wedge (lined in gold!) and chain detail speak for themselves.

Let's get to know Lauren of A Wild Tonic:

What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?
I live in central New Jersey with my folks and my sister. I sometimes feel like a freeloader but my family is awesome and it works out really well. My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half. He’s really very supportive of my Etsy endeavors and is always encouraging me, helping with photography, taking trips with me to shop, and way more. I’m really thankful to have him around. I work full-time at a photography company, which is way more stressful that you’d think (seriously). I enjoy my job although it’s hectic—how could you not love looking at pictures of smiling kids all day? It’s impossible.

Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.

Genial, spirited, hungry. First two from my boyfriend, last one from me. ;)

Fall piece you can’t live without: Leather boots, without a doubt! I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of tall riding boots for seemingly ever. Hopefully, I’ll find a pair soon.

Most recent fashion-related purchase: “The Handmade Marketplace” by Kari Chapin—an amazing read.

Any pet peeves?

I hate when people talk in superlatives. Like, “Oh, you ALWAYS say things like that,” or “He NEVER does that.” You are technically lying, if you think about it.

Bad habits?

Talking in superlatives. Haha!

Desert-island food?

Pizza, hands down.

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:

Neko Case, Nicki Minaj, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. I’m weird.

Another blog you follow regularly:

I love Huzzah Vintage’s blog because there’s always amazing content. http://huzzahvintage.blogspot.com/

What made you decide to start a shop?

After I graduated college, I realized that I had a lot of “things” that I didn’t necessarily use anymore. I started to sell some of it at yard sales and on eBay. One day it hit me that I should sell my thrift store finds on Etsy. I started shooting and listing, created a blog and a Twitter account, and before I knew it, some of my old favorites became new favorites to my buyers! It was a win-win!

Significance of your shop name?

A Wild Tonic comes from a line in “The Great Gatsby.” I thought it would make an interesting name for a vintage shop.

"
The exhilarating ripple of her voice was a wild tonic in the rain."

Favorite item in your shop right now?

Probably the Vintage GEOMETRIC Grey and Brown Heels (http://www.etsy.com/listing/61757017/vintage-geometric-grey-and-brown-heels). I love them but they are just a little bit too small on me.  : (

*To get to know more about Lauren, check out her blog:
http://www.awildtonic.blogspot.com

or to get quick links to her shop, blog, and twitter:

http://flavors.me/awildtonic

Loving what you're seeing?  Well readers, it's your lucky day!  Lauren is offering 15% off your purchase at her shop for all our readers!  Just use the code "MISKABELLY" and you will be refunded via paypal once you make your purchase.
AND  there is a $20 gift certificate to A Wild Tonic up for grabs, to one lucky Miskabelly reader!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from A Wild Tonic is.
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from A Wild Tonic is.

3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from A Wild Tonic is!

4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet  go for it!).  This contest will run through next Sunday, November 21st.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme 

CLOSED: Handmade Feature/Giveaway: A.O.kay Designs

This week we would like to introduce you to a lovely little etsy shop--with crocheted baby goodies (we're talking tiny hats and hair accessories too cute for words) and embellished onesies (I'm obsessed with this green and pink tree with contrast stitching!).  The shop is called A.O. kay Designs and the owner/designer is Crystal--a stay at home mom of two.

Let's get to know a little more about Crystal:

What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?

I’m a stay at home mommy of two adorable little girls, Aubrey 5 and Olivia 2.  They keep me busy all day long.  We play, learn, and make lots of messes.  When I’m not busy with them I try and sneak in some cooking, cleaning, and anything else I need to get done.  I’ve been married to the sweetest guy for over 6 years.   We just moved back to our home town and are loving the small town life. 

Describe yourself in three words.

Crafty, easy going, and caring

Fall piece you can’t live without: my brown sweater.  I love it.

Most recent fashion-related purchase: new jeans.  I was in desperate need.

 Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?

Absolutely!  I love all types of crafts and share them on my blog www.crystalscraftspot.blogspot.com.

Any pet peeves? Most of my pet peeves come from driving like not people not using a blinker, or driving to close.

Bad habits? I’m easily distracted.   I have so many unfinished projects because a new idea comes and I have to start it right away.  Also our house suffers because of this as well.  You always know when I finished something because our house looks like a tornado hit. 

Desert-island food? I can’t live without pizza and Reeses peanut butter cups.

Another blog you follow regularly:

There are so many!  My favorite is probably Sumo’s Sweet Stuff   http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com.  She crafts for her two little girls so it’s perfect for me.

What made you decide to start a shop?

I’ve been blogging for the last year and have been thinking about opening my own shop for a while.  Since we moved back home we are trying to save up as much money to build a house.  It seemed like the perfect time.  I am hoping to help out with the saving a bit or at least cover my crafting addiction.

Significance of your shop name?

A and O come from my daughters Aubrey and Olivia.  They are the ones that inspire me to create and often spark the ideas I have for my shop.

Favorite item in your shop right now?

Probably my heart onesie.  It is so soft and sweet. 

Crystal has put together an awesome prize, with some super cute things from her shop!  Enter for your chance to win: red crocheted leggings, a red rosette hair clip AND $20 to spend as you please at A.O.kay!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from A.O.kay Designs is.
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from  A.O.kay Designs is.

3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from A.O.kay Designs is!

4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet  go for it!).  This contest will run through next Sunday, November 14th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme 

CLOSED. Handmade Feature/Giveaway: Blossom and Grow

This giveaway is now closed! Stay tuned for the winner and for another amazing giveaway later this week! xo

This week we are featuring the super cute etsy shop-Blossom and Grow--full of adorable bibs and matching burp cloths.  These aren't just any bibs and burp cloths though, the designer/owner behind Blossom and Grow, Kathryn, has a keen eye for details.  We love the mod/vintage feel of her fabric choices, contrast stitching, terry cloth backing, and fun button closures on the bibs.  

Let's get to know a little bit more about Kathryn:

Kathryn with daughter, Emma

What does your life outside of Etsy look like?  Well, I am a new mom!   Our daughter Emma Kate is 8 months old.  My husband Josh and I have been married for almost four years now.   I work part-time from home doing the advertising for a local garden center.    My mom lives ten minutes away so I take Emma to see grandma quite a bit.  My mom is an incredible seamstress and has begun to teach me how to sew.   So being a mommy and sewing are my new adventures right now and I am loving it!

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, Easy-Going, Restless-I can’t sit still for to long.   

Fall piece you can’t live without:  Snuggly Sweaters…   

Most recent fashion-related purchase:  Skinny jeans.  I am venturing out.  I never liked them but recently decided they aren’t so bad…

Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop? 

Not too much..  I really enjoy photography so I guess you could say that is making something.  I do like to bake but haven’t had much time to do that lately.  I am always up for trying new crafty things though…

Any pet peeves?  Moodiness.  I like people and my surroundings to be happy. : )

Bad habits?  Forgetting to eat, then half way through the day I feel horrible….

Desert-island food?  Pizza..

Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:  Don’t really have too many specifics.  Country is my favorite but I’ll listen to just about anything..

What made you decide to start a shop?  Well I’m not working as much as I use to so I thought a little extra cash wouldn’t hurt anything.  I love sewing so I have made all these bibs and burp cloths and Emma can only wear so many bibs. : )  And it’s relaxing for me.  I was looking for a hobby that I enjoy and can relax doing and sewing is that hobby.

Significance of your shop name:  I’m not really sure how I came up with it.  I love plants and flowers so that’s kind of were blossom came from and I just thought how fast Emma is growing and thought grow fit well with blossom.  When I put the two together I thought it made a cute name for a baby shop.

Favorite item in your shop right now?  Zebra Print Bib and Burp Cloth Set

Loving these super adorable designs from Blossom and Grow?  Enter for your chance to win one of their signature bib and burp cloth sets!  In honor of November--and Thanksgiving being right around the corner--Kathryn has designed a "Gobble Gobble" set that would be PERFECT for your little one to wear on Turkey Day!

Here's how to enter:

1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Blossom and Grow is.
2. Follow Miskabelly (@miskabelly) on twitter…and again, just a quick comment to let us know you did (with your twitter user name) and share what your favorite item from Blossom and Grow is.
3. If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item from Blossom and Grow is!
4. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!

Multiple entries are allowed (if you want to follow the blog, AND our twitter AND re-tweet AND vote for us, go for it!).  This contest will run through next Sunday, November 7th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 


Good Luck!!

Manda & Jayme