Ack! Where Have I Been...? Hey Cool! - I Got an Award and Oh...Let's do a Giveaway!

Sorry - I've been MIA the last few weeks! It's been soooo busy here with the Holiday and all. I also interviewed for a new position - that went really well (still waiting to hear). Things at work are really picking up with the end of the semester. Speaking of the end of the semester - I presented my second term paper last night - also went really well. It was on Kabbalah - so interesting and extremely complicated. I was really drawn to the aspect of looking inside yourself to unite with divine thought. In many ways I found it similar to Kundalini Yoga in theory...but that's another paper.

Anyway, I wanted to give a shout out to a few of my blogger buddies! A couple weeks ago I received a Blogger Award! It's one of those tag and pass awards where those nominated then in turn nominate a number of their favorite blogs. I'm just giddy that I was included! So Thanks to Izile and Janz Crystalz!

Well, the award has set of rules too.. here it is...
The rules of the award state that you must post it on your blog together with the name of the person who granted you this award and a link to his/her blog.
Pass the award on to 15 other blogs you have recently discovered and think are great!
Remember to contact the bloggers you’ve awarded to let them know they have been chosen.

Three Fates Design Such a big heart and true animal lover

Lenox Knits Great colorful work and shares her life with her readers

Izile's Oddities Blog stalker and funny lady - I bet we would have serious fun if we met in person
Janz's Crystalz Beautiful Blog to visit and fellow blog stalker

Split Rock Ranch Goregous Fiber Artistry and a sweet soul

Daisy the Curly Cat The Hilarious Hijinx of Daisy and Harley

January Wish Wonderful work and very funny - been know to make me LOL!

The Graphics Fairy Provides an amazing Vintage Image a Day - Thanks for keeping the Vintage alive!

Just Something I Made Also a fab supporter of the Vintage and such creative projects

Lillyella Great Artist Spotlights, Giveaways, Tips and amazing mentor!

Ruth's Creations A loyal blog stalker - Thanks for your consistent visits!

Sagittarius Gallery Truly a talented and inspiring artist

Knock Knocking Fabulous blog to visit if you adore color - especially pastels :)

My Gypsy Goods Loyal blog stalker and great money saving tips

The Queen Speaks Shares wonderful stories of her family, artistry and discoveries

Take some time and check out these Fun and Artistic Bloggers!

Oh...Let's do a Giveaway!

To celebrate the end of the semester and gee...just life in general, lets' do a giveaway! I'd like to know what you like (or don't) about my blog, what you would like to see more of, or if there is something else you would like to see. So, please leave me a comment and let me know before 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Friday, December 11! The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Sunday, December 13. The winner will get their choice of one pair of any of the Vintage Ad Earrings in my shop. So, leave a comment (and an email to contact you if you win) and good luck!!

And the Winner is....

Thanks to everyone that entered and all the wonderful stories you shared. And a special thanks to Diane of Pixiebell Elfinwear for participating in our Artisan Chat and offering such a awesome giveaway!

Come See...What Art-Is-In {Artisan} Chat and Giveaway!

Welcome to the second installment of Come see...What Art-Is-In {Artisan} Chat and Giveaway! I discovered Diane from Pixiebell Elfinwear when I was lucky enough to win the April Flowers contest on byhand.me. When I opened the box of goodies, I put on that hat and wore it all night! And secretly...just a little bit of me looks forward the upcoming cool days so I can don it again!


So, without further adieu, on with the chat!



Where can we find your work?
You my find my work on etsy, artfire, 1000markets and in some select boutiques around the US.

{cloche hats on display in Bento Honesdale, Pennsylvania}

What inspired the name Pixiebell?
Several years ago I belonged to a chatroom and had wanted to use the name Pixie, but it was already taken. Elfin, Gnome, Faerie...all taken. Tinkerbell and even Stinkerbell were taken, so I tried on last ditch effort with pixiebell and got it. There really is no story behind the name, I just have always liked mythical type creatures. it is just sheer coincidence that I would, years later, come to knit pixie and elfin style hoods.



What type of environment do you create in?
I'd love to tell you about some vast and glorious studio that I create in, but I really do most of my work in my living room, on the couch with my family, watching movies. I even considered naming my hats in the same style that "Friends" episodes are named. "The Beret I Knit While Watching 'Practical Magic' " or "I Did My Best Not To Cry On This Hood While Watching 'The Notebook'." Some day there will be a studio, but I imagine I will still be sitting on the couch, watching movies.



What inspires you?

I grew up in Vermont, knitwear was essential! I remember discovering my mother's collection of scarves and hats on an upper shelf in a closet one year. I borrowed a long dark blue plaid scarf and a hat in the colours of cole slaw that winter. Keep in mind, I was 11 or something and proper colour combinations were an afterthought. It was nice having something different than what all the other kids were wearing. I felt special.


I grew up and we moved away, but I never lost that want for something cozy. I find my inspiration in the fantasy of still being a kid getting ready to go race down a hill on a toboggan. I still hope to look up in a closet and find big woolen hats, just a little oversized.

{photo credit: Cassidy Jean}

I live in Florida now and although we very rarely require warm knitted hats, I believe I have come to fulfill the comfort I seek, in making these hats. Perhaps I even live vicariously thru them. Parts of me are scattered all over the world, seeing the sights, squealing with delight over the first fallen snow of the season, breathing the crisp mountain air again. It's the next best thing to actually being there.




Do you use social networking? How has it worked for you?
I love to Tweet! I have found Twitter to be an amazing way to connect with other artisans and people of similar interests. I love being able to share funny little moments without much effort. I love reading and interacting with my friends and followers and getting instant reactions to new ideas and shop listings. I am http://twitter.com/elfinwear if you would like to follow along.

{photo credit: Cassidy Jean}

What do you look forward to?

I look forward to the hustle of the fall and winter seasons. I love that feeling that productivity brings. I look forward to being the hand behind creations that will turn into gifts at the holidays.


Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your thoughts Diane!


And now, on to the giveaway! As a special treat Diane is offering this adorable fuzzy blue beret! You can enter to win by visiting Diane at her Etsy, Artfire or 1000Markets Pixiebell shop and leave a comment here with a link to your favorite item. Want to enter again? Follow Diane or me on Twitter. One more time? Tell us about your favorite hat or scarf and why it was special to you. Make sure to leave your email or add it to your profile so I can contact you if you win! Giveaway will end on Friday, September 25th at 9:00 pm (EST) and the randomly chosen winner will be announced on the evening of Sunday, September 27.

Good Luck and Thanks for Joining us!

Simple Beauties Giveaway

I've been a bit out of touch the past few days - my husband and I had some family come into town - including our young niece and nephew (4 and 5). They had an absolute blast - we live on the coast and they live in the Midwest. They loved the ocean and we spent hour after hour there looking for shells and feeling the waves crash against us. They were able experience things here they hadn't before and we were able to share that experience and create some family memories.

The magic simplicity of the family vacation.

I started thinking about the vacations my family took when I was a child. Every year we went to the UP to visit my grandparents - which was great! One year we took a camping trip with them to Copper Harbor. This was such a fun trip - I remember thinking it seemed so far away and how cool it was to travel with them - my parents and I had a "three man tent" (which we all know is really for one) and the grandparents were in a camper - which I thought was just the coolest thing! The trip was jam-packed - we toured lighthouses and mines, hunted for fossils and copper (found some too), when to tourist trap souvenir shops and bought postcards and tee shirts. It was a fun trip and definitely created some lasting memories. Thinking about this trip reminded me how exciting it was to find those glimmers of the copper we hunted - the simple beauty.

So now it's time for the giveaway! Leave me a comment with a few lines about your magic family vacation or share the simple beauty you find in your family and enter to win your choice of my new Simple Beauties line of jewelry.

Want to enter more than once?

1. Feel free to share as many stories as you like - You receive one entry for each tale you share.

2. Or for an additional entry, visit my shop and tell me what you like best or what you would like to see more of.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Remember, you can always sign up to find out about giveaways and sales by joining my mailing list.

Giveaway will run until 9:00 pm (est) Saturday, August 8 and the winner randomly chosen and announced the evening of Sunday, August 9.

Have fun reminiscing!

My Dad is so Cool!

We all know our dad is the coolest and here's a chance to share why! Leave me a few lines about why your dad is so cool and enter to win this brass wire wrapped, green aventurine pendant.

Here's mine: My dad is soooo cool...when I was a kid, we would do camp outs in the backyard (or in front of the fireplace if the weather was bad). We would set up the tent and get the sleeping bags, eat junk food, and here's the best part, we would listen to old radio plays all night. My favorite was always The Shadow.

Share your My dad is so Cool story and enter to win this pendant, which would look wonderful either on an simple chain or incorporated in a hemp necklace. Pendant measures 1" from the bottom of the bail and 1/2" across at the widest point (sorry chain is not included).

Have more than one story? You can enter once a day with a different story.

Want to enter again? Either tweet this giveaway or follow my blog and leave a comment with the tweet link or "follow."

One more time? Visit my etsy shop and tell me your favorite piece.

Giveaway will run until 9:00pm on Friday, June 19 and the randomly picked winner will be announced on the evening of Sunday, June 21. Please be sure to leave an email address so I may contact you if you win!

Have fun remembering and thank you for sharing!

My Mother's Jewelry Winner Announced!

Thank you to everyone that entered! You all shared such beautiful stories about your memories. In addition to this blog post, I also posted it on byhand.me. So, in order to pick the winner, I combined all entries and assigned each entry a number in the order they were received. The winning number was then selected via Random.org.

So, without further adieu...Congratulations to greeneginger!




Thanks again to all the participants and stay tuned for my next giveaway that will be posted on the evening of Tuesday, May 26.

My mother's jewelry

Is there a piece of jewelry that always makes you think of your mother? Is it something she wore often? My mom had some fun, fabulous jewelry when I was growing up. The one I remember most is the ladybug necklace. I thought it was sooo cool that if you pushed the button, the wings opened and revealed...a watch! I remember the giddiness I felt when I knew she would let me push the button. It was like waiting for the coo-coo to come out of the clock.

I've included an image to give you the idea...but it's not the giveaway! :)

Leave me a few lines about your mother's jewelry that you remember and it will enter you to win these sterling silver and shell flower earrings. Enter a second time by tweeting about this giveaway and leave the link of your tweet. If you want to enter a third time, just visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment telling me your favorite piece. Make sure to leave me a way to contact you if you win!

Share your story about your mother's jewelry! Giveaway will run until Friday, May 22 9:00 pm (EST). The winner will be chosen at random and posted on the evening of Sunday, May 25. Earrings dangle 1 and 1/4" from the bottom of the ear wire.