Monday, September 28, 2009

Peanut Creations

And the Winner Is:

Jacky!
Congratulations!


Peanuts Creations is an amazing crocheting shop on Etsy. I just love crocheted hats & dishcloths, and Karen has a wonderful assortment of both! She also has bags, headbands, items for infants, and more. This is a "MUST SEE" shop! Karen also has a BLOG, and her husband also has an amazing wood shop on Etsy, My Wood Butcher. Let's learn a little more about Karen, then it's on to the Give Away!!


My name is Karen and I'm from a little country town called Bloomsburg located in northeast PA. My grandmother taught me to crochet and knit when I was a very young girl and I have loved it ever since. I named my shop 'Peanuts Creations' after my Mom, whose nickname growing up was Peanut and it was her mother who taught me.


I have a spare bedroom that I use as an office/craft area. It is a cozy room with great wallpaper, windows and lots of storage! I have just about everything I need in there... computer, my huge yarn stash and a very comfy chair to sit and crochet in!

I find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes from colors, smells, the time of year, etc... I love crocheting just about anything but I guess my favorite is hats. I often look at someone and think to myself 'they would look great in this type of hat'!


I don't work a regular desk job anymore. About 5 years ago, I quit and started selling products at fairs, expos, shows, malls, etc... I also sell my handmade items along with my husband's handcrafted wood items. And even though this past year has been really rough due to the economy, I wouldn't change a thing and don't think I could ever go back to a 'regular job' again!

NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!
This handmade crochet set of washcloths/dishcloths is made from 100% cotton yarn. They are durable and washable. Use in the kitchen or use in the bathroom...they are great for washing your face and even for baby!
The winner will get: one round flower shaped cloth, one 6" square and one 9" square (approx) (their color choice from Karen's shop)


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Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away.
Please fill out a SEPARATE form for each Entry!

* For the first entry - Go to: Peanut Creations
Pick your favorite item and come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry - blog about the give away, and leave a link.
* 1 extra entry -
grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry -
twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
You can twitter this:

@audreyscrafts Win a set of Hand Crocheted dishcloths from Peanut Creations http://bit.ly/158I7o

*1 extra entry
for each of my other give aways you enter - just comment telling me which one you entered.
* 5 extra entries -
purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.

This contest is now Closed!!



The draw will take place on: October 16, 10PM Central
This Give Away is Open to Everyone Worldwide!
Good Luck Everyone!!


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Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!


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Friday, September 25, 2009

Serendipity Soap Works

After 349 Entries - Random.Org has picked #95 as the winner!

Congratulations Linda!!


I absolutely LOVE handmade soap!!
Serendipity Soap Works has the most amazing looking soap and beautiful packaging. They also carry lip balm, bath bombs, bath salts, lotion bars, and bubbling bath cupcakes. Erin is offering a wonderful assortment of products from her shop as the Give Away, but first we have to learn more about Erin and her soap!


How did you decide on your shop name?
Honestly, we have just always loved that word..Serendipity, and we thought it would be a fun and catchy name for our business.

When did you start making soap?
We have been in the soap making business for about 2 years now, ever since we moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where my husband is stationed at Peterson AFB.

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I actually love to cross stitch. I'm working on a coffee espresso themed one right now.

What or who inspires you?
I find inspiration in being able to create something with just a few simple ingredients, and turning it into a product that is healthy for your skin. You can have so much fun with all the different scents out there, and you can design it however you want, and just really have fun with it.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I love the soap making. No pun intended there. I really didn't know what I was putting on my skin when I used store bought soap. But since I've been in the soap making business, I have been able to pick and choose what I put on my skin, and I have the knowledge now to be more aware of the types of ingredients that go into a quality bar of soap.

Where do you live?
Growing up Military and actually being prior enlisted, I have lived all over. But I would have to say that I did most of my growing up in Mississippi. I am very far from Mississippi, and if there's one thing I don't miss, that is the humidity. It can get extremely hot with 100% humidity.


Can you explain a little about your packaging?
Our packaging look is more for the spa environment…it’s kind of fancy, but we use mostly the same ingredients and a lot of the same scents as other soapers. And we sell our products for almost the same price as other soapers.

NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!


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Erin is going to be sending one luck person the following products from her shop, and the winner get to pick the scents:
1 - bath bomb
1 - 4oz. bath salt
1 - lip balm
1 - soap


Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away.
Please fill out a SEPARATE form for each comment for each Entry!

* For the first entry - Go to:
Serendipity Soap Works
Pick your favorite item and come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry - blog about the give away, and leave a link.
* 1 extra entry - grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry - twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
You can twitter this:

@audreyscrafts Win Bath & Body Products:
http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/09/serendipity-soap-works.html

*1 extra entry for each of my other give aways you enter - just comment telling me which one you entered.
* 5 extra entries - purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.

This Give Away is Closed!! Thanks to Everyone Who Entered!!


The draw will take place on: October 9 at 10PM Central Time
Good Luck Everyone!!


***********************************************

Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!

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Friday, September 11, 2009

The Glass Willow

We have a winner! After 317 entries, Random Org has picked #302!

Congratulations to:
Kimberly, the Drama Queens Mum!!


The Glass Willow is a beautiful jewelry shop! Jaime has everything from earrings, bracelets to necklaces. Here items are totally unique and wonderful!! She has had her shop on Etsy since May of this year. Jamie was born and raised in North Texas.

How did you decide on your shop name?
I wanted it to be something unique and fairly easy to remember, I think I have achieved that with my odd little name.

When did you start crafting?
For as long as I can remember I have been crafting in one form or another, I could never find the exact kind of jewelry that I wanted at the local stores so I would just put together pieces that I liked, and was always complimented on them. Till I eventually just made them completely on my own.

Where do you craft?
I have a craft room in the works at this moment. Lots of tupperware and boxes every where filled with beads and all kinds of findings. My husband is building a fabulous wall station that has tons of storage for all my little things.



NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!

Jamie will be sending one lucky winner a pair of the Birds of a Feather earrings, in the color of their choice: Silver, Antiqued Brass, or the Gold. (click on the color to see what they look like, antique brass is pictured)

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Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away.
Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each Entry!

* For the first entry - Go to: The Glass Willow
Pick your favorite item and
come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry -
blog about the give away, and leave a link.
* 1 extra entry -
grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry -
twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
You can twitter this:

@audreyscrafts: Win these adorable bird earrings:
http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/09/glass-willow.html

*1 extra entry for each of my other give aways you enter - just comment telling me which one you entered.
* 5 extra entries - purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.

CONTEST IS CLOSED!
THANK-YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

The draw will take place on: October 2 at 10PM Central Time
Good Luck Everyone!!


***********************************************


Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!
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Inventing Liz Give Away

And the Winner is:

Jessica J.
Congratulations!!

Thank-you to everyone who entered!!

Photo's By Inventing Liz is an amazing photography shop. I wish I was able to take photo's this wonderful! Liz has had her shop on Etsy since February. She is originally from New York, grew up in Brooklyn, but now lives in the Boston area. Liz's shop also has cards and collages. Before we get to the give away - we must learn more about Liz and what she does.



How did you decide on your shop name?
My shop name, Inventing Liz, comes from the name of my blog - Inventing My Life. When I turned 40 in 2007, I realized that I could officially call myself a grown-up, so I had better figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I set out to invent a life worth living, and I write about how I am doing that on my blog.

When did you start taking photographs? Do you carry your camera with you everywhere? How do you decide on a subject or what you want to photograph?
I bought my first digital camera last summer, partly so I could add pictures to my blog. In addition, I am in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia (also a common subject for blog posts), and I considered buying a camera part of my adoption preparation - it seemed to me you can't really be a parent, especially a first-time parent, without a camera! But since I don't yet have a child to take pictures of, I do often carry my camera with me when I am going about my daily life. I've taken a lot of photos while walking around during my lunch break at my day job, and I also frequently take photos while I am walking in the local Arboretum with my dog, Tinker.

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I feel like I still have so much to learn about photography, and also about matting and framing my photos! But lately I've also been thinking about taking some classes in drawing or painting. Sometimes I take a photo of something and have an image in my head of how I want it to look, but I can't seem to get it to turn out the way I picture it. It would be great to be able to turn some of those images into artwork with a paintbrush instead of with a camera.

What or who inspires you?
I am inspired by vibrant colors, by the beauty of nature, by the surprise of ordinary objects viewed up close, by the grit and grandeur of the urban landscape, and by the juxtapostion of things that at first seem completely opposite.

Do you have a day job?
Yes, by day I work for a local non-profit directing educational programs for adults.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I don't think I can pick a favorite, I am inspired by them all!

Where do you craft? What does your space look like? What would you love to add to it?
Right now I work on my photographs at the computer in my second bedroom, which I have been using as a home office, but in the next few months that bedroom will hopefully be occupied by my adopted child and I am going to have to rearrange the living room furniture to accommodate all my crafting supplies!

NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!
Liz is offering one lucky winner any item in her shop!! There are so many amazing photo's to choose from and cards using her wonderful flower photo's. It's going to be hard to pick a favorite! (if I could enter, and won - I would pick these cards)

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Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away.
Please fill out a SEPARATE form for each Entry!

* For the first entry - Go to: Inventing Liz
Pick your favorite item and come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry - blog about the give away, and leave a link.
* 1 extra entry - grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry - twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
You can twitter this:

@audreyscrafts Win Your Item Choice from Inventing Liz:
http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/09/inventing-liz.html


*1 extra entry for each of my other give aways you enter - just comment telling me which one you entered.
* 5 extra entries - purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.

The draw will take place on: Sept 25 at 10PM Central
Good Luck Everyone!!


***********************************************

Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Latherati Soaps Give Away

Thank-you to everyone who entered!!
There were 281 entries, and Random.org picked #242 as the winner!
Congratulations goes to Kirby!!


L
atherati Soap is a wonderful shop on Etsy. I have actually purchased a Soap (Prairie) and a Lip Luster (Queen Bee) from this shop!! As many of you may/may not know - I am addicted to handmade soap and lip balms. These are truly amazing!! The soap smells wonderful, lathers well, and lasts a long time. The lip balm is perfect - not to soft, not to hard. Julie has had her shop on Etsy since, May and resides in Rome, NY. She also has a wonderful BLOG. Before we get to the wonderful give away prize - let's learn a bit more about Julie and her soap!!


How did you decide on your shop name?
The etsy forums! I originally had other names picked out, but I asked people's opinions in the forums and eventually, settled on this one. I love it!

When did you start making soap and why?
I started making soap about 10 years ago. I was intrigued by the process and the more I read, the more I wanted to learn. I've been happily soaping ever since.

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I can't have idle hands so I've tried many different crafts. I would love to learn how to metal smith and pottery.

Where do you craft?
Half of my living room is set up as a studio where all my supplies, bookkeeping, etc., is kept but the soapmaking happens in my kitchen. Yes, I lug my 50 lb. pails of oils to the kitchen, measure them out, then drag them back. I get a good workout at least ;-) I have my work table where I do all my labeling and packing of orders. I have shelves where the soap cures and other shelves for packaged products. Whenever I need a break, I swivel over to the piano (also in the "studio") and play a few.

What would you like to add to your space?
I'd love a separate kitchen/studio all in one room with a separate table to labeling, a separate table for packaging...and I'd really love it to be more organized, although, often I work best under chaos ;-)

What or who inspires you?
Books definitely inspire me. I have a keen sense of what a story "smells" like ;-)

Do you have a day job?
I'm a sock picker-upper, a taxi driver, a snack preparer, a band-aid applier, a quarrel settler...aka, mom

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
Whatever soap I'm making is always my favorite but then new books are read and I'm inspired again.


NOW FOR THE GIVE AWAY!

Julie is giving one lucky winner 2 Bars of Soap and a Dry Oil Body Spray, in their choice of scent!!

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Here are the Rules to enter the Give Away.
Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each Entry!


* For the first entry - Go to: Latherati Soap
Pick your favorite item and come back here with the link.
* 1 extra entry - blog about the give away, and leave a link.
* 1 extra entry - grab my button on the sidebar and add it to your blog, let me know
* 1 extra entry - twitter about this contest with a link, let me know where
You can twitter this:

RT @audreyscrafts Win 2 Bars of Soap and a Dry Oil Body Spray:
http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/09/latherati-soaps-give-away.html


*1 extra entry for each of my other give aways you enter - just comment telling me which one you entered.
* 5 extra entries - purchase something from the shop - leave me a comment telling me what you purchased and a link to the invoice.


This Give Away is CLOSED!!

The draw will take place on: Sept 18 at 10pm
Good Luck Everyone!!


***********************************************


Audrey's Country Crafts is in no way responsible for the mailing of the prize. After the name is drawn I will contact that person. They have 3 days to respond before another name will be picked! The name and address will be forwarded.
Thank-you for entering!!

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