Giveaway: Vintage Pendleton Blanket

We are so happy with our new blog design, and we're so thrilled at all the wonderful things coming our way.  As a way to say thank you to our readers and friends, we wanted to do something really special.

We are so, so excited to bring you this giveaway.  It's the perfect time of year for one of these...I own two and they are among my prize vintage possessions.  

So without further ado, how would you like to make this baby yours?

Isn't she beautiful?  A queen-size 1970s-era Beaver State woolen blanket in dark turquoise, tan, red, and yellow. All you have to do to enter is be a follower of our (now very beautiful!) blog, but you can increase your chances of winning by tweeting, etc.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck...and thank you again for all the support and love!

xo,
J&A

Giveaway: Salvaged Love Jewelry

Not sure if you've noticed the lovely little ad on our sidebar for Salvaged Love Jewelry, but you definitely need to check out this shop.  The designer/owner, Claire, takes old things and makes them new again...in a lovely and creative way.  She is certainly a girl after our vintage/eco-friendly-loving hearts!

If you would like some Salvaged Love for your very own, today is your lucky day!  Claire is giving away a pair of her signature vintage bead and feather earrings, a $36 value.  Here's how you can enter for your chance to get your hands on these beauties:

This giveaway is only open to our dear blog followers--but no worries, you can follow now and be eligible to enter (it gets you an additional entry too)!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CLOSED. Interview and Giveaway: Pigeon Paperie

Thank you to everyone who entered!  Winner will be drawn Monday, April 25th!  Have a great weekend.

xo

We stumbled across this beautiful shop on Etsy and wanted to share it with our readers.  Christina, owner and designer of Pigeon Paperie, is as lovely as the paper things she creates!

Meet Christina

Christina + Owls (such a cool photo!)

--What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like (career, family, love, whatever you want to share!)?
I am a newly married woman who lives in the suburbs of Chicago with my husband, and crabby old cat that we love. Currently, my life outside of Etsy is quite busy. I work full time as a junior high art teacher.  I am also working on a master’s degree in instructional leadership.  On Thursday afternoons, I teach a fashion illustration class at an art league.  So, needless to say my days can be quite long, and my blog has definitely suffered as a result of this. 

That being said, I will be done with graduate classes for the most part in May. The school year will end in early June, and I will have the summer to devote time to my art and design work and other goodies like cooking and going to the Chicago Botanic Garden.

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

--Spring piece you can’t live without:
No matter what time of year it is, I cannot live without cardigans.  Cardigans are my beloved fashion staple, I rarely find myself without one.

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:
A gray and white striped short sleeved fitted shirt.  It makes me feel like it is summer and I should be on a sailboat.

 --Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?
Well, I have two shops.  One is my personalized stationery design work (Pigeon Paperie) the other is my fine art shop (Pigeon Print Shop), where I have paintings, prints, collages, and photography.  I’ve been at a stand still with my artwork as work and graduate school has gotten the best of me lately, but I have many ideas running through my head ready for the moment that I have some time.

--Bad habits?
I watch way too many shows on Hulu.com…we don’t have a television, but I seem to make up for it with my incessant show watching on my computer.

--Desert-island food?
Peanut butter, avocados, my husband’s pizza and his veggie sushi

--Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:
Belle and Sebastian, Radiohead, David Bowie

--Another blog you follow regularly (link us!):
Michele Maule’s Blog (etsy artist):
http://www.how2drawacupofcoffee.blogspot.com/
Apartment Therapy:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/Chicago

--What made you decide to start a shop?
I started my paper goods and stationery shop because I have always loved good old-fashioned correspondence and letter writing.  I collect postcards and note cards everywhere I go.  It became a reality more and more as I was planning the invitations and paper goods for my wedding.  Many of my friends and family told me that I should create things for other people…and so Pigeon Paperie was born.  Someday in the next year or so, I hope to also have some of my wedding invitation designs available in my shop.

--Significance of your shop name?
Pigeonpaperie came about from my love for pigeons-an odd love, I know.  Pigeons, like them or not, have been a part of human society for ages.  They are like an uninvited companion, with me whether I am strolling the streets of Chicago, or wandering around Paris (this is sadly a rarer occurrence for me).

--Favorite item in your shop right now (link us!)
Personalized Stationery Note Cards Spring Time Butterfly Blue, Brown, and Yellow - Set of 8
http://www.etsy.com/listing/68482312/personalized-stationery-note-cards

Christina is sponsoring a giveaway for our lucky blog readers!

Personalized Classic Simple Kraft Brown Address Labels Set of 36

Label Set Description:  

Add a cute, organic feel to your letters with these 2-inch by 1-inch address labels. Your name(s) and address is printed on brown kraft label paper, and each label is hand punched to create the classic simple border. The kraft brown paper looks great against colored envelopes and is made from 100% recycled, post consumer waste.These stickers will arrive in a cute little cello bag ready to stick to your correspondence. These make great return address labels and also great labels to adhere to your wedding RSVP envelopes.

All designs in Pigeon Paperie start with a good old-fashioned drawing before design work is done on the computer. Labels are printed using professional grade Epson Ultrachrome Inks. 

It's been a while, so here's a refresher on

HOW TO ENTER:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

1.  Become a follower of the Miskabelle blog and in a comment, tell us what your favorite item from Pigeon Paperie is! (If you already follow the blog, just leave a comment with your favorite Pigeon Paperie item!)

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2.  Follow us on Twitter (@miskabelle) (New followers only...leave a comment to let us know!)

3.  Heart Pigeon Paperie on Etsy. (leave a comment)

4.  Heart Miskabelle on Etsy. (leave a comment)

5.  Re-tweet this giveaway once it's been tweeted (leave a comment).

6.  Post this giveaway to your blog or FB page (leave a comment w/ link).

This giveaway ends Friday, April 22nd!  Good luck!

CLOSED. Interview and Giveaway: ScavengerJo

This is one of my favorite giveaways ever.  I saw Jody's work on my sister-in-law's FB page (they're close friends), and I knew right then and there that I wanted to feature her on the blog.  Jody is a talented and hardworking New York City girl and I can't wait for you get to know a little more about her and to have a chance at her giveaway!

Meet Jody, Artist and Designer of ScavengerJo

Jody, working on a client

--What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?
Life is a jigsaw puzzle. Both my husband and I freelance: I'm a makeup artist  and he is an actor. Fortunately, he has a part-time day-job that pays the mortgage, but we otherwise are always working to land the next film or show or shoot. Wish me luck!

--Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words. Silly sometimes,  irreverent most of the time and short all of the time.

--Spring piece you can’t live without:  I'm so excited to sport my kelly green corduroy coat that I picked up from an artist selling her bleach & dye embellished apparel on the streets of SoHo.

--Most recent fashion-related purchase: Brown boots with double buckles – so cute with a dress or jeans!

 --Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop? I also fancy myself something of an interior stylist - my apartment was posted on Apartment Therapy! Friends often ask me for help coordinating their living spaces. And I make pillows.

the lovely Jody w/ her handsome husband

--Desert-island food? Really? One food? Assuming I figure out how to fish on this island, I would need something to go with that...lemons? Then I could highlight my hair and avoid scurvy!

--Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of: The Black Keys, David Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald

--Another blog you follow regularly (link us!): Design Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/

--Significance of your shop name?  Jo, since it's my name, and Scavenger because I can't pass a dumpster without looking in it, a pile of trash without kicking around the surface junk to see what's underneath, a stoop sale or flea market without looking at every last thing. Pity my husband!

brass shield keyhole necklace

--Favorite item in your shop right now (link us!)  I'm really loving my Vintage Cast Brass Shield Keyhole Escutcheon Necklace. When I wear it I feel like a super hero – so will you!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68826587/vintage-cast-brass-sheild-keyhole

 Jody is giving one lucky reader one of her brand new ScavengerJo designs!

Description from Jody:  The item I am giving to a lucky vintage hardware jewelry lover is one of my newest necklaces: a delicate, ornate, vintage pressed brass keyhole escutcheon, rescued from a beat up old oak dresser I scavenged. It hangs from 16 inches of [new] brass chain with a chunky brass clasp. The escutcheon measures 2 1/2" x 1 1/8th". 

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry:

1. Leave a comment  letting us know what your favorite item is from ScavengerJo.

Additional Entries:

2.  Become a NEW Miskabelle blog follower....leave a comment letting us know!

3. HEART ScavengerJo on Etsy (leave a comment).

4. Become a NEW Twitter follower @miskabelle (leave a comment).

5.  Retweet or post this giveaway on a blog/FB page (leave a comment/link).

So many chances to win!  Jayme and I are very jealous once again that we can't win our own giveaways.  But we're still super thrilled to be sharing this ScavengerJo necklace with you!

Giveaway ends March 20th. Winner will be chosen through a random number generator. GOOD LUCK!

CLOSED. Interview and Giveaway: Erin House Jewelry Designs

I fell in love when I stumbled upon Erin's Etsy site--and we think you will too. She creates some of the most unique, avant-garde, yet classic jewelry, all by hand (her jewelry is the real deal).

Meet Erin of Erin House Jewelry Designs

--What does your life outside of Etsy look like?
I live in Loleta, California. It is a really small and quiet town on the North coast. I live with my partner Michael and our two dogs, Savanah and Nilla. We love to go to the beach and run around with our dogs. I have been making jewelry for about eight years. I recently graduated from Humboldt State University with a studio art degree with an emphasis in metalsmithing. I had a desk job for about a year after school and I hated it. Now I am making jewelry full time at home and I love it!

--Describe yourself (or ask someone else to do it!) in three words.
Fun, loyal and passionate
--Winter piece you can’t live without:
It rains a lot here, so it would have to be my rain coat.
--Most recent fashion-related purchase:
I just got a vintage filigree gold and garnet ring. I love vintage jewelry!
--Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?
I sew a little. Easy stuff like skirts and aprons. I also love to cook!
--Any pet peeves?
I don’t like it when people chew with their mouths open.Yuk.
--Bad habits?
Television.
--Desert-island food?
Strawberries.
--Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:
There are so many it is hard to chose only three.
Hot Chip
Steely Dan
Marcos Valle
--Another blog you follow regularly (link us!):
This is my good friend Erin Austin’s blog. She is finishing up Ring a Day (RAD) and she just started Ring a Week (RAW). Check out her work. She is so crazy awesome!
http://metalmusing.blogspot.com/
--What made you decide to start a shop?
I have done some local craft and art shows with a couple of girlfriends of mine and they both have a shop on ETSY, so it seemed like the thing to do. Also it seemed like the next logical step in getting my work out to the public. Next step is my own website.
--Significance of your shop name?
I wanted to keep it simple and use my name so it would be easy for anyone who has seen my work to find me online.Also my logo is an H with a housetop, because my last name is House.

--Favorite item in your shop right now:
I love this Malachite ring!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66357399/malachite-ring

Erin is giving way a gorgeous pair of handmade hammered disc earrings to one lucky reader!

HOW TO ENTER (same old, same old)

Mandatory Entry
1. Follow our blog! Once you become a follower, just leave a comment below, telling what your favorite item from Erin House Jewelry Designs is.  If you’re already following the blog and our twitter—simply leave a comment, telling us what your favorite item is!

Additional Entries
2. Follow Miskabelle (@miskabelle) 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 Erin House Jewelry Designs is. If you already follow us, skip this entry.
3. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!
4. HEART  Miskabelle on Etsy (leave us a comment to let us know!)
5.  HEART Erin House Jewelry Designs on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

6.  Post this giveaway to your BLOG or Facebook, and leave a comment with the link!

This contest will run until next Wednesday, February 16th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator.

Good Luck!!
Manda &Jayme

CLOSED. Interview and Giveaway: wild & free Jewelry

This week's giveaway comes from an amazing shop called wild & free Jewelry.  Not only do they have really hip and on-trend jewelry made with suede, feathers, and stones, their photos (and models) are gorgeous too.

Meet Corina of wild & free

--What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like?
Right now I’m really focused on school and hoping to transfer to a UC school next fall. Besides that, I work at a clothing boutique which feeds my addiction to shopping and fashion, usually leaving me with a nonexistent paycheck at the end of the month. Most of my friends think I need to go to shopping therapy and I don’t blame them, I definitely have a shopping problem.

I also really enjoy photography and I put a lot of time and energy into that recently, especially with the creation of my Etsy store.  I love capturing sides of people that are often difficult to see in everyday life. Face paint, antlers, feathers (obviously) and Western or Native American oriented clothing has become key aspects of my set designs lately.

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

--Winter piece you can’t live without:
At the moment I’m obsessed with Free People’s “Bullet Boot,” they’re so unique and artistic but will most likely forever remain on my wish list.
Oh, and Pendleton sweaters. I love the bright colors and designs.
(Told you I had a shopping problem).

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:
Yesterday my friend and I took a road trip to Venice Beach, California and went inside a Native American Artifact shop where we found some t-shirts with wild animal murals, I’m sure you have seen them before, the brand is Liquid Blue. Here is an example of one of our favorites:

see more at liquidblue.com

Anyways, we bought them and are going to custom cut them shorter with v-shape fringe and a wider neck.  I’m pretty excited for it.

 --Do you craft/make anything else outside of what’s in your shop?
For my photo shoots I’ve been making a lot of feather headdresses, headbands and dream catchers. I also love altering items from thrift stores as well as sketching and painting.

--Any pet peeves?
When people chew with their mouth open …  especially during class.

--Bad habits?
I tend to say “like” a lot, probably a side effect of growing up in California.

--Desert-island food?
Ugh, how do I choose?! I love all types of food. Although, if I were on a desert island I would have to say I would chose frozen yogurt.  Or maybe just a frozen yogurt machine complete with an array of toppings and tons of mochi.

--Three bands/singers you can’t get enough of:
La Roux. Santigold. Pinback.
& of course my boyfriend Ian <3.  
(I know that was four but they’re all so good I couldn’t choose!)

--Another blog you follow regularly (link us!):
I actually am not much of a blog follower, but I love your blog (MIskabelle)! Vintage and thrift store shopping is the way to go. It’s more affordable and you can often find very unique pieces that stand out, and who wants to look like everyone else anyways? Be unique, that’s what it’s all about.

--What made you decide to start a shop?
The jewelry itself started about two months ago. I had never made jewelry before but one day discovered the enormous market for feathers on Ebay and bought a ton just because I thought they were pretty. After that, my collection of feathers manifested itself into jewelry.
I first started selling my necklaces at my work, but the prices for retail have to be higher than what I believe my jewelry should sell for, so, I decided to open at Etsy store. This way I can sell directly to people and make my jewelry more affordable.

--Significance of your shop name?
Since high school I have been obsessed with Thoreau’s quote, “All things good are wild and free.” I also love the essay titled Walking that this quote originates from.
Feathers are also one of my top obsessions and have always reminded me of the beauty of nature and animals, as well as my childhood.
The significance of these two obsessions didn’t hit me until recently when I discovered the name of my line isn’t only in honor of Thoreau, but also a reminder to exercise originality and boldness through fashion and style. What we wear really reflects who we are and I try to design each item to suit a unique individual or personality in order to reinforce that belief.

--Favorite item in your shop right now:

the Alulquoy

Definitely The Alulquoy. I’ve been making tons like this recently and I think they look really different. The contrast of the chain braided with the deerskin lace really catches my eye.

The fun fact of this item is that Alulquoy is my middle name and means “dolphin” in Chumash.

It’s pronounced, (Al-uh-coy).
http://www.etsy.com/listing/66392125/the-alulquoy-feather-necklace

Corina is giving away a wild & free necklace

to one lucky blog reader!

Necklace is approximately 34" long on. ultra fiber brown suede

.Stone Arrowhead
.Malachite Chip
.Yellow Turquoise Bead
.Quartz Crystal
.Green Macaw Body Feather
.Golden Narragansett Turkey Feather

HOW TO ENTER (you know the drill!)

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

Additional Entries
2. Follow Miskabelle (@miskabelle) 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 wild & free is.
3. Once we tweet about the giveaway, you can re-tweet to gain an extra entry!
4. HEART  Miskabelle on Etsy (leave us a comment to let us know!)
5.  HEART wild & free on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

6.  Post this giveaway to your BLOG or Facebook, and leave a comment with the link!

This contest will run until next Wednesday, February 9th.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator.

Good Luck!!
Manda &Jayme

CLOSED. First Giveaway of 2011: ROUGE

We're back to share some lovely Etsy shops and goodies with our readers.  Today is sweet little shop, Rouge, which is full of pretty hairbands and clips, from floral to feathers.

Meet Erika of ROUGE

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

I work full-time with an aim to someday be able to work from home as an author/blogger or Etsy shop owner. (Etsy’s blog “I quit my day job” is my inspiration!) When I’m home, I spend time with my awesome (and very supportive) husband Evan and an crazy kamikaze Welsh Corgi puppy Nesby. (Nesby not only has endless energy, he will also eat anything, including sewing pins or any other sharp or toxic objects.) I love to read, craft, write, and attempt to cook. I’m obsessed with being thrifty yet chic and do my best to dress and decorate my home that way (Evan and I bought our first home, a 1942 bungalow in Seattle, less than a year ago.) I share the ins and outs of life on my blog honeyandhusband.com.

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

Creative, passionate, easily distracted  

--Winter piece you can’t live without:

My plaid rainboots. Cute and functional. I live in Seattle and some days the only thing getting me out to walk the puppy are those things.

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:

Does a fashion magazine count? My husband and I were just in Phoenix and I bought Marie Claire to read on the plane. Otherwise I’m trying to cut back on the other fashion-related purchases. ;)

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

I’m one of those people who see things in stores and think to myself, I can make that! So I’ll go home and attempt it. Sometimes I have success and sometimes it turns out horribly. I sew, so I hem pants, make pillows and duvet covers. I also paint furniture, make paper crafts/cards... the list goes on and on.

--Any pet peeves?

Probably too many. But the ones that really drive me nuts are people who prefer to snort their snot back into the nose rather than blowing it out into a tissue (gross visual, I know), loud smacking and eating noises (my brother loves to do this on purpose to bug me) and people who don’t work up to their full potential.

--Bad habits?

I crack my knuckles, back, neck, ankles, etc. And yes, I know, I’m going to get arthritis. Also driving too fast, or forgetting to refill the parking meter when I’m downtown.

--Desert-island food?

Chips and salsa. Honestly I think you can live off that.

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

Local Seattle band The Head and the Heart (they just got a record deal)

Ingrid Michaelson

Jason Mraz

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

Blog? I have to pick one? There are so many good ones!

My recent obsession is The House of Turquoise, http://www.houseofturquoise.com, a blog which features photos of room decor with turquoise elements. I’m in the midst of decorating my craft/guest room with ideas from here.

But I’m constantly discovering new blogs. My mom sends me great ones to follow all the time.

--What made you decide to start a shop?

I love homemade, local products. I shop farmers markets, local boutiques and of course, Etsy. I’ve also always been one to make my friends and families gifts so it seemed a natural transition to open up a shop. For a long time I couldn’t decide what I wanted my shop to feature. (Remember how I said I am easily distracted? I have lots of crafty side projects.) But what I heard from friends, coworkers and relatives overwhelmingly was that they loved my handmade feather and flower accessories. I decided that was it and a few weeks ago, Rouge opened for the first time.

--Significance of your shop name?

Two things-- my Etsy name is deuxsemaines, which is French for two weeks. In August 2009 I spend two weeks traveling France and the essence of France’s simple and chic aesthetic continues to be an inspiration. Rouge, the specific name of my shop, is French for red. I wanted to continue the French theme as well as pay homage to my natural red hair. (The color is something I’ve only recently come to terms with.)

--Favorite item in your shop right now:

I love my sunshine white flower right now because I’m obsessed with yellow and I just love the funky yellow guinea feathers paired with the sweet white. I also love that it’s on an alligator clip, which is honestly one of the best ways to wear a hair accessory. You can stick at the base of a bun or it looks great placed on the side of your head to jazz up soft waves.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66175867/sunshine-white-flower

In honor of the grand opening of her shop, Erika is giving away a headband to one lucky reader!

This marine feather headband is funky and fun and will make a great transition into brighter spring colors!

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

Additional Entries
2. Follow Miskabelle (@miskabelle) 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 Rouge 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 ROUGE on Etsy (leave us a comment again!)

 This contest will run until next Wednesday, February 2.  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator. 

Good Luck!!

Manda &Jayme

CLOSED. Interview and Giveaway: itsa whale

This giveaway is now closed.  Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway, as well as all of our other giveaways in 2010...be ready for even bigger giveaways in 2011!

Stay tuned for the winner, announced in a bit. 

 Has it really come to this? Our LAST Etsy giveaway for 2010?!  The year has really flown by...

Today, we'd like to introduce you to designer and owner Kara, of Etsy shop itsawhale.

Meet Kara of itsawhale

--What does your life outside of Etsy/blogging look like (career, family, love, whatever you want to share!)?

most of my life happens outside of etsy.  i live in a small cement floored loft in portland, oregon.  i paint daily (www.karaburke.com).  i have a dog named blue.  and a cute boyfriend named jimi.  jimi sews.

i like my life.  and i’m trying really hard not to go back to my old corporate desk job.  

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

sarcastic, sweet and crafty.

--Fall piece you can’t live without:

my brown camper boots.  and... they’re falling apart.

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:

my brand new black rain boots.  finally, after 4 years of the portland rain, i decided it was time.  how did i survive without them?

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

i make paintings.  i design stuff.  and i dream of painting big murals someday.

--Any pet peeves?

slow drivers (!!!).

--Bad habits?

dum dums.  i’ve recently become an addict to dum dums.  i even have a bowl of the rejects (mostly made up of cotton candy and bubblegum).

--Desert-island food?

vietnamese sandwiches.  i could eat ‘em for days... and i have.

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

the drums.  blonde redhead.  and broken social scene.

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

i’m not really a regular blog follower.  i know, i need to get with it : )

--What made you decide to start a shop?

i’ve always loved making jewelry and (although i’m a bit late) i’m giving the whole selling thing a try, both online and throughout town.

--Significance of your shop name?

my shop name has absolutely nothing to do with my jewelry.  i basically just have a love for whales.  and that’s why i chose it!

--Favorite item in your shop right now

hello, hollywood is one of my personal favs  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57220291/hello-hollywood

And now, the last giveaway of 2010. 

Up for grabs is a beautiful handmade piece by Kara.

 

How to win (you know the drill):

1.  Become a follower of our blog and let us know in a comment below (if you're already a follower, skip to the next step). 

2.  Visit itsawhale, and link to your favorite piece in a comment below. 

For ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

3. Follow us on twitter @miskabelle. (Let us know in the comments...if you already follow, skip to the next step.)

4.  HEART Itsawhale on Etsy...and let us know.

5.  HEART Miskabelle on Etsy...and let us know.

6. If you already follow us on Twitter, retweet this giveaway once we tweet it. (Let us know.)

7. Link this giveaway through your blog or Facebook page (and let us know in the comments too!). 

This contest will run until December 17th--one week!  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator.

GOOD LUCK!

 

CLOSED. Interview and Giveaway: Salvaged Love

This giveaway is now closed.  Please stay tuned for our next interview and giveaway beginning Friday, December 10th.  Thank you to everyone who entered!  Winner announcement coming later today.

This week we're excited to share with you another great shop with a great name.  And even better, this gal is representing the great state of VA (my home!) I fell in love with her items one day while "pounce"-ing on Etsy, and I know you will too.

Meet Claire, Designer and Owner of Salvaged Love

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

I live in Richmond, Virginia, where I work in the stationery world by day and the craft world by night.  (Hmm, that kind of makes me sound like a superhero…except I can’t fly.)  I have a boyfriend whom I adore (and who cooks for me), the best cats ever, and interesting friends.  I am a vegetarian.  I love going to thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets…especially when I travel, which I also love to do every chance I get.  I am happiest when I am making things. 

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

I had come up with perfectionist & scavenger and was feeling stuck, when I decided to ask my boyfriend, David, what he would choose.  He decided on meticulous, collector & delicate.  Hmm…not too far off.  Interesting.  I think I like his choices better, although my third word would probably not be ‘delicate.’  Maybe…organizer? 

--Fall piece you can’t live without:

My black leather Frye boots…paired with skinny jeans, they are a staple of my wardrobe. 

--Most recent fashion-related purchase:

My most recent purchase that I ended up having to return was a pair of leopard print kitten heels with a pointed toe that looked like they walked right off the set of Mad Men.  I had ordered them online, which is how I love to buy shoes.  Unfortunately, they were NOT comfortable and had to go back.  The most recent purchase that I have kept is a ruffly fringy gray SUPER soft knit scarf bought at a street fair in New York for $8.  I have been wearing it nonstop since the weather turned cool.    

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

I do collage work, using mostly paper, but other things as well.  Like my jewelry, mostly repurposed and scavenged scraps.  I get a lot of my supplies from work, where we like to joke about how green we are because I take home so much stuff that would otherwise be thrown away (and I have been known to dig things out of the trash).  Recent pieces I’ve done have included several custom backdrops for taxidermied birds and multiple pieces for a digital art project called Yet Another Roadside Attraction.

www.richmondbillboardproject.com  

Oh, and I love to knit, but haven’t had time in a while…there are not enough hours in the day!

--Any pet peeves?

When there is still lots of lip gloss left in the tube, but the wand can’t reach it. 

--Bad habits?

…....ummm……………………...procrastination.

--Desert-island food?

Cheese pizza

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

Erin McKeown

Arcade Fire

De la Soul

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

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

Makes me laugh a lot. 

--What made you decide to start a shop?

I have loved and collected vintage jewelry for a long time, as well as all kinds of other found odds and ends…it’s hard for me to pass up anything shiny on the sidewalk.  And I began to design jewelry when I studied Metalsmithing in college.  I would make and alter pieces for myself using things from my collections.  The combination of my two interests, collecting and designing, has evolved into the Salvaged Love style - modern designs using primarily vintage and repurposed materials.  This past spring, I decided spur of the moment to do my first craft show in New York with a friend and sold some pieces.  That really gave me the push to start actively developing my jewelry line, and Etsy seemed like the ideal place to begin showing my work on the web.           

--Significance of your shop name?

Salvaged refers to the salvaged nature of many of my materials, and Love, well…I love what I make!  The phrase is also a bit of an homage to Savage Love, the advice column by Dan Savage.   

--Favorite item in your shop right now (link us!)

I love this bright blue necklace.  If I were a superhero, this is what I would wear.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57584598/superhero-vintage-brass-and-blue-glass

 

Oh, but that's not all....

Claire is giving away a one-of-a-kind piece to one of our lucky readers, just in time for the holidays.

 
Huge vintage beads are strung from vintage brass bar chain on this lovely one of a kind necklace.  The rich blue-green metallic color looks just like the eye of a peacock feather.  

Here's how you can win (so many ways, so many ways...)

1.  Become a follower of our blog and let us know in a comment below (if you're already a follower, skip to the next step). 

2.  Visit Salvaged Love, and link to your favorite piece in a comment below. 

For ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

3. Follow us on twitter @miskabelle. (Let us know in the comments...if you already follow, skip to the next step.)

4.  HEART Salvaged Love on Etsy...and let us know.

5.  HEART Miskabelle on Etsy...and let us know.

6. If you already follow us on Twitter, retweet this giveaway once we tweet it. (Let us know.)

7. Link this giveaway through your blog or Facebook page (and let us know in the comments too!). 

This contest will run until December 8th--one week!  The winner will be chosen through a random number generator.