**HELP!! My tote is empty!!**

My birthday is in April and I would like to have the "Biggest Birthday Giveaway", but I need some help.

The prize is this tote:

or one like it if this sells, with piles of goodies from different Shops that have donated an item. Each donation will get it's own picture with a short write-up on your shop and a link to your shop. Plus - in the rules to winning the Grand Prize - will be instructions to go to the shops listed and come back to my blog and tell me what they liked.

The Give Away will run for the whole month of April. I plan on promoting promoting promoting like mad and have found some give away blogs to list it on that get quite a bit of traffic.

So - if your are interested in helping me celebrate my Birthday with this awesome give away - Please email me!! (the link is on the right sidebar) I would need to receive the item by the end of March - So I can get the pic onto the give away post.

**~~I will be also be picking a name from all the contributers - that person will receive a special prize from me!!~~**

May your day be sunny and

your night be full of wishes!!

Prims by Andrea

Andrea lives in the Finger Lake Region of Upstate NY. She has been married for 10 years to a lovely man who makes it possible to stay home with the children. In her spare time she makes beautiful pieces of art. Her shop is Prims by Andrea.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

My shop name is pretty boring/self explanatory since I do primitive artwork...in hindsight, I wish I'd chosen something more exciting!

#2 When did you start crafting?

I've always "dabbled" in art, but just decided to give it a try full-time while staying home with my young children - unfortunately, I've ended up spending more money (on supplies, etc.--the art supply store is my weakness!) than I've made--at some point, I'd love to supplement the family income with my art. Maybe 2009 is my year--who knows!?

#3 What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by all things primitive--I call my style "grubby-prim" because I antique the heck out of every artwork. I love yo-yo quilts, but have yet to been able to afford one for my home--so I sometimes use paper "yo-yo s" in my artwork!

#4 Do you have a day job?

No day job, except having a 3 and 1 year old at home with me--okay, I have a BIG job!

#5 What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12238615 Crow Among the Roses. This is my most fav. piece Ever! It took a lot of time to create because of it's size. I love how it's abstract and primitive at the same time--inspired by the yo-yos again!

Audrey's Accolades:

Mixed media is something I know nothing about. Infact I had never heard of it till I started on Etsy. So of course I had to ask Andrea what she did to create her art & what mixed media was to her. Here is her answer:

My mixed media collages are done on canvas. (Other artists might/could use wood or other materials, but I prefer the canvas--makes it feel more like "art" :) The background and some details are done in acrylic paints. The "decoration" is made of paper, collaged on to the canvas--scrap booking paper, to be more specific, so it's acid-free and won't yellow or fade. I antique all my pieces with aging polish to make them look vintage (or 'grubby-prim' as I like to call it :) and add a layer of varnish for preservation purposes. Then I accent with the piece with various buttons and/or different notions for a unique 3-D effect. There are a myriad of different mixed media artists on Etsy (and in general) and each has their own unique style, but this is how I do it :)

Okay - I understand better now. Sounds like fun and the outcome is amazing!! Now to pick my favorite. Tough choice again, and when you go to Andrea's shop you'll understand why. I love angels so I picked this piece.

This angel was inspired by my love for the PiNK Christmas! I call my style "grubby-prim" because I antique the heck out of all of my pieces. It differs from most of my work in that I've added angel dust (okay, glitter :) to her wings.It is done on a quality 8" x 10" canvas (no staples in the sides) and edges are painted black for a finished look--ready to hang!The piece is varnished with a matte sealer for preservation purposes.

Vadjutka

Vadjutka is a shop on Etsy. Judit is the person behind the amazing jewelry in this shop. She comes to Etsy from Budapest, Hungry! After reading this feature - please go check out her blog: Crafts Then and Now.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

My shop name is my name. My name is Judit Wild, but Hungarians use family name for the first. Vad is the Hungarian word for "wild", and Jutka is a nickname for Judit.

#2. When did you start crafting?

Well, I guess in elementary school - I sew dresses for my Barbie doll -, but systematic jewelry making came into my life in 2002.

#3. What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by art history, colorful fabrics, flowers, food, different cultures, and sometimes by rock.

#4. Do you have a day job?

Yes, I am a sociologist specialized in media research, and before that I was a journalist for 10 yrs.

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

Well, it is sold by now, but it was the Frida necklace: I love fabrics, painting and personalities, and these 3 things are combined in a jewelry. Nevertheless, I find the necklace cute :-). http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=11909159

Audrey's Accolades:

Once in awhile you find a great shop on Etsy that you just have to "heart" so you can find it again. This is one of those shops. I was first drawn to the fact that Judit uses fabric and beads in her projects, with wonderful results. I asked her what the fabric was glued to & it's a perforated metal disk. Sometimes the fabirc is set into a steel filigree. How ever Judit makes her jewelry the outcome is amazing! While looking through Judit's shop I noticed that she has gift certificates! What a great idea!! Please take some time to check out her shop.

It was hard picking my favorite - but of course I did. I love these earrings!

This pair of earrings is made of a lilac silk with stripes, bisque colored lucite flowers and turquoise colored faceted glass bead. The base is a brass filigree.

The World on Etsy

I finally managed to get another treasury! I thought it would be nice to do one on all the beautiful items from around the World that can be found on Etsy. One of the first things I do when I find a shop I like - is look to see where they are from. Here is part of my treasury. To see the whole treasury and where everyone is from - click on this link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=41664