Focus Feature and Giveaway!

Happy Thursday and welcome to another focus feature and giveaway! First, let me announce the winner of the ComeShopPinkLemonade giveaway. Using a random number generator from Random.org, the winner is… (drumroll please…) #4, Amber from HeArtEscapes.etsy.com!!! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch with Paige to collect your prize!

And onto the next… This week’s feature is ourhometoyours, a diverse Etsy shop run by a mom and daughter team. Mom, Debbi will be answering all of the interview questions from her point of view :)

Debbi will be giving away a beautiful paper quilled cross to decorate your home or office with! *PLEASE NOTE, this giveaway will be open to UNITED STATES ONLY!* You can find out more about this cross here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/42754507/white-quilled-cross-framed




Here’s what Debbi had to say:

What’s your favorite item from your shop and what makes it your favorite?

Probably the bunnies that Amanda makes,. and of course, my hats!



How did you get into your line of crafting?

I don't really have a line of crafting, I love to try and do everything. I crochet, knit, needlepoint, cross stitch, sew, paint, quill, make jewelry, whatever strikes my fancy. Amanda is a terrific artist, I'm trying to get her to take the time and paint/draw something, but she is very busy with her toddler son and school work. She just started to crochet and really enjoys it. She will be graduating next year from the Art Institute with a masters degree in graphic design. She is very talented.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

My favorite is the BESTeam!!! I just joined the CAST_team, (Christian Artist Street Team) but haven't really had time to do anything with them.



If you had one super power what would it be?

Spread peace. When your in strife of conflict, it affects every aspect of your life. You become sick, angry, and joyless. But when you "practice" peace, you can survive, and even thrive, thru the conflicts of your life. That's why I serve the Prince of Peace.







What’s your guilty pleasure?

Soap operas...namely All My Children and One Life to Live. I've been watching them with my sister since 1977. I missed about 10 years in the 90's when I had to work outside the home, but when I started watching again, I had no trouble following the story lines because it's always the same people (or their kids) with the same problems, LOL. My sister and I just enjoy laughing over some of these stories. Pure fiction and entertainment.

If you could be any animal what would it be and why?

A cat. They are dependent on us for food, shelter, and love, but they have such an attitude of independence. I love that.



Do you have a personal favorite Etsy shop that you would like to share with readers?

Oh, that's hard. There are so many. My first would have to be TwirledTreasures. The things she can do with slips of paper are amazing. Then MissPrettyPerfect, love handbags! Oh I could go on, and on, and on.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?

My best friend which is my husband, my bible, and my guitar.



From my own personal crafting I’ve been through frustrating moments with new projects. What have you learned from your own crafting frustrations?

I'm always harder on myself then anyone else. I know where the opps are, and I can see them even though no-one else can. I've had to learn to let go and just enjoy the process of self-expression.

What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

Don't get too caught up in the busy work. Yes, you need to list, and re-list, and learn about search engine stuff, but keep your creative juices first. If you don't enjoy what your doing, then don't do it.



Blog, twitter, facebook links:

http://www.ourhometoyourscrafts.blogspot.com   I've really become attached to my blog. I wish I had more time to just write and not sell.
http://www.twitter.com/ourhometoyours  I'm not very consistent with twitter. I don't have a cell phone, so when I'm online on my pc, I have so many other things to do.
http://www.facebook.com/ourhometoyour facebook is by far my favorite online thing to do.

I also just started a second shop,  http://www.vintagevinyls.etsy.com
I love music, and vintage, and wanted to share my albums. I have way too many to listen to myself.


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Anyone can post and accumulate up to 15 entries for the giveaway! Please be sure to include your email address so that you can be contacted if you win, and don’t forget to post each entry as a separate comment!

There is only one MANDATORY ENTRY, necessary to collect your email address for contact if you win:

Visit ourhometoyours' Etsy shop and post your favorite item here. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES!!!

Follow Clever’s Corner Blog and post to let me know you follow. (1 entry)

Tell me your guilty pleasure. (1 entry)

Follow ourhometoyours' Blog. (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway and post the link here. (1 entry)

Make a purchase from ourhometoyours' Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

Make a purchase from The Clever Crafter’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, June 23 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning when the next giveaway is posted and prize details will be arranged with ourhometoyours. Thanks for your interest and entries!