Focus Feature and Giveaway: UniqueDesignsByMsP

Welcome to another Focus Feature and Giveaway Thursday! First, let’s congratulate our winner of the Julessabjewelry giveaway. Using random.org, the giveaway winner is #11, dhesh! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch to collect your prize!

Welcome to another Focus Feature and Giveaway Thursday! This week will be dedicated to Paula at www.UniqueDesignsbyMsP.etsy.com. Paula has some great jewelry to show off and a couple pairs of fingerless gloves that I’m in love with! Be sure to enter the giveaway to win these unique earrings!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51505419/reservered-clevercrafter-giveaway-my

Here’s what Paula had to say:

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

I am a rather fickle "Mom". My favorite is usually whatever I am working on at the time. Why? When I am working on a piece, no matter what that piece is, it has my full attention. As the piece comes to life, I think about how I would feel wearing it. If I wouldn't love wearing it, I scrap it and start over. Once it is completed and listed, the piece is forgotten until it is sold.

How did you get into your line of crafting?

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed fabric and fiber; the texture, the color, the drape, and of course the fashion. I remember raiding my Mom's fabric stash for bits of and pieces to make clothes for Barbie; learning how to use a needle and thread to fashion the tiny pieces into fashionable dresses, skirts, tops, and pants. Then I discovered crocheting and that I could create "Barbie Fashions" with yarn. I absolutely love the cozy feeling of hats, scarves and gloves, not to mention sweaters (but I am too impatient to make a lot of them). Then, as a child of the sixties, I fell in love with beading when the Mom of a friend opened her very own bead shop. Adding the sparkle and shine to the color and texture I already loved made jewelry making a natural evolution for me.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

I belong to 2 groups on Etsy; BESTeam and Sac-Etsy. Both groups are very supportive and great choices for me. BESTeam has connected me with numerous Etsy vendors from all over the United States and some from Canada and Europe. This group has also taught me some great marketing techniques. Sac-Etsy is a local group for me, being a Northern California Girl. The members are great in supporting the local artisans; helping with Etsy and also other local outlets for their creations.

If you had one super power what would it be?

I have to choose just one? :) I don't know if this is considered a super power, but for me it would be endless energy. I have so many things that I want to do and not enough energy to get them all done.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Again with the choices! :) Let's see, would it be the chocolate bar hiding in the silverware drawer, the lovely fragrance that I sprits on daily that makes me feel sexy, or the time I give myself to read the fantasy novels (at least that's what they are labeled). I believe in extreme self-care, so I indulge on a regularly scheduled basis.

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

I am one of those people who is not crazy about the summer season. The best part about the summer months, for me, is the longer daylight hours.

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

Sooo many choices! If you visit my facebook page, you'll find that I have over a hundred "favorites". I try to share the love when looking for gifts and those little luxuries, and I pounce a lot just to experience new artisans. For instance, my hostess for this feature, CleverCrafter, has some wonderful pieces. She uses simple items in an unexpected way to create unique one of a kind jewelry pieces.

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

There are days that this would be a dream come true. Stranded on a deserted island, I would want a pen and paper so that I could write that epic novel I have been telling myself I would write some day; and the third item, hmmmm, maybe my blackberry so that when my novel is complete I would be able to call someone to come pick it up.

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

I have learned that creativity can't be rushed. It can be encouraged, but it takes the time it takes to come into full bloom. Trying to rush it causes more frustration and steals the joy from the project.

What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

Love what you are doing. Do some research. Join at least one great support group. Be patient, this is not a "get rich and famous quick" forum.

Blog, twitter, facebook links:

http://www.uniquedesignsbymsp.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/myuniquedesigns

http://www.facebook.com/paulasdesgins (yes, there is a typo here, but I am stuck with it)

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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 Paula’s 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 Paula’s Blog. (1 entry)

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

Make a purchase from Paula’s 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, August 18 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning and prize details will be arranged with Paula. GOOD LUCK!!