Giveaway Winner

I used Random.org and the winner of my dried flower grapevine wreath is Brenda from brendashandmade on Etsy.  Congratulations to the winner and thanks to everyone who entered. 

Here's a peek at some of my new Etsy listings:

Leap Day Giveaway - Dried flower grapevine wreath

Before I get into my giveaway -- I'd like to announce the one chosen for my next blog feature.  I used Random.org to choose from those who commented on my feature of Zudagay on Etsy.   The next shop to be featured will be Kelly Bermudez Visual Devotions.  I'm not sure exactly when this will be posted but watch for this feature some time in March.

 NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

On February 29th, I will choose a winner of this pretty, one of a kind, grapevine wreath. decorated with pretty shades of grey and pink.   Deep pink celosa, pink larkspur, and other mixed dried flowers sit on a silver king and eucalyptus base.  The grapevine base is 10 to 12" - The design is approximately 14" across.  This is so pretty, I think I'd really like to keep this for myself

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only.

There are up to 5 possible entries -- post a separate comment for each entry:

      1.  Follow my blog or subscribe by e-mail.

      2.  Follow my Angelsneverlastings facebook page.
  
      3.  Visit my Etsy shop -- pick a favorite listing and post it here.

      4.  Tweet this giveaway.

      5.  Post this giveaway to your facebook.

Giveaway entries end at midnight 2/28 -- winner will be chosen on 2/29/12.

Shop Feature - Zudagay on Etsy

Handmade Floral Polymer Clay Beads and Jewelry 

by Zudagay on Etsy

Citrus Flower Pendant

Beautiful Flower Pendant

Here is a shop that has been selling on ETSY since 2007.  Zuda of Zudagay on Etsy creates these fabulously detailed floral creations using polymer clay. 

She has been working with clay of different kinds for most of her life and has been working primarily with polymer clays for about 15 years or so.

Red Flower Pendant

In 2007 her husband lost his job so Zuda, having known about Etsy since it started, decided the time was right for her to use her creative gifts and opened her shop.  Her first year was a great success and exceeded all expectations.  Her detailed floral designs continue to be very popular and sell well.  

I asked Zuda to explain a bit about Polymer clay and what she does:

"I primarily use Premo! polymer clay for my work. I like it for its workability and strength. To begin with the clay needs to be conditioned to get it soft and workable and to make sure all the plasticizers are dispersed throughout the clay. In most of my work I use a technique called Mille Fiori cane work which originated in glass work, and also in candy. This is where a design is created which runs the length of a cane or rod of clay. I slice the cane and then manipulate or sculpt each slice into a petal then attach each petal to a base of clay to create a flower."

Orange Dahlia Ring

 

I have shown only a few of the beautiful flower creations in her shop.  Take a few minutes and visit Zudagay on Etsy to see her other creations.  

 

 

Here are her other links:

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/ZudaGay
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/zudagay/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ZudaGay-Etsy-Shop/52262256268
Pinterest: pinterest.com/zudagay/
Blog: www.clayinthehands.blogspot.com

If you'd like an opportunity to be featured on my blog, leave a comment on this post.  I plan to randomly select from the comments here for my next feature.

Valentines from some of my favorite Etsy shops

Shop Feature - The Other Stacey Jewelry Designs on Etsy

Sun and moon shrink plastic necklace

This feature is about a fairly new shop on Etsy.  They had been making jewelry as a hobby for quite some time but decided to open their Etsy shop in October of 2011.  They did their first craft show shortly after.  The jewelry creations in The Other Stacy Shop on Etsy are designed by two best friends from Memphis.  Stacey Purdy, and Stacy Green. Yes both are named Stacy.  They met while working together and became fast friends.  While working together they found that they were constantly saying no that's "the other Stacy", hence the name of their shop became "The Other Stacy".

Custom made photo on shrink plastic

They prefer to reclaim and recycle found items and to combine unusual materials with hand drawn artwork to make unusual designs.  They like the idea of recycling items that would otherwise be thrown away and making something fun and beautiful out of it 

Shrink plastic black heart

I was fascinated by the jewelry made by Stacy P. out of shrink plastic. I was unfamiliar with shrink plastic so I asked Stacy P about the process: "The idea for the shrink plastics came from a website we saw where the lady was making shrink plastic buttons with drawn designs on them. I absolutely love to draw so I thought I would give it a shot. Once I have a design in mind, I will draw it on the plastic usually in ink and then color it in in colored pencil. Once it's colored, the fun happens. If you have never played with Shrinky Dinks, I highly recommend it. You put the design in the oven at 350 and wait for it to curl up into this wad of plastic. Then it magically unfolds and lays flat. Watching it happen never gets old. After that, the pendants get a coating of clear gloss to protect the finish and get put onto their necklaces."

Red paper bead earrings

In their shop they also have beautiful paper bead jewelry created by Stacy G.  Stacy's rolls everyone of the paper beads by hand. She cuts each piece of paper into strips and then rolls them around a skewer style bamboo stick. Then each bead gets a protective finish so they are somewhat resistant to water.

Pink paper bead dangles

Check out The Other Stacy Etsy Shop and check back often as they are working on new designs daily. You will find crochet jewelry and hair accessories, aluminum foil beads and soon they hope to add handmade purses and even some stained glass. Here are the other links for Stacy and Stacy:
Facebook: Facebook.com/theotherstacey
Website: otherstacey.com
Twitter: twitter.com/theotherstacey1