Let's Talk Etsy~Interview with Peace and Glory Details

Hello, dear readers! I hope during this new month you shall be blessed immensely and that you start to see welcomed signs of spring! 

Well, I am so excited to introduce to you a lovely Etsy shop! This was the first sponsor to volunteer to become a sponsor {instead of me after them:)}. 

Introducing to you to-day...

{Click banner to visit shop}

Peace & Glory Details!!!

Miroslava is a very sweet woman who was such a pleasure to talk to:

Me: Hello, Miroslava! I am so happy to have you here in my garden! Do you think you could please tell us about about yourself? 

Miroslava: Hi Grace, it is my honor, I am a thirty-something mother of two loving boys, the oldest is 9 and exiting Elementary school and my second is 2 ½ yrs old and a hand full. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 2 years now and really seems like it has been less time passed that I left the workforce. I had many wonderful experiences including the privilege of working with astronauts, but after the birth of my second child I made the decision to leave and become a full-time mom. I don’t regret it one minute because I have cherished the blessings of this time in my children’s life and mine. Hence, beginning this adventure, creating unique and original handmade accessories for special occasions and everyday.

Me: What inspired you to start an Etsy shop and how long has it been in full operation? 

Miroslava: After making accessories for my sister, friends and wearing my own, my family encouraged me to sell my creations. As with all things unknown I was nervous starting my Etsy shop but finally kicked off in September 2010 and reopened in January after closing for vacation in the month of December.

Me: What special items might one discover in the lovely shop of yours? 

Miroslava: I offer special occasion accessories made from various sheer and satin fabrics embellished with rhinestones or beautiful crystals and beads that are ideal for weddings but also when we ladies just want to feel glamorous. And I love working with jersey knit fabric and lace to create everyday chic accessories.

Me: What is your inspiration for your products?

Miroslava: I get inspired from many things unexpected, could be a photo of a flower garden, clothing, or a moment and most often from my wonderful customers.

Me: What is perhaps, the most enjoyable part of being an Etsy owner and crafter?

Miroslava: I love this question! The wonderful secret you get to discover once you are an Etsy seller is the rewarding feeling you get when lovely customers thank you for making a custom piece that will be part of their special day or a gift purchase that made the recipient very happy. And their compliments that make me blush and encourage me to keep going. For example and very significant to me, was having a bride compliment me on my work and trusting me to create a brooch using fabric from her grandmothers wedding dress so she could pin on her wedding gown when she walks down the aisle. These to me are priceless rewards from doing what I enjoy.

Me: Name your best selling item{s} in your shop. 

Miroslava: My most popular single item sold is the Limited Edition-Ivory Cream Pearl Flower (www.etsy.com/listing/58734690/limited-edition-bridal-ivory-and-cream) and now successful is the Jewel Toned Satin Rhinestone Flower (www.etsy.com/listing/67488714/jewel-toned-teal-satin-rhinestone-flower) from my new collection which comes in various colors.

Me: What are a few of your favorite Etsy sellers/shops? 
Miroslava: I am an admirer of crochet work and recently came across these fabulous handmade scrubbies by www.etsy.com/shop/CocoaBeans.

Me: Do you have a goal for your Etsy this year? 
Miroslava: My goal is to continue to build customer and sale growth while always offering quality products. I also have new designs sketched that I hope to carry out and introduce soon.

Me: Being an experienced Etsy owner, could you share a few tips to the beginner Etsy owners among us?
Miroslava: Some of my lessons learned would be to work one order at a time, pace yourself and keep organized. The word “organized” is different to many people for me it is to keep packing supplies together, sort fabric by color and materials alike. Also stay motivated, don’t give up, I had my first sell almost a month after opening and be creative, it might mean that you give yourself a vacation when you feel burned out and come back with a refreshed mind. Perhaps the most important in any business no matter the size is managing a budget and the art of pricing. These are some helpful posts I have referred to:www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/art-of-pricing/ 

Thank you, Miroslava for allowing me to interview you! What a pleasure it was!

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~The Shop~

Miroslava carries some BEAUTIFUL products that I am so happy to share with you...

Was so hard to find my favorites!:)

Colors range from...

Feminine Reds...

And pinks...

To elegant blues...

And SO many more! She happily creates products specially made for your specific tastes. 

She also carries creamy, ivories and whites; perfect for weddings!

Too cute to wear! {At a wedding of course;)} 

 All of her beautifully crafted creations are both elegant and feminine perfect for weddings, special events, birthdays, or everyday touches of elegance.

Her flowers can be ordered as pins, corsages, barrettes, bobbies~whatever the case, I know that you shall enjoy browsing through {and even purchasing} one of her lovely fabric flowers!

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~The Giveaway~

Dear Miroslava has generously offered to give away a set of three {not shown in photo} satin hairpins set with a Swarovski, flat-back crystals, winner's choice of the colors!!! 

{Oooo, these are my fav.}

Miroslava did not specify the exact colors she has to offer, but I know that she is more than willing to match the color that you request. 

SPECIAL thanks to Miroslava for doing this!!! You are so sweet and such a pleasure to work with. 

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~Here's How to Enter~

{Please read instructions CAREFULLY!}

~Mandatory Entry~

If you won, tell me what colors you would request for your hairpins, 

and

Visit Miroslava's beautiful shop, coming back here to tell me what your favorite item is.

If you fail to complete the mandatory entry, all other entries shall not count. 

~For Extra Entries Only~

{Keep in mind: I use random.org to draw the winner of my giveaways; therefore if you fail to leave separate comments per entry you complete, entries will not count, and shall be deleted}. 

After completing the mandatory entry, you may earn extra chances to win by completing the following:

Heart Miroslava's shop {If you do not have an Etsy account by now, I highly encourage you to do so; it's free and you don't have to sell!}~2 entries {leave two comments}

Add Miroslava to your Etsy circle~2 entries {leave two comments}

Heart your favorite product{s} from her shop, and tell me what it {they;)} is~1 entry

Follow this blog only if you want to; please do not follow just for extra entries. I would prefer to have faithful followers than no followers at all {*gasp* did I just say that? Or in other words, did I mean that?:)} 

and

Paste on of my buttons on your blog's sidebar or "Good Reads" list. {Does not count in giveaway post}

~3 entries {leave three comments}

Follow my photography blog; again only if you truly want to

and

Put my photography blog button on your blog's sidebar or "Good Reads" list. 

~2 entries {leave two comments}

Tell me which one sounds best to you:

A Royalty, French-themed blog ball, 

A Narnian inspired blog party,

A Victorian, historical festival,

or

Join a photography contest at my photography blog~1 entry

Post about this giveaway on your blog, leaving the link in your comment~1 entry

Finally, purchase an item from her shop, telling me of course what it is!:)~25 entries

 {leave twenty-five comments;)}  

~For Girls Who Do Not Keep a Blog Only~

You may enter this giveaway as well, as long as you have an email address so that I can contact you. 

You may enter by:

Completing the Mandatory entry and comment on this post. 

Emailing 3 friends about this giveaway~1 entry per people you email 

{leave three comments if you email three people;)}

And you may complete the entries that you can above. {Everything with the exception of following and posting;)} 

I think that about covers it. That's a lot of ways to gain extra entries!

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~More Information~

Miroslava will ship to US young ladies only. {I will try to find a sponsor who will ship internationally soon!:)} 

Giveaway ends Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 at 12:00N PCF. To make it fair for all entrants, late entries shall not be accepted after 12:00N. 

The girls who won my last three blogoversary giveaways are not permitted to enter this and my next upcoming giveaway. {That includes Jenna, Liz B, and Peyton, who by the way I have contacted the sponsors for your prizes:)}  

For those who do not know how to enter a giveaway, it's rather simple. All you do, is complete the entries I have stated above and tell me {via commenting on this post} that you did, and I will count you in the giveaway drawing. If you win, you will have 48 hrs starting at the time I announce the winner to claim your prize. 

If you have any questions, please let me know on a separate post {so to not get mixed into the accounted entries}.

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Have fun, girls! And you may begin your typing....NOW!

With sincere love,

~Grace~