Garden Giveaway #11 ~ Sponsored by Melissa from Whimsy Pics

{Sorry this is a wee bit late :)}

To-day {'this evening' I suppose you could correctly say ;)} I have a lovely guest in my garden, the owner of this whimsical, sweet, little Etsy shop: 

{Click banner to "enter" shop}

~The Interview~

Me: Hello, Melissa! I am so delighted to have you here in my garden to-day! 

Do you think you could please tell me and my readers a little bit about yourself?

Melissa: Thanks so much inviting me, Grace! I’m a SAHM to the two cutest kids on earth :) I started scrapbooking when my son was born prematurely (10 weeks!) and I was sent home while he stayed in the NICU. Seven years later, this hobby-turned-passion has evolved to include all forms of paper crafting and altered art and my little *miracle* son is as healthy and beautiful as can be.

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

Melissa: I heard about this fabulous handmade marketplace on the Ebay forums where I used to sell my creations. I decided to check it out for myself and have been on Etsy exclusively ever since! I love the spirit of Etsy – a handmade movement including every craft and art form from all over the world. Can’t beat that! I opened my shop in April of 2007 but didn’t fully stock my shop until late January 2008. It’s been a learning experience but I think I’m finally at a place where I’m comfortable with the direction my shop has taken. 

Me: What is your inspiration for your products?

Melissa: I find inspiration everywhere, every day. My children, my husband, nature all inspire me and sometimes random things inspire me, too. I can see an empty jar of salad dressing and think, ‘that would make a gorgeous shabby chic container on my desk’. I feel blessed that I can see beauty in everything. Everything is beautiful.

Me: So, what is perhaps to you the most enjoyable part of being an Etsy owner and crafter?

Melissa: The *most* enjoyable part is being able to share what I love to create with the world. I also love that I get to stay home with my little ones (my son is 7 and my daughter is almost 4) and that I get to have a tiny bit of petty cash for the occasional ice cream cone with the kids. :) I hope one day to be able to dedicate more time to creating/crafting. Perhaps when the little one goes to school.

Me: What are some of your best selling item(s) in your shop?

Melissa: My best sellers have been the mini note card sets. I’ve moved my focus back to my first love: one-of- a- kind items including collage style gift tags, collages, altered items and scrapbooks/journals. They’ve been well received and it just fills my heart with joy to think that someone else loves what I love to create. 

Me: Tell us, what are a few of your favorite Etsy sellers/shops?

Melissa: There is SO much creativity and talent on Etsy – it’s so hard to narrow it down! Here are a few of the shops that I LOVE:

www.etsy.com/shop/twoinspireyou

www.etsy.com/shop/TheCaramelJar

www.etsy.com/shop/betsygrace

www.etsy.com/shop/allthingswhite

www.etsy.com/shop/wildchairy

Me: Do you have a goal for your Etsy shop this year?

Melissa: My goal is to continue to focus on and create only those things I absolutely love to do. I want to remember that I do this because I love to do it. If it becomes a chore, there’s no joy in it and that defeats the purpose. 

Me: Being an experienced Etsy owner, could you share a few tips with the beginner Etsy owners among us?

Melissa: I’m still learning as I go! But these things I know to be true: 

*Value yourself, your time and your work and price your items accordingly. 

*Presentation is everything and first impressions are crucial. Little things like a banner, avatar and welcome announcement do wonders for your shop’s appearance. Remember to fill out your profile and policies section. Inspire confidence.

*It takes an enormous amount of work and dedication (and a little luck?) to be successful so be diligent and be patient. 

*Do what you LOVE and others will love it, too.

Thank you ever so much, Melissa, for allowing me to interview! 'Twas such a pleasure, and I hope that your shop flourishes this year with many sales! 

   ~A Peek Into the Shop~

Melissa's shop is filled with the sweetest little delights! She sells a wide assortment of whimsical paper goods including....

The prettiest little gift tags...

I'm in love with these!!!

Oh, cuteness!:)

So pretty!

Vintage Fashion Cards....

I LOVE music notes!!!

She also sells the sweetest little scrapbooks I am whole-

heartedly in LOVE with!!!

{This is what it looks like inside!}

This was MADE for the Keeper of the Garden!:)

I love the quote "When you pray for rain be prepared to deal with a little mud!" :D

Here are a few more pretties:

{Heart <3}

She also sells these beautiful jars...

Cuteness!

 So perfect to keep your little scraps or tags in...

I'm also lovin' this cute little tin...

Whatever you decide, you will LOVE Melissa works that she hand-makes with lots of love and whimsy inspiration.

 ~The Giveaway~

Melissa has kindly offered to giveaway a $20 credit to her Etsy shop!

Thank you SO much, Melissa, for making this giveaway possible! I LOVE your shop! 

How to Enter

Required: You must complete the mandatory entry else extra entries will not count. 

Required: You must leave separate comments per entry you complete. 


~Mandatory Entry~
{Counting as one entry}


Visit Melissa's shop, and let me know what you would purchase if you won the $20 shop credit. 


~~~~~~~~~~~


After completing the mandatory entry, you may earn extra entries by:

Hearting Melissa's shop. 

Hearting your fav. item. 

Adding Melissa to your Etsy circle. 

Following Melissa's blog, leave a sweet comment on one of her posts. 

Becoming a fan of Melissa's facebook page. 

Following her on Twitter.

Being or becoming a follower of this blog. 

{Only if desire to follow this blog} 

Post about this giveaway. 

Adding my link or a button to your sidebar or "Blogs I Enjoy" page. 

Purchasing something from Melissa's shop. 

{worth ten entries; leave ten comments} 

For those who do not keep a blog 

~Mandatory Entry~

Visit Melissa's shop and let me know what your fav. item is.

Extra entries:  

{If you have an Etsy account}
Heart Melissa's shop. 


Add Melissa to your Etsy circle.


{If you have a facebook or Twitter} 
Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway. 


E-mail at least three people about this giveaway. {One entry per person you e-mail}


Purchase something from Melissa's shop. 
{worth ten entries; leave ten comments}

Each above is worth ONE entry unless otherwise stated. 

Extra Information

Giveaway is open to US young ladies only. 

{As a result of my lateness} 

Giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 31st at 12:00 Noon Pacific Timing. 

You MUST leave separate comments. 

When following my blog, you MUST be a public follower as of Google Friends Connect. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know you want to win a $20 credit to Melissa's lovely shop, so you may begin typing...

NOW!!!

Love always,

Grace