garden giveaway {no. 4} :: etsy chat with Sweet Pea Totes

{I apologize for the lateness of this post}

It's giveaway day again! :) To-day I have a wonderful sponsor, who designs and sells lovely handbags, clutches, and wristlets. 

{click banner to visit}

:: the interview :: 

Me :: How delighted I am to have you in my garden! Thanks so much for joining me. Would you mind starting by telling my readers a little bit about yourself?

Mary :: My name is Mary Miele, and I am the owner of Sweet Pea Totes, where I sell handbags, wristlets, wallets, ebook sewing patterns, and a few other handmade items. I have been living in Tennessee for three years now. Prior to moving here, my family and I lived in western New York. I have a husband, Tony, of twenty-seven years, and four daughters. My oldest daughter Sara lives in New York and is a gym teacher; my daughter Danielle works at an antique jewelry store and is studying to be a gemologist; my daughter Alisha is going to college for fashion marketing, and my youngest, Brianna, is going to college for visual communications. I love spending time with them, going for bike rides, walks,movies,shopping,baking, cooking and sewing - of course!

Me :: What encouraged you to start an Etsy shop and when was it opened?

Mary :: I started out selling my handbags on Ebay in 2003 until 2007. A lot of sellers began to move to Etsy from there, as Ebay was getting quite expensive, so I made the move as well. I've been really happy with my business on Etsy ever since. I started my shop on Nov. 24, 2007. It's great to be a part of a community with such talented sellers. 

Me :: Are there any particular Etsy shops that inspire you?

Mary :: There are so many shops on Etsy with so many talented designers but I don't get too much time to check them out since most of my time I am sewing.

Me :: Name a few of your top-selling items.

Mary :: My Patterns, bridal clutches, wristlets and handbags.

Me :: What is perhaps, the most enjoyable part about owning your own shop?

Mary :: Being able to stay home and do what I love most design and create. It's such a joy to see my items bought from people all over the world.

Me :: What inspires you as a crafter?

Mary :: Fabric designs inspire me the most. While searching for fabrics in stores or online, I like to visualize them as a beautiful bags for someone to use and admire.

Me :: I love your shop’s name! Is there a specific concept or story behind it?

Mary :: My youngest daughter had a drawing that she did of a cute little pea in a pod. The little face was so cute and I wanted it to be a part of my business so I named my business Sweet Pea Totes.

Me :: For the new Etsy shop owners out there, do you mind sharing a few of tips or things that you have learned through experience?

Mary :: My suggestion would be to utilize every resource the internet provides us. Keeping a blog is really helpful in notifying your readers of new products in your shop, and informing them more about your life. You can also keep a twitter, facebook, or flickr page. Involve yourself in the Etsy community, and comment 

on the forums or talk to fellow sellers in the chats. Relisting frequently and presenting your product the best you can helps a great deal as well. 

Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you, Mary! I hope that business flourishes this year for you! 

:: a peek into the shop :: 

Mary designs and sells a beautiful arrangement of...

handbags...

wallets...

clutch sets...

and my favorites, wristlets...

She also sells a few e-patterns books as well...

such lovely bags she sells!:)

:: the giveaway :: 

Mary has generously offered to giveaway...

...a wristlet of the winner's choice valued at $26.00. 

So generous of her, no? Special thanks to Mary for kindly agreeing to sponsor my blog and contribute such a lovely prize. 

:: important information :: 
{before entering, please carefully read the information below} 

{one} You must complete the mandatory entry before completing extra entries.

 {If you fail to complete the mandatory entry, all other entries will not count, thus, you will not be entered in the giveaway}. 

{two} You must leave separate comments per entry you complete. 

{I use random.org when choosing the winners of my giveaway. If you leave all of your entries in one comment, it will be accounted as one entry}. 

{three} Giveaway ends later this month, and winner will be announced soon thereafter. 

All the past giveaways from this month have been extended to the end of August.

{four} The winner will have 24 hr. within the time of the announcement to contact me about her prize.

{five} Giveaway is open to young ladies in US only.

:: how to enter ::

:: mandatory entry :: 

{click to visit} 

Visit Mary's shop, and let me know what wristlet you would choose if you won.  

 :: extra entries :: 

heart Mary's shop. 

add Mary to your Etsy circle. 

like Mary's business on facebook. 

follow Mary's blog.

follow Mary on twitter.

be or become my follower on this blog, on facebook, or pinterest.

{{leave separate entries per one you complete}}

post about this giveaway on your blog or facebook.

{{leave a separate comment for each you do}}

enter one of my this month's past giveaways.

{{leave separate comment per giveaway you enter}} 

link up your craft project to my latest "tutorial + sew and tell tuesday" post

purchase something from Mary's shop. {worth ten entries; leave ten comments} 

Alrighty, ladies! I am quite sure you want to enter this lovely giveaway! Good luck!:)