AND THE WINNER IS...

My - I had a really hard time choosing the winner for the Paper and Pearls Contest and Giveaway! You all are so creative! Wow!

And the winner is....

THE WINTERBERRY COLLECTION submitted by Melissa! I love the color images and the refined style this name brings to mind. It's wonderful! Melissa - thank you for your entry and CONGRATULATIONS! Melissa will be receiving a peacock pearl bracelet.

Thanks to you all who entered and offered incredibly creative ideas - I will use some of those in the future! As a thanks for participating, I am pleased to offer you a 5% discount on any purchase in 2009. Just use the code "contest1" in the seller notes when you pick something out!

I will be doing at least one giveaway a month - so stay posting at this blog for another opportunity to win! Become a "follower" or bookmark this blog to be in the loop on all the latest news.

Here are some things to look forward to in 2009:

1. NEW jewelry and books ( I got a great order in this week- new colors, lots of ideas!)

2. NEW Giveaways and Contests

3. A "Creative Living" feature where I'll be interviewing customers and friends

You won't want to miss it!

All the best for a wonderful holiday!!

ps. please NOTE - the LAST day to place any holiday orders is WEDNESDAY, December 17th.

Results will be announced TOMORROW!

Contest results will be announced TUESDAY... I am still deliberating from all the awesome entries... stay posted!!!

Introducing... (drum roll please)

THE FIRST PAPER AND PEARLS BOUTIQUE CONTEST AND GIVEAWAY!

I am looking for a name for my new collection of jewelry. As you can see in the picture above, I am going for a sort of mixed berry palette - royal purple, peacock, cranberry red, blues... What I don't have is a great NAME for this collection. This is where YOU come in!
Post a comment below and suggest a name for this collection. Be sure to include your email address.

Invite your friends to join the fun too by forwarding them a link to this blog!

Have your entries in by 5pm on DECEMBER 15th. I will select a winner that night!

And the prize is... a peacock pearl bracelet very similar to the one posted on my Etsy site here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18015413!

Perfect for giftgiving... or treating yourself!

MAY THE BEST NAME WIN! (and everyone who enters will get a prize!)

GOOD LUCK!

And be sure to visit my Etsy shop for unique and beautiful Christmas gifts... :-)

HOLIDAY 1-2-3 SALE

1-2-3 SALE through December 14th
10% off one item
20% off two items
30% off three items

Due to holiday travel, my last shipping day will be December 17th. All orders after that point will be shipping after January 3rd. Thank you!

Santa's Little Helper - For The Artsy Types

I love handmade books - to fill a book with sketches, thoughts, notes, journalings... for many people, it is simply a way of life!

These handmade books are made of recycled leather and handstitched with sturdy linen thread. And a nice perk - these are reusable! Just mail it back to me, and I can sew a whole new set of pages in for you.

For the poetic, artistic folks on your list - this is a great gift for under $20!

"I lived to write, and wrote to live." - Samuel Rogers

Santa's Little Helper - For The Women

Looking for a beautifully simple gift for your mom, sister, best friend, or grandma? These little bracelets, all under $15, are perfect! They all come ready to give in a box wrapped with ribbon.

Easy. One of a kind. And no line in a busy loud tinsel-filled mall! Check out my Etsy site for more photos! www.paperpearlsboutique.com

Make Everyday Beautiful

As my company motto, I chose "Make Everyday Beautiful." Why?

I am a firm believer that it's the little things that fill most of our days that often bring us those moments of true beauty. There are certain days where a boxwood wreath, or a red necklace, or the smell of baking banana bread really serve to lift my mood and make me thankful for the good things in life. Everyday is defined as commonplace, ordinary, found in the ordinary course of events. For many of us, with lives full of seemingly small things, life can feel a bit too ordinary at times.

My muse on the art of the everyday is Edith Schaeffer, an author of the excellent book "Hidden Art." Here is a great quote of her's that I use often:

"Art in its various forms expresses and gives opportunity to others to share in, and respond to, things that would otherwise remain vague, empty yearnings. Art satisfies and fulfils something in the person creating and in those responding (14)."

Be creating something unique that becomes part of everyday life, we are sharing in the same longing for the beauty. And somehow it's good for the soul.

So, in my small way, I try to craft special things that will bring beauty to the everyday of my customers.

I'd highly recommend reading Hidden Art by Edith Schaeffer!

Make everyday beautiful!

Buy Handmade

I am a handmade junkie. I treasure most gifts that friends have made - a quilt, a sham, a potholder. Personal things become part of our story, and there is delight in surrounding myself with items that have a personal touch and quality materials.

I like that there is a whole "handmade movement" out there as many artists sell their wares on popular sites like etsy and in the ubiquitous holiday craft fair!

Why buy handmade, when you can often get something cheaply at a large chain?

I found a neat website for the "Buy Handmade" movement at www.buyhandmade.org . Check out this section from the site:

"Why buy handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.

The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.

The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.

The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production."

Pretty good reasons, huh? Check out what's available locally!

Some great site for handmade things, craft fairs, etc. :

Etsy

American Craft Council

Festival Net - Craft Fairs and other fun

Red Coral Bracelet Featured on NCTriangle Team Blog Treasury!

My red sponge coral bracelet is featured on the NCTriangle Team's blog this week!

Check it out! http://nctriangle.blogspot.com/

Some New Photos to Enjoy

Personal Book Portfolio

Personal Jewelry Portfolio