Today's giveaway is really unique. Nikki at Gleeful Peacock is really talented. Everything is handcrafted and hand painted by her and are little treasures. When I first saw her creations some months ago I instantly felt in love because I had never seen something like what Nikki does. Honestly can her headbands, necklaces and everything else be any cuter? And the name? How adorable Gleeful and Peacock is? Nikki is offering to one of you lovelies, any of her headbands in her store. Some of my favorites are here. Yay!!
oooh yes! Nikki is also offering 15% off to all of you until the end of the giveaway, just use "adiaryoflovely" at checkout :)
meet Nikki a bit more:
I have been a creative person as long as I remember. I was always in art classes and drawing in my free time. I loved color and I loved to express my self in art and dress. I loved to march to my own beat. However when I got married I feel into the trap of trying to fit in. I spent most of my twenties trying to not be noticed and aspired to normalcy. What everyone else thought of me now had become how I made my life choices. Then one day as I was approaching 30 I realized I had lost who I was. I was no longer colorful and no longer as happy go lucky. I knew that this was not the person that I wanted my daughter to look up to. She is a spunky spirit and I wanted her to know that expressing that was fabulous! That is when I decided that I was going to find my own style and explore who I was. I wanted to get back to being me. I ‘funkified’ my house. I think I painted everything that was not nailed down! I hung my own art work and decided that if I did not love it, it was not allowed in my home. When I tried to work on my own personal style I found it hard to find accessories that were unique and colorful. Everything was mass produced and seemed to have no love or creativity. So I decided to start making my own. Then one day I woke up and said ‘Today I will start a business’. I can’t even pinpoint the day, but it was a light switch effect. I just started doing it, and I jumped in. I started with the name. I wrote down all of the words the described who I am and what I want to make. Since my company is all about being happy and being colorful, the words Gleeful and Peacock spoke to my soul. I had a lot of people tell me they did not like the name, but I am so glad I stuck with it! The name still serves as a compass in my designs. I try to not make things that are just made to have one more piece done. I really try to make sure that it fits in with my company purpose of being happy, colorful and not afraid to be yourself.
I try to be very present in my life and surroundings and be on the look out for inspiration is the best way for me to do that. It is hard to get tense and stressed on my way home from work when I am looking for something that inspires me. The other day a fabulous sea green 1950’s pick up truck pulled up next me. I sat and starred. I am sure the driver thought I was a crazy woman! Right then a new Honda Pilot in burnt orange pulled up behind him. The colors together were so beautiful. I went home that night and I made a necklace with those colors. I also love nature, as you probably guessed since most of my pieces are nature themed. Sometimes my designs come straight from a beautiful flower that I saw. Tulsa’s tress are all in blossoming right now, so I have seen purples, magentas and pinks start to come out in my work.
Gleeful Peacock is still a part time job for me. I would love to have it be my full time within the next few years! I also have a goal to open my own shop and help support other artisans. At some point I also want to write a book. But most of all I want the business to continue to grow and for it to be the kind of business that people want their friends to know about.
My best advice is to not duplicate what everyone else is doing. The most amazing part about creating is that you know that if you did not exist then your creations would not exist. I believe that when you have a love for your creations and you know that they came from a creative part of your soul that you will believe in them enough to sell them. I would also say that you need to make connections with other artists. Don’t worry about sharing information or helping each other be successful. The more you help others the more help you will receive. I can’t tell you how many emails I have sent to other artists giving them ideas and feedback. Creating should be good for your soul, and if you are worried all the time about competing then you aren’t enjoying it as you should. Which goes back to my first point… if you are truly creating then there is no competition!
Thanks Nikki!!
You know how this works :) 3 entries!
1: be a follower and visit Gleeful Peacock, let me know what you like most, mandatory 2: Become a Fan of Gleeful Peacock on FB here 3: Twit, blog, post it on FB
Please leave a comment for each entry :)
{Giveaway open until next Monday xoxo}
+ 15% discount don't forget it :)
