ta ta tan! Winners!

I would like to thank all the incredibly vendors for their generosity, I'm honored to have worked on these Anniversary giveaways with such talented ladies. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Also, thank you so much to all of you who have entered and who have wished me a happy first anniversary, this amazing ride wouldn't have been possible without ALL of you! Thank YOU!

TO the winners: please get in touch to get your goodies xo

Reminder: Anniversary Giveaways (Closed)

The anniversary giveaways have been a great hit, thank you so much. There is still time to enter, on Monday I will pick 8 winners for each of these beauties. Have you entered?

Cake Bunting from Kiki La Rue

A set of chevron calling cards from SweetBeaker

A custom calligraphy stamp by Primele

The Eastern Holiday necklace by Elephantine

A hand painted cup by Louchelab

The lounge pants by Plum Pretty Sugar

A print of your choice  by Annechovie

A print of your choice by Eva & Juliet Atelier

Hope you are having a great weekend lovelies!! 

Anniversary Giveaway: Atelier Eva Juliet (Closed)

One of Eva Juliet prints hangs in my bedroom and I adore it. Eve is an artist based in Montreal and has the ability to send a message through her prints in a very... romantic way.

I'm so excited to be closing these anniversary giveaway with a beautiful gift from the always sweet Eve. 

Who is Eve?

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. How did it all start?
My name is Eve but my mom calls me Eva. I work as an art director for a few magazines here in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. EvaJuliet was born when I felt the need of creating my own graphic design artworks with an entire liberty.
I dreamt of creating my own graphic projects without any restriction and constrain for a very long time but I always put it off because I didn’t have the time or it was not the good time for several reasons. From that moment on, I got the idea of the Make it Happen poster. I needed some reminder, some motivator, something that could help me every day to reach my dream. I thought maybe it could help somebody else and I decided to start my Etsy shop to sell this poster.
During the process, I have realized that it’s not about leaving everything spontaneously to follow your dreams but it’s about making one tiny action, every day, that brings you more and more closer of the situation you want to be in. But the most important is to make the first step in this way.

Who or what inspires you?
I find my inspiration at unsuspected places. One day, I found the inspiration for an illustration in a knurl, on my living-room wood floor! Inspiration is hidden everywhere! You just have to keep your eyes and your mind opened. Inspiration could also comes from a situation. For example, my Choose Joy poster was created after an unfortunate incident. I said to myself; I could choose to be angry about this situation and loose my time and energy, or, I could play down the importance of this, realize it’s not the end of the world and get back my good mood. The Choose Joy poster was born!

What do you love most of what you do?
Everything. I feel totally and entirely happy about everything as regards EvaJuliet. It’s like eating sweet cakes with a perfect café au lait, sitting at a table outside a café, by a splendid sunny day, with your best friend! Pure pleasure! I love to create, find new ideas, I love to take pictures, to receive comments from customers and chatting a bit with them. I like to go to the Post Office to send my illustrations all over the world. I like to think I propagate positive thoughts in the world.

Any advice for aspiring shop owners?
I think the first motivation to own a shop is to want to have fun with this. I think you should see it as a pretext to create, explore and having fun. If you do that only to make money at any cost, it risks being tiring and maybe even disheartening if your expectations are too high.

And now for the giveaway! What? 

The winner can pick any 8.5x11 print of their choice

How?
- Follow A Diary of Lovely and visit Eva Juliet. Come back and comment with your favorite item.
Extra entries 
- Tweet about this giveaway (use @adiaryoflovely)
- Follow me on Twitter or/and facebook
- Become a Fan on Eva Juliet on Facebook

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Thank you all so much! Winner will be picked at random next week)

Anniversary Giveaway: Annechovie (Closed)

The next anniversary giveaway comes from beautiful artist Anne of Annechovie. I'm sure you have seen her work, it really stands out for it's beauty. Her chairs paintings make me really happy, oh how I want one for myself! Plus, did you know one of Anne's prints was on It's Complicated! pretty cool right?

Anne was kind to answer some questions

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. How did it all start?
I have always had an interest in art and creating, but didn't really start painting until I was about 19 or so. I used to work in a home furnishings store my parents owned and started selling paintings and some painted furniture there. I began to get some commissions from customers and then continued from there, but back then it was more of something I did on the side. I didn't start painting full-time, selling online or blogging until about 3-4 years ago. I started Annechovie in 2006 and then the blog followed about 6 months later in 2007.

Who or what inspires you?
Anything that has developed with me came by digesting tons of paintings, magazines, books, etc. and then working by trial and error to paint what was in my head. I am a firm believer that God gifts us with all and any talents that we have and my personal relationship with Him is a tremendous source of inspiration and motivation that has helped me to grow and develop more than anything else. Never underestimate the power of a little chocolate or coffee, too!

What do you love most of what you do?
I'd have to say the freedom that it affords me, along with the satisfaction of seeing people enjoy my work. The joy from doing something you love makes up for the financial risk, sacrifice of time and the load of responsibility being the one who wears all the hats.

Any advice for aspiring shop owners?
Sell what you love, stock a variety and put your whole heart into it. Develop good relationships with your customers and the dividends will be great! People respond to sincere gratitude and respect like nothing else.

And now for the giveaway! What? 

The winner can pick any 9x12 print of their choice

How?
- Follow A Diary of Lovely and visit Annechovie. Come back and comment with your favorite item.
Extra entries 
- Tweet about this giveaway (use @adiaryoflovely)
- Follow me on Twitter or/and facebook
- Follow Anne's blog here

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Thank you all so much! Winner will be picked at random next week)

Anniversary Giveaway: Plum Pretty Sugar (Closed)

Around last Christmas I came across Plum Pretty Sugar and since then I have been enamored. While lounging around I wear my tracksuits or pj's and I look rather unglamorous to be honest. I would love to be lounging around in any of these gorgeous floral creations. What about you? One of you will be able to do so! Jealous! 

Want to know more?

How gorgeous are Charlotte's creations?

What? 

Wouldn't be cool to lounge around in these?

How?

- Follow A Diary of Lovely and visit Plum Pretty Sugar. Come back and comment with your favorite item.

Extra entries 

- Tweet about this giveaway (use @adiaryoflovely and @plumprettysugar)

- Follow me on Twitter or/and facebook

- Blog about it and let me know you did in a comment

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Thank you all so much! Winner will be picked at random next week)

Anniversary giveaway: Louchelab (Closed)

When i came across Louchelab I got really excited because of their beautiful and unique pieces. Hand painted cups, tapas plates and so much more. Alya is an incredible artist and has been generous enough to offer one of her beautiful pieces. 

 

Let's hear a bit more about this super talented artist.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. How did it all start?
Hay! My name is Aya. I'm an artist living in Brooklyn, NY. I'm 35, married to Ned who's an awesome photographer. I have an Etsy store called louchelab, which sells some of the things I make - mostly hand painted dishes and paintings and drawings. 
I've always loved making stuff and doing crafts, me and my sister and cousins where always making things as a part of our games. after High school I went to art school where I studies graphic design and illustration, I thought that now I'm old and serious and have to do work on the computer and not with my hands anymore, but a few years ago after moving to NY, I decided to try and be an artist rather then go on working in advertising and so, that's when I went back to making paintings, drawings, crafts and other stuff I like to make. 

Who or what inspires you?
Honestly, I don't believe in inspiration at all, I believe in forming a habit and sticking to it. Making art makes me happy and so if I don't do it for a while I get bitchy and confused. I try and spend at least 2 hours everyday drawing as well as more time with photography, different stuff i make for the Etsy store and other creative projects. I think that if I had to wait for inspiration, I would have spend a lot less time working on art and a lot more time waiting. 
The thing that inspire me more then anything else, however is people - talking to them, looking at them, talking about them and about myself. I feel like art is a mean of communication, just like conversation and the 2 things feed one another.

What do you love most of what you do?Almost everything... I love being able to manage my own time and dedicate as much time to my store (or sometimes, as little) as I want. I love being my own boss, and I love working from home and not having to spend a lot of hours on idle chit chat in stuffy offices... I love spending all day with my husband and working together and not having to limit the time we spend together. I really love going to sleep late and waking up late! And I love knowing that people that buy my art really enjoy it and are happy having it in their lives. 

Any advice for aspiring shop owners?The hardest thing about selling your art online is keep doing it. I've sold almost 800 items by now, and still if nothing sells for a while, I feel really sad and worthless. The most important thing is keep doing it even in days and weeks when nothing sells. Do a little every day and keep doing it, eventually that sale will come and it'll be worth all that hard work!

What? 

This super unique cup, in fuchsia, I can see so many uses!!

How?

- Follow A Diary of Lovely and visit LoucheLab shop. Come back and comment with your favorite item.

Extra entries 

- Tweet about this giveaway (use @adiaryoflovely)

- Follow me on Twitter or/and facebook

- Blog about it and let me know you did in a comment

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Thank you all so much! Winner will be picked at random next week)

Anniversary giveaway: Elephantine (Closed)

One of my favorites necklaces is the Amelia by Elephantine. I love it, it's so simple and elegant, with the right amount of trendiness. Just lovely and I have received uncountable compliments. So for today Elephantine, aka gorgeous and super sweet Rachel, is here to give away one of her precious creations! 

 

Want to know more about Rachel?

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. How did it all start?

 I have a background in graphic design, and that's what I do as my 9-to-5 job. But I've also always had creative projects outside of work. Last year I started designing jewelry as a hobby, and then quickly decided that I wanted to turn it into a small business because I enjoyed it so much. And now here I am! I still consider my shop to be young, and have plenty of plans for the future.

Who or what inspires you? 
I'm mostly inspired by the materials I find. There is so much potential with all the different materials out there that sometimes it's overwhelming (but in a good way). I'm also constantly inspired by music, by other amazing artists, and by the little things in life.

What do you love most of what you do?
The best thing about running my shop is the response and encouragement I get from others about my work. Realizing that something you made by hand made someone else happy? That's such an awesome feeling, and it's what makes all those late nights worth it. It can be the shortest, most simple thank you, or a long one with lots of exclamation points -- every bit of positive feedback is heartwarming.

Any advice for aspiring shop owners?
Work hard, and love your work.

And now for the giveaway! What? 

The winner will win the gorgeous Eastern Holiday Necklace

How?

- Follow A Diary of Lovely and visit Elephantine. Come back and comment with your favorite item.

Extra entries 

- Tweet about this giveaway (use @adiaryoflovely)

- Follow me on Twitter or/and facebook

- Follow Elephantine on Twitter @rachelchew

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.Thank you all so much! Winner will be picked at random next week)

Anniversary giveaway: Primele (Closed)

Do you love beautiful calligraphy? I do, and Patricia over at Primele does it famously well! A handmade address stamp has been on my wish list for a long time now so you can imagine how excited I am to be teaming with Primele to offer one to a lucky lovely reader of A Diary of Lovely.

A bit more about Patricia and Primele

Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. How did it all start?
Being an idea factory runs in the family, and so naturally the need arose to to put a little vector to our thrust, or to at least a provide a means of getting the ideas out of our heads. My brother in-law came up the the “ideal bowl” for us to throw in scraps of paper with our next greatest vision scrawled on them. When we have the capacity, we pull out a good one and see if we can’t make it happen.

Who or what inspires you?
Happy thoughts mostly--good memories, sunny days, berry picking, cake and ice cream. My sister would tell you I live in a children’s storyland in my head: a mid-century modern illustrated world with a touch swedish country decor.

What do you love most of what you do?
I get to live and work every day around my family who I love. And I get to eat lunch outside for an hour if I want to.

Any advice for aspiring shop owners?
If you’ve got an idea you like, make it, put it out there, and see what people think. Repeat. If you really like it, share it with the online community via a submission to a blog, etc. (note: It’s worth your time to take good photos of the coolness you’ve created.) Also, if you underprice to make a sale, expect the bloom to soon be off the rose. You’ll burn out pretty quick making things for free. And if you price right and your work catches on, you're self-employed.


And some great photos of Patricia's studio/home, pretty and creative, right?

Giveaway time. What?

Patricia is offering this super super cute personalised stamp! 

How?

- Follow A Diary of Lovely and visit Primele. Come back and comment with your favorite item.

Extra entries 

- Tweet about this giveaway (use @adiaryoflovely and @primele)

- Follow me on Twitter or/and facebook

- Blog about it and let me know you did in a comment

(Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Thank you all so much! Winner will be picked at random next week)