Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July Featured Members and Giveaways!

This month, please give a warm welcome to Michelle from Pedrosprout and Samantha from Jetta's Nest, as they give us a sneak peak into their fabulous worlds of crafty goodness, and give away some of their wonderful handmade items to two lucky readers. To enter is simple - just leave us a comment at the bottom of this post. For more info (and to find out how to score an extra entry) read The Rules at the bottom of the post. Good luck everyone :)

Introducing BrisStyle member...


NAME: Michelle Gillies
ETSY SHOP NAME: Pedosprout

1. Can you please describe the items you are giving away to one of our readers?

I have one small Tote bag made from cute Japanese fabrics,


and a set of 4 fabric coasters lined with soft wadding to help soak up spills and protect your surfaces from hot drinks.


2. How would you describe your work?

I wanted to create a baby bootie that was cute and a bit more hip than Grandmas knitted booties – not that there's anything wrong with Grannies booties... I've said too much!

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I began making felt booties as gifts for friends and family with new babies and have always liked the idea of handmade gifts in general. The more I made the more I seemed to enjoy it. When my friends' baby making slowed down I had to find a new outlet for my little creations. As for the shop name, Pedro is my cat! He's also a chair thief, a bed hog, a computer screen blocker, general disperser of cat hair, but most importantly he is my best friend...sigh.

4. Who or What inspires you?


Lots of things. My friends definitely, family, blogs, craft markets, trips abroad. Also, the local crafting community has been hugely inspirational. There really is a great deal of comradery within the arts & craft movement.

5. Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process? If yes, how is your art / craft eco-friendly?

Pedrosprout booties and brooches are made form Kunin Eco-fi felt which is recycled from plastic bottles – it's amazing stuff. I use cardboard from Reverse Garbage in West End to make my product swing tags.

6. Can you describe your studio / work area?

At the moment I'm in a cramped dark, cold corner of the house, brrrr... I recently had to move from my spacious, well lit workspace to make room for some serious reno's at our place. I keep telling myself it'll all be all worth it in due time. Otherwise, my work space is relatively well organised and packed full of crafty goodness. As mentioned above I have an ongoing battle with Mr. P over my desk chair which often ends in me perching myself on a wooden stool.


7. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

Booties as far as the eye can see :) Coasters are also a favourite. I drink a lot of tea. It's always nice to have something pretty to put your teacup down on.


8. Do you have any other places that people can view your work?

I have another online store here. My booties are also stocked at Nesting Bird Interiors, Bliss Ecowear and The Ruby Pear.

********

Introducing BrisStyle member...


NAME: Samantha
ETSY SHOP NAME: Jetta's Nest

1. Can you please describe the items you are giving away to one of our readers?

A Bloomin’ Buttonhead brooch of the winners choice. Either one from the mosaic below or I can whip something up in your favourite colours.


2. How would you describe your work?

My husband described it the other day as vintage with an edge so I’m thinking maybe ‘vintedge’ might be a good word for it. Whether I’m sewing, crocheting or drawing, I like to create things that are a little bit old-school with a modern twist.

3. How did your Etsy shop come into being?

I started sewing for my biggest boy when he was quite small so that he could have fun, bright, one of a kind clothes that were more appropriate for a little boy than anything I could find in the shops. Soon after, some of my friends started asking me to make things for their kids too and so with lots of encouragement from my friends and family I decided to give etsy a go.

(cute little monster tee)

(bluebird of happiness pinny)

4. Who or What inspires you?

Who - anyone who dares to express themselves creatively.
What – so many things inspire me from vintage children's books to old-school tattoos!

5. Do you 'reduce, reuse, recycle' as part of your creative process? If yes, how is your art / craft eco-friendly?


Sure do! I love to use recycled and vintage fabrics, buttons, doilies and zippers in the things I make.

6. Can you describe your studio / work area?

Organised chaos.

7. What is your favourite thing in the shop at the moment?

It would be a close tie between the Bloomin’ Buttonhead brooches and the Rectangle Robot applique tee.

(rectangle robot tee)

8. Do you have any other places that people can view your work?

My flickr is at http://www.flickr.com/photos/angcah/ And I’m also happy to take custom orders via email through my blog at www.jettasnest.blogspot.com

Thank-you Michelle and Samantha!

The rules:

Simply leave a comment on this post to be in the running to win one of these two fabulous giveaways. Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you. If you don't have a blog, please include your email address. Only one entry per person. You may enter twice if you mention this giveaway on your blog. If you choose to do this, please pop back after posting to your blog and include the url address to the post it was mentioned on here in the comments. This will count as your second entry. International folk are welcome to enter. BrisStyle members and their immediate families (ie: husbands/partners, dependent children, and their computer savvy pets) are excluded from entering all BrisStyle giveaways. A name will be randomly drawn on the 25th of this month and the winner will be announced on the blog on that same day.

Once again, the very best of luck to you all!

24 comments:

Lis said...

This is a fabulous comp, I love looking at both of these stores!

Micky - Handmade Expo said...

I agree - what a great competition, my fingers, toes, eyes and every other crossable part of my body is crossed... LOL

Micky
xxoo

Micky - Handmade Expo said...

Hi again.. I have mentioned your fab giveaway on my blog www.handmadies.blogspot.com

Thanks
Micky
xxoo

Hot Fudge said...

What lovely interviews, and what a pity I'm ineligible to enter the comp. As a consolation, I look forward to catching up at our BrisStyle market on Saturday!

Lin said...

Such lovely things! Please count me in! Those booties are just delightful!

Me and My 4 Fellas said...

ooo, I so much look forward to your monthly giveaways. I have met both of these lovely ladies and would be over the moon to have a win this month.

Thanks heaps
Liesa

Bec said...

Oh my, such lovely creations by two very talented ladies. Really enjoyed reading these interviews too!! Thanks so much Michelle and Sam. Only wish I could enter too...sob.. :P

littlechrissy said...

I luuurve these monthly giveaway blogs! It's so nice to learn more about our wonderful BrisStylettes. I've gotta get some of that felt for my brooches...

Amanda said...

So excited about the market this weekend - I'm telling all my friends on and offline.

These things look gorgeous.

I've mentioned it on my blog http://carrythebags.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/brisstyle-markets/

and on my twitter www.twitter.com/dellvink

Amanda

Rachel said...

Great interviews and a fabulous giveaway, I love both of these gorgeous shops. The Robot Tee and the cute Tote bag are especially swoony!

Thanks
Rachel x

Ellie said...

Ohh another fantastic give away. You are all so uber talented.

Boodabubs said...

Great giveaway. That robot applique is fantastic!!

zofia said...

Oh wonderful giveaway!
Thanks for the chance you talented girls!

Ammieloris said...

Oh, each of these projects is adorable and inspires me to go out and make some lovely things. Thanks so much for the giveaways!

ammieloris(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ammieloris said...

I posted about your giveaway on my blog: http://skemommlenskedaddle.blogspot.com/2009/07/handmade-giveaways.html
Thanks!

Sharlene said...

Oh these items are devine and the stores are just great. Pity I can't enter. Will have to check out the wares at the brisstyle market on Saturday the 4th July.

Mrs Button said...

I hadn't come across these ladies before and really enjoyed reading about them. Thanks for the chance to win. Lisa.

Fran said...

I've been trying to win one of Samantha's bloomin' buttonhead brooches for a while now...fingers crossed.
I mentioned this giveaway on my blog http://lovelylittlesweetpeas.blogspot.com/2009/07/feast-your-eyes.html too!

Mandi said...

Love to read & see other gorgeous little morcels of goodness being handmade...love the little red dress with the big-eyed bird!Amanda

Megs said...

Great work girls, love your work especially the felt slippers and the birdie dress.

Unknown said...

Wow, having only discovered this blog a week ago, and the activities of BrisStyle, I am very excited!

Can't wait to see more!

Le said...

just great work - love the wee bag and the flowery vintedge - too cute for words - thanks le

Anonymous said...

Fabulous Giveaway - I always love checking out both of those lovely shops!! Cheers

Jeanette Flatley said...

Congratulations on your web-site - it's a great way to keep tabs on the talent in Bris. I attended your lat market and was so impressed by the range and standard of your products. Will definitely be making the effort to return to Bris for the next market.