Luv'n Crafts Feature and Giveaway

While selling on Artfire and Etsy, I've come across some wonderful shops and sellers, and I'd love to introduce you to some of them! I have several shops already lined up, and I will be doing feature posts for them as I have time.

I'm especially excited to share this first shop with you. Christie, at Luv'n Crafts studio, was one of my first customers when I began selling on Etsy, and she has been a big encourager ever since. She has now moved her shop to Artfire and sells a variety of beautiful handmade items.

Please tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Christie. I am a stay at home Mom to 6. I love making crafts. My main crafts are crochet and making note cards. I enjoy gardening, photographing my children and nature, reading, chocolate!! (That one is really important!) I have a great time with my family, and we enjoy camping out and various outdoor activities together. I am a Christian, and enjoy reading and studying the Bible and studying God's creation.

How and when did you become interested in your craft?
Well, with crochet...My grandma crocheted. She gave me a crochet hook when I was 11. She taught me how to make a chain and do a single crochet stitch. I made a couple of pot holders. That was about as far as it got at the time. I was not a very industrious young person. LOL

When I was pregnant with our third child, my husbands Mother gave me a box of yarn she was destashing. I pulled my crochet hook out again, got a couple of "how to" books, and learned to crochet.

With cards, when I was pregnant with our second child, I went with my mom to a Stamping Up party. We went in together and bought a set of stamps. I started making cards then as gifts for friends and family.

 

What inspired you to open your shop?
I have always made my crafts as gifts. But I had many people telling me I should try to sell my crafts. Plus, our oldest daughter was already selling some of her hand made jewelry locally. She wanted another avenue for selling her crafts. I did want to be able to make a profit as well, so that I could continue my crafting and giving without dipping into hubby's hard earned income. (which is hard to stretch as it is with a family of 8).

Where did your shop name come from?
I LOVE to craft.....so "luvncrafts"  . It's not work to me, it's fun!


What inspires you to create your work?
God, creation, friends and family. Beautiful papers and pretty yarns. I see paper, stickers, yarns, etc, that I like and get ideas.

What are 5 things that you could never do without in your craft?
yarn, paper, crochet hooks, glue, scissors

What is your favorite item in your shop?
That's a tough one!! I think it is my Purple and Blue Hues Stripes and Shells Afghan

Do you take custom orders? If so, how do they work?
Yes. If I have the supplies to make something desired already on hand, then I go ahead and make it. The person pays after I list the item. If I am going to have to buy supplies, then I ask for a deposit of enough to cover the cost of supplies. I then make and list the item. And then the person can pay the rest that is due. I ship the item after payment is recieved.

What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you've started?
Getting custom orders!! The person to whom I sold the first afghan I listed loved it so much, she has ordered several more. And my dauhgter and I have had custom orders for hats, wrist warmers, cards, etc. It is exciting that people not only like what we make, but request more!! We LOVE it when it's personal and we can make something special for someone!

How do you make time to craft?
LOL It's very sporadic. In Spring/Summer I don't get much time to craft because we practically LIVE outside. I craft mostly in the evenings after I have cleaned up the supper dishes. The rest of the day is JAM PACKED! Winter evenings I crochet like mad! Also on Winter weekends. I try to stock up the shop during the Winter since I know I won't have much time during Spring and Summer. Fridays is Craft Day with the children. So, I set them to doing their craft, and work on mine. Some times we all make cards, or do beading together.

What advice would you give someone just learning your craft?
Enjoy it. Get a how to book. Watch some instructional guides. Then just HAVE FUN!

These are just a few of the many great handmade items in Luv'n Crafts shop! Come check out the rest of the rest of the shop with coupon! Just  use the code JOYBLOG at checkout to receive 15% off your entire purchase!

Now for the giveaway! Luv'n Crafts studio has graciously offered a set of 6 handmade greeting cards to one Joyful Service reader. Aren't they beautiful?



There are several ways to enter this giveaway, but the mandatory entry must be complete first or the others won't count! Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Don't forget to include your e-mail address in your comments so that I can contact you if you win!

 Mandatory Entry:
Visit Luv'n Crafts, browse around, then come back here and tell me your favorite item in her shop AND leave me your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries (please leave a separate comment for each one and don't forget to leave me your e-mail address!):
*Blog about this giveaway (2 entries)
*Tweet this giveaway (can be done once a day - 1 entry each)
*Share this giveaway on Facebook (1 entry)
*Follow me with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
*Share this giveaway with friends through e-mail and let me know you did (1 entry)
* Sign up for an Artfire PRO account with this link (10 entries)

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada. The giveaway will close on March 8th, and the winner will be chosen by random.org and notified by e-mail. The winner has 48 hours to get back to me with their address or a new winner will be chosen.