Tuesday, March 1, 2011

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.

65 comments:

Ellen said...

The purple and blue afghan..gorgeous!
Christie has been a dear friend who I have been blessed to know for many years..her cards are wonderful and her heart goes into every craft she makes. ♥
My email is ellsha3 at aol dot com

Ellen said...

I follow your blog on google friend..♥

luvncrafts said...

Thank you so much for featuring my shop! Looking forward to seeing who wins the give-away!

April said...

I have purchased from Luv'n Crafts shop and it has great items and great shipping.

Unknown said...

I've followed Christie's shop for quite some time now. It's really hard to pick a favorite item, but since I must... http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2923365. She is a very talented lady!

Lizzi said...

Great feature for a great artist :-)

Unknown said...

Christie has made many custom items for me through her shop. I love love love them! I'm going to say these arm warmers because the arm warmers she made for me is the only piece I got to keep: the rest were gifts. And each and every person loved their gifts!
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2142442

Unknown said...

I love your Items, they are nicely done, and I think the Afgan is my Fav. Das

Jus and Kat said...

I like the Beaded Wirework Bracelet.

according2princess (at) yahoo (dot) com

Unknown said...

I really like the Green Roses Scripture Verse Note Cards.

MaggieMay said...

I fell in love with the following item; It reminds me so much of my granddaughter who lives in Ohio. I don't get to see her very often and when I seen that your daughter created it It really hit home.
Brown Shell Bead Necklace, Bracelet, and earrings set. Tell her she done a wonderful job. Very pretty.

MaggieMays
Email: sunmist50@centurylink.net

ArtFire Studio:
http://www.artfire.com/users/maggiemays

MaggieMay said...

Tweeted your contest! Catch me at http://www.artfire.com/users/maggiemays or email at sunmist50@centurylink.net.

I hope my 1st entry went through.

MaggieMays

Sewnfromtheheart said...

I love her cards. I like the butterfly and dragonfly togeter with purple!
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2771868

Elsie said...

A little bit of plaid and butterflies,
reminds me of the Scottish seaside...
my origins, my heart beats,
as I have found treasures:
Plaid Butterfly Note Cards Set of 6

pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

NonpareilsDesigns said...

The purple crocheted hat with fuzzy trim is so cute! My daughter knits hats with similar yarn, but the crocheted hat is different. I am not usually a fan of crocheted items, but hers are really attractive! The cell phone holders are sweet!
http://civilwar---andmore.blogspot.com

Lindsay said...

She has GREAT cards!!! I like these the best:
http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2292465

luvncrafts said...

Thank you all so much for the kind comments. It is very humbling to read all this! (((((HUGS)))) to you all!
Christie

Unknown said...

That Afghan is amazing, and so is its maker! I can personally vouch for her work!! Great feature!

Liza767 said...

Monarch Butterfly Hand Drawn Notecard set of 3

The Mateers said...

I love Luvncrafts too. My friend does a wonderful job on the cards - those are my favorite. I think my favorite cards today were the flower miniature thank you cards. I write a ton of thank you cards, so those were really cool. Thanks for posting about her!

ddmateer@gmail.com

The Mateers said...

I posted it to facebook too!
ddmateer@gmail.com

Laura Odom said...

Love all the crochet hats, scarves & arm warmers!

Anonymous said...

I like the Butterflies and Dragonflies, Set of 6 notecards.

susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I follow by gfc.
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I posted this giveaway on my FB page as Susan Clarke Taylor.
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

Monica said...

I like the Butterfly Friendship Notecards.

Thanks!

JuRita said...

my daughters would love the blue jean purse.. what a great idea!
http://buckoutfamily.blogspot.com/
buckout6@gmail.com

Captain Coupon said...

I like the glittery butterfly notecards with scripture verse.

nlytle@gmx.com

Chandra (Fanatic about Saving) said...

I like the arm warmers they are too cute!
Morrisonmom01@yahoo.com

Chandra (Fanatic about Saving) said...

I like you on gfc!
Morrisonmom01@yahoo.com

Kristen said...

I like the Colors of Spring Beaded Memory Wire Bracelet.

kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com

myeuropeantouch said...

Great to read about you here Christie...I love these warmers...

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2142442

watercolors said...

I really like these notecards:
/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2936967

Very nice article and nice to get to know Christie.

http://www.watercolorsnmore.etsy.com.
email: roxtob@verizon.net

watercolors said...

I tweeted the blog/giveaway.

Roxanne

my twitter: http://www.twitter.com/waterrox

demmi said...

I love the Bracelet and Earring Set Square Metal beads with Lime Green Hearts
con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephanie said...

I love the pink newborn booties!
mrshud at cox dot net

Stephanie said...

GFC follower (Stephanie)
mrshud at cox dot net

Taleah said...

I love the Purple and Blue Hues Stripes and Shells Afghan! my email is on my profile :)

Taleah said...

I follow on GFC under the same name.

Kelly said...

I like the Green Roses set of note cards.

Mandy said...

I like the round hot pads
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Mandy said...

I follow on GFC
cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

Lesli said...

I like the ladies crocheted flowered head band

littleumbrella (at) att (dot) net

Lesli said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/#!/alittleumbrella/status/45010712187252736

littleumbrella (at) att (dot) net

Lesli said...

Shared on FB

http://www.facebook.com/a.little.umbrella/posts/207380525944198

littleumbrella (at) att (dot) net

lewalk said...

I love the Small Ladies or Teen Beaded Torquoise Bracelet in the shop. That might actually fit my child size wrists. Lol. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find things that will stay on me and not go flying across a room when I raise my arm.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

GFC follower.

lewalk

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Tweeted.

http://twitter.com/#!/lewalk76/status/45213873653030912

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

And shared on FB.

http://www.facebook.com/lewalk76#!/lewalk76/posts/192552034118930

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

ashleynichole said...

I love the arm warmers :)
ashleydangit at gmail dot com

ashleynichole said...

I follow GFC. Would love a follow back!
http://stilettostostrollers.blogspot.com
ashleydangit at gmail dot com

Kristie said...

I love the Beaded Book Mark with Blue Glass Beads And Heart Charm. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Baby Mama said...

I like the beaded turquoise bracelet
sarahlovesvegas@hotmail

Kristie said...

Follow you with GFC. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Beckeesdeals said...

I really likw the Set of 3 Black and White greeting cards

beckeesdeals at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I like the Blue Stripes Square Crocheted Lapqhan/Throw!

flufffreebies@hotmail.com

Karen said...

Beaded Wirework Bracelet.

ktgonyea at gmail.com (Subscribed via Google Reader) :)

Unknown said...

I love the blue glass bead ring made by her daughter!
Tiffany
momtosprouts at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

follow you via GFC
Tiffany

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/MomToSprouts/status/45294267777814528

I tweeted!
Tiffany

Nicole said...

hard to choose but i think the friendship notecards are my favorite!!
http://twitter.com/mrsnaweiss/status/45309142394605569

Nicole said...

follow on gfc
http://twitter.com/mrsnaweiss/status/45309142394605569

Anonymous said...

I really like the Upcycled Blue Jean Pocket Purse With 12 Note Cards Gift Set. I could just see my daughter with that purse. She would love it so much.
jennifergrieco(at)verizon(dot)net

danielle stacey said...

It's a tie for me (for my favorite) between the beaded heart bracelet and the "God is our refuge" note set

danielle stacey said...

Following you with GFC
elle_176@yahoo.com