Silent Moments Feature and Giveaway

I love photos! Photos make such wonderful memories especially when they are of people you know and love. People photography isn't the only type of photo I like though. I love looking at pictures of  God's amazing creation! Our loving Creator has given us such a beautiful, wonderful world to live in!

 

Silent Moments is an Etsy shop that offers beautiful photographs from way up in Canada! :)


Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm 29y/o and I've been married 10 years this June. My husband and I spent many years hating each other until I dropped to my knees, tears pouring down my face, broken and desperate and asked Jesus to take control of my life. It's been a few years since then and the hatred has melted away. My husband became a Christian this past December and our lives are now on a new and wonderful path. Together we have 3 sons. Our oldest is almost 13 and our twins are 9. When I'm not busy being a mom/housewife/artist I enjoy learning piano & guitar, writing songs and poems, silent moments in nature, knitting and listening to music.

How and when did you become interested in your craft?
My interest in photography began as a young girl. My dad gave me a great appreciation of nature early on and it left me longing to take pictures of animals, birds, flowers, trees, you name it. I finally picked up a camera in 2007 and have been dabbling with it ever since.

What inspired you to open your shop?
My best friend opened up one of her own and was an instant success. I figured I'd give it a shot and see what happens.

Is there something that you do differently than other people in your craft?
I "ruin" the image with text! Most leave them untouched, but to me a picture isn't complete until God's word or something inspiring is written on it.



What is your favorite item in your shop?
Be-still-square-photography-art-print  I've had this one on my wall for over a year now and it still catches my attention. This dock is one of my favorite places to be. Whether it's a warm calm morning or a raging storm with big beautiful waves crashing on the shore, it's always the perfect place to just be still.

What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you've started?
Selling my first mug was very exciting for me. The night before it sold I was talking to the Lord and asking him if I made a mistake by starting a shop. My husband recently became unemployed and with 3 kids and money being so tight it seemed silly to be paying into something - even as little as 20 cents a listing. I prayed that God would help me sell something as a sign that I should keep going. The next morning I had a sale!

Why do you do what you do?
The photography I do because I believe God wants me to and I enjoy it. The mugs I do for a few reasons.  I often doodle in my Bible with flowers, vines and crosses and I write verses all over my house. I've always had a liking for mugs and since one of the best moments of silence is in the morning while reading the Bible and sipping coffee, I figured I'd combine them into one. And thus the mugs were born!


Not only does Crystal make and sell such beautiful and meaningful photos, magnets, and mugs, she's also graciously offering one of my readers a 5x5 print of their choice! These would be perfect for a special gift for a loved one, or you could use it to decorate your own home. I love having Scripture verses on my wall, and it would be extra special with a beautiful photo accompanying it.

 

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 Silent Moments, 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!):
*Follow me with Google Friend Connect (1 entry)
*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)
*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 21st, 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.