Tuesday, June 25, 2013

$50 giveaway to novica

Hello and happy summer!

Things for me have been crazy-busy but I will save the reason why for another post (followers of my Tinkered Treasures page on Facebook know ...). Tonight, I'm hosting a giveaway!

I politely decline to most companies that solicit giveaway requests but a couple of years ago, I was approached by NOVICA, like their products and philosophy and have said yes to hosting ever since. NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. They work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. NOVICA has thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts and home decor items on their website.

Chalcedony dangle earrings, 'Eternally Blue'
One winner will receive an electronic gift certificate for $50.00 to spend at NOVICA.com. The site is packed with unique and beautiful jewelry, decor, apparel and much more. I am easily overwhelmed by choices so I tend to stick to the earring section of the site (like the pretty example above). Anyway ...

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post
For additional entries, share the news of this giveaway via blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and then leave 1 comment for each share.

A winner will be chosen using Random.org on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

Thanks and happy browsing!

Suggested links from NOVICA:

xo
elyse



Sunday, June 2, 2013

summer newsstand 2013

Back when it was still cold and snowy, I was busy writing articles due for publication in summer. Assignments that I am always thrilled to get and excitedly anticipate seeing laid-out in glossy print months later.

This article in the summer issue of Romantic Country was so interesting to write. A husband and wife built this sun-filled cottage from hay bales to be an outdoor retreat and studio!

This article in the same issue, was also filled with inspired and beautiful ideas. It's always such a pleasure to review photograph after stunning photograph and then interview the homeowners (who are always so kind and sweet). From their answers to my many (many, many) questions it's wonderful to have the story begin to develop in my mind and almost write itself.

This article appears in the premiere issue of French Country Style and an added bonus was that the story connected me to Courtney Milton of French Country Cottage. Writing about the homes of bloggers is especially rewarding to me and of course the homeowner's blog offers so much rich content and detail.

Which brings me back to spring and the talented Stacey Flesch of A Sort of Fairytale and Cottage Industry. Stacey and I became fast-friends here in bloglandia and I pitched a story about her cheerful home to the lovely editors at Romantic Homes who said yes! The piece ended up in Flea Market Decor: a perfect fit. I have such a strong sense and admiration of Stacey's "beautility" style that the article was a breeze to write (and might be an all-time fave of my writing portfolio).

Well, back to what's currently on the newsstand: you can find a tutorial from my book Tinkered Treasures in Cottage Style. Beautiful issue.

And thanks to my publisher, book excerpts are on the shelves in the UK, too in magazines like Essentials and (GASP!) Prima among many others. I've also been awaiting the delivery of the July issue of Romantic Homes where I will be featured in the we love / artisan section (so I'll be running to the door like a puppy whenever I hear the mail truck).

Summer fun is in the bag (and bookstore)!

xo
elyse