Party Day 3~ Artist Highlight and Giveaway: Water Between Stones

To finish off this spring break party, I was to introduce another vintage collector and artist, Wes from Water Between Stones.  He is gracing us with a great interview, a discount to his shop, and a giveaway!! His store is filled with fabulous and unique vintage goodies.  

I happened to pick some favorites here:

 Japanese Moriage Teapot

Vintage Japanese Painting

Spy Camera (It's the size of a quarter!)

Tin Tray 
(would look great with some plants on it in the center of the table)

Hi Wes, Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your wonderful vintage collection.
My name is Wes, the “husband” part of our husband – wife – daughter team who moved across country not long ago, bought a house sight unseen, to follow my job. Renee (the wife) found a great job and Shyla (the daughter) started elementary school just down the road. Then less than two years later both of the “steady” jobs fell through and we were suddenly without much income. We had gathered an interesting little collection of stuff but never really enjoyed it, mostly due to the fact we also love animals, and with a few dogs and cats in the house, pretty things on shelves just don’t fare well! So we opened up a shop at an antique mall not far away and began our vintage journey on Etsy. Now our house is part inventory warehouse in tubs and closed cabinets!

Besides the vintage items you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love photography and nature, which was the genesis of WaterBetweenStones.com. The name seemed very fitting for a vintage shop as well. We all love helping others and enjoy a simple life, with as little hustle and bustle as possible.

What first drew you to vintage wares?
Primarily the fact that I can’t find any in Wal-Mart! More importantly it’s the connection we’ve discovered with our past through the stories, and the deepening of the desire to learn more. Finding interesting vintage pieces and then researching them reminds me of an inspiring college professor who taught me the most valuable lesson of those 4 years, well… six, and that is that I really don’t know that much!

What inspires what you put in your shop?
Beauty is a big part. We like things that seem a bit distant from the ordinary, a bit of contrast, eclectic, and a touch of cool.

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners?
1. Remember you’re not a museum
2. Don’t take yourself to seriously

You can find Wes here:

His Vintage Blog

His Zen Nature photography

His CafePress design shop 

His Facebook Page

His Twitter

His Newly launched handmade shop

In addition to such inspiring words, Wes is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! He will be giving away this awesome wood and tile trivet!

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on March 24th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to his Etsy Store, Water Between Stones, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Additional entries for: 1) becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout 2) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your blog 3) Posting this giveaway with a link to my blog on your facebook and/or twitter 4) “Hearting” or adding Water Between Stones to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of his store (one entry for every purchase). 

Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, until March 24th he will be offering a 17% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount.