Artist Highlight and Giveaway: hoop~da~loop

Today I thought it would be fun to interview myself (weird? maybe... fun?! yes!) and tell you a bit more about hoop~da~loop.  I am also hosting a fun fun giveaway and offering you wonderful readers a discount!  So be sure to scroll down to see how to enter!

Autumn Garland

Hi hoop~da~loop! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your whimsical party decor.
Hello!  I'm Allison.  I live in Knoxville, TN with my most wonderful husband, Andrew aka "Scout" and trusty pup, Bailey.  Besides creating, I love to be in the great outdoors, learn new things, and hang out with my family and friends.  I'm also a bit of a foodie and LOVE tracking down delicious restaurants and eating at them.  My Etsy shop hoop~da~loop is full of happy and whimsical party decorations and unique gifts.  It's pretty much the perfect place to find anything from wedding decorations and rehearsal dinner invitations to holiday home decor and dorm goodies.  I love custom work and do a lot of it so if customers don't see exactly what they want, I will make it happen!

Woodland Gift Tags

Besides the paper crafts and such that you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
Like I mentioned above, I love to be outside.  Specifically I love running and walking my dog.  We go to the park or at least to the walking path near our place almost everyday.  I also love watching a good movie and learning new languages.  I know four.

  
What first drew you to party decor?
 I love colors and textures.  They add so much life to plain decor in the home or at special events.  I also love the one of a kind uniqueness that comes with handmade.  That all culminated in me stealing my mom's sewing machine (thanks mom!) and creating fun paper garlands and the rest just sort of blossomed and continues to blossom from there.  Plus I think every event and lived in space should reflect you and these paper garlands can do just that!

Halloween Greeting Cards

 
What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
I give lots of advice on this here little blog :) but I would say that you should never give up.  Sometimes I have a great week and I think oh man!  I have hit the big show!  But then everything is quiet for a week... and I'm like man what happened?!?  When things get slow, instead of sitting at the computer and watching my shop stats not increase (been there done that)... I hit the studio (my kitchen table) and start creating new items.  Not only does it renew my love for my shop because I love creating, it helps it grow at the same time!
 
Where else can we find you?  Right here on this blog!!  You can also find me on facebook here and Pinterest here.

And because I love giveaways!  I will be giving away my newest design... not even in the shop yet!... which is perfect for decor in the home, adding an extra special touch to your gift wrap, or sprucing up your holiday decor (Aka Christmas Tree garland!)--- My newest vintage heart paper garland!  I will make it as long or as short as you want up to 10 feet!  You can see a mini example here.  The winner will be drawn on October 15th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

Here's a Mini Version!

To enter, head over to my Etsy Store, hoop~da~loop, 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 hoop~da~loop to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 6) making a purchase out of my store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

Multicolor Paper Garland

In addition to such fun and because I love all of you, I will be offering a 15% discount plus a free gift on any items in my shop through October 15th.  Use coupon code "agirlandherscout" at checkout to receive your discount.