Artist Highlight and Giveaway: Mellow Mermaid!

 To get this spring break party started, I would like to introduce an awesome artist and vintage collector that not only has an Etsy shop for her vintage wares, but a brick and mortar shop as well.  Oooolalala :)  Lori has the cutest items in her shop, Mellow Mermaid.  I literally spent an hour going through it and had so many favorites that I had to remove half of them so my blog post was readable.  Anyways, you get the point... So without further ado here is Lori from Mellow Mermaid with an interview, discount (I'm totally using it!), and giveaway (a gift card!) here!

Some of my favorites from her store:

Vintage Train Case

Upcycled Wall Sconces 

Stiched Map of the South Pillow

Fabulous Vintage Crewel Work

Besides the vintage items you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
My college degree is in Studio Art & Art History. I've been fortunate to have always worked in the arts. My many "Art" hats include: Gallery Artist; Art Teacher; Artist in Residence; Summer Art Camp Director; Gallery Sales; Ceramicist; Painter; Mixed Media Artist; Decorator; Creative Recycler.

I opened my brick & mortar shop in 2005 in a rented space at an Antique Mall in Virginia Beach. My plan was to use this as a test market for a shop I would open in a historic beach cottage 2 blocks from the Oceanfront. Six years later, I still fantasize about my vision for Mellow Mermaid Studio, but my terror of being trapped indoors keeps me from seeing it to fruition. My shop at Barrett Street Antiques is still going strong. I work there 1 day every week or two, rearranging, restocking & merchandising. I spend the rest of my time working in my home art studio, where I can see the ocean from the deck where I prefer to work whenever the weather cooperates.

I treasure hunt regularly & especially love it when I'm traveling. Thrift shopping is like a social experiment for me. I learn so much about the people from the things they cast aside. I love imaging the stories of how an item ended up on a shelf in Goodwill store. I even once found a pair of framed postcards that I had designed for a postcard company, while living in New Orleans. The cards were large colorful underwater & beach scenes that sold in the Caymans, Bermuda & Virgin Islands in the 1990's (Maybe still do). How they ended up professionally framed in Virginia made me wonder, smile & know what it feels like to have your "art" be discarded. Better that than in a land fill, anyone's trash is someone else's treasure, no matter who you are.

I make up my days as I go. My time goes to gardening in my over crowded cottage rose & perennial garden, photographing & posting Etsy finds, making stuff in my studio, loving my family, wishing I had a personal organic chef to feed us, and collecting washed up sea glass, shells, driftwood (& trash) while I walk the beach with our very funny looking dog, Josie. Running on the beach helps keep her personality disorder in check. She probably says that about me.

What first drew you to vintage wares?
My parents both were thrifters & vintage recyclers long before it was chic. Dad used to pull our green Chevy station wagon over on trash day to pick up floor lamps & lawn furniture from the curbside, while I hid on the floor biting my finger nails & praying no one from my junior high school would id the car. Mom painted, refinished or 'antiqued' every piece of furniture in our house. They taught me to see possibility in everything. When I was 9, we moved from coastal California to the east coast & our new home was near a landfill turned city park, called Mount Trashmore. I made a decision to do my part in not adding any more than was absolutely unavoidable to any more mountains of trash.

What inspires what you put in your shop?
I'm like a magpie, with an eye for anything that glitters with images from my childhood. I'm always attracted to things we had in our homes in the seventies & eighties. Often times, that meant mid century modernist, crushed velvet upholstery, swag lamps and seventies crafts. I love finding things that make me smile. I figure if it works for me, it probably will for someone else. Color is my muse. Every room in my house is a different color, I can always find just the right spot to suit whatever my mood happens to be. I have to rearrange my Etsy shop whenever I post new items, so the many colors aren't conflicting.

What advice would you give to aspiring vintage artists and Etsy shop owners?
Don't be afraid to 'just do it'. If you find you aren't getting as much activity as you'd hope for, join a team. Make treasuries. Help others when you can, I've found that my most active selling times coincide with when I've been paying it forward by promoting other Etsy sellers. My main attraction to Etsy is the spirit of sharing the love & encouraging others. I've found that whenever I get outside of my own concerns about if MY shop is successful enough, & focus outside of MYself, the positive energy flows. Kind of like life, huh?

Where else can we find you?
If you're ever visiting coastal Virginia, you can check out my shop at Barrett Street Antiques. You'll find beach inspired home decor, cottage style brightly painted furniture, hand made souvenirs & things you just have to have to make you smile! I also have a 1950's-80's retro home decor shop there, as well as an antique, vintage & hand crafted jewelry display case. The warehouse is nearly 30,000 square feet of showroom space where 200 vendors sell their vintage wares. Great fun on a rainy day! And... Greyhound will ship your loot home for you if it doesn't fit in your luggage, or you could just purchase a vintage Samsonite suitcase from me while you're there. :)
 

Also, my website is embarrassingly amateurish, but is on my list of things to focus on in 2011, you can find it here. 

In addition to such inspiring words (for real!), Lori is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to be used in her Etsy shop, Mellow Mermaid to use on cute things like this:

  Antique German Children's Dish

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on March 30th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

 

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Mellow Mermaid, 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 Mellow Mermaid to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase).

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

In addition, until April 7th she will be offering a 20% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word "girlandherscout" at check out to receive your discount!!!

Thanks again Lori for your inspiring words! 

Porch Designs

Maybe it's the spring and the fact that despite yesterday's storms, today is bright and sunny that makes me want to go sit on a porch.  I grew up with a front and back porch, perfect for listening to thunder roll by as spring crept and for spending lazy summer days basking in the drowsy heat.  

Whatever it is, I don't have a porch in our apartment so I try to bring in a little porchness by bringing in lots of plants.  It helps, but these porch designs make me croon.

Found via Design*Sponge

Artist Interview and $150 Limited Edition Print Giveaway!! Smoky Mountain Art

Original Watercolor Iris

One thing I have loved about Knoxville is the close proximity of the Smoky Mountains.  They are gorgeous and perfect for a hike, picnic, or bike ride. 

This week I am interviewing Tracy from Smoky Mountain Art.   He has beautiful prints of scenes from the Smoky Mountains in all different sizes and on note cards as well as the cutest painting of elephants!  I love elephants!

Some of my favorites:

 

Marshes of Gynn Sunset


Boat Dock


Elephant Dance


A Time to Remember

Check out his inspiring interview, HUGE $150 PRINT GIVEAWAY, and discount details below.

Hey Tracy! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art.
I am from Cosby, TN; a small rural community located Northeast of Gatlinburg. I have been married to my wonderful wife Jennifer for sixteen years and we are expecting our first baby this April. I have been painting for about seventeen years in both oil and watercolor.  The abundance of subject matter in and around the Smoky Mountains has become the focus of most of art. Flowers and the changing seasonal landscapes of this region all find their way into my art.

Besides the beautiful prints and note cards you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
Spring is my favorite time of year and I always enjoy getting my hands a little dirty planting flowers and freshening up the landscaping around our home.  We have three cats that like to try to help and they are always fun to watch hiding and playing in the shrubs and flowers. I also like spending time in the mountains maybe hiking, a picnic in Cades Cove or just taking a scenic drive.  The last couple years Jennifer and I have enjoyed visiting outdoor arts and craft shows in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I love to see all the interesting things people create with their hands. It is really inspiring to see these artists creating unique handmade art.

What first drew you to arts and crafts, especially painting?
I got a late start in art.  I drew a little when I was young but our local schools did not have any art classes so I was never encouraged to develop my artistic talents until my senior year in collage when I took an introduction course in painting.  After college I still thought of my art as a hobby until I visited the Jim Gray Gallery in Gatlinburg and finally realized painting is what I want to do. I was so inspired by Jim's art and the fact that he was making a living doing what he loved.  I later applied for a job with Jim Gray Gallery and was given the opportunity to doing custom framing while I developed my painting skills.  I have been selling my work at the Jim Gray Gallery for about fifteen years now.

What inspires you?
The beauty of nature more than anything.  After a trip to the mountains I am always inspired to paint that new smoky mountain scene I just discovered.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
I am new to Etsy and still learning but as far as being an artist just do what you love.  I always seem happier when I am working towards a goal.  Set your artistic goals high and don't give up.

Find Tracy on his website here, at his Etsy Store here, and on Facebook here or e-mail him at tracy@tracywebbgallery.com

The following businesses carry Tracy Webb fine art prints. Please visit them if you are in their area!

Woolworth Walk/ Asheville, TN 

25 Haywood Street (828) 254-9234

www.woolworthwalk.com

The Shops At Carousel Gardens / Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     At Red Light #3  Parkway / 321 intersection
     www.shopsatcarouselgardens.com             

Jim Gray Gallery / Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     On Glades Road in the Arts and Crafts Community  (865)436-8988
     www.jimgraygallery.com

Jim Gray Gallery/ Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 

Across from the Old Mill  (865)428-2202

     www.jimgraypigeonforge.com

 
In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Tracy is
hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! He will be giving
away a $150.00 Limited Edition print on watercolor paper of  "Foothills Autumn."


Also seen here.

The winner will be chosen (via a random assorter) on
March 16, 2011 so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to his Etsy Store,  Smoky Mountain Art, and leave a comment here about your favorite item(s). Seven possible additional entries for each of the following. 

(Be sure to leave additional comments for each entry.)

1) Making a purchase here at Tracy's Gallery or  here at his Etsy shop.  2) Signing up to receive his new print release e-mails at Tracy's Gallery  3) "Like"ing Smokey Mountain Art's Facebook page 4) “Heart"ing or adding Tracy Webb Gallery to your favorites on Etsy 5) Becoming a first time follower of A Girl and Her Scout. 6) Posting this giveaway with a link on your blog. 7) Posting this giveaway with a link on your facebook and/or twitter.

In addition he will be offering a 25% new customer discount at his Gallery (here) to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use Promotional Code "Blog Promo" at check out to receive your discount.

Happy shopping and painting and many thanks again to Tracy for participating in my Artist Highlight of the week! 

A little hiking reflection...

I was downloading some photos from my camera and saw that the hubz and I had taken a bunch of photos on a hiking excursion and I had never posted them so enjoy fall time in the Smokeys courtesy of Scout, me and Bailey.



Bailey climbing the rocks. She went crazy for the crunchy leaves.


Family Portrait




Until we meet again...

Simple Living Month: Day 14~ More Guest Blogging Awesomeness

Some more awesome tips from Calamity Wilde!

Hang your clothes to dry whenever possible. Save energy, and let your clothes soak up some fresh air. My Japanese friends NEVER use a dryer. They hang their clothes to dry indoors- always.

Save water. 1) Don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth or the whole time you wash the dishes. 2) You don't have to wash that bath towel or that pair of jeans EVERY time you use them. My friend out in San Diego got me into trying to not wash clothes after one use, unless it's underwear, or you had a particularly sweaty day, of course. But you'll be surprised how much of a habit it is to throw clothes automatically into the hamper at the end of a day without considering how dirty they really are.

It may be gross, but the rule in our house is "if it's yellow, let it mellow, if it's brown, flush it down." If you can save just one flush per day, you're saving a ton of water. Also, pee in the shower. The water's already running, so you won't have to flush.

Simple Living Month: Day 13! Guest Blogger!!!

For the next three days, I will have a guest blogger, CalamityWilde, who also happens to be my vegan, earth-loving, awesome, and beautiful sister-in-law. She will be gracing us with her tips on living simply and sustainably no matter where you live. She is currently studying holistic medicine aka- all-natural living coolness- and has an awesome blog, Call Me Vegan so be sure to check that out too! Welcome CalamityWilde!

Her tips for today revolve around the kitchen in some form or fashion.
Check it out:

Buy in bulk whenever possible. It will not only save you money, but it will save the environment and precious energy used in packaging, etc. (I love the dry foods bins at our local health stores- I stock up on oats, cornmeal, beans, etc.)

Don't throw out veggies that are on the out and out. As long as they are not rotting, you can use them to make your own vegetable stock. Then, you'll never have to buy it. Stock is a necessity in our house, for soups, to cook beans in, to add to almost anything for that delicious flavor. I even add herbs like burdock and echinacea for extra medicinal benefit.
How I make the stock: I use things like the ends of broccoli stalks, the stems of swiss chard and collard green leaves, the hard top parts of tomatoes, the ends of green beans, and any veggies that are old. I cut everything into about 2 inch pieces. I add 1/4 onion, a carrot, some garlic, and perhaps any other veggies I have laying around. I chop those up too, throw it all in a stock pot, add filtered water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to simmer. After about 30 minutes of simmering I add sea salt and black pepper. After simmering again for 30 minutes, I add herbs. I add the conventional cooking herbs like sage, thyme, basil, fennel, and some cayenne pepper. But I also add echinacea, burdock root, calendula flowers, and anything else I might be in the season for (thyme and fenugreek are great for allergy season, licorice root for sore throats, etc, etc.). The herbs definitely affect the taste of the stock, so don't use any that you don't enjoy the taste of. Burdock is my favorite as far as flavor. (Burdock is actually a Japanese vegetable called Gobo root. They put it in all sorts of dishes, so it makes me think of delicious Japanese cuisine.) So after adding the herbs (I never measure, I just add, but to give you an idea herbal teas use 1 tsp herb to 1 cup water), I let it simmer for 20 more minutes before straining out the liquid into a glass jar. Keep it refrigerated if you're going to use it within the week, and freeze it if it'll be longer. Make sure to leave some room at the top of the jar before putting it in the freezer, to give the liquid room to expand. Use the stock to cook your beans in- it'll give them wicked good flavor. Use it to make soups of all sorts. Use it to make gravy. Add it to any dish for a savory flavor and a medicinal kick. You know what Hippocrates said, "Let thy food be thy medicine."

Compost!! Even though we can't do it as much as we'd like, due to living in an apartment, you can do it to an extent no matter where you live. As for the composting, we keep a tub (one of those kinds that you use for storage) on our porch, but you can use a trash can with a lid as well. We start out with some dirt, and add a layer of dry plant matter (leaves that have fallen off our plants), and then throw in food scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds, hair from our hairbrushes, etc. We don't actually keep a lid on it, instead we cover it with a trash bag (a biodegradable one, of course), because it needs a little air. You can also punch holes in the sides to keep the air flowing through. We stir it every couple of days, and keep adding more soil, or newspaper shreds to the food scraps. After the bin gets full (but not too full to be thoroughly stirred), we stop adding to it. Ideally, this is when you should start a second one. The first one will slowly turn to finished compost (times vary depending on conditions and what you have put in it). So you can have the second one filling up while the first finishes. If it gets too smelly, add more soil, and keep covered. Ours never gets incredibly smelly, but that might be because we don't use meat, so there were no meat scraps. Remember that what you put in your compost is what you'll be putting on your plants when you use it on them. That being said, I feel great about completing the cycle of our chemical free attempt at life. Our fertilizer is organic because the scraps of our food are all organic. Thus we can grow more organic food! Here's a link that may come in handy: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/apartment-compost-guide.html.
There are also some great books we reference a lot in our efforts to grow organic food in our apartment: Rodale's Encycolpedia of Indoor Gardening Edited by Anne M. Haplin, and Rodale's All-New Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensable Resource for Every Gardener Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley and Barbara W. Ellis. This will help you out with the next tip.

Grow your own food. Even if you only have one windowsill, herbs like basil and parsley are so easy to grow, and so delicious to add to any dish. Also try radishes and green onions for super ease. Grow as much as you can (organically of course) and nourish all your plants with your own compost. Oh, and grow sprouts! They are so easy, and so incredibly nutritious (and you can use the water you used to rinse the sprouts, to water your other plants).

When using the stove and/or oven, try to maximize use. For example, if you're baking bread and the oven is already hot, then don' t turn it off and then 2 hours later turn it back on for something else. Go ahead and throw some veggies in there so they'll be ready for dinner. You can also do things like soaking dry beans overnight instead of letting come to a boil and then sitting for an hour. Also, to make oatmeal, soak your oats overnight, and no stove is necessary for oatmeal! It'll be waiting for you in the morning. I personally think it tastes better this way, too.

If you eat honey, get it local, raw, and unheated!! It has incredible nutritional benefits. Make sure you support holistic beekeepers who do not use chemicals or sugarfeed the bees. Let's protect the bees, and support them, they are the reason we have most of the food we have. If they didn't pollinate it, it wouldn't be around.

Stop buying packaged and processed food. 1) It's full of crap- i.e. chemicals, pesticides, GMO foods, artificial colors and flavors, and sweeteners that are toxic 2) It makes our society lazy. It really doesn't take that much effort to make yourself a PB and J instead of buying frozen ones. 3) If you get in touch with the food you eat, you'll be more in touch with your body (and thus your health) and this beautiful earth that gives us life. 4) It's actually easy to make your own everything (salad dressings, ketchup, barbecue sauce, cereals, snacks, jam, hummus, salsa, etc.).

Buy organic. As much as you possibly can. Although much research has suggested the toxicity of pesticide laden food on our health, no one will actually admit this. But come on, since when is poison good for you? More than that, stop supporting giant agrobusinesses, and evil companies like Monsanto. These companies are affecting the lives of the small farmers who are trying to grow organically and preserve the integrity of our land and our food chain. Also, the chemicals are leaking into ground water, air, rain, etc.. contaminating everything. Also with this, buy non-GMO.

Thanks again for sharing Calamity Wilde!
Everyone be sure to check in Thursday and Friday for more awesomeness from this awesome chick!

Simple Living Month: Day 11

Make conscious decisions regarding your cars. AKA Try to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing your trips or at least choosing the car with the best gas mileage.

Scout and I are lucky enough to have two cars, but his has much better gas mileage (but mine's cooler!) so when we go on long trips and when we go just down the road for groceries, we take his car to conserve gas.
We also try to think about where and when we are going somewhere, thus saving gas because we drive less.
We try not to make multiple trips to the same place (besides work and church) in the same week, making sure to save money.

Always, always, we try to carpool with each other and our friends to also conserve that gas and help the planet!

One day if we get a new car, I would love to get a hybrid or an electric car like the Nissan Leaf!

ps- Two giveaways tomorrow! Don't forget to sign up! See my side bar for details!

Simple Living Month: Day 9

A quick look at several indoor plants so that you can see that there will be some plant to match your indoor style.

Everyone likes fresh, clean healthy-to-breath air right?
Well did you know that the air inside of our homes and office buildings is more than likely more polluted than outside?

That's right, all of those toxic cleaning supplies (we'll conquer those later) and carpet fibers, etc, fly into the air to make our homes extremely polluted.

So how do we end this madness naturally and simply?

Plant a plant or five to use in your house. They naturally detoxify the air in your home and not only that, they are natural mood boosters.

Scout and I have at least five indoor plants I can think of off the top of my head just inside our apartment.

So happy planting on this beautiful weekend!

And don't forget, it wouldn't hurt to plant a tree outside while you're at it either.

Simple Living Month: Day 8

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Make it something that will support your health and the environment and is still a good time and check out your local Farmers' Market!

Farmers' Markets are a great place to buy local veggies which because they aren't transported as far, have a lower carbon footprint and they are vegetables, so they are obviously a healthy eating choice.

You also have the chance to meet the farmers that produced the vegetables, meat or whatever it is you are purchasing (there are always lots of cool vendors for homemade soap, plants for your gardens, etc) and ask them questions.
Did they use chemicals or genetically-modified seeds to produce what you are about to consume for example?
Usually at farmers markets, farmers are more conscious of the environment because they do not mass produce products like grocery store produce. Thus, they don't use pesticides or harmful fertilizers, but it never hurts to ask.

Farmers' Markets are also a great opportunity to walk around outside.
It often only takes a quick internet search for your local Farmers' Market to find out when and where it is.
Saturday mornings are typically the best time to check them out!

For Knoxvillians, check out ours here.

**Simple Living Month**: Day 6

Be inspired by others and learn what they have to teach you.

It's as simple as that.

Start here with this awesome family that has totally forgone most traditional ways of living and created a truly simple lifestyle. I can think of about 15 conscious choices they have made to live simply that are mentioned in this interview, so you know there have to be more.

Really, watch it, because IT.IS.AWESOME.

**Simple Living Month**: Day 5

Tip of the Day #5:
Catch your rain water.

It's the perfect time of the year to catch rain water.
Grab a 5 gallon bucket and set it out in the rain to catch water or just an old tub or go hardcore and make a rain barrel.
Here's a great video to give you an idea of what this may be:



Use this water to nourish plants outside and inside and also your fall garden.
Think broccoli, cabbage, and turnips... they all need a drink of water on a cool fall day.

This tip of the day brought to you by my Dad! Thanks Pa!

**Simple Living Month** Day 4

image taken from google images

It's fall people!
The weather is gorgeous and the wonderfulness of October?
It is the perfect time to conserve energy and
turn off the air and heat and open your windows.

When the weather is so temperate, help the environment and your budget and open your windows to let the air circulate and let nature do your thermostat's job. (This temperate weather is what makes October a great month to practice simple living.)
Also try taking off or adding a layer of clothes to prevent having to heat or cool the house instead of automatically reaching for the thermostat.
Putting on a sweatshirt is easy and simple and better for everyone.

It's also better for the soul as it's more feng shui.

**Simple Living Month** Day 2

From my trip to Tunisia, Africa.

In case you are looking for something to do this weekend....

Turn off the TV.
It will save electricity, energy, and money.

and

Go outside.

Part of living simply, is living a balanced life so that we can feel and actually be healthier and more in tune with our bodies and our spirits. When we are surrounded by technology and noise all day, it only seems logical to need to spend equal parts outside in the non-man-made, quieter world so that we can decompress from our busy lives.

That may be near impossible if you work in an office all day, but try to spend at least a little time outside every day and then maybe get a good hike in or bike ride on the weekends. You don't have to go backpacking, buy a bike that resembles Lance Armstrong's, or suddenly take up repelling (though that would be cool), just go outside and walk or even sit if walking/jogging/biking isn't your thing.

Just be in nature.

This will not only be therapeutic, but if it becomes a habit for humans, it will no doubt decrease our ever-increasing obesity rates because we will be moving more.

Outside of Barcelona, Spain

I had the privilege of growing up out in the middle of nowhere aka- in the middle of nature... with woods and fields and a creek on our property. I am so grateful for this conscious choice my parents made for our family so that we could grow up with a great appreciation for the world around us.

This doesn't mean you need to relocate your family, it just encourages us to make conscious decisions for our family and ourselves that benefit our overall lifestyle.
And since it's literally as easy as walking outside...

Lake Como, Outside of Milan, Italy

If my words aren't completely convincing :), or you just want more proof that what I say is scientifically true or need some more inspiration, check out these articles:

Nature Deficit Disorder increases in our kids and families.

Nature's therapeutic effects.

Stuck on what to do outside? Check out this list.
(It has some stuff to do inside too, but I really liked the basic outside suggestions!)

Let me know what you end up doing on your outside adventure!

**My photos are from my travels. I have been very blessed to travel and hope you enjoy seeing the photos as I always enjoy reliving these experiences.

Dear World,

You can meet me at the park today because this weather is freakin' gorgeous and I refuse to watch it from the inside looking out.

Love,
A and Bailey (who will also be joining me)

Artist Highlight of the Week: Buzzabee and GIVEAWAY!

Vegan Lip Balm

This week's artist is yet another fabulous lady residing in Knoxville. Hannah has a most fabulous line of homemade, all-natural products that are 100% safe to use for you and the environment in her Etsy Store: Buzzabee. Can't beat that! Some items I'm dying to try as they look like they could melt any stress away:

French Lavender Bath Fizz Soaps

Spiced Chai Tea Soy Candle
(I also want to try the Bohemian Bliss Scent!)

Hey Hannah! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your awesome naturalist product line.
Hi, my name is Hannah and I live in Knoxville, TN with my hubby and our three wonderfully rambunctious Jack Russells. I am from Indiana and have been fortunate enough to experience life in Northern California and Texas before settling here. I am an admin by day and an artisan by night with not much free time in between. I have always loved burning candles and after learning about the toxicity of paraffin candles, I became passionate about creating a healthier alternative that I could enjoy. This passion of making soy candles eventually turned into the business I have today. I am slowly expanding my product line to other bath products and indulgences that everyone can experience and know that they are using a safe product. Each item is "people tested" before being added to my product line. I also have my second Etsy store, MyBeeloved, where I feature my adorable magnetic bookmarks. [Interviewer's note: They are so cute so be sure to check them out!]

Besides the cool naturalist line you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I love being outdoors whenever possible....walks in the park with my hubby and dogs are at the top of the list as well as an annual escape to a secluded beach. Other loves are weekend getaways, movies on a rainy day complete with popcorn & coke, yoga/tai chi classes, Sunday brunches, our weekend farmers' markets, and tons of reading! I wish I had more time to be an avid bookworm.

What first drew you to these environmentally-friendly products?
The very long list of ingredients in several "store bought" products became disconcerting to me in addition to how some of the chemicals have such an effect on not only your health, but to the environment around us. I love the philosophy of "less is more" and I believe it's true for the products you use either on your skin or in your house. The less chemicals they have, the safer they are to you and your family. In addition to the actual product, I use recyclable packaging and containers whenever possible. Every little bit you can do to prevent waste helps our environment a bit more each day.

What inspires you?
My grandmother was a true artisan her entire life from quilting and making soap to keeping an amazingly beautiful garden among other things. She had a huge effect on my life as a person and artisan. I've always had a tendency to create new things. Many of my gifts to family were handmade even as a teenager. I find inspiration on a wide spectrum....certain smells, colors and textures can surface new ideas for me as well as great suggestions from my wonderful customers. My mind is constantly thinking of new ideas for my line. Sometimes, I have to force myself to stop and take a moment to be breathe and be still.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
If your business is off to a slow start, don't give up. It does take time and possibly a lot of trial and error. Persistance and passion are the driving forces behind what you do. Anything is possible and it's up to you to make your dream come true. I believe the more time you put into your Etsy shop and business, the more successful it will be. Your shop is a constant improvement. I am always thinking of ways to improve my photos, descriptions, etc. Join a local Etsy team for support, exposure and shared ideas on improving your business. The Etsy tips sent via email and the forums have such great advice too.

Thank you so much for sharing for your creative juices!

In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Hannah is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout!
She will be giving away some of her most awesome Vegan Lip Balm

to the chosen winner (chosen via a random assorter) on Friday, Sept 24th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, Buzzabee, 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 Buzzabee to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, through October 15 she will be offering a 15% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word "SCOUT” at check out to receive your discount.

Happy shopping and crafting and many thanks again to Hannah for participating in my Artist Highlight of the week!

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,
places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.

- John Muir

Artist Hightlight: Hearts A Bustin! and GIVEAWAY!

Seek Joy Necklace

For this week's Artist Highlight, I will be interviewing Erin, the owner of Etsy Store HeartsABustin.
She is a fabulous jewelry maker that I found simply by looking for Knoxville artists on Etsy. (It's a great way to network for artists and just interested people.) Erin makes several different styles of jewelry that I just love-- my favorite being her metal clay work!!! She is not only inspiring us with wise words, but hosting a GIVEAWAY and giving a discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers through Oct. 1st so be sure to scroll down for more info!

Some of my favorites from her awesome store:

Sun Charm


Cranberry Fused Glass Necklace


Candyland Necklace
(perfect way to add some funk to a business outfit)


Citrine and Blue Quartz Necklace

Kiss Me I'm Irish Charm Necklace
(obviously perfect for the Irish girl in me)

Hey Erin! Welcome! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your awesome jewelry.
I'm originally from Sevierville, TN, and I moved to Wilmington, NC, eleven years ago. I started beading 4 years ago and have grown so much in that time, it's been amazing. I've tried all sorts of things - wire wrapping, polymer clay, and my latest obsession, precious metal clay and small amounts of metalworking. I've really found my passion in working with metal clay. I really love the modern lines I'm coming up with in my jewelry now, which is really cool, because I'm normally very feminine, flowery, and girly. I'm exploring a new side of my personality that was apparently dormant!


Besides the cool jewelry line you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
I also make purses for my other shop on Etsy, 1mADwoman. I quilt, make my own clothes, crochet, and take care of my awesome, growing family. [Note: She also has the CUTEST clutches over there so be sure to check that out too!]

What first drew you to jewelry-making?
I've never really been a jewelry-wearing person, and I discovered it was because I just didn't like most of what's available in the stores. When I started being able to put my own combinations together, something clicked, and now I LOVE jewelry.

What inspires you?
Everything - nature, pieces of gorgeous fabric, what I see other people wearing, fantastic color combinations. Sometimes I like to go walk through the mall just to see what's in the windows of the stores. I'll see combinations of textures and colors I wouldn't have normally thought of, and then I can't wait to pull out my notebook and start sketching out ideas.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Don't expect it to happen overnight - the overnight successes on Etsy are few and far between. I've gotten where I am now through a LOT of hard work, frustration, and just trying different things. You have to find what works for YOU - don't do what works for someone else, because that may not be YOUR magic bullet. And LOVE what you do - when you love what you do, it shows in your work, and other people will love it, too.

Thank you so much for sharing for your creative juices!

In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Erin is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away these
Breast Cancer Awareness Angel Earrings


which are cooler than the average earrings because not only are they cute, Erin gives $5 to help raise Breast Cancer awareness and aid in research for every pair purchased. It's like a double bonus! And they would be so cute as a gift to someone you knew that suffered from breast cancer... just sayin....
The winner will be chosen (chosen via a random assorter) on October 1 so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, heartsabustin, 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 HeartsaBustin to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, through Oct 1 she will be offering a 20% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “girlscout” at check out to receive your discount.

Happy shopping and crafting and many thanks again to Erin for participating in my Artist Highlight of the week!

Artist Highlight of the Week and GIVEAWAY

Robin's Nest Necklace

Hello All!! I am excited to announce that we have another Artist Highlight of the Week and another GIVEAWAY and a DISCOUNT! YAY!! I met Suzanne at the Knoxville Arts and Crafts Fair and am excited to share the wonderfulness that is her Etsy store For You, By Q. Her jewelry is funky and fabulous and totally affordable and derives a lot of inspiration from nature, which I obviously swoon over!
Some of my favorites:

Wise Guy Necklace

A Bird in the Tree

Time Keeper Necklace

FreeBird Necklace

(Can you tell I love birds?)

Anyways... getting on to the interview and giveaway:

Hey Suzanne! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your art.
I am a 25 year old wife, mom to 2 fabulous dogs, college graduate and I just quit my full-time, secure job to be a full-time crafter. I love jewelry and always want new things so it just makes sense to make my own and support my family doing it!

Besides the beautiful jewelry you have in your Etsy store, what else do you like to do?
My mom taught me how to sew when I was a wee lass and I have been making things ever since. Recently I have been making more and more of the clothes that I wear- I'm seeing a clothing line coming down the pike! I have had my hands in almost any kind of craft you can think of (stamping, pottery, painting, decoupage...). I will ride that craft wave as long as it lasts and then move onto something new and exciting.

What first drew you to arts and crafts, especially jewelry making?
In a word: Mom. The laundry room in my childhood house was full of odds and ends, fabrics, flowers and notions- craft supplies. My mom let me play in there and make messes to my heart's content. I also saw her wearing a lot of different jewelry and what girl doesn't want to be her mother at one point or another?

What inspires you?
Everything! I try to keep my senses alert because I never know what might strike my fancy or give me an idea for a new project. Nature really speaks to me- God is such an artist! I love colors, shapes, patterns and ideas found in nature. My friends call me a quasi hippie...

What advice would you give to aspiring artists and Etsy shop owners?
Stay true to yourself and keep plugging away! I never feel good about a piece if it isn't something that I love. Many people have advised me to make different products to reach other demographics in order to increase sales- but that doesn't fly with me! Sure I want to be a successful businesswoman but I am not going to forfeit my personal aesthetic to make sales. For Etsy shop owners: continually update stock, photos, shop announcements... I can tell a major difference when I am active in bettering my shop as compared to when it sits stagnant.

Thank you Suzanne so much for sharing your creative juices and your life passions! Kuddos to full time crafting!

In honor of highlighting local, east Tennessee artists, Suzanne is hosting a giveaway here at A Girl and Her Scout! She will be giving away a very awesome MAP BANGLE BRACELET (So cute!)

to the chosen winner (chosen via a random assorter) on next Tuesday, September 7th so be sure to get in your entries by then!

To enter, head over to her Etsy Store, ForYouByQ, 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 ForYouByQ to your “Favorites” on Etsy and/or 5) making a purchase out of her store (one entry for every purchase). Be sure to leave a new comment for each additional entry!

In addition, she will be offering a 10% discount to all A Girl and Her Scout readers! YAY!!! Just use key word “blogger” at check out to receive your discount.

Happy shopping and crafting and many thanks again to Suzanne for participating in my Artist Highlight of the week!