Spotlight on AWEsome! One Heart Jewelry and a Giveaway!

Wow!  It's almost February!  That means it's getting closer to spring, and time for this month's Spotlight on AWEsome!  The spotlight shines on Debi, of One Heart Jewerly, who strives to bring us the messages of peace and positivity!  Something we can all welcome into our worlds!  Say hello to Debi!

Meet Debi:
I'm not good about talking about myself, but here goes anyway! I'm the oldest of seven children and grew up in Wisconsin and Colorado, but was born in Rhode Island. I've been creating ever since I can remember. Some of you may remember those stretchy bead chokers in the Sixties? And those paint-by-number kits for kids? Oh, and those God's eyes made out of yarn and dowel sticks? That was me. When I wasn't reading a book or making an apple pie from scratch.

The beginning...
About 24 years ago I was fascinated with Native American bead work in a museum while visiting the Pine Ridge & Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. When I returned to Colorado I started working at a local Indian Trading post that moved in across the street from my home. I found a book about beaded earrings by Deon De Lange and taught myself how to bead stitch using beads that I worked for at the post. 

Bead Embroidery and loom work became my first love. I ventured into many other bead techniques over the years. In the past I taught bead projects at my local bead store and even had a project article published with Bead Work magazine. Currently I am hand stamping and etching metal to create messages of peace, unity and other positive things!

Inspiration...
Lots of things are very inspiring to me. Feelings, spirituality of all kinds, love, future for mankind and children, courage, cultures, optimism. Colors and shapes. Other artists and their work. 

Finding  One Heart Jewelry online

Right now the only place I can be found is on Etsy. I used to have work in several galleries around Colorado, but slowly many of them closed due to the economy. That's why I'm on Etsy!

My jewelry shop on Etsy-
www.etsy.com/shop/OneHeartJewelry

My supply shop on Etsy-
www.oneheartart.etsy.com

My blog-
oneheartsblog.blogspot.com/

Face Book Fan Page-
www.facebook.com/OneHeartJewelry

Flickr-
www.flickr.com/photos/oneheartjewelry/

Three little known facts about Debi:
I'm a pretty open book, but probably most people don't know I battled lung disease and won. 

Second thing is my kids hate my driving. 

And lastly, I almost always forget to grab money and directions when leaving the house to wherever I'm going. Lots of stories behind that last one!


The giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive this beautiful  pair of Blue Lapis Earth Earrings!  The giveaway is open to residents everywhere!

The drawing ends Friday, February 11, 2011.  Winner will be picked using Random.org Saturday, February 12, 2011.  Good Luck to everyone!   The winner will be contacted via email, and will have 3 days to respond.  GIVEAWAY UPDATE!!   2/4/11:  The deadline to submit entries has been extended!  The last day to enter is  Wed. Feb 16, 2011.  Drawing to be held Thurs, Feb. 17,2011!
To Enter:
1.  Visit OneHeartJewelry, and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is. Be sure to leave your email address! (Mandatory)


For additional entries:
1.  Make a purchase from OneHeartJewelry, leave a comment here telling us what you've bought.  5 entries.
2.  Heart OneHeartJewelry.  Leave a comment telling us with your Etsy name.  1 entry
3.  Follow OneHeartJewelry on Facebook.  Leave a comment, let us know who you are on FB.  1 entry.
4  Follow OneHeartJewerly's blog.  Leave a comment here. 1 entry.
5.  Follow the AWEteam on Facebook.  Leave a comment here.  1 entry.
6.  Follow the AWEteam blog, this one...Leave a comment here.  1 entry.


Wishing you an AWEsome day!
The AWEteam of Etsy.

Spotlight on AWEsome! Pixe's Treasure Chest

Welcome to Spotlight on AWEsome!  This time around we meet Michele, of Pixe'sTreasureChest! Michele designs and creates jewelry using a palette of sterling silver, copper, and semi precious gemstones!  Many pieces are one of a kind, most are limited edition!

Coin Pearl and Grossular Garnet Bracelet in Copper

The Beginning...

Like most of those involved in arts and crafts, my start came at an early age.  My Grammy taught me to hand sew at a very young age, and I made very crude clothing for my Barbie Dolls.  She later taught me how to crochet.  My mother taught me to embroider, and I do counted cross stitch as well.  My jewelry endeavors began when I had difficulty finding earrings that I liked...I couldn't find anything unique enough to suit me.  One day I was shopping at a discount store, found a book on jewelry making, and the adventure began!  I have since then ventured beyond earrings, though I admit to creating a lot of those, as earrings are my favorite jewelry to wear! 

Holiday Mints Necklace

The Inspiration...

Inspiration for me comes mainly from the natural world around me...The colors and objects in nature often inspire a new jewelry piece.  Sometimes inspiration comes by chance...Tidying up my workspace I may find beads that I think look great together, and make something...Needless to say, my workspace is generally not well organized!  I have found handcrafting jewelry to be a great creative outlet and stress relief from my work as a Critical Care Nurse.

Seafoam Sterling Silver Post Earrings

Where to find Pixe...

Online, you can find me in my Jewelry Shop on Etsy, PixesTreasureChest. 

I also have a destash/supply shop on Etsy;  PixesBeads

In person, if you are in the Reading, PA area, I can be found every Weds. at the Leesport Farmer's Market in Building #1.

I also try to do a show once a month and those are posted on my profile page in my Etsy shop!

Three little know facts about Michele...

~~ I collected rocks as a kid, and still have most of that collection.

~~ I love to read.  I read my first college textbook when I was 8 or 9 yrs old...It was a geology textbook my uncle had given me!  I still have it!

~~ When I'm feeling "Out of sorts", my favorite way to reconnect and destress is grab my camera, and take a walk through my local state park. Alone. I've always felt as thought the  forest was my sanctuary!

Turquoise Button Drop Earrings

The Giveaway...
Michele is giving away, to one lucky winner, a pair of her favorite earrings, Turquoise Button Drop Earrings! 

Entries are open worldwide!  Aweteam members are invited to enter, as well.

To enter:
Visit PixesTreasureChest, and leave a comment on the blog telling us your favorite piece of jewelry.  This is mandatory.  Please be sure to leave your contact info so you can be notified if you're a winner!  Good Luck!!  Entries will be accepted until Thurs. Dec. 2, 2010.  The winner will be drawn Friday, Dec. 3, 2010!





For extra entries:
Each earns one additional entry, except when noted otherwise.   Comments should be left on the blog!
~~  Follow Pixe on Facebook and leave a comment letting us know you are a new follower!
~~  Make a purchase from Pixe's Treasure Chest, and get 3 additional entries for each purchase!       Leave a comment telling us what you've bought!
~~ Sign up for Pixe's Newsletter!  Receive 2 additional entries! 
~~  Follow the AWEteam on Facebook.  Leave a comment letting us know you are a follower.

Thank you in advance for stopping by and entering our giveaway!

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Wishing you an AWEsome day!
                                                                                    

We Have Us a Winner!!

Drumroll please......
We have winner! We had 12 entrants in the earring giveway!   I used random.org to choose the winner, and here are the results:

The winner is TopHat!  I've sent her an email, she has 3 days to respond.  If no response, then I will draw another name!

Congratulations TopHat!!!

Many thanks to all of those who have entered the giveaway and visited our blog!  More giveaways will be in our future, we'll let you know as they occur!

Have an AWEsome day!

The AWE team!

Spotlight on AWEsome! Jade Dumpling Sushi Instructions

Welcome back!  This is the 3rd part of the Interview with Susan, from Jade Dumpling!  Today, she share with us her obsession with Sushi!  Read on!!

I Love Sushi Pendant Necklace

So to further indulge my obsession with sushi—you have to check out these two YouTube videos!  How to Make Sushi
the above link shows you how to make a traditional hand-squeezed sushi
How to Make an Inside Out California Roll
this one shows you how to make an inside out California roll!

Tuna and Crab Sushi Bracelet

Making sushi at home is actually really easy. You need to get a bamboo sushi mat which is kind of like a little mini placemat, you use this to roll up your sushi.
You also need the Nori- which is made of seaweed and algae which sound kind of funky, but is really tasty and actually quite good for you.
The last ingredient that you may need to buy in an Asian store is the sushi vinegar.
I think making the rice is the hardest part. You need to buy special sushi rice, which is different from regular rice. It is more sticky and almost sweet tasting! I always use a rice steamer then dump the batch of rice into a large bowl. Above the bowl I have a cute little fan that I blow cool air on the rice.
With a wooden paddle I pour a few capfuls of the vinegar in the rice and with sort of a cutting motion incorporate the seasoning and cool the rice down quickly.
The fun part is choosing what to stick inside your rolls. My favorite is smoked salmon and cream cheese. Sometimes this is called a Philly roll! I love to try new foods- last week I ate a jellyfish and shark fin sushi- it was well chewy but good!!

Many thanks to Susan of Jade Dumpling for taking to chat with us,   and share her Sushi making skills!
Be sure to enter the earring giveaway!  We will be drawing a winner Friday, at 12 noon!!  Also, be sure to join us for First Friday Art Walk on Etsy this Friday, August 6!  Until then...

Wishing you an AWEsome day!
The AWEteam of Etsy.