Congratulations, Winners!!!

Congratulations to all of the winners. We actually have more winners for this challenge than we have ever had before!!

1st Place: WorthySoyCandles.Etsy.com

2nd Place: SeedlingsJewelry.Etsy.com

And we have an amazing 4 winners who have tied for third place!!!

3rd Place: WorthySoyCandles.Etsy.com

3rd Place: BethToddCreatz.Etsy.com

3rd Place: KellysClayCreations.Etsy.com

3rd Place: SeedlingsJewelry.Etsy.com

But we musn’t forget are fabulous voter winners! A big North Georgia Congratulations goes out to Angie from www.WickedBadNaughty.com & Racheal from www.RachealsPhotography.com. Enjoy your prizes ladies!

Team NorGA Winners Challenge

We have accumulated all of the winners we had for this year & now you get to vote on who is the Best of the Best.

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

Winners Prize Pack #1

Wine Stopper from KellysClayCreations, Card from GnageyGallery, Bottlecap Pendant from CowGirlJewels, Bracelet from CELizabethDesigns.

Winners Prize Pack #2

Earrings from JosiesBeadJewelry, Wine Stopper from KellysClayCreations, Magi Scented perfume oil from PamperPantry, & Bracelet from PeaceByDesign.

Below is our collection of Winners challenge entries.  You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Thursday, January 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on January 8th, 2009.

1. February Winner – PaintedByLauren.Etsy.com

2. March Winner – WorthySoyCandles.Etsy.com

3. April Winner – BethToddCreatz.Etsy.com

4. May Winner – KellysClayCreations.Etsy.com

5. June Winner – SeedlingsJewelry.Etsy.com

6. July Winner – SeedlingsJewelry.Etsy.com

7. August Winner – FoxyGKnits.Etsy.com

8. September Winner – WorthySoyCandles.Etsy.com

9. Bonus September Winner – FoxyGKnits.Etsy.com

10. October Winner – ElephunksTrunk.Etsy.com

11. November Winner – CowGirlJewels.Etsy.com

12. December Winner – PamperPantry.Etsy.com

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST Januray 7th, 2009.

Be sure to check back February 1st, 2010 when the theme will be Snowflakes!

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Team NorGA Home Craft Show

The members of The North Georgia Etsy Street Team are coming together to offer you a special shopping event! Please come by Jan’s house (PamperPantry) in Alpharetta, GA this Saturday December 12th from 10AM-4PM. Here is a list of participants and items:

Jan Kelley ~ Pamper Pantry ~ Bath & Body
Erica Worthy ~ Worthy Candle & Crochet ~ Candles & Crochet
Rebecca Watson ~ RRandR Designs
Sharon Paradiso ~ Seedlings Jewelry ~ Jewelry
Tommy & Jelena McClure ~ Caveman Pottery ~ Pottery
Amanda Sammons ~ Asammons ~ Paper and Fabric Art
Clair Lucier ~ Celizabeth Designs ~ Wall Art & Jewelry
Arlene Ball ~ Hoot Couture ~ Baby Gifts & Accessories
Heather Teeters ~ Cello Raisen ~ Kids & Womens Clothing & Accessories
Lois Stifel ~ Foxy G Knits ~ Knit Scrafs & Wraps, etc.
Linda Turner ~ Head Turner Jewelry ~ Jewelry
Carol Gnagey ~ Gnagey Gallery ~ Paintings & Cards
Janine Dzyubanny ~ Girl Sew Pretty ~ Purses and Hats
Rebecca Salcedo ~ Smelly Rhino ~ Paintings & Cards
Irma Allen ~ Sofia Kelly Designs
Pam Traynor ~ PammyT ~ Jewelry
Caren Cohen ~ DJ Baby/Dilly Jack ~ Painted Denim & Clay Jewelry

Have a cup of hot cider and a snack while you browse all of the wonderful handmade goodies for sale… Enter your name to win a free handmade gift… Meet local crafters and talk to them about their creative processes… Finish your Christmas shopping and treat yourself to something special. We hope to see you there!

Directions:

Traveling 400 South:
Take exit 12, go to the right towards hwy 9.
About a mile take a right onto Union Hill Rd (there is a citgo gas station on the right corner).
Go to the next light and make a left onto Mullinax Road. Make your very next right onto Fowler Road.
We are located at 585 Fowler Road, Alpharetta GA 30004.

Traveling 400 North:
Take ext 12B and go towards hwy 9.
About a mile take a right onto Union Hill Rd (there is a citgo gas station on the right corner).
Go to the next light and make a left onto Mullinax Road. Make your very next right onto Fowler Road.
We are located at 585 Fowler Road, Alpharetta GA 30004.

Call Jan if you get lost at 770/294-8767

Congratulations to our Challenge Winners!

First Place, Pamper Pantry!

Second place goes to Elephunk’s Trunk!

And third place goes to Gnagey Gallery!

Thank you to all the Team NorGA members who participated in this month’s challenge!  All the entry were amazing!

As for those who commented, without your participation, there would be no contest!  As a thank you, we randomly choose two people to receive prizes for offering their opinion.  This month’s winners are the following:

CONGRATULATIONS LAUREN SPOONER AND JOY!!!

You two will be contacted soon!

Please check back on January 1st as we look back the the previous year’s challenge winners!

Happy Holidays to all!

Black and White Challenge

This month is all about contrast.  A classic clash of light and dark, you won’t find any muddy shades of gray here!  Sometimes the world is easier viewed in solid shades of black and white.  Here is how a few North Georgia artists see the opposing colors!

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

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Card provided by Gnagey Gallery, Fabric provided by Jackie Sewing Studio, Wine stopper by Kelly’s Clay Creations, Bottle cap pendant by Cowgirl Jewels, and Bracelet provided by C Elizabeth Designs.

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Card provided by Gnagey Gallery, Fabric provided by Jackie Sewing Studio, Wine stopper by Kelly’s Clay Creations, Hair clip by Elephunk’s Trunk, and Bracelet provided by C Elizabeth Designs.

Below is our collection of Black and White challenge entries. To view the entries close-up, you can click on the links below the mosaic. That will take you to the Etsy listing for the item where you can see more pictures, get more details & even purchase the item if you like! You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Monday, December 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on December 8th, 2009.

Black and White

1.) Black and White Christmas Holiday Dress by CelloRaisen

2.) Monogrammed Soap Wedding Favors by Pamperpantry

3.) PONG-The Purse by WorthySoyCandles

4.) Headband with Black and White Organza Flowers by Elephunkstrunk

5.) Original Painting of a Bearded Collie by GnageyGallery

6.) Little Lamb by Cavemanpottery

7.) Vintage Sheet Music Paper Bead Lariat by Seedlingsjewelry

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST December 7th, 2009.

*** Search “Team NorGA Nov” on Etsy.com for more great Black and White items ***

Be sure to check back January 1st, 2010 when we will showcase the best of 2009’s challenge entries!

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Congratulations! Evelyn!

You are the winner of a free set of greeting cards from Gnagey Gallery! I will be contacting you shortly!

Thank you to everyone who participated! Please check back often for new contests and giveaways!

Check out Gnagey Gallery!

100_3657Tell us a Little about yourself?
I’m an artist and have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I worked as an Art Director for ad agencies for many years designing logos, billboards, ads and brochures. My decorative painting business began after painting a mural for my son’s room.  Now, 17 years later, I have painted murals and faux finishes in homes all around the Atlanta area and even in Costa Rica. This past year I began painting on canvas again and opened my Etsy shop, Gnagey Gallery.
I love being outdoors and when I am not painting I am usually working in my flower garden, walking my dog or sitting on my deck with a good book.
How Did you get Started Doing What you Do?

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I love to paint so when my mural business slowed down due to the recession I realized I had to use my creativity in another way. I started painting on canvas again. Using my graphic design expertise it seemed only natural to also make note cards from my canvas art.
How Did you Pick Your Shop Name?
I’m afraid my shop name isn’t all that exciting but as an artist I thought it important to use my own name. I added Gallery because it immediately brings to mind fine art and also sounded good with Gnagey.
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What makes your items special/unique?


All of my art is original and hopefully brings joy to those who see it.  I try to capture the details of whatever I paint to illustrate how amazing God’s creation is.
Is there anything else we should know?
I am blessed to be able to do what I love and bring joy to others at the same time.

Butterfly Monarch Think Card
Will you be holding a contest for a give-away of one of your products?
Yes:
Want to win a set of note cards made from my paintings?  Visit Gnagey Gallery and pick your favorite item, and then leave a comment here.  The winner will be randomly chosen, and they will receive a set of 8 note cards–their choice of any design! Contest ends on Sunday, 11/22 at 12 midnight, EST.  Winner will be chosen at random & announced on Monday, 11/23.

 

 

Commander of Earth, Wind, and Fire…And Water?

Congratulations to this month’s challenge winners!!

First place goes to COWGIRL JEWELS!!

Peace on Earth

Second goes to  SEEDLINGS JEWELRY!!

sunstoneembrace5

Bringing in the rear…SMOOSHY DESIGNS!

Green Goddess 1

Congratulations to everyone!  And speaking of winning…

Two lucky guests were randomly picked to win the super cool, super special prize packs put together by Team NorGA artisans!

And the winners are…..

AMANDA SIMMONS and SARAH HENSLEY!

Thank you to all who participated in the challenge, as well as the contest!  Please check back between the 1st and 7th of December to vote again, when the challenge will be…Black and White…

Earlier it was posted there was a tie between Cowgirl Jewels and Seedlings.  I miscounted (SORRY!!), and have corrected my mistake.  Again, my apologies to the team members who participated.  Sorry for the confusion.

An Elemental Challenge…

Autumn brings some amazing elemental changes.  The wind picks up, chilling the air.  The leaves turn fiery colors, like crimson and orange.  Rain showers help to strip the trees of leaves. The dark, rich earth is tilled and readied after providing the last of the season’s harvest.  Yes, autumn brings wonderful changes–the grand finale before Mother Nature turns in for a gray and cold sleep.  In honor of this vivid spectacle, the members of team NorGA pay homage Gaia, offering art depicting each of the four elements:  Earth, Wind, Water and Fire.

Choose your favorite from the group below & you will be entered in a contest to win one of these fabulous prize packs made up of some awesome items from Team NorGA shops. Here’s what you could win:

IMG_2181

Pumpkin Applique Shirt 4T from CelloRaisen, Autumn Bird Card from GnageyGallery, Glow In The Dark Ghost Earrings & Pumpkin Pin from KellysClayCreations, Pumpkin Souffle Scented Soy Candle from WorthySoyCandles, & Crystal Clear Bracelet from CElizabethDesigns.

IMG_2184
Autumn Bird Card from GnageyGallery, Chamomile & Lavender Soap from PamperPantry, Peace Bracelet from PeaceByDesign, Pumpkin Earring & Pumpkin Pin from KellysClayCreations, & Flower Bobby Pins from ElephunksTrunk.

Below is our collection of Elemental challenge entries. To view the entries close-up, you can click on the links below the mosaic. That will take you to the Etsy listing for the item where you can see more pictures, get more details & even purchase the item if you like! You can vote once between now and midnight EST on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Note voting rules: Everyone, including Team NorGA members, may vote for a favorite entry. If you have entered a piece in this challenge, you are not eligible to vote. The challenge winner will be announced on November 8th, 2009.

Elements Challenge

1. Embrace by Seedlings: Jewelry Because

2. Peace on Earth by Cowgirl Jewels

3. Green Goddess by Smooshy

4. Elemental Rainbow Scarf by Worthy Soy Candles and Crochet

How To Enter:

  • Simply make a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite item is.
  • Be sure to leave your contact information (Email, Etsy shop, etc.) Any entries without a way to contact the person will be disqualified.
  • You get 1 entry for leaving a comment. Only 1 entry per person/email

Note: Contest open to legal US residents, 18+ years old. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on how many valid entries are received. Winner will be chosen using Random.org’s Integer Generator. First Place winner will get to choose which of the 2 prize packs they want to receive. 2nd place winner will receive the other pack.  No purchase necessary & purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

Shortly after the contest ends, the winner will be contacted. If you do not respond to the message that you won the prize within 72 hours, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends at Midnight EST November 7th, 2009.

*** Search “Team NorGA Oct” on Etsy.com for more great Elemental items ***

Be sure to check back between the 1st & the 7th of next month when the Challenge will be Black and White

(Please note your comments must be approved, this keeps our spam down, so if you dont see yours right away don’t worry!)

Trash or Treasure? Upcycling is the new trend!

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What is upcycling? Isn’t it just a fancy word for recycling? Having recently engaged in this discussion with my daughter and a few of my fellow Etsy North Georgia team members, I decided to do a little research on the subject. I design bottle cap pendants for my Etsy store (http://cowgirljewels.etsy.com) and our discussion centered on trying to decide if the pendants are recycled, upcycled, repurposed or something else. I had been marketing them as upcycled because I thought it sounded cooler, but were they truly an upcycled item?il_fullxfull.93611387

Turns out that upcycling is more than just recycling in high heels. Upcycling refers to reusing an object (in my case, a bottle cap) in a new way (a pendant) without degrading the material it is made from. Recycling generally involves breaking down the original material and making it into something else – recycling also requires more energy than upcycling, making upcycling even greener than recycling because you eliminate the need for the energy used to break down the recycled materials. Who knew?il_fullxfull.87090706

Contrary to what we artists would like to believe, the art community is not where upcycling originated. People in developing countries have been upcycling for years, using old packaging and clothing in new ways – more out of necessity than for the environment. Upcycling has now gone global and continues to grow in popularity as interest in eco-friendly products increases.il_fullxfull.94406805

Upcycling is used in a wide range of products, including jewelry, furniture and fashion items. Bracelets made of retired flip flops, lamps made from blenders, furniture from skateboards…the combinations are creative and seemingly endless. Upcycled jewelry can be made from pretty much anything – and everything! Currently, there is a significant problem with plastics that stay in our landfills for an estimated 500 – 1000 years and metals that take years to rust away. While it is true that upcycling a bottle cap isn’t going to keep tons of trash out of landfills, that isn’t the sole purpose of upcycling. Upcycling is also about an idea – the idea that we are connected to the resources we use and that we can make those resources more useful instead of just getting rid of them. Plus, upcycled items are great conversation starters! il_fullxfull.98593556

It’s easy – spend a little time, create a few pieces of upcycled jewelry or anything else out of upcycled materials. Impress your friends with how “green” you truly are!

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This week’s article courtesy of Julie Schieffelin from Cow Girl Jewels.