Carols Crafts Giveaway

Hey all. I appologise profusely for being a bad blogger. I said I was back and then I didn't really come back. But this time I am definitely back, I promise. I didn't manage to post last time when I said I would because I got a really nasty cut in the palm of my right hand that night at work when a glass expolded (they really do that!). I realised how difficult and ridiculously slow it was to try typing a post with just my left hand, so I gave up. But now my hand is all healed and I have some normal evening shifts in work so can blog during the day. To hail my return to the blogging world I am having another giveaway! Yay! This time the sponsor is Carols Crafts Etsy Store. She has kindly given me 3 prizes for this weeks winner. You will receive a pair or earrings, a hat pin and a keyring from her store.

Here is the mini interview she agreed to do with me so we can all get to know her a little better. Please visit her store as she has some beautiful and unusual piece for sale, as you can see in the photos below.

What's your name and where do you come from? My name is Carol Capaldi and I was born in a wee town called Dingwall in the north of scotland.

(I adore this set!!)

How long have you been making your designs? I have been making things since I was a little girl but things took of when I moved to Orkney for 4 and a half years. I started to do craft fairs then with my glass painting. I've always loved the idea of making jewellery and started that about 8 years ago. It was then I got married to a lovely Italian man and moved to Edinburgh. Edinburgh was a great place to expand my crafts and I still supply a shop in Leith and a shop in North Berwick.

Why did you name your shop 'Carols Crafts'? I call my shop 'carols crafts' because basically that is what they are! I like to do so many things that was the best name for it!

Whats your favourite materials to work with? I think polymer clay (fimo) is my favourite material to work with. Its like playing with plastercine all day!!

Of your items which is your favourite? This is a tough one but I think its my polymer clay necklaces and earrings. I make them to sell but end up wearing them myself!

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs and also their names? I get alot of inspiration from other crafters through the photograph web site flikr. I am amazed at the skill and variety. I have specific methods I use to create the cane and beads but I am often suprised how well things turn out.

Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby? Due to family circumstances I left school with no qualifications to speak of and went straight into work so all my crafting was a hobby to begin with. I learn how to do the fimo cane work and beading through tutorials on you tube! I also read books and used the Internet to get alot of information.

Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from? Im a bit of an etsy virgin at the moment. I love the shops that sell handmade soaps etc. A lovely shop called cosy moments looks very scrummy!!

Whats your dream for 2010? My dreams for 2010 is to start my own jewellery classes and fimo work from home. I have 4 different classes on offer so I am quite excited about that. I also have been doing tutorials for a UK based magazine called 'Making gifts' that was launched in November.

Whats you favourite flower? My favourite flower is an iris.

Onto the giveaway bit!

The same rules apply as before.

• You must be a follower (please tell me how you are following so I can check)
• You must visit Carols Crafts and comment on here as to what is your favourite item

Extra entries may be gained by

• Hearting your favourite item (1 entry)
• Adding Carols Crafts to your favourite etsy sellers (1 entry)
• Blogging/Twittering/Facebooking this giveaway (1 entry each)
• Buying something from Carols Crafts (5 entries)

Please provide links to your blog/twitter/facebook. And supply your etsy username.

You must post a separate comment for each one you qualify for so I can assign numbers to each comment, or they will not be counted as separate entries.

This competition will end at midnight GBT on St Davids Day!! 1st March!

Good luck

I also got a phone call this morning to go for an interview for one of the jobs I applied for a while ago so, I am in a very good mood today. It is for the Assistant Manager of a British Heart Foundation Store in the city. Interviews not till next week but fingers crossed I get it. I can finally get out of the pub and start working more normal hours. Pity its not great pay though! Never mind!

Daisymay X