Terrifically Talented Thursday! Dark and Romantic-TWO Fabulous Giveaways!

Tea Time Ring and Necklace Set Photo courtesy of Vampires Kisses

Greetings everyone,

It's time for another Terrifically Talented Thursday!  Today, I'm pleased to introduce you to Jennifer and Wren - two amazing artisans who share a similar love for all things darkly gothic and romantic.  I'm also quite pleased to announce that both Jennifer and Wren have each offered to give away a beautiful gift!  So, this week you will have two opportunities to win (so you may leave TWO separate comments - hurray)!  Details on both giveaways will follow each feature.

Free the Caged Bird Photo courtesy of Vampires Kisses

Meet Jennifer, the proprietress of both Vampires Kisses on etsy and Miss Bohemia on folksy.   Jennifer finds inspiration from love, life, faerie tales, gothic glamour, steampunkery, a touch of the supernatural, geekery and a dash of magic.   What began as strictly a hobby quickly became a passion.  Believe it or not, Jennifer has only been handcrafting her fabulous jewelry designs since February of last year.  Jennifer likes to combine a mix of both modern and vintage elements in her creations, like the wonderful bird cage necklace seen above. Jennifer not only creates necklaces, earrings and bracelets, but also rings (like this stunner featured below) and key/handbag charms!

Gothic Blood Lust Photo courtesy of Vampires Kisses

Jennifer, who resides in London, loves reading nearly as much as she enjoys creating jewelry.  Her work is greatly influenced by some of her favorite classic tales such as Alice in Wonderland (see the first photo in this post) and paranormal/urban fantasy novels like The Changeover, Interview with a Vampire, The Tooth Fairy, and the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series (the basis for the HBO show True Blood).  Some of her favorite films include Chocolat, Heavenly Creatures and Labyrinth.  In addition to reading and crafting jewelry, Jennifer also enjoys drawing and paper crafting - when she has the time.  All of Jennifer's creations are shipped worldwide, and she gladly welcomes custom order inquiries. 

Mermaid by the Sea Photo courtesy of Vampires Kisses

In addition to her etsy and folksy shops, you can find also Jennifer on Facebook, twitter, and her blog.  SPECIAL OFFER!  Jennifer is offering readers a special 20% discount on your entire purchase (excluding shipping fees) from her etsy or folksy shops.  Simply use "FMblogpromo1" in message to seller field.  This exclusive offer is good through Thursday, July 1st.

Photo courtesy of Vampires Kisses

GIVEAWAY #1!  Jennifer will be gifting one lucky reader with this romantic Victorian-style necklace inspired by Jennifer's favorite musical - the Phantom of the Opera!  This giveaway is open to participants worldwide!  To enter, just leave a comment sharing what you like about Jennifer's work!  The deadline for entries is Wednesday, June 30 by 10:00 pm EST.  PLEASE remember to include your email address in your comment to be considered.  If your name is selected, and we have no way to contact you, your entry will be forfeited.  Good luck to all!

Late for an Important Date Photo courtesy of Zen and Coffee

Meet Wren from Zen and Coffee on etsy.  Wren has been creating ever since she can remember. She fondly remembers her favorite Christmas presents being notepads, pencils, crayons and anything else art-related! Wren also recalls "stealing" her mom's quilting squares to hand sew clothes for her dolls, of which she would cut their hair off and replace with glued yarn.  Wren was fortunate enough to attend an international magnet school during her elementary years which enabled her to not only submerge herself in other cultures but also allowed her to try printmaking, puppeteering, stop motion animation, creative writing, photography, clay work, and also compete in art competitions and submit work to local galleries.

St. Gemma's Garden Photo courtesy of Zen and Coffee

Wren carried her great love for art with her through the years - reading, writing and painting in any way she could.  Like Jennifer, she is also an avid reading - citing Poe, Tennyson and Mercedes Lackey as favorites.  Today, most of her work involves needle and thread.  Wren has always loved sewing.  Four years ago she decided to purchase her first sewing machine and found sewing to be her true passion! So many ideas and designs were being conceptualized in Wren's mind - and she was excited to be able to bring them to life.  Although she created many different items with her new sewing machine, and still does, Wren's main focus eventually became arm warmers and fingerless gloves.

Tea and Crumpets Photo courtesy of Zen and Coffee

Wren originally intended for Zen and Coffee to be a supply shop.  But at the encouragement of her friends, she listed her first pair of arm warmers - and her business began to bloom.  Wren has been selling on etsy for just over four months now.  She never dreamed she'd find success so soon and is already preparing to open a second shop dedicated to trims.  Many people have asked Wren if she ever grows tired of "sewing for hire" or if it has become "chore-like" - but it never does.  She truly loves her work!  Wren currently owns two sergers and two sewing machines - and has a house filled to the brim with fabrics and trims. She marvels at seeing pieces of fabric with no meaning come to life in a finished creation and finds endless inspiration through specific fabric patterns or colors.  She credits her success to amazing customers and the three etsy teams she belongs to (Craftanon, EtsyDarkSide and Metaphysical Etsy).

Vision of Veronica Photo courtesy of Zen and Coffee

You can find much more of Wren's beautiful work in her etsy shop!  Interested in a custom order? Many of Wren's arm warmers and fingerless gloves can be made with or without thumb holes and sewn in a variety of fabrics or trims.  Patterns, colors, and length can also be adjusted to suit your specific needs - simply ask!  In addition to her etsy shop, you may also find Wren on twitter, facebook, and deviantart. 

Click on photo to enlarge for more detail!

GIVEAWAY #2!  Wren will be gifting one lucky reader with her CHOICE of either of these gorgeous  items - the Black Velvet (a bestseller!) fingerless gloves or the Jack Skellington arm warmers!  Again, this giveaway is open to readers worldwide.  To enter, just leave a comment sharing what you enjoy most about Wren's creations!  The deadline for entries is Wednesday, June 30 by 10:00 pm EST.  PLEASE remember to include your email address in your comment to be considered.  If your name is selected, and we have no way to contact you, your entry will be forfeited.  Good luck to all!

REMEMBER - to INCREASE your chances to win, you may leave TWO separate comments!  

ENTRIES FOR THIS GIVEAWAY ARE NOW CLOSED!

  

And now it's time to announce the winner of the $10 gift certificate to Peanuts Creations. The lucky winner is Ramona (The Paper Princess).  Congratulations, Ramona - and happy shopping!

Til next time,

Theresa