My first giveaway!!!!

Hello ladies today I am very excited to be bringing you my first giveaway!! Yay! I have teamed up with the amazingly talented Nicole Sgrol from Katalins etsy store (I know how much we all love etsy, and we should all love Katalins too!) I showed you one of her rings a few weeks ago on my post about rose jewellery. Here it is again just to refresh you memory.

The 'Meghan' Ring

It is just beautiful and chic in black and white. Well ladies this is the prize for my first giveaway (hope your all excited now too!) I have it in my possession and would love to keep it for myself but this prize is for one of you!

Nicole was also kind enough to answer a few a question for me, so we can all get a little insight into her world. And I have chosen some of her items for you to all see how lovely her stuff is.

The 'Jessica Rabbit' Ring

Whats your name and where do you come from? My name is Nicole Sgroi, I was born in Manhattan, NY. I grew up in Westchester, NY, and now reside right over the Hudson River facing the Statue of Liberty out of my window in Jersey City, NJ!

The 'Alessandra' Earrings

How long have you been making your designs? I have been working with the medium, polymer clay, for over 8 years, in the form of personalized Christmas ornaments. I started forming flower designs around 5 years ago, but just started turning them into jewelry recently- which birthed the opening of my Etsy.com shop in September of this year.

The 'Coco' Necklace (I think this is my new favourite)

Why did you name your shop 'Katalins'? My shop is all about the women in my past and present that have influenced me somehow- that is how I name each of the designs. My favorite woman, and the one who has influenced me the most is my mother- and KATALIN is her name in Hungarian, where she was born.

The 'Halle' Ring

Whats your favourite materials to work with? I do not discriminate when it comes to arts and crafts- but I do have a few of my favorites. When I was little I painted all the time- oils and acrylics and I thought Bob Ross was my idol. I would craft with anything- glue guns, paint, interior decorations, etc. I thought using the clay was the most therapeutic, and I enjoy the entire process from start to finish of making the jewelry, from the big pieces to the tiniest little rosettes!

The 'Ivanka' Brooch

Of your items which is your favourite? The piece that I love the most is called "ELVIRA HANCOCK"- after the most stylish Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface. It is a mum, interpreted the KATALINS way to look a little less floraly. It's ironic though, because when I wear it out it always gets the most compliments from strangers (and sparked wanting to sell my pieces) but it does not photograph well because of the detail, so it is actually a poor seller!

The 'Elvira Hancock' Ring

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs and also their names? Just as when I first started, I start playing around thinking of my favorite flowers in my head. I have the very lucky advantage of working my day job in Manhattan, where the streets are bombarded with little stands that have beautiful flowers on every corner. I also work on Madison and Fifth Avenues, so I get to see what is stylish and new for designers, and translate it my way. Kind of like the Runway meets the RealWay, and my pieces are those you can wear in all different venues! The names are all woman that have left an impression somehow- even if it just their unique style makes me think of them. I often name my designs after celebrities, because I might make a design with a certain scene in a movie in my head, or a picture from a magazine..

The 'Zara' Studs

Do you have any formal training or did this start as a hobby? I have always been interested in arts and crafts since I was a little girl, trying all different types of mediums and experiencing anything my parents would buy for me. I have no formal training in anything creative, but have just honed my skills over a few decades of practice!

The 'Mae West' Ring

Do you have any favourite etsy shops which you buy from? I have a lot of favorites, and wish I had more time to browse it, but right now I am working very hard to get my new designs out on the KATALINS site. I just recently made a purchase from NEWFASHIONEDWHISPERS- I love her dainty, feminine metal work. I would have to say I was very impressed with her site!!

The 'Estee' Necklace

Whats your dream for the next year? My dream in Etsy dreamland is to continue the success KATALINS has had so far in just two months of activity. I have already been featured on the Front Page of Etsy.com as well as several Treasury Lists and blogs- and hope that not only continues, but more and more artists find me to help launch KATALINS as a continued success.

The 'Genevieve' Fridge Magnets

Whats you favourite flower? Peony!! I love love the smell of peonies, and I love the fullness they bloom into. They are fragile, yet so potent and large- dainty, feminine, yet bold!

The 'Scarlet O'Hara' Ring

So I guess you are all wondering how to enter this brill giveaway and win that stunning ring! Well this is one for my followers sorry, so if you are not already a follower just go click the button over there on the right -> Then all you have to do is nip on over to Katalins store and then come back here and tell me which of her items is your favourite. Nice and easy!

The 'Jackie' Brooch

To get yourself some extra entries just:

1. Post my giveaway on your blog, twitter, facebook page (1 extra entry for each)
2. Add Katalins to your favourite sellers on etsy
3. Heart you favourite item on Katalins shop

If you do any of these please post an extra comment for each and the link to you blog/twitter/facebook. Or give me you etsy name please.

The 'Diana' Studs

Giveaway will end at midnight (GBT) on christmas eve! And I shall post the winners on xmas morning! (Obviously when I get time, lol) So the winner will have a lovely surprise on xmas day with an extra special present.

The 'Melanie Carmichael' Ring

I have another giveaway going up this week so check back soon for another great prize.

The 'Carrie' Hair Clips

Daisymay XOXO