Monday, March 28, 2011

Giveaway Feature - Mama's Little Monkeys

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Check back on Monday for the next one!



This week's feature is on Amy, of Mama's Little Monkeys, but I always call her Mama. She's a wonderful artist, a dedicated Mom, and a great friend :)

1. Where can we find your work and what do you create?

Fabric Button Badge Reels at http://www.badgereels.etsy.com
www.badgereels.artfire.com
Handmade baby toys, gifts, and more at http://www.mamaslittlemonkeys.etsy.com
www.mamaslittlemonkeys.artfire.com
Fabric Destash at http://www.destashcity.etsy.com
www.destashcity.artfire.com
Nap Mat Covers at: http://www.napmatcovers.etsy.com
Eco Friendly Cleaning Items at http://www.MicroMops.etsy.com
www.micromops.artfire.com

Proud Founder of http://www.handmadelouisiana.etsy.com

2. What's your favorite part about being an independent artist?
The flexibility to create what I want when I want...to a point. I love the fact that if I need to run my sons to school, or take them outside to swing, I can put work on hold and do that!!


Whew she's busy! I've always found that inspiring :) 

3. Where do you find your inspiration?

Generally my children. Much of what i create was made because of them, they wanted it, or it was something to make life as a mom easier! Also, I tend to buy fabric because I love it, then later decide what to make with it!

4. What advice would you give to other artists?
DO NOT GIVE UP! It took me at least 18 months to find my niche (the badge reels and eco friendly cleaning supplies). It takes years sometimes to get into a good groove of creating, business, bookkeeping, and yes, actually turning a profit! Keep trying, keep networking and keep LEARNING!

Isn't She Great?
Here's What You Can Win:



Michael Miller Business Card Wallet
Keep your business cards and more safe and handy in this adorable business card wallet 
made from Michael Miller 3-D Zoo designer fabric.

You can either win the one shown above, pick another business card holder,
or receive a $10 gift certificate! Don't you just love the options?


So how can you win?


1. Comment on this entry
2. Share your favorite item from her shops (scroll up for links)
3. Plurk or twitter about it and leave a comment with link.
4. Promote the item on Facebook.
5. Blog about it and leave a comment with link
6. Purchase an item from her shop (for 5 entries) (link above)

Important: All entries must be submitted by comments on this blog post.
I'm keeping track of the entries, so telling Mama about them won't help :P


Giveaway Ends Saturday 4/2

Interested in doing an artist feature/giveaway on this blog? Just let me know!

What's coming up? Tomorrow - Networking Karma! Wednesday - Etsy Versus Artfire

50 comments:

Amy said...

aww thank you!! :) You're my girl Ruthie!

Annita Wilson said...

the pony tail holders are adorable I will have to check with my 8 yr old granddaughter to see which ones she likes best

Rhiannon said...

Wow, you have such wonderful items in all of your shops and I love the PIF items too!

It's hard to pick just one thing...the boo boo bags are amazing, as are your badge reels! As someone that works in an industry that covets the use of a badge reel, I'm going to be sharing with my coworkers your great designs!

The Little Golden Book Tawny Scrawny Lion badge reel brought great memories out for me. <3

Debbi Andersen said...

I Love everything!!

Tambi said...

I love the business card holder! However, I have to say my favorite part of this posting/blog was your "never give up" attitude...I've been in a funk trying to figure out how to market and on some days doubting my choice to keep going - THANK YOU for giving me the oomph to keep moving forward!

smiss00.artfire.com said...

I LOVE MAMA!

I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/Smiss00/status/52417602282196992

and on facebook http://www.facebook.com/Simply.Smiss

Stitches In Cotton said...

I love mama. She is an amazing woman, mother, atrisan, and friend.

kiddomerriweather said...

Mama is one awesome lady!

kiddomsg at gmail dot com

kiddomerriweather said...

I love her Mario hats and stuffed rockets!

kiddomsg at gmail dot com

jhitomi said...

I love the Fleur de lis ponytail holder set.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

Katarzyna said...

I love the Blue Sock Monkey Face Scrabble Tile Pendant

gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

WCA Yash Travel said...

i like the Fabric Button Ponytail, Set of 2 in A,B,C Alphabets--Back to School
gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

WCA Yash Travel said...

blog post
http://gustosa-giveaways.blogspot.com/2011/03/business-card-holder-giveaway-422011.html
gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

Sarah B. said...

I love the fabric she uses! What a great shop!

sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

Sarah B. said...

This item is my fave:

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=2764441

sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

Memories for Life said...

So great to offer a gift certificate! But those biz card holders are so cute it will be hard to choose!

Memories for Life said...

I love the X-L Fabric Button Ponytail, Set of 2 -- Hot Pink and White Fleur De Lis Pony O's
Can't beat pink :)

eclairre said...

my fav item isBlack and White Lady Mylar Button Badge Reel ID Holder or Keychain

Rachel said...

I'd love to win this-thanks for the giveaway!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

Splendid Little Stars said...

Wow! She has an amazing number of shops! I'm so impressed!

Splendid Little Stars said...

The ponytail holders are so cute! But I must say the badge reels are very clever! great designs, Mama!

Darcy said...

My favorite is the Business Card Holder--Pink Ribbon and Moda--Wrap Button Closure!

christy said...

great giveaway

christy said...

love the mini stuffed rocket ship

Meri Greenleaf said...

Eep, almost forgot to reply this week! *comments*

Meri Greenleaf said...

My favorite things in her shop are definitely the Mario Bros hats! Those are awesome!

Meri Greenleaf said...

Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/MeriGreenleaf/statuses/53487234434875392

Meri Greenleaf said...

And just blogged about the giveaway and a few of my favorite items Amy makes. :D http://merigreenleaf.blogspot.com/2011/03/presenting-pretties-mamas-little.html

Meri Greenleaf said...

I also plurked about it, but not sure if that counts as an extra entry since I already tweeted. lol! http://www.plurk.com/p/bge2zw

Liza said...

What a pretty card case! This would be easy to find in my purse and would impress clients with my sense of style.

Thanks for the chance to win!

--Liza

ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Heathery said...

Thanks for the chance to win!
myheehaw@hotmail[dot]com

Heathery said...

I love the Beau Beau bags! I'd love to get one for my niece.
myheehaw@hotmail[dot]com

Rachel said...

I've got my fingers crossed for this one!

Diana Dang said...

would love this item :)

faked_sugartone at hotmail

Ashley said...

The Beau Beau bags are so cute!

mrs dot marcus2 at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Thanks for this giveaway!

Aik said...

I like the Floral Cabochans and Fabric Covered Badge Reel, ID Holder OR Keychain.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Aik said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/53821667645992960

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Ingrid said...

Count me in! :)

so.kitsch at gmail dot com

Ingrid said...

I really like the Marina Kate bag in Pink and Green Joel Dewberry fabric.
so.kitsch at gmail dot com

Ingrid said...

Shared on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wunderfraulein/posts/121702014573160
so.kitsch at gmail dot com

Ingrid said...

Shared on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/my_wunderkammer/status/53920828672311296
so.kitsch at gmail dot com

Ingrid said...

Blogged: http://skittlefairy.diaryland.com/110401_20.html
so.kitsch at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Thank you so much everyone for the compliments!! It's very nice to know my work is appreciated!, thank u again ruthie!, the best part of handmade is not the sales, views or press but the friends you make!,

Lyudmila said...

I hope to win it for me! I need it!
lusizova at gmail.com

Life's Simple Pleasures said...

I like that card holder! pretty

reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

Life's Simple Pleasures said...

Handmade Cowgirl Card Wallet - Golden Koi is another lovely one

reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

Life's Simple Pleasures said...

Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/darkmotives/status/54255499528507392

reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

Klemm Family said...

Love it! Thanks for the giveaway!
skklemm at gmail dot com

Klemm Family said...

I like the Blast Off-- Stuffed Rocket Ship Toy in FreeSpirit Designer Fabric
skklemm at gmail dot com