Friday, November 6, 2009

{Featured Artist: englishmuffinshop}

this giveaway is now CLOSED!




Here at Gussy has a lot to say we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful photographs, beautiful art by amazing artists, beautiful stories about family life.

This Friday starts the beginning of many featured artist posts in hopes to introduce some new eye-candy and give back some thanks! to all those who've welcomed Gussy into their blog. Most features include a giveaway -- not all of them do, but all are amazing. Please join me in welcoming Bess at
English Muffin Shop.



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What inspires you? I am inspired by bright colors, clean lines and simple shapes, and by the wonder and imagination of children.




Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I am currently living in Vienna, Austria with my fiancé and our dog. We moved here a couple of years ago and are thoroughly enjoying the European lifestyle. Originally I am from Toronto, Canada, and we hope to end up there again someday soon.

Name something unique to where you live.
I would say Austrian food is very unique as well as the traditional dress. It's not unheard of to see men and women out around the city in their dirndl and lederhosen. My favorite local delicacy would have to be Marillenknödel, here's a great recipe if you'd like to give them a try! http://www.deliciousdays.com/archives/2009/06/30/seasonal-dumplings-marillenknodel/


Share an interesting fact about yourself. I've never seen Star Wars. I don't think it's such a big deal but every person who finds this out about me thinks it is.

What made you decide to open up shop?
I decided to open my Etsy shop after we moved to Vienna as a way to stay engaged in the design world and keep myself inspired. I'm so glad I did because English Muffin has really started to take off.


Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time? I do have a day job. I teach English to Kindergarten and Elementary school kids here in Vienna a couple days a week. The rest of my time is devoted to English Muffin.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes. I love going to the markets, walking around the city, and taking photos. The best part about living in a new city is that you get to play tourist all the time. There's always something new to see or do, and when we can pry ourselves away from our work, my fiancé and I love to travel.


Read any good books lately? I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudiced and I highly recommend it. I don't know why it took my so long to pick it up!

What is your most prized possession?
My engagement ring!!! It's designed by architect Frank Gehry for the collection he did for Tiffany's. I adore it!


What are three of your favorite foods? Popcorn, Dark Chocolate, Cheese.

What would you like to learn to do? Speak Italian.


What are you listening to right now? This is dorky but, Journey. Since that first episode of Glee, "Don't stop believing" has become my new {old} favorite song. Otherwise, lots of CBC, NPR and PRI podcasts while I'm working.

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I'd love to visit Morocco so I can experience an exotic and completely different environment from what I'm used to. They also have some beautiful hotels!


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Bess has offered to give away a
Printable Custom Holiday Gift Tags and Cards Set.



How does that work?

Simply tell Bess what design {Santa, snowman, dog or mittens} and text you want on your tags and cards. Bess will then email you a PDF so you can make unlimited prints. Hooray!








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To enter, leave a comment {just one, please} with your favorite winter home-decor item. The giveaway will close Sunday, November 8, and the winner will be announced the following day :)

Please check back Friday, November 13 for yet another feature artist post!

21 comments:

The Chubby Dove said...

i heart Bess' sweet santa!

my fav winter decor item has to be my 3 foot pre-lit white tree. i usually put it up on a table somewhere in our home and it gives off the coziest glow.

have a great weekend, Gussy!

Bess Callard said...

Thanks so much for the feature post! I'm honored :)

Kristin said...

I LOVE her reindog's! Those are stinking cute!

My favorite christmas decor is all of our homemade christmas tree ornaments from throughout the years! We have tons and it makes our tree so personal and memorable!

Jodi said...

I have a Santa Claus collection from when we were first married that I just love spreading around the house.

so cute!

Mrs. Curtis said...

I love to put out my gold glittery bell trees, wreath & candy cane!

Lisa said...

I love fresh pine centerpieces.

Christy @ MCH PHOTOGRAPHY said...

I love her snowman tags!!

My favorite decoration is a santa statue music box with my name on it I got when I was born. It still plays.

Magnolia said...

The first Christmas that I was married, my mother-in-law gave us a figurine of a snow man and a snow woman with a heart that said our names and the year we got married. I love putting it out, because it was so thoughtful of her to order it.

I really love the mitten design tags! Super cute!

Oh, and I'm reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time too! Like Bess, I'm not sure why I haven't read it before. It's so good!

Candice @ Made With Love said...

Bess- its so nice to meet you, and I LOVE Vienna (been there a couple of times)! My favorite winter decor are ceramic reindeer that my grandpa poured and my grandma painted- very special!

I love the snowman tags- thank you for this opportunity!

Gussy Sews said...

OK, I think I NEED to read Pride and Prejudice. Everyone is talking about it ;)

Gussy

jaquelyn {mama thoughts} said...

So cute!

Well, I have to say that I LOVE bringing home a *real* Christmas tree every year. :) The sweetheart's family always does a fake one, but I think I've convinced him that the real ones are better...they look amazing and they smell sooo good!

Thanks, Gussy!

Anonymous said...

I couldn't put Pride and Prejudice down!

I love the Santa tags!

My favorite holiday decor is my stockings. I love putting them around the archway into our dining room!

Mocha Princess Aurora said...

I have a Santa Candle that I was given 4 years ago that I ADORE! He is holding a sign that Says Let It Snow! Here in Florida we dont ge a lot of snow so I find it too adorable!!!!

Kristin said...

I love the red mittens!

Along with a fresh cut Christmas tree, my favorite Christmas item has to be millions of tiny, white Christmas lights - in the house and outside. I also love old bubble lights.

Unknown said...

I adore the mittens tag! My favorite winter decor item is our down comfortable. I love bundling up in the winter time. emilyfette@gmail.com

Unknown said...

my favorite winter home decor item is pomegranates. a white bowl full of them is eye-popping.

btsoi. said...

Nice to meet you, Bess! Your tags are all so cute but I think I love the snowman ones the best! And I love that you're from Toronto, cos it's nice to see designers from around here :)

Heather @ Life Made Lovely said...

My favorite winter decor item is the vintage Christmas train we found at the thrift store a few years back. We set it up under the tree and my 5 year old puts up little scenes for it to drive past.

What a fun feature to do! I love learning about new artsy folks. Thanks! And I love ALL the tags!

Unknown said...

My absolute favorite winter item is a night light that someone bought me years ago. It sounds corny, but everytime I see it, it makes me smile.

But, pretty muchanything winter is wonderful. Especially since I live in the South and there is no winter.

Trish said...

I am a lights girl! White. Only white! I love to look at colored lights, but I only use white. (can you say obessive...)

I do compromise with my kidlets though. If they want colored lights on the tree, they get them!!! BUT only on the tree ;)

...I know, I know!!

Kate said...

The dog with reindeer antlers is too cute!

My favorite winter decor? White lights. Tons and tons of white Christmas lights. And a big wreath :-)