Thursday, March 4, 2010

{sponsor feature + giveaway}

This giveaway is now closed.

Designs by Tahra
:: sponsor giveaway + feature ::




What inspires you?
I am inspired by serving others and the feeling I get from creating jewelry that people love or cooking a meal my family oohs and ahhs over!



Where do you call home? Are you from there originally? I call Orlando, Florida my home but I was born in Prince Frederick, Maryland until I moved here at the age of 14.





Name something unique to where you live. We have Disney World here in Orlando, Florida that everyone loves to visit when they come see us.


Share an interesting fact about yourself. I am a registered nurse and used to be an open heart surgical nurse. I love to work with my hands and tools.



How did you come up with your shop name? I came up with my shop name pretty easily {designs by Tahra}. I couldn't think of anything that was especially unique to me except my name, the spelling is very unique!



Share a little bit about yourself. I am a homeschool mom of four children. I love my husband and my children passionately. I love to cook and to bake homemade bread. I love to read home decorating magazines and Southern Living has been my favorite because it has travel and cooking included.




If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be? That is hard! I would say loving.


What made you decide to open up shop? I love to make and wear jewelry, and I needed a way to support my creativity.


Name your favorite thing about selling handmade. I think that selling handmade is great because it is supporting the small businesses in our country. It helps to support individual families and allow us to grow. Don't get me wrong, big chains are useful, but I just think that having a small business that I can teach my children how to support themselves and be creative is just amazing! They really get the business part.



Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time? I homeschool my children which is a full time job for sure! Yes, I sell on Etsy full time.




Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I get up early at around 7 am and pray and read my bible. I check my email from 8-8:30. That includes listing things or getting things ready to ship. I then help the kids with breakfast until 9 am and then we head upstairs for school.

I help them with school until noon. Sometimes I will make some jewelry if they are working well on their own. I am always available to help them with their school work, though. I then make lunch and they get an hour of free time. I am back upstairs at 1:30 and we finish school until 4pm.

Then I prepare dinner and check more emails. After dinner we spend time together playing games or going to baseball or football practice. After bedtime, I spend time creating jewelry or I will spend time with my husband and then I hit the hay.



Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I love to buy the jewels or gemstones online that I use in my jewelry. I also recently purchased some soap from BanjoBaySoaps. She does a great job with the soap, it is all organic and it is cold pressed.



List a few of your most favorite pastimes. I love to help people with medical questions. Although, I have not worked for 10 years, so I feel like it is becoming a pastime in my life.




Read any good books lately? I read a lot of homeschool curriculum's. It helps me to determine what each of my children might need in the area of school and possibly how we could get better at teaching or learning.


What is your most prized possession? My most prized possession is my bible. I realize so many times in my life I have fallen short. I know that this is where I gain wisdom or even just sneaking a few minutes with God helps me to get back on the right track.



What are three of your favorite foods? I love filet mignon, chicken parmesan, and beef bourguignon. I love to taste homemade breads. I love good coffee and chocolate desserts. Sorry that is more than three!



What would you like to learn to do? I have recently become more interested in metal smithing. I would also like to take some real chef cooking classes. I know how to cook most things, just want something a little more advanced.



What are you listening to right now? I am listening to the hustle and bustle of my husband shuffling the boys to baseball practice and my girls asking please, please can I go. Maybe some quiet time for Momma, ahhhh!



Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. I have heard that it is very beautiful and since I grew up living on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, I love the beach. I love to lay out, walk along the beach, play in the sand and water with my kids and sometimes read a book and be quiet.

***

Enter to win $50 shop credit!



To enter:


Leave a comment sharing your favorite piece from Tahra's shop




RULES:
  • The giveaway will close Sunday, March 7 at 10 pm CST, and the winner will be announced the following day
  • An email address must be listed on your blog profile or in the comment you leave


Other links:
Facebook fan page


64 comments:

Stephanie C. said...

I think my favorite has to be the Graduated Rondelle Turquoise and Sterling Silver Nugget Necklace. So pretty!

Elizabeth said...

My favorite piece is the AAA Citrine Faceted Briolette Oxidized Necklace!! Beautiful and could go with lots of different outfits!

Jingle said...

I absolutely LOVE the Turquoise Dream necklace! My favorite turquoise necklace broke and this would be the PERFECT replacement for it! jinglesells at gmail dot com

Ashley said...

How can I just pick one! They are all so pretty. I think my favorite would be the AAA bright apatite aqua chalcedony faceted heart briolette necklace. I love turquoise!!
apittman@hotmail.com

Lisa said...

Lampwork Boro Glass Pink and Black Beads with Swarovski Crystal Earrings and Lampwork Boro Glass and Brass Earrings. I love those glass beads!

Jaime said...

They are all pretty but my fave may be the Lemon Smokey quartz briolette.

aronsen40 at aol.com

Candice @ Made With Love said...

I love the Key to My Heart necklace as well as the AAA Citrine Faceted Briolette Oxidized necklace! So many great options to choose from! Thank you for this opportunity! :)

cmyersdoyle@aol.com

shana said...

beautiful stuff, i really like the aaa green amethyst earrings, but it's all wonderful. i also love the fun bottlecap necklaces!
thanks,
shana

Lisa-Jo Baker said...

Ooo, the earrings - the first set of sparkly chandelier type earrings above! YUM!

Anonymous said...

Absolute favorite: Fancy Teardrop Chandelier Earrings with Swarovki Crystals. email: igspan-AT-gmail-DOT-com

Anonymous said...

everything is so beautiful. i like the key to my heart necklace. :)

lauren at fizleglitz.com

momtoem said...

I like the Key to My Heart...Freshwater Pearl, Key and Heart Necklace

lejn05@yahoo.com

Celeste said...

Love the black watch :)

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com

Not too shabby said...

I love all of Tahra's jewelry. I really like the AAAlolite necklace. Thanks for sharing.
shannonschultz@cfl.rr.com

Sarah Seitz said...

Beautiful stuff! I love the Hot Pink Jade For Real.

Magnolia said...

I love the Brazilian Purple Amethyst Faceted Pear Shaped Briolette Oxidized Earrings, but those cupcake earring are precious!

Jesica said...

I really like the Rustic Coin Turquoise Necklace and Bracelet Set - simple and workable for my lifestyle!

~~~Alana~~~ said...

I really like the Swarovski Tear Drop Necklace!!

SoBella Creations said...

My favorite items are the Key to My heart necklace and the teal blue green quartz necklace.

Lovely shop!

Ashley said...

I love the key to my heart necklace. I could see myself wearing that all the time!

Ashleynchambless@gmail.com

{shell} said...

LOVE the Pefectly Clear Quartz Briolette Earrings. They would look fabulous with any outfit and are just so STINKING fun!!!
ps i love reading through the comments and seeing how we are all so different yet ALL love GUSSY! so fun!!!
shelly swope
shelly.swope@gmail.com
shellann.blogspot.com

Laura said...

I love them all! My favorite is the AAA Bright Apatite Aqua Chalcedony Faceted Heart Briolette and Sterling Earrings. What a great giveaway!

Unknown said...

Well...I sooo wanted to find something for myself...but when I got to page4 and saw the Adjustable Girls Fashion Rings..I couldn't help but think of my 2 girls. Kayla is 3 and she LOVES rings and necklaces. She has a 6 month old sister who she can't wait to play dress up with someday. Anyway, I just love them!!!
crossing my fingers :)
Kelwood9@gmail.com

Angela W said...

I like the seed bead and turquoise explosion necklace, though there are many items I would like!

Jess :) said...

If I have to choose just ONE...I would say the AAA Iolite Blue Mystic Quartz Faceted Pear Briolette Necklace!!! Everything is amazing, though!!

Sarah said...

WOW, I really like a lot of her necklaces. So beautiful! I like the Aqua Chalcedony Faceted Heart Briolette Necklace the best.

tuckaway hearts said...

All of the pieces are beautiful but, my choice would be the Lemon Smokey quartz briolette ... so simple but so classy! Thank you for sharing your talent and yourself.

Raylene Nicole said...

I LOVE that wire one wrapped around the stone... on the darker silver chain! I have no idea the technical terms... but I love that one!

PS I now have my email address on my profile! :)

The Critchlow Family said...

I love the key to my heart necklace. It is simple, yet elegant. Love the pearls on it as well. I'm a sucker for pearls! Love it!

critchlowcrew@gmail.com

Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea said...

My favorite are the Mystic Blue Quartz Faceted Heart Briolette, Heart and Pearl Earrings! PRetty!
jlanenh@comcast.net

Laryssa Herbert said...

It's so hard to choose just one...but, I think I like the
Aqua Chalcedony Briolette Earrings
the best.

Stacey said...

I am so proud of you Tahra! It is awesome to see God growing your business! And this is a giveaway I can enter! I like it all, but if I win I have a custom order!!


Blessings,
Stacey

jacqui said...

they're all gorgeous but if i had to choose a favorite it would be the Teal Blue Green Quartz Faceted Heart Briolette Oxidized Necklace. beautiful!!

czstout said...

My fav is the AAA Bright Apatite Aqua Chalcedony Faceted Heart Briolette Necklace...What a beautiful color!!!

stoutfamily@rocketmail.com

Heather said...

Seriously drooling over her
Lemon Smokey quartz briolette necklace

heatherdemke(at)gmail(dot)com

Tempest Ahoy said...

Oooh, has to be the Gorgeous Graduated Rondelle Turquoise and Sterling Silver Nugget Necklace. So stunning.LOVE <3

Melissa G said...

I like the Blue Amazonite and Smokey Topaz Sterling Silver Earrings. So pretty.

missylovsjesus at yahoo dot com

Jess said...

My favorite are the Mystic Blue Quartz Faceted Heart Briolette, Heart and Pearl Earrings

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

What a FUN interview! Thank you for the introduction. She has some gorgeous pieces... I really love the Lemon Smokey quartz briolette!!
~Jennifer
www.studiojru.com

laura said...

My favorite piece is the Bronze Drift...Turquoise, Wood, Swarovski and Glass Pendant Neclace. Such beautiful pieces... and living with three little boys a girl's gotta do all that she can to maintain the girliness in herself :)

Jeannett said...

I love the teal briolette necklace!

Erin said...

LOVE the Elegant Crystal Chandelier Earrings! Gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I adore turquoise so I gravitated to the Seed Bead and Turquoise Explosion necklace right away. Love it!

Michele P. said...

I saw a few things I wanted, but my favorite are the Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings With Pink Swarovski Crystal, very pretty and can wear for a night out on the town and on a casual day at work too.

micaela6955 at msn dot com

K. Davis said...

It is one of my dreams to get to Hawaii as well! But for my favorite piece in her shop, it would have to be:

the three strand turquoise bracelet! It's just beautiful... and I love turquoise!

misterrunyan@yahoo.com

Laurel E. Riffey said...

I LOVE the AAA Bright Apatite Aqua Chalcedony Faceted Heart Briolette Necklace! So unique!!!

Mindy said...

I like the Pink Mystic Quartz Earrings! Pretty :)

mdmerenghi@gmail.com

Laura Stewart said...

gorgeous stuff - I love the Key to My Heart...Freshwater Pearl, Key and Heart Necklace

Frugal Frenzy said...

Love the Hot Pink Jade For Real! too cute

Morgan said...

Seed Bead and Turquoise Explosion...I am a sucker for turquoise!

Morgan said...

splithitter at aol dot com forgot to leave that.

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE the Lemon Smokey quartz briolette!!!

The Clines said...

So many pretty things! I love this one:
Beautiful AAA Iolite Blue Mystic Quartz Faceted Pear Briolette Necklace

teresacline2001(at)yahoo(dot)com

mandi c said...

Love her Rose Quartz earrings, and the AAA necklaces, yes, both of them! All her stuff is gorgeous!

Linda said...

Love this Lemon Smokey Quartz
Briolette necklace...so pretty!!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40637839

Heather said...

I love her earrings. It was so hard to chose one set, but these would be the most vesitile.


Pefectly Clear Quartz Briolette Earrings

Cheeky Rose Boutique said...

Greetings! My fave piece is the Blue and Brown Faceted Ocean Agate Necklace with Sterling Silver. Just lovely! Jan

mommy2luke2008 said...

I love the Swarovski Crystal bracelet!!!!
maryw1981 at yahoo dot com

Ashley Bray said...

I love her pieces and there are so inexpensive.
My favorites are the
Key to my heart necklace or AAA Green Amethyst Earrings.
It is so hard to choose.
hullae@yahoo.com

Wehaf said...

I love the Bronze Believe bracelet!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love the Lemon Smokey quartz briolette! All of her pieces are gorgeous!

Chacoy said...

How do you choose a favorite, when they are all beautiful!
I adore the Blue & Brown Faceted Ocean Agate Necklace w/sterling silver.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41487824
chacoyaguayo{at}yahoo{dot}com
thank you for the opprotunity!

noreen said...

Beautiful AAA Iolite Blue Mystic Quartz Faceted Pear Briolette Necklace

lace said...

I love the simplicity of the Lemon Smokey quartz briolette. It's beautiful