Peachy Giveaway!

I have the great pleasure in introducing Smiling Frog, an Etsy shop that you will love!! I adore virtually every item in her shop!! I am putting her in the spotlight this week! And you know what that means? You'll have a chance to win these GORGEOUS peach pit earrings:

Here's an opportunity for you to get to know Smiling Frog:

Tell us about yourself and your family....

I currently live with my parents while I'm building a geodesic dome on property in back of theirs with my significant other Adam. I'm an only child, thankfully. I have 3 rescued cats ( Emma & Bri & Gracie who Adam claims is his cat) and a little Chihuahua/Terrier Mix named Leo. They are my children and I treat them as such (spoil them rotten).

How did your shop come to be?

I heard about Etsy when it first started on crafters.org. I joined and listed a few things. There wasn't much action on Etsy at the time and I had been selling handmade clothing on eBay. I sold 1 or 2 things and then kinda forgot about it for a while. Then eBay got worse an worse and I started hearing more about Etsy. I had a lot of jewelry findings, started listing them and they sold. From there I went on to making and selling jewelry and some sewn items.

Favorite thing about having an Etsy shop?

I think my favorite thing about Etsy is all of the friends that I have made. For the most part there is no competition even between people who sell close to the same kinds of things. Everything you make is unique so therefore there's no competition, which is nice. Plus it feels like a real physical shop.

How did you come up with the name Smiling Frog?

The name came from Adam. I love frogs and one late winter day I was telling him I saw the first frog of the year sitting on a sunny rock near the pond. He said "What kind of face did he make?" and I did my best frog smile imitation. So after that he always asks me on a sunny day "What kind of face did the frogs make today?". Yes, we're weird, yes we talk to animals and insects a lot. :) I'm an only child, that's my excuse. I make my own fun and talk to myself.

If you could go anywhere right now, where would you go?

Hmmn, I've been thinking I want to go to Canada, which isn't too far from Maine. It just seems like a friendly place with lots of neat shops.

What are your hobbies/and what do you do in your spare time?

I have a very hard time separating hobbies from work. Pretty much making things is my hobby and I get to sell them. My other job is gardening, which is also a hobby. Other than that I try to spend a few hours with friends a week. I do spend way too much time on facebook, I have to admit.

Are you involved with any organizations/volunteer work?

I try to give donations to animal rescue groups and canine cancer groups when I can. My last dog, Gunny, died of cancer after a 7 month battle.

What is your favorite food and drink?

Favorite food, if you call it that, chocolate.

Favorite drink, soda, probably Mountain Dew. Really I try to healthy but those are my weaknesses.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully in my house. It has been sort of a nightmare building a geodesic dome and has taken way longer than expected. Other than that I hope my Etsy business picks up even more so it can fully support me through the long Maine winter.

What inspires you?

All the artists of Etsy inspire me and amaze me. Nature inspires me. When I am gardening I have time to daydream about things I could possibly make.

The most daring thing you have done?

That's a hard one. I don't think I can think of anything. I've done more stupid things than daring. Although I am deathly afraid of heights and when we were building the shell of the dome I had to bring plywood up and down a 30 foot extension ladder tied to a scaffolding and it shook all the way. I would be in tears by the time I got to the top, but I did it. Not bad for someone who once got stuck on top of a 10 foot greenhouse and had to be carried down a ladder over someone's shoulder.

What is upcoming for Smiling Frog?

I am hoping this winter to have a line of clothing and to have some sterling silver jewelry. I have a jeweler's torch that I must learn to use. Plus I really want to get back to my seamstress roots, which is what I started out as.

Thanks to Smiling Frog for giving us an opportunity to get to know her better! What an amazing story she has!

Now, it's your turn to win the precious peach pit earrings!!

Go to Smiling Frog and tell me your favorite item in her Etsy shop: 1 entry

Become a follower (if already a follower, let me know): 1 entry

Refer a friend to my blog or blog about my giveaway: 2 entries

Purchase from Smiling Frog: 10 entries

PLEASE LEAVE ONLY ONE COMMENT TO TELL ME HOW MANY ENTRIES YOU EARN! YOU WILL HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20 TO ENTER. I WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER ON MONDAY(21ST)! GOOD LUCK!

Hope you're having a great, football-filled weekend (I AM)!!

Toodle-oo! =)