Vendor Spotlight and GIVEAWAY: My Shining Lights (CLOSED)

I have to admit, I have an unhealthy obsession with all things etsy. I’ve been stalking vendor shops, particularly those that sell jewelry and accessories. I’m on the lookout for cute gifts for my ladies, but let’s just say some of the budget bridesmaid gifts out there are a bit tacky and generic. But log onto etsy and you’ll find countless options for lovely gear for your ladies. Enter my next Vendor Spotlight and the sponsor of my very first giveaway: Jo from My Shining Lights. I received a pair of pearl earrings from Jo’s shop and I must say they are much prettier in person! The products are made very well using the best materials, including genuine pearls and Swarovski crystals. Dainty, feminine, chic and affordable. Music to a budget bride’s ears and wallet! Take it away, Jo!

What sparked your interest in creating jewelry?

I would say that I have two answers this question. The first would be that it’s a girl thing! From the moment that we spot that glittering piece of jewelry most likely on a loved one’s neck, grasp it with our tiny fingers, I think we are hooked! At least that is how it was for me. Then a few years ago I started having dreams. The good kind of dreams, the type that when you awaken you just think, “Oh, I wish I could fall back to sleep and dream about this for a longer period of time.” I would just wake up feeling so happy! I would be in this place that had glass counters that were full of containers of sparkles and gemstones and I could go from place to place and choose from the trays the items that I loved the most.

What words would you use to describe your work?

Quality materials, precise, feminine, lovely, elegant, organic, romantic, inspired by dreams

Which pieces of your jewelry would you say would be perfect for weddings? Why?

Any of my Bridal Collection earrings such as Promise, Always, Pursuit, Starlight, Romance and Devotion.

Also, Dancing With Cinderella, Sarah, Violets and Daffodils, Lavender Sweetness, Loving Pearls, Pearls with Violets. I have two necklaces in my shop that would be perfect for weddings. They are titled Something Blue and Romance.

I have a sweet pair of earrings that would be perfect for a Flower Girl as the ear wires and the earring itself are proportioned to a delicate size.

As for why? I designed the Bridal Collection, of course, with weddings in mind where they would be well suited for the Bride, Bridesmaids or Mothers of the Bride and Groom. The names of my necklaces Something Blue and Romance is pretty much self explanatory of their appropriateness for weddings. The other earrings that I mentioned are made of sterling silver, pearls, Swarovski crystals, and some have gemstones. I like to make wedding jewelry with the finest quality of materials that I can find. I love to use pearls, there is something about them that seems pure, they are organic and there is something romantic about the thought that they started out as a tiny irritant, and that over time they developed into something that is lovely and cherished.

Tell us one interesting tidbit about your jewelry.

It often has a dragonfly adorning it. My first pieces all had dragonflies. Sometimes a few, sometimes just one hidden like a little sparkle of whimsy. It finally became impractical to include a dragonfly on everything, but you might want to inspect my pieces carefully as you never know when one might show up!

Any advice for brides-to-be out there?

You have so much preparation for a wedding and though it is joyful and exciting, it can also be exhausting, so my advice would be, “Take care of that to do list, but once the wedding day arrives, put that list aside, take a deep breath and allow yourself to soak it all in. Savor this special day with the man you love and just soak in the beauty, the joy, the tastes, the sounds and the love!”

View more of Jo’s work at:

www.myshininglights.etsy.com
http://jo-journeyingthroughthislife.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/myshininglights

Now for our giveaway! Jo has been very gracious in giving two prizes to one lucky reader!

The winner will receive Key to My Heart

as well as these pearl earrings!

Perfect as a bridesmaid or attendant gift, or even a lovely set to give to your MOH! 

*All photos provided by Jo from My Shining Lights

RULES:
To enter, leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win. Each entry without any contact information will be disqualified. For each entry you complete, you must leave a separate comment. To leave a comment, each contestant must:

1) Go to My Shining Lights on etsy and comment on your favorite item for one entry! This is mandatory! Contestants who do not do this will be disqualified. Remember to leave your email address or some way to contact you with each entry!

You can add another comment to increase your chance to win if you,

2) Become a new follower of this blog (1 entry)
3) Become a new follower of Jo's blog (1 entry)
4) Are currently a follower of my blog (2 entries)
5) Become a facebook fan of “I Do” Budget Weddings (2 entries)
6) Blog about the contest and include a link to the giveaway. Each entrant must also include a link to My Shining Lights etsy shop in their post (3 entries)
7) Buy anything from My Shining Lights shop (5 entries)
8) Follow “I Do” Budget Weddings on Twitter (1 entry)
9) Follow My Shining Lights on Twitter (1 entry)
10) Tweet on this giveaway and include a link to this giveaway in your tweet (1 entry)

The deadline to enter this contest is 11:59 p.m., Thursday, February 11, 2010 (PST). A winner will be randomly chosen and announced the following Friday morning. Good luck! THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!

*As the host of this giveaway, I received a pair of earrings from My Shining Lights.