Je t'aime Giveaway

Something interesting is how romantic anything is, once translated to French, hence why I am over here learning the language! With Valentine's Day coming up you will begin hearing and seeing a lot of "I Love You's" "Je T'aime's" and so on, but how about something unique and handmade to give to your sweetie to tell them how you feel? Well darlings, allow me to introduce you to Chrissy Ann Ceramics!

*all photos compliments of Chrissy Ann Ceramics*

Chrissy Ann is based out of Massachusetts and makes the cutest tappa dishes and ring catchers. They are all so great, I wish I could buy them all! But good news for you guys Embellishers! Chrissy has teamed up with Embellished to offer you the chance to win a custom dish for this giveaway! Lets learn a little about Chrissy Ann Ceramics first.

1. What got you started in ceramics?

I got started with clay as a child through an elementary school project, and have been obsessed with it ever since! We were doing hand impressions in clay for Mother's Day. It was a hit with mom, and with me as well! The clay was non hardening, so I would pull it out of mom's keepsake drawer and secretly make things daily before returning it back to the drawer with a slightly larger handprint! Professionally, my second semester of college, I enrolled in a ceramics class and when I mixed up my first five gallon bucket of glaze, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! I then finished my studies in ceramics, and soon after began Chrissy Ann Ceramics!

2. What pushed you to turn your hobby into a business?

After college, I had moved back to my hometown and started renting my own studio. Waiting tables nearly full time, and creating my ceramic sculptures on the side, I decided that I had to start making income through my work. I slowly purchased my own costly equipment thanks to my waitressing gig, which I still have part time. I then began selling my work to local restaurants, consigning at shops, and selling at local festivals during the summertime and holiday season.

3. What is your favorite thing about life now with your shop?

I love being part of Etsy for so many reasons. But mainly, it is really all about the community that makes Etsy what it is. The community of artists is something that many don't have locally in their own neighborhoods, but now you can have that same experience virtually! Etsy sellers generally are super supportive of one another and help each other's shops in so many ways. The buyers are incredible too! The lovely letters I get back from people telling me how they appreciate my elaborate packaging, to the response from a gift recipient makes my day! Etsy attracts such an amazing group of people, it inspires me to work everyday!

4. If you could have any super power what would it be?

I'm not really sure if its a super power.. but I guess it could be. Because I live down the street from the beach, I've grown obsessed with watching birds surf the wind. They are just so lucky to be able to fly and enjoy the world from an amazing perspective. I wouldn't want to be a bird because their feathers sort of creep me out, but I would love to be a super woman of sorts and soar around in the sky!

5. Any extra tidbits?

I would encourage your readers both the artists and the art appreciators to make the time daily to create something for themselves. For simply the enjoyment of being creative. Don't worry about "good art" or "bad art" just create and let go!

"Just create and let go" is right, I couldn't have said it better myself. So here's the 411 on this exclusive giveaway. Above you can see, a sample of Chrissy's Ring Dish... just replace "bliss" with "Je t'aime" and you have your prize!

You can have a max of 4 entries, but remember to get credit for EACH entry you must COMMENT BELOW so that you are counted in the tally via random.org!

1. Visit Chrissy Ann Ceramics and comment below about your fav item

2. Become a follower of The Embellished Life Blog

3. Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to tag @fashiondiva304 so I can check)

4. Become an Embellished Facebook Fan

Be sure to check out the Chrissy Ann Ceramics Blog, or follow her on Twitter @ChrissyACeramic!! This is a 4 day contest so enter while you can and your sweetie will be so impressed you were so thoughtful!! Giveaway closes Sunday the 24th at Midnight NYC time.

Good luck!