First Friday Shop Hop + Giveaway: The Quilted House

Welcome to the first First Friday Shop Hop! I'm Michelle and I run The Quilted House and am a proud member of RNEST! I've been away for a bit, but am happy to come back and offer you this new feature on the blog.

During the monthly shop hops, you'll get a blog's eye view into the shop, get to know the artist, and get a chance to win something awesome! As a way to reintroduce myself to you, The Quilted House is the first shop in the hop!

A blog's eye view of The Quilted House:

Meet the Artist:

RNEST: Tell us a little about yourself.

Michelle: Well, I'm a quilt artist. I like to make small functional items and wallhangings so that everyone can have a little something quilted in their lives. About ten months ago I gave birth to my first child, so although I don't plan to start making kids stuff, I have started seeing things differently and am starting to bring more fun and quirkiness to my work. My daughter loves the quilts I have hanging around the house and just stares at each element. It's making me so much more aware of details and patterns and I'm incorporating that awareness into my projects.

RNEST: What's your favorite part of being an artist?

Michelle: Letting my imagination run away with me. I also really like the social aspects of shows and being on an Etsy team. So much of my work is solitary, but the minute you go to a show, even if you're not vending, you're surrounded by friends and soon-to-be friends.

RNEST: You've been at this for a while. Any advise for someone just starting out?

Michelle: Well, I feel like I'm just starting out myself after being away for nearly a year, but I know from past experience that the most important thing is to connect with other artists and Etsy sellers. Networking is key. Promoting one another is so important and that's why I love being on an Etsy team. A local team, like RNEST, is particularly special, as I get to see the team members at shows and around town, too!

RNEST: Any coupons or promotions at The Quilted House?

Michelle: I'm getting the shop in shape for the holidays right now, so you'll see new items listed every week. And because I love RNEST so much, to reward folks for checking out the blog, you can get 10% off your purchase by using coupon code RNESTROCKS.

RNEST: So, tell us about your giveaway item.

Michelle: Well, I wasn't sure what I wanted to give away, so I asked my Facebook fans what they wanted. Hotpads are what the public demanded. Unfortunately, I don't have many sets in my shop, so the second demand was for The Jotter. So, the winner of the giveaway will get the choice of any set of hot pads OR Jotter listed in the shop.

The Giveaway - Open worldwide:

Winner's choice of any set of hotpads or Jotter in The Quilted House.

To enter:

MANDATORY ENTRIES:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Stop by The Quilted House and give it a heart.

If you're already a fan, just say so in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. Pick a favorite** piece in The Quilted House and:

Tweet it using the Twitter button on the listing. (one entry)

Like it using the Facebook button on the listing. (one entry)

Pin it using the Pinterest button on the listing. (one entry)

**{multiple favorites = multiple entries!!}

2. Tweet the contest using the Twitter button at the bottom of the post.

3. Share this contest on Facebook using the Facebook button on the bottom of the post.

4. Like The Quilted House's Facebook page.

5. Like the RNEST Facebook page.

6. Follow The Quilted House's blog.

This contest will run until October 11th.

The winner will be selected using a random number generator so anyone can win!

Good Luck!

* Please post all entries below and remember to comment for each entry so that your multiple entries are counted.