Thursday, April 3, 2014

First Friday Giveaway featuring Michele Kurpisz Designs

*** THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED!  WINNER ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS SECTION.  THANKS EVERYONE WHO ENTERED.  ***

Welcome to the April  First Friday Giveaway featuring Michele from Michele Kurpisz Designs.  During the monthly giveaway you'll get a personal view of the shop, get to know the artist, and get a chance to win something awesome!

Meet the Artist:
RNEST: Tell us a little about yourself.  
Michele: My business is called Michele Kurpisz Designs, and I make silver and copper jewelry using traditional metalsmithing fabrication techniques as well as beadwoven jewelry using glass see beads. I live in Gates with my husband and we have dog, Freya. I've been selling my metal jewelry since 2012. To support my artistic pursuits and pay the bills, I work for Genesee Valley BOCES as a Teacher Certification Specialist.

RNEST: What's your favorite part of being an artist?  
Michele: Getting lost in the creative process. Losing track of time when I get really involved with something I'm making.  Seeing people wearing jewelry that I've made, and knowing that I have connected with them through it. And of course, buying supplies!

RNEST:  Tell us about your creations or techniques. 
Michele: Right now I am focusing on making silver and copper jewelry with semi-precious stones and cabochons. Since I was a weaver and handspinner for over a decade prior to working in metal, I am drawn to using textile techniques in my jewelry. It's a direction I definitely want to pursue more in depth. Arlene Fisch, Mary Lee Hu, and Kent Raible are artists whose craftsmanship and artistry are an inspiration to me. I am also a beadweaver. I'll never stop making beadwoven jewelry until I can't see the beads, and then I will get some mega-magnification and bead some more! It's my first love as far as making jewelry. Beadwork doesn't sell very well, unfortunately, but I still get excited about beads  every time I select a color palette for a project and see the piece finished. And, in my spare time I make adorable bottle cap magnets, pins, and more which I also sell at select shows and stores.

RNEST: You've been at this for a while.  Any advice for someone just starting out?  
Michele: Make as much as you can, don't worry if it's good. Read books about creativity. Practice your drawing skills. Be prepared to work you ass off. Charge more than you think you should. Keep good financial records from the start.Use a calendar to schedule all the creative things you want to get done.

RNEST: Any coupons or promotions at your Etsy shop? 
Michele: Not at this time, but check my Facebook page and shop announcements for information on future promotions.

RNEST: How about shows coming up? Where can we find you locally?  
Michele: I sell some of my jewelry and bottle cap magnets at the Fairport Pharmacy and also at With My Two Hands in Rochester. I will be at the Brainery Bazaar on May 10. I was accepted to Corn Hill but I haven't decided if I will do that show. I expect to be at the Clothesline Festival in September.

RNEST: So, tell us about your giveaway item.  
Michele: My giveaway item is a $25 gift certificate towards a purchase on anything in my Etsy shop.This can be used towards shipping costs as well. It will be valid until the end of 2014.


To enter (Open Worldwide!):
MANDATORY ENTRIES:
1. Follow this blog.

2. Stop by Michele Kurpisz Designs and give it a heart.
If you are already hearted Michele, just say so in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2. Pick a favorite piece on Michele Kurpisz Designs and:
Like it using the Facebook button on the listing (one entry)
Tweet it using the Twitter button on the listing. (another entry)
Pin it using the Pinterest button on the listing. (yet another entry)
[List each one in the comments below separately for more chances to win]

3. Share or tweet this contest on Facebook or Twitter (do both for two entries!).

4. Like the RNEST Facebook Page.

Please post each of your entries separately in the comments below stating what you did.  The winner will be selected using a random number generator so anyone can win!  Good Luck!

Contest will run until April 9, 2014


Winner will be announced in the blog comments and on the RNEST Facebook page, so stay tuned!

54 comments:

  1. Done! My etsy profile: https://www.etsy.com/people/marinaomelianenko. I really lov your works :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow your blog on facebook! And liked Michele Kurpisz Designs on Etsy (Michelle B)
    Thanks for the giveaway! mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  3. Favorited Kurpisz- Etsy User is AddSomeStitches

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  4. Liked Michele Kurpisz Designs on FB - FB name is Megan Sweet.

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  5. 1. Follow this blog....check

    2. Stop by Michele Kurpisz Designs and give it a heart....check

    ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
    1. Like Michele Kurpisz on Facebook....check

    2. Share Michele Kurpisz Designs Facebook Page.....check

    2. Pick a favorite piece on Michele Kurpisz Designs and:
    Like it using the Facebook button on the listing (one entry)...check
    Tweet it using the Twitter button on the listing. (another entry)...check
    Pin it using the Pinterest button on the listing. (yet another entry)....check
    [List each one in the comments below separately for more chances to win]

    3. Share or tweet this contest on Facebook or Twitter (do both for two entries!)....did both

    4. Like the RNEST Facebook Page....done

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  6. Done:
    1. Follow this blog.

    jennifer57

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  7. Done:

    2. Stop by Michele Kurpisz Designs and give it a heart.

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  8. Done: Like Michele Kurpisz on Facebook.

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  9. I like Michele Kurpisz on Facebook!

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  10. I liked my fav piece using the Facebook button on the listing

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  11. I tweeted my fav piece using the Twitter button

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  12. I pinned my fav piece using the Pinterest button on the listing.

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  13. I like the RNEST Facebook Page.

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  14. I follow thi sblog on GFC as Angie Rennie

    rennieangie at gmail dot com

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  15. Liked Michele's Facebook page as Katie Kennedy

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  16. Liked RNEST's Facebook page as Katie Kennedy

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  17. Faved shop on Etsy as KatieCrafts .... lovely things!

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  18. following you via GFC as Marija, and I hearted the etsy shop as UpperLakeJewelry

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  19. I pinned an item - http://www.pinterest.com/pin/84583299226210415/

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  20. I tweeted about an item - https://twitter.com/MrsClutterbuck/status/452878710694105089

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  21. I liked Sterling Silver Circle Ring. Simple Silver Ring.

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  22. tweeted Sterling Silver Circle Ring. Simple Silver Ring.

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  23. pinned Sterling Silver Circle Ring. Simple Silver Ring.

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  24. I shared my fav on twitter!
    https://twitter.com/MichelleBrigha2/status/451884925981974528
    mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  25. I also shared my favourite on pinterest
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/420312577695721805/
    mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  26. I liked RNEST on facebook!
    mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  27. I like Michele Kurpisz Designs on FB as Olivia Beaumont. OliviaBeaumontArt@gmail.com

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  28. I like these little fan earrings through the facebook like button on etsy!
    https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/183150272/small-fans-sterling-silver-stud-earrings?ref=shop_home_active_23
    mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  29. I like Michele Kurpisz Designs on facebook!
    mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  30. I tweeted about the giveaway!
    https://twitter.com/MichelleBrigha2/status/453779927012098049
    mbrigham7 at yahoo dot com

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  31. Follow via gfc as Lyudmila
    Hearted on Etsy Ludmilochka
    E-mail: lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I liked this item: https://www.etsy.com/ru/listing/176392996/rose-quartz-cabochon-sterling-silver?ref=shop_home_feat_4
    Ludmilochka
    E-mail: lusizova at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow this blog as Jessibeth Vicenty

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  34. I heart on Etsy as Jessibeth Vicenty :)

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  35. I like on Fb as well as Jessibeth vicenty

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  36. I Like my fav Item on Fb-->https://www.facebook.com/J3tza13/posts/10152066194126242:0?stream_ref=1

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  37. My tweet of my fav item--> https://twitter.com/J3tza_/status/453984197607038978

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  38. My pin--> http://www.pinterest.com/pin/111886371967051548/

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  39. My share on fb :)--> https://www.facebook.com/J3tza13/posts/10152066200416242?stream_ref=10

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  40. I like the RNEST Facebook Page as Jessibeth Vicenty :)

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  41. Hearted Michele Kurpisz Designs as Debbiek296

    ReplyDelete
  42. LikedMichele on fb as debbiekaye

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  43. The WINNER of this giveaway is Marija of UpperLakeJewelry on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/UpperLakeJewelry
    Congrats Marija! We will get in contact with you!

    ReplyDelete