Kit and Caboodle Shop Feature and Sterling Silver Earring Giveaway...

I apologize for running a day late with the weekly feature. I have done an interview with Gayle so that you can learn more about her and what she does...her Giveaway follows after the interview....



Today, you are going to meet Gayle of Kit and Caboodle Shop on Etsy. Gayle's shop is a joint effort with her whole family. Everyone has a part in either funding or creating this jewelry so that a percentage of the proceeds benefit orphanages in Africa.

Wisdom's Worth Freshwater Pearl and 14k Gold-filled Necklace $50 100% to benefit orphanages

Gayle believes that creating jewelry is her way of expressing gratitude for God's blessings and recognizes that God blesses her when she does the work that He has purposed her to. This is evident in a story that Gayle relayed to me about herself that I wish to share with you later in the week, that is if Gayle approves! As she home schools her teen daughters, she finds her business as a great opportunity for teaching them art as well as business management and finances.

Aquamarine Swarovski Crystal Earrings with Sterling Silver $32 100% to benefit orphanages

Since Gayle's top priority is family and her children, she finds her time a little more limited for creating. She figures about 15 hours a week in actual creativity, the rest of her free time for promotion. What she finds most satisfying about this time is the fact that she is helping to supply rudimentary things that we take for granted, like clothing, food, education, medical care and shelter to the children of the orphanages: one in Zimbabwe and one in Tanzania. In her down time, she spends it with her family camping, hiking, biking and traveling overseas when they can.

Fire Crackle Agate and Brass Necklace $18 100% to benefit orphanages

I asked Gayle if she could have a free account with any one supplier, who would it be. Her response? Artbeads.com. If you haven't seen it yet, visit it...you won't regret it!



Finally, I asked Gayle what her favorite part of selling her wares over the holidays is. This is what she had to say:

"I like knowing that my items will be given as a gift to someone special. I create many of my Christmas gifts to give to my own special people, because creating something handmade is like giving a piece of my heart. I also like receiving handmade gifts. In our fast-paced materialistic culture today, it is nice to know someone took the time to make something special for me. "



Now for Gayle's Giveaway....

Swarovksi Crystal, Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Earrings

Each entrant can earn up to 17 entries for these earrings. Please make a separate comment for each entry you cast to increase your chances. If you did 5 things and put them in one comment, you only have one entry. Please remember to leave your email address or shop link so I can contact you if you are the winner. I DO NOT have outlook, therefore I cannot access your email through Blogger. Comments will each be assigned a number from top to bottom. The total number of comments will be run through random.org and the comment that corresponds with the number chosen will win the earrings! The contest runs today through Monday, December 7, 2009, 6am EST. You can cast one entry, you can cast all entries...the choice is yours. The important thing is that you enter!



Entry chances:

1. Go to Gayle's Kit and Caboodle shop on Etsy and comment here what your favorite piece is.
   
   
2. While you are on her Etsy shop, shoot a heart her way. Don't forget to come back here and comment that you did!
   
   
3. Follow this blog and comment that you did or are already a follower.
4. Follow Gayle's Blog - This Artist's Journey - and comment that you did or are already a follower.
5. Follow me on Twitter and comment your twitter name so I can follow you :)
6. Follow Gayle on Twitter and comment your twitter name.
7. Retweet this post (link in post) up to three times and post that you did in separate comments.
8. Tweet your own twitter up to 3 times. Comment that you did and be sure to include your tweet URL in each comment.
9. Fan my FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did.
10. Fan Gayle's FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did.
11. Blog about this giveaway and earn 3 more entries. Be sure to actually create three comments for this: "blog entry 1", "blog entry 2" and "blog entry 3" with the URL to the post.

I will contact the winner to get your mailing address so I can forward it to Gayle.



With 17 chances to win and nothing to lose, what are you waiting for?