Monday Giveaway and Feature: Morning Glory Creations

This week's featured shop/artist is Melanie Howitt of Morning Glory Creations.

Melanie has made one of a kind, handcrafted jewelry off and on for about 10 years but only recently started producing jewelry for sale. In her bio on Artfire, Melanie says, "Sometimes the simpelest design is the best and the most versitile match to a wardrobe. Jewelry is an expression of me."

We can see this expression in this week's giveaway piece:

Raw Oregon Sunstone Wine Charms wrapped in Sterling Silver Wire


Melanie's parents came back from a trip to Oregon with buckets of these stones. They are uncut and unpolished but have a wonderful glassy appearance on their own.

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For a chance to win this week's giveaway, you must:

NAME AND POST A LINK TO YOUR FAVORITE ITEM FROM THE FEATURED ARTIST'S SHOP IN THE COMMENTS

Featured Shop = mhowitt.artfire.com

For additional chances to win:

1) Tweet the giveaway (include @NMArt in your tweet and post your tweet in the comments with your twitter username) - 1 extra entry

2) Blog about the giveaway (post a link to your blog post in the comments) - 1 extra entry

3) Purchase an item from the featured shop (post the item you purchased) - 2 extra entries

ENTRIES WITH OUT CONTACT INFORMATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
(Email address, Etsy username and Artfire username accepted)

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A little bit more about Melanie's craft and shop:

How did you begin making jewelry?
What really got me started was coming across some beads surprisingly at Walmart that I thought would make a pretty necklace. I have however made simple strings of beads since I was a child. My grandmothers always had boxes of craft items ready for when the grandkids came calling.

How would you best describe your pieces?
I tend to gravitate between simple styles that are a great accent for formal wear to statement pieces that stand on their own.

What is your favorite medium to work in?
I love working with sterling silver or gold plated wire wrap but I’ve started to expand and started working with poly clay and the Mokume Gane process. I also have a passion for wine glass charms and developed a new style that clips to the stem instead of wrapping around it.

Where does your inspiration come from?
All kinds of places. I may see something in a magazine that catches my eye but my latest inspiration actually comes from the Pantone Spring 2010 Color report. I found the clothing designers' sketches pretty inviting.

Can your items be found anywhere other than Artfire?
I currently also have an Etsy Shop at mornglorycreate.etsy.com

Are you on any social networking sites? Which ones?
Facebook, Indiepublic, and Twitter

Please provide a link to ONE of your favorite Artfire shops.
I love hand made soaps! www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=270459

Tell me something interesting about you or your shop.
My children (I have 3 boys) are starting to really enjoy my crafting especially with the clay, or as they call it Adult Playdough. My 12 year-old is convinced he will create something grand that someone will want to pay him thousands of dollars for.

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Thanks for participating in this week's giveaway. Entries will be accepted until Monday, November 16, 2009, 2pm Eastern Time. I will notify the winner the following day. Please be sure to stop by every week for more great giveaways.