Featured Etsy Designer -- Jill of Marie Carleton! Plus a giveaway!

We have another FABulous Etsy designer on our hands. When we first came across the Heart Charm Bracelet in Red -- we fell right in love with Marie Carleton Jewelry on Etsy. Jill designs perfect little arrays of handmade jewels and custom creations. We look forward to sharing Jill with our readers and thrilled to be giving away the Editors' Pick from Marie Carleton! Read on for details and to see why we LOVE her shop. We think you will too!

{the beautiful designer herself, Jill of Marie Carleton}

{1} What made you begin your shop? 

I’ve been making jewelry for as long as I can remember – I have memories of stringing necklaces in my aunt’s basement as a kid, learning how to work with sterling silver wire when I was in high school, hitting up the local bead shop with my sister when I was home for summer break from college… and it’s a hobby that I’ve always come back to whenever I’ve had some spare time.

It was just about a year ago when I found myself with some extra time on my hands and a great deal of inspiration, so I got to work.  My friends and coworkers loved everything I was making and before I knew it orders started rolling in.  

I kept hearing that I needed to be on Etsy, so I decided to check it out and I’ve found it to be a brilliant forum for artists to connect with shoppers looking for unique goods!

{A fave of the designer Jill, the Gemstone Cascade Earrings, $65}

{2} What are some of your other favorite Etsy shops?

I find at least one thing on Etsy every day that I love.  These are just a handful of my favorite shops:

SealedwithKS: This is my sister's shop (jewelry must be in our blood).  She has an awesome eye for color and makes unexpectedly beautiful pieces. 

ElizabethKelly: Amazing leather belts!

LaPlumeEthere: FABULOUS shoes that I've been eyeing for awhile now.  I'm definitely buying myself a pair soon!

Bluebirdheaven: Every girl needs one of these jewelry organizers!

{We LOVE the color of these Carnelian Hoops, $39} 

{3} What is your favorite item currently in your shop?

There are a couple of pieces in my shop that I’m really into these days. I love the heart charm leather wrap bracelets and the gem encrusted heart necklaces. However, I think my all time favorite pieces are the 

gemstone cascade earrings!

{cupcakeMAG pick: Amethyst Wrapped Heart Necklace in the perfect Spring color, $45}

{4} What is up next for you?

Looking forward to the spring and summer, I’ll be working on some gemstone flower pendant necklaces in all different styles and colors and also some colorful and asymmetrical gemstone necklaces.

One of my goals for the upcoming year is to learn some new jewelry making techniques; I’m especially interested in metalsmithing and am currently looking into workshops.  So, look for some really different pieces around summertime!

{cupcakeMAG Editors' Pick: the Heart Charm Bracelet in Red}

See why we adore Jill and her jewels? 

Now, you can have a chance to win the cucpakeMAG Editors' Pick! 

Read on to enter the giveaway!

Giveaway: cupcakeMAG Editors' Pick is a bracelet we are obsession over! The Heart Charm Bracelet in the color of YOUR choice! 

How to win: Visit Marie Carleton and tell us what color Heart Charm Bracelet you would choose. This comment is mandatory. You also MUST be a follower of cupcakeMAG and cupcakeMAG for Littles. 

For extra entries you can do the following below and leave us a separate comment for each letting us know. The more you comment the better chance you have to win!

1. Follow cupcakeMAG on Twitter.

2. Make sure you "Like" us on our Facebook page.

3. Subscribe to our updates (top right corner above) - just sign up with your email!

4. Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow.

5. Write a blog post about this giveaway on your blog and send us the link.

6. Make Marie Carleton a favorite on Etsy. 

We will select a winner via random.org on Friday, April 1st at 11pm. Please make sure you enter the mandatory comment first before doing the extra entries.

Featured Etsy Designer -- Frosted Willow -- plus a giveaway!

We are so excited to share with you one of our favorite Etsy shops, Frosted Willow. And even better - we chatted with the designer herself to learn more about her beautiful handmade jewels. We are just dying over them! And not to mention the price - mix and match the one of a kind pieces - you are sure to get compliments on your newest accessory!

"From sleek silver & gold plated jewelry to intricate, wire-wrapped pendants & earrings.

A different style for any outfit or mood. Every piece a creation of love, designed and handmade as limited editions, or as one of a kind pieces by Frosted Willow."

1.) What inspired the name, Frosted Willow?

Yes, everyone asks that question first! What happened was that, during the time that I was contemplating a name, I came across a beautiful photograph of a willow tree covered in pure white snow. It looked so peaceful and serene as if it was sprinkled on. It also reminded me so much of frosting that I thought it looked like a Frosted Willow. I just loved that combination! Now every time I hear Frosted Willow, I see that photograph in front of my inner eye.

2.) Tell us about yourself -- the artist behind the to die for jewels?

I was born in Germany and first came to the US as an AuPair for a year to perfect my English. Instead, or in addition, I met my future husband and never left. Now, we live just around the corner from Boston with our little girl – love the summer, beach and outings. I always been busy with my hands and actually amazed quite a library of materials and tools of crafts that I just have to try out. But I always came back to jewelry making since it just combines everything to me. So after getting my Degree of Fine Arts in Interior Design and working as an Interior Designer for a few years, I started to concentrated on creating jewelry and turned it into Frosted Willow.

3.) Do you have a favorite item in your shop?

I am constantly on the lookout for new findings that work well for my bangles. So I add several new items a month and with that jump from one favorite to the next. However, at the moment the silver Butterfly Wing Bangle is the one I am wearing all the time.

4.) What is up next for Frosted Willow?

After this busy holiday season, I will be working on expanding my line in the coming year. I also would like to be represented in more store throughout the US and Europe. I know how important it is to be able to see these pieces in person and be able to try them on and mix and match them right on your arm.

Frosted Willow comes boxed up & ready to give. 

Ready to win one? That is right! The sweet designer is giving you a chance to start your collection by choosing any bangle of choice! Read on to enter!

Tell us what you want to win from Frosted Willow. This comment is mandatory.  You also must be a follower of cupcakeMAG and cupcakeMAG for Littles. 

For each extra entry just let us know (each in a seperate comment) telling us you have done so! The more you comment the better chance you have to win! 

1.) Follow cucpakeMAG on Twitter

2.) Follow Frosted Willow on Twitter

3.) "Like" us on Facebook!

4.) "Like" Frosted Willow on Facebook! 

5.) Subscribe to our updates --- just sign up with your email in the top right corner above. 

6.) Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow. Also, make sure you tell us YOUR twitter name. 

7.) Tweet about this giveaway and include @frostedwillow-- you must tweet, not just follow. 

The winner will be selected by random.org on Monday., December 28th after 11pm. Please make sure you live us your email in one of the comments as well!


Details: Giveaway winner to be chosen on the date above. You will have 24 hours to respond if you are the chosen winner. Another winner will be chosen if you do not respond within this time period. Open to US. The opinions expressed in this review/feature are strictly cupcakeMAG opinions & we were not paid to show our love. However, we were given a few pieces for review purposes.