Smart and Crafty Women Change the World!

{Stay to the end for a fantastic giveaway!}

Is it just me, or does it seem as though blogging is changing the face of small business, particularly for women?

One of my favorite parts of what I do is having the chance to rub shoulders with some brilliantly creative, entrepreneurial women.  I'm blown away by some of the women I've met, working in their homes to produce (and sell) something remarkable.  Whether they're promoting their writing or creating items with their hands, the blogosphere feels, to me, like a renewal in the cottage industry set-up of 150 years ago.

I love it.  It's empowering, don't you think?

This year, I'm planning to do as much of my Christmas shopping as I can from these entrepreneurial women, at Etsy and other similar small businesses.  I'm hoping to feature some of them on my blog this fall, as well, and send a little linky love their way. 

So I'm starting today with one of my favorites, Vintage Pearl.  Erin, the owner, hand creates this lovely personalized jewelry in her home.  I have this piece, and I wear it almost every day--I absolutely love it.  I was so crazy about Erin's work that I ordered this children's piece for my niece's fifth birthday--it was a smashing success!  And look at these personalized baby spoons, which Erin just added to her shop recently.  I think that may be my new favorite baby gift (but shhh, let's keep it between you and me that they only cost $15).

Erin has graciously offered to give away any one piece* from her shop to one lucky reader here.  To enter, simply visit Vintage Pearl, browse around, and come back here to leave a comment saying which item you love the best.

Erin ships internationally, so anyone is eligible to win, no matter where you live.  I'll keep this giveaway open until Thursday morning, October 16th.

*Winner will receive any one piece, your choice, but if you want more charms on your piece than the way Vintage Pearl has listed, you'll need to pay for the additional charms.

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Comments

[Tracie Koenig]

I love the "out on a limb" I am always doing the same old stuff and sometimes I need to venture outside of the box. I have just discovered blogs and yours is on my list of favorites!!

[kelly]

seriously? i'm the first? well, i think i should get a prize just for that?! i'm thinking being first hurts my winning chances... oh well... anyway, my favorite is the wire wrapped ring on the banner across the top of her shop. probably breaking the rules because it's not actually "in the shop", but i LOVE it.

[kelly]

well, i was the first. drat.

[Kim]

I can't decide between the out on a limb necklace or the simple love with copper heart. Both are wonderful!

[Kristin]

Oh! I have been wanting a necklace like this for quite a while now! My favorite is the small square initials on a chain. Such cute things!

[Angie @ Many Little Blessings]

I think my favorite is the Simple Love with Copper Heart. Too sweet!

[Mother Hen]

My favorite is the names on a ring.

[Queen B]

I love the small square initial necklace. I think it would be a great Christmas gift for my mother-in-law...with the grandkids initials!!

Great stuff! Thanks for the introduction!

[Kristen M.]

I love the diamond name necklace. My second favorite (and my daughter's favorite) would be the Love Me Bird necklace.

[Diana]

Since I have four children myself the Diamond Name Necklace is my favorite. What beautiful jewelry! Thank you for sharing this site with us.

[stacie]

I like the diamond name necklace, but w/ only two kids what would I put on the other sides? Their birth years? Hm.

I still hope I win- very cute stuff!!

[Jeni from Kansas]

My favorite is the Love Birds necklace; it's sooo darling!!

[hil]

I like the eclectic necklace.

[randel]

i love the eclectic!!!
great shop! :)

[Sunshine Crawford]

I LOVE the square name necklace! It's so cute and totally something I could see myself wearing every day!

[Lindsay]

I would love Out on a Limb. It's so delicate looking with a bold statement. I love it and would wear it just about everyday!

[Amy]

I love this shop! I love the eclectic the best, but I also love initials on a chain and small square initials. If I don't win, I'm putting this on my wish list for after our baby is born. So fun!

[Mari]

I love her stuff! My favorite is the circle of love necklace! Thanks for doing this!

[My Precious Pennies]

I really like the "___ are for sharing laughter & wiping tears". But I'm not sure who I would put on it...probably my mommy since I don't have a sister.

[Hope@Pinkadoodledoo]

I'm torn. I love the layers of two (in memory of my first-born with her name) and the petite flower, so pretty! They are all beautiful pieces!

[Buzzings of a Queen Bee]

I love the small square initials on a chain. So pretty! Thank you for hosting the giveaway!
Carrie

[Krista]

I like the square names on a chain with love. Although I might have to wait on the second name for a bit... :)

[Erin]

Ooh, the square name necklace is gorgeous! I love how funky cool it is.

[Stonefox]

I LOVE the simply faith necklace. What beautiful pieces! Thanks for the link!

[megan@Hold it Up to the Light]

I am a recent "finder" of Etsy, and I L.O.V.E. it!!!

Thanks so much to bringing these gifted artists out for all of us to see! They are truly amazing!!!

I have to say, I love the idea of the circle of love necklace! All my loves, all in one spot....what's not to love!

Praying for a win on this one!!!

[Jenny]

I've been wanting the diamond name necklace for a while now. It's perfect for a mama with four kids.

[Denise]

Oh How do you pick just one as your favorite! I love just about everything...but I would have to say the You are my sunshine pendant because my dad always sang that song to me and it brings back so many awesome memories.
PS...love your blog!

[april]

Circle of Love is such a precious piece to me. I love the circle concept and the fact that in one piece, I can have all of my sweethearts' names. I hope I win! :)

[stacey tate]

I love the eclectic, mostly for the daisy charm. My twelve year old would love this.

[Bubba's Sis]

I love the "Layers of Two" with the cross - that would be perfect for my daughter! What beautiful things she has at her site! I love the breast cancer awareness one, too - my mom is a THREE-TIME survivor! There is ALWAYS hope!

[Jana]

"make it work" is great!

[Jennifer]

So hard to pick just one - she has great stuff! But I think I have to go with 'circle of love'.

[Diana (Ladybug Limited)]

Thank you for doing this-- I love Etsy! Some day I'll have enough time & guts to list my own stuff, but until then, I will drool all over her "Papa has my heart" keychain. (It was on page 2 of her sold items...)

[Liz C.]

I would love to get the small square initials necklace. It is so pretty and so simple I am in love with it and love the idea of wearing the initials of all my boys

[Gina]

I love the Diamond Name Necklace! I've been eyeing it for a while. I love Etsy!

[HeresTheDiehl]

I love etsy! This is a cute shop.

I'm torn between the circle of love and the small squares necklace. Both are great!

[Melinda]

Hands down..... "Make it Work." I'm a quilter, and that's perfect.

Hugs,
Melinda

[Cathy]

Definitely the Project Runway Make it Work necklace! I love that show!

Gorgeous pieces. Thanks for sharing this store with us!

[Jennifer Casey]

I love the eclectic necklace. As each of my children have such different personalities, it seems appropriate!

[MJ]

Ok, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the mother's birthstone charm bracelet...but it's not listed in her shop anymore, just in the sold items. I also LOVE the "you are my sunshine" necklace. I sing that to my baby boy every day before his nap. So sweet. :)

[Sarah Faries]

the eclectic...that's my fav.... :)

[Jennifer Eastland]

Ooh! I love it all! But I would most like to win the "Apple for the Teacher" pendant. Too cute! Thanks!
Jennifer in New Orleans

[kathryn]

I love the eclectic and the simple love with the copper heart.. Our sweet baby passed away recently (after his 2nd heart surgery, I've commented here before). I may have to purchase even if I don't win!

[MamaMay]

Must say those stamped spoons are sooo cute. I really would love one... but after talking to the hubby (I bounce every shopping thing off of him or my mother) I realized we are still in school and living on student loans... doh! So the only way I will be getting one will be if I win... or I can wait until graduation... (9 more months...)

[Deanna]

They are all beautiful. BUT.. if I had to choose one it would be.....the diamond name necklace.Simply because this fits me and my life at this point. There are 4 of us in this awesome family, it is silver (I love silver right now), I don't have a diamond shaped necklace and the one daint pearl just does it for me. Simple and content...that's my life:0)

[melanie dawn]

Would LOVE the Eclectic necklace since I've got 5 blessings to represent! I'll be forwarding her shop to my husband for Christmas ideas FOR SURE!

[Deanna]

Probably Out on a Limb or Love Birds. But I'll definitely have to remember her stuff for when I have kids and for gifts. It all is so gorgeous.

[Melanie]

I love Names on a Chain. Of course, it's all awesome! I'll be checking this Etsy shop out later with my Christmas list...

[Ewokgirl]

I remember her website from the last time you mentioned her. My favorite piece isn't currently up there. It was a teardrop with "Dream" on it, along with a little pearl. That one just spoke to me for some reason.

[Abbie]

She must have added a few more pieces since the last time I stopped by (which was not too long ago!)

I love the "Love Birds" necklace! So simple, but cute!

[Bitsy]

I love her stuff, too. The diamond name and little square necklaces are some of my favorite. And the spoons are wonderful!!!

Joy, Bitsy

[Janera]

Etsy is great! I love that so many are using their talents and skills to create things that are much more special than anything that could be mass-produced or machine-made.

Vintage Pearl is a great shop! Thanks for pointing us in her direction.

Since I have four kids, I think the square name neclace is my fave.

[Amy]

sisters...mothers...friends...are for sharing laughter and wiping tears...handstamped necklace

[Britany]

Hey, I would LOVE to have one of those necklaces! (In case I don't win, I sent the link to hubs!)

[Carrie]

I love names on a ring. I have been looking for something like this for so long. Thanks.

[April in CT]

How to choose!? I'm really drawn to the Circle of Love necklace. I really love the one with the copper heart and out on a limb. I see a purchase in my near future!

[chickadee]

i love the names on a chain. cute stuff!

[Ann Voskamp @ Holy Experience]

That Faith with the Cross necklace chokes me up... it's just all about that, isn't it? Simple truth and beauty... and something to cling to.

Thank you, Shannon and Erin...

[Amy]

I really like the square initials necklace, but all her stuff is great! I like the simplicity but it's elegant.

[Hillary - The Queen I Am Not]

The simple love with a copper heart necklace is darling!

[kristel in amarillo]

The Ecclectic is my fave, but I love them all!

[Erin]

I love the small square initials on a chain necklace and the faith necklace with the cross. Everything was just beautiful!

[Stacy]

me, me, me, pick me!

[Libby]

I love the small square initials on the chain, too! So cute - thanks for the tip!

[Jennifer]

I LOVE the FAITH necklace, with the CROSS... simply beautiful!!

[amykay]

i really tried to be all sentimental and love-y. but i just adore the "make it work" necklace. i mean, come on, it is ADORABLE!!

[Melanie]

I love the Diamond name necklace and then new simple love.

[Patty]

So much cute stuff! I really like the pearl ring. And the Project Runway necklace. And ... ok, time to make my Christmas wish list...

[Elizabeth]

I love the diamond name necklace. I've asked for something like this for my birthday next month.

And I noticed her town is very near mine. How do I find out about a show!? I love her stuff!

[Cecelia]

It feels strange to be entering a giveaway rather than hosting one, but this is a really neat find. My sister & I are trying to convince my mom to run a 5K as a family so when I saw the Sister...Mother necklace I immediately thought of my girls. Love and AND your blog. Thanks so much!!

[Haley]

Initials on a chain...love it!!

[karissa]

I love the petite flower necklace, My daughter would love it! Her name is also Eden!

[pam]

I love that you do this, Shannon. You feature so many wonderful things, and this is a fantastic one. I really like the necklace you have the best, and the other pieces I've seen are lovely as well.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

[Summer]

Very cute jewelry!

I would absolutely get the Breast Cancer Awareness necklace. My grandmother was diagnosed in '98 and it came back and metastasized in '06. She doesn't have much time left. I hope we find a cure in my life time.

[Mandi]

Love the 'Circle of Love' necklace. Wish the adorable ring on her banner was in her shop, too!

[crystal]

If I'm choosing for myself, I would choose the "out on a limb" necklace. If I'm choosing a gift for someone else, I would choose the "faith" necklace.

[Heather]

the eclectic is totally me!

[ET @ Titus2:3-5]

Names on a chain. But it looks like it comes with 2, so I'll need to buy 3 more charms to fit my kids' names. :)

[Amelia]

Oh totally the Project Runway "Make it work" necklace with the sewing machine and measuring tape!!

[Headless Mom]

the eclectic...I love the way she incorporates all of the shapes. Kinda like me...a little random.

[Carrie]

I would love the Show me your Name Bracelet for my little one. Or the diamond necklace for me, I can't decide!!

[Lori]

Oooh - I am in love with the kids' necklace with Eden on it. I want them for both of my girls! Great work - I'm impressed. :)

[Grateful for Grace]

I would love a ton of these, but having that I need to be practical right now... I would greatly appreciate having the baby spoon for our six month old son. We like to get our babies something sweet like this, but money is tight right now, so... this would do it without taxing our budget.

The necklaces are breathtaking! (in a good way, not in a Seifeld way)

[Inna]

The diamond name necklace is very beautiful!

[CC]

I love the square name necklace!

[Dawn]

Square names with love....I need only one square though.

Didn't she used to have simple silver rings too?

[:: Suzanne :: Adventures in Daily Living ::]

I like the "charmed with names" one. They are all lovely.

[Jennifer]

I love the eclectic. These are so beautiful and simple!

[Jackie @ Our Moments Our Memories]

The Faith Necklace is beautiful. She is so talented!

[Tricia]

Oh my goodness...what an awesome shop! I'm such a blog stalker and now I have to bookmark your site as another must read! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the drawing. I hope I win!!! :)

[Liz]

Definitely "Out On A Limb". That is absolutely adorable!

~Liz
www.AGiveawayADay.blogspot.com
www.JustAnotherLiz.blogspot.com
www.LovingThisMomStuff.blogspot.com

[Carrie]

I loved the "Initials on a Chain" necklace and will definitely be dropping hints come Mother's Day!

[Crysm @ Memoirs of a Mommy]

Oh how wonderful!! I have always loved her Etsy Store!! My favorite is the Simple Love with a Copper Heart. It's PERFECT!!! for me since I want a charm type necklace that shows both my kids but also remembers Noah's Heart Donor.

[brie]

what gorgeous jewellery! i've been lurking for awhile now but i thought i'd come out of hiding just for this :)

i love the 5 shapes necklace... called 'eclectic' i think. really fun!

[jamie b]

I love the out on a limb charm. everything is so great though!

[Kristin]

Love it all! Really like the circle of love!

[Cassie]

I love the "eclectic"...with my children's names...Too cute!!!!

[Laura]

I'm totally diggin the show me your name bracelet.

[Carolina Mama]

Love the Faith Necklace - so unique. She does have a lot of great items.

[Michelle]

I love the diamond name necklace...just enough room for my famiy of four. Really cute designs!