Allow Me to Give You Some Free Stuff...

I did it! I created an Etsy shop!

I thought it could be a really fun experiment to see if I could actually a) sell something and b) get orders to the post office on time. ("It'll cure me of procrastinating about all the other stuff I need to mail!" Right? Maybe?)

It surprised absolutely no one in my family that I ended up making stationery for the shop. I have a thing for stationery, have I ever told you that? I love words; I love letters. I love how hand-written letters communicate something about the sender that no text or email really does. They're personal -more human somehow. They're a totally unique expression of the individual. And I think this is why I wanted to create a stationery that was special. I wanted to provide a beautiful way for someone to write whatever was in their hearts.

I'm so pleased with the way the cards turned out! There's something about splashes of paint that are whimsical - they're like polka-dots but prettier. There's also something about flinging paint on paper that is splendidly cathartic and this makes me think that one day when I'm Very Rich I'll buy a massive canvas and fling some paint for real. In the meantime, several different versions of these lovelies are available at Velvet and Twine Etsy Shop.

Why, you may ask, did I pick the name Velvet and Twine? So glad you asked! I really like the contrast of something deliciously rich, like velvet, with something superbly simple, like twine. High and low together make something beautiful, I think. And though I didn't create the cards with that idea in mind, I think they actually evoke it: the rich colors of the cards contrast so well with the earthy brown envelopes. They just make sense together.  

Each set contains six cards and six coordinating envelopes, all of which are handmade. (Remind me to tell you all how crazy it is to make your own envelopes. It takes a very, very special kind of crazy.)

And so, to celebrate finally opening my shop, I'm giving away one (1) set of six blue-green cards and envelopes! You can see them in the picture directly above.

To enter, tell me the last thing you crafted in the comments section below! Anything counts. It could be a macaroni bracelet from the fourth grade or that strangely abstract painting from your high school art class or a Christmas ornament from last December. You can even make something up. I shan't breathe a word.

The giveaway ends next Friday at midnight, so you have plenty of time to come up with something. The winner will randomly selected and will be announced next Saturday!