Wednesday, March 30, 2011

a giveaway with brilliant blogger jessika hepburn




it's a fun new series on the blog, nicies! a fill-in-the-blank interview with some of our favourite super-bloggers from around the blogosphere that inspire each of us everyday with their writings! i sent each nicey a page full of fill-in-the-blanks questions { my words in blue } ...  & they filled them in with their insights { their words in grey! } hope you'll enjoy fill-in-the-blanks with today's brilliant blogger: the inspiring handmaking-cheerleader, designer, mommy & blogging superstar, jessika of oh my! handmade {one of my very favourite blogs!}  { AND ... read on to see how you can WIN an amazing advertising & PR package for your indie business, too!} 
 ..................
Hello lovely RikRak readers

I'm Jessika Hepburn, editor of Oh My! Handmade and I am so excited to be featured on RikRak, one of my favourite Canadian blogs.
I am an artist & a designer & a mama to two beautiful little girls, Ila Elizabeth and Sela Dae.

I blog about all things handmade and wonderful along with my team of over 20 monthly and guest contributors at Oh My! Handmade.

{You might be surprised to hear that I moved to Halifax from a tiny island rainforest utopia called Sointula in northern BC. Sointula means "place of harmony" in Finnish and is the only place in North America where orca come out of the water to rub themselves on the beach. Founded by Finnish utopian socialists in 1901 it is home to the oldest cooperative in Canada. When we lived there I ran the non-profit resource centre + a cooperative preschool.}

Beyond blogging, my  perfect
day would be :  crafting with my girlfriends (who are spread all over the world now) , eating fabulous cupcakes, talking about life,  listening to our children's laughter as they run wild, playing together with handmade toys made by mama's hands.


I'm
happiest when I am working with others to create something wonderful. Or when I am home alone crafting-it's split 50/50!

Here's my favourite photo of myself (see top of interview).
I love this photo because it's the ONLY recent photo of myself where I'm not hugely pregnant or holding a baby. Also, I am in front of one of my Nana's hand-dyed silk tapestries. She was an incredible artist & woman + her love of colour and fibre is one of my biggest inspirations.

I just finished
making a bouquet of felt flowers for a Spring Flowers tutorial on Oh My! Handmade in April and just started building a personal website for my design & consultation business. I'm in the middle of planning a kitchen reno + massive spring cleaning.

I love making  too many things! But I am really inspired by wool & fibre, vintage fabrics, pen & ink & paper, creating with my computer... oh and food-I love making elaborate cakes & meals.
Crafting makes me able to let go of the never ending list of things I need to get done  & cooking/baking makes me happy no matter what else is going on.


A word I love to
overuse is lovely, it is like a compulsion.



I
am amazed by how much I enjoy blogging!


The
community is so supportive  and the creativity of it constantly amazes & inspires me!

I began blogging 
when I took over Oh My! Handmade from Sara Tams of sarah+abraham and now I blog because I love it so much!

It amazes about blogging that
it's so easy to make new friends I adore and build community with people all over the world!

My 3 tips to a great blog would be:
Originality, excellent content & creativity.

Gosh! It's challenging blogging when
there just aren't enough hours in the day!
But fear not, I just
chose to let go of some of the other work in my life that wasn't fulfilling me. Plus I stay up late & drink lots of strong coffee!
 
One of my absolute favourite blog posts I've ever written is this one on Copycats & Copyright: Keeping Our Handmade Community Safe . I am loving all our Handmade Ethics  posts & how the comments have shown that readers are loving it too!
I am so inspired reading other blogs.

I love the
Scoutie Girl blog because Tara & her contributors are filling the world with the ethics & ideas I have lived by for a long time. We can create a better world through living our creative dreams and supporting each other-it's that simple!

and I 
adore the Pikaland blog because it's like an online art gallery filled with innovation & new artists to fall in love with.

and of course the
RikRak blog is fabulous because it's so filled with heart, kindness & handmade goodness. {editor's note: many thanks, wonderwoman. i feel exactly the same about your fabulous blog!}

One thing I wish I had learned sooner in bloggyville is that
it is SO easy to make friends & connections that are fulfilling not just professionally but personally.


My favourite part of blogging is
the creativity & kindness of
the community, hands down.

However, I could do without hearing so much about copying/plagiarism in the handmade community especially by big business! It makes me really angry & sad, but I know we can find ways to protect ourselves & each other.

Something
exciting  happening on my blog these days is our Twitter Tea Party! 2 hours of chatting about whatever our theme is + work/life with my followers who all just awesome. It's a good time & you're invited! Check it out here.

 
jessika hepburn
........................

yay!
thanks so much, jessika, for your inspiring words! 
i'm such a fan of all you do, nicey!

jessika is just one of those fabulous fabulous folks in life that you're just gonna love. she's inspiring, sincere, a creative power-house, so generous and loving and warm ... everything i know we all aspire to be in life and qualities we dream of having in a dear friend! kudos to you, sweetie! you're just wonderful!

and now... one lucky rikrak studio reader WILL WIN...




....... an $85 advertising and promotion package from jessika hepburn! ....

that's right ... this prize pack includes:
2 months of banner advertising on the oh my! handmade goodness blog
($70 value) 
&
an animated ad 
($15 value)
.............
WOW! 

1. tell us why you need to spread the word about your crafty business!
=   1 entry


2.  grab the oh my! handmade rss feed.
...  & tell us.
=   1 entry
3. become a fan of oh my! on facebook.
...  & tell us.
=   1 entry

4. heart/fave jessika's lovely handmade shop on etsy. 
...  & tell us
=   1 entry

5. follow BOTH oh my! handmade { she's @ohmyhandmade } AND the rikrak shop (that's me! @therikrakshop)  on twitter
... & tell us.
= 1 entry

6. take a look thru jessika's new design website & tell us your favourite logo design or small business marketing package. 
= 1 entry


... & tell us.
= 1 entry


8. tweet on twitter
... about this giveaway and come back here and tell us! be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! 
= 1 entry

9. blog about this giveaway
... come back and tell us.
= 1 entry

10. grab one of my rikrak studio buttons,
like this one from the left hand sidebar, for YOUR BLOG!



the rikrak studio



the rikrak studio


and add it to your blog!
{ ... just copy & paste the text in the box above  onto your blog sidebar! thanks! }


11. :: PLEASE NOTE: 
each entry must be it's own comment.
thanks! ::


..........................................
:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 10 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as its own comment. thanks!

c) using random.org, 1 winner of the jessika hepburn giveaway will be chosen on thursday, april 7th @ 11pm EST.
d) open to contestants worldwide.
e) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.

................................................

Pin It

167 comments:

  1. I need to spread the word about my handmade business because: People NEED Lunchbox Notes for their kids. Kids NEED encouraged and a little note at lunchtime can do that and make a big impact in their lives and in the mother/child bond.

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  2. At Jessica's website the Happy Day Handmade logo is my favorite. That little smiley face baby is too cute!

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  3. I am a subscriber of rikrak studio

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  4. I need to spread the word about my handmade business because I will be launching a line of sundresses soon!

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  5. I love Jessika and her blog...I only recently discovered Oh My! (I must've been under a rock) and fell in love. I would really love this package because I've started revamping & jumpstarting my shop/blog this year and would love the extra little boost :)

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  6. Grabbed her RSS feed, awesome - thank you!

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  7. Thank you so much for this lovely feature! I'm sitting here with a big silly grin on my face feeling great. I am so happy that my first interview is here on RikRak one of the places that helped me realize what a loving community the handmade world was. Thank you again for the feature and also for being you! <3

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  8. I need the PR package to help spread the word about my little biz, to help me stay at home and be a full-time mommy!

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  9. Grabbed the RSS feed via google reader.

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  10. Liked on FB (as rj charms)

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  11. Liked on Etsy (oh such cute products!) as rjcharms

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  12. Already following you both on twitter @dsngdbyrj

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  13. Love the website and the idea of the basic logo + style guide package.

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  14. Already following your blog!

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  15. I DEFINITELY need to spread the word about my business - I have a brand new shop on ETSY!!

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  16. I hearted O Happy Day Etsy shop!

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  17. I followed Jessika on Twitter (I already follow you!)

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  18. I need to spread the word because...well, I NEED to. I don't do any promotion outside of letting my friends know what's in my etsy shop, Petite Legume. I need to do something!

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  19. My favorite logo design is for happyday handmade.

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  20. oh and she's a favorite shop o' mine on etsy!

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  21. I already happily follow you both on Twitter, xo

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  22. I like her Annie Bray Yoga logo- clean & fresh!

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  23. Following you both on Twitter :)

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  24. I would love to spread the word on my shop and blog - I need to get more followers of my blog so when I finish my craft book a publisher can see that.

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  25. I'd love to get the word out about my little etsy shop, because I find promotion a tough art, and I'd like to bring a smile to people's faces with my quirky art. Thanks kids!

    + i've followed omhg on twitter.

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  26. I need to spread the word about my handmade business because I sell craft kits for kids. It's all about quality time with your child made simpler. Crafting time is so important!

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  27. I follow both of you on twitter - smartbottomkids

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  28. I hearted her shop! smartbottomkids

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  29. I love all the logos - especially the Happy Day one. :)

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  30. I'd love to spread the word about my handmade business so that I can keep creating and doing what I love :)

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  31. I heart her shop on etsy (yesteacher)

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  32. I follow you both on twitter (@yes_teacher)

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  33. I follow the rikrak blog through GFC

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  34. I love her "sew ewe" logo design :)

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  35. I tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/yes_teacher/status/53505086596452352

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  36. I have the rik rak button on my blog! ;)

    sarah at yesteachercrafts dot com

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  37. I'm actually trying to win this for my husband's woodturning business. He has an Etsy shop. It seems like it is so hard to keep your stuff where people can find it. Of course, he's very talented, and it seems when people see his stuff, they buy it. So, that is why I need to win! :-) Thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

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  38. grabbed oh my! handmade goodness for my RSS feed (google connect)
    :-) Thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

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  39. Liked oh my! handmade goodness on FB
    :-) Thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

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  40. I truly need to spread the word about my creative business (and need help with spreading the word) because we all can't do it all on our own! What I'm doing on my own isn't working and I want people to enjoy my handmade passions!

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  41. I have subscribed to the Oh My! Handmade Goodness RSS feed :)

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  42. I am a fan of Oh My! Handmade Goodness on Facebook!

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  43. I've added Say O Happy Day to my favorite shops on Etsy!

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  44. On Jessica's new design website, my favorite logo is "Sew Ewe"

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  45. I already follow the Rik Rak Studio blog!

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  46. SUCH an awesome opportunity! Jessika is an absolute gem! I'd love to promote my new launched clutches and wristlets! They are a perfect way to add a little glam to your wardrobe without breaking the bank! Thanks a bunch for the giveaway ladies!

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  47. tweeted about the giveaway!

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  48. I'm already a follower of both of you lovely ladies on twitter!

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  49. have hearted Jessika's shop on etsy!

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  50. aaannnnd, I follow your blog via RSS! thanks again!

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  51. I need to spread the word about my handmade business because I am constantly launching new lines and ideas but don't have an extensive advertising network set up as yet!

    debyeo AT hotmail DOT com

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  52. I follow you both on Twitter as dspdavey! :)

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  53. I heart Jessika's shop as dspdavey. :)

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  54. Let's see, 4 kids under 7, 1 very old dog, 1 awesome though very busy husband and 1 etsy shop trying to get noticed so I can help provide for all:)

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  55. Just added your button to my blog, it actually looks REALLY good there:) Thanks!

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  56. Hearted your shop on Etsy.

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  57. Became a fan on Facebook, getting tired of me yet?

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  58. what an amazing opportunity! yay!

    i need to spread the word about my handmade biz because my blocks are an eco-friendly and classic alternative to the plastic toys of today.

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  59. i added oh my! handmade to my rss feed/google reader. :)

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  60. i'm a fan of oh my! on fb

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  61. i *heart* jessika's etsy shop

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  62. i follow oh my! & rikrak on twitter :)

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  63. oh, wow! i would love the complete identity package! sweet!

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  64. i follow the rikrak blog :)

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  65. i tweeted the giveaway (@tinygiraffeshop)

    tinygiraffeshop@gmail.com

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  66. I follow oh my! handmade on my rss feed

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  67. I am a fan of oh my! handmade on facebook

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  68. I follow both oh my! handmade and the rikrak shop on twitter

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  69. I follow the rikrak blog on my rss feed

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  70. I tweeted about the giveaway on twitter.

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  71. I would love oh my! handmade to spread the word about my little store. Finally am feeling caught up to kick my store into gear.

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  72. I love the sew ewe logo!
    Lilyhoot at gmail dot com

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  73. I follow you both on twitter, @slowclublover.

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  74. Just liked Oh My Handmade Goodness on FB! (daydreamincolor)

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  75. I follow you both on twitter! @daydreamincolor

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  76. I NEED this because I'm prety new to the craft/design blogging world & I'd love to gain some exposure!

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  77. I need to spread the word to the WOLRD about my creations because I have sooo many more yoyos in my house and they need homes to go to!

    Stitching in Circles on Etsy

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  78. I am a happy follower of Oh My Handmade -- I think it's a great, super helpful blog!

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  79. I love the Afrodite design!

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  80. i subscribe to rikrak via rss

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  81. i need to spread the word about our handmade shop because it's what i truly love to do in this world, and i believe handmade is the way to buy! :)

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  82. the sew ewe logo is too cute! love it jessika!

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  83. i fav'd jessika's shop on etsy

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  84. i follow jessika on twitter

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  85. i now follow rikrak on twitter i'm (@makenhandmade)

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  86. All done :))

    I like idea of the basic logo + style guide package.

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  87. I want to spread the word about my business because I have a brand new website coming and lots of great new products to be launched with the new site!

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  88. I already subscribe to the OMHG feed

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  89. I am already a fan of OMHG on FB

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  90. I have the RikRak studio button on my blog www.petalhandmadelove.blogspot.com!

    Brianne

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  91. And I follow @TheRikRakShop on Twitter!

    Brianne
    PetalPetal and VintageChild:Modern

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  92. well i don't know too many small businesses who *don't* need help spreading the word, but, i am looking to ramp up business in my little shop, especially heading into summer and fall, when my little guy will be heading to school full time! a bit more time for me to work means i'll be able to handle a lot more business, and i'd love some help spreading the word!!
    oh my handmade is a fabulous place to start. jessika does such a fantastic job with her blog :)

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  93. i 'like' oh my! handmade on Facebook!

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  94. and of course i follow you both on twitter!! love chatting with you ladies :)

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  95. LOVE the happyday handmade logo jessika designed, so adorable!!

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  96. i tweeted about the giveaway :)

    http://twitter.com/#!/smidgeboxdesign/status/55132594597134336

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  97. and..... i heart jessika's adorable shop on etsy :)

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  98. I will be relaunching my blog in a month or so and this would be a perfect tie in. What craft lover wouldn't like reading about other handmade artists, checking out handmade inspiration from around the world and filling their calendars full of crafty events!

    Will tweet this now. Thank you!

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  99. What a great idea, this fill out the blank interview! The only fill out the blank thing I remember is the TOEFL exam I was trying to take long time ago :-))

    Why I need to spread the word about my crafty business? Because I want to grow - definitely beyond the borders of Hungary, Europe.

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  100. I am following Oh My Handmade's rss

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  101. I just Liked her FB page

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  102. Favourited her shop on etsy

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  103. I like plan3 (marketing for your market) on her new site

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  104. I have been following rikrak blog for a looong time now.

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  105. I am following rikrak on twitter for a looong time now

    vadjutka.etsy.com

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  106. I need to spread the word about my business because I really need to sell all my bead stock in order to focus on my handmade items. I don't want the shop to carry both simultaneously. :)

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  107. Following Oh My Handmade RSS feed through Google Reader!

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  108. Became a fan on FB as Trois Pommes Vertes!

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  109. Following both on Twitter as @3pommesvertes

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  110. I love the happyday handmade Logo on Jessica's design website!

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  111. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/3PommesVertes/status/55247773460729857

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  112. I need the ads to get the word out about Simple Joys Paperie. I don't have a clue about advertising and I am trying to spread the word a little more here and there. :)

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  113. Great article! And thanks for introducing me to a nice new blog to follow :D

    One of my goals for running my handmade business is so I can earn enough to quit my day job eventually. There's nothing more satisfying than running a business which you love and enjoy doing in which you can financially support yourself with too. So any sort of exposure would be great and appreciated!

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  114. I 'liked' Oh my! on Facebook! :)

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  115. Hearted Jessika's shop on Etsy :)

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  116. I'm a follower of your twitter long time. ;) Now following Oh my! on Twitter too :D

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  117. I love Jessika Hepburn's own logo! Can I do that? Haha

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  118. I have rikrak's button on my blog here :)
    http://skyejuice.blogspot.com

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  119. Tweeted about the giveaway!
    http://twitter.com/#!/skyejuicedesign/status/55561544540499968

    Thanks for the giveaway! :D

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  120. I need to spread the word about my business, www.awakencreativity.com because I help creative people get past roadblocks, create achievable goals and help people seize opportunities that value their creative ideas and potential. As a newly launched business (this month) I am spreading the word because as a professional creativity coach there is nothing I value more than creative minds in all shapes and sizes.

    Awaken Creativity is a FB fan, follower of both on twitter, grabbed the RSS feed, and think Jessica's Sew Ewe design is fantastic. Being here in VT, what is better than a sheep with knitting needles? Brilliant play on words.

    Thank you for the opportunity.

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  121. I would love to win this contest to help promote my business http://sunfirecreative.com so that maybe someday (SOON) I can quit my "real" job and follow my passion!

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  122. I follow both on Twitter @jumpingjacktay

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  123. Hearted Jessika's Etsy shop. Beautiful bags - I'll be shopping soon! :)

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  124. Tweeted giveaway @jumpingjacktay

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  125. Great interview! And thanks for a great opportunity! I'd love the ad to help promote my new line of 'vintage-style' paintings.

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  126. I 'hearted' Jessika's cute shop on Etsy.

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  127. Following you BOTH of twitter!

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  128. I like the http://www.etsy.com/listing/70859111/zoo-blocks-free-shipping-easter-promo zoo blocks at Tiny Giraffe!
    Thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

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  129. I would LOVE to win this, as I'm trying to get the word about my crafty print zine, *bespoke* out to the Canadian and US audience!

    It's already a big hit in Australia, and I'd love to share the crafty, creative, vintage goodness with my friends on the other side of the world, too!

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  130. I's love to win your package because computers are not my forte. I love what I do and I need help spreading the word. Thanks!

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  131. I need to spread the word about my crafty business because I put a lot of my heart into my work. And I live in a crafting/artistic black hole where people are more interested in what's on sale at WalMart than spending a few extra dollars on quality work.

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  132. Grabbed the oh my! handmade RSS feed :)

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  133. Became a fan of oh my! on Facebook.

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  134. Hearted Jessika's lovely handmade shop on Etsy.

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  135. Following oh my! handmade & the rikrak shop on Twitter

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  136. My favourite marketing package on Jessika's website is Plan #1: From the Ground Up.

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  137. Following the RSS feed for the rikrak studio blog

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  138. Tweeted about the giveaway on Twitter (I'm @nisseworks).

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  139. Put your button on my blog (http://nisseworks.com) :)

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  140. I would love to win this giveaway because I've just started my own graphic design business so I can stay home with my 1 yr old son. So far, business has been from family, friends and past colleagues but now it's time to step it up and get the word out! I love OMHG and feel like it would be a great fit. Their contributors and followers are a daily inspiration to me and my business.

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  141. I follow both therikrakshop & OMHG on twitter! (@lfletcherdesign)

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  142. I am already a fan of OMHG on Facebook!

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  143. I love the Sew Ewe logo, it captures the "handmade" feel but is clean and friendly looking. Fantastic!

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  144. And I just retweeted the giveaway! (@lfletcherdesign)

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  145. I need to spread the word because my business is seasonal and this is go time :)

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  146. I follow both on twitter!

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  147. I like oh my on facebook.

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thanks so much for your comments, nicies!
it's a joy to read what everyone writes here.
thank you!