a giveaway & a collection with valerie tyler desings

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i just love seeing what folks are collecting. i guess i kind of feel it tells us just a little bit about what inspires them, what they love, and what they choose to surround themselves with in their home. today, i'm delighted to present the next in the rikrak studio's collections series:  quick questions with a wonderful artist on what they're collecting, (apart from their art supplies! ) you can also check out my  *the collectors* series on Etsy, based on these posts! hope you'll just love these beautiful bonsai pots with valerie tyler designs.

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who (are you) : Valerie Tyler, jeweler and school teacher.   

what (are you collecting): Bonsai pots for a slowly growing Japanese garden.

when (did you start) : My husband and I started collecting them around 2006.  We were inspired by my mother-in-law who I believe has over 50 gorgeous bonsai trees in a stunning collection of pots and containers that she cares for. 

how (many do you have?):  If you count the ones that are more strictly bonsai pots with low profiles, I have 10.  If I count the myriad of other pots we're using until we collect more,  I have almost 25. 

where (do you find them) :

I love to scour garage sales, yard sales and thrift stores and am thrilled when I make a discovery as they're not always easy to find.  In addition I look for handmade ones as that makes them extra-special. 

where (do you keep them) :  In winter they're all kept in a two tier window garden.  Come Spring though they're taken outside to the Japanese garden we are slowly creating. 

what (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one) : During relatively successful art show I sneaked away from my table for a bit to visit the studio of Matt Richards (a.k.a. Ryu No Sakebi ) and since I had cash burning a whole in my pocket I had to purchase two of his pots.  They're pretty interesting works as they each have his handprint glazed on them, which I thought was quite a signature! 

what (piece would you like to add): I'd like to commission my friend Gina DeSantis who does gorgeous Japanese inspired pottery to make one.  

why (do you love them) :Bonsai pots showcase simplicity in design and my husband and I both share a love of Japanese-inspired art. They have beautiful clean lines and usually come in gorgeous earthy tones and watery blues.  Best of all they provide a harmonious partner in shape and form with the trees they hold.
 

which (one is your favourite) & why :I love my handmade ones and I also love the one that is a gorgeous cobalt blue color!

what (else do you collect) :Along the same design lines, I collect other forms of pottery and Asian and nature-inspired art. Basically, art work that has a relaxing quality.

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gorgeous, valerie.  how beautiful!

thanks so much for sharing.

equally as gorgeous in design and style is valerie's amazing handcrafted metalsmith jewelry. i adore her modern lines, brilliant mix of beautiful metals and gorgeous sense of space and shape in each piece. each is a masterpiece in my eyes. 

really really beautiful, valerie!

valerie tyler

shop | blog | twitter | facebook

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and now... one lucky rikrak studio reader will win

 ---> one pair of valerie tyler twig earrings <----

valerie writes: These  handmade sterling silver twig earrings are a slightly abstract interpretation of nature, and have a sleek, minimalist style. You can choose from one pair in shiny sterling with tiny "buds" on the branches, OR from a darker oxidized color.

1. visit the beautiful valerie tyler shop. 

tell us what your favourite piece of jewelry is.

=   1 entry

2. heart/fave the valerie tyler shop on etsy.

...  & tell us.
=   1 entry

 

3. become a friend/ like valerie tyler on facebook.

...  & tell us.

=   1 entry

4.  post about this giveaway {with a link here} on YOUR facebook page.

...  & tell us.

=   1 entry

5. follow/subscribe to the valerie tyler blog.

= 1 entry

5. follow BOTH valerie tyler { she's @valerie_tyler } AND the rikrak shop (that's me! @therikrakshop )  on twitter

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

6.  follow or burn the rss feed  to the rikrak studio blog

... & tell us.

you can become a google friend connect *follower* by clicking "follow" on the top left of the blog home page OR subscribe via email or *reader* on the left hand column.

= 1 entry

7. 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

8. blog about this giveaway

... come back and tell us.

= 1 entry

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

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and add it to your blog!

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

10. :: PLEASE NOTE: 

each entry must be it's own comment.

thanks! ::

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:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 9 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 valerie tyler designs giveaway will be chosen on wednesday, june 15th @ 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.

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