giveaway & a collection: with the empty nest

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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: 11 & a 1/2 quick questions with a wonderful artist on what they're collecting, (apart from their art supplies! ) you can also check out my new *the collectors* series on Etsy, based on these posts! hope you'll just love: porcelain tea cups and saucers with the empty nest. 

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who (are you) : My name is Janet Metzger, the lady behind 'The Empty Nest' on Etsy

what (are you collecting): Something I love collecting is porcelain teacup and saucers.

when (did you start) : My fascination began 35 years ago when my good friend threw me a bridal shower and everyone there had a different teacup for their coffee and tea. I fell instantly in love!

how (many do you have?): I currently own approx 70 sets in all colors and styles. English, Japanese, Chinese and European origin. 

where (do you find them) : I have purchased most of mine at auctions or thrift shops like Salvation Army and Goodwill. I have been lucky enough to have many given to me also.

where (do you keep them) : I own two china cabinets and they are crammed with teacups...I am bursting at the seams. 

what (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one) : Once at an auction in Texas, at the end of the evening, I was bidding on a beautiful 20 piece set of Japanese Nippon china tea set. Nippon is famous for the gorgeous raised 24k gold decoration on their porcelain. I got into a bidding war with a man on the other side of the room, who I could not see from my spot. I was devastated to lose to this gentleman when the bidding got too rich for me. A few minutes later the man came up to me with a box and handed it to me...inside was the Nippon china I was trying to buy. He didn't really need it that badly and he thought I would appreciate them more than him...He GAVE them to me!! 

what (piece would you like to add): I don't really have anything specific I am looking for.

why (do you love them) : I just love the feminine look and the way they feel in your hands when drinking from them...just elegant. I love them all.

which (one is your favourite) & why : One of my favorites is my vintage Royal Doulton Brambly Hedge set. It is the season of Autumn from the Four Seasons Series. I adore the illustration of the little mouse asleep in his cozy bed with his stuffed rabbit...so cute.

what (else do you collect) : Aside from teacups I also swoon over gorgeous china plates and porcelain in general. Homer Laughlin and Johnson Brothers are current favorites. Recently found a 1940's Syracuse China coffee cup from an old Diner. I love the thought that a customer at the counter in an old diner drank coffee at 3 am from my cup. Absolute Americana! I'm addicted, much to my husbands dismay. He says I need a 12 step addiction program.

 

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thanks so much, janet!
so lovely to join you for such a beautiful tea party!
thanks!


the empty nest's own beautiful artworks are a light & bright, sunny, airy complement to her collection as well! an expert of so many arts, i am always amazed as janet seemingly effortlessly masters a new artform or medium! her works in paint, fiber & fabric perfectly combine an eco-forward cottage-chic design with artisan stylings. 


and best of all, i've been lucky enough to get to know janet over the past little while as a dear sponsor on my blog, and am always inspired by her thoughtful, warm, generous personality.


isn't it great when an amazing artist is a wonderful person, too!?

the empty nest

shop | blog | twitter



read on to see how you can WIN an empty nest apron!

---> one lucky rikrak studio reader will win <--- 

this HOSTESS HALF APRON
WOW!

janet writes about the prize: "This lovely half hostess apron is perfect for all you English Cottage style mavins. I have styled the apron using 5 different high end designer fabrics, some vintage lace and gorgeous vintage buttons. The waistband has a gentle gathering for softness and the fabric ties are a beautiful blue Asian fan print.The color pallette is full of pinks, blues, greens, aqua and details like butterflies, fruit and seedpods. The lovely lace square is actually a pocket which is embellished with pretty buttons. I have sewn in a handy tea towel loop and embellished it with a fabulous vintage rhinestone button. This is some apron! Need a special gift for that best girlfriend who is always there for you? Maybe your Mom needs a thank you gift for all those times she babysat for your kids. This would be a gift that says ' I thought you deserved something special'.

Waistband measures approx. 25 inches with extra long fabric ties which makes this apron suitable for most body sizes.
Apron length measures approx. 20 inches
Apron skirt from side to side measures 36 inches

Please cold water wash and hang dry."

1. visit the lovely the Empty Nest shop

...  tell us about your favourite goodie & why you love it!

=   1 entry

2.  heart the Empty Nest Shop

... on etsy and tell us.

=   1 entry

3.  follow/subscribe to the Empty Nest blog

... & tell us.

=   1 entry

4. follow the Empty Nest (she's twitter.com/theemptynest ) & the rikrak shop (that's me! twitter.com/therikrakshop)  on twitter

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

5.  follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog

... & tell us.

= 1 entry

6. 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

7. tell us about who YOU'd love to have a teaparty with today!

= 1 entry

8. blog about this giveaway

... come back and tell us.

= 1 entry

9. :: PLEASE NOTE: 

each entry must be it's own comment.

thanks! ::

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

:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 8 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the Empty Nest giveaway will be chosen on friday august 13th @ 9pm 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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yay to things wonderful folks!

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great greenie & a giveaway: with claire and me

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yippee!
it's kids week here @ the rikrak studio: 6 days of celebrating children, and the wonderfolk who handcraft art for their curious, wonderful little hands!

::::::::::::::::::::> UPDATE! <:::::::::::::::::::::

be sure to enter all of the KIDS WEEK giveaways!

1. WIN a moozle home stuffie, here.
2. WIN a *my beautiful girl designs* prize pack, here.
3. WIN 6 REusable snack baggies by BananaSaurusRex, here.
4. WIN a kids prize pack from Claire & Me, here.
5. coming soon!
6. coming soon!

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it's kids week here on the blog, and i'm a big believer that one of the most important parts of parenting is family.

so today we're visiting with the wonderful artist janae of Claire & Me. she's a delightful part of the rikrak studio blog family and i think she's an excellent role-model for indie businesses about embracing your work & family: together! {and yay - i hear it's her birthday today, too! woohoo!}

i love the ways in which janae incorporates her wonderful handmade indie business into her life/family, and vice versa. i love the friendly, welcoming way the Claire & Me boutique invites me to be part of the fun, pull up a chair, make myself at home, and get delightfully lost in the beautiful works in her shop and in her wonderful family adventures on her blog!

we all know it's good business to welcome the world with open arms. and janae does it so well, and so sincerely, as a kind & generous artist & person!

i know you'll love her beautiful creations that are born out of her own mommying experiences. love that!

so visit the Claire & Me shop here, the blog here,
and follow along with Janae's tweets here!

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i asked janae for an great greenie eco tip.
here's what she had to say:
:: TRY CLOTH DIAPERS ::

"My obsession with cloth diapers started when my friend had a neighbor that proudly stated how she was going to use them. My attorney sister totally agreed about the cloth diapers. I decided that a perfect mom would use them. I blogged about it. Finally, I have been using them for two weeks now. There are several reasons I like them. My daughter had super sensitive skin and got sores from the chemicals in diapers. Cloth diapers are better for sensitive skin. They are better for the environment (my brother in law disagrees because we use water to wash them). Finally Carlie convinced me with her proud little row of clean white diapers (her baby was six months old!)- she told me how easy it was and how much they cost. At the time both my kiddos were in diapers and I thought of the ramifications of using those same neat clean diapers for several children. Imagine the pairs of shoes I could buy with that!"

"My sister in law made it seem so easy. She just bought a system and went for it. She does all the research and I just call her when I have a question. She knows how to find the best laundry detergent and get a sprayer and bucket. If you are considering cloth diapers let someone else do all the hard work and show you what to do. Lots of people blog about cloth diapers- ask them your questions.

"I don’t always use the complete cloth- I use G diapers with disposable inserts (which are actually flush-able) so they are pretty easy to travel with.

"My other advice for people considering cloth diapers is to do whatever you can. I don’t always use the cloth inserts. I started off with one or two diapers and switched between them and disposable. I try to line dry my diapers. Maybe you don’t want to line dry your diapers, but you could save energy by line drying some of your kiddo clothing over the summer. Or you could use the detergent meant for cloth diapering on your clothing (I’ve learned a lot about what is in detergent.) Start small- every time you buy a box of diapers buy a cloth diaper at the same time. You will be surprised how quickly you can switch over."

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thanks for the helpful hints, janae!

and now.. it's YOUR CHANCE to win the fabulous Claire & Me kids pack!

:::::::: the prize is: ::::::::
an adorable doggie-applique onesie AND a sweet sweet child's apron! woohoo!

Onesie: This applique dog will be like a pet for your child. You don't have to take it out though. It is on an American Apparel bodysuit in blue and features Heather Bailey fabric.

Apron Some days you need to get gritty. Maybe you have to plant bulbs in the yard with your mother. Maybe you need to paint or just carry all of your pants with you. Maybe you need to hide all of the balls for your little brother's toy in your apron and run around with them. For times like these- I have made a simple hostess style apron. It has three large pockets for your hands or your treasures. It can fit from size 18 months- 5 years (the ties are quite long) Oilcloth wipes clean with a damp cloth so you don't have to wash it. This girl Apron features Amy Butler Love fabric.

1. go visit the claire & me shop.

... come back and tell us about your favourite goodie from her shop & why you love it!
= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment telling us about an eco-tip (to do with kids!)
... = 1 entry

3. follow the Madsen Family blog
{click on follow on the top-left corner of the blog homepage} then come back here and tell us!
... = 1 entry.

4. follow me (i'm http://twitter.com/therikrakshop ) AND *claire & me* (she's http://twitter.com/claireandjanae) on twitter. come back here and tell us about it!
... 1 entry

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

6. leave a comment over in this etsy thread here sharing a link to something FUN in your shop/at home that you handmade for a child/ for kids OR something handmade by another that you LOVE for kids!
come back here and tell us about it.
= 1 possible entry

7. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

8. blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.
= 1 more possible entry

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

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

:: RULES ::

a) it is possible to have a maximum of 8 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the Claire & ME giveaway will be chosen on friday, may 21st @ 5pm 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.

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

see you tomorrow for giveaway #5

::::::::::::::::::::> UPDATE! <:::::::::::::::::::::

be sure to enter all of the KIDS WEEK giveaways!

1. WIN a moozle home stuffie, here.
2. WIN a *my beautiful girl designs* prize pack, here.
3. WIN 6 REusable snack baggies by BananaSaurusRex, here.
4. WIN a kids prize pack from Claire & Me, here.
5. coming soon!
6. coming soon!

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