My Favorite Color is Blue ...

My new secret (or formerly secret since I’m now blogging about it!) obsession is Etsy.  I love looking at people’s stores and marveling at everyone else’s creativity.  Although I can think creatively (in my humble opinion) I almost never can create something that looks even half way decent.

One of the first Etsy stores I found (and of course fell madly in love with!) was Delezhen. 

There was something about her jewelry that stood out.  I loved the bright colors and uncomplicated nature of her designs.  Although I admire people who are able to wear clunky, heavy jewelry, I am not one of those people. Simplicity is more my personal style (much to my sister’s chagrin after spending a small fortune on a Pandora-esque necklace only to have me remove 2/3 of the charms!!!).  But that doesn’t mean I don’t love beautiful things!

I was also impressed with Masha, the owner and creator of Delezhen.  I noticed on her Facebook page that her boyfriend was a big influence on her current venture.  I wanted to know some more about what got her started.

HOW DID YOU START DESIGNING JEWELRY?

I started doing jewelry design when I was in college and fell in love with creating colorful pieces that were feminine and delicate.  I sold mostly to family friends and wedding parties and enjoyed so much being a part of those wonderful celebrations.

WHAT MADE YOU SWITCH FROM PART TIME TO FULL TIME?

About two years ago while working as a web designer I began taking evening classes at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and learned how to make rings.  At the end of last year, I discovered Etsy while looking for gifts for a friend’s birthday and decided that I would try to sell my jewelry online.  Very soon after that I realized that I could no longer balance a full time job and my Etsy business.  I would leave for work at 8am and get home at 8pm and then stay up until 3am making orders and answering emails.  My boyfriend, seeing how overwhelmed I started to become encouraged me to quit my day job and try to make jewelry full time.  I’ve never looked back. :)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT DESIGNING JEWELRY?

What I love most about what I do now is corresponding with people, especially brides who are picking jewelry for their wedding parties. Their excitement is contagious and receiving photographs of all their friends in dresses and wearing my jewelry is an absolute gift. I have had so much positivity and encouragement from people that I just can’t imagine doing anything else with my day. I try to make my collections seasonal and nothing inspires me more than the spring. I walk around parks and botanical gardens and find color combinations that I then bring into my work.

Imagine how thrilled I was when Masha agreed to a giveaway and to send me a pair of her earrings to review.  I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to receive these earrings!! 

Image Courtesy of www.etsy.com/shop/delezhen

Aren’t these beautiful??  I should confess, I was at least partially drawn to these earrings because they are blue (my all time favorite color!) although a slightly brighter shade than shown.

I was so thrilled to receive the package from Masha that I started tearing it open.  Then I stopped once I saw the packaging.  The box the earrings came in was so pretty I had to take a picture.

Isn't it lovely?

Gorgeous shade in person!

And opened up the box to find such pretty packaging I had to take a picture of that as well!

I mean come on, there are even stickers with her name on it!  Lovely!

And the earrings themselves (I know this is taking a long time but I was so impressed with the packaging!):

And again, a little tag with her name. I’m just too impressed.

Enough about the packaging (which really is important especially if you want to send any of her items as a gift!).  Now as for the actual earrings—they are even prettier in person which is hard to imagine I'm sure.

I was a little worried about hosting an earring giveaway as I have had trouble in the past with wearing earrings.  I have very sensitive ears and was worried I would have problems wearing these earrings.  Since receiving the earrings about a week ago, I have worn them each day (I literally haven’t taken them off except to shower/sleep!) and have had zero (nada, zilch) problems with my ears.  I have been so happy with these earrings!!  (I’m even wearing them as I write about this giveaway!)

Be sure to check out Delezhen’s store and pick something up.  Mother’s day is right around the corner!  Maybe mom would like a piece of jewelry.  (Or maybe you can drop the hint that you'd like something!)

WIN IT!

I am thrilled that one lucky reader will win a pair of these earrings!  You must include your email address with each comment!  If you don’t include your email address your comment will be deleted!

HERE’S HOW TO WIN!

MANDATORY ENTRY (1 Entry):

• Visit Delezhen’s Etsy store and leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is.

EARN MORE ENTRIES!  You may do any or all of these in any order.  Leave a separate comment (with your email address) for each entry completed.

• 1 Entry: Follow IDoTheeWedSara publicly on Google Friend Connect
• 1 Entry:  Like Delezhen on Facebook and leave a comment (you still need to comment here!)
• 1 Entry: Like IDoTheeWedSara on Facebook and leave a comment (you still need to comment here!)
• 1 Entry: Make Delezhen's Etsy store a favorite!
• 1 Entry: Follow IDoTheeWedSara on Twitter
• 1 Entry: Tweet about this giveaway including #delezhengiveaway (maximum 3x/day and leave a comment here each time)
• 3 Entries: Blog about this giveaway (one time). Include blog post link in your comment.

Giveaway ends Friday, April 29, 2011 at 9:30pm EST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 24 hours to respond to my email to claim their prize before another winner is chosen.  I was provided with a pair of Silver Plated Brush Textured Calla Bead with a Blue Quartz drop Earrings for purposes of this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.