Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Focus On...Storeyshop And A Giveaway!

{{{GIVEAWAY CLOSED}}}

One of the first purchases I ever made on etsy was a hand-cut birthday card for Mike's 25th birthday. Alas, it was from a shop that is now closed, but when I went looking for similiar products, I came across Storeyshop. Helen, the founder of Storeyshop, is so talented with a knife that it's a bit scary! :) Read on for her interview and a fun giveaway!


Tell me some basic info about yourself.
Storeyshop is me, Helen Bonner. I am 28 and I live in rural Northumberland in the north east of England with my finace, Dave, who will be my husband in only 6 weeks! My childhood pet chinchilla, Seb, lives with us too. He's very old but still going strong.
What kind of mediums do you use and why?
I love paper and card and it's my main medium in my work along with my tools; various different craft knives. I also like picking up lovely bright pairs of socks to make monkeys with when I am fancying a change and to work from the sofa rather than my desk!


What made you decide to sell on etsy?
A friend at my old job (working as a designer on a national magazine) told me about Etsy when I was telling her about my dream to have a more 'hands on' creative career. I haven't looked back since. Thank you, Ann!

Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from all sorts of places but, for my cards, I tend to try and think of creative greetings that people might want to send to each other. I have been trying to come up with some new and original ones lately. I think what cards I'd like to send to my friends and family and go from there. I also like to just start drawing or designing and see where it ends up. Where lots of customers mention how much they like to frame my cards, I have recently been inspired to start offering personalised posters too. Customer feedback is great!

What is your favorite music to craft by?
I like to listen to the radio when I am crafting with a mixture of discussion/talking and music. I have been listening to quite a lot of classical and lovey music lately too to try and pick some for our wedding!
If you were an animal, what would you be?
If I was an animal I would be a cat. I love cats and they get to find a warm and sunny spot to snooze in all day!
What's your favorite piece of your own?
My favourite piece of my own is probably my 'I love you more than cheese' card. It relates to me perfectly and other cheese-lovers seem to appreciate it too!


What are your favorite blogs right now?
I read lots of blogs! I especially like Rikrak Studio, Fleur Avenue and Oh Joy! I really need to spend more time on my blog and that's the plan in the coming months.

Helen also makes super cute sock monkeys and beauty bags!


Helen has graciously offered a free card to a lucky winner! The winner may choose any card in her shop! :)

*Note, I'm changing the rules slightly from previous giveaways.*

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader.
- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win.
- Please leave separate comments for each entry.

First entry (mandatory):
Head over to Storeyshop and choose your favorite item. Come back here and leave a comment with your selection.

Extra entries:
 1. Follow the Storeyshop blog (it's not required, but it would be lovely if you could leave Helen an ecouraging comment!)

2. Tell me (and Helen) what sentiments you'd love to see on a card or poster.

3. Follow Storeyshop and Kate & Oli on Twitter and retweet the following: RT @ichbinseins @storeyshop giveaway alert! win a hand-cut card of your choice! http://tinyurl.com/yhq5kux

4. Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link

5. Post on facebook about this giveaway and leave me some way to verify


Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time March 16, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on the morning of March 17, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Storeyshop will ship anywhere in the world!

71 comments:

  1. My favorite is the Personalised Hand-Cut Wedding or Anniversary Card! If I won, I would give this to my fiance on our wedding day with a sweet personalized message inside, then keep it in our wedding scrapbook so we have it forever!

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd love to see more wedding related cards, cards asking girls to be bridesmaids, thanking mother/father of the bride/groom, etc.

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. ooh, fun giveaway & interesting interview!

    i like the baby cards, because seems like i'm always buyng welcome baby cards & it's difficult to find ones that are more modern & less "cutesy."

    wonderful work!

    thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow the Storyshop blog!

    Sesidesmitten@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. My favorite is the Hand-Cut New Baby Card (pink w/the bow on the bottom). So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not following the Storyshop blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'd like to see cards celebrating dad. There's Super Mom and I think a Thanks, Mom, but no dad.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the "Mum you're a star" card!

    urchiken at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the "Thank You Mum" card-perfect for Mother's Day!

    dlogston at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Purple New Home card is my favorite!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow Helen's blog!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to see a "Just Thinking Of You" card!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love the Hand-Cut New Baby Girl Card. So pretty!
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd love to have a "blessings on you" type of card. Or "good luck in your future endeavers" for a post-high school/college graduation card.
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the "I love you more than tea" card. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love tea, so if I was to give someone that card, it'd be a lot!
    e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd like to see some "missing you" cards.
    e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the super geek card, I have a few friends that would be perfectly suited. Also like the hand cut poster idea! Oh and I am following on Google reader.

    sugareaterATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the Rainbow Stripey Sock Monkey! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I had to laugh at the Super Geek card - it would be perfect for my husband!

    debyeo at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow Kate and Oli on Twitter (dspdavey).

    ReplyDelete
  21. My favorite is the 'I Love You More Than Etsy' Card. My husband would laugh so hard at that b/c he knows how obsessed with all things Etsy I am.
    jellerman AT rocketmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  22. The "Hand Cut 'Happy Unbirthday' Alice in Wonderland Card" is my favourite...
    And thanks for the giveaway!!

    Contact: a.spigno@hotmail.it

    ReplyDelete
  23. I follow the "Storeyshop blog"

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hand-Cut 'Happy Mother's Day' Card

    ReplyDelete
  25. follow

    and i love


    Hand-Cut 'I Love You More Than Coffee' Card

    duhnellecarter [at] yahoo . com

    ReplyDelete
  26. tweeted! http://twitter.com/tagsandbuttons/status/10321397148

    duhnellecarter [at] yahoo . com

    ReplyDelete
  27. follow story blog

    duhnellecarter [at] yahoo . com

    ReplyDelete
  28. blogged

    http://byhandgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/03/storeyshop-hand-cut-card-expires-0316.html

    duhnellecarter [at] yahoo . com

    ReplyDelete
  29. My favorite card is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40816494
    I looked for one that said I love you more than coffee, but didn't find it. That would have been tops.
    But my favorite item is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42348213
    ladyvdzine[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like Hand-Cut I Love My Mum Hand Cut Mother's Day Card.

    Thanks for this chance.
    hugs

    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow Storeyshop blog.
    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd like to see Grandmother cards.

    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  33. I follow on twitter (dakha)
    I tweet: http://twitter.com/dakha/status/10330753303

    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  34. I blogged:
    http://giveawaymania.blogspot.com/2010/03/kate-and-oli_11.html

    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  35. Enter me! I'm a new follower of your blog via google (fisiwoman)
    My favorite item is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41891081

    Ana Belén R.M
    fisiwoman@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Following the Storeyshop blog via Google (fisiwoman)


    fisiwoman@hotmail.com
    Spain

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would like to see a -Just Thinking Of You- card


    fisiwoman@hotmail.com
    Spain

    ReplyDelete
  38. Following Storeyshop and Kate & Oli on Twitter (@fisiwoman)

    Tweeted:http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/10340187128

    fisiwoman@hotmail.com
    Spain

    ReplyDelete
  39. My favorite is the card that says "I love you more than ice cream". Now that's the card for me.

    iritca AT gmail com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I follow the Storeyshop blog (and also read it on Google Reader).

    iritca AT gmail com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love the "I love you more than cheese" card - so funny!

    ReplyDelete
  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  43. new follower!
    My fav card is
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42046482
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I absolutely love the 'Happy Birthday Handsome' Card, too cute, but what does she use to cut so well?!? The quality is amazing!

    Anna
    perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I would love to see a squiggle cut out of knots and stuff and in the center 'This is how I feel when I'm around you' or maybe butterflies on the front instead. :)


    Anna
    perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I follow both of you on twitter and tweeted about this giveaway!
    http://twitter.com/perfectbluemoon/status/10422285588

    Anna
    perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I like the Neon and Grey Stripey Sock Monkey

    ReplyDelete
  48. my favorite is definitely "i Love You More than etsy"! (didn't taza @ rockstar diaries give one of her cards to her husband that said "I love you more than hamburgers?"

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi! Thank you for introducing me to this shop. The cards are amazing!

    I love the White and Lime 'Thinking Of You' Card. The color combo is very pretty!

    My email is svlara(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. One feeling that I'd like to see is 'I love you more than makeup'. For me, that'd be loving someone a looooot! LOL

    My email is svlara(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I really like the RSVP card, I already follow Helens blog. Kate x

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love the "I love you more than" cards!
    (and, I just became a follower of your blog)

    contact me at:
    celeste@mail4me.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. now following the Storeyshop blog

    contact me at:
    celeste@mail4me.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am a follower of Kate and Oli.
    jerzycat99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I am a follower of storeyshop.
    jerzycat99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I would love to have greek letters for sorority;s and fraternity;s.
    jerzycat99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. My favorite is the yellow and blue get well soon card.
    jerzycat99@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hand-Cut 'Super' Personalised Card is my fave!

    reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I'd love to see one with the sentence "I Love You More Than My Own Life"

    reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Storeyshop blog follower

    reviewsbyabby at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. i LOVE the White and Lime 'Thinking Of You' Card. heck, i love the whole shop!

    fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  62. one sentiment i'd love to see is a "congratulations on your graduation" type card for college or high school students! :)

    fertawert AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I like the Any Occasion Hand-Cut Greetings Card best


    shiki6210 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Would love to see one with an apple with the quote, you are the apple of my eye.

    shiki6210 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I follow Storeyshop’s blog

    shiki6210 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I definitely love the "I Love You More Than Sewing" card! And I'm a follower, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  67. I like the Happy Unbirthday card! Its funny and makes an awesome present!

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42189978

    Ronit
    internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
    http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Blog post!

    http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/03/hand-cut-card-from-storeyshop.html

    Ronit
    internationalgiveaways[at]gmail[dot]com
    http://internationalgiveaways.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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