This giveaway is now over and the winner was chosen. Please feel free to read the interview and check out the shops featured! A new giveaway will be up soon.
New giveaway!
"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think,
all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read,
and all the friends I want to see."
-John Burroughs
This is the quote that you read when you look at Zena's (the talented artist behind two etsy shops, The Omega Workshop and Bloomsbury Group) profile. She has graciously agreed to do a giveaway of one of her beautiful bird ornaments. She also let me interview her and after reading it, you realize there is a wonderful joy in the way she looks at life.
Snubbler Plush Doll $26
How did you get started in fibers? Do you have an art degree or are you self taught?
I am self taught, but have always had a flair for putting 'things' together , an eye for design and a penchant for wanting to make places interesting and homey! Now my children are older and I have more time, I feel like a phoenix rising from the ashes, able to unleash my pent up creativeness!
Is this your "day job" and if not what is?
Yes I balance being an artist with, homemaker and mother duties!
Love Bird Cage Hanging Ornament $20
Are you originally from England? How does your surroundings inspire/influence you?
I was born here in England. I never take where I live for granted. We have definitive seasons and am lucky enough to live close to the sea and rolling countryside! We aren't far from Stately Homes and Castles and oodles of historic cities and towns blot our landscape. I adore our antique and vintage shops.
Wildlife is in abundance, and birds, especially, inspire me to use their form in my work!
I never know what might inspire me to make the next thing. I can go off at a complete tangent from the last creation! But hiding in every piece will usually be a little part of me, and something that was inspired by a moment in time.
I never know what might inspire me to make the next thing. I can go off at a complete tangent from the last creation! But hiding in every piece will usually be a little part of me, and something that was inspired by a moment in time.
FAITH and BLISS Bird Ornament $42
What are your favorite things to make?
Oooooooo I don't think I have a favourite thing that I make! As long as I enjoyed the process and it makes me smile when it's finished, then that is food for my soul.
How did you come up with your shop names? Do they have personal meaning to you?
Definitely! Bloomsbury Group: The Bloomsbury Group or Bloomsbury Set was a group of writers, intellectuals and artists who held informal discussions in Bloomsbury throughout the 20th century. I admire their art works and am fascinated by their bohemian way of living. I am lucky enough to live quite near Charleston Farm House, my favourite place, where you can enter a passage in time when some of the leading cultural figures lived and were invited. The house is the most important remaining example of Bloomsbury decorative style. I am a romantic and am fuelled by exploring lives lived ,as part of the Bloomsbury Group!
The Omega Workshop: The Omega Workshops was a design enterprise founded by members of the Bloomsbury group and established in 1913. In addition to offering a wide range of individual products, such as painted furniture, painted murals, mosaics, stained glass, and textiles, Omega Workshops Ltd offered interior design themes for various living spaces. So yes, personal to me and I suppose a homage to some very talented people!
Wool Fabric Decorative Pillow $44
What is your biggest source of inspiration?
I think my biggest source of inspiration comes from my own mind! I have always had a very vivid imagination and can see past main stream!
What style is your home decorated in?
My home is the most important place to me. I am a Cancerian, and like a crab my home is never far away. I love to collect and I like a more traditional homey feel. I am surrounded by art, vintage, antiques, books and 'things' that are comforting and nice to delve into and look at! I guess we have an eclectic mix of things that compliment each other. I love subdued lighting and open fires! I like to be organised, but think a home should be lived in!
When not creating fiber pieces what are your other hobbies?
I love to read, walk, swim, enjoy my own company, shop, spend time with my family, garden, watch meaningful films........
Textile Flower Ornament $29
Can you describe your creative process?
Mmmmmmmm I guess it's like a light comes on in my head and I can't wait to try it out. I don't mind making mistakes, it's how I learn. You'll often find a half finished plush in the recycling bin! But that's good. I teach myself through being hands on, which I think is the best way for anyone to learn! When I am making something I am focused and lose myself completely. Like a form of meditation I suppose!
*Giveaway*
Zena is giving away one of her sentiment bird ornaments like the one below!
To Enter:
Visit her etsy shops The Omega Workshop and Bloomsbury Group and leave a comment telling me your favorite item in either store. Don't forget to leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you have won.
Extra Entries: please leave one separate comment for each entry.
•follow my blog with google - 1 extra
•follow me on twitter (lilacpop)-1 extra
•become a fan of LilacPOP on Facebook - 1 extra (and there are giveaways on there as well which you will be automatically entered into each time just for being a fan).
•tweet this giveaway and post the link in your comment- (may do this daily) 1 extra/day
Copy and paste below:
I just entered to win a handmade home decor hanging @lilacpop http://lilacpop.blogspot.com/
•favor me on technorati , stumble upon or any other social networking site- 1 extra
•Put a link to my blog on your blog - 1 extra
•blog about this giveaway - 1 extra
•buy a product from either etsy shop - 5 extra
Contest will run for 1 week. Ends at Midnight on the night of April 25, 2010. Open to All Countries. Winner will be chosen by random.org. Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 3 days to reply or another winner will be chosen.