It's an ALPHA-licious Giveaway!

I love giveaways and I know you do too. The holidays are here and Christmas is 14 days away, so I thought it would be fun to not only do a giveaway for you (of something non-jewelry related), but to do a first here on Next to Heaven...an Etsy seller feature giveaway!!

I wanted to give an opportunity to another fellow seller to showcase their work. I found this particular seller while perusing Etsy for "C" items for this post. I have been looking high and low for someone who does this kind of work, as I've always wanted one for myself.

Please allow me to introduce you to Connie, also known as the Alphabet Diva.

Connie's store, ALPHABET diva, is fabulous! I love this kind of art where architecture and things in nature spell out common words or names. I think it's such a unique thing to do. Connie does custom names too! I recently ordered some Christmas gifts through Connie (it was hard not to order something for myself!) and she was so easy to work with. I e-mailed her the name I needed and she sent me all the pictures associated with each letter. She also sent me examples of the name in different themes that I could also chose from.


Her picture are even more beautiful in person!!

After working with Connie, I asked her if she would like to be a guest on my blog, as I wanted to feature her wonderful store! She happily obliged!!

As part of her feature, I wanted all of you to know a little bit more about Connie. Here are a few questions I had her answer...

1. Give a little background on yourself.

I was a career girl, who married at 30, and now I am a stay at home mom. I am married and have two daughters, Katie and Shelby. I love it, but wanted to find a job that I could do around the girls, swim, volleyball, school etc,,schedules. This job is perfect, and I love doing it!

2. How long have you been taking pictures? Did you teach yourself or take classes?

I started out just using my family camera, once I started really getting into my photography, I took a photography class at the local college. Practice is the best teacher!

3. Do you have any other hobbies besides photography?

I have lots of hobbies. My husband is a real outdoor guy and he has pulled me and the girls along with him. We bike, and kayak, and hike. I also love to do crafts, and I am one of those people who has tried a little bit of everything, pottery, painting, quilting, and like many, I have several unopened projects in my closet waiting to be finished!

4. What made you decide to do an Etsy store?

I was looking into doing a website and found Etsy. It seemed like the perfect way to get on line fast, and it has been a great way for people to find me after they meet me at a craft or art show.

5. Where do you take your pictures?

Everywhere! I have photos from my home, many photos from nature, and from many cities, such as Kansas City, Chicago, St. Louis, Oklahoma City etc. I have many photos from my vacations and some photos are from ideas from customers, such as photos of playing cards, and saddles etc. I have my camera with me at all times!

6. Where do you find your inspiration?

I love a challenge! I love trying to find letters in every sport, I have found 7 letters from a football alone! I am so excited when I find a R or a G, which are some of the hardest letters to find. I also love to meet new people and love to see people who have never seen my photos and are really excited when they see it for the first time.

7. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to travel, and now I have found a job that I can do while traveling!

8. What's your favorite TV show right now?

I don't really have much time to watch TV, but when I do it is usually something like Project Runway.

9. If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take?

I have a friend who has just moved to London, and I would love to go visit her, and take my girls with me!

10. What are 5 things you want to do in 2010?

1. Take more photos
2. Go to London.
3. Get another website where you can see all of my photos at the same time. I love Etsy, and will always have a site there too!
4. Lose weight.
5. Run a 5K

Connie has offered up some of her work as a giveaway for my darling readers!!

One of you will win this lovely picture...

My husband is an Aggie and "Howdy" is a phrase they use up there and well it's pretty common here in South Texas. I thought it would pretty fun to share with you, so we chose this piece for you to win!!

How to win:

{*} you MUST be a follower of my blog
{*} leave me a comment on what your favorite item in her shop is along with where you would put this in your house. If you plan to give it as a gift, tell me who you would give it to and why.

A winner will be chosen on Tuesday, December 15 at 3:00 pm EST.

Good luck!