psst...my new blog is hosting a contest

Love the pandacub (now known as frolic) flaunt bobby pins and rings? They're my most popular collection in the shop.

Well, I'm giving away a set of the flaunt bobby pins and a matching ring in your choice of colour in my November weekly giveaway (which means there are lots of other goodies being given away all month!) on my new blog. Go check it out now!

september giveaway winner

Just a quick post to say congratulations to Thifa - the winner of my September giveaway for a pair of autumn-inspired bobby pins and matching ring!

I'll be doing more giveaways soon, so keep an eye out for them!

Giveaway: Eyedews Under Eye Treatment

I've been really tired lately thanks to a combination of extra day-job work, trying to get my Etsy shop ready for the holidays, planning for my 2-week trip and just the usual chores and every day life. My eyes are really feeling strained lately, and although I'm usually lucky enough not to get bags under my eyes, they have been feeling really dry and weary lately.

How about you? Is your hectic lifestyle giving your eyes a tough time? Well, I have just the solution! I've been given FOUR sets of EyeDews Under Eye Treatment to give away over on my beauty blog, Cinnamon Kitten!

All the info you need to know in order to enter is over on this Cinnamon Kitten post, so go enter now!

beauty giveaway

Just a short post to let you know that over on my beauty blog, Cinnamon Kitten, I'm giving away a jar of MD Perricone Cold Plasma cream, worth $150 USD.

If you want to try out this award-winning cream, go enter now!

september giveaway

I'm kind of sad that August has come to an end. The start of September means that the summer is pretty much over and it's time to start thinking of cooler weather and *ugh* the impending winter.

The other day I squeaked in horror when I saw 3 red maple leaves on a tree that had otherwise green leaves. Oh no! The leaves are changing colour already? I'm not ready! I'm not ready!

I guess there are some bright sides to September:

- I have a trip planned for the end of the month (more on that later!)

- I have lots of pretty jackets and sweaters to wear

- the NHL hockey season is starting up again

- ....ummm....

*sigh* Ok, I can't do it. I'm still in "summer mode".

I know that some of my readers are on the other side of the world from me, so as I move into the cold seasons, they're moving into their summer (lucky!), so no matter where in the world you are, I want to know - what are you most looking forward to this September/October?

I'll do a random draw from all entries received for this lovely autumn inspired bobby pin and ring set.

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment on this post telling me what you're looking forward this coming season (whether it's getting cooler or warmer in your part of the world).

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first step above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower (or that you were already a Follower).
- 1 extra entry: Become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/pandacubshop. Leave comment telling me that you've become a fan (or that you were already a fan).

- 1 extra entries: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). Leave a comment letting me know you've done this.
- 10 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what you bought and your Etsy username.

Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Friday, September 17, 2010.
- Winner will be announced on this blog shortly after the contest closes.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

unscientific giveaway poll and celebration giveaway update

pandacub is celebrating its second anniversary on August 20 (yes, the store opened on Etsy almost two years ago - how quickly time flies!) and I'm already thinking of a spectacular giveaway to celebrate, but I want your input.

Leave me a comment and help me think up creative ways to hold a giveaway! I need help with two parts:

1. What should people do to be entered? Something simple, like the usual "leave a comment"? Or something more involved?

2. What would you want to win? Would you prefer specific items from the shop? Or a gift certificate so you can choose what you want to get?

The more suggestions, the better, so start those creative thoughts and comments coming!

And an update on my previous giveaway that just ended:

Congratulations to the winner of the celebration giveaway - dhesh!

Dhesh chose the flaunt bobby pins in purple (a very popular choice). They're already made and on their way to South Africa!

super smooth legs and a Skintimate contest!

I hate shaving, but I love having nice smooth legs, especially in the summer. So having a great shaving cream is ultra important as it makes the "chore" of shaving legs a little more bearable.

Skintimate has given me a great gift basket to give away to one lucky reader of my beauty blog that will definitely make shaving a little bit easier to handle!

Want a chance to win the gift basket, which is valued at over $80? Go over to my Cinnamon Kitten beauty blog and enter (sorry, this one's for Canadians only!)

another cool contest

Over on my beauty blog (yes, I have a split blog personality!) I'm hosting a giveaway for a collection of Softlips lip balms and a Certain-Dri anti-perspirant - go check it out and enter!

It's open to all US residents and really simple to enter - so go check out the post on my Cinnamon Kitten blog and good luck!

pandacub april giveaway

Yes, that's right! The pandacub giveaway returns for the third month in a row, but this time, with a twist!

I'm very excited that it's finally getting warmer here in Toronto so to celebrate I'm giving away some spring-inspired bobby pins!


THREE lucky winners will each receive a pair of spring welcome bobby pins. This lovely pair of bobby pins includes one bird and one blossom and the winners will get to choose the colours they want (see my Etsy listing for more details and all available colour choices)

There are THREE ways to enter (you can enter 1, 2 or all 3 ways to increase your chances!):
- Become a fan of pandacub on Facebook
OR
- Sign up for the pandacub monthly newsletter (use the form at the top-left hand corner of this blog to sign up)

OR
- Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (please use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). (Each tweet per day will count as one entry)

If you're already a pandacub Facebook fan or e-newsletter subscriber then you're already entered!

Winners will be contacted via the way they entered (email to the e-newsletter winner, Facebook message to the Facebook winner and Direct Message to the Twitter winner).

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Friday, April 30, 2010.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

march giveaway winner

Thanks everyone for entering my March giveaway for a set of house collection bobby pins!

The randomly-drawn winner is:
STYLEEZTA

Congratulations!

Watch for another fun giveaway from pandacub soon!

pandacub march giveaway

Yep, that's right! The pandacub giveaway returns for the second month in a row (having such a great time with this I may make it permanent, but we'll see...)

One lucky winner will receive their choice of ONE pair of bobby pins from the House Collection:
- the house collection - lions (Gryffindor House): red blossoms on gold bobby pins
- the house collection - badgers (Hufflepuff House): yellow blossoms on black bobby pins
- the house collection - snakes (Slytherin House): green blossoms on silver bobby pins
- the house collection - eagles (Ravenclaw House): blue blossoms on copper bobby pins

These bobby pins are fairly new to the pandacub shop and were inspired by the Harry Potter series. But, of course, you don't have to be a fan of the book/movie series to enjoy these pretty blossom bobby pins (perfect for spring!)

Visit my shop, pandacub, then come back here and tell me what your favorite thing in the shop is! Just leave it in a comment on this post.

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first step above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower (or that you were already a Follower).
- 1 extra entry: Become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/pandacub/82432588156. Leave comment telling me that you've become a fan (or that you were already a fan).
- 3 extra entries: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). Leave a comment letting me know you've done this.
- 10 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what you bought and your Etsy username.

Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Monday, March 29, 2010.
- Winner will be contacted via email shortly after the contest closes.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

february giveaway

I had such a great time with my November giveaway that I figured it would be a nice cheerful way to brighten up February.

One lucky winner will receive ONE pair of Flaunt bobby pins in the colour of their choice (available colours: black, purple or red).

These bobby pins are new to the pandacub shop and are very sparkly and would be a nice feminine touch for a night out on the town or just to to brighten up a normal day!


Here's how to enter:
Visit my shop, pandacub, then come back here and tell me what your favorite thing in the shop is! Just leave it in a comment on this post.

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first step above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower (or that you were already a Follower).
- 1 extra entry: Become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/pandacub/82432588156. Leave comment telling me that you've become a fan (or that you were already a fan).
- 3 extra entries: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). Leave a comment letting me know you've done this.
- 5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Leave a comment here and include the URL where I can see your post
- 10 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what you bought and your Etsy username.

Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Monday, February 15, 2010.
- Winner will be announced on this blog shortly after the contest closes.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

november giveaway winners

Thanks everyone for entering my November giveaway for a set of menagerie bobby pins!

The 2 randomly-drawn winners are:
MizzSnape
JenniferB

Congratulations! You'll both get a set of menageris bobby pins with 5 animals of your choice! :)

november giveaway

With the holidays coming up on us pretty quickly, my head is swimming in circles (well, part of that may be due to my vertigo, but that's another story...) with all the work that needs to be done!

So, to put a little bit of fun and cheer on my daunting To-Do list, I'm going to host a giveaway!

There will be 2 winners - each winner will win a set of their own menagerie bobby pins. These bobby pins are so cute! With slightly smaller buttons than my usual bobby pins, they feature a collection of cute animals. The winners will each get to choose FIVE animals to make up their own custom menagerie!

Here's how to enter:
Visit my shop, pandacub, then come back here and tell me what your favorite thing in the shop is! Just leave it in a comment on this post.

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first step above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower or that you were already a Follower.
- 1 extra entry: Become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/pandacub/82432588156. Leave comment telling me that you've become a fan.
- 3 extra entries: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). Leave a comment letting me know you've done this.
- 5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Leave a comment here and include the URL where I can see your post
- 10 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what you bought and your Etsy username.


Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
- Winner is chosen randomly using a Random Number Generator.
- Winner will be announced on this blog shortly after the contest closes.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

giveaway winners!

I printed out all the entries to the One-Year Etsy-versary Giveaway, cut them all up, put all the names into a cap and pulled out the winners late Monday night. I've just finished emailing all the winners and while I wait to hear back from them, I thought I'd share them here now.

I can't wait to see what they buy with their pandacub gift certificates!

Here are the winners:

$30 Gift Certificate
- Sophie

$10 Gift Certficate
- secret cake
- Beth
- JennTRC
- SoyPea

one-year Etsy-versary Giveaway!

I can't believe that pandacub is one-year old today! When I opened up shop I wasn't sure what was going to happen and now, 365 days later, I'm at 291 sales, with one craft show under my belt (and another one this weekend) and being sold in 3 retail shops! I'm stunned!

And very, VERY thankful to my lovely customers, supportive Etsy friends, lovely Etsy teammates and encouraging shop owners. A big shout-out to my amazing sister and patient husband, who both have to deal with my questions, weird crafty ideas, marketing comments and general Etsy-obsession.

Since my shop is kind of empty at the moment because a lot of my inventory is being prepped for the Kids Trunk Show this weekend, there won't be any in-shop promotions just yet. But I am having a GIVEAWAY!

This time, I'm giving away five prizes! Yes FIVE!
- one winner will receive a $30 shop credit to spend on anything at pandacub
- four other winners will receive a $10 shop credit to spend on anything at pandacub

Here's how to enter:
Visit my shop, pandacub, then come back here and tell me what your favorite thing in the shop is! Just leave it in a comment on this post.

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first entry above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower or that you were already a Follower
- 1 extra entry: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe). Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower or that you were already a Follower
- 5 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Leave a comment here and include the URL where I can see your post
- 10 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what you bought and your Etsy username

Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Notes:
- This contest will end at midnight (EST) on Monday, September 14, 2009.
- Winner is chosen randomly using a Random Number Generator.
- Winner will be announced on this blog shortly after the contest closes.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

in the cafe spotlight: prettycooljewels + GIVEAWAY

Necklace, - Queen Jane Approximately -
Featured Etsian: prettycooljewels
Shop link: prettycooljewels.etsy.com

Give us the basics:
I will be celebrating the 9th anniversary of my 27th birthday at the end of July. I am married, and a stay at home mom to 3 boys (ages 13, 4, and 2 1/2). We live in a tiny house on the edge of Chester County, Pa (large Amish community just over the county line, next door in Lancaster County, Pa). We have 2 Westie dogs and 1 blue fronted Amazon parrot. We are Christian hippies, trying to be more and more eco conscious every day. I bake my own bread, dry my laundry on a clothes line...just trying to live a much simpler version of the "good life"!

What’s your favourite smell?
It's tough to pick just one, but probably vanilla...sounds so, vanilla, I know. I also really like Nag Champa...and amber essential oil...

Necklace, - New Minglewood Blues -
How long have you been doing your craft?
About 20 years. In high school I made all of my hippy friends single strand multi colored "hippy bead" necklaces, and everyone LOVED them. I ended up making more for other kids at school...and I was hooked. In college I started weaving and peyote stitch beading, and sold some things to Hippy stores in the area.

Then I didn't do much for several years after the birth of my first son, until about 5 years ago I started up again with wire work (instead of weaving) and loved it!

Who/What inspires you in your craft?
I always say I make what my brain tells me to make! It sounds crazy, but I don't feel that I have a muse or anything, I just look at the beads and stones and findings until the way they are "supposed" to go together comes into my head, and that's the way I create. I love the process of digging through my supplies! I surround myself with little piles, and sort them back and forth - sometimes I plan several projects at once just sitting on the floor!

Earrings, - Eyes of the World -
What's a normal day for you?
I would not say anything about my day is normal! 8^) But with 2 kids still at home all day (and I babysit a 1 yr old M-F 40 hours a week too) I try to schedule, schedule, schedule, and stick to it! I block out chunks of my day that I can work while the kids are busy playing - or napping! And after the kids bedtime is a busy time for me to get work done, too. I try to leave flexability in my "blocks" of time, so I can do anything from catch up on email, Facebook, Twitter, and my Blog: I can set up pieces to be made, work on jewelry making itself, or I also make individual display cards by hand for each of my jewelry pieces. I try not to plan my "blocks" too far ahead, because if you don't FEEL like doing any particular aspect of your work at that moment, and you force yourself to do it anyway, it always comes out crappy (which makes me cranky 8^)

What advice would you give Etsy sellers just starting out?
Believe in what you are doing, DON'T GIVE UP, and don't be shy about telling ANYONE who will listen about your shop/items/passion! All advice I tell myself everyday, because I struggle with being shy about self promotion, and when your pieces (made with love) don't sell, it's easy to get discouraged!

How do you discover new things on Etsy?
I am a HUGE fan of POUNCE! Especially the "undiscovered" pounce! My shop is only 2 months old, and I want to support other "newbies" too. I will pounce and heart people's shops and items for hours...it's nice to get some encouragement, and there are so so many talented artisans on Etsy!

Now, how about a GIVEAWAY?
Diana of prettycooljewels has generously offered to host a giveaway here on pandacub cafe! ONE lucky winner will receive a cute pair of flower barrettes.


Value (including the free shipping): $12 USD

Here's how to enter:
Visit prettycooljewels' shop, then come back here and tell me what your favorite thing in her shop is! Just leave it in a comment on this post.

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first entry above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower or that you were already a Follower
- 3 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Leave a comment here and include the URL where I can see your post

Remember to leave your email address IN EVERY COMMENT so I can contact you if you win! The prize will be shipped directly to you from prettycooljewels after I forward your contact info to her.

Notes:
- This contest will run from June 24, 2009 to midnight (EST) July 10, 2009.
- Winner is chosen randomly using a Random Number Generator.
- Winner will be announced on this blog a few days after the contest ends.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

congratulations to my first giveaway winner!

Ok, I'm a day behind, but I'm very excited and happy to announce the winner of my first ever giveaway!

The winner is: "Becky Pool" - Congratulations!

The prize pack included the winner's choice of their fabric button goodies:
- 2 pairs of fabric button bobby pins
- 2 pairs of ponytail elastics
- 1 fabric button ring
- 2 fabric button pinbacks

I had thrown the giveaway to celebrate hitting 100 sales, and I'm happy to report that I'm now at 163 sales, so I'm sure I'll be throwing another giveaway very soon! Keep your eyes open and thanks for reading!

i reached 100 sales so i'm having a giveaway!

A few months ago, when I hit aruond 60 sales, I vowed to myself that if I ever was fortunate to hit 100 sales in my Etsy shop, I would throw a giveaway to celebrate. Well, a little while ago I hit the mark! (Ok, I'm now at 130 sales, which is even more exciting!)

So it took me a little bit to pull together my giveaway, but better late then never, right?

ONE lucky winner will get to choose their fabric button goodies:
- 2 pairs of fabric button bobby pins of your choice
- 2 pairs of ponytail elastics of your choice
- 1 fabric button ring of your choice
- 2 fabric button pinbacks of your choice

Value (including the free shipping): $31 USD


Here's how to enter:

Visit my shop, pandacub, then come back here and tell me what your favorite thing in the shop is! Just leave it in a comment on this post.

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first entry above before doing these)

- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower or that you were already a Follower
- 1 extra entry: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe). Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower or that you were already a Follower
- 3 extra entries: Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. Leave a comment here and include the URL where I can see your post
- 5 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know

Remember to leave your email address IN EVERY COMMENT so I can contact you if you win!


Notes:
- This contest will end at midnight (EST) on Friday, April 17, 2009.
- Winner is chosen randomly using a Random Number Generator.
- Winner will be announced on this blog on April 18.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

brewing this weekend...

Whoa, I can't believe it's been over a week since I last blogged!

But I have hit some significant Etsy milestones in the past few weeks:

- I re-launched by jewellery shop, blue pebble
- I hit 100 sales in my pandacub shop
- one of my items, the cuff techs cufflinks, was picked for the Geek Chic Gift Guide by Etsy

So, to celebrate, this weekend I'm going to put together a cool little giveaway that will be posted here on this little blog either Sunday or Monday, depending on how quickly I can decide on what to give away.

Look for it soon and I hope you all enter!