THAT is what I was expecting out of this giveaway adventure–a kick.  What I was not expecting was to feel so overwhelmingly appreciated by all of you.  Your kind words about my work and betsy & iya mean more than I could ever possibly express to you.  So…thank you for being the most lovely customers in the whole wide world.  Yep, the world.

Here we go…

The lucky winner is:  Alexa Morton Nayman!!

Contact me here: betsy@betsyandiya.com  and we will start collaborating on your new opal necklace!

Again, a HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL!

make a girl’s WEEK, why don’t you!?! ~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Heart Skipped a Beat, by The XX***

(scroll past the picture to find out how.)

I am not a stone gal, but I have always been blown away by the Peruvian Opal.  I have never seen a stone look as vibrant or pure.  Several months ago, I picked out a large batch from a couple who finds them, mines them, and turns them into little pieces of art. I am on the cusp of transforming each one into a one-of-a-kind design.  To kick it off, we’re doing a GIVEAWAY. The winner gets to pick their favorite opal and I will design a special necklace just for them.  Yay!!

There are several ways TO ENTER:

—> Comment on this post letting us know your favorite betsy & iya piece.

—>> Mention the Giveaway and @betsyandiya on Twitter.

—>>> Retweet the Giveaway on Twitter.

—>>>> Share the Giveaway on Facebook.

—>>>>> Comment on the Giveaway or tag us on Facebook; tell us how you would wear your new custom necklace! (hair up, red belt, black dress, sequined boots, etc)

Here is an example of a one-of-a-kind necklace available now:

Click to see more pictures.

Enter and have fun!  You can enter up to 5 times!

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced next Monday, January 30th.

Happy Monday to you!

xo~betsy

***Song of the Moment: Cold Feet, by Lost Lander***

<<Legend says that Peruvian opals take the tension out of communication and help ideas flow freely. They soften the impact of stress from the outside world and can help one to release the trauma of old wounds. They facilitates facing the future with a tranquil healing nature. This stone is reported to be good for quieting the mind and as an aid to sleep.>>  *info found on bernardine.com/gemstones*

I’m a lucky guy.  I’m married to an amazing woman.  I probably don’t have to tell you how amazing Betsy is, but just in case you’re new here:

She’s built a business from nothing in 2 years.  She’s got this incredible knack for following her gut to beauty, humor, truth, and the more than occasional perfect pair of earrings.  I don’t think I’ve met anyone else who’s more well liked by more people in less time.  She’s magnetic.

Well, my good fortune doesn’t stop with Betsy; my friends are pretty excellent as well.  I met Kari Chapin in quaint Montpelier, VT during the summer of 2004.  In fact, she was my boss for a whirlwind 3 months of creemees, mint juleps, Grimm fairy tales, late nights, and early mornings of yard sale hopping.  Yeah, she was a real slave driver.

Czar Chapin lays down the law

I introduced Betsy and Kari right before Betsy and I won $75 in nickels in the loose slots of Atlantic City.  Since then, Betsy’s begun making her living in the handmade marketplace and Kari’s written a book about it (not just about Betsy).  The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online is the current top seller at Powell’s, and in three categories on Amazon.  Kari basically walks you through how to be Betsy (and many others like her) in 218 pages.  It feels good in the hand; it’s got Kari’s joy, optimism, and hard-(and fun)-work-will-pay-off ethos on every page in addition to thoughts, tips, and inside advice from heavy hitters in the handmade world (Betsy is on pgs 50-51).  I’m so proud of Kari.  This book is fantastic.  But you don’t have to take my word for it…

Well, Betsy wants to brighten your day and de-blight-en your bookshelf (I know, I have a way with words) by giving you your very own copy of this gem!  We’ll mail the book out to one lucky commenter (haikus about Vermont summer days are encouraged.) Be sure your email address is valid so we can find you if you win.  We’ll pick a winner at random on Saturday, 2.27.10, so comment away until then!

Thanks for sharing your blog with me, Betsy.  xoxox