Madrin Designs {giveaway!}

Summer is coming. It's almost here! I'm ready to celebrate, are you?

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Over next few weeks leading up to my summer break--(holla!)  I'll be hosting some great giveaways to get you in the summer state of mind. I also want to say THANK YOU for sticking with this little blog! I adore your comments and appreciate your support. I am a little bitty blog--but I have the heart of a big one. So, let's pull out our flip flops and sun dresses and win some amazing summer goodies!! Woooot! I can't wait for you to meet these gals and the fun and fresh goodies that they make! Seriously--amazing and if I could enter my own giveaway I totally would--that's a little weird though and prooobably not good blog etiquette.

Meet Kristin of Madrin Designs!

My name is Kristin Trautmann Johnson. I am a wife and mother. My husband has lived out of state because of a job change since September, so my kids and I have been flying solo these past months. My kids, Maddox and Marin are 6 and 2, respectively. We live in Greenfield, IN right now, but we’re moving to Antelope Valley, California in 3-4 weeks to be with my husband. We have 3 dogs, Sophie, Lola, and the puppy, Dexter. Aside from all of that, I consider myself an designer and assembler of jewelry.

 What is your business all about?

MadrinDesigns is a handmade jewelry company I started in May 2008, after the birth of my daughter the previous November. One day, I was at Michael’s and saw the lovely and colorful bead row and was hooked instantly. I had no idea how to make jewelry, but knew I wanted to try. I bought a couple of how-to books and got started. It turns out people thought I was good at designing all of the pieces I made, so I decided to make a go of a business out of it. I named my business after my two children, by combining their names. I started off selling to friends and then decided to apply to my first show that was only one month past when I decided to do all of this in the first place. I continue to sell my products at fairs, festivals etc., while also consigning to several boutiques over the years.

My jewelry is really all about ME! Shocking to say, right? I literally only make things I would personally wear. This was my first thought when I was making an informal business plan. I didn’t want to cave to what was popular at some of the first shows I did. We’ve all seen what I’m talking about: earrings for every holiday, necklaces that look like they were put together by my 3 year old and stuff only my Grandma would wear (no offense, Grandma!). I wanted to make jewelry that my friends would want for gifts and what I wanted to see at the festivals we’ve all been to. I was aiming my designs towards the 18-30ish market that I felt was desperately under-represented by handmade jewelers. Around the same time, I found out about Etsy and claimed a piece of the uber-successfulness of theirs for myself.

Who/What is your inspiration?

Inspiration: color, clothing, art, texture, my mom, the list could go on forever. I do find inspirations in the strangest places sometimes. A sign with an interesting color combination inspired a necklace once. Vintage anything inspires me, especially the 1930s, 40s, and 50s! I said my mom inspired me because she is one person I see everyday usually and loves jewelry! I make things for her sometimes just to match a certain suit she wears to work (she’s a little matchy-matchy for me, but I defer to her choices once in a while). I love looking at any clothing from haute couture to what my friends wear to take the kids to school. Anything can spark my imagination creatively. I open myself to it.

Any big future plans for your business/shop?

As for the future of MadrinDesigns, my first step is to make the big move to California. I want to concentrate on my Etsy shop while we’re there. And if I could find some small, local shows to do, even better! I want to keep making jewelry as long as people are still buying it and I keep my passion for it. Because that’s what it’s all about: love, passion, desire. Those things keep you happy and constantly advancing in your life.

Any advice for those who want to start a handmade biz?

For those that want to start a handmade art/craft business, I say this: Do what you love and others will love it too. Always follow your instincts and trust your gut, hasn’t led me astray yet!

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Amazing styled jewelry right? Grab a tissue---wipe the drool, I'll wait.

Kristin is a doll and is generously giving away a necklace of hers to one of my readers. If you're a public follower of this lil blog, this silver love necklace could be around your pretty neck this summer! There are so many things to love about summer...and nothing will remind you more of those things than wearing the word around yo neck!

To enter, simiply visit Madrin Designs shop and leave a comment telling me what your fave item is! That's it!

for those of you who would like extra entries here ya go!

{please leave a separate comment for each entry}

1. like Madrin's facebook page!

2. follow her blog

3. tweet about it! please link @lauralillypie and @madrindesigns
Here is an example to copy and paste--
Check out a great giveaway from @madrindesigns hosted by @lauralillypie. It's perfect for summer! http://tinyurl.com/3z73o3w

Thanks, Kristin!

Giveaway ends May 18th at midnight EST!

Good Luck! <3