Friday, May 13, 2011

Spiffycool + Giveaway



Justina is the owner and creator of Spiffycool, an awesome etsy shop full of handmade pendants, bookmarks, wine charms, keychains AND cufflinks. All pieces are made by Justina, from SCRABBLE TILES, how cool is that? I fell inlove with Justina's array of art, as soon as I saw her shop. Her pieces are full of love, laughter and so much life! You can really feel Justina's great personality thru each piece; love, dedication, family, patriotism, humor, and genuine love for life.


Justina resides in Washington State, USA and is a mother to three amazing kids! 

1. How did you discover your talent for art? It's in the genes!  I come from a long line of creative people.  I'm the sixth (at least) generation seamstress on my mom's side, my mother's also a painter, I have five tattoo artists amongst my cousins, my kids constantly get their art featured at school events - then there are cake decorators, sculptors, architects, and jewelry designers.  Creating is just something that comes natural.  However, it's really hard to say that I have a "talent for art."  Artists are really hard on themselves and are never quite satisfied with their finished product.  At least, that's what my mom says, as we critique our own creations for every minute imperfection.
 


2.What motivates you? Happiness.  Pretty simple.  Making others happy is SO fulfilling and it invariably makes me happy, too.  It's very contagious!  I've dabbled in many different projects over the years as a single mom trying to make ends meet.  When my daughter was little, I went through a long stint of making matching girl and doll dresses.  Hearing from customers on how delighted their daughters were made the long hours worth it.  Now with my little pendants, I'm not limited to just making little girls joyous.  The thing I absolutely love about making these is that the sky is the limit with designs and yet each peice is something special for the person recieving it.  The feedback I get is so heartwarming.  My favorite: One woman got her mom a tile with her initial on the back and a vintage lilac image on the front.  There was a story - when her mom brought her home as a newborn, lilacs were in bloom and the scent was heavenly at their house.  Every year her mom gets her lilacs and tells the story on her birthday.  It was a very special thing between mother and daughter and now her mom has a little piece of jewelry with that lilac and her daughters initial to reminder her all the time.  Others are just thrilled they found that "perfect" tile for their friend graduating med school, their child's math teacher, their sister, their brother, or themselves!  These aren't just a pretty necklace with sparkles or a set of silver cufflinks - these are conversation starters and story tellers.  It's SO fun!  I love being a part of so many happy moments, albeit from afar.





3.What do you enjoy about art? The feelings it brings out.  Every kind of art elicits emotions. I can look at a piece and feel joy, warmth, sadness, confusion, or just plain laugh out loud, you name it. 


4.Do you express different feelings when making your pieces?Absolutely!  It's interesting because most of my peices are made after they're ordered.  Sometimes I get notes telling me who they're for and why, like "these are for the best man at my wedding - he'll love them" or "this is for my best friend that is a nurse."  I imagine the excitement the person feels when they open the box and the gift-givers joy. 


5. Do you remember the first piece you made?
Actually, I guess I don't remmber the very first one I made, but I remember the first one I started wearing myself - it was an image from the AVATAR movie (which I loved - saw twice in the theaters).  I remember having grocery clerks and random people come up to me and comment on my necklace.  That's when I knew these were something that I wanted to share with the world.  It's an ice breaker, opportinity to share stories, an instant bond with strangers that have the same interests as you.  A diamond necklace is nice, but it doesn't necessarily get friendships started from out of the blue.


6. Any words of advice/tips for people who want to express their creativity, but don't know how?To quote Nike "Just Do It." Take a class, get a kit or a book, make something for yourself, make something YOU would like. You may just be surprised to find how many people like what you make!  Listen to them and don't shrug it off.  We are always most critical of ourselves. It's very hard to get over that part.  Tinker around with what you'd like to do, mess up, fine-tune, and tinker again.  Creating takes time... a LOT of time...  Give yourself some time and practice.  And have FUN, don't forget that part.  


*giveaway!*
Justina has been kind enough to sponsor a giveaway! Open to all international readers! The winner of the giveaway will get to choose a pendant and a 24" ball chain! Winner will be announced on Friday, May the 27th via twitter! :)

How to enter giveaway
(1-3 required, and equals 1 entry)
1. Follow Nina on the Moon
3. Leave a comment on Spiffycool's facebook wall , stating your favorite piece!

Extra Enteries:
-blog/tweet about giveaway (and tell me about it!)



Good Luck and have a Spiffycool weekend!

besos,bendiciones y buenas vibras

78 comments :

  1. i loveee the one that says la muerte :) i follow nina on the moon via google friend connect!

    <3 steffy
    Steffys Pros and Cons
    stefaniekuncman@aol.com

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  2. I like your blog! And thanks for the comment on my blog. I'm going to do something special for you on an upcoming post since you can't see the exhibit.

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  3. thanks for the sweet coment in my blog!!!
    Im new at this, so it means a lot! ;)
    I like your blog, and alredy following. If u like mine, follow back! ;)

    kisses from brazil...
    xoxo, bruna.

    http://sweet-sweetscape.blogspot.com/

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  4. well thanks for the comment love. and another thanks for this giveaway and letting me know this art is out there i love!, entered. and posted on my blog XX
    http://aariesmoon.blogspot.com/

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  5. Interesting interview! I love that one with B!

    xx
    absofuckinglutely

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  6. ahh me encanto!!! si a mi hay algo que me gusta es encontrar tiendas de etsy que sean diferentes y lindas y esta lo es ya esta agregada a mi agenda etsy hehe

    un besote!!!

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  7. follower, like on fb under diana dang and commented

    faked_sugartone at hotmail

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  8. Love the third with the B and the blue design

    kisses
    hannah
    http://elegantesque.blogspot.com

    btw, wanna follow each other ?

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  9. great interview. i really like the B
    pendant. justina's words have got me
    thinking about being creative.

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  10. Fantastic post, I love it!
    Check out my blog and enter the IKKS give away if you like!

    xoxo Robine @
    WWW.CHOUCHOU-ROBINE.COM

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  11. followed you thru gfc as ms eggplant.
    liked spiffy cool on facebook, posted favorite on wall as sarah irene tirona
    followed spiffy cool and nina on the moon in twitter: sarahtirona
    re-tweeted giveaway

    sarah tirona
    eggplantchronicler@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. blog follower
    gustosa giveaways following Spiffy Cool on fb
    I also commented on their wall - http://www.facebook.com/gustosagiveaways/posts/207422229297911


    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

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  13. blog post
    http://gustosa-giveaways.blogspot.com/2011/05/necklace-giveaway-5272011.html
    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

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  14. gustosa heart her shop

    gustosagiveaways atymaildotcom

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  15. How nice giveaway!!!

    NatashaInWonderland@azet.sk

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  16. These are so cute. :P I want one.



    www.shevahh.blogspot.com
    xo

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  17. Love the little superbird one :)

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  18. Follow blog via gfc=Lyudmila
    Like Spiffycool on facebook = Lyudmila Sizova
    I pick the Red Cross Medical Pendant or Tie Tack made from an Upcycled Scrabble Tile - Great for the Nurses
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/60863228/red-cross-medical-pendant-or-tie-tack
    and said about it on page
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiffy-Cool/143992962307505
    lusizova at gmail.com

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  19. I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/#!/Ludmilochka/status/70178833097170944
    lusizova at gmail.com

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  20. I Follow Nina on the Moon- mframe00
    I Like Spiffycool on facebook- Michelle Frame
    Left comment on FB.
    mframe00@gmail.com

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  21. Thanks for visiting my blog! I now follow Nina on the Moon-Lucky's Luna. I Like Spiffycool on facebook as Jessica Chiou and left comment telling them I love Lovely Cat Painting to warm your heart - Pendant or Tie Tack made from an Upcycled Scrabble Tile (94C3)!

    GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR GIVEAWAY!

    luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  22. Eeee they are gorgeous! The unicorn pendant is adorable and I love the american flag pendant :)
    I have done the three enteries needed (Katie Wear) and I also follow you on twitter, put Spiffycool in my favourites on Etsy and put a tweet about the give away :) (http://twitter.com/KatiePotatiHead )

    Katie xxx

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  23. Thanks for visiting my blog(:
    Wow these are so cute!

    sheknowslamode.blogspot.com

    xoxo Uyen

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  24. Thanks for stopping by my blog! =) Thanks for the chance to win, they're really cute! I completed the three required entries! :)

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  25. My Fav from the spiffycool is Retro photo of Cherry Blossoms!

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  26. Thanks for the comment on my blog! Adorable items for giveaway :) I'm now following you <3

    http://labellaironia.blogspot.com/

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  27. Also liked on facebook, and commented with my favourite piece <3

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  28. My absolute favorite is I Heart Math, this is super cool and math is such an awesome subject! I follow with gfc and I also like Spiffycool on FB (jc loh)and left a comment.

    Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  29. I heart her lovely Etsy shop (jcloh), thank you.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  30. Listo ya te seguia via twitter, pero ya le di like a la pagina de face y puse cuales es mi favorita un beso

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  31. :) thanks for the support, ladies!!! :) lets keep spreading the words about Justina's super cute scrabble tile pendents! :) thank you all for entering!

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  32. i Follow Nina on the Moon as michellely
    i Like Spiffycool on facebook as yuki kuran
    and i Left a comment on Spiffycool's facebook wall

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  33. i favorite Spiffycool on Etsy
    as michelle2119

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  34. i blogged the giveaway link on the bottom of my blog
    http://thestrawberrymist.blogspot.com/

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  35. i tweeted the link @blahstrawberry

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  36. i follow Nina on the Moon on Twitter
    @blahstrawberry
    irinasas at yahoo dot com

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  37. this is fun! Thank you for featuring artists! :D

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  38. Following you on Google Friends Connect under Berendina and I "like" spiffy cool on Facebook under Berendina.D along with leaving a comment on the wall about my favorite piece.

    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=207738579266276&id=100001465500636

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. Tweeted about your giveaway

    http://twitter.com/#!/TheArtOfBaking/status/70582868451139584

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  40. Sent a following request to your twitter under @theartofbaking

    http://twitter.com/#!/TheArtOfBaking

    bd_657(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  41. 1. Follow Nina on the Moon via GFC as luckyfinds
    2. Liked Spiffycool on facebook (FB name: Emiliana Sison / http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1649425764)
    3. Left a comment on Spiffycool's facebook wall stating my favorite piece


    Extra Entries:
    -blogged about the giveaway on my sidebar at http://luckyfinds-shareapic.blogspot.com
    -tweeted about giveaway (http://twitter.com/#!/millette05/status/)
    - followed Nina on the Moon on Twitter as millette05

    emiliana.sison AT gmail.com

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  42. Required entry - accomplished! ;) Thank you for the invitation, the giveaway is really amazing :)

    isztarv at o2 dot pl

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  43. Hearted Spiffycool on etsy (as Nilai)

    isztarv at o2 dot pl

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  44. I love those necklaces!!!!!!!!! x

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  45. Thank you for stopping by my blog :-)
    Returning favour and follow you via GFC as YulyaShenka

    Liked Spiffy on FB as Yuliya Sh and commented

    juletchka78(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  46. added Spiffycool to my favouites on Etsy as YuliyaSh
    juletchka78(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  47. tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/yulya_shenka/status/70839968221765632
    juletchka78(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  48. blogged http://luckyangelandgiveaways.blogspot.com/2011/05/pendant-and-24-ball-chain-giveaway-ends.html

    juletchka78(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  49. sent twitter follower request as @yulya_shenka
    juletchka78(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  50. fun diy project! i love these necklaces. <3 EverRubyGirl.blogspot.com

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  51. Hey lovely!!!

    I'm passing by to let you know that you pointed out the prize One Lovely Blog Award, because I love your blog:)

    Warm kisses from Brazil., bruna

    http://sweet-sweetscape.blogspot.com/

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  52. Estan bellos los dijes, a mi me gusto el de la letra B, me recordo un poco la talavera de Puebla, jeje.
    Un beso.

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  53. I follow on GFC (Ivana N.) and on twitter (dreamylilthing)
    and i posted on FB (Ivana Nikolova)
    izzity@mail.bg

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  54. these are so detailed considering the size of the tiles. gorgeous.

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  55. I'm following via GFC as Jasmine1485, I'm a fan of Spiffy Cool on Facebook and I left a comment on their wall:

    http://www.facebook.com/Kate1485/posts/208469475859853

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

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  56. I hearted the store on Etsy (Jasmine1485)

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I sent an add request to Spiffy Cool on Twitter (@NTFancy)

    kate1485 at hotmail.com

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  58. hi.. joined your giveaway..

    1. followed you at GFC : theresa montino
    2. Liked Spiffycool on facebook: theresa montino
    3. Left a comment

    Extra Enteries:
    1. tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/jayresa03/status/71816719676620800
    2. followed on twitter : jayresa03

    ReplyDelete
  59. I follow you through google friend.
    I like Spiffycool on facebook.Shari D
    I commented on their wall with my favorite piece.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I added spiffycool to my favorites on etsy as 409cope.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  61. These are really great. I especially love the first one:)

    thegardenofyum(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  62. Diggin the American Flag!!!

    www.inloveiwascreated.blogspot.com

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  63. thanks for stopping by! i'm following...and i'm a fan of the retro photo of the cherry blossom necklace!

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  64. Hi Carolina!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!! :)
    Beautiful Blog you have here!! all my good energy and vibes for you.

    Carla

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  65. Adorei os pingentes!Loved it!
    Já conhece meu blog? Do you know my blog?
    www.letreamiche.blogspot.com
    Bjs kisses
    Naty

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  66. I like Keep Calm and Ride On pendant.
    Following you via GFC and twitter (@Aljsa)
    I also tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Aljsa/status/73666129733758976

    alelale at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Awesome
    I follow Nina on the moon
    Jessica Ruan
    jess.herrera08@gmail.com

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  68. thank you to everyone who entered! winner will be announced shortly, via TWITTER

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  69. I love these! My favorite is the one with the amarican flag :) Thanks for you comment, you have a great blog i follow ! :)

    www.walk-the-street.blogspot.com

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  70. COOLness :D i jst followed u, hope u can follow back ;)
    http://amz88.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving the positive vibes! Many besos,bendiciones and buenas vibras. I will be sure to send them back!xo