My Final Push!

As many of you may know, on May 25th I launched an effort to raise $40K for the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation in celebration of my 40th birthday on September 25th! Approximately every two or three weeks I gave away an item donated from various artists and business owners who were gracious enough to help in my effort. Now that we are in the final 22 days, I'm making a gift donation of my own.

The final give-aways will be awarded on September 25th 2008, my 40th birthday and and will be given in two categories!

In an effort to get things moving along, I am donating more of my time and efforts to two custom made Knit or crochet items to two random donors! What does that mean? It means, that anyone who makes a donation in the next three weeks is eligible to win!

There are two categories and one item will be donated in each.

Category I:
- Win any item that is currently listed in my Etsy store in your desired color
- Any amount donated will be entered
- Enter as many times as you would like, but a donation has to be made for each entry
- Any donation of $40 or more will automatically be entered in Category II
- If someone else donates because of you, you will both be entered for that donation (e.g. You get someone to donate and they write "In honor of Sedie's 40th sponsored by [your name]" in the notes)

Category II:
- Win ANY custom knit or crochet item of your choice (blanket, scarf, hat, sweater, etc)
- Donate a minimum of $40 to be entered
- Every time you get someone else to donate a minumum of $40, both your names will be entered to win (e.g. You get someone to donate and they write "In honor of Sedie's 40th sponsored by [your name]" in the notes)
- Donate as many times as you would like to be entered, however, each donation must be a minimum of $40

I am anxious to reach my goal, so I'm hoping this little contest will inspire you to tell your friends and so on!

The money we're raising here is going to a great cause! Haiti has been hit with high fuel prices, high gas prices and most recently Hurricane Gustav which left 22 people dead. Whatever we do, makes so much of a difference in their lives that I can't imagine not reaching this goal and making a huge impact on their daily lives!

Now is the time! Please make your donation today, tell your friends to make their donations today and let's get this event concluded with a bang!!!

Tisa's Creations

As many of you know, In honor of my 40th birthday I've put together a charitable drive to raise $40K for the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation. We launched on May 25th and every few weeks we put something new up as a gift for high donors. This week Tisa, of Tisa's Creations has graciously donated a $40 gift certificate to her shop! Read about Tisa below, make your donation and in the coming weeks you'll find out if you are the lucky winner!

Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Tisa, mother of 2, and wife to an awesome hubby! I have a twin sister, my number 1 fan and supporter (well she and my husband are tied as #1) I love anything to do with paper, I create hand stamped cards and personalized stationary. I describe myself as fun, honest, sassy, classy and one of a kind! We currently live right outside of Austin, Texas.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I currently work full-time as an executive assistant and I’m on the executive PTA board at my son’s school. I love to read, draw (oops! that's being creative), relax and watch movies from the 1980’s and 90’s.

What first drew you to become an artist/business owner?
To be honest, I never wanted to become a business owner. I’ve know for as long as I can remember that I loved art. I purchased my first scrapbook 20 years ago (man, that makes me feel old). I've made candles and I've completed several oil paintings. Every paining in my house - I've created! About 5 years ago I started to make my own cards by rubber stamping. My friends and family then started asking me to create cards and invitations for them- so I did. With the support of my husband, aunt and sister, I decided to sell. I never thought I could sell any of my items.

Please describe your creative process
I really don’t have a process. I carry my art journal with me everywhere. I get inspired by everything...fabrics, nature, kids - I can get ideas from almost anything. When I get an idea or see something I love I get it down on paper.

Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites.
- E Lynn Harris – his writing flows well
- Will & Grace – I own all 7 seasons on CD
- Pretty Woman, City of Angels, The Shawshank Redemption, and Top Gun – I can watch these movies over and over and over - and I cry or laugh so loud every single time just like the first time I saw them...but don’t tell anyone
- Imagine Me by Kirk Franklin – it reminds me that others have been through things much tougher than I have...gives me courage to do anything I want to do
- www.tisascreations.etsy.com – top website, because I love all my creations!!!

What advice would you give to aspiring artists / business owners?
It takes time...your company will not be a huge success over night. There are days when you just want to give up - but your day will come. It’s true - I was just interviewed for an article in Black Purl Magazine: www.black-purl-magazine.com/SUM08-ARTcraftinggreen.htm How she found me...on my sister’s blog. Continue to find ways to promote yourself.

How do you promote your work?
My website, blog, craft fairs, friends and family

In ten years I'd like to be...
Working for ME!

You can find Tisa at the following places:
Her Blog
Her Shop