Friday, April 22, 2011

Featured Artist Friday: Interview and Earth Day GIVEAWAY from La Alicia!

Welcome to our next installment of

Featured Artist Friday!


Happy Earth Day!
(In her best Riddler voice...
"Riddle-me this, Batman!")

What's green, water-resistant, and hails from the great state of Texas?
Today's artist! (And, luckily for us, most of the items in her shop!)
Today our artist is Alicia Colina-Ashby who owns the fabulous Etsy shop La Alicia.

Cute right?
What if I told you they are made from paper? Sometimes it's even Junk Mail! Talk about "green!"

Wanna know more? I did, too!
So, I set up an interview. Enjoy!

Alicia, How did you get started with paper folding?
Were you the kid in class always folding up her candy wrappers?

When I was little, my mom and I made origami animals to put on the Christmas tree one year. We both totally enjoyed it and made other origami on occasion. Later on, a friend of my grandmother's taught me how to fold gum wrappers (which are no longer printed, btw) and I loved making the colorful, scented Double Mint gum wrapper chains.

To this day, when I unwrap a straw, I HAVE to fold the straw paper into a little bow. I don't really think about it -- it just happens. Some people knit or crochet to relax -- I fold paper.
Oh my! Those bobby pins are made from a red "security envelope?!" Too cute!
Is most of your work for others? Or, do you feature some of your work in your own home, too?

When I started out most things I made were experimental and just for my home.
Three years later, almost everything I make is for others.
I'm continually amazed with all the colors and textures paper.

Can I just tell you, I love your subtle sense of humor -
• Water Resistant
• Not made for snorkeling or showering

Speaking of water, your coin purses are VERY nice.
Understanding that this is a paper product, what can we expect in terms of wear?

No foolin', my bags wear really well. They are made up of many layers of paper and then have two coats of water based sealer applied to them. I have a bag that I have been carrying regularly for two years and the only change in the bag as it has aged, is a little softening on the corners where it bumps into things.

Those adjustable rings are darling!
If I had a little girl's birthday party coming up they might be perfect for party favors.
Could I choose custom colors or theme, e.g. "The Mouse?"

Of course! If there is a special paper you have that you'd like me to use to make them, I can do that too!

Where is your "studio?"
Do you have stacks and stacks of junk mail at the waiting?
(Can I send you mine!! Heck, can I SELL you mine - lol!)

You're too funny!
I live in a one bedroom apartment and when I first moved in, my studio was the dining room. I quickly outgrew that space and now the bedroom is my studio and I sleep in the dining room. It works out very well. It's a little nontraditional but I'm ok with that!

I have a good supply of paper, at the moment, thanks to friends and other "greenies". Twice a year I will put out an email asking for people's unwanted paper and I am always overwhelmed and grateful with the paper that people are willing to give. If you're interested in lessening the junk mail that arrives in your mailbox, you can visit http://www.the-dma.org/index.php and click on the green icon in the upper left to remove yourself from many mailing lists.
And, those Eco-Chic ornaments made from reclaimed text book paper look to be the perfect Christmas gift for teachers. Could we contact you for a custom order for multiples - since kids have LOTS of teachers?

Yes, they are great for teachers, librarians and fellow book worms! I usually use all different kinds of books that I find damaged. I'm happy to do orders with multiples or custom sets and papers, just ask.


That Eco-Chic (love that description!) Music Garland has me signing a happy tune!
Actually, it has me thinking about warm memories - and maybe thoughts of stringing that near a Christmas tree. And, of course again - perfect music teacher gift.

What is the most sentimental piece you've created?

I actually created a really cool little evening bag for my mom from one of her favorite college design books. It has a woven linen handle and I'll be putting it in the mail to her for Mother's Day.

Shhh, don't ruin the surprise!

Other sentimental pieces I love to work on are keepsake bags using all the maps from a couple's honeymoon. Those are so much fun to work on. I've also made itty bitty bags from wrapping paper from wedding and baby showers. It's amazing how sentimental we find certain kinds of paper.

Speaking of weddings, my husband and I are newlyweds.
How special would it be to have a map of Arizona - where we spent our honeymoon - made into a little mini clutch like the one above! Very fun!

What's the most oddly shaped object you've created?
Did it have curves and corners to work around?

LOL! Hands down, the most odd shaped thing so far has been a lampshade.
The bell shape presented an unusual challenge and since it is really large -- the weight of the paper compounded quickly practically tipping over the lamp. I had to back track and figure out how to make the lampshade lighter -- that was definitely a case of trial and error!
I hear you might have a SPECIAL OFFER AND GIVEAWAY for our readers!

Sorry, the contest has ended :)

I do! I'm offering just your readers a coupon code for 15% off in my Etsy shop. The secret code is "CAFED15". I'll also be giving away a pair of earrings and a pair of bobbies to two lucky winners selected by random.org.

AND...I'm offering a giveaway on YOUR site, too.
Yep, ladies and gents - it's a 2-fer!

You can enter below to win a pair of earrings or bobbies - AND, then head to Alicia's blog to enter to win something from CafeD!

TO ENTER:
Simply leave us a comment below telling us whether you are hoping to win a pair of bobbies or earrings.
I've given you a glimpse into her shop but you'll want to check out her FULL SHOP!


This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE!
(Alicia will ship directly to you)

Contest runs through Friday, April 29th, 2011 at 8 p.m. (Central)
Winner will be randomly chosen.


For up to 5 additional entries:

1. Twitter - "Eco-Chic Recycled Accessories - GIVEAWAY!
http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/04/featured-artist-friday-interview-and.html"

2. Facebook status - "Eco-Chic Recycled Accessories - GIVEAWAY!
http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/04/featured-artist-friday-interview-and.html"

3. "Like" Both of our Facebook pages.
Alicia's Facebook page is here and our Facebook page is here.

4. "Follow" - Both of our blogs via Google Friend Connect.
Alicia's blog is Creative Adventures and our blog - well, you're on it! - it's at Cooking at Cafe D.

5. "Heart" Both of our Etsy shops.
Alicia's Shop is La Alicia and ours is Cafe D.

Leave a separate comment below for each entry.
Please be sure to either leave your e-mail address...
Or, be sure your e-mail is easily found if I click on your comment.


So, check out her store, then tell us below:
Are you hoping to win a pair of bobbies? A pair of earrings?
Tell us below!

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67 comments:

Unknown said...

I'd love to win a pair of those earrings! So lovely.
ninajoleisa at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/ninajoleisa/status/61603148090966016
ninajoleisa at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I follow both yours and Alicia's blogs via GFC.
ninajoleisa at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I added both yours and Alicia's shops as my Etsy favorites (ninajoleisa).
ninajoleisa at gmail dot com

Jel said...

id love to win the earrings :)

punkme15 at gmail dot com

MyHobbyShop said...

this is great! what wonderful creations.
I would love to win the earrings.

~Lily
http://myhobbyshopblog.blogspot.com/
myhobbyshop.etsy@gmail.com

Katarzyna said...

I love the earrings!

gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

Katarzyna said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/Kaziutka/status/61715808967077888

gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

Katarzyna said...

GFC follower of both blogs (Goga)

gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

Katarzyna said...

"Heart" Both Etsy shops as Kaziuta

gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

Birgit said...

I'd love to win a pair of those cute earrings - though I have to say, I'm impressed with all of the work, the bags in the shop are really awesome!!

danaan at gmx dot at

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to win the earrings for my daughter. She collects earrings made of different materials as well as novelty earrings.
Zoe0825@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

I follow Cookin at Cafe D. Thanks for the chance to win.
Zoe0825@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

I follow Creative Adventures.
Zoe0825@verizon.net

Lee said...

I love those really cute earrings!

Lee said...

I follow this blog!

Lee said...

I follow creative adventures

Lee said...

I hearted both the shops on etsy! love them!

Frances said...

I would love to win the earrings!
flataif@gmail.com

Frances said...

Following both the blogs with GFC.
flataif@gmail.com

Frances said...

Hearted both the shops on etsy (username fsl324)
flataif@gmail.com

jhitomi said...

hoping to win the bobbies! Everything in the shop is great.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥Kat F.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´• said...

I'd wear those earrings all the time, they are so cute!
fastkat at gmail dot com

Jenny said...

I love the bobbies!!! <3

angieb said...

Love, love to win the earrings!
angieb
angiebestboss@gmail.com

Dale Graves said...

I GFC followed both pages!
Angieb
angiebestboss@gmail.com

angieb said...

angiebestboss@gmail.com
I followed both FB pages as well
Angieb

Diana Dang said...

i'd love her earrings!

faked_sugartone at hotmail

Diana Dang said...

like both fbs under diana dang

faked_sugartone at hotmail

Diana Dang said...

follow both blogs

faked_sugartone at hotmail

Amy said...

I would love to win those earrings!

Thank you both so much!

amysweeps at gmail dot com

Amy said...

tweet (http://twitter.com/#!/neverdene/status/61992377455349760)
amysweeps at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I hearted both shops on Etsy (username neverdene).

amysweeps at gmail dot com

CHOCAROME said...

I'd love to win because I love earings, and these are so beautiful.

kasia433@onet.eu

Mitchie said...

i would love to win bobbies cause i dont have my ears pierced
Irinasas at yahoo dot com

Mitchie said...

tweeted the link on my twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/blahstrawberry
My username is blahstrawberry
Irinasas at yahoo dot com

Mitchie said...

i Like" Both of ur Facebook pages as yuki kuran
Irinasas at yahoo dot com

Mitchie said...

i follow both of ur blogs
irinasas@yahoo.com

Mitchie said...

i heart Both of ur Etsy shops
irinasas@yahoo.com

SweetShenanigans said...

I'd love the bobbies but the earrings are great too!
girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

SweetShenanigans said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Alliegal101/status/62292185244119040
girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

SweetShenanigans said...

following both of you on GFC
girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

SweetShenanigans said...

hearted both of you on etsy as alliegal101
girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

Klemm Family said...

So cute! I'd love to have the bobbies.
skklemm at gmail dot com

Kasie said...

I would love either, but the earrings are amazing!

animalcrackers at gmail dot come

Chantele Cross-Jones said...

I'd like the Bobby pins, but I also love the star brooch she makes

Daisy Dayz Home
Cross-Jones-Photography Home

Jus and Kat said...

I'd love a pair of bobbies, I like the Recycled Origami and Korean Paper set.

clenna said...

I would love the earrings but my grand daughter loves the bobbies.


clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I "Like" La Alicia and Cooking at Café D Facebook pages.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via Google both blogs - Creative Adventures and Cooking at Cafe D.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I "Heart" Both Etsy shops:
La Alicia and Cafe D.

clenna at aol dot com

Lucky's Luna said...

I'm hoping to win the earrings, so cute!

luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lucky's Luna said...

I tweeted as @luckysluna
http://twitter.com/#!/luckysluna/status/63410573316063232
luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Lucky's Luna said...

I favorite both of your etsy shops,La Alicia and Cafe D as luckysluna.
luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com

Julia said...

I would love to win the bobbies!

juliapiekielko(at)hotmail.com

Ingrid said...

I've my fingers crossed for the bobbies! :)

so.kitsch at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I hoping to win a pair of bobbies or earrings!

Thank you for the chance!

ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/oksana2372/status/63581703351967744

(@oksana2372)

ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Shared on FB:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=197538033621994&id=100000966605964

(oksana vladimirovna)

ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I like both of your Facebook pages!

(oksana vladimirovna)

ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Following both of your blogs via Google Friend Connect! (ksyshenka)

ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I hearted both of your Etsy shops! (oksana2372)

ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Alessia said...

I'd love to win a pair of those earrings! Very nice! :)

alelale at live dot com

Alessia said...

I follow both of your blogs via gfc (Alessia)

alelale at live dot com

Ashley said...

Earrings!

mrs.marcus2 at yahoo dot com

calej said...

I love the earrings (it was a tough choice though!)

Blessings!

Christina
http://calej.blogspot.com
calejbitsvyk at gmail dot com
twitter.com/calej

Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D said...

The contest is now closed.

I will randomly select 2 winners and announce on Monday.

Good luck to each of you!

Post a Comment

I love to hear your thoughts!
--Dana

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