This is the second time I am doing a Giveaway. I enjoyed doing the first so I thought I would do it again. 

My second Giveaway will be a $25.00 Gift Certificate (credit) to either of my stores, Maria Bella Jewelry or Tiger Bead Store.

Here are the rules:

Earn your first entry by visiting my Maria Bella Jewelry shop, then come back to this post and leave a comment  on one of the pieces you see there.

Then...

Earn one entry by becoming a Follower of my blog. (Go to comments on this blog post and leave your email address and the words "Blog Follower")

Earn one entryby becoming a Facebook Fan of Maria Bella Jewelry. Once on my page, click on the "Like" button.  (Go to comments on this post and leave your email address and the words "Facebook Fan")  

Earn five entries to win by making a purchase in my jewelry shop.

Please only one entry per entry method above.  Entering more than once for each method will disqualify you from the Giveaway.  If you are all ready a Facebook Fan or a Fan of my Blog, please do not sign up again for these venues.    

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on my blog.  Notification will be through email so please leave your name and email address.

***Winner will be posted Sunday, July 11th, 7:00 PM pacific time.

This week I am featuring the Etsy shop, As You Like It, by DiCarlos.

Stephanie is an artist and teacher in the greater Boston area. Her shop includes original art, cards and jewelry.

Here are a few samples of her artwork from her Etsy shop...

Silver Butterfly Two-Strand Necklace

Dangle Necklace

Flower Mandala Blank Card

Orange Mandala Mixed Media Painting

Stephanie just started a new Etsy project yesterday: Unexpected Knock, which is a collections of cards, drawings, and paintings inspired by Emily Dickinson's poems.

You can find out more about Stephanie from her blog, As You Like It.

Mostly a self taught artist, Patricia received a diploma in art after completing an art course studying all mediums with The Penn Foster College. She also has taken lessons locally studying acrylic and oil painting.

Patricia likes to draw with colored pencils and paint watercolors of her favorite subjects, birds and flowers.  You can see that from visiting her Etsy shop.   She also enjoys crafting and making one of a kind jewelry pieces.

Originally from Portland Maine, Patricia currently reside in Florida. In her Etsy shop, The Garden Room,  you can view her paintings, her art images on cards, and  handcrafted jewelry and accessories.

These are a few of my favorites from her shop.
Nature ACEO (This ACEO is a collage)

What's an ACEO ? It stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals, and is a miniature form of artwork the size of a standard baseball trading card.

Day Lily Note Cards

Birds of a Feather

For more information about Patricia and her artwork, visit:

Patricia's Etsy Shop, The Garden Room: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGardenRoom

Her Blog: http://patriciasnow.blogspot.com

Her Twitter: http://twitter.com/PSnowArt

Her Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49138985@N06/

I want to thank everyone who participated in my first giveaway. 

My Giveaway winner was chosen using a random number generator and was lucky number 35! Congratulations to… Sihui, the winner of a $25.00 gift certificate (credit) to Maria Bella Jewelry or my Tiger Bead Store!!!

I had fun doing this and I will do another giveaway the beginning of July so come by and sign up again.

Thanks again everyone!

Mary Ann

Cherry Blossom Branch Tiles, vinyl wall art decal

Off the Wall Expressions is a husband & wife team specializing in vinyl graphics for home and business. Mick has been a graphic designer for almost 20 years.  He creates the designs for the vinyl signs.  Tina is the idea person, blogger, order packer, e-marketeer and corresponder.

They have so many wonderful signs to choose from.  Vinyl designs are quick and easy to apply, instantly transforming your space into something special. You can use vinyl to decorate, make a statement, motivate, inspire, amuse, and organize any area.

Vinyl can be applied to any smooth surface such as walls, windows, wood, glass, refrigerators, plastic, bathtubs, picture frames, and many more.  If you do not see a design that is perfect for you, Mick and Tina can create a custom sign to your specifications.

Here is a few examples of what is available in their shop. 

Dance in the Rain, vinyl decal

Happily Ever After vinyl decal (This one is my favorite!)

For more information about Off the Wall Expressions, check out:

Facebook and become a Fan - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Off-the-Wall-Expressions/50599134212

Their blog for new stuff, features and the occasional funny story:
www.offthewallexpressions.blogspot.com

I have a jewelry and bead blog named Maria Bella Jewelry and Tiger Bead Store.  I am doing a gift certificate Giveaway and I wanted to extend this Giveaway to my readers of "The Very Best Cats."  If you are interested, take a look and enter.

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I have seen many blogs doing different Giveaways and I thought it would be fun to do one here on my blog. 

My first Giveaway will be a $25.00 Gift Certificate (credit) to either of my stores, Maria Bella Jewelry or Tiger Bead Store.

There's always rules for Giveaways and here are mine:

-Earn your first entry by visiting my Maria Bella Jewelry shop, then come back to this post and leave a comment on one of the pieces you see there.

Then...

-Earn one entry by becoming a Follower of my blog. (Go to comments on this blog post and leave your email address and the words "Blog Follower")

-Earn one entry by becoming a Facebook Fan of Maria Bella Jewelry. Once on my page, click on the "Like" button.  (Go to comments on this post and leave your email address and the words "Facebook Fan")  

-Earn five entries to win by making a purchase in my jewelry shop.

Please, only one entry per entry method above.   

***Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on my blog.  Notification will be  through email.

***Winner will be posted Sunday, June 6th, 7:00 PM pacific time.

I have seen many blogs doing different Giveaways and I thought it would be fun to do one here on my blog. 

My first Giveaway will be a $25.00 Gift Certificate (credit) to either of my stores, Maria Bella Jewelry or Tiger Bead Store.

There's always rules for Giveaways and here are mine:

-Earn your first entry by visiting my Maria Bella Jewelry shop, then come back to this post and leave a comment on one of the pieces you see there.

Then...

-Earn one entry by becoming a Follower of my blog. (Go to comments on this blog post and leave your email address and the words "Blog Follower")

-Earn one entry by becoming a Facebook Fan of Maria Bella Jewelry. Once on my page, click on the "Like" button.  (Go to comments on this post and leave your email address and the words "Facebook Fan")  

-Earn five entries to win by making a purchase in my jewelry shop.

Please, only one entry per entry method above.   

***Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on my blog.  Notification will be  through email.

***Winner will be posted Sunday, June 6th, 7:00 PM pacific time.

John William Waterhouse is one of my very favorite artists.  I could look at the images of his paintings for hours.  I think his paintings with women in them are so beautiful.

Because I love his work so much, I have borrowed a few of his women for a few jewelry pieces I have made of late.  But I also wanted to find out more about his life and share what I have found with you.     

John William Waterhouse (6 April 1849 — 10 February 1917) was an English Pre-Raphaelite painter who is most famous for his paintings of female characters from Greek and Arthurian mythology.

Born in Rome, Waterhouse's parents, both English artists, nurtured his artistic talent and love of classical subjects. Upon his family's return to England in 1870, Waterhouse attended Royal Academy Schools. The artist's early work, historical genre in ancient settings, was strongly influenced by the work of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.

Throughout his career Waterhouse painted romantic and poetic subjects, often featuring women characterized by their wistful expression and haunting sensuality. Waterhouse was strongly influenced by the work of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and adapted many of their classical and literary themes for his own compositions. The densely atmospheric works of Waterhouse's mature style is characterized by bold brushwork and a rich, opalescent palette.

During his lifetime, the artist enjoyed a high level of success and frequently exhibited at the Royal Academy. Waterhouse enjoyed the support of many distinguished patrons and his work was collected by British and Australian museums. The artist worked up until his death in 1917.

(Biographical information sourced from The Columbia Encyclopedia and Wikipedia)

Kei is a self-taught glass artist.  The first time she melted a glass rod (example photo above), she knew she was hooked on glass.  Kei has done a bit of glass fusing, and glass blowing, but lampworking is really her love.  Because she enjoys glass so much, she will be exploring other techniques in the future.

Most of the glass work in her Etsy shop is fused glass pieces.  A simple explanation of glass fusing is cutting different shapes of glass, layering them in whatever pattern you want, and then fusing or melting the pieces together in a kiln.

These are a few samples of her work from Kei Glass on Etsy:

MONACO - Rainbow Glass Pendant

SKYE - Glass Pendant and Earrings Set

NANTONG - Glass Pendant

Very beautiful pieces.

You can find out more about Kei and her Etsy shop Kei Glass in the following locations:

Kei's Etsy store http;//www.keiglass.etsy.com

Kei's Website at http://www.keiglass.com

Become a FAN of Kei Glass on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/keiglass

Follow her on twitter @keiglass

Or email her at keiglass@yahoo.com

With every purchase in my jewelry store, receive a FREE pair of earrings, my "Little Pinkies."

They are made of checz glass beads with an AB finish.  AB means aurora borelias and is a rainbow type of finish on the glass.  The middle and top beads are cats eye beads.  And the ear wires are silver plated metal.

So you can buy something for yourself, and get a gift for someone else!