Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Who'd a Thunk It!

This time last year I was trapped in my apartment, unable to fend for myself; walk to the kitchen or energize myself enough to do even one creative thing. I had injured my right foot badly which necessitated an operation complete with the implantation of four screws which in turn meant that I had great difficulty walking (to say the least). Recovery to self sufficiency took about three months.

I always try to find a way to make that danged lemonade though, so I used the time to update my website, open my Etsy shop and start this blog!!! I really can't believe it's been a year already. My foot is about 96% healed, I'm back to my normal routine and I'm happy to say my life has changed so much - for the better.

To celebrate my blogiversary I'm having my first ever giveaway! I'm lifting the rules from my friend Christine's blog. Why re invent a wheel that seems to be turning? Play your cards right and this sweet little pendant embossed with one of my trademark fleurs will be winging it's way to you next week. Here goes:

• Leave a comment telling me what your favorite piece in my shop is. I really value your opinions because they help me to know which ones you particularly like (thanks in advance!).

• Bonus entries (help spread the word):
1. Blog about the giveaway
2. Befriend me on Facebook and tell all your other friends about the giveaway

• And to make it just a little more interesting (for me), come back and leave an additional comment when you blog or FB about the giveaway. That will let me track each of your entries (I wanna give credit where credit is due). Oh, and if you leave an anonymous comment, please be sure to include your name and e-mail addy or I won't be able to contact you!

I'll assign each entry a number and use a random number generator to pick the winner. No playing favorites. Party time starts today and ends next Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Pacific time. Bon Chance! Party on!

85 comments:

Susan Dilger said...

Ok, I'll play. I love MANY of the pieces in your shop, but my favorite is Croix de Lis earrings. Always loved that design.

Things have certainly changed for you in a year. Glad you were able to take a hardship and turn it positive for you. Congrats, and MUCH more success to come!

Elaine said...

Happy Blogiversary! And congrats on being mobile again. Yay, health!

These are my favorites: Bronze Brocatelle Oval Earrings.

~Elaine

Elaine said...

Oh my god, I just saw that your hospital tag says Self-Pay! Ack! That's even worse than foot surgery!

Marissa said...

Congrats on the Blogiversary! I too kept my plate and seven pins from an ankle surgery I had when I was in HS. I thought I'd use them some day....maybe in a Michael deMeng class ;)

My favorite piece of yours is the goddess pendant.

Margaret Schindel said...

Congrats on your Blogiversary and good riddance to your foot troubles!!! :)

My favorite pieces in your Etsy shop are the Renaissance Dewdrop Earrings and the Percheron Earrings.

Paige said...

Congrats on the blogiversary.

If I have to pick just one I have to go with the croix de Lis earrings. But If I got to pick two I would add the paramour box bead heart pendent.

I also blogged about your give away over at Hammer Stitch Burn.

Juanita Burton said...

My plate and pins are still in my foot since high school. Can't take them out. They used to set off the old-style security machines, but no longer...wonder if they disintigrated??LOL.

MY FAV right now is Paramour Pendant, but loving the lentil bead above as well....

Thanks.
Juanita

Maggie Bergman said...

Congratulations Lora! What a year it's been! Keep up the good work, your blog is great, I love reading it!

My favourite piece from your Etsy shop is: Croix de Lis Earrings!
They are gorgeous...:)

Lynn P said...

My fave from your shop is your Two Become One Pendant. Congrats on your successful blog!

Vickie Hallmark said...

Congratulations on a great year!

My favorite of your current Etsy listing is the pair of Croix de Lis earrings. Of course, I already own two pairs of your earrings, so I should get an extra entry in the drawing for that, right?? ;-))

Chocolate and Steel said...

wow! A year already? congrats. You have certainly developed a really great blog that I love visiting daily. I'm so happy you decided to have a giveaway (purely for selfish reasons).

I have a lot of favorites from your shop. I love the very popular Croix do Lis earrings. I like how you took one tiny element from the lentil and carried it into the piece at the post.

I also love the sun disc pendant and the Percheron Earrings. funny because I don't really wear earrings but both of those are really cool.

I like the casual-ness of the sun disc pendant. have I rambled on long enough yet?

congrats again:)

Chocolate and Steel said...

blogged:)
http://chocolateandsteel.blogspot.com/2009/04/psstgiveaway-alert.html

Karen CHRISTIAENS said...

Wow, congratulations with your 1-year-of-blogging and other stuff. I really like your eye-candy's - every Friday !

My favorites in your Etsy shop are
- Two Become One Pendant
- Percheron Earrings

Nina said...

Congratulations!
My favorite piece in your shop is the Palm Spear Earrings.

green_gecko39(at)yahoo(dot)com

Rachelle Sharp said...

My favorite is the Paramour Pendant Necklace. It's awesome.
-Rachelle

balanced. said...

Goodness, you are a trooper!

I have to say, all your pieces are truly beautiful and unique, but if I must pick I'm going with your Two Become One Pendant. It is stunning!

Unknown said...

WOW! Your stuff is beautiful! My favorite is the Baby Lentil Pendant. It was a hard choice though.

Karen Gill said...

Hi there and Happy Anniversary!!

So glad I found you. My favorite item MIGHT be Drifting Hearts Earrings. I say might because it was pretty tough narrowing it down to one! Love stuff!! Off to blog!

Karen Gill said...

Hi again! I've blogged about it! Have a happy blogiversary!

Karen

Lora Hart said...

Thanks to everyone who's commented and taken a look at my shop so far! And to those who have blogged about it of course. I'm loving the response this contest has received! Keep 'em commin'.

Melissa said...

Hi! I am loving all your pieces! I so want to do PMC...I have put it on my list!

My fav it the Gothic cross!

~M

Stephanie said...

Provenier Necklace - GORGEOUS! I would wear that everyday :) love anything ancient/greek looking.

I just found your blog through Christine. Really enjoy the work you do. Congrats on your blogiversary! I'm new to blogging (only a few months in) ...but its easy to see how it will change my life.

Hope your foot is 100% soon! I'm def. putting you on my favorites! I'll be back :)

Stephanie

Melissa said...

I blogged about you!

http://pinkzinnias.typepad.com/mmd/2009/04/lora-hart-pendant-giveaway.html

sharon said...

Thanks to Christine at Chocolate and Steel for telling us about your beautiful jewelry, and congrats on your blogiversary! I'd have to agree with Christine, my favorite piece would be the Sun Disc Pendant, beautiful design, contrast of colors and textures, just gorgeous!
Thanks for the chance at a giveaway!

ohdawno said...

Also heard about your lovely site and store from Chocolate and Steel.

My favorite piece in your store is Baby Lentil. It just seems to say "Spring is here!"

Thank you for having a fun giveaway.

Erin said...

I like Croix de Lis Earrings. They are so pretty and detailed.
erin_melissa at juno dot com

Anonymous said...

It was hard to pick! But I think my favorite is the Croix de Lis Earrings!

just me and z said...

Congrats on your Blogoversary! And congrats on being almost 100% healed. I'm glad that you are feeling so much better.

My favorite is the Paramour Pendant. I LOVE the heart with the flourish. It is gorgeous.

Thank you for the chance to win. I will post a link on my blog too.

Have a blessed day,
lindsay

hkmouse said...

Difficult choice, but I think the Two Become One pendant is my favorite. I love the textured copper peeking from behind the silver.

Joanie Hoffman said...

yikes, it hurt to read about your foot, yeay it's better now.
favorite piece in your etsy shop, ahh, it was love at first sight when I saw the frangere pendant.
off to my blog to spread the word of your giveaway and shop.
happy days,
joanie

Joanie Hoffman said...

blogged about your pendant here:
http://joaniehoffman.blogspot.com/2009/04/such-and-such.html

just me and z said...

I also added your contest to my "Contests and Giveaways" list on my blog.

www.justmeandz.blogspot.com

-Lindsay

SCJ Jewelry Design said...

Happy Blog anniversary! My favortive item of yours is the Two Become One pendant.
My maiden name was Hart - would that give me a bonus point?
http://SCJJewlyDesign.blogspot.com

just me and z said...

I think I added you on facebook too, but I'm not sure since there were a lot of Lora Hart's!! :)

Hol said...

Thanks for offering such a nice contest! I really like your "Baby Lentil Pendant". The size is perfect and I love the touch of green from the Tourmaline bead.

Cherylyn Gnadt said...

I would have to say the "Two became one" pendant. I love the mixed metals and flowing lines.

Tatiana said...

ooh difficult choice! My favourites are the Croix de Lis earings (but the two become one pendant is not far behind!).

Megan8 said...

"Two Become One " pendant. I love the assymetry and contrast of metals. Thanks , Lora !

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

I really like your Drifting Heart earrings! Hopped over here from Karen Gill's.

just me and z said...

I corrected my blog and posted an entry. :)

Thanks for the chance to win!

-Lindsay
www.justmeandz.blogspot.com

Hol said...

I posted about this contest on my blog as well. Thanks again!

Our Little Family • Lora Hart Jewels - Fleur Pendant

sandyy456 said...

I have to pick just one favorite? It was a hard choice, but I have to go with the Croix de Lis Earrings...they're beautiful!

kendall.micayla said...

Palm spear earrings! They are gorgeous, love them!
I am off to post about you!
Crossing my fingers....
Kendall

kendall.micayla said...

I blogged about it: Color-eye-see.blogspot.com
Thanks for this lovely giveaway!
Kendall

Cherylyn Gnadt said...

For a little added boost for the giveaway. I included it in my latest blog entry. Happy Blogversary!
http://clynstudio.blogspot.com/2009/04/parallels-patterns-passions-and-prizes.html

Beth Anderson said...

Congrats and I'm thrilled to enter your giveaway. All of your jewelry is awesome however my favorite is Sun Disc. Keep the lovely jewelry coming......

janaemadsen said...

I like the paramour heart. I found your giveaway at my sister's blog rachellesharp.blogspot.com
what a beautiful shop and a great giveaway!

sharon said...

I blogged about it on my blog for you! Here's to another great year!!
Good luck!!

ohdawno said...

Posted about your blog and contest today.

Patty said...

Congrats on the anniversary! You have many beautiful pieces, but I'm really drawn to the paramour pendant.

wendy said...

I love many things in your shop but your bronze pieces are excellent. It is so hard to pick my favorite... Is it the Loves me hoops.. or the bronze bassinet earrings? I cannot choose..
Or is it the croix de lis earrings..
They are all beautiful. These are my 3 favorite. I cannot choose..
I love your blog, it is so inspiring. Congratulations on your anniversary
Wendy

Clever Endeavor said...

This is hard. I think my favorite is your paramour pendant, second would be your pillow bead pendant and third would be your Aqua Split Lentil Bead. Congrats on you blog anniversary! I am on here all the time!

Chris
Clever Endeavor

Unknown said...

hi there! I love all your pieces... i think i would say a fav would be the paramour one.. very cool. thanks for the giveaway! :)

Chris said...

I can't decide between the Sun Disk Pendant or the Bronze Brocatelle Oval Earrings! There are so many beautiful items in your store!

danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

erin said...

I have so many favorites it would be hard to pick just one. My favorites are the Paramour Pendant -- I love bar type "pendants" -- the Gothic Cross pendent and the Croix de Lis earrings. I am not sure if I would wear them only because they are posts and a little long for me, but I love the texture and design. If I had to choose just one of these it would be the Paramour Pendant!

You make such lovely things! I am just starting out in pmc (my MIL gave me a kiln for Christmas) and feel like I should take a class to really learn how to use the stuff. I am afraid I will just end up wasting that expensive stuff.

Erin :)

wavecloud said...

Wow! You are so talented! My fave is the Paramour Pendant, but the Weave Bracelet is also gorgeous! Thanks for the giveaway!

Jenna

Ngan {eNVe Designs} said...

I can't believe you've only had 11-ish sales.. your work is incredible! I've just started to play with PMC and it definitely is no easy task to create with. I really like so many of your designs, but my favs would have to be the Frangere Pendant necklace and the Loves Me hoops (in your sold section). I wish you all the best in your coming years! Thanks for having this great giveaway!

(I'll also blog and friend you on FB)

Ngan {eNVe Designs} said...

I blogged about your giveaway.

http://envedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/04/pssst-another-great-giveaway.html

Btw, I also checked out your website and must say that there are so many more favs from there! Your work is gorgeous!

Pam said...

Love the renaissance dewdrop earrings though all your pieces are gorgeous!

melacan at hotmail dot com

Doreen said...

I think all the items in your shop are really wonderful! I would be proud to wear any of them. If I had to pick a favorite it would the Paramour Pendant. I'm always a sucker for hearts!

Doreen said...

I blogged about your giveaway! Please enter me again :-)

valerie2350 said...

i like the two become one pendant

Tonja Lenderman said...

The Croix de Lis Earrings are to die for !!!! I love the design and way they dangle. Definitely make more in this style. :)

stregata said...

Very awesome! I love the Sun Disk Pendant.
Congrats for your blog and your past year!
Renate

Beading Mommy said...

My fav is the pair of Percheron Earrings. They are SOOOO unique!

Ms. Lahtidah said...

I really like the Croix de Lis earrings! I love your jewelry in general!

Lora Hart said...

Wow! Thanks everyone for going and looking at my pretties. And for commenting too! Love those comments. I always knew you could do it. ;-)

Good luck, the big draw is in just two days. Fingers crossed. XXXXX

Mellisa said...

Love love the Renaissance Dewdrop earrings, they're just gorgeous! Thank you for having such a generous giveaway :)

peacockfairy said...

My fave is the Provenir Necklace! I am going to blog about the giveaway too! Thanks!

Adri said...

Happy anniversary!! My favourites are the Renaissance Dewdrop Earrings. They are gorgeous!

adri_pc(at)hotmail(dot)com

ohdawno said...

Left message about contest on my Facebook Wall and plugged it on my blog.

Elizabeth Golden said...

Ooh I think I just made it by a day Lucky me! I have been oohing and ahhing over all of your things. Your jewelry is amazing. The other thing that made me relate is your talk about your foot. I broke mine in Sept.of last year. spiral fracture. no weight for four months. I am still limping but getting stronger every day. I was the 1% who did not need screws. I felt your pain. Love the heart and will put it on my blog!

Unknown said...

All your work is so unique...i love the rough but delicate feel...but it's your giveaway piece that is my favorite...it has such a wonderful art nouveau line to it!

Fulvia said...

The third piece on this post is my favourite but I fail to find its name, sorry ... Thanks for the chance!

Unknown said...

I've posted you to my own blog, The French Mouse...hope you enjoy the blog! I am a mutual admirer of the Paris Apartment blog who I discovered you through.

Willnnabel said...

Happy Blog-a-versary! I am happy that things are so much better for you ow. I am visiting a friend who has just undergone her second foot surgery this year to repair a broken foot.

I have been to your "store" and love the "Santuary" piece, it is just beautiful!

lisa_crofts said...

I have just discovered your work from another blog and i am already swooning if i have to pick a favourite it would have to be the Croix de Lis Earrings but I love all of it. I have no idea if i have made the deadline as i live in perth western australia. I will be putting you on my bloglist.

Lora Hart said...

Thanks Lisa and Deb.

By the way Lisa, I notice that you're a new blogger and thought I'd tell you that if you don't make your profile public, then folks won't know who you are or what your blog is. I tried to visit it by clicking on your name and was sad I couldn't reciprocate. ;-\

last minute lynn said...

Thank you for sharing your fab art. I can't resist a heart, try as I may, so my fav piece is PARAMOUR. I love the texture. I think this necklace would look good with any type of clothing or age of wearer.

Anonymous said...

Love your Frangere pendent! Anything with Pearls is for me.Congrats on your first year blog.
debbi g

Cindy said...

Your work is beautiful!! My favorite item is the Paramour Pendant!

Cindy
cindyjhudson@gmail.com

Lucid Moon Studio said...

Congrats! Your blog is great! It was hard to choose, but my favorite is the Croix de Lis Earrings! So pretty and unique! Thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your determination! You've done a great job over the last year and I look forward to another year of amazing posts and eye candy!

I'm loving the Paramour heart pendant right now. I'm looking forward to seeing more work. You're on a roll!

Cheers,

Tonya
www.tonyadavidson.com
www.wholelottawhimsy.com

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, Lora....If I had to pick one, I would say the Percheron Earrings.......
Blessings, Margaret

beth said...

congrats on your anniversary and speedy recovery on your foot.

the rennaisance dew drop earrings are beautiful...what can i say, i love aqua.