• free printables
  • mamahood
    • homeschool
    • Maxwell
    • Natalie
    • Marigold
    • Landon
    • baby things
  • faith
    • 23 identities (PDF)
    • Tanzania + Compassion
    • devotionals >>
      • (in)courage Devotional Bible
      • 31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer & Doer
    • Moody Theological Seminary
  • inspiration
    • our home
    • books
    • lifestyle
    • marriage
    • homeschool
    • simple living
    • we’re debt free!
    • book recommendations
  • homeschool
  • new? start here

Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / featured artist / {Featured Artist: Made Mary}

{Featured Artist: Made Mary}

May 14, 2010 ·
Filed Under: featured artist

This giveaway is now closed!

Here at Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful projects, beautiful colors, beautiful stories about finding joy and inner creativity.

Today is week #22 of my series on Featured Artists, which is a bi-monthly event showcasing fun and sassy handmade shops! I love searching for new wares to show the Gussy community. You can read all back Featured Artist posts by clicking here.

Please join me in welcoming Mary at Made Mary.

***

What inspires you?

Combinations of colors and light — usually something outdoors gets me thinking, but it could be a picture in a gallery or a snippet of conversation!

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?

We currently live in Lewisburg, PA but I grew up in southwestern Virginia originally — and I miss the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Share an interesting fact about yourself.

I have a collection of antique guidebooks to Venice, one of my favorite cities.

How did you come up with your shop name?

When I first joined Etsy, it was as a buyer and I never thought about what would make a good shop name. When I did open my shop, all the “made by Mary” variations were taken and I liked that “made mary” sounded like “made merry” — I love the thought that my items might make someone merry!

Share a little bit about yourself.

I am currently a stay-at-home mom, staying busy homeschooling and gardening. I used to be a college professor and it has taken me a few years to not get butterflies in my stomach when the end of the summer rolls around. I have been friends for over 20 years with Mary from New Hampshire — who is crafty in the most wonderful way and who suggested I make something for my shop for special celebrations. She inspired me to make garlands.

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?

I hope one day I can say “resilient” — but I have some work to do to get there!

What made you decide to open up shop?

I needed to have some way to recover the costs of all the fabric and craft supplies I was buying! And I get such delight from the handmade things in my home that I wanted to have a larger part in the crafting community.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.

Selling handmade gives me a chance to play and be creative and, I hope, to bring some joy to other people.

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.

It is very hard to choose, because there are so many lovely things in our home from Etsy. But we do especially love our wobbly plates and bowls from BB at atelierBB.

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.

Walking, gardening, reading, playing boardgames with my family, talking to my friends, making Etsy treasuries!

Read any good books lately?

Yes! I found “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” really gave me optimism about the future, and in regard to crafts, I have enjoyed looking through Jane Brocket’s “The Gentle Art of Domesticity.”

What is your most prized possession?

If I disregard the really important things, like baby pictures of my son… it’s my bed linens, especially the duvet — very silly but every night it feels like such a pleasure to curl up underneath its warm, but light-weight coziness. Even my son will often ask to sleep in our bed (even though he has his own comforter), just to enjoy it.

What are three of your favorite foods?

Beside chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate? I shouldn’t eat very many of these, but fleur de sel caramels are wonderful. And I love salads.

What would you like to learn to do?

I would like to learn how to play a stringed instrument — like a cello, or maybe guitar.

What are you listening to right now?

My husband saying goodnight to my son! We recently discovered a great guitarist named Lily Afshar – whose CD “A Jug of Wine and Thou” is great.

***

The Giveaway Goods:

Mary is giving away a Summer Garland
{If you’d like you may choose moss green or sepia brown thread instead of silver.}

To enter:

Leave a comment sharing how you’d use the garland in your home.

For extra entries {leave a comment for each}:

  • Tweet about this: Enter to win a felted garland for your home via @GussySews’ blog http://u.nu/4brs9
  • Blog about it {please share permalink}

EXTRA INFO:

  • The giveaway will close Sunday, May 16 at 10 pm CST, and the winner will be announced the following day
  • An email address must be listed on your blog profile or in the comment you leave

***

Please check back Thursday, May 27 for another Featured Artist post!
*note the one-time day change — Thursday instead of Friday…

—
Additional links for Made Mary:
Inspiration 1
Inspiration 2

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn



Filed Under: featured artist

« {24 hours to go!}
{While Gus is away…} »

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    May 14, 2010 at 6:34 am

    How adorable! I would love to hang the garland up in my daughter’s playroom! So fun and colorful!
    amanda_bryant@snet.net

  2. Amanda says

    May 14, 2010 at 6:35 am

    Tweet, Tweet, Tweeted! http://twitter.com/NavyLady6894/status/13971294797

  3. Jules T says

    May 14, 2010 at 7:02 am

    I love the garland! It would be the perfect accent to my fireplace mantle this summer.

  4. Christy says

    May 14, 2010 at 7:28 am

    Oh my! How cute! I could definatly use one of hers garlands to perk up my craft room.

  5. Melinda says

    May 14, 2010 at 7:31 am

    That garland is awesome! I have this little window into my dining room off my entry way, and I would hang it there. Love it!

  6. Melinda says

    May 14, 2010 at 7:32 am

    Tweeted @mstacer

  7. Kayla says

    May 14, 2010 at 7:41 am

    ohhh, I would string it in my kitchen window right in front of my sink.. this would make washing dishes a bit more exciting :)

  8. Pamela says

    May 14, 2010 at 8:01 am

    Enjoying the whimsy of the garland. And yes, I am merrier for it! Would love the moss thread.

    Thank you for sharing your talent.

    beehope3 at gmail (dot) com

  9. amy @ twirl bird's blog says

    May 14, 2010 at 8:19 am

    Oooooh, I love these!

    And I’m a SW Virginia native too. Love those Blue Ridge Mountains. :)

  10. Kaira says

    May 14, 2010 at 8:27 am

    I’d hang it in my living room by the felted alpaca wool balls I just felted recently.

  11. Jingle says

    May 14, 2010 at 8:41 am

    Oh, this garland is absolutely LOVELY! I have a GIANT bulletin board in my studio that SO needs some dressing up! This would be perfect strung across the top of it!!!! PERFECT!

  12. Allison says

    May 14, 2010 at 8:50 am

    This makes me think of happiness. I would put the garland in my home office which is painted royal blue with white trim. It would look like little bits of happiness floating in water.

  13. Candice says

    May 14, 2010 at 9:09 am

    I love the garland! The summer strand would be a perfect addition above the window in my kitchen! Thank you for this opportunity! :)

  14. Kelly O. says

    May 14, 2010 at 9:29 am

    I would string it from the light fixture i the dining room to add a pop of colour!

  15. Maryanne says

    May 14, 2010 at 9:50 am

    How cute! I think I would hang it in my dining room so I could smile at it every day!

  16. DrayaAnn says

    May 14, 2010 at 9:57 am

    I LOVE the garland. I would drap it over my bed and fall asleep looking up at it!
    Oh I twittered about the give away too!

  17. Alisha in Ohio says

    May 14, 2010 at 10:05 am

    So beautiful!

    I would either hang them over my bookcase or display with my needles in a bowl in my Knitting/Sewing Room! And then definitely pull them out as a centerpiece in the summer on my kitchen table!

  18. Alisha in Ohio says

    May 14, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Tweedle dee dee! Tweet Tweet!

    http://twitter.com/imabuckeye/status/13981112145

  19. susan r says

    May 14, 2010 at 10:26 am

    I would use it the master bedroom. The walls are desperate for color!

  20. Valerie S says

    May 14, 2010 at 10:35 am

    These are so cute! I would use it in my kitchen, we have a sliding glass door I would hang it over.

  21. Goldie says

    May 14, 2010 at 10:45 am

    I would put it in my daughter’s room..She would love it…

  22. holly p says

    May 14, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Cute garland and great feature! I’d hang it in my sewing room.

  23. Ashley G. says

    May 14, 2010 at 11:32 am

    I would most likely hang it on the window in my kitchen. It would look really good there.

    ashley.garrett@ymail.con

  24. Tonya Brown says

    May 14, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    my 15 yr old daughter would love to have these in here newly painted bedroom.
    thanks for the chance to win.

  25. Nicole says

    May 14, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Oo, how cute! I would hang them in the baby’s room for a punch of color or over the opening between our dining room and kitchen. :)

  26. rebecca g says

    May 14, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    cute! i’d hang this in my daugter’s bedroom!
    rgridley at gmail dot com

  27. April in CT says

    May 14, 2010 at 6:29 pm

    These are absolutely adorable! I would probably string it across our dark brick fireplace to brighten it up for summer. *crosses fingers* So cute!

  28. Christy Stout says

    May 14, 2010 at 7:05 pm

    I would use this to dress up our daughter’s room :)

  29. Kirsten says

    May 14, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    definitely in my bedroom on my curtains–they would look perfect with the blue!

  30. Elizabeth Johnson (Toile) says

    May 14, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    What a nice interview… I would put this garland in our bedroom over the window. It is so pretty!

  31. robin says

    May 15, 2010 at 1:56 am

    just tweeted!
    @wellofcreations
    wellofcreations@gmail.com

  32. robin says

    May 15, 2010 at 1:58 am

    I have a friend who is buying her dream house and she closes at the end of the month-I would gve it to her as a housewarming gift: she would LOVE IT!

  33. aimee says

    May 15, 2010 at 3:20 am

    This garland is BEAUTIFUL! I would LOVE to win it and would use it at my WEDDING!
    Thanks for sharing such a lovely post!

    Have a great weekend!
    Love
    Aimee
    x

  34. Deborah says

    May 15, 2010 at 6:03 am

    How happy and cheery! Love the bright colors. I know just where I would hang that in my living room to greet visitors.

    Deborah
    comfortjoydesigns AT gmail DOT com

    Michigan Addy Ready

  35. lis says

    May 15, 2010 at 10:26 am

    very cute! I think they would be cute out on the deck by the bbq. so festive!

  36. Paige says

    May 15, 2010 at 11:13 am

    This would be so cute on my little back porch! Thanks for the chance.

    epfaulkner at gmail dot com

  37. sam says

    May 15, 2010 at 11:33 am

    I would give it to my daughter, for her room. It would look adorable above her bed.

  38. Amanda says

    May 15, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    I’d string it across my wall right by my bed. I had meant to hang christmas lights this past christmas and never got around to it so the hooks are still up waiting for something pretty to hold on to. Lovely garlands. Thanks for sharing!

  39. Heather says

    May 15, 2010 at 5:31 pm

    Very cute! Thanks!

    hyoung717(at)gmail(dot)com

  40. Elizabeth says

    May 15, 2010 at 9:03 pm

    Love this!
    This garland would be the inspiration used for decorating my son’s room!

  41. Megan Lane says

    May 15, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    CUTE! i think i’d hang it above my desk to add some color to my little corner. and i’d move it to our back garden when we have outdoor gatherings :)

  42. Tammy says

    May 15, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    These are so cute. Love the colors. I would drape them from my kitchen chandelier.

  43. thepricklypinecone says

    May 15, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    I would hang this in our entry way to bring some cheer when anybody came through the front door!

  44. Tara says

    May 16, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    I would use the garland in my (future) daughter’s bedroom

    • Tara says

      May 16, 2010 at 3:35 pm

      my email is corsair4christ@yahoo.com

  45. Stephanie C. says

    May 16, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    I would use the garland in the play area!

  46. Michelle Myers says

    May 16, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    Looks lovely for my kid’s playroom! :)

Trackbacks

  1. {While Gus is away…} says:
    May 15, 2010 at 11:02 am

    […] the Featured Artist giveaway: Made Mary {closes Sunday @ 10 pm […]

  2. Buy cialis buy viagara. says:
    June 4, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    3gp young size bbs -cialis -gay….

    Cialis….

  3. Side effects of drug xanax. says:
    June 4, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    Xanax….

    Buy xanax. Xanax. Xanax dosage….

  4. Cialis. says:
    June 6, 2010 at 7:47 pm

    Cialis….

    Taking viagra with cialis. Buying generic cialis. Cialis best price buy online. Cialis….

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube
ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
READ MORE >>

instagram

Follow on Instagram

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.