Here at Gussy has a lot to say {and sew} we love to look at all things beautiful. Beautiful jewelry to wear when out with someone special, beautiful stories about finding joy and inner creativity…
Today is week #25 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 Marcy at Eclectic Orchid.
***
What inspires you?
I take inspiration from music, movies, nature, my family, found objects (aka: antique and thrift store treasures), bright bold colors, and any and all things shiny!
Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
I currently reside in South Carolina in one of the outlying suburbs of Charlotte, NC. I have lived here for four years with my husband, daughter and canine son. My home, however, will always be a small town in Southern Louisiana, between New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico.
Name something unique to where you live.
There is a fun little festival every Spring called the Come See Me Festival. During the weekdays there are musicians in a very lovely place called Glencairn Gardens. It is one of our city’s little gems. The azaleas are always at peak blooming time. You can sit back and take in the sights, smells, and sounds of the return to spring.
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I actually have a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. So many years spent in college to come to the realization later on that all I ever wanted to do was create beautiful things.
How did you come up with your shop name?
I absolutely adore orchids. I love their beauty, simplicity and delicate nature (did I mention I can’t keep one alive to save my life?). My style has always been very eclectic. I love to combine different elements, from feminine, vintage, modern, to edgy pieces for a unique look. Combine the two and voila… I had Eclectic Orchid.
Share a little bit about yourself.
I am a stay-at-home mom to my lovely 4-year-old daughter and my 6-year-old fuzzy son of the canine variety. I adore them and am so thankful to be able to share each and every day with them. I am married to a wonderful man and my best friend. I am also a creator trying to find my place in this beautiful world. I live for big hugs from my daughter, sloppy kisses from my fuzzball son, holding hands with my husband, spending time with my family, getting caught up in happy memories, the first cool day of fall, the first blossoms of spring, traveling to places unknown, finding the beauty in simplicity, and the art of creation.
What made you decide to open up shop?
After my daughter was born, I was going through some boxes and came across my old jewelry supplies. I originally started making jewelry again to break the monotony of being home all the time. I realized how passionate I was about it and that’s how Eclectic Orchid came to be.
Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
My daughter wakes me up bright and early each morning ready to start the day. I stumble to the coffee pot (definitely not a morning person) and get a brew going while I fix her morning cup of chocolate milk. I usually check emails, answer convos, and package orders in the morning. After breakfast we usually run errands, spend some time in the yard, visit with friends, or land where the day takes us. Our days are full and each is always different. At night I usually take time to create. I am a night owl and that’s when the wheels really start turning!
Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
It’s here: Dauphine. This lovely little print called “Dauphine” by a darling little shop called Oh Kirby. I love the colors, the simplicity, everything about it. Sigh. Isn’t it divine?
List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
Any time spent with my family, traveling through the Alps in Austria and Germany with my husband, watching the ocean at Folly Beach, listening to my daughter laugh.
Read any good books lately?
It’s been a while. I keep starting Pride and Prejudice but can’t commit. Does Southern Living magazine count? I am a sucker for articles on pretty gardens.
What is your most prized possession?
Probably my camera. It captures all the moments I never want to forget so that they are forever frozen in time and never lost. Little fragments of time, people and places – memories tucked away for a rainy day.
What are three of your favorite foods?
Can I just go with Greek food? That’s more than three, but I really can’t put a limit on it! Baba Ganoush, Moussaka, Hummus, yummm! A good ole Cajun meal always fits the bill as well! Fried fish, shrimp fettuccine, sausage with red beans and rice. I’m from the south. We know how to eat, haha. Great, now I’m hungry.
What would you like to learn to do?
I got a wonderful sewing machine for Christmas. I would love to learn how to use it and sew all of these wonderful ideas I have in my head!
What are you listening to right now?
Silence. It’s blissful sometimes. There is the ever so faint sound of my husband playing Wii in the background. I really should close the door…
Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I’d really love to see Tuscany. I’ve visited several places in Italy, but I have yet to see Tuscany. I imagine it to be so lovely. I would love to take a bus tour, see a past-its-prime villa, purchase it, renovate it, make friends with the locals, learn to cook Italian food, and find my spirit. Oh wait, that’s “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Oh well, sounds fun doesn’t it?
The Giveaway Goods:
Eclectic Orchid is giving away a set of ruffled flower pins.
To enter:
Leave a comment sharing something positive about your day.
For extra entries {leave a comment for each}:
- Tweet about this: So sassy + sweet! Enter to win a pair of large {ruffled} flower pins from @EclecticOrchid via @GussySews’ blog, http://u.nu/6waec
- Blog about it {please share permalink with us}
EXTRA INFO:
- The giveaway will close Sunday, June 27 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
—
Additional links for Eclectic Orchid:
Blog
Facebook Fan Page
Come on back Friday, July 9 for another Featured Artist post!
something positive? I have the blessing of being a mommy again to my Bubby :)
(the flower pins are GORGEOUS!)
I’m about to embark on a surprise 1st Anniversary surprise from my husband! I think that’s positive!! :O)
I started my day extra early with a big cup of coffee, the Word and the back porch. Can’t get any better than that…and the fact that it’s my day off!
this jewelry is absolutely fantastic!
something positive about my day is that it’s friday!
This morning my 7 month old is adorably mismatched so that she can CRAWL around the floor. And she is so frustrated with her hiccups that she is laughing!!
tweeted @buttrflychic05
It’s Friday & my office smells like warm chocolate chip cookies!
Today will be my second day of work at my new job, for which I am sooo thankful! applying to jobs this summer had been a nightmare, and to be provided with one at last has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.
love that you feature an artist so fun, and the birdhouse feel of her stuff :) adorable ;) I also love the yellow!
So far today, I’ve spent the morning cuddling my pup! I got all the housework completed yesterday so I could enjoy some cuddle-time today…so glad I did!
It’s Friday ! :) I am about to workout which means I’ll have my workout in before lunch. and my husband bought me a new sewing machine this week!!! that i get to initiate tomorrow :) I love the jewelry! Her colors are great!
Super cute pins! I could use one for my outfit today!
Positive: my dad is in town, so I get to hang with him. :)
What a FANTASTIC interview! LOL about Southern Living magazine and Under the Tuscan Sun! Your shop is a vision! LOVE everything! Thanks for this opportunity! And THIS is a GREAT way to start my day! XO
Something positive for today – my son was an alternate on his All Stars team and he got to play last night and just seeing his smile and knowing how happy he is has made me a very proud momma!!! He was just excited to be a part of the team even if he didn’t get to play but since he did it was all the better. My sons are my positive EVERYDAY!
it is Friday and my husband is taking our 2 oldest girls camping… so after I get home, I get the baby down to bed and have the house to myself =)
Something postive about my day: It’s Friday!
My husband comes home tonight after being gone for 4 days)
Tweeted…. @ toiletales… Love the interview.
Taking my children to a water park in the rain:) it’s going to be soo much fun!
Last night was the first night I got a full night’s sleep all week, my daughter has been sick and she’s finally on the mend! So glad!!! I hate seeing her sick. :( Because she’s feeling better we walked down to some neighborhood garage sales and scored her a new slide! Also, we are getting new siding put on the house, and it looks AMAZING! Loving this sunny Friday for so many reasons already. :)
I’m spending my day volunteering for a group I strongly believe in. & this weekend I’m spending my time helping out my FFIL move!
It’s going to be a great day! & weekend!!
I love the flower hair pins- so cute! A positive today is that my I’m picking my Dad up from the airport- woo hoo! :) Thank you for this opportunity!
cmyersdoyle@aol.com
Really beautiful jewelry! My day will be positive because I will be productive. I was very unproductive yesterday so I need to make up for it today. By the end I will feel great for accomplishing a lot (I hope!).
1) It’s Friday! 2) Working only a half-day! 3) Meeting a friend for lunch!
something positive about my day would be that i have a lead for a teaching job! i graduated from college last month and i’m trying my hardest to find a spot in an elementary school. :)
I started my day with a great workout (“boot camp” at the ymca), am spending my afternoon making a dessert and playing with my sweetheart 1 yr old daughter, and this evening we’re going on a much needed double date… hubby and I are meeting friends for dinner. It’s a GREAT day!
My day just started but it started off great because I was able to Skype with my husband who’s currently deployed to Afghanistan. I just know today will be a good day!
so gorgeous and different! i have a brand new puppy — it’s always a joy playing with him. have a lovely weekend. xo!
I fell asleep again despite the lawn mowers going at 8:00 this morning!
I am on vacation today – that is VERY positive!!
Um, silly, It’s Friday! (& payday!)
How nice of you to have a giveaway!! Thank you for the chance to win!
Something positive about today? My boys aren’t fighting and they’re playing quietly upstairs!! Yay!! That’s a huge success in my book!
Love your blog Gussy!
Its not raining even though it was originally forecast to!
One of my dearest friends took the morning off work to come hang out with me and my little ones. I love a friend who doesn’t mind to just spend time with me in the chaos of my home with my two little boys running all over the place. Now that’s a good friend!
A positive for today! Meeting a group of close friends to celebrate a friends upcoming marriage. Good is God! All the time!
Love the colors of the ruffled flower pins!
Have a great day!!
Nicole
Cute flower pins! I’ve enjoyed seeing these wonderful things!
Today’s positive ~ I spent a few hours organizing in my husband’s shed to bless his heart. Now, I get to treat myself by sewing up a birthday gift!
Blessings!
So cute!
A positive for today is that its Friday and the work day is flying by! Counting the hours until I see my smiley baby boy:)
Happy weekend!
It is Friday and I only have ONE more week of my 8 AM history class… Hallelujah!
Those are so cute!!
Tweet tweet
@mdmerenghi
today is a great day because the sun is shining and i am so blessed!
smiles,
gina
I have laughed all day at my son playing with our dogs! He thinks they are the funniest things ever:)
I was able to spend this warm, sun filled Friday at the beach with some amazing people (:
I bought some beautiful sock yarn and since I had a gift certificate it only cost 2 dollars!! That’s a very happy thing. :)
Something positive about my day? I’ve been serving in a ministry for the past 2 weeks, spending time with good friends, and I get to see my man in an hour!
celebrated my oldest child’s 5th birthday today, complete with a full-on party! good times!
Today, I stopped for delicious ice cream at a local shop on my way home!
Got to spend the whole day with my husband and little girl!
Today was just a good day, for no apparent reason! :)
something positive about my day is always my boys jay and sam.i love em too much.
Today we will work in our community garden with dozens of others…and it’s a gorgeous day. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks for the opportunity…something positive – I get to meet my little boy in 5 weeks!
Today my house is showing!! I pray it sells, we are moving back to the city! But the best thing about my house is my family!
nmkng0745@gmail.com
On my way to fav workout classs; GroupKick. It’s been 3wks. Definately a positive!
We just got some electrical work done and my craft closet now has an outlet so I don’t have to run an extension cord out into the room! That’s positive about my day! Lovely stuff featured.
I just tweeted about this too!
I love when kids play in the sprinkler! so simple and sooo much fun!
Something positive? I have the joy of watching my lovely nieces for the weekend!
I tweeted this @megsmorningcup
The earrings are gorgeous.
And something positive… I am having dinner with a friend tonight that I have not seen in a very long time.
I went to my family reunion -which was hot- but the positive was getting to see family members and share fun stories, look at old photos, and hear stories about my ancestors…AND I came home and took a nice nap! Positive day all around. :)
I got to spend the weekend in the great northwoods! And the weather was a perfect mix of sunshine, clouds, and a little bit of rain!
I had the most awesome day with my husband! We went to an aquarium and saw a 3D IMAX movie. Awesome giveaway! :)