Get to know....the featured ad space winner!

I had such a blast with the ad space giveaway and enjoyed reading everyone's comments. I think that I might do this again later in the summer and leading up to the holiday season. I thought it would be fun to learn a little more about the first ever winner of Kawartha Beads ad space for a month so I asked her to share a little bit about herself and her blog! Be sure to stop by and check out Life in the Pitts! Thanks to Helena for sharing with us:

Hi guys! I'm Helena, from Life in the Pitts.

This past year I got engaged, got married, and moved across the country so my husband could start Dental School here in Pittsburgh. It was a big year.

It took me a while to find a job (mostly because the job market is tough. But also because I was lazy), and so I started blogging to fill my time. But then I discovered craft blogs.

And became obsessed.

My husband doesn't really approve.

Probably because I keep writing about him.

Life in the Pitts isn't really a craft blog. There are craft blog elements, and I make stuff sometimes. But really? I write about everything.

I host Giveaways, share my artwork with the world, and try to give realistic, meaningful examples of family love.

(I also have an Etsy shop, but it's kind of an afterthought)

And that's me!

Your Chance to Win Ad Space!

I was thrilled to meet Sarah over at Blogger Chix Designs, a fun and informative blog for working at home, growing your blog and more! She has been hosting Ad Spot Giveaways for various sites and blogs and you can win great advertising spaces throughout June and July.
Now it’s your chance to WIN a spot right here on Kawartha Beads! One ad space (125x125) will be given away for the duration of 1 month. Only family friendly blogs are eligible to win.

But first, here's more info about me:

I am the proud mommy to an adorable toddler, bead addict and coffee-aholic! I began my blogging adventure as a means to promote the supplies shop that I run in conjunction with my mother and our handmade items. I am lucky to have inherited the creative fever from her and she is my greatest teacher and inspiration. I instantly loved blogging, sharing my thoughts, learning from others and exploring the endless stories behind the computer screens. I launched Kawartha Beads earlier this year after taking some time off from the creative aspect of our business to focus on my little one and evaluate my direction. I really wanted Kawartha Beads to be a resource both for the online community who loves handmade, as well as to offer local information for those in the area. I am continually working to create a balance between the two and am still learning everyday.

The creative flame is hard to extinguish and I’ve found my beads calling me late at night when my little one has gone to bed. I recently opened my own Etsy shop Kawartha Beads to share some of my own treasures while my mom concentrates on her own line of jewelry at Bijoux Designs For You/ Together we still scour the globe for interesting and beautiful beads and findings which we offer in our supplies shop Rouge River Beads (http://rougeriverbeads.etsy.com). Above all else I cherish the time that I have been able to spend with my mom while sharing this adventure together. In addition to expanding our family my long term goal is to be able to open my own bead boutique someday! I’ve always believed that if you follow your dreams and work hard they can come true. Hopefully you will join me in that journey…who knows where we will end up!

Now for the entry options. Choose to do one or all! The more times you enter the more chances you have to win!
Want to Enter? Make sure your email address is in your profile OR include it in a comment!

1. Follow Kawartha Beads through Google Friend Connect.
2. Follow Blogger Chix Designs through Google Friend Connect. 2 entries
3. Visit Kawartha Beads and tell me about your favorite item.
3. Follow Kawartha Beads on Twitter.
4. Grab Kawartha Beads button and add it to your blog (right sidebar). 3 entries
5. Grab Blogger Chix Designs button and add it to your blog. 3 entries
6. Blog or tweet about Kawartha Beads, Blogger Chix and/or this giveaway. 3 entries

ENDS June 25 at 11:59 EST!

Friday Follow- A Celebration of Followers April 9th

It has been afew weeks since I have participated in Friday Follow and I'm excited to check out some great new blogs! Friday Follow is hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! If you haven't taken part before here's how it works:

•* Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.
•* Grab the Friday Follow button and include on your Friday Follow blog post.
•* Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.
•* Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you'd like
•* Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow
•* Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow
Also be sure to stop by Buttons and Blogs for all of your blog design needs!

Happy Friday and have a great weekend everyone!

Starting the day with some SUNSHINE!

What a nice surprise to wake up to this morning! I was thrilled to find that Josee Lafond Design nominated me for the Sunshine Award!
This award is given to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world. So sweet!
The rules for accepting the award are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.
3. Link the nominies within your post.
4. Let Them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5.Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Here are my nominees:

1. Audrey's Country Crafts
2. Christie Cottage
3. Fools and Jewels
4. ARE Jewellery
5. H is for Handmade
6. The Floundering SAHM
7. She's Batty Designs
8. Graphic Design by Tara
9. Bumbleberries Boutique
10. In Pursuit
11. One 2 Try
12. A Single Mom & A Teenaged Girl

I hope that you will check out these blogs for great tips on crafting, business, parenthood and more! Have a favorite blog you would like to share? Feel free to post in the comments...I've got a fresh cup of coffee and would love to do some reading!