Dirdy Birdy Giveaway
So this one time I was looking for ‘bee’ jewelry (cuz bees are my thing…check out my header) and I randomly discovered this amazing, amazing Etsy shop, Dirdy Birdy. I contacted the seller, Leah, and asked her some questions. If I thought her jewelry was amazing, it’s nothing compared to her! She is one talented lady, and I’m so excited that she is sponsoring this giveaway!
HBL: How did you learn your craft?
DB: I’ve been making things as long as I can remember. When I was a little kid, I carried around a giant bucket of crayons with me wherever I went, and to this day my younger sister still hates the smell of crayons I became serious about art and craft in high school, and went on to study painting and printmaking in college. Jewelry was always something I did on the side, because it allowed me to calm down from a day of intense painting. I soon learned that I could combine my love for thrifting & antiquing, crafting, and creating special things by putting more time into jewelry making. There’s been a lot of trial and error involved, but it’s been a blast!
 |
| Orange Flower Collage Pendant |
HBL: What is your favorite thing about your craft?
DB: The best thing about jewelry is that unlike a painting or a sculpture, it’s worn and moves with you throughout the day. Jewelry gets out there; people see it and want to talk about it. Though I must say, my absolute favorite part about my craft is the initial hunt; I spend hours and hours at antique stores, thrift stores, rummage sales, etc., digging for pieces to use my jewelry, and that is always something I’ve absolutely loved doing.
 |
| Original Peacock Painting by Leah |
HBL: What are other crafty areas you are interested in?
DB: As I mentioned before, I’m also a painter and printmaker, but besides that I love getting my hands messy with clay, and I also do a little sewing and photography. I’m also very big on furniture upcycling—besides making my jewelry and art, I have an awesome job upcycling amazing pieces of vintage furniture. I like working with a variety of mediums because if forces me to approach whatever ideas I have moving around in my brain differently. It’s easy to get comfortable with one thing, so I have to trick myself; I’ll paint for three days straight and on the fourth day go back to jewelry with a fresh perspective and lots of excitement.
 |
| Garden Creatures |
HBL: Tell me a little about your family…married? kids?
DB: I’m very newly married! My husband and I are high school sweethearts, and even after all the years spent together I still think he’s the funniest person I know. We have to insane cats that we could spend hours watching (they do a lot of really hilarious stuff), and I’m currently trying to convince my husband that we need a dog, preferably a boston terrier.
 |
| These Flowers Keep On Bloomin’ |
HBL: How do you balance work and family?
DB: Balancing work and family can be tricky because my work doesn’t feel like work, so I really do have to remind myself to shut off the computer, put my materials away, and focus on non-work things. Sometimes my husband gets a little persnickety and has to remind me that my work day has ended, but I try to get all my work done when he’s at work so we can operate on a similar schedule.
 |
| Peacock Blue Peony Pendant |
HBL: What is a typical day of work like for you?
DB: I roll out of bed around 7:30, and before I even make it to the coffee maker I’m making lists in my head of what I need to accomplish for the day. I check my emails and Etsy pretty quickly and then start photographing the items I made the previous afternoon; morning always has the best lighting for jewelry photos. Then I get to work on listing new items online, which goes quick some days and so so so slow other days. Depending on which day of the week it is, I either begin making new pieces of jewelry in my studio or I head into work and play with furniture, paint & upholstery and my other Etsy site Fabulous Pieces.
I LOVE the Victorian key necklaces, but the marigold pendant is also really lovely. Very cute stuff!
i love her shop! amazing!
ranaebroadhead@gmail.com
i love autumn because of playing in the leaves!
ranaebroadhead@gmail.com
I love…. Antique Victorian Key Necklace
I just love the cluster pearls and the collage necklaces…they make me drool 🙂
I follow you on Twitter… SassyJoan
My favorite memory of autumn still happens every year. it's the sound of a bunch of dried leaves under your feet, and sweeping across the ground just before being whipped up by the wind!
My favorite part of Autumn…. warmn days and cool nights, great sleeping weather, colors, crisp smell, Halloween… it is my fav season!
Wow, she does such beautiful art! Growing up in Hawaii, we never had the changing seasons. Favorite memory would just be sunny skies 🙂
spunkycrayon at yahoo dot com
I love all the key stuff. Any of those necklaces are perfect for me. Great stuff!
marinsoup at gmail dot com
what a great shop! i love the smells, being able to put on jeans and a hoodie…
the best of fall is the weather, rainy, cloudy, you wear cardigans and nice stockings!!
irene.navsan@gmail.com
Loving that peacock blue pendant necklace!
I lovvve the Antique Victorian Key Necklace. Very beautiful!
I love all her stuff! And I love Autumn because of all the colors!
allisonandgabby@yahoo.com
I love the Pretty Collage Pendant Necklace, what a great site!
I love the antique feel of her collection. I liked the apple pendent b/c I am trying to become a teacher. However, I think it would be almost impossible to pick a favorite. They are all so pretty!
Love those vintage necklaces!
mardiwyatt at gmail.com
Autumn in Texas…ah, a break from the heat. I love the crisp air and walking outside Thanksgiving day with a light jacket on! Perfect weather.
I love autumn because of the cool weather.
Wow the jewelry is just amazing! I love the garden collage necklace. I love autumn for the bright fall colors all around you. Taking hikes through the forest is the best!
jennibobo@gmail.com
Love the Dreamy Peacock Original Painting
poohsden at gmail dot com
Twitter follower – @vinitha
Autumn – making plans for family time is my favorite part.
poohsden at gmail dot com
i love her necklaces, the Key and Gray Chrysanthemum Necklace with Vintage Beads is so pretty.
songyueyu at gmail
i follow honeybear lane on twitter
halloween always has nice memories, i liked making custumes or taking random robes and wear them as a whitch robe.
What a talented woman! I love Autumn because it feels like home. I know that's cliche but it's true. My mom LOVES Autumn and she always made it a special and inviting time for our family. Yay for Autumn!
Love the lemon curd yellow bell flower earrings!
rebekah[dot]diehl[at]gmail[dot]com
ooh, those big piles of just-raked leaves are always perfect for landing a big jump!
Oh, my- this is all so lovely. I have my sister for Christmas this year, and she would LOVE any of the collage necklaces.
I used to love going camping and hunting with my dad in the fall.
I follow your blog. 🙂
What beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry! I love it! My favorite thing about fall is all the colors and changing foliage! 🙂
these pieces are great and they aren't that expensive either!
i love the pearls and chains necklace.
i follow you on twitter now
i love going to the pumpkin patch with my family- doing the hay ride down to the farm, eating cider and cinnamon doughnuts and taking lots of pics of the girls having fun going through the mazes.
What a great little shop she has. Love it!
My favorite Autum memory is finding leaves that are crunchy so that I could step on them.
love the peacock blue peony pendant
sonjahnelson@hotmail.com
I love autumn especially the leaves piling up just waiting to be jumped in!!
stephanieclites@gmail.com
WOW! BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY!!
THANKS!
MY FAV. IS THE Antique Victorian Key Necklace! SO cute!
nelly.barney@yahoo.com
I love the Peacock Blue Peony Pendant with Rectangular Black Beads
My favorite mempry of autumn is my grandma coming over to help with putting the summer clothes away.
I love the Peacock Blue Peony Pendant with Rectangular Black Beads-so cute!
I love autumn decorations – pumpkins on the porch, beautiful wreaths, smells of spice yumminess 🙂
I love her stuff so cute i think my favorites are the white wood grain textured earings and the peacock blue peony pendant.
nicolenilsson06@hotmail.com
I follow you on twitter.
nicolenilsson06@hotmail.com
my favorite part of autumn is when the leaves change. I love the colors!!! Oh and playing in the leaves!!
I love the Peacock Blue Peony Pendant. It's so cute! I love fall cause it smells so sweet! Thanks!
I love the peacock blue peony necklace and the orange lovebird one…but my favorite is the one she is giving away!
My favorite thing about autumn is when the leaves change colors on the mountain above my town!
Love the Vintage Frames selling in her shop. So…well, vintage. I love it!
meganmcghie@hotmail.com
I am obsessed with the Peacock Blue Peony Pendant! It is GORGEOUS!
Following Honey Bear Lane! kieryaj at gmail dot com
We go up into the mountains every fall to look at the leaves changing colors! I LOVE all the colors!
I love the pearls & chains necklace & p is for peacock & greeniest green earrings.
Inspiring!!!
laura@nathanaeliversen.com
I remember jumping into leaves being one of my favorite activities in the fall. I love your necklaces!!