Meet Mary Ann from A Very Mary Design & Magpie Mary

Mary Ann, Mary Ann... what can I say? This delightful gal has two of the most darling shops on Etsy filled with vintage treasures galore. She has a keen eye for the kitshy cool and unique vintage fashions AND she's also a talented seamstress and mixed media artist. And the best part? She is a treasure of a friend as well! We met about a year ago on Etsy through a series of fun trades and she has been a lovely addition to my life ever since. Thank you, dear Mary Ann, for being a constant source of inspiration and cheer. You make this world a better place ~ you are loved!

Enjoy learning more about merry Mary Ann and her charming shops and be sure to enter the GIVE AWAY below for the opportunity to win a darling handmade treat!

Tell us about your shop and what lead you to open it.
I started http://www.averymarydesign.etsy.com/ with a goal of selling handmade wares, but quickly realized that my love of vintage needed an outlet, so I opened a second etsy shop: www.magpiemary.etsy.com. Both shops are home to quirky, kitschy and classic vintage goods with a few handmade items tossed into the mix.

What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
Searching for yummy vintage treasures is, hands-down, the *best* part of etsying! I love choosing items that I hope others will adore!

What part of your work is the hardest?
The hardest aspect? Sometimes it's really hard to part with the loveliest of treasures!

A top ten list of your favorites...

... handmade possession...

When I was about 10, my father's mother gave me a giant bag of pre-cut quilt squares that had belonged to my great-grandmother. At 10, I couldn't really appreciate them, so I passed them on to my mother's mother. When I was about 20, my grandmother gifted me with an amazing queen-sized quilt made from those squares. Quite simply, it is my most prized handmade possession.

...item in your shop...

sweet strawberries ~ vintage ceramic pitcher at magpiemary

The Darling Feminine Hair Wrap at verymary

...item you’ve sold...

The Daylight Katy Shoes at verymary

Wild Poppies at magpiemary

...item in your favorites list...

Apak Shop
Murdock Design
Freshline Illustration

...Etsy purchase...

"we go together" handstamped sterling silver necklace by Punky Jane

...Etsy shop...

dulcet on Etsy

...blog or website...

Giver's Log

The Idea Room

...source of inspiration...

Being in my studio is the most inspirational place on the planet for me! It's bright and airy with bold colors, boxes & jars & containers full of delicious supplies, and an entirely creative space.

...piece of advice...

This old quilter's adage is a favorite motto and also very good advice: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." In other words, we don't need to spend a lot of money to make art!

...rule to break...

On the other hand, I love to thrift shop, visit yard sales, and scour rummage sales for fun "stuff" that I really don't need! If it's a good deal, get it (or you'll regret it!)

Now you love Mary Ann just like me, right?! And you need something special from her shop, right?! The lucky winner of Mary Ann's generous giveaway will receive 10 customized garden charms...



Adorable and perfect for summer! Leave a comment here to be entered to win this fun prize from Mary Ann.

For additional entries...

* Become a FAN of a very mary design on Facebook

*Become a FAN of magpie mary on Facebook

* Follow the i am very mary blog

* Follow the very mary made it blog

* Follow a very mary design on Twitter

* Share this GIVEAWAY using a Facebook link or on Twitter

* BLOG about this giveaway

Be sure an leave a separate comment for each entry. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th! Good luck!

XOXO Molly