giveaway: second street designs

I realize that Meet the Maker Mondays have been few and far between, but I enjoy bringing it back every now and then, for a good interview + giveaway whenever lovely goods & people come along. (btw--if you and your crafts are ever interested in being featured--please get in touch!)

Some quick introspection: The worlds of blogging and crafting are such happy places for me. I double love blogging about handmade things, and I triple love reading some of the real-life details of the makers themselves. This blog has been so much more than a creative outlet for me, and it's helped me grow in countless ways, especially in viewing my life through a more authentic, joyful lens. Better yet, it's connected me to some of the most genuine, caring, and creative women the world has ever known.
And every once in awhile, I've received precious opportunities to meet fellow bloggers in real life. It's strange how a perfect stranger can seem more like an old, dear friend with whom you have nearly everything in common.

Today I feel really blessed to introduce just one of those girls: my new/old friend Naphtali of On Second Street. Her blog is one of the first I ever found/read, and can't believe that four years later we've finally gotten around to getting together once in awhile. She also has a super lovely etsy shop, Second Street Designs, which is currently filled with some seriously classy handmade bags that no spring wardrobe should do without. The elements she uses are sometimes vintage, sometimes unexpected, and always lovely.

*****

Q|A with Naphtali:

1. What do you love most about Second Street Designs?

I love having a creative outlet. I love fabrics & colors and enjoy mixing and matching them so having my little shop allows me to "play" with colors without repainting my house all the time. (because yes, that is what I do when I need a color fix.)

2. Describe your perfect day.

Hmmmm, well to start with my perfect day would be about 20 hours long. I would love to sleep in, work out, enjoy a leisurely coffee/brunch with a friend, do a little shopping - maybe at a store like hunt and gather - and still have energy to find homes for my treasures when I get home. Then I would invite some favored friends/family over for a special dinner and the day would end with some snuggling time with Aidan while I read him a book.

3. You're a busy mama, career woman, and somehow maintain an inspiring blog and a well-stocked etsy shop on the side. How on earth do you do it all!?

Oh, I don't do it all, please believe me. Blogs just show a little "snapshot" of our lives, they don't always focus on the dirty corners, dusty shelves, crabby mornings, neglected workout clothes, frozen waffles for dinner or the Valentine decorations that are still gracing my front window. But I do really try to use my time wisely - I probably drive my family crazy b/c I am usually busy and I always assume everyone else needs to be as busy as I am.

4. Name a craft supply that you simply could not do without:

I love fabric. I have tried every craft in the book over the past decade (jewelry making, paper craft, mosaics, painting, cement molding, wire art, etc) but I always end up back at the fabric store. My first job was at a fabric store and I think that was when my love affair began. I was always fascinated by the customers and their plans for their fabrics and {suprise!} even at age 16 I had pretty strong opinions about their fabric choices. ( but I did my best to keep them to myself.) I also should keep it real and tell you that the only reason I worked at a fabric store was because my dad thought it would be a "safe spot" and would keep me out of trouble. (i.e. boys)

5. Where can we find more of your work?

Right now I only have the Etsy shop and some stock in my sewing room. I have taken a little break from art fairs and local stores in the past few years as I have gotten busier as a mom and with my job. If you are local you are always welcome to do some shopping at my house. I don't know what future plans I have for Second Street Designs but I love the outlet it provides me so even though I sometimes take a little "break" from sewing I usually end up coming back. I always like to have little projects in my life - so when I am "project free" i typically stock up my Etsy Shop.

Today Naphtali is kindly sharing her sweet + sturdy Retro Floral bag with one lucky reader.

It's actually constructed from a bunch of Anthropologie towels--seriously friends, it doesn't get any better than that. The bag measures 17x12x24". There are two medium sized inner pockets and a vintage bicycle pin embellishes the outside of the bag:
There are 3 ways to enter this giveaway:

1. Leave a comment below sharing one thing you always have stashed in your favorite bag (i.e.) simply cannot leave home without.

and/or

2. Visit Second Street Designs and leave a separate comment sharing your favorite.

and/or

3. Blog, tweet, facebook, (or why not even pinterest!?) this giveaway and leave a third comment sharing the link.

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday 3/18!