Deeds & Petunia: Etsy Artist Feature & Crocheted Lariat Giveaway!!! ZayneeDesigns

Photo by GinaNeal.com

She makes incredible crocheted accessories (including the AMAZING ruffled scarf that I custom ordered earlier this year. I get so many compliments!!!)

Her crocheted goodies would make perfect gifts this holiday season, don't you think? Here are some of her lovely handmade items for sale in her Etsy shop:

Golden Honey Bamboo Scarflette/Collar, $34

Sapphire Child's Scarflette, $23

Silver Sage Bamboo Lariat Necklace, $36

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your Etsy shop:
ZAYNEE is the nickname my high-school-sweetheart husband gave me 12 years ago, when we were still just friends.

DESIGNS...well I like to design fun functionals for you and your little ones. In between mommy duties. While I'm watching movies or chatting with friends.

My specialty is making scarves. I started experimenting with making scarves because I wanted something unique to wear on a Valentine's date with my husband. I wanted something ruffly to pop out of the top of my jacket and look like jewelry when I took the jacket off. Although that first item is, um, not that cool, it got me started on a scarf-making quest!

My scarves are not only functional, they wear like jewelry. They are versatile. They can be adjusted, wrapped, or draped to go with anything. They blend practicality with a touch of elegance or fancy. I make the scarf, my customers choose the fit and style!

I try to keep sustainablility in mind, so most of my materials are made from sustainable sources, castoff yarns from used-item stores or friends, or organic. During the warmer seasons, my plan is to expand my kids' clothing section. I always use repurposed linens and fabrics found during yard-sale treasure hunts. Most of the trims are also vintage, reused, or cast-offs from people I know. I also plan to add some crocheted wire jewelry to my design shop this spring, as well as more delicate crocheted items that are lightweight and wear like necklaces. I have a few items like this in my shop now, and I am planning more.

Tell us 3 interesting things about you:
I don't know if these things are REALLY interesting to other people...
1. I home-educate my three children.
2. I once played the violin, er, fiddle, in a celtic-medieval four-piece band.
3. I speak Spanish conversationally FINALLY after 7 years of studying...but I only learned because I lived next door to a Mexican woman who was a very patient teacher.

Tell us 3 uninteresting things about you:
1. I find ironing clothes relaxing.
2. I really love cloth diapering, despite the extra work.
3. My favorite little luxury is an amazing cup of coffee or a well-made cappuccino.

What are your favorite materials?
Right now my favorite yarns are the organic cotton yarns that I've discovered. They are buttery soft, so sustainable, and just luxurious. I like bamboo-blends, too. I just love the matte quality of the organic cottons.

What do you like to do when you're not crafting?
I love to read to my children. There are so many wonderful childrens' books, and I enjoy them as much as my kids do. I also like to write childrens' fantasy stories that I write and read aloud to my daughter at the same time. Sometimes she throws in her ideas, and we work it into the story together.

I like to play around on the piano and try to sing along with it (playing chords). I am not a very good singer, and I don't really PLAY piano, but I find it soothing and enjoyable all the same. (I do feel sorry for anyone who might be listening).

In the evenings my husband and I relax sometimes by watching sitcoms that we check out from the library. My current faborite funny show is Monk.

I also enjoy reading the Bible and journaling.

As a family, we try to hike as much as time and weather allow.

What Inspires You?
My inspiration comes from my kids, friends, books, and what is lacking in mass-produced stuff--handmade creativity with social and environmental responsibility. Which is why I am teaching my six-year-old daughter to crochet,sew, cook, and be creative, and why I'll equip my other two children in the same way when they get a bit older. Because lifelong skills like handcrafts can't be overrated. They are what add richness to our lives.

So I bring these made-in-between-and-during-life handcrafts to my customers.

In addition, I am really inspired by a yarn or fabric's texture and colors. Sometimes I just stand in the store and stare at the yarn until an idea comes to mind. I also browse knit and crochet books looking for stitch patterns or styles that inspire me, and I create my own idea based on those images. Functionality is a big inspiration: it has to work easier than the old stuff. I love the versatility that buttons and drawstrings bring to scarves. You can wear them in so many different ways. They are generally more versatile than your average simple scarf. Nature is also an inspiration: flowers, leaves, colors, etc. Also, the colors of different seasons.

Jen is so very generous too! She's doing a GIVEAWAY for one of her fabulous lariats!!!

Bamboo Blossom Lariat Scarf

There are many ways to enter (up to 8!) Please leave a separate comment below for each entry you've completed:

• "Heart" Zaynee Designs on Etsy
• "Like" Zaynee Designs on Facebook
• "Like" Deeds and Petunia on Facebook
• Subscribe to the Deeds and Petunia blog
• Tweet about the giveaway
• Post to your Facebook about the giveaway
• Post to your blog about the giveaway
• Leave a comment below with your favorite Zaynee Designs item

The giveaway will end Monday, December 6th at 9 AM, so get those entries in, and don't forget to leave a separate comment for each entry you've made!