Artist Feature and Giveaway: PoleStar Jewelry

Ah Autumn and her dance of vibrant color where as Albert Camus says, "...every leaf is a flower." The Etsy Artist feature has returned from her summer rest. On this day I bring you a cherished individual who I have gotten to know through her daily tweets on Twitter. I am continually astounded on the internets ability to connect individuals. I bring you a friend, a mother and an extra-ordinary cultural creative Jennifer Cogwill of PoleStar Jewelry.


The two pictures above illustrate the beauty filled adornments Jennifer so skillfully creates. In the very wide Universe of the Etsy "jewelry" marketplace Jen has garnered herself over 1255 sales since joining in September 2008. Part of the mastery of her skill set is expertly crafted items, well photographed products, excellent customer service and great marketing skills which include both Facebook and Twitter.

Personally, I can vouch for all of the above. I own a pair of the Peloponnese, Peridot Onion Earrings which are absolutely divine. Jennifer is one of those individuals that embodies all aspects of the feminine. By looking at the artistry she creates it is quite obvious she is very skilled as a jewelry artist. Her wit and cleverness is seen best on her Twitter feed. Check it out, you will see what I mean, in fact I suggest following her. As a fellow member of the tribe of mothers, wives and online seller, her tweats have me chuckling quite often.

I first came across Jennifer through a series of auspicious events. It began with a "Bee" themed treasury I created on Etsy. In that particular treasury I included a pair of little honeybee earrings of another seller on Etsy which eventually led me to PoleStar on Twitter. One never quite knows what road the Universe may lead you, just remember to always follow your own guiding principal, your polestar, your heart.




Here are a few questions I asked Jennifer so that we could get to know her just a little more:

1.) What is the one thing you find most inspiring to feed your creative spirit?

I suppose walking in the woods and being around nature is the most inspiring to me. We live in front of a protected wetlands area and I try to get back there fairly regularly. I really feel an energy from a natural environment and I feel revitalized after spending any time in a forest setting. I used to live in a very forested area where I graduated from college and to this day if I need to calm myself I close my eyes and imagine myself in the little clearing where I lived, the soft sounds of the breeze and the soft buzz of insects, the warm dappled sunlight. I am very homesick for it!

2.) What is your favorite scent from the natural world?

When my parents lived in Hawaii for a few years I visited a few times and the air was always so fragrant from flowers, it was like living in paradise. I also have fond memories associated with a relative's house on a lake, the woods behind her house backed right up to a lake and there was a shady area with a mossy carpet you could lay on and throw Cheerios to the fish. I loved the earthy smell of the lake and the moss.

3.) If you were Queen of a village what would you wish for your kingdom?

My wish would be that we could all work together to sustain each other, so we could all flourish.

4.) How did you find yourself creating jewelry?

I have made little things all through my childhood and up through high school, beaded necklaces, etc. I thought I would get more serious about it one day, bought some books and started making things and decided to start selling.

5) As a work at home mom of two young boys what tips can you give other work at home moms?

I could probably talk for an hour about this subject. My first advice would be to not forget your marriage partnership, whatever that entails in your own relationship. Try to get as much done while your children are napping or in school. I devote the first half of every day my kids are home to getting out of the house and doing something with them, whether that is taking them to see friends, to run errands or go to a park. I cannot make jewelry when my kids are awake, they would be entirely too curious and it would lead to conflict for all of us, so I only make jewelry at night. I do the marketing, administrative, photography, listing when my toddler is napping or we are having a siesta time where my two boys (4.5 and 2.5 years old) relax and play quietly. You may feel guilty at times, but try not to. Chances are, 200 years ago, you would have been working in a farm field with your children at your side. Work is part of the human experience, it is only a modern ideal that women can stay home and devote ALL their time with their children. Most households need two incomes, and if you want to stay at home with your kids and can maintain a work at home job as well, you will find it very rewarding.

Thank you so much dear Jennifer!

NOW...the Giveaway!


For the giveaway Jen has graciously selected the stunning necklace pictured above titled Glowing Lunar Light Necklace. At her PoleStar Jewelry shop she describes this beauty as:

AA Grade fire blue Rainbow Moonstone faceted briolette is wire wrapped in oxidized and polished sterling silver and suspended on an oxidized and polished sterling silver chain at 18 inches (45.5cm) with a lobster trigger clasp.

The Moonstone briolette reminds me of a full glowing moon on a clear night.

Moonstone briolette is 10mm x 10mm
Gem has a natural tiny black mineral deposit which you can see on the photos.

Here's how to enter:
1. Begin by leaving a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item on Jennifers shop on Etsy, PoleStar Jewelry. You may only enter once and you must include your first name -and- etsy username or email address with each entry or it will not be included.

For additional entries you can do the following and post in the comments to let me know:
(2 extra) Twitter this Giveaway and supply your twitter name. You may do this every day, each tweat counts as another entry if you submit them individually.
(2 extra) Become a fan of PoleStarJewelry on Facebook, (if you already are a fan of PoleStar on Facebook, just let me know)
(2 extra) Purchase an item of $25 or more from PoleStar Jewelry shop during this Giveaway.
(1 extra) Follow my blog (if you already follow, just let me know)
If you do any of these you must let me know for your additional entries to be included. You got the "let me know part" right?

If you do any of these you must let me know for your additional entries to be included. You got the let me know part right?

More fine print, learned along the way
1. If we cannot contact you we will give your prize away to someone else.
2. The featured seller will do their very best to mail the winners package in a timely manner, please contact them directly if you have any questions.
3. Each entry is assigned a card from several decks here at the house, I then shuffle all the cards and have someone handy (like my daughter or husband) choose a card for the winner and a runner up.
4. If you have won the Artist Feature and Giveaway in the past you may enter again.
5. Please don't make up any new guidelines, what is outlined above is what we follow.

The giveaway ends Sunday, September 20th at 1opm PST with the winner announced on Tuesday (The Autumn Equinox) on September 22nd. Please help us get the word out.

Good Luck!