Focus On... Mrs. Dazo! {And A Giveaway!}

Mrs. Dazo is backed by Itsy, a super talented artist in Singapore. I've always wanted an abacus of my own and when I saw her necklaces, it was love at first sight! Luckily, the generous Itsy has offered one of her abacus necklaces to one of you! Read on to learn more about Itsy and to see how to enter the giveaway. :)

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

my name is itsy and i've freed myself from the rat race to do arts and crafts and to sell my products online. i also love vintage stuff and i can stare at things i like for hours.

{light blue heart locket}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

i like using vintage items and combining it something new. in this store, i have this abacus on a brand new chain. it's something that extends even to the way i fix my home. i have vintage and antique cabinets with a really modern couch in my living room. i have vintage bowls in my modern kitchen. perhaps it's the contrast of something old and something new that makes it interesting for me.

{vintage miniature ship}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

at first, i decided to sell on etsy just to support my hobby of making little things. i didn't realise that i could actually make some extra money too!

{the three worms, the butterfly and the mushroom ring}

Where do you get your inspiration?

i get my inspiration from everywhere. people i talk to, going to the market, fashion, nature. i am most inspired though when it rains. rain makes me happy. a lot of my inspiration i get, too, from something my husband always tell me - "do things only if it makes you happy".

{yellow abacus necklace}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

funny, i need silence when i work. so no music when i work.

{vintage russian watch - free shipping!}

When it's cold outside...

...it only means i must be in another country.

{floral tote bag}

When I'm hungry...

...i know what time it is. and i eat.

{gold nest ring}

When I need a boost...

...i work out.

{the kitty necklace}

I wish I was/were...

taller. and thinner.

{fish out of water necklace}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be...

...peace of mind. if they want a wrapped present, i would give chocolate. it will alter their mood in a most wonderful way :)

{margarita chinoiserie clutch}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be...

...coffee farmers. i may get some insight on why coffee is so ridiculously priced sometimes.

{vintage kangaroo pouch}

If you were an animal, what would you be?

sloth :) 

{bilingual roses}

What's your favorite piece of your own?

my bags. every single one of them :)

{pink tote}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?

i love visiting fashion websites for inspiration, too! mostly the french designers. one of the blogs i really love is paulo coehlo's blog.

{the queen necklace}

You can find Itsy at
her handmade shop,
and her vintage shop.

Itsy has awesomely offered to give away an abacus necklace (winner chooses color) to a lucky reader!

{red abacus necklace}

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -

- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -

- Please leave separate comments for each entry. - 

First entry (mandatory):

Head over to Mrs. Dazo and tell me your favorite item!

Extra entries (optional):

- Heart Mrs. Dazo on Etsy.

- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

- Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

- Add my button to your blog.

- Like Kate and Oli on Facebook.

- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link. 

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time November 16, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on November 17, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Itsy will ship anywhere in the world!