fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

One of the very first posts I wrote for this blog was to gain an additional entry for a Valentine giveaway in February 2009. I intermittently entered handmade giveaways for almost two years until I won beautiful earrings from Denise of Beaded Embellishments - and she asked me to help her host another jewelry giveaway for breast cancer awareness! I had such a blast that I now host several giveaways a month (and enter dozens) - who doesn't love to win free stuff?! Sponsoring a giveaway is a great promotional tool for online shops. Unlike other forms of web advertising, quality clicks to the shop are guaranteed. All my giveaways require the entrants to visit the shop and comment with favorite handmade product as the mandatory entry. Additional entry options include sharing and following on social networks which helps boost seller's marketing reach even after giveaway is over. My whimsical giveaways usually average 1000+ entries from 100+ entrants. I prefer to host jewelry swe...

I am rich in jewelry from Rica Jewels! Mother of Pearl is said to attract prosperity, and not only do I possess the shell earrings I wore last New Year's Eve, but now this pretty pearl pendant . The sterling silver spiral makes the shell shine even more. I feel like a mermaid when wearing the beautiful necklace. Think you're too poor to own a piece of handmade jewelry from Rica Jewels? No way! Swim over to enter Daniela's Turquoise Bracelet Giveaway before December 30, 2015. Disclaimer: I received this free pendant as a thank you gift for hosting a handmade giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

My mom's neighbor moved a few months ago, but a couple of her cacti stuck around! The Christmas cactus she gifted my family blossomed with pretty red flowers for the holiday season. I hope your Christmas bloomed beautifully, too. Featured Flower Picks: Red Rose Beauty • White Christmas Poinsettias • Red Protea How To Plant Your Own Post for Flower Friday: The only rule to play is that you can only add one link per week! The post doesn't even have to mention flowers, but only ones that do will be eligible for being picked as a feature next week. I will be sharing my flower image on other blog hops, namely Wordless Wednesday , and welcome all family-friendly links from fellow bloggers. Crafters can even link up an Etsy listing or other shop product! But if you want to promote a prize, I suggest adding it to my Giveaway Chest Linky instead to entice more treasure hunters. Please follow my blog through any of the social media icons in the upper right ...

Finally being able to try the Jamberry mini heater to apply a jamicure of Urban Lights and Gold Crisscross makes me want to jump, jump! I won the miniature heater back in September from Jamberry consultant, Beth Dean , and am impressed how much time it saves instead of using a hair dryer when applying nail wraps. The hum is so low that it didn't drown out a single song while streaming holiday music through Amazon Prime , either. Now that I've wrapped my nails, I better get to wrapping Christmas gifts! Want to be a guest blogger for my Manicure Monday when I don't have new nails of my own to show off? Please fill out the form on my contact page if you're interested in a free feature. Criss Cross Nail Art Finds:

I purchased this pretty painted poinsettia from Produce Junction for $2.50 on Black Friday and it's still alive! Aren't you proud of me? I hadn't ever bought myself an indoor plant before because I was afraid I'd kill it, but the glitter and dye dazzled me. And for the price, the traditional Christmas flower could have lasted a day and still been worth the holiday magic it brought to my home. May your winter solstice and season be filled with sparkles, too! Featured Flower Picks: White Flowers • Ombre Red Poinsettias • Christmas Rose (Helleborus Niger) How To Plant Your Own Post for Flower Friday: The only rule to play is that you can only add one link per week! The post doesn't even have to mention flowers, but only ones that do will be eligible for being picked as a feature next week. I will be sharing my flower image on other blog hops, namely Wordless Wednesday , and welcome all family-friendly links from fellow bloggers. Crafters can...

Life threw some thorns at me the past couple of months, but I am finally back to blogging! Last time I hosted my flower photo linky in October, I mentioned that I was sure a storm's wind would pummel all of the petals away from the knockout rose bush at work. Wow, was I wrong! The winter solstice is only days away, and a few flowers are still staying strong. They even outlasted the leaves from the trees in the background! Featured Flower Picks: Rose Bottle Necklace • Recycled Soda Can Rose Necklace • Pink Glass Rose How To Plant Your Own Post for Flower Friday: The only rule to play is that you can only add one link per week! The post doesn't even have to mention flowers, but only ones that do will be eligible for being picked as a feature next week. I will be sharing my flower image on other blog hops, namely Wordless Wednesday , and welcome all family-friendly links from fellow bloggers. Crafters can even link up an Etsy listing or other shop produ...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Loraine Ellis for submitting the randomly-chosen 371st entry. Daniela will email you soon with details on how to claim your free prize. Maybe it's much too early in the game, but I thought I'd ask you just the same ... what are you winning on New Year's Eve? A turquoise bracelet from Daniela of Rica Jewels could hold your wrist good and ... well, not too tight! She's gifting a beautiful bracelet in the design above to one of my lucky blog readers this holiday season. The Tibetan cuff bracelet is made of silver white metal and genuine turquoise. Daniela's unique turquoise jewelry is popular year-round, but especially as a December birthstone gift idea. All USA orders in her Etsy shop are currently being shipped Priority Mail 2-3 day, with the option to upgrade to Express Mail for next day delivery at check out if you're in desperate need of a pretty present fast. Here comes the jackpot question in advanc...