Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Red Love Balloon Giveaway!


Today I am SUPER excited to introduce you to a brand new Etsy shop called Red Love Balloon! I am thrilled about this shop for two reasons, 1. it was created by my amazingly talented co-worker, and 2. the items for sale are unique and one-of-a-kind.

So without further ado, let me introduce you to Kimberly of Red Love Balloon! Here's a little Q & A session between the two of us:

When and why did you open your shop?
My shop opened with a deep breath and one salamander gulp two weekends ago as I clicked publish on my first Etsy piece for sale. I poured out my energy all summer long into weekends and evenings after work for this moment.

I opened my shop for a couple reasons. I have all of these creative ideas swimming in my head that I want to do but wasn’t sure which one to try first. So one day I jumped up like a squirrel finding an acorn and decided to take on this project with a little careful planning. I wanted a new direction to my voice while connecting with people who might enjoy what I make. After all, I am happier than a bunny with a carrot when I make things for people. I thought, if I can be financially successful in something my heart's in, while making someone happy, then it’ll be worth it.



Where did you get the name for your shop?
Back in elementary school we all wrote our addresses down on paper and stuffed it inside multi-colored balloons. We walked outside to the baseball field and let them fly away in tall hopes someone would find them and we’d become pen pals. My balloon was red and I watched it take off until it vanished.

I never got written back to. Even now I catch red balloons floating in the sky or skimming the ground almost out of air. They show up at the oddest moments and have become a personal symbol of hope and love to me each time I see one. I also really like Banksy’s piece that features a little girl and a red heart balloon. His piece wouldn’t leave my mind after I saw it and I called it red love balloon.


How would you describe your shop?
My shop is some cotton candy for the circus out there. It’s for the neon screamers and good luck believers.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Things like outer space, strawberries, art, finding good luck charms, and watching planes in the sky. Music such as David Bowie, The Cure, Fever Ray, Michael Jackson, Joy Division, Stevie Wonder, and Gary Numan all keep the sun shining for me. Though, most of all being in love is the strong breeze that keeps my pinwheel on spinning.


I’ve always heard a rumor you were affiliated with Project Runway. Is that true. and if so, how?
I sent an entry in to be on the show including a video and they interviewed me. They asked me if I’d be comfortable sewing a gown for the red carpet and I said no. I guess that was the wrong answer, ha. It didn’t go any further than that. I still have that video somewhere...?

As you can tell, Kim is really awesome - from her fun personality to playful designs! Every day at work she looks so stylish and regularly wears items that she made for herself. It only makes sense for her to start selling her creations. I am confident that Kim is going to go very far!

By the way, that pretty lady in all of the pictures above - it's Kim wearing her own creations!

Here's your chance to own a Red Love Balloon item, made with love. One lucky person will win this "Party Dinosaur" handmade felt clutch with snap closure. Um, score!


To enter, you must be a Google Friend Connect Follower of Join the Gossip.

For up to five extra entries, you can do any of the following:
-Add Red Love Balloon to your Etsy favorites (2 entries)
-Like Join the Gossip on Facebook (1 entries)
-Follow Join the Gossip on Twitter (1 entries)
-Tweet about the giveaway (1 entries)

One winner will randomly be selected and announced on Tuesday, October 11. Good luck!

32 comments:

Life Through Preppy Glasses said...

what a creative friend! Her stuff looks awesome. I am a follower of course :)

Life Through Preppy Glasses said...

i follow you on twitter :) @wes_holland

Audrey Allure said...

I'm already a follower of your blog! :) Great giveaway.

Audrey Allure said...

I also follow you on Twitter @audreyallure

Audrey Allure said...

And I liked your page on Facebook :)

Unknown said...

I follow you. what a unique handbag :)

Unknown said...

Follow you on Twitter

taylo292 said...

I follow you!

taylo292 said...

I follow you on twitter! @dimplesncurlsmu

Jules said...

Yay! I came back just in time for a giveaway. Your friend seems very creative and I love the story about the Red Balloons. Her Light As A Feather necklace is also so nice and I love the edge the little spikes add to it.

Jules said...

I just added Red Love Balloon to my favorite shops on Etsy.

Jules said...

I already follow you on Twitter too!

Jules said...

I just tweeted this: ChicnPink Juliana
Enter to win Red Balloon Clutch on @jointhegossip here: http://jointhegossip.blogspot.com/2011/10/red-love-balloon-giveaway.html #giveaway

Unknown said...

Follower:)
What neat stuff...love that clutch and feather necklace. Etsy is simply the BEST highlighting artists who would have no other platform. I love it.
Thanks for sharing.
C

tara said...

i'm a follower!!!

tara said...

added to etsy faves #1

tara said...

added to etsy faves #2

tara said...

and i follow on twitter!

Leesh said...

I am a follower on GFC. What a cute giveaway.

Leesh said...

And of course, I follow you on Twitter.

Ashley {hudson's happenings} said...

What a cute clutch! So fun!!!

--I am, of course, I follower of your blog. :)

Lena B, Actually said...

I'm a follower!

Lena B, Actually said...

The clutch (and everything else) is awesome. I've added her to my faves on Etsy.

Lena B, Actually said...

I follow you on Twitter

Tiffany said...

I LOVE that clutch! I like you on facebook, favorited the shop on etsy, and I think I follow you on twitter :-)

Sleepy Beauty said...

GFC Bebe
Like Join the Gossip on Facebook Bebe Lee
Follow on Twitter Bebe @pllee88
Tweet entry https://twitter.com/#!/pllee88/status/121810080608952320

Marina said...

Wow, the clutch is beautiful!
I am your gfc follower as Marina D.

isollea at gmail dot com

Marina said...

I added the shop to my etsy favorites as isollea.

isollea at gmail dot com

Marina said...

I liked you on facebook as Marina M.B.

isollea at gmail dot com

Marina said...

I am following on twitter as isollea.

isollea at gmail dot com

Lauren said...

I'm a follower :)

Lauren said...

I tweet you, yo.