O2 Designs Review: Origami Crane Earrings!

Blue Beaded Origami Crane Earrings - $12

I am pretty convinced that Shayna from O2 Designs would make a pretty good surgeon if she wasn't busy making jewelry!  The attention to detail in her work and the miniscule origami folding in her Crane Earrings set shows her talent!

O2 Designs has recently added a number of items to their Etsy shop.  Many are holiday themed items like:

Small Holiday Barrettes - $4

 

Silver & Gold Post Earrings - $4

Head on over to O2 Designs to get the full scope of the holiday item offerings - there are over 35 and perhaps you could still get in an order in to be fulfilled before Christmas!

However holiday items are not all the O2 Designs have, and new items are being added all the time!  Here are some of the newest additions:

 

          Pink Button Necklace - $15

 

  Grey & White Freshwater Pearl Star Necklace - $35

O2 Designs provided me with a pair of blue recycled paper origami crane earrings to review!  I received them in a sturdy white cardboard jewelry size box via US Parcel Post.  The box was wrapped in white butcher paper, so the items were completely secure and there was no risk of the packaging opening up during transit. 

The earrings were nestled in between two large squares of cotton padding.  This definitely helped protect these earrings, though as is indicated on this product description in the O2 Designs shop, these earrings are delicate.  Shayna, the designer, indicated that they may need some slight reshaping after arrival.  They did need a very small bit of reshaping after being jostled in the box during shipping - but the adjustments needed were very minor.  However it is recommended that these earrings be kept in a separate box during jewelry storage rather than being thrown together with a bunch of earrings.  I believe that would cause these crane earrings to lose their shape. 

Upon opening the package with the earrings, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the earrings were much smaller than I had expected from the photo.  They were actually the perfect size...large enough to be noticeable, but not so large that they are cumbersome or overbearing.  In fact, I felt no weight or pulling when wearing these earrings...they are incredibly light! 

I like that O2 Designs uses recycled paper for these products and other products in the O2 Designs line.  I love encouraging the use of reuse!

The prices at O2 Designs are very reasonable and the earrings I reviewed retail for just $12 - a great price for a unique design! 

These earrings would look great as a feature piece in an understated outfit of black or white top with jeans...or to pair with a coordinating dressier outfit.  I think these earrings would be a fun gift to an older child - my daughter is enamored by them! 

Customer Service:  Good - vendor was able to respond to e-mail requests within 2 days typically.

Packaging and Presentation:  Very good - well packaged for travel.

Quality Construction:  Excellent - I was amazed by the attention to detail and fine craftsmanship for such tiny little creations!

Quality Items:  Very good - These earrings are delicate, but with proper care and storage, they will make a great addition to any jewelry collection.

Thanks Shayna & O2 Designs for the opportunity to review this product!

Win It Wednesday!

Here's some handmade giveaways expiring SOON...if you win you may still have time to turn your winnings into a wonderful and free gift for someone special!

Here we go!

This Teddy Bear Picnic Quilt is being given away on One Minute's Worth.  The giveaway ends 'the morning of the 19th', so head on over and enter (PS - as I write there are only 16 entries so far...good odds!).  This would make a super duper cute gift for an infant or preschooler!  Ends December 19th.

 

Did your mom or grandmother ever talk about getting 'all gussied up' to go somewhere?  Though we don't use the term much today, it basically meant to get yourself all dressed up, looking fancy.  The Etsy shop, Gussy, does the same for everyday items like wallets, cell phone holders, etc.  And Etsy It Up is hosting a giveaway for $30 gift certificate to her shop!  Cool thing is, if you win, you could give the gift certificate to someone, saving on the creating & shipping time...your gift recipient could choose what they'd like themselves.  (but if you are like me, this would be a gift I'd give to myself!  Click HERE to head on over and enter!  Ends December 21st.

Okay, this baby pacifier clip is seriously so cute!  It is handmade by Freakie Toes and the giveaway is hosted by Stuff Parents Need.  This flower clip is made with a silk flower, grosgrain ribbon and sweet litle rhinestone detail in the center of the flower for your littlest girly girl.  The snap at the end allows for easy switching.  The clip ribbon length is in accordance with all major manufacturing of pacifier clips, at 9".  Though I don't have any pacifier users at home, I know this would be a great gift for any parent or parent-to-be out there.  PS - there are pacifier clip options for boys here too.  Ends December 21st.

Finally, there is a HUGE giveaway happening over at VivaBella.  Four winners will receive over $700 worth in handmade cosemetics and jewelry!  Vendors such as Zuii Organic, Pastel Petals, LA Splash, Just Be Designs, Sweet Treats, LashMantra & Epicare all contributed products to this giveaway.  Wonderful!  There have been a number of entries, but with four winners, your odds are still good.  Head over and enter today!  Ends December 19th.

Are you hosting a giveaway for a handmade product/vendor on your site?  Let me know about it in a comment and I'll feature it in a future post!

Black Friday Recap & More!

BLACK FRIDAY RE-CAP!

This week there have been several great giveaways...and they aren't over yet!  If you haven't entered yet, make sure to click on the links below and enter to WIN!

Monday was the feature of Mailbox Bliss Custom Digital Card Giveaway.  There have been new products added to this site recently - check them out!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway.  Up to five entries possible!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 11/30/09!

Tuesday featured Baby Peas & Bees with a giveaway of the popular 'Baby in a Basket'!   Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway.  Up to five entries possible!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 12/01/09!

Wednesday, O2 Designs was featured, along with the plethora of holiday themed earrings and hair clips she has available in her online store.  There have been new items added to this shop recently - check them out!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 PM (CST) on 12/02/09!

Yesterday TToz Designs was featured, along with the ADORABLE children's clothing she has in her online store!  This giveaway is for the precious baby loungewear set - pants and coordinating hat!  Click HERE to read the post and enter the giveaway!  Giveaway ends at 11:00 pm CST on 12/03/09.

MORE GIVEAWAYS !

Here are some that I've entered - all handmade artisans, of course!

These are some awesome giveaways being offered on other blogs that feature handmade items as well.  I am hoping I get one of the best deals of all that Black Friday could offer...to be the winner for one of these great giveaways!

RHB Designs features silver handstamped jewelry that is customized with family names and/or dates.  Love the simplicity of the designs and the the power of the message behind this kind of jewelry.  My favorite is THIS ONE.  Read more about it and enter yourself at Etsy It Up.  This giveaway is only open through 12/2!

Ink & Wit is a handmade artisan that creates letterpress art and I love pretty much everything under the Posters & Prints section on the website.  I also am thankful that these creations are environmentally friendly - created on 100% post-consumer recycled paper AND using soy inks!  The giveaway hosted at Kenzie Poo and is for an "A-Z Animal Poster"; go there to read more and enter!  this giveaway is open until December 4th.

Audrey's Giveaway Blog has a giveaway going on featuring "Pieces of Me", a handmade artisan who creates Scrabble tile style pendants (along with earrings, keychains, bracelets, buttons, mirrors & more).  The giveaway is for winner's choice of pendant and chain - and THIS is what I would choose if I won! (though I must say, it'd be hard to choose - there is a HUGE selection and so many options I like!) Click on the link for Audrey's blog (above) to learn more and enter!  Giveaway closes on December 8th.

Featuring O2 Designs & Origami Crane Earrings Giveaway!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Shayna with O2 Designs likes to create something new every time she gets to creating. That’s why you can know that if you purchase an item from O2 Designs, it is truly one of a kind! Rarely are any of O2 Design creations repeated!


Right now the online Etsy store for O2 Designs is STOCKED with holiday accessories. Earrings and hair clips make up the bulk of the inventory - and the prices are incredibly reasonable...ranging from $3.50 for small decorated barrettes to $7.00 for long dangly festive earrings! At those prices even those of us hit hard by recession woes could give a fun, unique and colorful gift to a friend, mother or daughter. These would be equally original teacher gift ideas!

Considering the frugal side of things, O2 Designs is currently running a FREE SHIPPING offer on her online store - so any paid order shipping to a Continental US address ships for FREE! WAY better than braving crowds at the mall to flip through rack after rack of commercially made holiday accessories. So get your Christmas list right now...scroll down and identify one, two or MORE people on your list that would love some of these fun accessories for a gift this year! Perfect for stocking stuffers or the holiday gift exchange with the girls at work too!

I did an impromptu poll of the girls in our house...about which of O2 Design’s were their favorite.

Miss Sassafrass (age 4) ooh-ed and aah-ed over these two:

Red Snowflake Barrettes

Red ribbon affixed to metal clasp barrettes with dangling ribbon and snowflakes

Red Lollipop Earrings

Glitter coated lollipops look good enough to eat and measure 2.5 inches long

Lu Lu Berry (age 10) was very methodical about selecting her favorites...painstakingly narrowing down her absolute favorites to this:

Funky Christmas Tree Earrings

Fun show-stopper hot pink and lime green Christmas tree earrings that dangle 4 inches long!

Gold Glitter Star Earrings

Glittery gold stars add sparkle and class to any holiday season outfit!

And then there’s me...(age 30...something!) and I think the Red & White Candy Earrings add just the right festive touch!

Red & White Candy Earrings

Though the O2 Designs online store is stocked with holiday accessories, that is not all that is available - more selections will be added to the online store soon, so bookmark her site! O2 Designs is offering beautiful origami and beaded crane earrings for today’s giveaway!

Beaded Origami Crane Earrings

THE GIVEAWAY!

Handmade from recycled paper, these earrings are not only beautiful, but environmentally friendly too! Nothing like reducing your carbon footprint while still sporting fun, original accessories!

I am awed by the accurate mini-origami folding that goes into creating perfect little origami cranes for these earrings! The earrings dangle with blue/purple beads interspersed throughout. The lucky winner of this giveaway will receive these earrings directly from O2 Designs - perhaps even in time for holiday gift-giving!

To Enter:

You can get up to 5 entries for this giveaway. This is how...

The 1st Entry (noted below) must be completed FIRST before any further entries can be made. (NOTE: Make sure to leave an e-mail address that I can reach you at in EACH entry comment!)

1st Entry: Visit the O2 Designs online store and peruse the fun selections! Complete the entry form here on the blog (below) letting me know the name of your favorite O2 Designs accessory!

2nd Entry: Sign up to receive updates from Gonna Want This - Handmade via e-mail OR become a Follower! (this can be done through the link in the left column)

3rd Entry: Follow me (@bloggymama) on Twitter!

4th Entry: Post about this giveaway on your own blog and link back to it. Leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

5th Entry: Make a purchase at O2 Designs and let me know in your comment what the purchase was.

The giveaway will close at 11:00 pm CST on Wednesday, December 2nd

NOTE: When you complete the Entry Form below, your entry automatically is input into a spreadsheet online that I access with a password. It will NOT show up in the blog comments section. I utilize this Entry Form in order to protect your personal information from various forms of 'spybots' on the web! :)

Winner will be notified via e-mail and will be asked to respond within 3 days of e-mail. If the winner does not respond within the prescribed time period, an alternate winner will be selected and notified the same way.

GOOD LUCK!

Have you entered the Custom Card Design Giveaway by Mailbox Bliss from Monday? Click HERE to read more and enter...only 5 days left to do so!

Did you enter the Baby in a Basket Giveaway from Baby Peas & Bees yesterday? Click HERE to read more and enter...only 6 days left before that giveaway clo