Win this 8×10 original watercolor Strawberry Fields Bunny!
(see details at the bottom of the post)
I was so excited when Alison decided to coordinate with me to do a giveaway for you all! Last week, was not only my Dad’s birthday, but also my sister’s birthday. On her wishlist was a piece of art that she found on Etsy by the artist Alison Fennell.
Let me tell you, I was BLOWN away by the special treatment and the attention to detail that Alison gave to me once I placed my order. Not only did my sister LOVE her magpie painting, but she was really impressed by the original handwritten owl birthday card that Alison created and included.
It has been a long time since I’ve received such wonderful customer service that I was intrigued by Alison and the way she conducts business, so I gave her a mini-interview via email (since she is all the way over in Wales!) and wanted to share with you all what she had to say.
How did you get started making your lovely artwork?
I first got started in art when I saw a local art show and the artist was there himself. I have never met a real artist and I had always loved watercolors. I bought one of his there and then and it coast nearly half a week’s salary – but I had to have it. Then I asked him if he did teaching classes and he said he did and was actually running a total beginners watercolor weekend the following weekedn. The rest in history – that was 1994. I painted with him for 6 months twice a week in a group and have been experimenting and teaching myself with videos, books and lots of paper since.
What inspires you day to day?
What inspires me are the dramatic effects of light that models all we see. I love the conterchange of light and dark as it falls on anything. I spend a lot of my time squinting at things to see the shadows better and slow down in the car to look at a fab image when I shouldn’t!
Any advice for aspiring small business owners?
I would always follow through on all sales. ALWAYS acknowledge your client – NEVER delay thanking them for selecting your work – this is a must. No body likes to feel invisible and it is rude. Always ship on same day if possible and make sure your packaging and presentation are as attractive and effective as possible. I think if you take the time to write customs labels legibly and print your clients address in a nice font with your logo it looks professional and people feel they can trust the quality and attention to detail of everything you do. When I write thank you notes I never rush and I am focussed entirely on that and I think of the person that has bought this painting and what it will be like for htem unwrapping it. Being in the moment every step of the way.
Which of your paintings means the most to you?
The piece that I have at the moment that means the most is one called the Raven – I just love the stark raw beauty of this bird with its uncompromising silhouete and blackes bluey feathers and his hooked gnarled beak.
Thank you Allison! I absolutely loved your advice for small business owners! Everyone could use a bit of this knowledge in everyday life as well! For more about Alison, check out this article and her blog.
GIVEAWAY details:
1. To enter the Strawberry Fields Bunny giveaway, simply visit Alison’s Eastwitching Etsy shop to check out Alison’s artwork and leave a comment on this post between today, Friday, July 30th, 2010 and Sunday, August 18th at Midnight CST telling me which piece is your favorite. A winner will be selected at random and will be announced the following Monday.
2. To receive an additional entry, you can link to this post on your own blog (include the url to your blog post in your comment). It is up to you to return to this post to enter your second entry after blogging about the giveaway.
3. Post about this giveaway on Twitter with a link to this blog post for another entry (follow @jamigoldsmith on twitter in order to show me your tweet). It is up to you to return to this post to enter your additional entry after tweeting about the giveaway.
4. Please follow imagine on the sidebar on the right. Anonymous entries will be ignored, so please include your e-mail in your comment. Your e-mail address will never be used for anything other than to notify you if you are the winner.
Great news! The giveaway is open WORLD WIDE! Alison will ship anywhere in the world! Alison, in the run up to what will be her 1000th visitor, is preparing to shower that lucky visitor with gifts…which will include THEIR OWN CHOICE OF A FREE ORIGINAL FROM HER STORE! Plus, several 10% discount vouchers for their FRIENDS and FAMILY! Thank you for entering and good luck!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
the winner is Ludmila! Congratulations!
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Alison!
Thank you so much for providing such a lovely piece of art for this giveaway! I'm very excited for the winner!
xo – jami
i m a g i n e
Hi Jami! Of course I will help you out, any time….especially if it involves this incredible giveaway, WOW!!! I am completely mesmerised by this work, so incredible! I love the sunbathers (horses) but really love them all. Someday I want a custom of my future beagle, since I always plan to have beagles in my life again at some point. 🙂 I can't believe how gorgeous her work is!!
You know I'm a follower on here and facebook too. 🙂 Have a great weekend Jami!
xoxo
Rachel
Gorgeous art, Alison! I love it all! The fruit bunnies are so cute, as are the hogs, frogs, and everything else in your shop!
Jami, what a sweet giveaway, lady! Just checked Alison's shop, the fruit bunnies are definitely the cutest! p.s. happy birthday to your dad & sister!
just tweeted http://twitter.com/creamylife/status/19921072956
have a great weekend! xoxo
Love the ENGLISH ECCENTRICS – Morris Dancing Ratmen – original watercolor painting 8×10 inches. omydarlingblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Raspberry cane rabbits is my fave, they are gorgeous prints. Thanks for sharing a truly beautiful shop.
Zoe
♥
I love the lil baby horse:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52067644/the-naturals-sunbathers-original
What a talented artist!! I especially love the elephants…and that house!! WOW!
OMG…Darling, this is such a stunning giveaway….I love the bunnies….So cute!!!
Hope the comment box is working well,sweetie:)
Have a great weekend:)
Muah and see you soon:)
thank you Jami for sharing this with us! I addedeastwitching to my favorites in ETSY right away! my favorite peice is ENGLISH ECCENTRICS – PC Albert Dixon Raven – original watercolor painting. i love birds but i love this guy with his helmut even more.
thanks for the give away!
@niseymatthews
Hello all art lovers! Thanking you for such lovely words – I am getting so excited for you all that have enetered so far —the tension is building::)) Have a great weekend and good luck to yuou all. Alison the artist!
I tweeted about this contest!… and i'll do it again 🙂
All of Alison's artwork is lovely! The bunny's are great, and I especially like The Naturals Happy Days and I Only Have Eyes for You. What a wonderful giveaway!
Have a great weekend!
allison's work is amazing!
love the bond puffin executive watercolor.
the strawberry bunny would be perfect for my mom as she has a strawberry red decorated kitchen!
am a follower too
Thanks all for your interesting remarks about which paintings click with you – glad the English Eccentrics are making you smile!
Alison the artist
I love this givaway and your blog!
xoxo
Shannon
i love the english eccentrics little red bunny!!
So hard to choose just one. The Shabby Pigs are enchanting, the Wolves are soulful, but the Custom Cat fits my household.
And my birthday is in August!
PS. I'm following you on twitter Jami! xo
Tweeted! 🙂 http://twitter.com/RachelJensen7/status/19999583639
What beautiful art work. I like the In Hog Heaven piece.
love the calf and Jack Russel terrier pieces.
and her custom dog photos are awesome!!
I love Alison's paintings, they are so lovely and also really well executed!
My current favourite has got to be the PC Albert Dixon raven, but there are so many amazing paintings in her shop. 🙂
Lovely interview Jami!
xo
how did i not see this. i LOVE the elephant! so cute. xo
what a wonderful artist! Jami, I love the one you picked out… Strawberry Fields. The elephant is a close second.
xo,
cristin
Sent out a tweet too!
I love all of it the little animals are wonderful. The squirrels caught my eye because they remind me of visiting my Grandma in San Carlos as a child. There were squirrels all around the area and we used to read a book called Earl the Squirrel. The Naturals – Hey…
New follower! Thanks so much for this awesome giveaway..I'm really loving the ENGLISH ECCENTRICS – Leopold is Looking for a New Job – original watercolor painting – 8×10 inches. It so reminds me of my son!
boobiesbabiesandablog AT gmail DOT com
Following you on twitter–tweet: http://twitter.com/BBandAblog/status/20236864886
Following your blog via GFC (BoobiesBabies&ABlog)
I love the THE NATURALS – Sparkle Collectors – original watercolor painting 8×10 inches. Everything is so beautiful!
nicole_melnick at yahoo dot com
I love The Naturals – Happy Days – the elephants are so cute!
I love the executive puffin!
hrfarley at gmail dot com
A L E – Shabby Piglets – original watercolor painting 8×10 inches
my youngest daughter, since the time she could talk, has just adored pigs so I pick this one on her behalf. It is just lovely and it makes me think of her!
[email protected]
I love the THE NATURALS – Hey Who Go Dere – original watercolor painting 8×10 inches
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog with google friend connect
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
All of the Fruit Bunnies are my favorites!
How sweet and what a treat!
[email protected]
hi, my faviest item there is THE NATURALS – Happy Days – original watercolor painting 8×10 inches
email me 🙂
[email protected]
pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com
thankies for helding this giveaway
hi,I would love to participate in this giveaway,I'm your follower through Google Friend Connect..
email me 🙂
[email protected]
pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com
thankies for helding this sweet giveaway
So cute! I love the two birds, Sparkle Collectors, I think. Very pretty and fanciful. Thanks for the giveaway,
Audrey
[email protected]
Oh my gosh…I LOVE the bunnies!! I think my favorite is the Blackberry patch fruit rabbit.
[email protected]
I love love love this artwork!!! My favorite was, "I Only Have Eyes for You".
maria.the.uncommon at gmail dot com
my favs are the fruit bunnies, I want to win so badly!
my email is erica(dot)terranova(at)gmail(dot)com
I visited the shop. It's so lovely! I like the warm style of these paintings.
leemoor1 at gmail dot com
Follow you via GFC
leemoor1 at gmail dot com
I love the CUSTOM – Dog Portrait in original watercolor – 8×10 inches
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
Impossible to chose only one! And I love both the naturals and the fruit binnues. What a wonderful idea!
[email protected]
Hi Jami!
Nice blog! I’m following you from Welcome Wednesday. Please follow me back on my blog “Inspire!”
Ron
http://inspiredbyron.blogspot.com/
Hi there! I'm your newest follower!
OOHH – what a smile worthy load of lovely comments everyone! You have made my day again. I am delighted that you like my art especially since the English Eccentrics and the fruit bunnies are play ideas of mine that I really just wanted to paint for the fun of it. THANK YOU ALL very much for taking the time to look. Glad you enjoyed. Alison
I love the sunbathers painting the foals are adorable!
I am your newest follower from WW you can follow me back at http://megankayden.blogspot.com/
I'm liking your blog! Came over from welcome wed. Hope you follow me back!
blog love from your newest follower!
http://www.plantress.blogspot.com
I love the piggies in the print entitled "In Hog Heaven"!
may.63(AT)wright.edu
Hello! I am your newest follower! I would love a follow back! Stash Mama Also AMMO ABC BOOKS giveaway ends today with currently under 90 entries! AND 2 WINNERS! Check it out! Ammo ABC books giveaway!
Wow!! Your work is beautiful! All are your paintings on Etsy originals? Beautiful, beautiful work. I would love a chance to win your fruit bunny. It's hard to choose a favorite so I'm going to give you two. I love the custom rabbit on the first page and I also love chiringas the dog, but think they are all wonderful.
I just posted your blog giveaway on my blog. You can see it in the side bar at http://littleleafbears.blogspot.com!
Love the Antoinette Governess bunny (English Eccentrics)! Great giveaway!
meridith (at) mdkstudio.com
I love the Shabby Pigs!
FRUIT BUNNIES – Redcurrant Stalks Bunny
Very talented. Wow.. really great work.
New follower from WW….and I'm glad you linked b/c these are great!
This is such a lovely and enchanting shop! I'm so in love with Antoinette the French Language Governess Bunny. How charming!
Hi All!
It is tough to pick a favorite piece–they're all very charming and unique. I have had my eye on the fruit bunnies, though, and I especially adore the "Black Cherry Branch Bunny." He has such a cute face and I love the colors that were used.
I'm a big animal person so of course I love animal art 🙂 Alison, I hope you continue adding to your Fruit Bunnies collection. They really are gorgeous!
LKeyser89 @ yahoo . com
I love Alison's animals. They have a wonderful quality about them, almost like they could begin a conversation with you from the page. Love!
Thank you, em9499 at gmail dot com
WOw gorgeous work. I love her elephants.
I am your newest follower from FMBT. Have a wonderful week.
Best wishes,
Cindi
http://www.littleyayas.com/
Her custom dog portraits are the cutest! And the fruit bunnies too!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/marysuetattoo
marysuetattoo(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi! I am a new follower through WW – would love for you to follow back at:
http://fionadesigns.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Fiona
Hi I am your newest follower from the Blog Hop
Hope you can stop by and visit my blog.
http://shining2save.com
Have a Great Day!
Kari
My *lucky* day! Just came across your site this morning, and I must say your work is stunning. Was drawn immediately to the homes and churches, but equally exciting would be to have my teacup Yorkie "Duke" custom painted for my wall 🙂
Patty McAnally
Wow- I *love* these paintings!! I especially like the custom chihuahua, since that's the kind of dog I have 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway!!
lesliedoll at hotmail dot com
i like the english ecentrics photo! so fab. come follow me xoxo
I love the English Eccentrics esecially the Blue Bunny. I am a new follower via GFC.
[email protected]
I LOVE The Crow Painting Thats Right Above The Contest Rules!!!
[email protected]
I love the Giveaway print ,but another favorite is "These Pals Like to Plod- original" the elephants on sale . Great Giveaway , thanks! lil_lolas{at}hotmail.com
She's an extraordinary artist! I'd like her to know how talented she is and how I was blown out by her pretty watercolor pictures. not just about the giveaway.
and http://www.etsy.com/listing/50799203/custom-chihuahua-your-dog-in-watercolor image is the strongest in technique, I guess, however I love each of them!!
Oh! I love the Shabby Piglets print!! 🙂
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted this giveaway!!! 🙂
http://twitter.com/KatyLMA/status/20544848970
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I am a follower on GFC!
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I love CUSTOM – Rabbit 8×10 inches – your pet here. wonderful artworks!!!
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
I am a new blog follower. Lubaska
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
twitter follower
tweeted
http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/20546217508
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
How beautiful her artwork is.I love the wolf called wild and free.
[email protected]
THE NATURALS – Hare Sunday – original watercolor painting 8 x10 inches
this is my favorite because I think rabbits on it are so cute :)))
Hey there! I'm your newest GFC follower from Green Follow Friday! 🙂
-Jessica
And Then There Were 4…
http://giveawaysandlife.blogspot.com/
They're all so gorgeous! But I think my favorite is the "Order in Court" English Eccentrics crows painting…it's beautiful and clever.
Congrats to Alison for such amazing talent!!! I love the FRUIT BUNNIESm specially the Strawberry Fields Bunny. Will look great on my daughter's room….
[email protected]
My favorite is this one — http://www.etsy.com/listing/52170410/the-naturals-sparkle-collectors-original . Love it! ^^
vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52170410/the-naturals-sparkle-collectors-original I'd pick this! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
http://twitter.com/DesMoinesDealin/status/20637520628 scg00387 at yahoo dot com
Wow she's very talented! I love the English Eccentrics!
JMiranda at carefirst-al dot com
Awesome giveaway! I love all the pieces but my favorite has to be ENGLISH ECCENTRICS – Peter Premium Bond Executive Puffin – original watercolor painting 8×10 inches! What a cute Puffin!
luckysluna(at)yahoo(dot)com
greetings from NJ! what a talented artist allison is! my favorite has to be the lion adorned in his crown and scepter! thank you for a chnace to win!
marie sierra
[email protected]
i am now a google follower of your blog! thank you fopr the chance to win the bunny watercoloer..it is lovely!
marie sierra
[email protected]
I loved the "Shabby Pigglets" My now oldest daughter developed a fondest for pigs during our oldest daughters battle with cancer. She is still very attached to pigs and hopes someday to have her very own:) I would love to win the Bunny to pass on to my sweet baby niece "Eve Laura" named in memory of our oldest daughter. It is adorable and I believe her modern and trendy parents would also love it!
Elizabeth
[email protected]
Wonderful art work! I wish I had artistic talents! I really loved the Hare Sunday. We have jack rabbits all over are area, just seen one on the way to Starbucks this morning!
What a tough choice! I think this one is my favorite though!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51911768/english-eccentrics-peter-premium-bond
jenny.maurer84 at gmail dot com
I am completely mesmerised by this work, so incredible! I love the sunbathers (horses) but really love them all.
Thanks!
Jenn
[email protected]
CraftsAcademy.com
omeday I want a custom of my future beagle, since I always plan to have beagles in my life again at some point. 🙂 I can't believe how gorgeous her work is!!
Jenn
[email protected]
CraftsAcademy.com