Everyone loves "Falling In Love" - Here's Your Chance to Win

This week's giveaway is titled "Falling in Love" and happens to be one of the favorite pieces of its designer, Kari Bailen of DesignsbyKari on Etsy. This lovely design retails for $18.

Kari describes it with these words... A lariat design, this necklace measures a long 24". A single Green Obsidian Stone passes through an oval shaped connector. Swarovski crystals dangle from the oval to add a bit of color and sparkle. Double the loop for added security, wear this piece at any length.

Before I tell you how you can win this gorgeous piece, let's find out a little more about Kari through her answers to the interview questions I asked her...

Many jewelry artisans create their designs based on a "connection" that they have with a specific subject or historical period that holds an allure for them. What inspires your styles? Simply, Color. I love to play with color and combinations of color. Sometimes coming up with an unusual duo I [have] the most fun. As far as style, I look to what I like, what catches my eye and what’s popular now. I confess, I read the gossip magazines too!

Being the mother of 2 and a navy wife with a husband who's away alot must get hectic. What's a typical "day in the life" of Kari? Oh gees! My children are split, 9 and 2, so my day begins early, around 5:30, getting the kids up and ready for school and daycare. I work full time for 2 brothers who are engineers. They are busy and quite demanding at times. Then shuttle kids home, make dinner, bath time, story time, bedtime, kiss the hubby if he’s home, and flop. I simply must find time for crafting or reading or something just for me in there somewhere as well, but you can see there’s not much room to groove!

You have an October birthday coming up. Being an October baby myself (and also having a son whose birthday is in October) I've always loved being able to celebrate autumn in a special way (and combining birthday parties with Halloween parties!). What do you like about being born in October? Oh, being from the North East, Maine in particular, I love fall! I love the smell of the air, how crisp and fresh it is in the morning. I love the changing of the leaves. As a young child raking the leaves into monstrous piles and leaping in was the most fun to be had in a weekend. I’ve even jumped in a few piles as a mommy. It does seem to hurt more than I remember.

My Birthday is the day before Halloween, birthday parties were always themed; mom always wanted it to be fun and different. These days birthdays come and go, but I can let my kids have those fun Halloween parties.

While you currently are making Mississippi your home, can you tell us a little bit about some of the other places you've lived? As a military spouse I’ve been all over. I was lucky enough to spend a three year tour in Germany. We were able to use the transit system to see a lot of Europe. My fondest memory has to be of the “Neushwanstein Castle” It was magical. I also lived in Georgia and Oregon.

What one television character do you simply adore? With my schedule there is not much time for TV. However, I do get a bit excited when Dora the Explorer comes on. It means mommy has 30 minutes uninterrupted…

What is the best birthday present you've ever received? My hubby is the best; he’s always thinking and listening. Two years ago I got an amazing sewing machine, and table. It’s gained a bit of dust here lately, but I’ll be dusting it off soon.

Now that you know a little more about Kari, I'll tell you how to win this gorgeous necklace!

To receive your first entry in the drawing for this lovely necklace, simply visit DesignsbyKari, find your favorite item in the shop, come back to this post and list the item description along with your contact information for an entry in this giveaway.

Additional entries may also be obtained by a separate comment as follows:

To receive 2 additional entries, make a purchase at DesignsbyKari and post the item description (title) in this posts' comments.

Receive one additional entry for following Kari on twitter at http://twitter.com/designsbykari

Receive one additional entry for following Kari on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/DesignsByKari

Receive one additional entry by becoming a new blog follower at http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com/ - post the date you began following in this posts' comments. (If you already follow this blog, that counts as well!)

Receive one additional entry for blogging about this giveaway (Post your blog link in the comments on this giveaway)

Receive one additional entry for tweeting about this giveaway (Post the tweet url in the comments on this giveaway)

In addition to the entries for the giveaway, I'm adding a little extra incentive to anyone who enters one of my weekly giveaways between now and December 20th. See the details here.

The drawing for this giveaway will be made promptly at noon (MDT) on September 28, 2009 - good luck everyone!

(Don't forget that everyone who enters any giveaway on my blog is also automatically entered in a quarterly drawing for a $25 gift certificate to my shop, Mysticwynd on Etsy. The next quarterly drawing will be held on December 1st!)