Giveaway week has come to a close – thanks for your support!
Celebrate with me, April 11 – 15!
Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive launches next Tuesday, April 12. The book is packed with 85 creative ideas for remembering family and friends you never want to forget. I call these opportunities for remembering Forget Me Nots.
Several Forget Me Nots reflect the incredible work of artists and organizations I’ve come to know writing this book. A few of these talented men, women, and companies are generously offering their work to a limited number of lucky readers (maybe that’ll be you!) to win in a giveaway.
I’m hosting this giveaway on my Facebook author page. If you don’t already follow me on Facebook now is definitely the time to “like” my page. You can find it HERE.
How to participate in the giveaway:
- Each day, several times a day, I’ll post a photo of or about one of the giveaway gifts. It will be obvious which posts are about the giveaway because I’ll begin the caption with [Giveaway] in brackets.
- All you have to do to enter the drawing is “like” or comment on the giveaway-specific post.
- I’ll announce the winner of each gift at the end of the day via the post. Check back at the end of the day to see if you’ve won! It’s that easy.
That’s it! It’s pretty simple and a lot of fun. Play along on Facebook now!
Below are images and descriptions of each item that will be part of the giveaway each day.
Monday, April 11
Custom Jewelry by Acclaimed Artist Robert Dancik
Turn a gem, trinket, button, or other cherished item that reminds you of your loved one into a custom piece of jewelry (necklace, pin, pendant, or cufflinks). Dancik works with the item you provide to fashion a stunning and meaningful piece. The result will be something you’ll cherish for a lifetime and become a new family heirloom. (Value up to $300)
$50 Gift Card to PaperCulture.com
I just love Paper Culture! I connected with this company because of its wonderful, fully customizable Memory Game. Customers provide photos of loved ones and these images are used to create one-of-a-kind Memory Game cards. By integrating loved ones who have passed away into this game, children are seamlessly taught to value every relationship in their lives — the people who have passed, and all those individuals who are still part of their present. The gift card is valid towards the retail price of the item (not taxes or shipping). (Value $50)
“Rescued Goods” Sculpture by Cammie Metheny
Bulky household objects can be turned into cherished works of art. Cammie Metheny, who runs 106 Vintage Co., a “rescued goods” boutique, transforms paintbrushes, gardening tools, even wooden table legs into wonderfully unconventional sculptures. The process is straightforward: a hole is drilled into the bottom of an object, and then a steel rod with an attached base is screwed in place. One sculpture works well on its own; a cluster makes a statement.
Tuesday, April 12
Custom Ring by Brent & Jess Jewelers
Jewelers Brent and Jessica Williams etch your loved one’s fingerprint into a magnificent handcrafted ring. One mom I interviewed for Passed and Present found great solace and joy using her son’s thumbprint from a project he did in elementary school. For her, the best part of wearing the ring is feeling her son’s fingerprint every time she rubs it. “It brings him right back to me,” she said. “It helps me acknowledge my son and his life.” (Value $375)
Custom Pottery with Your Favorite Recipe by Beth Digman
My grandmother made the most delicious coffee cake. I cherish the handwritten recipe and worked with Beth Digman, owner of Prairie Hills Pottery, to make it a central part of my kitchen. Watch this video to see more. Digman creates several types of custom design pottery and will make a special piece just for you. (Value $50)
Memory-Keeper by Tanya Monier
Artist Tanya Monier specializes in crafting Memory-Keepers, vintage cigar boxes she painstakingly decoupages with old clippings and paper keepsakes that were important to your loved one. Monier can work with virtually any kind of paper, including handwritten recipes. Crafted in 3-5 days depending on the size of the box, each Memory-Keeper can store just about anything—jewelry, photographs, wedding and graduation invitations.
Wednesday, April 13
Book Purse by Karen Higham and Novel Creations
Do you have a favorite book that reminds you of your loved one? Perhaps it was his or her favorite book or one you enjoyed together. Higham uses the book cover to craft a stylish purse. Carry memories with you every day with this eye-catching gift. (Value $65)
Memory Vase by Tanya Monier
Artist Tanya Monier creates bowls and vases out of old 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm film. The metamorphosis begins when Monier receives your film reels in the mail. She unspools the film and then rewraps it around a wooden or vintage object. Using shellac to hold the strands in place, she constructs one-of-a-kind vessels that take on a brilliant blue, green, brown, gray, or purple luster, depending on the color of the film stock.
Thursday, April 14
$50 Gift Card to PaperCulture.com
Paper Culture is a fantastic online shop. I connected with this company because of its wonderful, fully customizable Memory Game. Customers provide photos of loved ones and these images are used to create one-of-a-kind Memory Game cards. By integrating loved ones who have passed away into this game, children are seamlessly taught to value every relationship in their lives — the people who have passed, and all those individuals who are still part of their present. The gift card is valid towards the retail price of the item (not taxes or shipping). (Value $50)
“Rescued Goods” Sculpture by Cammie Methany
Bulky household objects can also be turned into cherished works of art. Cammie Metheny, who runs 106 Vintage Co., a “rescued goods” boutique, transforms paintbrushes, gardening tools, even wooden table legs into wonderfully unconventional sculptures. The process is straightforward: a hole is drilled into the bottom of an object, and then a steel rod with an attached base is screwed in place. One sculpture works well on its own; a cluster makes a statement.
Friday, April 15
Show & Tales Private Party by Martie McNabb
Show & Tales is a clever, grown up version of “show and tells” you may have done in elementary school. Guests bring an item that reminds them of their loved one and share the object’s poignant or funny story. Show & Tales were started in Brooklyn, New York by Martie McNabb, owner of Memories Out of the Box. If you win this giveaway, McNabb will facilitate a Show & Tales just for you, your friends, and family. This event must be located in or around New York City; food and drink are not included. (Value $350)
Book Purse / iPad Case by Kathleen Scranton
Artist Kathleen Scranton carefully and creatively transforms cherished books into unique purses and other novelty gift items, such as iPad cases and decorative covers for eReaders, sketch pads, and journals. What a wonderful way to repurpose a cherished book! (Value $165)
