Ringing in the New Year RIght - Giveaway #5


I am so excited about today’s giveaway! It is a $25.00 gift certificate to Et Cetera. I love gift certificates! You just get to go in there and pick exactly what you want! I have blogged about this little shop on Main Street (right across from the Fire Department with twinkly lights) several times and you all know that they carry my artwork. They carry all kinds of really beautiful items from talented people all over town. I stay longer than I had planned every time I go in there! The catch today is that this contest is open to locals only. I apologize to all of the out-of-towners, but there’s just no way for you to spend it unless you are visiting our little town soon. On with the show…


Et Cetera is a joint effort between Karen Moore, Paula Hammel, and Melissa Taylor. They wanted a place that could be a venue for trendy, boutique style, handmade goodies. They each had their own crafting projects, but knew that wouldn’t fill a store. They decided to have vendors help with that. In the beginning, they asked a few girls in town that already had a great following of their craft or art. I was honored to be one of them and was in great company with other artisans like Tabetha Sullens, and Freda Preston.


And then...it HAPPENED! They got their storefront. They gave themselves a deadline and set up at the Autumn Street Fair...and so it took a life of its own. All of a sudden, Karen says, “God sent to us so many crafty unique gals in town I never even knew existed. The work they do is INCREDIBLE! We couldn’t believe the response we were getting”! Now they also have things from Kelly Roberts, Susan Burks, Kandice Patrick, and Kristen Green just to name a few.

So weeks went by, and the store was filled with so many handmade goodies that they had enlarge the show area BEFORE Christmas...something they weren't anticipating until next year. They have about 45 vendors now and can't believe how fast it has taken off.
Paula, Melissa, and Karen are all locals. They are big advocates of keeping business in the downtown area. Their newly renovated square is so what McMinnville needed, and they all hope it only gets busier and bigger for all of downtown.


As far as new products are concerned...they really have no idea. They know they will have lots of fresh ideas from local artists and crafters that will have that signature "Et Cetera” style. Valentines Day is coming up quickly so Karen says that she wants to have lots of hearts, candy, red, pinks, etc. I happen to know that they currently have lots of snowmen!

Karen says that one of her favorite things about the shop is “meeting the people that are bringing their arts and crafts to us. We have been so blessed with an abundance of new friendships that otherwise would not have happened. My second favorite is when someone comes in the shop for the first time. The expressions on their faces are the looks we intended. Folks are so pleasantly surprised at the contents of the store”. Awww, Karen, that is so sweet!

When you comment today, you are entering for that $25.00 gift certificate to Et Cetera. Remember that you do have to be local to enter today. Best of luck to you all!





Comments

Susan said…
Looks like I am the first to enter on this cold, cold day!
ellaandmommy said…
Please, enter me. ETC has lots of great goodies. :)
stephanie said…
I love ETC. I'm like a kid in a candyshop when I go in there.
Hope said…
Please enter me, I'd love to win this! So many nice things at Etc!
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com
Anonymous said…
did some of my christmas shopping there...be glad to go do some shopping for ME...

have a great day brandi, you are spreading the joy by doing these give-aways.

cathy
cbennett58@hotmail.com
Leann said…
Please enter me !!!!
Wesley said…
I want to win to ETC. I just love that store!
Tanya said…
I am loving this contest. I did not know about this store. I feel so clueless!!! Now I know. This was such a good idea!! Here is my entry number one.
Tanya said…
And here is my entry number two.
Lucrecia said…
Please enter me. This store is great! And Melissa is wonderful.
Lucrecia said…
Entering again please.
Kristi said…
I had never been there before until x-mas. I loved it. What lady doesn't love jewelry. I'd love to win this for myself.


usauto1@blomand.net
Kristi said…
I did some x-mas shopping there for the first time and will definitely go back. I want to win this for myself this time.



usauto1@blomand.net
Mim said…
Enter me please!
HaileyDishman said…
I have definitely got to check this store out!! It looks so awesome! :)
Jamie W. said…
This a great store. I've found wonderful Birthday and Christmas gifts there
Anonymous said…
The store is so cute!!

Amy Myers
amymyers81@hotmail.com
Count me in. I love shopping there too.
tiffany s said…
I have never been to ETC but I'd love to soon!
tiffany s said…
And again... I'll be back soon :)
Danielle said…
I've never been in this shop, but it looks wonderful. Enter me please!
Danielle said…
one more time, please!
Leann said…
Enter me again please !!!
yay! i love this, PLEASE enter me.
stephanie said…
I'm entering again. I would love to have that gift certificate.
Unknown said…
Here I am, Would love this!
Such a neat venue! Please enter me! :)
tiffany s said…
Entering again... the store looks awesome!
Lucrecia said…
Please enter me again!
Anonymous said…
I love ETC I was just there yesterday actually! There are so many cute things! Hope I win! :)

Lara Kate Haley
lara_kate@live.com
Anonymous said…
I am entering again!

Lara Kate Haley
lara_kate@live.com
tiffany s said…
I would love to win a gift cert from ETC!!
Wesley said…
entering again....
Ashley said…
please enter me in this awesome giveaway :)
Anonymous said…
PLEASE ENTER ME

GLORIA THOMAS
Anonymous said…
I am back again to vote! Hope I win! :)

Lara Kate Haley
lara_kate@live.com
Anonymous said…
Again!

Lara Kate Haley
lara_kate@live.com
Tanya said…
Enter me again please....
Susan Burks said…
I've got to get on this list!
Unknown said…
I'm dropping my name in again!

angel_nearby_me(a)yahoo.com

~Rennie~
Ashley said…
entering again...
ellaandmommy said…
trying another time...
Anonymous said…
Count me in!!
Shannon said…
Oh I have never been to ETC...enter me please
Mim said…
Going to try this one more time!
Sherrie S. said…
I like that ETC keeps things local...we all need to try doing that more :)
Angela Cossey said…
Please, enter me! Cute Store!
Anonymous said…
yes! I would love to have this!! I love to shop and ETC has such cute stuff!! :)
Ashlee Reep
areep@k12tn.net
Tanya said…
entry number 4. (I think)
Amy said…
Oh I hope I win this. My aunt in Murfreesboro would love this shop and that gift certificate :D

laprochaine@gmail.com
Sherrie S. said…
I would Love to win a gift card to ETC!!!
Anonymous said…
Wonderful give-away!! Thanks
kldavis21@tntech.net
Paula Wanamaker said…
Everything looks so pretty:)
Haven't been in their store yet, but am going to very soon.

Please enter me:)
Paula Wanamaker said…
and again.......maybe this time I will get lucky:)
I haven't had a chance to get over there to visit the new store. This would be the perfect opportunity. thanks.
one more time for good measure
Tanya said…
One more last minute entry.
I wasn't going to enter....but I can't help it. I LOVE ETC...and what it has done for all the local artists such as myself. It is a fabulous store and I am very grateful to have the opportunity for my stuff to be displayed beside that of so many talented ladies of this community. Thanks Karen, Paula, and Melissa.....women empowering women!!!! xoxoxo
***BTW- Since I already won~If my name is drawn...you can draw again. I just wanted to express my love and thanks to ETC.
i really really really wanna win lol
Anonymous said…
Again!!
kldavis21@tntech.net
Anonymous said…
Really want to win! I love this store! I hope I win! :)
Melissa Reep
thereeps@blomand.net
tiffany s said…
I want to win!
I never win anything! LOL
tiffany s said…
Ok one more time for the night! :)
Lucrecia said…
I would love to win, please enter me again.
Paula Wanamaker said…
If Kelly McClain-Roberts wins......I got 1st dibs on the forfeit:)
Enter me again:)
Paula Wanamaker said…
come on..............PLEASE DRAW MY NAME!!!
CAN I BRIBE YOU??????????????????
and one more time for good luck HA