I love giveaways and I really, really love winning free stuff. (Who doesn't?!?) It doesn't happen often but it always comes as a surprise when it does and brightens up my day.
Every Wednesday here on The Meandering Musings is "I Wanna Win" Wednesday! This is where you can come to find terrific giveaways to enter and win as well as share giveaways with others.
SO... Do you have a great giveaway going on this week or know someone who does? If so, spread the news and share!In the Linky below, share your current giveaway or any great giveaways that you have discovered, or... explore (and enter to win) a few of the giveaways left by others.
After all, you can't win if you don't enter!
[ PLEASE ENTER YOUR LINKS IN THIS FORMAT... Name of Giveaway You're Sharing (End Date) ]
I took a long weekend! A really nice, wonderfully relaxing long weekend that was just what the doctor ordered. I don't think I've slept so much in my life!
Now that I'm back, I'd love to introduce 
you to one of my Etsy BESTeam peers today. The BESTeam is an Etsy team that's dedicated to helping each other promote our handmade products and businesses. Alexanders Designs is a member, just as I am (as Bits n Beads by Gilliauna, of course).
Alexanders Designs is a husband and wife team that work together to create jewelry from Dichroic glass, fused glass, gemstones, crystals and pearls.
They have bracelets, necklaces, earrings and even rings. In fact, Skip Alexander's rings were just recently featured in the Kansas City Star Magazine!
Jenny and Skip Alexander are both glass artists and have taken a number of classes from lampworking to classes in fused glass and borosilicate glass. They've spent many hours perfecting their skills together and it shows in many of their glass art beads and pendants.
TO VISIT JENNY AND SKIP ALEXANDER'S DESIGNS SHOP ON ETSY, YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE OR, IF YOU'D RATHER, CLICK RIGHT HERE![This blog post is a "BESTeam Feature" for the Boosting Etsy Shops Team. The BESTeam is dedicated to helping its members promote their shops and assisting each other in marketing, advertising and sharing the tips and tricks of running an online business. If you are a seller on Etsy and are interested in becoming a member of the BESTeam, the team is accepting new members and you can find more information about the team as well as apply to become a member HERE.]
Growing up in Washington State, where there is a very large amount of native tribal land and heritage, I've always had a great admiration and respect for the native tribes of North America and throughout my life I've been to many museums erected to introduce true tribal artwork and artisan crafts to the world, not just in Washington but all around the US.
When I came across today's shop, I instantly loved it for the same reason I've loved visiting those museums and choose to seek them out whenever I've traveled around North America. It's a heritage that survives against all odds, thrives regardless of the struggles of adversity and invasion of technology and industrialism.
I love that. I love that there are still cultures filled with heritage, older than Christianity and based on respect for the earth and sky and all living things. I love that they survive even to this day.
Leelinau shares some of this culture with the world of Etsy by offering beautiful pieces of genuine Chippewa Native American Indian handmade art. From beading to feathers to turquoise, bone and dream catchers, this shop is absolutely beautiful and filled with culture and heritage.
Leelinau is ran by Adina, who makes 
everything seen within her shop and is sold not just through Etsy but also in the Green Bay Oneida National Museum in Wisconson.
Adina is an enrolled tribal member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and loves mixing her cultural heritage with urban life to create the beautiful pieces she offers in her shop and she's constantly learning, adapting and challenging her abilities to create new and exciting pieces.
There's also a cornucopia of information on her profile page about both her work as well as the culture and heritage behind her creations, so when you stop by her shop, be sure to check out her profile as well!
YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURES ABOVE TO VISIT ADINA'S BEAUTIFUL LEELINAU SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.
Today's shop is very diverse with an earthy, whimsical flare for fantasy that really caught my attention.
I first saw today's artist's work when I was browsing through some of the treasuries on Etsy, and I was immediately drawn to the sculptured pieces like the one that I saw featured. I followed the link and found myself transported to an earthy realm of whimsy that I was immediately enchanted by.
Besedina is filled with wonderful sculptures that are rich in detail and personality. Little miniature pieces of art, cup holders for pens, pencils, crayons and more as well as fairy art prints, little magnets featuring more of the artist's sculpture talent and other bits and pieces such as jewelry boxes, jars, pendants and more.
It's a wonderful shop and one you shouldn't miss, so be sure to stop by and take a look around!
YOU CAN CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO VISIT BESEDINA'S SHOP ON ETSY AND TAKE A LOOK AROUND OR, IF YOU PREFER, CLICK RIGHT HERE.
