St. Patrick's Day GIVEAWAY: Enchante by Michaela Dawn

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Why do we celebrate St Patrick's Day?  

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, his religious feast day and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over a thousand years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. 

I am celebrating with a GIVEAWAY!

Who is St. Patrick?

It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of sixteen, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)

Guided By Visions

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice-which he believed to be God's-spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.

To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation-an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than fifteen years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)

St. Patrick was a very passionate and inspiring man.

Running reviews/giveaways has put me in a position to meet some very inspiring people.  Meeting people who make amazing products, are passionate about the things that they make, and are willing to SHARE their passion with me is humbling; but not only that, it is an encouragement to me to pursue things that I am passionate about.  My new friend Michaela Dawn has a blog called Enchante by Michaela Dawn.

Upon my first visit to her blog, though the speakers of my computer came the sound of Bright Eyes.  Bright Eyes is one of my favorite bands ever; Jay and I even decided to have it played at our wedding.  I was reminded of the place that music USED to have in my life.  Music was something I had enjoyed thoroughly; it was a hobby of mine to discover GOOD music.  Music, for me, has the ability to bring back memories, inspire and encourage, and helps me feel like I am not alone--it is relatable.  Knowing that someone, somewhere is experiencing very similar feelings (good or bad), is comforting and validating. This all being said, Michaela Dawn has not only reintroduced me to music, but through her blog, her knowledge that she shares, and the life that she is living has encouraged me to dig deeper and find the things that I love.  Thrive.  

Here is a little about Michaela Dawn:

I am a stay at farm, work from farm mother.  I and my family live on a small establishment of a farm, wherein we all share quite a bit of acreage with a collection of delightful free range chickens, guineas, and a few turkeys, and a whole lot of other animal companions. 

What drew me to Enchante by Michaela Dawn was her jewelry making abilities. Here is a little bit about Enchante's Jewelry

My jewelry celebrates daily life for us salt of the earth people. The elements of silver and stone... the insignia of wind... the organic elements and fiber of earth... the feel and consistency of the season.... they all simply reflect back to us our humanity and character. These enduring sustainable pieces mirror to the owner their own natural character, and reminds us all...

We are inventive and able like creation.  We are mighty like the wind.

The art of metalsmith is such an elemental medium, there is always a way for me to express my strong and demure style, pursuing a pace that rings true to my heart... I know I always come back to the basics, the simplicity of this discipline, perfecting it to it's very nature, and passing it on for others to appreciate for generations, where in time it will surpass the delicateness that our own substance holds.

That is why I take care to make sure my jewelry is a bit exclusive. I stay in my own neck of the woods {so to speak} and gather near a fine group of local birds of a feather. I place what I make for you to claim as your own in my online shop. I primarily do custom work for a limited amount of local clients. I try to remain true to the simplicity of the mediums in which I work, placing the focal interest upon the explicit beauty of each sterling segment e.g. design aesthetic and stone.

you can learn more about Michaela Dawn HERE.  

For St. Patrick's Day, I decided to do a GREEN giveaway.

Enchante sent me the Planting Seed Earrings

...both for the concept of gardening and spiritual revival, how sweets is that?

Copper and Chinese turquoise combined together to create a calm and classic ear drop.

Crafted with a heritage of care... 

Second generation to be exact. 

Delivers time after time with allegiance to wearer. 

Environmentally, ethically, and mindfully constructed... 

Made for a strong and beautiful woman.

The package came with the sweetest little note...

The box of earrings, CHOCOLATE (which I ate IMMEDIATELY after taking this picture)

A goodie for the boys (they were clawing at my legs trying to get the goodie while I was taking this picture...I was holding them back with all my might...goodie was devoured IMMEDIATELY after I took this picture)

and some AWESOME photo postcards (I LOVE LOVE LOVE writing notes...I was so excited when I saw postcards!)

Totally brings out the color of my eyes!

they hang perfectly and sweetly...aww!

I LOVE these earrings!

THANK YOU to Enchante by Michaela Dawn for sponsoring our St. Patrick's Day giveaway.

The winner of this giveaway will receive their very own pair of planting seed earrings, made with love, from Enchante by Michaela Dawn

the winner will ALSO receive the Chloe' necklace

Here is how you enter:

(THE FIRST ENTRY IS REQUIRED)

1.  Follow me through Google Friend Connect.  Leave a comment on this post letting my know that you follow through google friend and provide me with your email address. (one entry)

(THESE ENTRIES ARE OPTIONAL)

2.  Get a friend to follow 'my big girl pants' through Google Friend Connect.  Leave me a comment with the name of the person you recruited and provide with me your email address. (one entry)

3.  Subscribe to my blog via email.  Leave me a comment saying that you have subscribed via email and provide me with your email address.

4.  Post this giveaway on FB, make sure you tag me and Enchante.  Leave a comment letting my know you posted it on FB and provide me with your email address.

5.  Go to Enchante's store and browse her items, choose your favorite item from their etsy store.  Leave me a comment telling me what item you love love love and provide me with your email address. (one entry)

6.  Go to Enchante and follow her through Google Friend Connect (at the bottom of the page).  Leave me a comment tell me you follow her through Google Friend Connect and provide me with your email address. (one entry)

7.  "Like" Enchante on FB by clicking HERE.  Leave me a comment telling me you "like" Enchante and provide me with your email address.

8.  BUY something from Enchante. Leave me a comment telling me you made a purchase and provide me with your email address.  (5 entries--this means, if you purchase something, you must leave me 5 separate comments in order to earn your 5 entries.)

This Giveaway will end February March 24, at 11:59pm.