birthday giveaway {3}

Today is the third and final giveaway for this week's birthday series and there are four shops included!

Meet Caroline of Cotton Lane

How long have you been in the handmade business? What's your favorite thing about it?
I have been in the handmade biz for about a year and a half now.. off & on. I LOVE creating relationships through my blog & twitter and being able to ship off orders that have been made by my hands. Its kind of cool to think about: people all over the world can have Cotton Lane products in their hands!

What's your favorite thing to do in October?

I LOVE going to the pumpkin patch, sipping on apple cider, and getting cozy in my over-sized sweaters, skinny jeans & boots.

Tell us about your favorite city.

My favorite city is probably Denver, CO. There's so much culture AND its right by the mountains. What more could you ask for??

Meet Jen of Rellas Bellas

How long have you been in the handmade business? What's your favorite thing about it?

I'm a dreamer, a coffee lover, a cupcake addict, a navy spouse, a mama to my baby Khloe {fur baby} and I am positively obsessed with accessories! Earrings, belts, necklaces, hair baubles— I can't get enough! I started making handmade accessories at the beginning of January {2011} to showcase my creativity, and because I feel that the right accessories have the ability to take an every-day outfit to the next level, it seemed only fitting for this to be my main focus. I specialize in creating accessories that transform a “Plain Jane” outfit into a sassy and chic ensemble for both ladies and babies. I love wearing handmade not only because each piece tells its own story, but also because I know that someone has put their heart & soul into every aspect of the product’s existence.

What's your favorite thing to do in October?

My favorite thing to do in October is making and eating {drinking too} anything pumpkin! I am obsessed with pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks. I love making pumpkin pancakes on a Saturday morning and then watching college football {GO BLUE!}. I love Fall foods: crock pot cooking, casseroles, squash, and soups, yummy!

Tell us about your favorite city.

My favorite city would have to be a tie between San Francisco and Seattle. I love the vibe both cities have! What I especially love about SF is everyone is so excepting of everyone. They don't think anything is crazy or weird, they embrace individuality! I've been visiting SF regularly for over 10 years and fall in love with it more after each visit. Seattle is such a fun city to explore, and who doesn't love a morning at Pike's Place Farmer's Market?? I love the sense of community in Seattle. In the summer Seattle is by far one of the most beautiful cities to visit and explore.

Meet Jacqui from Craftee McGee

How long have you been in the handmade business? What's your favorite thing about it?

I opened my shop in August of 2009 but I sold my first necklace at a craft show in 5th grade. There were rainbow seed beads involved. My favorite thing by far about having a handmade business is the community. I have made real and lasting relationships with people because of the business I own. I also love interacting with the people who will wear the things I make, whether it be via email or in person at a craft show.

What's your favorite thing to do in October?

Oh that's a hard one! October is a great month! It contains my hubby's birthday, the anniversary of when we started dating and our wedding anniversary, plus apple cider, the world series and pumpkins. I love it all, but my favorite is taking a walk and crunching in the fallen leaves. 

Tell us about your favorite city.

It's a toss up between Chicago and London, but I think Chicago wins. Part of it is that it will always feel like home, but there is just so much to love about Chicago! The history, the museums, the people, the neighborhoods, the pizza, Wrigley Field, the sports teams, the hot dogs, the architecture, the lake, the skyline, the change of seasons, I love it all, even the winter!

Meet Cory of Sorelle Accessories

How long have you been in the handmade business? What's your favorite thing about it?

I have been making/creating handmade arts and crafts for as long as I can remember and LOVE to do it....but I have only been featuring/selling items on Etsy since July 2010. It keeps my mind fresh and creative and is manageable while I work full time as a High School Art teacher.

What's your favorite thing to do in October?
I LOVE to get up to see the Aspen Leaves change in the Colorado "high" country...and also pumpkin spice lattes :)

Tell us about your favorite city.
My favorite city is Florence! I am an Art History teacher and am in love with the "romance" of this timeless city. I consistently have dreams of eating "amarretti gelati" and sipping warm, foamy "cappucinos"! I can't wait to go back!!!

Today's giveaway includes:

>>$15 shop credit from Cotton Lane
>>a rellas rosies necklace in any color from RellasBellas
>>$20 shop credit to Craftee McGee
>>50% off  any item of your choice from Sorelle Accessories

How to enter:
Visit Cotton Lane, Rellas Bellas, Craftee McGee and Sorelle Accessories tell me your favorite item from each shop in a comment below.

For more entries:
((leave a separate comment for each))
-follow Caroline, Jen, Jacqui and me on Twitter ((one entry))
-like Cotton Lane Craftee McGee and dot...in the city on Facebook ((one entry))
-heart RellasBellas, Craftee McGee and Sorelle Accessories on Etsy ((one entry))
-tweet, blog or facebook this giveaway and leave the link ((up to three entries))

{tweet sample}
I'm celebrating @dotinthecity's birthday with a giveaway from @cotton_lane, @crafteemcgee @bellarellajen tinyurl.com/6xabxyj

The giveaway winners will be announced on Monday, October 31st!
{all photos used by permission and provided by the shop owners}