Monday, December 5, 2011

GIVEAWAY AND INTERVIEW WITH KRAFTYMAX JEWELRY DESIGNER!

Hey Goddesses!  -- First let me say: Blogger is messing with our fonts and formatting. Sorry for all of that!
Give a warm welcome to KraftyMax! She has some wonderful pieces to show you and she was kind enough to join in add to the giveaway! So this giveaway is a KraftyMax Original and I promise you, you won't be disappointed! *Looking at Shauni* "I really want this one! *sigh* We just want all the pretty things! But, we guess we'll do what we're supposed to and add it to the giveaway loot! AND she even gave us a yummy recipe! That's always a plus!!!!
Without further blubbering from me and Shauni -- Here is the interview with KraftyMax (she's a whole lotta fun! -- ooooh! A Jewelry Goddess! We need one of those!)


Cats or Dogs? ( Hey what about Birds and lizards? ) I am a HORSE woman mostly, but these days I have to settle for Dogs – love cats too, but it was the cat or the hubby (he’s allergic)…this time I choose hubby!
Salty or Sweet (This of course means when you’re “playing” because this isn’t an adult Goddess site for nothin’)? Chocolate? UMMM, I think Salty…. Always makes me want to drink more!! 
Vampires or Werewolves (Of course you can choose “other” but you have to elaborate *snickering*)? I think Vampires…. I love my neck being kissed – the  bite… just extra!
Fireman or Cowboy? Oh that one is easy, cowboy!  I grew up on a horse ranch and used to ride in the rodeo.  And yes, I also used to ‘green break’ horse – you can read anything you want into that!!
Hairy or Smooth (Body hair)? For me, SMOOTH, for him – a little goes a long way!
Clean Shaven or Stubble?  Clean shaven, but with a mustache, I like a little tickle when I get those neck kisses!
Diet or Regular soda (Or....if you’re like me, Kimberly, you’re stuck on Powerade Zero)? Diet only.  Regular tastes like syrup, except an occasional Mountain Dew – but that is mostly to WAKE up!
Fruit or Veggies (Or Chocolate)? For me, FRUIT!  I love just about ALL fruit, but my favorite is probably pinapple or oranges.
Coffee or tea (Or Chocolate)?  Don’t drink coffee – even though I could use the caffine.  I love fruit favored teas – hot or cold!
The song that is most annoying when it sticks in your head -- sorry had to do it. There is this song that NO MATTER what time of the year it is I just get it stuck – Silent Night.  I end up humming it or signing it full out throughout the better part of the year!
Apple or Microsoft? MICROSOFT!  But love my Iphone!
Drama or Comedy or anything with Gerard Butler -- What Shauni? He’s Hawt!  What Kim?*wiping drool* I love Gerard but what about Jason Momoa ooooohhh Or Charlie Hunnan?  OOH Shauni! Charlie!!! We Loves Us some Jax! SOA! All the way baby!  I guess we should let the guest answer the question though, huh? (tv, movies)?  I am more the Antonio Banderas type, but my all time fav, ummm, Sean Connery – yummmy!
Spring or Fall (Fall -- cuz I can beat him to the floor! *snickering*)? For me, SPRING.  I love fall too, but it is Spring – great weather, great colors and a new lease in life – weather I want it or not!  Ha ha ha!
Sedan or Sports Car (Hey! I live in Texas! Where’s the truck suggestion???)? I am with the TRUCK!  I have a Jeep Liberty – the best of both worlds, JEEP for the off road and Liberty to get the kids to the school so I can enjoy the day! 
Tattoos or no Tattoos? I don’t have any, but I like them…. I chicken out each time I try!
Favorite splurge food -- Tacos, Pizza, Cheeseburger (Or Chocolate peanut butter swirl FUDGE)???? I would say Crab legs and shrimp!  But Pizza is a close second!!
What dish do you make perfect? I LOVE to cook and cook just about everything!  I am actually good at it too!  But my chili is one of the most requested!
What dish have you messed up completely by burning or over cooking it? Rolls – they are TOOO quick and I usually burn about ½ of what I make!
Can you give us your favorite Christmas cookie recipe? If not the recipe, your favorite cookie, we’ll find the recipe. I love to make Baklava  It isn’t actually a cookie, but close.  
Baklava
Ingredients:
4 cups nuts (almonds or walnuts)
¾ cup sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ pound clarified unsalted butter, melted
1 pound filo dough, thawed in the refrigerator
For Lemon Syrup:
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 lemon zest strips, each about 3 inches long
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Method:
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F.  In a bowl, combine the nuts, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.
**Lightly brush a 13x9x2 inch banking with some of the melted butter.  Remove the filo sheets from their package, lay them flat on a work surface and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.  Lay a filo sheet in the prepared pan and brush it lightly with butter.  Working with 1 sheet at a time, top with half of the remaining filo sheets (10-12 sheets), brushing each sheet with butter after it is placed in the pan.  Spread the nut mixture evenly over the stacked filo sheets.  Then top with the remaining filo sheets, again brushing each lightly with butter, including the top sheet.
Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes so the butter will set.  (This step makes the baklava easier to cut). 
Using a sharp knife and cut the baklava all the way through into diamond shapes, forming about 35 pieces in all.  Bake until golden, 35-40 minutes.
For Syrup:
In a deep sauces pan, combine the water, sugar and lemon zest.  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes.  Remove the lemon zest and discard.  Stir in the lemon juice.
When the baklava is done, remove it from the oven.  Pour the hot syrup evenly over the hot pastry.  Let stand for 30 minutes to cool slightly, then recut the diamonds.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Store leftover pieces covered at room temperature.
Can you please show the readers some of your most favorite work?
This is one of my MOST favorites… I love the way the hair turned out!
                                                    This one is just PEFECT for spring!! 
                               http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/gallery_item/KraftyMax/65276
                                http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/gallery_item/KraftyMax/81685
What is one of your most favorite pieces that you have done for yourself? If its something personal and you don’t want to show it, can you tell us about it?
This one was made for me!
KraftyMax, your bead work is gorgeous! One of my favorite pieces is the Celtic Knot Suncatcher.  Have you seen that piece Shauni? It has to be my all time favorite!  Your jewelry is so elegant as well.  What is your favorite piece?  Do you ever make something and think....OoOOh! That is ALL MINE!!! ?  I do, but here is my thought, if I don’t sell it, it WILL be mine!  Nothing gives me more pleasure than when I see someone – via photo or in real life – wearing my creations.  That is the most AMAZING feeling!  Thank you so much for all your support and friendship!  ~KM

I know you didn't give us this piece to "pimp" for you but I HAD to show everybody how diverse your talent is.  This IS MY (Kimberly) FAVORITE PIECE!
Isn't KraftyMax AWESOME??? Now, I know you're all JUST DYING to know how to get to her shop and where to find her.  Her pieces range from simply elegant to just jaw dropping! You have to check it out!  Her prices are very reasonable.  She's great to do business with.  We, Shauni and I, have been very lucky to consider her one of our new friends!  She is one of the sweetest people you'll meet!  Ok Ok - Now for some links (and then we'll get to the good stuff!)

Here she is on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/kraftymax

Now let's see what gorgeousness she's so generously donated for the giveaway -- ALL FOR YOU WONDERFUL PEEPS!!  (To see more photos of all her work, click the links under the photos)

Thank you KraftyMax for joining us! We had a blast! As Always, your work is stunning! 

Love & Hugs Goddesses












7 comments:

Mary Preston said...

Just absolutely gorgeous & clever. I like clever.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Ambers Art Alley said...

What a fun interview to read. I found you through Kraftmax's blog. I look forward to following your blog now as well :)

Tiffany K said...

Those are gorgeous!!! Loved reading the interview once again. Thank you so much for the recipe I have family members that love that!

Tiffany K said...

I forgot to leave my email address in the comment, it's tiffanykrepps @ gmail . com

Would you believe it took me 3 tries to get my own email right? Lol

Samorjj said...

Beautiful work.
samorjj(at)hotmail.com

June M. said...

Very beautiful creations! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

*yadkny* said...

Mmmm... that recipe sounds delicious! Very inspiring creations too! I wish I were as crafty:) Thanks for the great giveaway & Happy Holidays!!!

yadkny@hotmail.com

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