From Russia with Love...NEW GIVEAWAY!

 Meet Anastasya Kaufman from Meushop 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/meudeus 
She is all the way from Russia where she sells her beautiful leather flowers, bags, and purses.  I was browsing Etsy one day and found her amazing shop!  I love trying to find shops from far away places like Europe.  Her leather work is exquisite and definitely not something you can get here in the states. I hope you fall in love with her shop as much as I have.  Anastasya has been generous enough to giveaway one of her lovely, hand made, leather flowers.  I am so excited about this interview because I am always intrigued by others in other countries.  Anastasya is my first interview with someone from Europe!

 

This is one of my favorite purses in her shop.

 

When I asked her to tell me a little about herself she replied, "In my "previous" life I worked as translator on MTV Russia and in Kremlin Ballet.  I was also an artist in graphics.  I used to draw portraits. Now I found my favorite work and it has already become a small business here in Russia.  I am very interested in the global market. I want my works to travel :)."  Well, I hope this blog helps you do just that!  :)

I asked Anastasya when she started to make these items and why?  She said she only started to work with leather a year ago.  Bags and accessories had been her passion her whole life.  She loved to shop for them and buy them, but never thought she could make the things she loved as a profession.  She said, "First I decided to sew a bag for myself, and then I just couldn't stop. :)" She went on to say she had a really great teacher in Moscow who taught her everything she knows.  It is amazing to me that in Moscow...where I think it is cold and dreary (although I have no idea, since I have never been there...just my narrow minded thinking), that Anastasya was inspired to make these delicate, floral, light colored accessories and bags.  When I asked her what inspires her art she said, "Many things - mostly nature and traveling. I always have the best ideas when I return home from a trip."  As for Russia, she says, " I live in Moscow region, Russia. I love Moscow, it is a great megalopolis.  It is very busy, with it's own specific energy."  Interesting.  I don't think I have heard of Moscow like that before.  Now I want to go visit!

I thought her shop name was unusual and asked her how she decided on that name.  "I always wanted to go to Brazil and I even learned Portugal. "Meu deus", in English it is "Oh, my god".  Those were the first words, that I learned, so it became my nickname. My shop is called "meushop"  - just  like "myshop". "  Cute huh?

Anastasya is also a mom of two little girls of 5 and 2.   She says she works at home and that is her full time job.  She said, "I cannot say it is easy to combine work and maternity, but if you really want something, everyone and everything around you starts to help you. My husband, my mom and my husband's mom help me as they can. I really appreciate it. "  That is so awesome!!!

I asked what her favorite Etsy shops were and she replied, "I like many shops, but these ones absolutely kill me with their art:"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/irenagasha

http://www.etsy.com/shop/arosha

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TessaKim

http://www.etsy.com/shop/staroftheeast











One of the reasons why she likes being on Etsy is because it links so many creative people together like the shops you see above.

Nastya, as she signed her email to me,  entertained some of my crazy and self indulgent questions.  I asked, If I were to come visit  your country....what would be the number one place you would tell me to visit?

 "I would tell you to visit some old towns like Suzdal or Tula… Moscow is like other global megalopolis, it looks like them. Small old towns better show russian character. No bears;)"  HAHA  I just saw a bear in my back yard yesterday here in Massachusetts.  lol

 What is your favorite local dish and please explain what it is:
 "I like pelmeni. It is meatballs in dough, look like Italian ravioli. It tastes great. "  Wouldn't that be great if she could give us the recipe....I will ask her!!!

If you could live any other place in the world where would it be and why?
"I could live in Barcelona, I love it."  Soooo many people love Spain.  Gotta go there someday too!


HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN THIS???????!!!!!

This is how this will go down for this giveaway from Russia with LOVE!!!  This is a classy flower for your hair or a pin ( I will have to ask which).  So cute!

Entries:

First make sure you are following my blog to enter.  As always, come back and post after you completed and entry thanks!  It would be great if you either posted your email here on the post or you could email me privately at lillollipops@gmail.com.  This giveaway will end Saturday, Oct. 22.  Once the winner is announced, you will have 48 hours to claim your prize or we will choose the next person on the list. 

1.  Go to her shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/meudeus heart her shop and your favorite item. = 2 entries

2.  Go to her webpage: http://meushop.ru/ and search all her items.  click on the one you like best and come back here and paste the web address of that item and tell us what it is and why you like it best. = 2 more entries

3.  If you are the first one to buy something from her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/meudeus, you automatically will win this giveaway!!!!!  :)  So it would be like...buy something, get something free!