Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Merry Christmas giveaway worth $90!!! - yours for free - if you win.



How would you like to win this??? A beautiful and professional END-GRAIN Cutting Board 12" x 16" x 1" thick crafted from Cherry, Hard Rock Maple and Red Oak valued at 90.00!! 
Cutting boards are a kitchen "must-have" for all the cooks on your holiday shopping list.  And with all the holiday cooking just around the corner, make sure your own kitchen gets this gift as well. Read on to find out how you can win...


Meet Gary Lindsey...a family friend and a new shop owner on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaryLWoodCreations  Gary lives in Savannah Georgia, a place known for it's history, beauty, and the arts.  He is a father of 5 (#6 bun in the oven), a musician, a photographer, and an active member in his church's praise team . Gary has two special needs children and is very active in his local Autism community. Gary was in the "corporate America"  for 20+ years.  The recent poor economy has led him into another business venture...his own. Gary creates BEAUTIFUL, top of the line, professional grade cutting boards made by hand.  Get to know this artist better; here is my interview with him:

How been have you been working with wood? I can't remember not doing it.  My dad "got me hooked" building with wood at 15 years old.  I have been building a variety of wood creations 35 years now.

Do you remember the first thing you ever made? A Dachshund dog shaped tie rack for my father. I made it in high school wood shop.

What is your favorite wood to work with and why? Walnut, it is beautiful and rich.  Walnut is even more luxurious looking when finished.  It smells good when you are cutting it, too.   This high - end wood always turns out beautiful when properly crafted.

What do you like about woodworking? I love the creativity of taking a raw piece of wood and then molding,  shaping, and crafting it into a beautiful finished product. I enjoy the smell of it and the feel of wood. I enjoy repurposing things and the connection to nature.  Taking a tree and  transforming it into a cutting board, a doll bunk bed, etc is a great creative challenge and fulfillment.   I must admit, the alone time of escaping into my little garage wood shop to do my work is also a nice break when you are raising a village of children.  (We parent crafters can relate to that!)

What made you decide to open an etsy shop?
After years of creating a huge variety of wooden creations that have included large farmhouse-style tables, monster-sized wooden porch swings, cutting boards, picture frames, etc...people would see them and say, "You need to sell these!"
After much encouragement through the years, I decided to open a shop. An Etsy shop had much less overhead and allows me to exercise more creative control than a traditional store
 The Etsy Community is great to! The community has opened up so many possibilites like networking with other crafters and being encouraged by the success stories on the blog.  It provided an opportunity to offer my creations all over the world.  In addition, the opportunity to create an income stream on Etsy to support my growing family is unlimited in this very challenging economy.  My wife and I have made the decision to homeschool our children, so every little bit helps.  And because two of our kids are special-needs,  the "make your own schedule" flexibility allows me to help my wife raise our children even more.  Also, I'm able to be an active member of the music ministry at my church.


Is it hard to balance your Etsy shop and your kids, your church commitments and life in general? How do you balance it?  Yes it is.
The fact that my wife is the combination homeschooling /
stay-at-home mom, allows me the opportunity to spend a few hours "working my Etsy shop" during the day. We generally put the kids to bed earlier than most and then I'll be able to work into the night as needed.
Side note: his wife, Erin, also has a budding shop on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/myellidesigns .  She makes adorable kids clothes.  I have seen some of her recent creations that she needs to post...A D O R A B L E!!!

What is your long term vision? 
To create items that "wow" the recipient. I see that more and more folks are going "back-to-basics" by opening Etsy shops.  The country is looking for quality versus quantity nowadays  and there is something to be said about the appeal of handmade, meticulously crafted one-of-kind products.  In this difficult economy, I believe your own business is your best bet at stability, since it is all on you and you're not subject to the whims of executives at some distant corporate office.  An additional goal is to produce enough income to work in the home, allowing me to be a maximum part of helping to raise our children. Raising kids is a difficult job, and raising special-needs children...even more so. 

I know you are a christian...how do your morals tie into how you run your Etsy shop? I treat every customer with integrity and will always endeavor to go "above and beyond".  Any opportunity I can, I will exceed my customer's expectations.  My reputation and long-term success is dependent on it.  These values are not only good values, but Godly values.  Christ calls us to bless our employer, bless our customers,  bless those around us, and bless those that are less fortunate.


What advice do you have for my readers when purchasing wood products? Make sure to select the right wood for your purpose. For example a table  that will take much abuse (the kids or a family table), needs to be made out of a harder wood to last.  It is worth the investment.  Harder woods include: Maple, Oak, Cherry.  On the other hand, some softer woods would be a great choice for a table that you want to look rustic, like the farm table I made for my family.  Pine will show up every nick, but if rustic is what you are going for, stick with the pine because the nicks will give it more character. Soft woods include, Pine, Cedar, Cypress, Spruce.  Keep in mind that the softer woods are cheaper for a reason.  Harder woods are more expensive because they will out last all of us!

What can we expect new from your shop? 
I am about to roll out a few pieces of "American Girl" type furniture.
American Girl is the wildly popular 18" doll that seems to need every accessory under the sun :)  These items I roll out will be 100% applicable to any 18" sized doll.  Yay!  I am putting my order in for my girls.



Being that you are a bass player, Who is your favorite rock star and why? Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles.  Why? Because he is a great bass player, composer, and he always delivers.  The man is 70 years old and he is as good now as he was in the Beatles.


I want to thank Gary for his time in this interview and most of all his GENEROUS giveaway.  I myself bought a few of these for myself and family.  They are beautiful and his completion of them was done in a great timely manner.  You almost hate to cut on them.  They are so beautiful, that mine stays out on the counter as a decorative piece in my kitchen as well.

So here is the scoop on the giveaway:
Giveaway will be active from Dec. 12  - 17 
in hopes that you will get it by Christmas!  
Entries will be drawn on Dec. 17 at 10pm East Coast time via Random.org.


HOW TO ENTER FOR THE GIVEAWAY:
Do one of the things below...get one entry do all four...get four entries into the giveaway.  Do the two extras also...you will have six entries!  The more entries, the higher your shot at winning!

1. Like Gary's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-Lindsey-Wood-Creations/286373721462960
2. Favorite his Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaryLWoodCreations
3.  Favorite one item in his shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaryLWoodCreations
4. Share a link to his etsy shop or facebook page on your facebook and get 2 extra entries!
5. Don't forget to come back to this post and comment your name and email and what you did for the entry.  How else will we be able to contact you if you won?

extra entries (these only count if you did the ones above):
1. like my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lillollipopsdesigns
2. like my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lillollipopsdesigns

102 comments:

  1. i liked his shop on etsy- shootingstarsmag

    this would be a fab gift.

    lauren51990 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. liked garys page. liked his shop and an item in it. liked your fb and etsy shop also
    logansmommy0611@yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  3. I liked Gary's facebook page!

    Katy A.

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I favorited his shop on etsy! katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I favorited this in his shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/114640711/black-walnut-hard-maple-end-grain

    katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I shared his etsy shop on my facebook page:

    https://www.facebook.com/KatyLMA/posts/458113860891957

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    entry 1

    ReplyDelete
  7. shared on facebook

    entry 2

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like Lil Lollipops Designs on facebook! Katy A.

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I favorited your shop on etsy! katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lisa Corbin...I did all of them except #4. Mobile and can't figure out on this phone! I did the extras too :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. http://www.etsy.com/listing/116682267/oak-edge-grain-cutting-board-a-must-have is my favorite on your shop!
    -john
    john.supica@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. favorited this item
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/116683564/hard-rock-maple-cherry-red-oak-end-grain?ref=v1_other_1

    ReplyDelete
  13. shared the giveaway of facebook https://www.facebook.com/jenn.burris.37/posts/567885306571814

    ReplyDelete
  14. I liked your facebook, favorited your page on etsy and liked your Black Walnut & Hard Maple End-Grain Cutting Board. A "must-have" for the kitchen on etsy!.

    I love your stuff, just gorgeous!

    obscuredscarlet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. 1. I like Gary's Facebook page: Valerie Theberge
    2. I Favorite his Etsy shop: valerietheberge
    3. Favorite one item in his shop: valerietheberge
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/116683988/black-walnut-hard-maple-end-grain

    4. I share a link to his facebook page on my facebook page: Valerie Theberge (https://www.facebook.com/valerie.theberge)

    Extra entries:
    1. I like your facebook page: Valerie Theberge
    2. I like your Esty shop: valerietheberge

    Thanks!!!!!!!

    My name: Valerie Theberge
    My email: v_theberge@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. hearted this:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/114682654/hard-maple-end-grain-cutting-board-a
    lindsfife

    ReplyDelete
  17. my email is
    lindsreardon at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, what a great giveaway! These boards are gorgeous! I favoritet Gary"s facebook page!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I favoritet his etsy store. My etsy name is Lexikaetzchen.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The board made from black walnut is my favorite on etsy <3

    ReplyDelete
  21. I shared his facebook page on my facebook timeline (Alex Ben)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I liked your facebook page (Alex Ben)

    ReplyDelete
  23. ..and I also liked and favorited your etsy shop!
    PS: My email is: lexikaetzchen(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. thank you for chance to win, would love this!

    liked him on facebook as: kelly

    ReplyDelete
  25. added etsy shop to fav's as: yourcharmedlife

    ReplyDelete
  26. contact info:
    kellyprososki@hotmail.com
    kelly

    ReplyDelete
  27. I liked Gary's FB page. (Jessica Peltz)

    jpeltz09 [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I favorited Gary's Etsy shop. (Username: jpeltz09)

    Jessica Peltz
    jpeltz09 [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I favorited the Black Walnut End-Grain Cutting Board in Gary's shop (username: jpeltz09)

    Jessica Peltz
    jpeltz09 [at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh this is such a beautiful piece of work!!!! I love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I liked gary's fb page.
    debbie penny
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I liked Gary's Facebook page! (Chelsea Wilkinson - laylasmama317@aim.com)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I favorited Gary's etsy shop. (etsy username - cjackson3177)(Chelsea Wilkinson - laylasmama317@aim.com)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I favorited the darkest cutting board in his etsy shop. (etsy username - cjackson3177) (Chelsea Wilkinson - laylasmama317@aim.com)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I share the link to his facebook on my facebook ((Chelsea Wilkinson - laylasmama317@aim.com)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I liked lil lollipop designs on facebook.
    (Chelsea Wilkinson - laylasmama317@aim.com)

    ReplyDelete
  37. I added lil lollipop designs to my favorites on etsy - etsy username cjackson3177 (Chelsea Wilkinson - laylasmama317@aim.com)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi my name is Cait Long, my email is ctc115@gmail.com and I did all 6 entries. :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. My name is Cassie Ragsdale, email is butterykittens@yahoo.com. I liked gary's facebook page, faved his etsy, and <3 the black walnut and hard maple cutting board. I also like your fb page, and your etsy page. Those are such beautiful cutting boards!!
    <3
    Cassie
    dailydirtydiaper.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I Liked Gary's Facebook Page.

    Krystal Ladwig
    sweetiememoirs@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I favorited Gary's Etsy shop.

    Krystal Ladwig
    sweetiememoirs@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I favorited an item in Gary's shop.

    Krystal Ladwig
    sweetiememoirs@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I can't believe I'm the first commenter. I have been wanting a wood cutting wood for a while now. Gary's boards are so nice! I faved his Etsy shop. Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  44. I faved lil lollipops designs on etsy.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I favorited the Black Walnut & Hard Maple cutting board! (lovegrapefruit)
    katelyn.j.stephens at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I favorited his etsy store and favorited this item, because it's beautiful!

    Black Walnut & Hard Maple End-Grain Cutting Board. A "must-have" for the kitchen.

    I also liked his facebook page!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know who you are as you are showing up anonymous with no way to contact you. Sorry!

      Delete
  47. I heart your shop on Etsy!

    Roman.c.moss (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I liked Gary's FB page.
    bcbeaveratheart at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I favorited lol Gary's Etsy shop too!
    bcbeaveratheart at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I also favorited a special item from Gary's etsy shop too!
    bcbeaveratheart at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I liked lillollipopsdesigns on FB too.
    bcbeaveratheart at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I liked lillollipopsdesigns on Etsy too!
    bcbeaveratheart at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I like Gary on facebook (same name)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  54. I heart the shop on etsy (id: megnate)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  55. I heart the black walnut endgrain cutting board! (id: megnate)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  56. I like you on facebook (same name)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  57. I heart your shop on etsy (id: megnate)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  58. Lovely! A perfect gift for my Mom. She's a sucker for kitchen utensils and the likes =)

    Name: Chona Gomba
    Email address: chonagomba[AT]gmail[DOT]com

    1. I liked Gary's Facebook page, my Facebook name is Chloe Blane
    2. I favorited Gary's shop on Etsy. My username is ChloeBlane
    3. I favorited an item on Gary's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/116683988/black-walnut-hard-maple-end-grain
    4. I shared his Etsy shop on my Facebook timeline: https://www.facebook.com/chonagomba/posts/126840304142007
    5. I also liked your Facebook page
    6. I favorited your shop on Etsy

    ReplyDelete
  59. I liked Gary Lindsey Wood Creations on facebook: Allyce Smith

    Favorited the Etsy shop: Allyce Smith

    Favorited one item in the shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/116683988/black-walnut-hard-maple-end-grain

    Posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livexxlove/posts/388477114569986

    I liked Lil Lollipops Designs on facebook: Allyce Smith

    I favorited Lil Lollipops Designs etsy shop : Allyce Smith

    thanks for the giveaway!

    tehurbanlegend[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I liked Gary's Facebook page (Aneesa Bint Lewis).

    ReplyDelete
  61. I favorited Gary's Etsy shop (Alexandra Lewis).

    ReplyDelete
  62. I favorited his Black Walnut & Hard Maple End-Grain Cutting Board!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I shared a link on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/ummuadillah/activity/10151290588989720?og_perm_src=RECENT_ACTIVITY

    ReplyDelete
  64. Liked you on facebook (Aneesa Bint Lewis).

    ReplyDelete
  65. I liked and Favorited your Etsy Shop (Alexandra Lewis). My email address is aneesa824 at yahoo dot com. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Liked Gary's Facebook page
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Favorited his Etsy shop
    beewbedard
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. hearted:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/114681503/black-walnut-end-grain-cutting-board-a
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. fb share: 1
    http://www.facebook.com/brenda.witherspoonbedard/posts/138357992984750
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. fb share: 2
    http://www.facebook.com/brenda.witherspoonbedard/posts/138357992984750
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. liked your facebook page
    Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. liked your Etsy shop
    beewbedard
    brendawitherspoon at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Like Gary's facebook page as Diana Z.
    dluckyz at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Favorited his Etsy shop as goldiez.
    dluckyz at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. Favorited: Black Walnut End-Grain Cutting Board. A "must-have" for the kitchen as goldiez.
    dluckyz at excite dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Like Gary's Facebook page as Christy Ann.

    z853www at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Favorited his Etsy shop as z853www.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Favorited the Oak Edge-Grain Cutting Board.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Shared his Etsy shop on Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/z853www/posts/407850632619041

    ReplyDelete
  80. Like your Facebook page as Christy Ann.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Favorited your Etsy shop as z853www.

    ReplyDelete
  82. I like Gary on Facebook - Cindy Aiton

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I added Gary's Etsy shop to my favorites. My shop name is Hellcat Vintage.

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I added the Hard Rock Maple, Cherry & Red Oak End-Grain Cutting Board to my favorites. My shop name is Hellcat Vintage.

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I shared this giveaway and Gary's shop on Facebook. Thank you so much for offering such a lovely and generous giveaway!

    http://www.facebook.com/cindy.aiton/posts/516020801756485

    http://www.facebook.com/cindy.aiton/posts/311155155656786

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I like you on Facebook - Cindy Aiton

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I also added your Etsy shop to my favorites. My shop name is Hellcat Vintage.

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I favorited the shop as bokononist

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I favorited the Black Walnut & Hard Maple End-Grain Cutting Board.

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I liked this item in his shop:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/116683988/black-walnut-hard-maple-end-grain
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Did #1,2 and 3

    ReplyDelete
  92. Gorgeous work!

    Followed him on FB (Robin Epstein).

    ReplyDelete
  93. Favorited his etsy shop (Robin Epstein - aroundtheisland).

    ReplyDelete
  94. Favorited (and LOVE) this piece -

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/116683564/hard-rock-maple-cherry-red-oak-end-grain

    ReplyDelete
  95. I did Everything. ( holly Radway )
    I loveee everything!!
    I hope that by me posting it to my site-I can spread the word of all his beautiful art!!!!!
    You can contact me @
    Holly.radway@yahoo.com

    Thanks so much!! God bless!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!!! I will tell Gary. I know he appreciates it. It is so nice when you know exactly where your money is going, and you get a great product! :)

      Delete