Helllllo and thanks for heading over here from Rachael's amazing blog. And if that's not how you landed here, then you should definitely go check it out!

Anyway thanks for entering the giveaway. I'm excited to be taking part!

Don't forget you guys get to use an exclusive coupon code for 10% off for the rest of the week in my Etsy shop. Just enter: friendsofrachael1

So...
I just wanted to create a little post to greet the giveaway participants and give a brief summary of who I am ;)

(from my trip to Yosemite last weekend!)

My name is Julie. I'm orginally from Texas and have been living in Los Angeles since graduating college in 2005. (I studied Political Science and Geology. Weird combo right? Oh well! Not using my degree anyway :0 )

I'm in love with the Earth, which is what my shop name is all about- Respect Your Mother, Mother=Earth. Nature is so beautiful, inspiring and rejuvenating. I'm continually in awe of her beauty.

I married my husband Matt (also from Texas) in November of 2008...

 (I was dyeing my hair brown back then ;) )

 ...and we have two lovely cats Vinnie and Peter :)

(Peter and Vinnie)

A recent history: Earlier this Spring I decided that since I was turning 29 in July that I would finally be brave enough to quit my (well paying!) nannying job of 4.5 years to pursue my handmade thing full time. Hurray! It's tough essentially living off of my husband's salary alone plus the bits of money I'm bringing in here and there but hopefully I will start expanding soon! I'll also be teaching craft classes with my pal, the craft-famous Mark Montano (a former fashion designer, author of several craft books and also hosted some tv shows!) which is super exciting. (If you are interested in taking any web based courses with Mark and I leave your email address in a comment and I will put you on the mailing list)

I loooove creating. My work is all over the place ranging from fabric to woodburning, jewelry making, wire, polymer clay, knitting and this week I've been teaching myself to crochet (which is sooo addicting)- I love learning new things. I hope to never ever stop learning new crafts and all kinds of things for that matter. You will notice that I've got a bit of everything in my Etsy shop- I'm always skipping around with the medium I work with- which has its positives and negatives but I think it's just how I have to do it. Balance is important though :)

So here I am! Excited about pursuing my passions. I hope each and every one of you are living and/or on your path to a passionate life :)

So please, say hi in the comments. I'd love to hear from you lovely folks :)

p.s. good luck in the giveaway!!!