A Monday Mini -- Featuring Ellembee

Happy Almost Thanksgiving! The Downtown Boutique is working on getting as many featured guests in, as we are able to, before Christmas. (I apologize, but I have been under the weather with a yucky cold, so I just haven't gotten the chance or the time now, to do the in depth gift guides that I started doing.)

So today, we're featuring Ellembee, a shop which I found on Etsy, by doing some looking around in the Time Machine. This shop has clothing that is TOTALLY my style! I just love the designs on Lisa's products. Here's her Etsy Mini so that you can see what I'm talking about:


I asked Lisa to share a little about herself, and here is what she shared (adapted from another blog interview in which she participated):

TDB: How long have you been screen printing and working with clothing, and how did you become interested in it?
Lisa: I just started screen printing about 5 months ago. I was a bedding designer in California for the past 4 years, until I got laid off in January. I moved back to Michigan, where I grew up, and had to find a way to make some money! I had taken a screen printing class in college, so I knew the basics. I looked at some how-to videos on Youtube, and read a few books on the subject, and just sort of fumbled my way through figuring out how to do it!


TDB: What is your personal favorite of your collection and why?
Lisa: I have a love/hate relationship with lacy indigo. The design that I originally thought of for that shirt looks totally different. I sort of happened upon the way it ended up looking, and I think it turned out great. That shirt is my best seller, and I think it's the most original in my line, but because of the bleaching process that I do, and the intricacy of the design, I mess up a lot of them that can't be sent out, (that's the part I hate!)


TDB: Things are tough these days, especially for many of us "starving artists". What do you do to stay positive in such a difficult field?
Lisa: I LOVE working for myself! I love the fact that how much money I make is completely up to me; I take full responsibility for my income. With amazing places like etsy.com and the local craft fairs that I do, the sky is the limit. I find myself working 14-hour days, 6 and 7 days a week, and it doesn't even faze me, because I love what I'm doing! I love my job!

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Ok, now for the FUN part! Lisa is offering a wonderful giveaway to our readers...the WINNER gets to pick one item from Lisa's shop. Yes, you heard right, you have your choice of what you want if you win!!!!

Here's what I would pick if I were eligible to enter:

How YOU can enter to win your choice of item from Ellembee: Please visit Ellembee, then come back here and let us know what you would choose if you won.

For one extra entry: Please blog about this giveaway and then post the link to your blog post in a separate comment.

For one more extra entry: For Bloggers only, you can "Follow" us by clicking on "Follow This Blog", up on the top right hand side. It doesn't count if you are already following us. Please leave a separate comment if you decide to become a "follower".

For one more entry: Add our blog to your blogroll. Please leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

For one MORE entry: If you TWEET about this giveaway, you can earn an extra entry. Please put "@rioosodesigns" at the beginning of your tweet, so that I can see where you tweeted. Then come back here and leave a separate comment about your tweet.

WHEW! Ok, deadline to enter is Sunday, November 30th at Midnight PST. You MUST have a valid email attached either to your blog account, or to your comment. This giveaway is open worldwide.

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!
Angie