We do quite a few giveaways here at Everything Etsy so the process of picking a winner has become kind of second nature. But I remember a time when I really didn’t know where to begin, so I thought I’d share the process for anyone who might be at that point.

Comments Numbers are Key!

Most WordPress themes show comment numbers. We’ve tweaked our theme to make the comment numbers really big and pretty. See below:

These numbers are really key because they are the basis for the drawing, as you’ll soon see.

Random.org

The next key to a nice and smooth drawing is the use of a random number generator online. The one at Random.org is great because it allows you to tell it exactly what parameters you want. In the case of this drawing, I’ll be choosing two winners, so I need two random numbers between 1 and 775 (the total of comments/entries on this post).

(the images below show the “integer sets” option because we need two winners, for one winner the number generator on the home page works fine)

Enter the parameters and then hit the “get sets” button. You’ll see the results…

Now we take a look at the comments associated with those numbers:

It’s clearly a good idea to follow me on Twitter!

When I can, I check to make sure people are actually doing these things rather than just leaving a comment saying they do, so you might want to check to make sure your winners are following you on Twitter if that’s why they won.

Check Winner’s IP Address in Comments

The other security check I’ll do is to make sure my random winners haven’t entered fifty times using different names. I can do that by doing an IP address search in WordPress.

If you’re logged-in to WordPress, you can just click “edit” on the comment itself to get directly to the comment in your WordPress admin area. Once you’re there, you’ll see the commenters email address. Highlight and copy that email.

Then go to your main comments dashboard by clicking the word “Comments” on the left side of your WordPress dashboard.

At the top of the main comments page, you’ll see a search box that says “search comments”. Paste the email address in here and you’ll get all the comments from that email address.

The first thing to check for is if they entered this particular contest more times than is allowed under the same name. If so, they can’t win, it wouldn’t be fair. If that’s all clear, then you can check to see if they use more than one name by doing another search for the IP address which is now shown under the email address in the results on your page.

If they’re not playing fair, you’ll see a bunch of names with the same IP address and you’ll have to draw again. (It’s possible to have more than one person using the same IP address, so you have to use your judgment as to whether or not the person is gaming the system or if it’s really multiple people living in the same house)

Both winners on this giveaway are legit so we’re good to go!

Posting Giveaway Winners in the Original Post

I used to write a new blog post every time we announced winners. You can do that, but I would also go back to the original post and add the winners to the top and bottom along with a line at the top saying the giveaway is closed. See:

You can “close comments” but that will hide all the existing comments (I think!) so then people can’t look at the comments or click through to the commenter’s site. So I leave comments open.

Then just notify the winners by email, and in this case we’ll notify Red River Paper too so they can send off the awesome prizes!

So there you have it… maybe not the most exciting post ever, but hopefully helpful to anyone looking to get started offering giveaways on their blog.

Have a great day!

~ Kim

Tweet

Handmade labels add a special touch to any gift or handmade creation you might sell on Etsy!

Today we have a bunch of beautiful handmade labels for you to stick on everything you make.  These were created by the talented designer, Cathe Holden.  I’m a huge fan of hers so I’m thrilled to share these free printables designed just for all my handmade lovin’ readers!

I added a few to some of my lavender sachets…aren’t they cute?!  I love the variety of colors and I know that this sweet little handmade sticker will let everyone know that these were made with care the moment they see them.

I’m going to stick them on EVERYTHING!

WorldLabel.com is a manufacturer of an amazing selection of labels and they helped make this set of handmade printables available to you today.  They have a label for everything…check it out.

Handmade gifts rock!

This is a great time of year to print these pretty little stickers and have them ready to top off your latest project.

 Download links below for this set of colorful handmade labels!

Download links below for this classy set of Black & White labels!

• We used Worldlabel.com size .75″ round for these.
• These designs are for your personal use and can’t be sold.
• You can find more of Cathe Holden’s designs here & here.

Download links below for these labels in a beautiful Etsy Orange!

Download Here:

To download these PDF files, right-click (ctrl-click on Mac) the links below and choose “Save target as” or “Save link as”. (Exact wording depends on your web browser).

Everything Etsy “Handmade” Labels – Orange
Everything Etsy “Handmade” Labels – Color
Everything Etsy “Handmade” Labels – Black & White

*There was a giveaway with the original post that has ended.  All winners will be notified by email and have 7 days to respond.  

Enjoy these awesome handmade labels!

~Kim

Getting ready for the holidays??  You might like these posts…

• 101 Pretty Printables {free}
• 101 Simple Handmade Gifts
• 101 Handmade Ornament Tutorials

Tweet

This Giveaway is Closed – Congrats to our winners, Heather (comment #20) and Nelly (comment #165)!!! To see how winners were selected, see this post.

I love to print pretty stuff! Don’t you? It’s just so rewarding to be able to create beautiful cards, labels, wall art, and photography without ever leaving home or paying anyone a dime to do it for you.

Since I’ve started blogging, it’s become even more fun because I’ve learned how to create pretty graphics, I’ve found ton’s of free printables, and I’ve discovered Red River Paper!

Red River Paper has been advertising here on Everything Etsy for almost two years now and during that time, I’ve had the chance to use a wide variety of their products. I can’t really over-state how great everything I’ve tried has turned out.

The Red River website says that their papers “meet or exceed” the quality of big name brands. My experience has been 100% “exceed”.

Red River produces all sorts of inkjet printer papers from photo paper, to notecards, to everyday use paper. The selection is vast and you really should check it out.

As they’ve done a number of times before, Red River Paper is generously sponsoring a giveaway that will provide for a very nice holiday bonus for two lucky Everything Etsy readers.

Two Winners Will Receive the Following:

Canon iP4920 Photo Inkjet Printer

Plus the following supply of notecards and envelopes:

• Glossy note cards 50 sheets
• Matte note cards 50 sheets
• Linen note cards 50 sheets
• Supply of envelopes

We’ve done a number of projects with the Linen Note Cards. They are beautiful!

Here’s how to enter…

• Leave a comment here about what you would use these printer to create. {1 entry}
• Visit Red River Paper here and subscribe to the helpful newsletter. {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this fun giveaway by Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or blog post. {1 entry each}
• Keep up with the latest specials by following Red River Paper on Facebook. {1 entry}
• If you subscribe to Everything Etsy, follow me on Twitter, or Like us on Facebook…you rock! {1 entry each}

This awesome giveaway ends December 5th at midnight. Please leave a separate comment for each entry so it can be counted.

Good Luck!

~Kim

This Giveaway is Closed – Congrats to our winners, Heather (comment #20) and Nelly (comment #165)!!! To see how winners were selected, see this post.

Tweet

SkyeReve Fabrics always has a great selection of new designs and you’re going to love this peek into Natasha’s shop.  You can easily shop by color or them to find the perfect fabric for your next project.  Be warned, you could end up with a serious designer fabric addiction after this…ha!

Who doesn’t love aqua and red fabric?? {anyone??  I didn’t think so.}  I can see dresses, pillows, headbands and quilts in my mind already.  Michael Miller created a fabulous selection of brightly colored fabrics to help you sew up something beautiful.

Isn’t this Appleville Fat Quarter Bundle cute?  This fabric just makes me smile.  This would make a cute child’s dress…or maybe even one for me.  Hmmm…I better stick to a headband for myself because I wouldn’t want to throw anyone into cute overload when they see me.:)

I love anything  grey and yellow lately.  This sweet flower fabric would look wonderful in my bedroom.

I could go on and on, but you should take a look for yourself.  To make your shopping experience even better, one lucky Everything Etsy reader will win a $50 gift certificate to SkyeReve Fabrics!!!

Here’s how to enter…

• Visit SkyeReve Fabrics and leave me a comment including your favorite fabric…or two. {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this fun giveaway by Twitter, Facebook or blog post. {1 entry each}
• Keep up with the latest fabrics by following SkyeReve Fabrics on Facebook. {1 entry}
• If you subscribe to Everything Easy, follow me on Twitter, or Like us on Facebook…you rock! {1 entry each}

This awesome giveaway ends August 23rd at midnight.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry so it can be counted.

***This giveaway has ended.  Thanks for your fabulous comments and congratulations to Janet from The Empty Nest…yay!

~Kim

Tweet

Contemporary Cloth has a extensive collection of home decor fabrics to make your home beautiful. You know you need to add some new pillows to your couch, don’t you!?  This  Ty Pennington would definitely freshen up my living room!

My creative brain seems to get caught up in craft projects and not realize that my home could use a bit of love.  Fabric is the perfect way to add a touch of beauty without breaking the bank!

There are more and more new designer fabrics available and Contemporary Cloth is a wonderful fabric shop to browse for the latest collection of fresh and modern fabrics.  Sondra is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever worked with, so I know you’ll enjoy your shopping experience.

Let me share a few of my latest fabric crushes…

There’s something about this Vicki Payne poppy fabric that makes me want to sew something pretty…and I’m not a natural at sewing {let’s just leave it at that…ha!}.

The selection of colorful laminates has grown so much…it’s not just fruit any longer!

There are a million cool things you could make wit this Amy Butler Laminate!  A cute little lunch bag or tote would be pretty. Have you ever made anything with a laminate?  I haven’t tried it yet.

Starling Christmas fabric in pink would be beautiful for any Christmas project…I love it!!!

Well, enough about what I want and what I like…how about winning some fabric of your own???

One lucky Everything Easy reader will win a $50 gift certificate to Contemporary Cloth!!!

Here’s how to enter…

• Visit Contemporary Cloth and leave me a comment including your favorite fabric…or two. {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this fun giveaway by Twitter, Face book or blog post. {1 entry each}
• Follow Contemporary Cloth on Twitter or Face book to keep up with specials. {1 entry each}
• If you subscribe to Everything Easy, follow me on Twitter, or Like us on Face book…you rock! {1 entry each}

This fabulous fabric giveaway ends August 9th when the clock strikes midnight…don’t miss out!  Please leave a separate comment for each entry so it can be counted.

Good luck!

***This giveaway has ended.  Thanks for all of your wonderful comments!  The winner is….. R. Carter!!  Congratulations!

~Kim

Tweet

I am a total shoe nut and I have been for as long as I can remember!  I could have a whole closest full of them and still need another pair!

Did you know you can make your own shoes???

Shoeology is a fabulous Etsy shop full of shoe patterns that are simple to make and look amazing!  If you make them yourself, you sure could make a pair that’s perfect for every outfit…just sayin’!

Want to try it???

One lucky Everything Etsy reader will win a pattern for 3 Women’s shoes from Shoeology!!!

Here’s how to enter…

• Visit Shoeology and leave a comment about one of your favorite patterns. {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this giveaway by Twitter, Facebook or blog post. {1 entry each}
• Follow Everything Etsy on Twitter, Facebook or subscribe to our blog…thanks!  {1 extra entry each}

This giveaway ends August 1st at midnight.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Good luck!

****This giveaway has ended!  Congratulations to Patricia!!!

~Kim

Tweet

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the super organized person I’d like to be {sigh}, but it doesn’t stop me from striving to improve each year.  The more organized I become, the more I seem to accomplish each day.  Days like that makes me a Happy Mama!

Clean Mama Printables is a fabulous Etsy shop full of all the help you’ll ever need…well, short of having a personal assistant. Ha!

It’s loaded with help from Thank You note checklists to Menu Planning Kits! You can also find free downloads on her blog…Becky is a super smarty pants when it comes to getting you organized!

Want to get started on a homekeeping binder, or just looking for some guidance in the homekeeping and organizing of your home?

The Clean Mama Printables Starter Kit includes 39 different documents!  It includes the BRAND NEW Cleaning Kit, the ALL NEW Menu Planning Kit, the Weekly Docket, the Christmas Planning Kit AND the Busy Mama Homekeeping Kit.

I know it’s hard to keep your house in order while trying to run an Etsy shop and blog, Twitter, Facebook, feed your family and keep you house clean…Whoa!

Becky from Clean Mama Printables has been sweet enough to offer TWO Everything Etsy readers a $50 gift certificate to purchase whatever organization printables you might need! Isn’t that awesome?!

Here’s how to enter…

• Visit Clean Mama Printables and leave me a comment about a printable you would like to try. {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this giveaway by Twitter, Facebook or blog post {1 entry each}
• Keep up with the latest new styles by joining Clean Mama Printables on Facebook or Twitter. {1 entry each}
• If you subscribe to Everything Etsy by email or reader, follow me on Twitter or Facebook…thanks!  {1 extra entry each}

This giveaway ends August 1st at midnight.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Good luck!!!

***This giveaway has ended…Congratulations to Patty and Janie!!!!!

~Kim

Tweet

I’d love to share a brand new book from Ellen Luckett Baker with you today…1,2,3 Sew!

I dream of being able to whip up a dress on a whim, but in reality I need simple projects.  This book is loaded with 33 easy-to-follow patterns that will empower you to create beautiful bags, accessories and more so fast it will make your head spin.  Ellen keeps it super simple with big reward…that’s my kind of book.

Here’s a project I’m dying to try…

Fabric storage containers are awesome! They would make me at least feel like I’m organized…ha!

You can find Ellen and her cool ideas daily at her blog, The Long Thread.  Go ahead and check it out…I’ll wait.  See, it’s a great blog!

Here’s another project I can’t wait to try…

Aren’t these beautiful cloth napkins? Oh, I need to make them in so many colors!  It looks like a great way to use up some of your fabric scraps at the same time.

If you’re a seasoned sewing girl, you’ll still find lots of great ideas for gifts and creative sewing techniques inside this lovely book.  New to sewing?  You’ll love how Ellen explains how to choose fabric and gives tips along the way.  If you see this book in the bookstore you need to grab it and buy it…for real!

I know you’ll love this book as much as I do and one lucky Everything Etsy reader will win a copy of 1,2,3 Sew to enjoy from Chronicle Books.

Here’s how to win…

• Leave a comment on this post {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this giveaway by Twitter, Facebook, blog post or Pinterest pin {oh, how I love Pinterest}. {1 extra entry each}
• Follow Everything Etsy on Twitter, Facebook or subscribe to our blog…thanks!  {1 extra entry each}
• Keep up with the latest from Ellen by Facebook or her blog {1 extra entry each}

This giveaway ends July 18th at midnight…don’t miss out!  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Find out more about this great book as the blog tour continues…

Friday, July 15 – Modern Kiddo
Monday, July 18 – Crafty Pod
Tuesday, July 19 – Indie Fixx & Patterns by Figgy’s
Wednesday, July 20 – Papernstitch
Thursday, July 21 – House on Hill Road & Coquette
Friday, July 15 – Bolt Neighborhood & True Up

Good Luck!!!

***This giveaway has ended.  Thanks for all your wonderful comments!  The lucky winner is….#85 Cathy!

~Kim

Tweet

Girl’s World by Jennifer Paganelli is one of the all-time prettiest books I’ve ever seen! It’s loaded with 21 colorful sewing projects to make for little girls.

All the patterns are tucked away right inside the book and it’s finished off with a pink bow on the side…for real.  This is sure to spark your creative spirit and make some little girl in your life a very happy camper.

Try making these Girls’ Ambassador of Goodwill Badges with this tutorial.  All this glitter is sure to make any girl feel special!

Jennifer has a talent for creating colorful fabrics for her line of Sis Boom Fabrics.  They are perfect for those little summer dress patterns you’ll find in this book.

Doesn’t this photo make you want to add a little Sis Boom Fabric to everything??  I love it all!

I can’t get over how cute Jennifer’s dog is so I thought I’d share a photo of him from her blog.  Oh my gosh…what a cutie!

You can make your own George the Puppy with an easy-to-follow pattern in Girl’s World.  This is a fabulous project to do with your girls!  You might need to plan for making a few.

It looked like so much fun, I made my own…

You knew I would use some felt, didn’t you? Yes, I made the body out of a two shades of wool felt and the floppy ears from some Sis Boom Fabric that was sent to me super fast from Contemporary Cloth.  What do you think?

I know you’ll love this book as much as I do and one lucky Everything Etsy reader will win a copy of Girl’s World to enjoy from Chronicle Books.

Here’s how to win…

• Leave a comment on this post {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this giveaway by Twitter, Facebook or blog post. {1 extra entry each}
• Follow Everything Etsy on Twitter, Facebook or subscribe to our blog…thanks!  {1 extra entry each}
• Keep up with the latest from Jennifer by Facebook or her blog {1 extra entry each}

This giveaway ends June 27th when the clock strikes midnight.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Keep up with the Girl’s World blog tour by visiting these great blogs…

Friday, June 24: Hodge Podge Farm
Monday, June 27: CraftSanity

Congratulations to Allie!  You won!
Thanks for all your wonderful comments and I hope you will all get a chance to see this great book in a bookstore near you soon.

~Kim

Tweet

Meet Miss Buttercup

She is modeling a lovely collar handmade by Pipsqueak and Petunia! Buttercup walked the runway {our dock} yesterday showing off her beautiful collar in a fashionable rainbow of colors.  She stopped for a moment for photos from her fans before retiring to her suite for a cool drink and afternoon nap.  With the temperatures rising, the heat seemed to be getting to her but Buttercup never disappoints her fans. {Yes, we are crazy dog people!}

We have two Shar-peis that are spoiled with hugs and treats all day long.  If you’re a dog lover, you can read more about Buttercup and her amazing recovery from an accident on our family blog, Forever Wherever.  You’ll see why she gets spoiled even more now!

Here’s a closer look at one of the beautiful collars from Kelsey.  They fit just right and the quality is excellent…handmade collars are the cat’s meow rock!

Let me introduce you to Kelsey from Pipsqueak and Petunia…

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m Kelsey Golden and I run this fun business called Pipsqueak and Petunia, a line of handmade pet beds and accessories. I live just a couple of blocks from the ocean in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with my husband, our two cats, Truffle and Marzipan, and our dog, Bertie Bott. I have always loved animals and I am passionate about color and design, so starting a business that combined the two was a natural fit for me!

What inspires you?

So many things! The creativity of others, great music, travel. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Asia over the past couple of years and I always come home inspired by a new culture. I’m currently having a love affair with India after visiting earlier this year. I also love looking through Flickr, Etsy, or Pinterest just to see all the amazing things creative people come up with! It may not directly inspire something I make, but it always renews my enthusiasm and gives me great ideas.

What’s the best thing about where you live?

We have a great little art museum in Myrtle Beach that I love to visit. There are only spaces for two or three exhibits at a time, but it is so well curated. You can really tell there’s a lot of love that goes into running the museum! My favorite exhibit was definitely the Quilts of Gees Bend. It was incredible! We also have a minor league baseball team here that I love to go watch. That’s my other favorite place in Myrtle Beach! Watching baseball is what I love to do when I need to recharge.

What’s on your playlist?  Any favorite songs you listen to over and over?

Music is such a huge love for me. I love to sing and I’m always so much more motivated when I have something great playing! Neko Case, Ryan Adams, Mike Doughty, and Kay Hanley are what I’m most often listening to. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Ingrid Michaelson and Regina Spektor lately. Hotel Song by Regina Spektor is the one I can’t get enough of lately!

Where can we find you?

Etsy shop l Blog l Twitter l Facebook

Kelsey creates colorful collars and fluffy beds from the latest fabrics.  It’s fun to get to know a bit more about the talented people behind the Etsy shop. {Handmade rules…big pet stores drool!…too much coffee this morning?!}  She’s so sweet that she’s giving one Everything Etsy reader a handmade collar of their choice!

Here’s how to win one of these fabulous collars from Pipsqueak and Petunia …

• Visit Pipsqueak and Petunia and let me know about your favorite collar or bed in a comment. {1 entry}
• Spread the word of this giveaway by Twitter, Facebook or blog post {1 entry each}
• Keep up with the latest new styles by joining Pipsqueak and Petunia on Facebook. {1 entry}
• Tell me about a favorite pet you have or had as a child for an extra entry.  This sounds fun! {1 entry}
• If you subscribe to Everything Etsy by email or reader…thanks!  {1 extra entry}

This giveaway ends June 20th at midnight.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

***This giveaway has ended!  Congratulations to Becky…#20!  Thanks for all your wonderful comments and support for this beautiful handmade shop!

~Kim

Tweet