interview and giveaway - ella from vanette

So it's no secret that Ella is one of my dear friends, though we've never actually met in 'real' life!  As well as having an awesome blog, with beautiful photos and clever words, she makes the most amazing necklaces.   I am lucky enough to own three of her creations, and I wear one nearly every day.  She recently showed some sneak peeks at her new line, and I can see I'm going to have to buy one of those too!
She was kind enough to let us in on her life a little, and provide a pretty sweet giveaway too!  Lucky or what!?

Tell us about yourself.

I like to read a lot of books and think about things, and I try to do a reasonable job of raising two kids.

What is a typical day for you?

Get the girl ready for school and do the most essential chores (laundry if the situation is desperate, maybe vacuum some dog hair), then ignore the filth in the rest of the house and spend a lot of time daydreaming, doing internet things, and making sure the boy hasn't escaped the garden.  I've started running in the evenings which is quite nice.  Then I stay up too late making things until I can't see straight.

How did you get into doing this?  How long have you been doing it for?

I just like trying to make lovely things.  I can't remember when I started on jewellery exactly, but I've been refining my style for some time (actually I don't think that will ever end, there's always room for improvement!).

Would you like to make a career out of this?  (If not, what would you like to do)

 YES!

Favourite materials to use?

 Real materials, not synthetic stuff.  I've just started using vintage beads and sterling silver - love them!

Where do you get your inspiration?

Mostly online.  I spend way too much time on the internet looking at tumblr, flickr, art blogs, craft blogs, and shops like Pour Porter and totokaelo.  I try to interpret things into my own style but I have a split creative personality, which is a bit tricky - my hippie self likes colour and experimentation, but my practical self likes neutrals, minimalism and order.  I've recently decided to embrace both, give them each their own platform.

Favourite food/drink while you're working?

I can't eat and make at the same time.  It doesn't work out.

Can you recommend a favourite blog (or two) you read when you're having a break?I read far too many blogs but a few favourites are For Me, For You, Jeana Sohn, and I'm Revolting.  I'm also crazy addicted to Sunday Secrets on PostSecret.

Ella is offering the winner of this giveaway their choice of necklaces in her etsy shop!!   How generous is that!  I wish I could enter...haha.  To enter all you need to do is be a follower of her blog, and then leave me a comment here telling me which necklace you'd like if you won.  Easy.  For an extra entry, the usual applies, blog about this or 'like' the vanette facebook page.

Thanks Ella! x

This giveaway is open internationally and a winner will be drawn 12noon (nz time) on Saturday 12 November 2011