Interview and Giveaway from youvebeenupcycled

Welcome to the last giveaway of 2009! The crafty momma over at youvebeenupcycled has offered to giveaway winner's choice of item from her shop!

She thinks it is important the reuse and recycle whenever we can and I couldn't agree more. In her eclectic shop you will find all sorts of functional pieces made from unexpected materials; vinyl records into bracelets, drink containers into belts, paper beads and record bowls just to mention a few!

Read on to find out more about this talented, eco-friendly artist and learn how you can enter to win one of her items!

What is one craft that you would love to learn to do?

I would love to learn to sew clothes... and purses. If you could become any animal, what would you choose and why?

A cat - because I have a Himalayan cat and his life is pretty awesome! He rules the house...

Where do you find your inspiration?

My kids! Give us your best greenie tip!

Reuse - reuse - reuse. You can make lots of things from stuff you throw away every day!

youvebeenupcycled is offering my lucky readers a chance to win a $5 gift certificate with free shipping! Considering that all of the items in her shop are less than $10, $5 is a very generous offer from this amazing seller.

To Enter:

-First and foremost, you must visit youvebeenupcycled and leave a comment on which item is your favorite from the shop

-to gain another entry, follow this blog and leave separate comments saying you are!

-to gain another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a separate comment so we can all see

with every comment, please leave a way for me to get a hold of you so I can notify the winner as soon as possible :)

The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, December 20, (also the sponsor's Birthday!) a winner will be chosen by random number generator and notified on the 21st. Go ahead and start entering!

Interview and Giveaway from silhouettejewel

Sorry this is a day late, but to make up for it, we have some extra ways for you to enter this giveaway! First, the interview with our sponsor, silhouettejewel.

Silhouettejewel is the creator behind a line of unique and totally chic jewelry. After being introduced to this hobby, she has never looked back! Using raw materials and a "sprinkle of creatitivity" Sue comes up with the designs you see in her shop :)

Read on to find where this talented woman finds her muse and learn what she wishes she knew when she started selling on Etsy.

How did I begin making jewelry? Well I must confess it is all my friends fault! She decided to give it a try and I went along for the ride. But to be fair we have both been avid 'consumers' of jewelry so this seemed like a natural transition for us.

Where do I find my muse? Colour, colour, colour! That has got to be my first focal point a lot of the time. Then technique. As you can see from my site a have trouble confining myself to one technique. My original friend and I used to meet with a few like minded 'addicts' and we would teach ourselves new techniques. Wire wrapping, chain maille and simple stringing are a few techniques that I have developed a preference for.

My ideal creative setting - would have to include the internet - there are so many sources of inspiration there that you couldn't get in a single location. It would also include warm breezes, tropical beaches, pina coladas....... and someone to do the housework so I could focuse exclusively on my creative technique :)

One thing I wished I knew before starting Etsy - how to take better pictures. My pictures when I started really did not do my pieces justice. I was too impatient to wait until the pictures got better and forged ahead. I'm glad I did! I have learned a lot by running this business on the internet. The photography I still continue to work at and recently have felt like I am getting closer to where I would like to be with it.

Keep up with silhouettejewel on Twitter or over on her blog.

Silhouettejewel is offering up a pair of her Black Spinel Ear Threads to one of my lucky readers!

To Enter:

-First and foremost, you must visit silhouettejewel and leave a comment on which item is your favorite from the shop

-to gain another 2 entries, follow this blog and silhouettejewel's blog and leave separate comments saying you are!

-to gain another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a separate comment so we can all see

-if you make a purchase from either SillyLittleLady or silhouettejewel during the time frame of this giveaway, you will receive 5 extra entries! How cool is that?

with every comment, please leave a way for me to get a hold of you so I can notify the winner as soon as possible :)

That gives you 5 ways to enter this giveaway!

The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, December 13, a winner will be chosen by random number generator and notified on the 14th. Go ahead and start entering!

Interview and Giveaway with Seababe!

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, I know I did, and I wish it didn't have to end. But alas, it does. To make this week back a tad more bearable, we are hosting another giveaway! This week's giveaway is sponsored by seababe, creators of fine, casual, beachy jewelry :)

Kristin and David run both Seababe and Seababejewelry on Etsy and the two shops, although both offering jewelry, offer very different styles and price ranges. Between the two shops, you are sure to find something that fits your needs.

Read on to learn more about the amazing couple behind this fantastic shop:

What prompted you to start a second shop? How is this new one different than the other?

We were prompted to start a new shop when Kristin started working with new materials like leather and glass. The new style was a little more casual than our Sea Babe Jewelry shop, so we thought it was a good time to expand. The second shop has turned into a more casual and inexpensive shop, while the original shop has all our gold pieces, and some items that have a higher ticket price.

Who started the jewelry making, Kristen or David? How did it begin?

We started making jewelry together. It all began as a hobby and escalated to more.

Where do you find your inspiration for your pieces?

We are inspired for our pieces by the ocean, surf culture, history, traveling, current fashion trends, and even our customers! We get our inspiration from many different sources.

What is the most valuable advice you have ever been given? About the shop, life, whatever?

One piece of advice that sticks out in our minds is to "mind your business." Meaning that we need to be aware of what's going in in all aspects of your business.


Seababe has offered one of my lucky readers a chance to win a pair of their Pink Posie Earrings:

To Enter:

-First and foremost, you must visit seababe and leave a comment on which item is your favorite from the shop

-to gain another entry, follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying you are!

-to gain another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a separate comment so we can all see

with every comment, please leave a way for me to get a hold of you so I can notify the winner as soon as possible :)

That gives you 4 ways to enter this giveaway!

The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, December 6, a winner will be chosen by random number generator and notified on the 7th. What are you waiting for? Get started!

Interview and Giveaway from hotpinkchick

Ready for this week’s giveaway?! I am :D Although I can’t win, I am excited to send off another great item from another fantabulous Etsy seller.

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by hotpinkchick. Bonnie, the woman behind the magic, is mother to both human and fur babies. While she loves bold color, she also favors clean lines and understated elegance. Read our interview to learn more about this amazingly talented woman:

Where did you first learn how to design jewelry?

At my dining room table with my daughter and her friends. I'm only half kidding there. I've always been creative and grew up in an artistic family, but jewelry making was a happy accident. My daughter loved to bead when she was very young and we had a beading party for her birthday one year. I liked it so much I eventually started making 'big girl' pieces for myself. Then friends, coworkers and ladies at the grocery store (seriously) wanted to buy them, so I began selling. Over time I continue to learn, grow and develop my own style and realized I had truly found my passion.
What motivates you most to continue with your craft when you are just having a down-day?

Creating is like therapy for me, so motivation is never a problem. I'm new to Etsy though, so it's easy to have down days when you're trying to find your footing in a new venue. It's alot of work getting your name out there, but instead of getting discouraged, I just get to work. Making new pieces that I'm proud of is my biggest motivator.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you regarding your craft, your business or your life?

Love what you do and never give up. The two really go hand in hand for me. If you love what you do, you'll stick with it and the longer you stick with it, the more likely you are to succeed.

Don't forget to visit Bonnie at her Facebook page, or on Twitter!

And now for the Giveaway!

Bonnie is offering one of my readers their choice of color in these wonderful Christmas earrings! Frosted beads, antiqued brass, long dangles, what’s not to love?

Interested in learning how you can win a pair for yourself?

To Enter:

-First and foremost, you must visit hotpinkchick and leave a comment on which item is your favorite from the shop

-to gain another entry, follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying you are!

-to gain another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a separate comment so we can all see

with every comment, please leave a way for me to get a hold of you so I can notify the winner as soon as possible :)

That gives you 4 ways to enter this giveaway!

The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, November 22, a winner will be chosen by random number generator and notified on the 23rd. So what are you waiting for? Get started!

Interview and Giveaway from Designerfavors

Dawn is the artist behind the shop designerfavors on Etsy. After having difficulties trying to find the right favors for her wedding 5 years ago, Dawn decided to make her own and after making some for her sister’s wedding a few years later, she chose to sell them! Allowing her brides to customize their favors lets them pick and choose something that works for them, that fits perfectly with their wedding aesthetic.

Her shop has blossomed into more than just wedding favors, she now offers favors for baby showers, anniversaries, birthdays and, of course, the holidays!

Read on to learn more about this amazing artist and see what you can win from her shop :)

Are you a self-taught artist?

Pretty much. I've never been to any creative classes or scrapbooking parties but I have seen a lot of other people's work. I usually do trial and error to mimick a look I like or a style I come up with all my own. I also get a lot of inspiration at craft store. They have really wonderful items on display and I always think "I can do that".

What is your favorite way to learn new techniques, books, YouTube videos, having someone else teach you first?

I mostly like to learn by trial and error again. I just figure out how to do something in my own unique way.

Where do you tend to find most of your inspiration?

Actually, just browsing through craft stores or down the scrapbooking isle. I tend to see items I like and just put them together. Whether it's coordinating papers or new items on display I just find something I like and try to do it myself.

What is one piece of advice you think is essential everyone know?

Do what makes you happy! I think that's true in life and in the life of etsy. If you build a business around something you don't like doing you will get burned out and frustrated. As long as you enjoy what you do you will always be motivated.

You can keep up with designerfavors by her blog, facebook fanpage, or on Twitter.

Now for the Giveaway:

Just in time for the upcoming Christmas season, Dawn is offering one of my readers a set of 24 personalized tags (8 of each design). These tags are about 2 ½ inches in diameter and come with ribbons for attaching to gifts! After the winner is chosen, Dawn will create a set just for them, personalized using their specifications :)

To Enter:

-First and foremost, you must visit designerfavors and leave a comment on which item is your favorite from the shop

-to gain another entry, follow this blog and leave a separate comment saying you are!

-to gain another entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway and leave the link in a separate comment so we can all see

with every comment, please leave a way for me to get a hold of you so I can notify the winner as soon as possible :)

That gives you 4 ways to enter this giveaway!

The giveaway will end at midnight on Sunday, November 15, a winner will be chosen by random number generator and notified on the 16th. So what are you waiting for? Get started!

And tune in next Monday when we announce the winner of this one and host another giveaway! (Hint: next week will be a set of earrings ;))

Featured!

Head on over to TheHighPlainsKnitter's Blog to check out a super sweet feature that she did on yours truly!

She really is a very generous woman, highlighting members of the EtsyKnitters Team every week so that we, and you, can learn more about us :) Read on to find out about Willo, Made4YoubySusan, A Cache of Jewels and more!

Queen of the Froggers

If you are a fiber artist and don't read Linda's blog, Queen of the Froggers, you really should. I can't remember how I first stumbled upon it, but I now read it diligently. She has the most fantastic photos, wonderful knits and she spins up yarns that put mine to shame. I asked if she would be willing to talk to us a little bit and let us in on her life some and to my glee, she graciously accepted. So read on to learn a little more about this incredible woman and her fiber story

Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am an obssesive knitter, and am also really getting into spinning yarn too now. I love coffee, chocolate, countryside walks, cycling, my little family and Fall/Autumn.

I am self employed as a cleaner (I used to be a nurse) so that I can be around for my son after school and fit in study for my degree. I am poor but happy and spend money on yarn and fibre when I shouldn't! One day I would love to work in a museum or library. Of course I would really like to own my own yarn store.

I believe in never looking back at the past, living and enjoying the present moment, noticing the little things that give us pleasure and being nice to everybody because its easy to do!

How old were you when you first started knitting? And who taught you?

My Mum taught me to knit and my Aunt to crochet when I was 6

And spinning?

I have only been dabbling in spinning for the last year or so but am really determined to get better at it this year. I would love to spin British breed yarns and knit luxury cabled throws.

Do you do any other crafts?

I tried weaving but found it took up too much space. I sew when I get the urge. I did once make a macrame owl in the 70's too! I crochet on and off.

What is your favorite room in your house? Why?

My bedroom. Its a lovely green and is the only part of the house where crafts, toys and my husbands mountain bicycles don't seem to take over. Its spacious and light. And the yarn is hidden under the bed very neatly in boxes so no one knows.

What are the best ways you have found to organize your life and your hobbies so that you don't get too busy and quit everything?

I have learnt that I have to stick to only yarny pursuits. There is only so much I can do and yarn is easy to hide so I can have loads of it.

Blogging really helps too because it really gives me an incentive to finish things.

Do you have any other tidbits for us? Hints, tips and tricks?

If you feel that something you are making isn't right then it probably isn't. Undo it and do something else. Instincts are usually correct

You can never have enough knitting needles, circular ones are great for anything.

Don't be seduced into buying yarn or fabric unless you are sure its the right colour for you. I have a lot of orange yarn and bought it as it was cheap. I will never wear it!

I love the phenomenal photos you can see both on her blog and also over on Flickr. If you'd like to catch up with her on Ravelry, she's right here.
Thank you so much Linda for taking time out of your busy schedule to grace us with this interview!

Friday Feature - SissysArt

I decided to do today's feature on SissysArt. She creates all kinds of artistic works in a variety of mediums and each piece has sentimental value as she is most inspired by things that are going on her life. Read on to find out where she got her start, her dreams, and her hero (and, as always, simply click on the photos to go to the listing in her shop ;)):

1. What is the first craft you remember making?

I remember my grandma teaching me how to make apple dolls just like she used to make when she was a child. We would carve out the faces and then sit them on the window sill to dry. I remember how amazed I was that they looked like little old people the more they dried and shriveled up. Then we would use cotton (she saved the cotton from her vitamin bottles) for the hair and make little stuffed bodies and clothes for them. I had the best time making these!

2.Are you the kind of person who enjoys teaching yourself or taking classes with groups to learn?

I like to do both. I enjoy taking classes for the social aspect, plus I always feel like it is so much easier to learn from someone who has been doing it for a long time. However, I'm mostly a self taught artist simply because I can't find a class for everything I want to learn. I would love to take a soldering class from Sally Jean Alexander but she is a few states away from me, so I've taught myself from books, you tube videos and internet sources.

3. When you are not creating, what can you be found doing?

Housework! It's a never ending battle and I'm never caught up. Seriously though as far as fun things to do, I love working in my flower beds, spending time with my family, going for walks. I live a pretty simple life and I like it that way.

4.If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

My husband and I would love to travel to Europe some day. My son went and back packed through Europe with two of his friends a couple of years ago and I just love looking at all of his pictures. Especially the ones from Italy and Greece.

5.Who is your hero?

My Mom without a doubt. She was a creative woman who had such a kind heart and was so giving to others. She always worked hard all of her life and it wasn't always easy, but she still found time to be there for her family.

Thank you SissysArt! Don't forget to check out her blog to keep up with this amazing woman!

Friday Feature: Nutmegclick

If you spend any time at all in the Etsy Etc Forum, you probably know Miss Nutmeg. She is always offering up advice and stories that you can sit there and read all day (not just because she is so verbose, but funny, insightful, helpful) I asked Miss Nutmeg if she would be kind enough to do an interview for my dear readers and she did. The following are her answers :)

Why don’t you start off by telling us where you are now (geographically) and how you got there?

I've always been enamoured of India's aesthetic, ever since I was a wee lass renting every Indian film I could from the local library. The colours, the smells, the way of living...all of these resonated deeply with me. As such, I didn't want India to be the first place to which I travelled - that would be like eating one's dessert before one's greens!

Traveling must be somewhere in my genes, since my papa was one of the original punk rockers and he often brought me with him to scamper around various parts of Europe with his band. I also travelled around somewhat in my teens, but first went abroad as an expatriate two months after my daughter was born. Mr.Nutmeg and I decided it was exigent that our wee one be exposed to as many cultures as possible, and we were also looking for further ways to expand our artistic endeavours.

Our first stop was to spend eight glorious months in Turkey, where we helped the production of a documentary about the world's first sedentary gypsy camp. Next was a brief spell in China to visit our dear friends there, and then on to the much-awaited land of India! We lived for six months on the southern tip restoring a traditional-style house which had sat abandoned for years, and then were snagged by the beautiful city of Hyderabad when we passed through it on an excursion. We decided on a whim to move our household here, and have yet to uncover all the wondrous sights and sounds the city has to offer.

What is your favorite meal?

It depends upon what country I'm in! In Turkey, it was ayran (a thin, watery preparation of yogurt) with the freshly-baked pretzels that old men would peddle from their brightly-painted carts...and maybe a persimmon or two. Here in India I love to experiment with all manner of curries, and in China it's momo, a steamed, vegetable-filled dumpling.

I'm also fond of seeing how various countries interpret the food of my homeland. I've eaten a lot of rice-based pancakes (with chocolate syrup, no less), but my favourite international muddle was when I was brought a dainty little plate containing four French Fries, all neatly lined up in a row with knife and fork.


Do you have any strange talents or gifts that others may not know about?

I can make up absurd little songs about anything under the sun at a moment's notice! They're usually fairly short ditties replete with grandiose hand motions. Our present favourite (which we burst into at sporadic moments throughout the day) is a droll little piece entitled 'Oysters and Snails'. I can also make stellar poetry by pushing words through internet-translation devices, and used to perform in the Atlanta Opera.

What kinds of music do you like to listen to?

Of course I've a soft spot for that ol' punk rock, but over the last few years I've been increasingly enamoured of classical music. Mr.Nutmeg is a classical organist, so I've been falling in love over and over again with Dietrich Buxtehude and Scarlatti, and also delight in Bach. Another of my passions is experimental music, having made assorted noises in various ensembles over the years, and I'll soon be composing a book which documents the socio-political connotations of Shanghai's noise music scene.

Where in the world haven’t you been that you would like to visit?

After we fulfill our goal of living in each Asian country, we've set our sights upon Romania. A fellow Etsian has told me they have really good propaganda posters there, and it seems like quite the fascinating place all-around. I also used to have a running joke in which I was married to a Romanian count, so who knows...perhaps I can reclaim my long-lost throne!

Friday Feature: Interview with ASenseOfPlacePhotogr

I haven't done an interview in a very long time so after I found ASenseofPlacePhotogr on Etsy I decided to start back up with my interview session with her. Read on to find out how she got started in her craft and a few other tidbits you might not find out otherwise :)

How did you get your start in photography?

I guess trips to visit family. I'd always want pictures. Then I realized which ones I would throw out over the years, and tried to tune into what really made a picture unique. Nowadays I just feel the entire process is really cathartic for me to have an objective stance on the world and improvisational attitude! The story of my very first "good" picture (Taken when I was 12) can be found here http://www.theyouandmeshow.com/search?q=the+old+tree and my photography manifesto can be found on my website (http://www.asenseofplacephotography.blogspot.com)

You have two other shops, would you mind talking some about these?

Sure. GoldenMustard is a Store which I originally wanted to transfer everything to (I actually sell a whole lot more than photography, I'm starting a comic strip, have a poetry book coming out, a children book....etc. But since I have connections on this one I continued to keep it. Asenseofplacephotogr.etsy.com is hard to remember also. GoldenMustard is my series satellite shop where I sell some of my cards at. Wackadoodles (my mom's shop) is a beginning store featuring her incredibly wacky and creative introspective drawings which she does using paint! I'm always so impressed by her and how different we are.

Can you tell us some about your music?

Sure. My husband and I write folk music, we sing together, and are looking for a band :) Some of our stuff can be found on youtube under broadcastkings4life and also on famecast.com/katbking. It's all in it's very beginning stages :) I'm also a Soprano attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy right here in New York City presently and plan to pursue musical theatre professionally:) My very favorite musician is Paleo who can be found on paleo.ws. He's a major inspiration for me.

Tell us three interesting things about yourself that your customer may not know:

1. I got married to the love of my life when I was 20 years old and couldn't be happier. You can learn more about our love story at http://www.theyouandmeshow.com. Our wedding was just featured on offbeatbride.com last week!)
2. I attended a Swiss boarding school (tasis.ch) when I was 16 years old. It was a life dream of mine based on the book Bloomability, by Sharon Creech.
3. I write under a man's pen name.

If you could travel to any one place in the world, where would you go?

Husband and I really want to go to Norway for Christmas? Why? The gorgeous photographs of course :)

Etsy Artist Feature: 99Lollipop

Today's feature is of one of my Etsyknitters Team members, a fantastic knitter who is always trying to learn as much as she can about improving her shop and her trade, read on to find out more about this fantastic woman! Here is my interview with 99Lollipop:

How did you first learn to knit?

I was first shown how to knit when I was about 7, but couldn't get the gist of it. I kept losing stitches and quickly lost interest. I think part of the problem was that the yarn was horrible, the needles were super large and my teacher was less than patient! However, I have been crocheting for about 20 years and for many of them wished I had persevered with the knitting. There's something so soothing and meditative about the click of two needles that has always called me. It's just a different mood and also compliments crocheting quite nicely. Well, a couple of years ago, while trying to relieve the stress of studying for my psychology state board exams, I took up knitting. Funny thing is I took one class out of a 4 class series at a community college and then just taught myself with tons of questions to a friend of mine who walked me through the really confusing parts. All the sudden, knitting became like breathing to me. I found it when the time was right, I guess.

What is your favorite yarn to knit with?

I love to work with natural fiber and my absolute favorite is Alpaca. It's just so soft and knits up like a dream. Ive also gotten quite fond of bamboo as well. It feels and handles like strong silk. And I really love the fact that it comes from such a rambunctious plant!

What are some of your favorite projects or techniques to knit?

My favorite thing is to do custom work because it feels like such an honor to help bring to life someone's idea, longing and desire. I love to feel the yarn and needles in my hands and just put my passion into it. I also love to knit things for new babies because that stuff becomes extra precious (just think of your first blankie). I love thinking about how my loving work is going to help welcome a new being into this life.
In terms of knitting for myself, which I don't often get around to doing, I've recently really gotten obcessed with knitting capes in all types of styles and yarn varieties.
In terms of techniques, I don't have a favorite. If Im not using a pattern, I love to hold the yarn and let it guide me into its creation. I have made some of my best items that way.

Interview and Helpful Hints From CricketsCreations!

After reading so many of her forum posts and other articles and reading her advice to other team members in the Etsyknitters Team, I asked Celeste of CricketsCreations if she would pretty please do an interview and give us some insight into this brilliant and very kind person:

When did you start knitting?

I took an elective class when I was eight years old. From there, I
studied knitting books and tried out patterns. Now I design all my own
work and can get really creative!

What is your favorite thing about what you do?

I'm a color and texture junkie who also happens to be a Gemini...scarves are great because I get to play with all kinds of crazy combos and don't have a chance to get bored (I make 2-3 scarves a day, generally)!

What does a typical day look like for CricketsCreations?

Get up in the morning, shower and get dressed (I like to "get ready for
the day" even though I work from home). Then, I start working for Best
Friends Animal Society from my home office (which is also my home studio
for scarfin'). If you're curious about what I do for Best Friends,
please see http://network.bestfriends.org/Blogs/PostDetail.aspx?bp=5628.

On my breaks, I take a few minutes to do the following daily on Etsy:

1) Answer any Conversations (convos), relist sold items, send a note to
customers thanking them & letting them know when I'll ship their order,
renew popular scarves on Etsy, etc.

2) Scroll through the pages at http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php and
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_west.php looking for gold stars next to the
treasury title. A gold star tells me I'm in that treasury, so when I
see one I enter that treasury, click on each item and leave a comment.

About once a day, I feature one of the curators who's included me in my
blog at http://cricketscreations.blogspot.com/ (I wish I could feature
them all, but I'm usually in several treasuries at once).

3) Visit
http://www.majaba.org/heartsitems.php?userid=&submit=Submit&name= and
check for new item hearts (this gives me an idea of which items are most
popular and/or which to make sure I have plenty of in my inventory).

Once work at my "real job" is completed, I spend the rest of the day
shipping scarf orders (its' such a thrill!), remaking scarves which have
sold or creating/photographing/listing new designs.

I integrate family & friends...either visiting while I knit, or taking a
break from business to have dinner, see a movie or go for a drive.

If you could branch out to any other medium what would you choose to learn?

Lampworking and glassblowing! I'm utterly fascinated by chemistry, physics & other sciences and love the transformation of glass to works of art!

Are there any other tid bits you want to throw out there? Anything at all :)

Here's a link to my success tips:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5838121

Thank you so much, once again, for doing this. I really do feel that your wisdom and helpfulness is priceless and I hope to one day aspire to your success!