Did You Miss Us? [Take Survey & Enter to win]

After a relentless battle with lots of pornographic spam on our loverly blog and some much needed downtime from blogging, we are here to let you know that Dirty Pretty Things will be back up and blogging very soon...but with a re-vamp.

In the meanwhile, we'd love to hear what YOU would like to see more of in the future, so take our poll...and feel free to comment on other things not listed here:

.

FREE GIVE-A-WAY!  

Everyone who takes our poll and comments on this post will be entered to win 2 sample sizes of Dirty Pretty Things Dead Sea Salt Bath Soak in the scents of their choice. Go to my shop to pick your faves and make sure to leave a way for us to contact you! 

✿ For extra entries into this give-a-way...
1 } Get ONE extra entry by following my blog. Post here that you are a follower.
2} Get TWO extra entries by doing a write up about this give-a-way on your blog. Your feature must include the give-a-way picture to count.
3} Get TEN extra entries by making a purchase with Dirty Pretty Things during the contest week.

4} Get TWO extra entries by leaving a comment on our new post here: http://ravenxxxx.blogspot.com/2010/04/youre-invitedspring-2010-brewery.html

❤ ❤ ❤

Most Important Details...If your favourite item by Dirty Pretty Things is not part of your comment and some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way. All entries are handwritten by me, so I DO check every single entry and comment. All entries for this give-a-way must be received by 12.00 midnite on Monday, April 19th, 2010 PST. There is a clock on the right side of this blog so that you may check Los Angeles {PST} time.The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist when winner is chosen. Value of prize is $5.00 and may not be exchanged. Samples sizes are sent in plastic pouches and are not as pictured in glass. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Give-a-way...LUCKY YOU!

Lucky YOU!

Mikiep is giving away what he is calling "The MOTHER of All Give-a-ways" to one very lucky winner...and honestly this IS a big one with a very generous prize worth approximately $150-$200!

"The prize is something so cool that you might want sit down...But, first. close the doors and the windows because you may not want anyone else to hear about this."

* ❤ *

As a prize, illustrator Mikiep is giving away a CUSTOM illustration featuring YOU as your most favourite super hero in a childhood memory that you treasure most!
Wow, right??
Oh, and if you choose, you can also include yer significant other, mabie one of yer kids, the family pet and pretty much anyone else you'd like to have in it, within reason...

Go to his blog HERE to find out all the details and enter...



Contest ends July 11th and you can enter DAILY, so why are you still here reading?...Go now!
But, come back here when yer done entering and let me know that you did ...and I'll see to it that you get an extra 3 entries in the contest.

Good luck!!

Sweet Treats: Levi's + Glam Style Sweeps

Win Five Fresh Looks Worth $1500

In this harsh economy, who doesn't want to look good...AND get new clothing and accessories for FREE?

Levi's® and Glam are teaming up to put some killer style in your week with these five fresh outfits. Enter the Levi's® + Glam Original Style Sweeps and you could win five looks worth $1500!

...Enter HERE to Win

ENTER DAILY TO WIN...Past Present Future

Give-a-way #3: Past Present Future
Enter daily to win a new mini print of each of my latest paintings, some of which you can see here.

For the next 2 weeks, enter daily for a chance to win a mini-print of my painting entitled "Past Present Future". {right}

❤ ❤ ❤

✿ Enter to win daily...

You may enter to win once a day. Visit the Dirty Pretty Things shop. Then, comment here on your favourite item[s]...and if you'd like to tell us why, we'd LOVE to hear. :)

✿ For extra entries into this give-a-way...
1 } Get ONE extra entry by following my blog. Post here that you are a follower.
2 } Get ONE extra entry by Tweeting on Twitter about this feature and give-a-way w. link to feature. Post link.
3 } Get TWO extra entries by posting a comment on any other post on my blog, not including artist features. No need to post link as I get your comments via email.
4} Get FIVE extra entries by doing a write up about this give-a-way on your blog. Your feature must include the give-a-way picture to count.
5} Get TEN extra entries by making a purchase with Dirty Pretty Things during the contest week.

❤ ❤ ❤

Most Important Details...This is a 2 week contest. All entries for this Mini Print must be received by 5.00pm on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 PST. You may enter daily to win. If your favourite item by Dirty Pretty Things is not part of your comment and some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way. All entries are handwritten by me, so I DO check every single entry and comment. The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist when winner is chosen. Mini Print value is $5.00 and may not be exchanged. Mini prints are not numbered. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

ENTER DAILY TO WIN...In the Sewing Room

Give-a-way #2: In the Sewing Room
Enter daily to win a new mini print of each of my latest paintings, some of which you can see here.

This week, enter daily for a chance to win a mini-print of my painting entitled "In the Sewing Room". {right}

❤ ❤ ❤

✿ Enter to win daily...

You may enter to win once a day. Visit the Dirty Pretty Things shop. Then, comment here on your favourite item[s]...and if you'd like to tell us why, we'd LOVE to hear. :)

✿ For extra entries into this give-a-way...
1 } Get ONE extra entry by following my blog. Post here that you are a follower.
2 } Get ONE extra entry by Tweeting on Twitter about this feature and give-a-way w. link to feature. Post link.
3 } Get TWO extra entries by posting a comment on any other post on my blog, not including artist features. No need to post link as I get them via email.
4} Get FIVE extra entries by doing a write up about this give-a-way on your blog. Your feature must include the give-a-way picture to count.
5} Get TEN extra entries by making a purchase with Dirty Pretty Things during the contest week.

❤ ❤ ❤

Most Important Details...This is a 2 week contest. If your favourite item by Dirty Pretty Things is not part of your comment and some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way. All entries are handwritten by me, so I DO check every single entry and comment. All entries for this Mini Print must be received by 5.00pm on Sunday, May 31st, 2009 PST. There is a clock on the right side of this blog so that you may check Los Angeles {PST} time.The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist when winner is chosen. Mini Print value is $5.00 and may not be exchanged. Mini prints are not numbered. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

ENTER DAILY TO WIN...I Will Know When I Get There

Starting this Sunday and continuing for the next 8 weeks, I will be giving away a new mini print of each of my latest paintings, some of which you can see here.

This week, enter daily for a chance to win a mini-print of my painting entitled "I Will Know When I Get There". {left}

❤ ❤ ❤

✿ Enter to win daily...

You may enter to win once a day. Visit the Dirty Pretty Things shop. Then, comment here on your favourite item[s]...and if you'd like to tell us why, we'd LOVE to hear. :)

✿ For extra entries into this give-a-way...
1 } Get ONE extra entry by following my blog. Post here that you are a follower.
2 } Get ONE extra entry by Tweeting on Twitter about this feature and give-a-way w. link to feature. Post link.
3 } Get TWO extra entries by posting a comment on any other post on my blog, not including artist features. No need to post link as I get them via email.
4} Get FIVE extra entries by doing a write up about this give-a-way on your blog. Your feature must include the give-a-way picture to count.
5} Get TEN extra entries by making a purchase with Dirty Pretty Things during the contest week.

❤ ❤ ❤

Most Important Details...If your favourite item by Dirty Pretty Things is not part of your comment and some sort of viable contact information is not included, your entry will be disqualified. I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way. All entries are handwritten by me, so I DO check every single entry and comment. All entries for this Mini Print must be received by 5.00pm on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 PST. There is a clock on the right side of this blog so that you may check Los Angeles {PST} time.The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist when winner is chosen. Mini Print value is $5.00 and may not be exchanged. Mini prints are not numbered. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Last Chance to Enter...

The Noodle and Lou Double Give-a-way ends Sunday at 3.00pm PST!

Have YOU entered yet??
If not, be sure to visit the Feature & Give-a-way HERE to see all of the ways you can enter to win!

Best of Luck, My Pretties! ❤

xxx
Raven

Pretty Things...Pink Kiss

Looking for a favourite mug that will inspire you to create something new every day?
Well, look no further, as I've found a most beautiful mug and cup by Pink Kiss that you will cherish and want to use every little chance you get. Oh, and there are matching plates to put your yummy biscuits on as well!

*❤*

I've also just discovered a delicious give-a-way on the Lillyella blog where one can enter to win a sweet little Pink Kiss salt and pepper set...but hurry and go now to enter as the contest deadline is rapidly approaching at 9am EST tomorrow!

Pretty Things...Lillyella

...Looking for some sweet accessories to go with all those new Spring outfits you've been buying?

Well then, you Pretty Thang...head over to Lillyella and shop to your hearts content!
The jewelry is stunning and the prices reasonable. And, for the chance to either jumpstart or add to your collection of Lillyella pretties, stop by the Xenotees blog to enter her give-a-way for any item in the Lillyella shoppe {excluding her one-of-a-kind pieces}...but hurry as it ends tonight at midnight EST!

WIN a Mini Print by Mikiep EVERY DAY!

The following people need to contact me ASAP or your prize will go to someone else:
❤ SingerMagic1
❤ Clubpengwordg68

❤ ❤ ❤

This Give-a-Way is now CLOSED
All winners will be announced and contacted. THANK YOU!

Starting today and every single delicious day for the rest of February, illustrator Mikiep will be giving away a mini print a day!

If you haven't seen Mikiep's amazing illustrations yet, why...yer just missing out on an adventure! Go to his shop to see for yourself!


Here are the give-a-way details:
{1} One mini print will be given away every day, but you must re-enter the give-a-way each day in order to be eligible to win for that day!
{2} You can win more than once, just re-enter every day to win for that day.
{3} YOU get to choose which mini-print you'd like from the Mikiep shoppe: http://Mikiep.etsy.com
{4} Each new contest ends at 12 midnight PST {check clock on the right side of blog for Los Angeles time}

★ To enter: Check out Mikiep's shop...then comment here on your favourite item. If you win, I will email you to get your choice of free mini-print, so include a way to contact you!
★ Gain 1 extra entry: Bump up his forum post and win one extra entry to win a mini print. Go HERE to bump.
★ Automatically win a free mini print of your choice:
Purchase any full-sized illustration from Mikiep's shop and pick a free mini print of your choice.

❤ ❤ ❤

Most Important Details... THESE GIVE-A-WAYS ARE NOW CLOSED. Mini print value is $5.00. I will make sure all extra entries are entered into the give-a-way from both this site and the Etsy forum post. I DO check every single entry and comment. The winner's name is drawn randomly by hand. If your favourite illustration by Mikiep is not part of your comment, your entry will be disqualified. If I cannot contact you due to blocked account, etc..., winner has until the end of contest to contact ME or another winner will be picked for that day. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist at the end of the contest. All entries must be received by midnight PST on the date contest applies to. Please check the clock on the right side of this blog to see Los Angeles {PST} time. This contest is open to everyone, everywhere.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Pretty Things Spotlight: * Jessica Doyle *

Update: JANICE WRIGHT is the winner of the Sexy Red Toes print by Jessica Doyle...YAY! Thanks so much to everyone who entered...be sure to enter this week's give-a-way too {there's a link to it on the right side of this blog}.

Reminiscent of painstakingly created embroidery on the finest silk, Jessica Doyle's work is inspiring in its whimsical detail.

Drawn in by her vibrant colours and entrancing swirls, one is instantly intrigued by her curious shapes and subject matter, such as the human body, sea creatures and the world itself through her eyes.

"Drawing, painting and writing feel good to me. I can't seem to remember a time when I haven't been creating anything, something for that matter."

Spotlight: Jessica Doyle

★ Tell us a bit about you... I have been working in the arts & design industries since the age of 17. I have doubled in age since and still love it. I am formally trained as an illustrator, surface and graphic designer after having attended the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design and later, Langara College in Vancouver, BC. I am a collector of paper, pens, paint and all things container, tiny, metal, old or wooden.

★ What inspires you? Life inspires me. After three near death experiences I am happy to be amongst the breathing. Ideally the ideas would come easily and sometimes they do. Other times it through experimentation, trial and error that a final illustration is created.

★ Apart from creating, what do you do for fun? I hoola hoop with a home-made hoop. It is as high as my shoulders (about 5 feet in diameter). I can bring it from knee to neck lift it off my head and walk-through it twisting it in various contortions. I'm also an avid organic gardener.

★ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art? When a person offered to buy an original 24x24" acrylic painting and asked how much? I said $1,250 and he paid for it. At the time I was broke and it got me through the rest of the month. Living in Vancouver was not cheap. Haha!

★ Any advice for fellow artists... If you feel stuck and uninspired switch mediums.

★ If you could be a superheroine, who would it be and why? Wonder Woman for sure, mixed with a little Sylvia Plath. In grade one I wanted to be Wonder Woman. She was the "it" girl in 1980! I still have my original -now vintage (OMG)- Wonder Woman pencil case from then. And Sylvia Plath because of her brutal honesty. I have volumes of my own written journals... someday.

★ Where have you traveled or where would you like to travel and why? I'd like to travel back to Vancouver to live again. Dream would be to own a live/work Loft in Vancouver and a Residential Home in Saint John, New Brunswick; my hometown and where I currently live.

★ More about You…. While living in Vancouver for close to five years I was drawing and writing with ink so much that I was running dry 3 to 4 Pilot G-tec C4 pens a week. My goal was to eliminate the need for pencil before pen and I have. I rarely use pencil except to sign prints with. As with any muse this could change.


★ Etsy- http://JessicaDoyle.etsy.com
★ Blog- http://jessicadoyle.ca
★ Flickr- http://flickr.com/photos/eastvanesica

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ * ◦ *¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)

This Give-a-Way has ended...

Now that it's warm outside, let's all celebrate and paint our toenails RED!
Jessica did...and now she wants to give-a-way one of her very favourite prints to YOU!
Her "Sexy Red Toes" Print is from an original drawing painted with watercolour. The background has been added digitally. Print size is 5 x 7" on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.

Thanks to Everyone who entered!

THE BIG GIVE II Continues...

Update: The winners are now posted on each of the individual give-a-way features from The Big Give II. Thanks so very much to everyone who entered each contest and Be sure to enter this week's new give-a-way feature too!
A special thank you to everyone who left a message regarding the passing of my sweet little Kiko <3.

Due to the passing of my sweet kitty, Kiko just yesterday, I am holding the Big Give-a-way over for an extra week as I just cannot concentrate on anything else right now.

But, as a special bonus for YOU, my dear Pretties, ...if you comment again this week, you will have an extra chance to win!
Note: You must comment on each feature individually to have an extra chance at that give-a-way.

"The Big Give" features FIVE ultra-talented artists for you to peruse and shop with. You can also enter their give-a-ways as each artist is giving away one of their pretties in separate random drawings!

View each of the 5 features & give-a-ways here!

• Sugarberry
• Lauren Alexander
• Amateur Capture
• The Sea Within
• Nikii

Most important details: Each give-a-way must be entered separately for you to qualify for that give-a-way. If you've already entered, you may enter again for one additional chance to win, but you must enter each give-a-way individually. All entries must be received by noon on Sunday, June 29th, 2008. This contest is open to everyone around the globe, but please leave a viable way for us to contact you. Entries with no contact info and lacking the information requested will be disqualified. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. Each winner's name for the 5 separate give-a-ways will be selected by the old-fashioned name in a hat method.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Dirty Pretty Things to Ponder : THE BIG GIVE II

Update: The winners are now posted on each of the individual give-a-way features from The Big Give II. Thanks so very much to everyone who entered each contest and
Be sure to enter this week's new give-a-way feature too!

A special thank you to everyone who left a message regarding the passing of my sweet little Kiko <3.

THE BIG GIVE-A-WAY!

Lucky You!

What a wunderful surprise you've just happened upon!
This is "The Big Give" where I've featured not just one, but FIVE ultra-talented artists for you to peruse and shop with. You can also enter their give-a-ways as each artist this week is giving away one of their pretties in separate random drawings!

Enter each of the 5 features...

• Sugarberry
• Lauren Alexander
• Amateur Capture
• The Sea Within
• Nikii

Most important details: Each give-a-way must be entered separately for you to qualify for that give-a-way. If you comment on the reason WHY you love their work, you will be entered twice in that give-a-way. All entries must be received by noon on Sunday, June 29th, 2008. This contest is open to everyone around the globe, but please leave a viable way for us to contact you. Entries with no contact info and lacking the information requested will be disqualified. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. Each winner's name for the 5 separate give-a-ways will be selected by the old-fashioned name in a hat method.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Dirty Pretty Things to Ponder : THE BIG GIVE!

THE BIG GIVE-A-WAY!

Lucky You!
What a wunderful surprise you've just happened upon!
This is the first time I've ever featured more than one ultra-talented artist and it just so happens that each artist this week is giving away one of their pretties in separate random drawings, meaning you have not only one, but SIX chances to win!

Enter each of the 6 features & give-a-ways!

• Element Clay Studio
• Across The Pond
• Jared May Photography
• Little Pieces of Art
• Burgandy
• Pepper Dog Designs

And, here are most important details: Each give-a-way must be entered separately for you to qualify for that give-a-way. All entries must be received by midnight, Saturday, April 26th, 2008, PST. This contest is open to everyone around the globe, but please leave a viable way for us to contact you. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Entries with no contact info and lacking the information requested will also be disqualified. Winner has 3 days to contact me with their address. Give-a-way is shipped out via the artist. Each winner's name for the 6 separate give-a-ways will be selected via a random number generator.

Best of luck to you, my Pretties!

Pretty Things Big Give: Element Clay Studio

Update: The winner of the Urchin Bowl by Element Clay Studio is PETRA!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

◦ ○◦○ ◦

No, you're not seeing things, Heather Knight's Element Clay Studio WAS previously featured on Dirty Pretty Things to Ponder, but unfortunately, at that time, her give-a-way was not. So, as a special treat to you, we are now offering one of her Urchin bowls, inspired by some of the most quirky, magical aspects of nature now! YAY!

To see the original feature on Element Clay Studio, please visit here.

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ * ◦ *¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)

Enter this Give-a-way!

How to enter: Look at the wunderful things in the Element Clay Studio Shoppe and comment here stating your most favourite piece from all the wunderfully quirky pieces and let us know why you love it! YOU MUST COMMENT ON THIS POST TO QUALIFY, not on the original!

Pretty Things Big Give: Across the Pond

Update: The winner of the sterling silver ring from Across the Pond is IRMA'S ROSE COTTAGE!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

◦ ○◦○ ◦

Casey from Across the Pond always loved crafting, but never seemed to find time to make her creations a reality until recently. Lucky for us! ...And, if you were wondering about the name of her shoppe, she says that even though she was raised in the South, a little piece of her heart lies "across the pond" ...in London.

Across The Pond

★ What inspires you?
I'm mostly inspired by the materials I work with. I'm obsessed with beads, findings, gemstones, paper, fabric, and ribbon. When I get my hands on them, I love imagining what they could be, planning things out, and manipulating them into something beautiful.

★ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
Opening my Etsy shop was the first step on this journey, so I'd say that was the most memorable. I've only been open since this past November, but I've learned so much. I've improved dramatically at making my products, photographing and presenting them, and communicating with buyers. On Etsy, I feel like I'm a part of a community as well as a movement, which is just a great feeling.

★ Any advice for fellow artists...
Keep creating! It can get frustrating, but just find inspiration somewhere and keep at it.

Etsy Shoppe: http://acrossthepond.etsy.com
Blog: http://caseyacrossthepond.blogspot.com

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ * ◦ *¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)

Enter this Give-a-way!

Casey of Across the Pond is sweetly giving away one of her gorgeous rings, made entirely of sterling silver. It is intricate in design, but simple as it will go with everything, making it so easy to wear. The bead measures approx. 15 mm. It will be made in the lucky winner's size! Sweet!

How to enter: Look at the pretties in the Across the Pond Shoppe and comment here stating your most favourite as well as why you love it!

Pretty Things Big Give: Jared May

Update: The winner of the Jared May print is JEN {LazyCrazyJen}!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

◦ ○◦○ ◦

Jared May is a photographer who believes in learning by trial and error. Through his ups and downs, his experience has evolved into the most beautiful and breath taking images. His mother taught him at an early age to embrace his imagination, and that has framed his idea-making in a large way. Therefore, he's always willing to try an odd idea with his camera, even if he's 99% sure it won't work. Lucky for us, because sometimes those ideas actually do work and make for some cool images.

Jared May

★ What inspires you?
In my work, I try to capture those things that I feel intensely. I like to capture feelings I'll want to revisit later. In a way, it's a diary of sorts for me, reminding me where I've been and who I was. I look for things I find beautiful or magical or just plain interesting. I like to try to develop themes.
As I look back on my work later, I begin to notice that I go through stages, and a lot of my work can be grouped into a few different time periods.

★ What has been your most memorable moment selling your art?
This one is easy. It would my first sale on Etsy. I had never sold a photograph before, and it was tremendously validating. I went for days with a giant smile on my face telling anyone who would listen, as many times as they would listen, "Hey, did I tell you I sold one of my photographs?" I still get a smile when I think of it. If my involvement with Etsy were to shut down tomorrow, I will have gotten more than I could have asked just from that one experience.

★ Any advice for fellow artists...
Do what is meaningful to you. Find like-minded people who appreciate and love your work - you can find them by looking for people whose work you love. Pay your bills some other way. Not that I know everything. :)

Etsy Shoppe: http://JaredKS.etsy.com
Blog: http://jaredks.blogspot.com

(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸(¯`'•.¸ * ◦ *¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)¸.•'´¯)

Enter this Give-a-way!

Jared is giving away a 5 x 7 print of his original image "Good Morning Kansas". This image will definitely inspire you as it envisions peace, hope and the power of solitude.

How to enter: Look in the JaredKS Shoppe and comment here stating your most favourite photograph from all of his eyecandy and let us know why you love it!