Hi, today is so boring and it's raining so why not have another review and a giveaway?
Besides it's always fun to read about a new Etsy artist and Maya Tobias is pretty new,
she opened her shop in March 2009 , so I figured we could give her a hand and feature her and get to know her too. I found her shop through pounce, which is how I get to find pretty much a lot of etsy artists, and then I check how many sales they have, and if they don't have too many I decide to feature them, of course their items have to appeal to me. Her jewelry did appeal to me, it was different and very gold, funny because I don't wear gold and I don't make any gold jewelry, so why did she appeal to me? The design attracted me, the forms, the asymetricality of the designs and the way that she uses very little color with the gold but just enough. Everthing is so perfect together, I was drawn to her shop because of all that, my favorite is the red coral necklace, that's the piece that won my heart, so simple and yet so full of life.
Please visit this great artist's shop
Maya Tobiasand now to get to know her

What's your name? Maya Tobias
Where are you from? I’m originally from Pittsburgh but I live in Manhattan now.
What has gotten you interested in your craft? I’ve always done different types of art but I love jewelry because it’s so practical and functional. It’s art that you can wear.
What's the item you're most proud of? My favorite piece is the Colleen Ellis Affair Necklace. I love that it’s really bold and makes a statement. It would be hard not to notice this necklace if you’re wearing it. The chain is a vintage Chanel chain from this amazing bead store in Austin, Texas and most of the charms are from my favorite antique dealer in New York, a guy named David.
Where do you get your inspiration from? I get inspiration directly from the materials I buy. As soon as I find something I like at a flea market or bead store, ideas of what to do with it start flooding into my head. Also, New York is so full of art and culture that I’m inspired by everything I see here.
What is your process? Once I have an idea of what I want to do with my new materials I usually have to run home and start working because I’m too excited to concentrate on anything else. So my most productive work time is definitely right after I go to the antique market.
I usually end up remaking each piece at least five times until I’m totally satisfied with it. I’ll think that I’m just going to change one little thing, but I’ll end up with a piece of jewelry that’s completely different from where it started. Sometimes I’ll put it away for a few days and then look at it again and fix it until I’m totally proud of it.

Is your craft full time? If not, what do you do to pay the bills? I work at a brand consultancy called Brand Now that specializes in product innovation—it’s sort of like an idea factory. It’s a very creative place with great people.
What do you do in your spare time? I act like a tourist in New York by trying to take advantage of everything the city has to offer—so I go to a lot of different parties, concerts, galleries and markets. I have a potluck dinner every Tuesday night with my high school friends who all moved to the city also. I recently started running and I’ve been running across the Williamsburg Bridge into Brooklyn.
What are your goals for your business? I would like to continue to create pieces that are unique and innovative. Once I have more capital I want to start buying and using more precious stones. I would love to get more press on blogs (thanks for being the first to feature me!) and have a humble following of fans. I’ll probably try to sell stuff at local boutiques also.
Anything else you would like to share with my readers? I hope you like my stuff! Please check out my brand new etsy page:
www.mayatobias.etsy.com Send me a message. I would love to hear from you.

I want to thank Maya for her time, I always enjoy getting to know Etsy artists more.
Mary is giving away a pair of beautiful earrings as you will see in the picture below to one lucky winner.
This giveaway is ending in one week on June 25th at midnight
Must do as written to be eligible

1-Visit
Maya Tobias shop and choose your favorite item and come back here letting me know which one you would buy, one entry.
2-Blog about this giveaway on your blog, and comment about it here, an extra entry.
3-Post my button on your blog, and comment about it here, an extra entry.
4-Follow my blog publicly and comment about it here, an extra entry.
5-Subscribe to my blog and never miss a shop sale or a giveaway, and comment about it here, an extra entry.
Must be 18 years of age, be Us and Canada residents to participate in this giveaway.
Thank you and good luck to all.