Friday, July 8, 2011

Etsy Seller Feature & Giveaway: Kirameku

Today we have a really great etsy shop feature and giveaway!  Maxime is truly one of the sweetest etsy shop owner's I have met.  She has been super busy with college and exams and still found the time to create a special art piece just for this giveaway!  Also, she has generously offered our readers a 10% discount for her etsy shop - just use the code: AUFEMININ.  She is so talented and I'm really excited about sharing her talent with you!  I love her watercolor artwork and my favorite is definitely Revised Columbine - in love with that one!  Check out how to enter the giveaway below and enjoy!


A little bit about Maxime: My name is Maxime Pagé and I am the proud owner of Kirameku, nice to meet you all! :D I am situated in the city of Montreal, in Quebec, Canada and I have a wonderful shop full of colors and sparkling pieces! I sell handmade jewelry and original artworks.




When did you start creating?  I started drawing as far as I can remember and the creative aspect of it somehow it translated in a lot of what I do, from decoration to cooking, you name it! I started to take concentration classes 6 years ago and have two degrees in my domain, one in Fine Art and one, now completed, in Illustration and Design. My mediums are very wide, I can paint with any medium and do digital illustration. Along my favorites mediums, you will find graphite, watercolor and acrylic paint. I have explored many venues in the last ten years and I am always seeking out new approaches and new medium to widen my knowledge and abilities. I am in love with anything colorful and archival! :D I spend about 8 to 35 hours on a piece, depending on the theme and size, so I want to make sure it will last a long time! :D I usually choose my mediums on the type of effects that I want to create in a piece or the deadlines I have to meet.





What is the most time consuming part of your art?  I
would say that the most consuming part of my work in not to actually do the research and all the thumbnails development, but to make all the color variations samples to achieve the color palette that will depict as closely as possible the feeling I want to translate in my work. And after that you have the actual coloring, which in my case is thin layers of paint added one after the other. So first thing I know, ten hours just went by and I barely start to see my volumes appearing. But let me tell you that it is so worth it! :D




Where do you create?  I create mostly in my small atelier at home, surrounded by tons of references book and a hard drive packed with inspiration from all around the world to study the compositions and coloring techniques from different cultures. There I have my precious drawing table and mabef easel.





Do you have any advice on how you have made your business grow?  My piece of advice to painters that are beginning would be to keep reading on their medium and favorite artists. The technical aspect of your medium is as important, if it is not more, than the practical aspect of it. You will learn so much about colors and conservation and you will be able to make crucial choices in your palette simply because you now know which type of color mix is better or which color is not archival and will disappear within two or three years. You will be amazed on how much it is important! :D







Maxime is giving away this beautiful original watercolor that is named Spring Dream, and it is ink on yupo paper, about 5x7 inches; signed on the back.  



To Enter to win this beautiful watercolor by Maxime:

Just leave a comment below with your email address!

Extra Entries and chances to win (Leave another comment for each additional item for extra chances to win!):

1. Follow this Blog
2. Leave a comment stating your favorite item from Maxime's Etsy Shop
3. Become a follower of Kirameku on Twitter
4.  Become a follower of Maxime's Blog
5. Share this Giveaway on Facebook and Twitter!


You have until Sunday, July 17th to enter to win this giveaway!  Winner will be announced Monday, July 18th so check back!

68 comments:

  1. WoW! Such a beautiful piece of art!

    --Meagan
    cheercfa07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm a follower!

    --Meagan
    cheercfa07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I tweeted about the giveaway @vivalameaganx3

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow Maxime's blog via GFC

    --Meagan
    cheercfa07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is my favorite item from her shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/65316500/snow-berry-necklace-aurora-borealis

    --Meagan
    cheercfa07 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I shared on facebook.
    Betsy
    bbeal1113@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow this blog.

    bbeal113@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like all the artwork at Kirameku etsy shop.

    bbeal1113@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's stunning!

    according2princess AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to win - this painting is gorgeous and you are a very talented artist!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow your blog publicly with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow Maxime's blog publicly with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. The Sweet Berry original ACEO is my favorite item from Kirameku!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. It is beautiful! And blue is my favorite color..so of course I love it :)

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the Sunset Swarovski Earrings!

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  16. I follow Kirameku on twitter @daer0n.

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  17. I shared this giveaway on fb:
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=216978061680106&id=100001042776974

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  18. I tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/daer0n/status/89731595652706305

    Nury77 at live dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very pretty artwork!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  20. This has got to be my favorite feature so far; the art is beautiful :)

    newcreation2c517@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. It's so hard to choose a favorite... I love the berry rings, but I'd have to say the Pink Quartz Ring

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is soooo gorgeous! I would love to have it - I'm a watercolor medium lover. :) Thanks for offering it up for giveaway!

    Lindsey
    ladyufshalott at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Gorgeous! Would love to win!

    faymara(at)ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am following this blog using GFC.

    faymara(at)ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. that is one gorgeous print!
    uk7ss@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. i am a public gfc follower of your blog with the name uk7ss@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. my favorite item from the shop is the "Glamorous Purple Chandelier Earrings"

    uk7ss@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. i am a follower of maximes blog
    uk7ss@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. thansk for the chance it's beautiful
    nannypanpan at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thank you for this lovely giveaway!!

    hannahherrick@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. very pretty

    egle dot mane at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. love the work!

    florentina.tase@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. beautiful artwork id love to own

    trustjesus7771 at yahoo com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I would love that painting for my room!

    faked_Sugartone at hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  35. follower

    faked_sugartone at hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  36. love Turquoise Flower Paper Earrings - Limited edition

    faked_sugartone at hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  37. Kirameku twitter follower under stopdropandread

    faked_sugartone at hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  38. follow maxine's blog

    faked_sugartone at hotmail

    ReplyDelete
  39. Would love to be entered!

    tjmetz@ mchsi. com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Blog follower via GFC

    tjmetz@ mchsi. com

    ReplyDelete
  41. My fave is the AB Pink BlackBerry - Limited Editon

    tjmetz@ mchsi. com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Following Maxime's blog via GFC

    tjmetz@ mchsi. com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. My favorite item in Maxime's Etsy Shop is the 'Revised Columbine Original Artwork Watercolor.'
    Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. @hazelfinn follows @Kirameku412 on Twitter.
    Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Following Maxime's Blog publicly via GFC.
    Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Tweeted Giveaway; http://twitter.com/#!/hazelfinn/status/91530450543194113
    Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Shared on FB; http://www.facebook.com/danabeeman/posts/234926806528225#!/danabeeman/posts/236747236345621
    facebook.com/danabeeman/
    Dana Beeman: danabeeman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I also like the Floral Variation - Original Watercolor at the etsy shop.

    fastkat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. half_blue_sky@yahoo.com

    This is beautiful! I'd love to own it!

    ReplyDelete
  51. half_blue_sky@yahoo.com

    http://twitter.com/KissesForUsAll/status/92478676565889024

    shared on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  52. half_blue_sky@yahoo.com

    following Kirameku412 @kissesforusall

    ReplyDelete
  53. girl23rocks at hotmail dot com
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love the Sweet Berry - Original ACEO
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Become a follower of Kirameku on Twitter @Alliegal101
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Become a follower of Maxime's Blog
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. tweeted: https://twitter.com/Alliegal101/status/92659111489048576
    and facebooked: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=256586784357930&id=100002317946860
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. i followed this blog :) mojo3777@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. my favorite item is the Poison Ivy Original Artwork :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. i am following Maxime's Blog mojo3777@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. What a stunning piece of artwork! I would love to have it displayed in my room :)

    Thank you for this giveaway!

    TheEclecticElement AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  62. My favorite item is definitely the Revised Columbine Original Artwork - Watercolor!

    TheEclecticElement AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow Maxime on Twitter @TheEclecticE

    TheEclecticElement AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I really, really like this piece of art, I would even re-paint my room and redecorate around this piece. GREAT job.

    ReplyDelete
  65. I'm following this blog via GFC
    dianeking01@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. hmmm, I think my favorite from etsy is the water color with flowers, the aerial "feel" one. I still think I like the one you have up for the giveaway better. dianeking01@aol.com
    OH, and thank you so much for the opportunity to win this.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'm following you on twitter.
    dianeking01@aol.com

    ReplyDelete