Pro-Soup Propaganda

CLOSED: Tuesday Giveaway from Jenn's Zen!

I have loved all of the answers I've been getting back from my artistic friends who are filling out the artist interview questions for these giveaways and I've loved them all, but this week's giveaway really takes the cake. My friend Jenn is a lovely and awesome person inside and out and I think her interview answers really prove it! I love that she is able to take her happiness and joy and turn it into such beautiful jewelry. She is giving away a gorgeous pair of hammered copper earrings that would look great with anything, dressed up or down!

Name:

Age:

Location:
Where can we find you online? My name is Jennifer Bowers (Jenn), I am almost 36 years old (May 23rd) and I live in Ketchikan, AK! You can find Jenn’s Zen Jewelry on Etsy  and you can “LIKE” Jenn’s Zen on Facebook,  or Twitter!
How did we meet? You may know how to answer this question better than me (because my brain is a bit foggy since having babies), but I best remember you from Green Coffee Bean Co. You were always been so bubbly, cheerful and kind! That made an impression on me. Not to mention you make a great Americano!

What do you do for a living? I am a full-time-stay-at-home-work-my-buns-off mother of two rad little
girls (under the age of four) and wife of an awesome man. I suppose that’s a quick way of saying that I’m a maid, cook, therapist, child psychologist, nurse, tailor, events coordinator, gardener, wife and mother, to name a few. Not to mention, which I’m sure it’s pretty obvious by now, I have my jewelry making business!

How did you take up your artistic medium? I have always been an artistic person and have tired my hand at anything from painting, to quilt making, sewing clothes, to photography; but I have only been crafting jewelry for a relatively short period of time. Roughly ten years ago, on a whim, I purchased cobalt blue and hot pink seed beads and stretchy chord for my very first hand-crafted bracelets. At that time I had a friend that made her own jewelry and I was inspired and challenged to try making my own beaded jewelry. I was super excited at my primitive first creations, but soon discovered other materials to use like crimp beads,
beading wire, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver, Czech glass, natural stones, copper, etc. I was like a kid in a candy shop and the beading world was my oyster! Soon people started noticing my jewelry and wanted me
to make something for them. Early on I gave away most of what I made! Since then my stretchy chord bracelets evolved into ameulet bags, that evolved into loom woven bracelets, that evolved into charm earrings, that evolved into lariat necklaces, that evolved into selling at festivals, that evolved into Jenn’s Zen, that evolved into selling in local stores and Etsy.com!

Three reasons you’re awesome:

1. Because I am one of the most passionate and determined people Iknow.
2. Because I am dang funny! I even make MYSELF laugh!
3. Because I am very compassionate, empathetic and easy to forgive.
What’s your favorite quote?

I have two:

1. “Honk if you love peace and quiet!”
2. “Look at the log in your own eye before you look at the speck in omeone else’s.”

What do you do when you’re having a bad day to remedy it? I cry and call my husband. He always knows how to put me back on track. He is so motivational and he refuses to listen to me feel sorry for myself. If I start talking badly about myself he’ll cut me off and insist, “Would you stop talking about my wife that way!” He is so cool. And if I feel upset about someone he will away encourage me to breath, let it go, and focus on what I have the power to change and influence. THAT is being a good friend, folks!

What’s a piece of good advice you’d like to pass onto the readers?

Is that “piece” plural or singular?

Here is my list of do’s and don’ts:

Don’t take things personally (it’s not about you); don’t wait for someone to do it for you (though it is okay to ask for help); don’t find your identity in someone else (even your kids!) or let others tell you who you are, or
are not; throw away all your excuses – they’re all just a bunch of crap that hold you back from being what you were created to be; do whatever it takes to learn how to love and respect yourself so you can actually love and respect others (without the former you cannot have the latter); don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater (more often than not things are not what they appear to be); and don’t ever become tolerant of what is not good, right or healthy (always strive for excellence and a higher standard in yourself, and call that excellence out in others).

Do eat your vegetables (I like to juice mine!); do keep trying to go that extra baby step or mile (you can always go a lot further than you think – I know, I’ve given birth twice all natural!); do revert back to playing likea child once in a while; do dare yourself to do something (that is legal and wholesome) that is not “you” at least once per month; do help the genuinely poor, needy, and widowed (what goes around, comes around);
do pick your battles and be sure to win you wars with love, wisdom and respect (be honorable!); do honor and respect your parents by becoming healthier than they had the capability of being (you only know what you are taught…); and do remember several times per day to stop, breathe deeply, and admire something beautiful without having to put words or thoughts to it!

Anything more you’d like to tell us? I’m very personable and I’m always up for a good cup of coffee and a great conversation! And if you want to learn how to make your own jewelry (stretchy cord bracelets anyone?) just ask; I’d love to teach you what I know! Thank you, Brittany! You are a gem!

Don't you love her?! To enter to win visit Jenn's Etsy shop and comment back here with another goodie you'd love to own.


Want to know how to get more entries? Also easy!
*Tweet or mention this blog post somewhere
*Heart Jenn's Zen on Etsy
*Like Jenn's Zen on Facebook
*Like Pro-Soup Propaganda on Facebook
*Follow PSP through Google Friend Connect

Whichever else you choose to do, leave a message back here with a link to your tweet, post, or that you "liked" us on Facebook/"hearted" Jenn's Zen on Etsy, etc. and those will be counted for extra entries!

The giveaway ends at 6pm PST, Monday, May 23 (Jenn's birthday!!), so get your entries in! The winner will be notified by email so make sure there is an obvious way to contact you. :o)