Sixth and Elm Giveaway

I really love doing reviews here, finding new products and shops to share is always fun but I always have a special spot in my heart for small independent artisans. Sixth and Elm is one of these but frankly I've never seen anything to compare with the beautiful pieces there.

Sixth an Elm began in March 2007 by Tellie, an "easily distracted artist" in Toronto, who works wonders with glass and wood and I don't say that lightly. I stumbled upon her shop months ago and was in awe--her wood burned pieces are the most beautiful I've ever seen.

I've tried my sad hand at wood burning (it's terribly hard by the way) and checked some books out of the library as a guide but most of the projects pictured were (how can I say this nicely?) tacky. Or maybe I should say they just weren't my style--large American eagles or flags, wolves and bears or rustic looking hobos--but Sixth and Elm has such style and beauty it gave me a taste of what wood burning could really be.

Sixth and Elm goes far beyond some of the cliche woodburned designs you might have seen in the past and has classic and elegant designs such as etchings with excerpts from the love letters of Abelard and Louise (in French of course), sheet music from Debussy's "Clair de Lune," floral abstractions, Celtic knots, maps or folk designs. I honestly couldn't give you my favorite because each is so beautiful and well crafted that I switch back and forth with indecision.

Tellie was nice enough to give me a few hints about how she manages to do such detailed etchings but even knowing her tricks I doubt a novice like me could come close to what she produces--her designs are so fine and detailed and the stains add the perfect finishing element. It's really no wonder that she's got about 5 million people who have marked Sixth and Elm as an Etsy favorite--we're all fans.

Sixth and Elm has boxes, frames and a few wall hangings (see if you can pick out my favorite--I still chuckle every time I read it). Each of her boxes are made to order and are a little work of art to hold precious trinkets or memories. I have today, courtesy of Sixth and Elm, a scripted woodburned box such as you see pictured at the very top made especially for this week's giveaway. It's beautiful--if you don't happen to win this week you might also consider her layaway program for the end of the year holiday season.

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday go to the giveaway entry form on this page and enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to all readers so good luck!

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