Entries for this giveaway have been closed!
{shop} {blog} {twitter} {facebook}
{MEET RUTH}
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into jewelry making?
I’m a stay at home mum living in sunny (ok, now rainy) Singapore. I started crafting as a social activity back in 2005 as a means to destress from work. It was strangely therapeutic for me to experiment with new techniques and designs. However it got really expensive. Friends encouraged me to sell online and I did as a means to fund the hobby. Only after my son was born (2007) did I seriously contemplate doing it as a means of livelihood. I love the flexibility and how it allowed me to be home to spend time with my young son. The business has been evolving along the way. Taking a backseat at times as my family changes. Like back in 2009 when my daughter was born.
2. What is one piece of advice you’d give to new shop owners?
Keep focused. There are so many good things to be done but what is the one good thing that fits you. Do spend time to assess and take stock of your business ideas and values. These help to govern you in what you do!
3. What are the best places for a tourist to visit in Singapore (restaurants, shopping, etc.)?
I’d love to have a better list but I’d be frank. I don’t get out much. And when I do, it’s to the simple places because that’s what my kids like! And really, the simple things are enough for them.
If I had to narrow it down to a couple of tourist-y places…
Sentosa! — Universal Studios finally arrived in Singapore and it has been quite a treat. I’d be honest to say that we have not been ourselves because my younger child would freak out on seeing mascots (true story. We have pictures of her crying in family photos taken at Disneyland Hong Kong). But really, all those rides! Can’t go wrong there now.
Sentosa is an island off our main island. It’s now accessible by bridge (walk or drive, even train) but do take the cable car. Starting out at Mount Faber, you get a gorgeous view of the seas and the island as you approach. Also, besides Universal Studios, there are other attractions like the Underwater World and luge rides for the more adventurous. If you do have the luxury of time, spend a day or 2 there!
If you are the sort who loves being ‘on top of the world’ and spying down, a number of vantage spots of sprung up all over Singapore. Each of them have their own plus points.
— Marina Bay Sands (well, casino, luxury good shopping and theatre all rolled into one).
It has a viewing gallery and an infinity pool. Two star attractions in their own right.
— Singapore Flyer Built last year and modeling the London Eye, this ferris wheel gives a great view of Singapore. Best at Sunset or when there’s some special event going on. Fireworks seen from the wheel? Amazing.
— Ion Sky. Ion pretty much situated on the shopping belt of Singapore. It boasts of a mix of shops and foodie places. Plus its location means you can hop from shopping centre to shopping centre to shop up a storm. They have a viewing gallery, Ion Sky where you have a series of scopes to spy out on the island. The fun part about them is how they have decaled the glass panels with quirky quotes, location details and information about Singapore and erhmm, clouds. Their scopes are also equipped with pre-recorded video feeds which you can toggle to get at the night view amongst others. Not to mention Salt Grill by Luke Managan shares the same floor, offering a great gastronomic experience too.
4. What are some of your favorite color combinations?
Pastels! I am romantic at heart and it shows in my jewelry. I love how rose quartz (light shades of pink) matches with gold and silver perfectly. I also love citrine and personally find that it is best set in gold to enhance the cherry yellow. I used to like silver a lot more but right now, I am split both ways.
5. What is your favorite dessert?
My favourite dessert is this Mango Pomelo Sago combi. It originated in Hong Kong, where I still find they have the yummiest ones. I gorge myself silly with them every trip. Locally in Singapore, there are a couple of dessert stores that do this to perfection. The cold dessert is perfect for Singapore where, more often than not, the days are sweltering hot and humid. Nothing like ice-cold sweets to make the day better!
{GIVEAWAY}
Win $30 USD credit to Sparklethots shop!
1. Visit Sparklethots and leave a comment with your favorite item!
For additional entries, leave a separate comment for each action.
2. Be a Google Friend Connect follower of this blog
3. Like Sparkle Thots on Facebook and write on the wall saying I sent ya
4. Follow @sandyalamode and @sparklethots on Twitter
5. Blog, facebook, or tweet about this giveaway (make sure to include @sandyalamode and @sparklethots in your tweet) and include the link (one entry each).
Feel free to use this tweet:
Have you seen @sparklethots handcrafted jewelry shop yet? Take a look and enter to win $30 credit on @sandyalamode! http://bit.ly/o9iRKe
This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and closes on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 12PM CST. Good luck!
Don’t want to wait? Enter discount code “SANDYXMAS” at checkout to enjoy 20% off your purchase now!
Entries for this giveaway have been closed!
Yay for giveaways!
I absolutely love the promise – to have and to hold ring.
if only someone would buy me it 😉
I definitely follow this blog via GFC. (it’s one of my favs!)
Tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/mashleyvega/status/126106422336434178
& following you both in Twitter.
*crosses fingers*
I love how pretty and dainty these pieces are!
Visited Facebook & liked!
What a beautiful shop! I think I like the bow rings the best.
I follow this blog.
I’m a Fb fan of sparklethots.
I tweeted! Thanks so much for the giveaway opp, Sandy!
I love Ruth already….great dainty pieces:)
Statements in Fashion: A Funky Little Fashion Blog
LOVE the Ribbons Don’t Forget ring in Rose Gold! And well… most everything else in her shop! thanks for sharing! Hope Baby a la Mode is doing well 😛
I love the You’re My Guiding Star necklace!
Meggy from Chasing Davies
We are GFC friends! 🙂
Meggy from Chasing Davies
I follow both you and sparklethots on twitter via ChasingDavies
Meggy from Chasing Davies
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/ChasingDavies/status/126122208572620800
Meggy from Chasing Davies
The natures bud rose necklace is beautiful! I actually love the style of jewelry in her shop, it’s hard to choose one favorite!
Lovely shop! My fave is Felicity — Bountiful Happiness (Cream)
The pine v2 necklace is so dreamy!!
I follow via Google!
Following your blog with GFC!
Just tweeted!
Liked the facebook page and wrote on the wall!
Following you guys on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/#!/dawngwimes
Tweeted about giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/dawngwimes/status/126137095503880193
Shared the giveaway on FB too. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=123734317733580&id=1290720097
what a beautiful shop and collection. i love the ribbon ring, it’s so dainty and gorgeous.
I like Fall-Earth Beckons among other pieces.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
GFC Follower.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
There are so many lovely things in her shop. I think my favorite might be the River–Blue Danube necklace. Wasn’t an easy choice.
I follow you via GFC.
I love these!!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70215807/fascinate-midnight-skies
http://twitter.com/theotherpocket/status/126180883798556672
Tweeted
I GFC this blog!
I follow you both on twitter @theotherpocket
I love all the Hepburn. Earrings, so pretty!!!
I follow your blog!!!
I like sparkle thots on Facebook and left a message that you sent me!!!
simplysara83@gmail.com
I follow you both on twitter!
@SimplySara83
Tweeted!!!
https://twitter.com/simplysara83/status/126240136626307072
Facebooked
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=228355577223570&id=160223170709310
I like the ribbons don’t forget ring ! thanks for this great giveaway!
Oh, i love her shop! So many great jewelry to choose from! I am in love with the pinecones!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52213662/pine-longing-for-winter
Of course I am a follower!! xxx
I follow you on twitter!
this is awesome 🙂 i follow you on twitter!
of course i’m a follower 🙂
facebooked 🙂
i adore her love necklace 😉
I love the “A Heart for Romance” necklace!
I love the You’re My Guiding Star necklace.
I follow you via GFC.
Following via Twitter.
Tweeted!
I follow you via gfc.
I love the Nature’s Buds — Rose Blossoms :). I hope it’s not a problem I wrote my mandatory entry 2nd…
I like Sparkle Thots on fb as Dorottya Zsófia Bacsi and told them you sent me :).
I follow both of you twitter as doroffee :).
I really really like the Pine-Longing for Winter. It’s absolutely gorgeous!
I’m a GFC friend!
I liked Sandy a la Mode on Facebook!
The Stargazing earrings are my favourite today
I am a sandyalamode google friend
oooooh!! I just love the to have and to hold ring!
How pretty!!!
xo
moonbeamwishes@gmail.com
I follow your blog via GFC
xo
I tweeted!
xo
http://twitter.com/#!/moonbeamwishes/status/126300418207793153
I LOOOVE the You’re My Guiding Star Necklace. I have a star tattoo & am always on the lookout for little star pretties like this!
And I follow you using GFC.
I just love the Tie the Knot necklace! Thanks for this giveaway!
I follow this blog via GFC!
My favorite is the tie the knot necklace in silver – so pretty!
I follow your blog.
I liked Sparkle Thots on Facebook (Andi Bauer Trautman)
I love the Don’t Forget gold filled ring!
oOoOO all her “tie the knot” pieces are mega adorbs!
new FB friend of them!
der I follow you <3
i follow you both on the twittah
aaaand tweeted
what a cute jewelry store. i love the Promise — To Have and to Hold ring!
already a GFC of this blog!
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/noodlenthread/status/126342304926662656
Thank you both for such an awesome giveaway 🙂
I checked out her shop and it’s so pretty I especially loved her
Ribbons — Don’t Forget (Goldfilled) ring 🙂 adorable!
Kary10024@hotmail.com
I am a follower of your blog 🙂
the pine cone necklace is so cute!
I follow you both via twitter. Username:LoveKarinaP
I tweeted 🙂 http://twitter.com/#!/LoveKarinaP/status/126357152800571392
love the Tree earrings 🙂
following your blog!
following u both on twitter @hunnybunny727
liked and wrote on Sparkle Thots facebook !
love the “you’re my shining star” necklace!
[oomph.]
follower of your blog 🙂
[oomph.]
Oh I just love all of her pieces! The Freedom necklace is just perfect 🙂
I follow you on GFC 🙂
gfc follower of yours!
and i follow you both on twitter.
The bow rings are adorable.
long time GFC follower of this blog!
I adore the River — The Blue Danube Necklace!
GFC follower of your blog
I love Ribbons — Don’t Forget (Rose Gold)!!!! so pretty~
i follow through google friend connect 🙂
— I love the Hearts All For Love Necklace
— I’m a current GFC Follower under: SAUCY | f. | BABY
— I’m now a fan of Sparkle Thots via FB under: Nicole Ordonez
I would love that bow ring!!! i love bows, and the simplicity of the bow ring is perfect!
i follow sandyalamode on twitter @shardestyle
and i follow via google friend connect!
just tweeted about the giveaway using both twitter handles @shardestyle
My favourite piece (and what I would get myself!) is the ‘Raina — Bottled Wine’ necklace 🙂
kate1485 at hotmail.com
You always have the BEST giveaways! I love the rings, especially the to have and to hold one! xoxo
I LOVE the Wishes — Just For You necklace!
I am a GFC follower of Sandy a la Mode
I love the …. Sunshine — Always Walk in Sunshine
I follow you via GFC. 🙂
I follow you both via Twitter…
i tweeted!
I Love Keys II — Unlock The Future. It´s amazing.
Thankss
I follow you via GFC as Tras el Secreto de Venus
I like your Facebook Page . Nick: Secreto de Venus
Followed @sandyalamode and @sparklethots on Twitter
Nick: @Secretodevenus
Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/SecretodeVenus/status/127802654092038145
I like the A sentimental note necklace.
I’m following on GFC as Mandy and Justin
aandj8804[at]gmail.com
following both of you on twitter (@aandj8804)
aandj8804[at]gmail.com
tweeted — https://twitter.com/#!/aandj8804/status/128503694038798337
aandj8804[at]gmail.com