Meet Aki, the woman who designs and makes handmade bags, frame pouches and baby goods at Oktak and Oktakmini. I absolutely love her framed pouches and bought myself a medium sized one. If you haven't been to her shops yet, I highly recommend checking them out. She has also graciously agreed to finish my sentences and giveaway an item from her shop! Read on to learn more about her and how to enter to win.
I am... a designer, crafter, businesswoman, wife & mom, displaced Tokyoite and an avid cat-lover.
I was... a typical "indoor" girl who loved all forms of art - painting, drawing, sewing, dancing, playing music. I remember being four years old and loving rainy days. I was mesmerized by the shapes of rain, and loved crafting as I listened to music.
I will be... focusing more and more on giving back as I grow older. What little I've achieved in life would amount to nothing if I did not give back to anyone.
One of my favorite quotes (this is from the film, "Monsieur Ibrahim"): "What you give is yours forever, what you keep is lost forever".
I am motivated by... beautiful colors and fun designs, and the happiness they bring!
Many people don't know that... I've played the piano since I was four and am pretty good at it!
Most days, you can find me... at home, working on a new project with a cup of tea.
I'd like to learn... Japanese calligraphy, to dress myself properly in a kimono, and take up French again.
I have never... traveled to South America or Australia - those are the only 2 continents I've never set foot on. I'd love to visit some day!
If I won the lottery, I would... buy an apartment here in New York! (We've been looking for several years!) It doesn't have to be lavish, and I'd give the rest away to my favorite charities.
I'd like to thank the Academy for... recognizing my work! It truly feels wonderful to know that other people enjoy what I make as much I enjoy making them. It makes everything worthwhile. Thank you June!!
Now for the giveaway!
So a lucky reader will win a choice of a free mini or zipper pouch priced at $22 or less. To enter, just leave a comment to let me know your favorite item from her shop. You have until Nov. 23rd to enter, and please make sure you leave your name and contact info. If I can't contact you, you can't win. I will randomly pick and announce the winner on the 24th. Good luck!
For additional entries:
1. Follow @oktak on twitter, and tell me that you did.
2. Twitter about this giveaway. Please have @juneshindesigns in the tweet so I can track it.
3. Blog about this giveaway and link back to this post.
4. Become a follower of my blog.
50 comments:
Thank you for introducing this artist - I love her work! My fav mini frame is the square- vintage flowers on orange.
I am one of your blog followers. =)
There are too many I like!! I'd have to pick the large zipper pouch - ochre wallpaper flowers as my favorite.
oooh, I like so many but I think this is my fave -- just too cutie with the birdie! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32748804
I already follow oktak on twitter
I'm now following your blog.
I met oktak and I am in love!
I have an orignal oktak and am addicted. I know it doesn't meet the $22 critera, but the plastic frame clutch with the mustard hummingbird is amazing!
I follow oktak on twitter. And you...
so much goodness! i love the mini frame pouch with white and blue flowers on a yellow background.
thanks!
I love oktak's items and have many of them already. She's a lovely lady and I'm glad you interviewed her! I'd like to enter the giveaway too. I like "mini frame pouch - floral ribbon on blue and white stripes" thanks!
I love oktak's work so much! I already own 2 pieces from her and I've been recommending her store to everyone who comments on the pouch and clutch I own. My current favorite is the "large zipper pouch - lace and velvet on polka dots on mocha". Outside of the $22 range, I know, but adorable and its on my list of possible holiday gifts for my baby sister. :)
I've already been following oktak on Twitter for a while now. :) Love to oktak from @heartlikehers!
The Rectangular frame pouch - gold dots is adorable!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Sandy
jobicohn(at)hotmail(dot)com
She makes so many lovely things! I'd have to say my favorite is the flower applique pouch on denim.
I follow your blog!
Thanks,
Erika
erika.haire@verizon.net
What a great new artist to find out about! I love the agapanthus on blue mini frame pouch. So cute and dainty with the embroidery. :)
XL frame pouch - pearl dots with ruffles and sage velvet
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31657303
i'm really into ruffles lately.. very nice website...
Hi there! My favourite is the Medium frame pouch (square) - folklore eggplant:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33684308
and if i may add - iLike the following too!
long frame pouch - pink flowers and mint green dots; mini frame pouch - pink stripes on fuchsia; frame purse - silver dots; eco-friendly grocery bag - red stripes and birds...
all of them are amazing!! <3
i love this artist's work! i already follow @oktak on twitter - im so glad you're having this giveaway! (my favourite is Medium frame pouch (square) - folklore eggplant)
hi =) im already a follower of your blog! <3 everything!
i've tweeted about the giveaway - http://twitter.com/luna_pixie
hi! i don't have a blog - so i posted it on facebook =D im a fan of your page so maybe you'll be able to see it =P http://www.facebook.com/luna.pixie.nina hope that counts as an entry =P
So cool, June! And thanks for doing these interviews (and giveaways ;) I love hearing how creative peeps work!
I love the mini frame pouches with the floral patterned fabric- so pretty! The elephant fabric is also so adorable!!!
how pretty! I love the brown dots on cream, and I'm going to follow your blog now!
i love the large zipper pouch - ochre wallpaper flowers
i follow!
i blogged about it here; http://peachrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/11/win-beautiful-pouch.html
I love XL frame pouch - polka dots on orange red.
madeincanarias at yahoo dot es
I follow @oktak on Twitter.
madeincanarias at yahoo dot es
Follow your blog.
madeincanarias at yahoo dot es
Tweet: http://twitter.com/MadeInCanarias/status/5943139623
madeincanarias at yahoo dot es
I love reading your interviews, and as always, this one was great! I'm pleased to learn about this artist and her work.
My favourite piece in her shop in the double compartment pouch in folklore eggplant.
I follow Oktak on Twitter
And I follow you blog!
Great interview! I LOVE oktak's work! My favorite is.... that's so hard! It might be this one... http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28440515
If it's under $22, I love this one. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34812220
I already follow oktak on twitter. And I'm going to follow your blog! Thanks! :)
I'm a proud owner of this pouch: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34698246 but would love to have another cutie, like this one http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34739243
Thanks for this giveaway! :)
I've been oggling her aqua bubbles on hot pink magazine tote for some time! Danielle: dannyyell@hotmail.com
1. I love ALL of her pouches!
2. I already follow Oktak.
3. I'm now following you.
4. AND I'm following your blog.
Tah dah!!!!!
:)
I LOVE Oktak's work. And she seems like a genuine and kind individual which makes me appreciate her work all the more.
I've been on a folk art kick lately, so my favorite item is the pouch in the Folklore Blue pattern. Just lovely!
You can contact me via my Etsy shop: http://TheFancyLamb.etsy.com
Thank you!
I also follow Oktak on Twitter.
And I will be tweeting about this giveaway momentarily!
I like the 2 compartment pouch retro flowers http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33761567 and so many other things! I also follow oktak on twitter.
I love everything in Aki's shop, it is one of my favorite Etsy shops (I check it almost every day). LOVE the fabrics. If I must choose just one
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34656601
Love the color and design on this fabric.
susan at suzini dot com
I just love Aki's work. It's hard to pick a favorite!
I'll choose pebbles on gray
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32629469
I also follow Aki on twitter - I'm shopbatty!
And lastly, I follow your blog!
Oops! I also retweeted this giveaway!
Absolutely love the purses on this. I collect anything elephant so I love those too. I am now following on twitter (I am libraryeliza) and the blog on my bloglines! So much fun!
(Trying to post again. I think I forgot the word verification. Sorry if this is posted twice!)
My favorite item is the one that I purchased from her shop eco-friendly shopping bag - I love the chicken shooting out pink eggs! So funny!
My favorite item currently selling in her shop is the folklore eggplant pouch - Very cute. Maybe I have a thing for chickens and roosters. :)
I retweeted the contest tweeted by oktak
hi again! a correction of my first comment (November 19, 2009 5:18 AM) - forgot that its' meant to be a mini or a zipper pouch! my bad =/ so my favourite is the mini frame pouch - pink stripes on fuchsia http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23299153
you should come to south africa! you'd love it =P
I love the mini frame pouch - diagonal flowers blue!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Following oktak on Twitter @aikchien
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I'm a follower.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
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