Sponsor Love + Giveaway - Sparkle Thots

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{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!