Giveaway: Star Mobile from theStarcraft

NOTE: This giveaway has ended. Please enter our current giveaway here!

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, there lived a little mobile of paper stars named Vela.  Vela was a bright and chipper mobile, and was very proud of her cascading, cotton-candy-colored stars.  She would often float happily through her neighborhood, giggling and saying hello to all the other star mobiles.  But one day, while bouncing along, she was passed by an interesting bit of space debris — a National Geographic magazine!  She quickly and joyously flipped through the July 2006 issue, devouring each page, every image of the land far, far away known as Earth, with irrepressible curiosity.  After flipping the last page, Vela’s usually sunny demeanor quickly faded.  She gazed at the empty galaxy around her, and wished desperately to explore the exotic planet Earth.  Without further hesitation, she resolved to pack up her bags and shoot off on her first grand adventure.  After arriving, the first welcoming face she saw belonged to Frances from theStarcraft, who quickly agreed to help Vela find a home.  If you would like to bring Vela home, leave a comment here letting Frances know.  {Psst.  This is a giveaway.  Leave a comment to enter…}

{Psst.  This is an interview with Frances, who makes these beautiful Moravian star mobiles.}

If you were a constellation, which one would you be and why?
My constellation zodiac sign is Sagittarius the Archer. The first time I read about its astronomy I felt a connection. It encompasses a special part of the sky that holds the center of the Milky Way, which also means that it holds the closest known black hole to earth. Apparently there is a radio source which emanates from this (black hole) and the constellation Sagittarius. (cool!)

Why did you choose the Moravian star as the basis for your designs? How did you learn to make them?
My great grandmother passed away about 13 years ago, and as each member of my family picked out her possessions for their own, I stumbled upon a box of these little star treasures made by her. It took me about a year to figure out/find directions on making these stars — Ive been hooked ever since

When did you make your first mobile?
I came up with my first mobile design when my mother and I opened a new age metaphysical gift shop about 7 years ago. I hung my stars all over our ceiling and had so many customers compliment them I wanted to find a way for them to take home a little constellation of their own. And the mobile was born!

There are probably over 100 billion stars in the milky way right now… about how many stars do you think you’ve made since making your first over 11 years ago?
Wow! I would guesstimate around 55,000

I know you’re kids are pretty young, but do they get to “help” you make your stars?  Do they like to play with them?
The bigger the stars the more they want to “help.” They actually have a box of their own that they sometimes get out when I am working. They love making towers by stacking them up seeing how high they get before they topple over. My older son is 3 and he pretends to fold already made stars. He loves helping.

Other than mobiles and pretty jars, do you use your stars in other ways?
I enjoy making garlands, stars strung with beads and also tree toppers by making a large star on top of a coiled wire. Closer to Christmas I will list these items.

Your mobiles are so colorful and bright…. your shop looks more like a candy store!  What are your top 5 favorite kinds of candy?
Why thank you!!! I LOVE chocolate!
1. anything green&black organic dark chocolate
2. M&Ms
3. Necco wafers
4. Toblerone
5. Butterfinger

Surely you’ve made a few mobiles for your own home… how many have you kept for yourself?  Where are they displayed, and how does it feel to be able to decorate your home with your own creations?
I have one favorite mobile that I made for myself hanging in my studio (with a lot of other mobiles!!!), my boys have one that I made to match their room. I love making mobiles and giving them away to the people I love. When my mother passed away 2 years ago I kept all the mobiles I made for her through the years and they are hanging around the rest of my house. I love to look at them and think of her.

Have you bought anything from other Etsy sellers lately?  If so, what was it, and what do you love about it?
I bought some beautiful chiyogami origami paper {from Coco Wasabi} and little glass hearts {from Yummy Treasures} to make these cranes I wholesale to a local gift shop. I also purchased these awesome crochet bathtub scrubbies {from Cocoa Beans} that I can’t get enough of.

And finally, what do you envision for the future of theStarcraft?
I would love for it to boom! My hubby just was let go from his job and my dream is to support my family with my craft.