SOCIAL MEDIA

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Stardust Studio Etsy Shop Review and Giveaway

One talent I've always wished I had was the ability to paint.  I've loved to take pictures for many years now, and I have my photos displayed in different framed collages around my apartment.  Photography is wonderful, but what's even greater is the skill to paint what you're looking at.  Transferring a still photo that's able to come alive on canvas is a true talent.  Luckily, I'm able to enjoy others' masterpieces.



The Stardust Studio is an Etsy shop ran by owner Nicole.  Nicole specializes in creating unique, detailed and high quality custom pet portraits with a twist of whimsy.  These hand painted creations are done to order.  I love the fact that she adds her own unique flair to each portrait.  You should always have something that sets you apart from others, and Nicole certainly does. She is very easy to work with.  You just simply email over a picture of your choice of your pet and Nicole will discuss with you if you'd like certain colors, background themes, etc. She takes it from there and lets her paintbrush work its magic.  A custom pet portrait makes a perfect present for any pet owner, especially if they just added a new four legged baby to their family. 

I've never had my own dog in my adult life before.  I grew up with Colby who was really my mom's dog.  My parents took on the responsibilities of owning a pet, and all I really did was play with her.  Now that I'm 24 and an adult pet owner, everything is very different.  I have to make sure I feed her, take her out, confirm that she's happy, go to the vet, give her medication, etc. Her well-being depends solely on my fiance and I.  At the moment, I have no children, so Carolyn is like a child to me.  Parents display their child's photos in their home, so I'd love to display Carolyn's in mine! I thought it would be a very unique and fun twist to have a portrait painted of Carolyn, rather than just frame a couple of pictures of her to put on my side table.

Nicole was kind enough to agree to paint Carolyn.  I sent her the picture of my choice and we agreed on the background color of pink.  I did ask to see her initial sketch, just to confirm it was to my liking. When I saw the sketch, I knew that I would love the painting.  Soon after that, the painting was in the mail.  Well, today it arrived!

Carolyn on a canvas! This portrait is painted on a high quality gallery style stretched canvas.  It is topped by a permanent glossy finish.  It's protected from water, UV damage and dust for years to come.

I chose this picture of Carolyn for Nicole to paint because it's my favorite one of her.  She's in her fabulous Smucci bed, surrounded by comfort and her favorite pizza toy.  She's looking out the window.  I feel that this picture captures her personality quite well and I wanted to document it in paint form.  I chose pink as the background color because it compliments black well and I love the pop of color too.  

Nicole did an amazing job in capturing every detail of the picture.  She made sure to include the red pepperoni on her toy, and the white dots and stripes on her bed.  The painting is high quality and I am very satisfied with the results.  She painted Carolyn well and I feel that it really does look like her! There's no mistaking those ears. :) The canvas is durable and sturdy.

I have not hung the picture yet, but I think I will place it on the space above my nightstand.  I'll definitely enjoying looking at it and it will make me smile for years to come.  

If you're looking for a unique gift for a friend or relative, why not have their beloved pet painted? It's certainly something they won't already have!



63 comments :

  1. I would love a portrait of my precious pup!

    vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

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  2. I always thought coco and brownie needed to be depicted in a painting :)

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  3. I would love to win because Artie is a real sweetie and a wonderful member of our family.

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  4. i love my dog and I would love to have another picture of her!

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  5. I would LOVE to win this! Nicole's work is absolutely beautiful and I am moving into my new apartment soon. A custom picture of my dog, Athena ,who recently passed away, would go perfectly in my new living room. Being a college student who hasn't lived on my own very long, I haven't accumulated enough quality art work to decorate even a small apartment. Please consider me! Thank you!
    - Rita

    ritagracecole@live.com

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  6. would love to win a portrait of my little Zelda, adopted last March from our local shelter. She is a precious member of the family and my little girl's best friend!

    KLF113 @ hotmail dot com

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  7. I think it would be awesome to have a portrait of my pup -- thanks for the chance!

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  8. I would really love a portrait of my little dog, Starbuck (named for the modern-day Battlestar Galactica character, and NOT the coffee!). She's mostly black, but has a 5-point white star on her chest. She's a very pretty little dog and I would love to capture her in a forever setting. Thank you!

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  9. Would love a pic of my Brady. He is spoiled, I spoil him more then I do my own children lol

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  10. My cat Chuck is a very handsome cat who's portrait I could proudly display with the other family photos

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  11. I want a photo of my cat Stubby... he is a special cat since I gave him as a kitten to my Dad and when he was a little over a year old my Dad passed away, but before he did, he made me promise to take his cat.

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  12. I would like to have a portrait of our 14 year old dog because I know her time is short and I would like to give this to my husband, she is his baby.

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  13. Would love portrait of our pups. Thanks for the chance!

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  14. I would like a portrait of our 14 year old dog, she is such a big part of our family.

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  15. what a wonderful gift this would make for a special person !!

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  16. what a wonderful keepsake this would make!

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  17. what a wonderful gift this would make for a special person !!

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  18. I would have my brother's dog painted as a gift for him and his girlfriend. She is a wonderfully sweet pup and a great addition to their family.

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  19. I would love to win this because I think Folly is absolutely beautiful and a painting of her would do so much more than all the zillions of pictures I have of her everywhere!

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  20. what a cool prize. I'd love to get a good picture of all 3 of my dogs together we can hang in our loft

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  21. This custom picture looks awesome! I'd love one of my cat!

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  22. I'd like to win because I have a new rescue Pug who has no pictures yet - woof.
    elysesw@aol.com

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  23. I'd like to win this because I'd love to see my cat's portrait.

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  24. Three weeks ago my gray cat Shadow saved my life...he jumped on me I was having a stroke..he massaged my chest and I lived... He is a miracle in every way and id love a portrait of him!!!

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  25. I would love a portrait of my cat Cinnamon, these are great

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  26. Wow I love the Stardust Studio! Nicole does beautiful work. I didn't even know that type of etsy shop existed!

    I would love a portrait of my sweet puppy Reggie. He is so cute - Look at his picture here:

    https://www.facebook.com/queenoftheclick

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  27. This is so cute and would love this of my pet!

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  28. I would love to win this because I have always wanted a portrait painted of my dog!

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  29. I would like to win b/c I think this would look awesome in my home.

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  30. I would love it for my sis, who is a huge cat fanatic. She loves her cat to death. lexbaylor17 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  31. I would like one of my sister and hubby on their wedding day. They did not get a photographer since the budget was small. Would be a nice xmas gift. colleenaw@hotmail.com

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  32. So I could get it done for hubby. He has a Lab he LOVES.Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill12@gmail.com

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  33. I want to win for my daughter
    rah267 at yahoo dotcom

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  34. I would love to win this because I would like to have a beautiful picture of my dog to hang on our wall

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  35. I would love a picture of my dogs Junior and Ali

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  36. It would be great to have a portrait of my beagle babies.

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  37. I'd love to win this for a friend; she has a cat that she just ADORES!

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  38. I would love to have a picture of my cat Poppet.

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  39. I want to win this as a gift for my boyfriend's new apartment. He has an awesome cat that he had to leave with his parents and would love to have a nice portrait of.

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  40. I fantasized about having this done for my Maine Coon cat affectionately known as Patches. I would love to have picture of her wearing a little Napoleon get up while riding a goat...we can all dream

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  41. Would love to have a portrait of my 2 chiweenies.

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  42. My dog had been through a lot, previous to us adopting her. She wasvan unwanted puppy that had been abused to almost the point of death. A painting of our beautiful white pitbull would be perfect to represent who she is today and how strong she was.

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  43. I would love to win this because i just recently lost my beloved cat...i think this would be a great way to remember him by. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  44. I'd love to have one of my baby blue.

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  45. This is really cute. My mom has had all of her dogs painted by a professional artist she knows, it would be nice to have my own!

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  46. I would love to have this of my dog. My husband would put it in his office since the dog is his baby.

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  47. Because I love my dog and she is one of the most precious things to me.
    yanabanana70@yahoo.com

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  48. I would like to win this because she does wonderful work the paintings are great, and would love to have a painting of my cute kitten Oreo.

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  49. I want to win this so bad! My dog is my soul pet! He is my baby and I would love to have a painting that I would cherish forever!

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  50. My dog is my soul pet! I love him so much and he is such an important part of our family! He deserves a portrait to hang on the wall. We would cherish it forever!

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  51. I have so many pictures of Ralphie around the house but I don't have a PORTRAIT!!! My fireplace needs a Ralphie Portrait for sure!

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  52. i would love to get a portrait of my puppy!

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  53. Our cat, Cheyanne, is such a joy to us. It'd be nice to have a portrait of her on the wall.
    Michelle Tucker

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  54. I would love to win this for our daughter. It would be great for her to have a portrait of Princess while she is away at college.

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  55. would love to do my moms dog hunter he is so important to her she would love this so much.

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  56. I'd like to win this for me :)

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  57. id love one of my hubbys dog chico he loves him to death

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  58. I'd love to have a portrait of my kitty for my desk..how unique & lovely! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

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  59. I'm a fellow painter and LOVE her style! Plus, I adore my dogs and would love to have a portrait painted by someone else!

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  60. My cat just passed away so I'd love to have this as a memento.

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  61. I'd love this as a memorial for my little Koko.

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  62. Would love to have a painting of my dog Leo. He is part of our family.

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