Meet the Winners Part 2

Continuing our short series featuring the winners of the recently concluded "Farewell Harry Potter Giveaway", give a warm welcome to...

Cher L. 

with her chosen prize, a mix-matched pair of Harry Potter Book Earrings featuring the Goblet of Fire and The Prisoner of Azkaban

When did you start reading the Harry Potter series?

I was somewhat of a late Potter bloomer - I think I was about 25 or 26. A boyfriend turned me on to the movies (I think two books were out at the time), and then I immediately started on the books. Being a fan fiction writer, I recognized JK's genius from the beginning. Authors create stories all the time, but very few actually create an ENTIRE WORLD. It's brilliant, really, and we'll never see anything like it again in our lifetime. Harry Potter is, and will continue to be, a permanent fixture in my life.

Describe what you like about the prize you chose/received?

I wear earrings everyday, so my prize is something that I can use/wear often. Plus, they're MINI BOOKS - what Potter fan doesn't want mini Potter books to wear? They're lovely and very detailed! I had recently bought a pair of the Deathly Hallows earrings for the midnight viewing, so I requested any other book; even mixing! So, I was quite thrilled to receive my mix-matched pair!

If money was no object, what item from Just Charming would you really like to have (for your birthday, for Christmas or any special occasion)?

Definitely the "Ultimate" Harry Potter Mini Book Charm Bracelet:

It's stunning with the added pewter charms! I'm currently considering a custom design of Atlas Shrugged - aside from the Potter series, it's possibly my most favorite book - EVER.

Besides the main characters, Harry, Ron & Hermione, who do you like (next) best? Why?

There are two, actually. SEVERUS SNAPE is my very favorite, and DRACO MALFOY is next. They're wonderfully complex characters - neither good nor bad. They fall into the gray area that is an author's dream to work with because there are so many more freedoms with characters like them. And your heart really has to go out to these two guys at the end of the series. Severus' death was just pointless after all that he'd done, and Draco had learned lessons the hardest way possible.

We were told how people were tested for Apparation, but how are they tested to become Animagi? What animagus would you like to be?

I'm quite sure the Ministry does most of the testing. I also think you either have the talent for changing or you don't. You can work at it, but I don't think everyone is physically capable, regardless of how much training they receive. To me, it's like being a musician - you either "have it" or you don't. Yes, you can practice, but you have to already have the smallest bit of natural talent within you to bring out. If I could, I'd love to change to any sort of bird so that I could soar the skies. THAT would be amazing. Unfortunately, it's based on personality, which means I'd probably be a mole because I need very little interaction with people and often tend to 'hide' from the public. LOL

Do you have an ETSY (or any online craft) store? What do you make and are any items Harry Potter inspired?

Yes. The store is is called Broken Quill Creations: 

Right now, most everything is Potter-inspired! I have rings, luggage tags, ornaments and bracelets with new items coming out for the holidays.

One of my favorites is the Snape Collage Bracelet:

It features a picture of him from each year with the words "Severus Snape - The Bravest Man I Ever Knew" across the bottom.

Is this a hobby or are you hoping to someday make a career of it?

I would love to be able to do it full time, but I highly doubt that that will happen. It is my passion, though, and I drive my boyfriend nuts with it!

What do you do to promote your shop/website?

Not enough! I do try to mention all of my links on all of my various pages namely,
Cher's Twitter 
Cher on Facebook 
Cher's (Healthy Living) Blog 
Cher's Fan Fiction 
I also try to do Etsy Showcases periodically. I'm still building my shop inventory, so I will probably do more when my "creating" phase slows a bit. I wear/use my creations all the time, too. Recently, I did participate in greenWinkle's promotion for the Hallows midnight viewing, and I will be participating in another promotion that Girl Infinity is doing in October for the opening of Pottermore.

Cher's many creations can be accessed from the links above. She is an enormously talented woman and creates with various media. Thanks for sharing your insights with us, Cher. Congratulations once again! 

Stay tuned for exciting new Book Beads coming soon. (Not familiar with Atlas Shrugged but curious enough to investigate. I love working on custom orders! The challenge gets my creative juices flowing. This option can be requested directly from my Etsy store - when you are ready.) 


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