Today for our September Book of the Month, Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel, we’re featuring an Etsy artist and fellow book-blogger with a love of literature. Heather runs the Fire & Ice Blog and always finds creative inspiration in YA books. And this month, she’s hosting a bevy of giveaways for Infinite Days — including one RIGHT HERE AT NOVEL NOVICE! Keep reading to learn more about her work and how to win great prizes:

You’ve created lots of artwork and jewelry that are inspired by books. What do you find so inspiring about books for your creations?

I am an avid reader and a visual person so I tend to get images dancing in my head while reading stories. I figured photography was a good way to express this, as well most books describe a piece of jewelry. It’s fun to try to make those come to life outside of the pages. Really it’s a way for readers to remember the novels in a tangible way.

Is there a particular book that you find most inspirational for creating your pieces?

Not really just one. How could I pick?! I really enjoyed making things for Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, The Dark Divine by Bree Despain, and The Mortal Indtruments Series by Cassie Clare. Most YA fiction is inspiring to me.

What’s the process for creating your pieces? How do you come up with the ideas? What’s the creation process like?

Most of the time I take what I know the author has said about the jewelry and try to find beads, and metals that match their description. There have been four authors who I have collaborated with to make exactly what they want. It’s fun to get their ideas as well. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, Everlasting by Angie Frazier, Infinite Days by Rebbecca Maziel and 13 to Life by Shannon Delany all have collections based on direct input from the authors. I think those are my favorite projects because we work together towards a common goal. And authors get super excited to see their words come to life in a tangible form.

Besides books, where else do you find inspiration for your creations?

Really whatever catches my eye and speaks to my soul. I am inspired by vintage, antique, retro, steam punk, angels, and am recently learning soldered glass. I’d like to start upcylcing old jewelry from thrift stores and estate sales … using the old to make new. I like the idea of one of a kind pieces with a bit of history behind them.

How does the Fire & Ice blog relate to your creations?

I wanted a way to combine my etsy shop, photography and book blogging all into one central location. Fire and Ice actually started as a site for fans of a touring group we had for Twilight events. When we retired from signing and vendor booths I turned it into a site for book reviews and handmade giveaways. Our old Fire and Ice fans have stuck around and still check in which is really fun. We miss them!

Whenever I am finished with a book, if I can’t make something I feel resembles the images within, I find other etsy sellers who have already done so and we feature them on our site. Really Fire and Ice is a gathering place for art, books, and jewelry.

Anything else you want us to know?

Here are my two stores on Etsy & other links:

• Heather Zahn Gardner
• Little Red Reads
• My Flickr photostream
• Fire and Ice
• My Photography Site
• Twitter
• Facebook

Our current Infinte Days giveaways:

• Black Tears Bookmark ends 9/25
• Infinite Blues Fine Art Print ends 9/27
• Infinite Days Inspired Necklace ends 9/28
  
• Remembering Rhode Pixie Dust Necklace ends 9/23
  
• Wickham Scrabble Tile Pendant ends 9/26

CONTEST TIME:

Here’s your chance to win a $20 gift card to Heather’s Etsy store!

Just fill out THIS FORM for your chance to win.

RULES:

* Please only enter once.
* Multiple entries will be disqualified.
* U.S. ONLY!

The contest ends on Thursday, September 30th at midnight (PT)!

Special thanks to Heather and the Fire & Ice Blog for sponsoring this contest!