1MeNaturally Giveaway and Interview with owner, Meosha!

I'm not sure when I discovered 1MeNaturally's earrings, but as soon as I did I was mesmerized. I LOVED THEM! It took me forever to buy them, so until then I lusted over them from afar. Once I found the owner, I fell in love all over again...this time over her hair. "Her hair...that way...THAT HAIR!" That is all I thought at first glance. When I met her last year at the BGLH meet-up, she was kind enough to step to the side and answer a few questions for a mini-interview. And now she's kind enough to do a giveaway of her FAB earrings that I purchased this fall. 

Peep the interview and afterwards, see how you can enter this fab giveaway. 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself! Where are you from? Do you have another occupation besides your business?

My name is Meosha, not to be confused with the show starring the lovely and talented Brandy Norwood called “Moesha”. -_-

I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana, but spent the majority of my life in Lansing, Illinois.

I’m formerly a corporate girl actually. I hold an Associate degree in Graphic Design and a Bachelor degree in Management. I’ve been a college Career Advisor and more recently a Corporate Recruiter for a well know oil company. In another life I aspired to climb the corporate ladder and be the man. Now I’m the wo-man and I own my own business, 1MeNaturally and write for Black Girl with Long Hair among other things. 

How long have you been natural?

I’ve been natural since July of 2009, so going on two and a half years now. I’ve been bleached, dyed and two big chops later I am still loving every minute of this journey.

Your wash and goes are SICK!!! Is that your go-to style? And if so, how do you maintain it in the winter? If not, what is your go-to style?

Yep, call me a one trick pony. Wash and goes are definitely my best friend and the season plays no part in it. I have recently started wearing my hair in dry twist-outs between wash and goes to give me - not my hair - a break. YouTube and the lovely women I feature on BGLH keep me inspired, so as my hair grows longer I plan to definitely try more protective styles.

Your hair is growing back nicely after you cut it due to color damage. Do you plan on dying your hair again?

Ridiculously, yes! You would think I would have learned my lesson after the first time. It’s not a plan per se like I have a date in mind to do it or anything, but I do adore the look of dyed tips. That is something I could definitely see myself doing in the future. But that’s it! I swear!

When and why did you start making earrings?

1MeNaturally was created out of a desire to express myself creatively during a really rough time. Not to be a total buzz kill, but I have honestly suffered most of my life from anxiety and depression and I was challenged during therapy to do all the things in life that I always dreamed to do, but allowed anxiety to stop me from pursuing. This is the long and short of the story.

Your button earrings are very unique! Without giving too much away, how did you come up with the designs?

I really would love to say there is some science that goes into the pieces I make and the fabrics I choose, but I make what I find visually appealing; items that I would and do wear and hope others like too.

I see you have a necklace and a beaded earring for sell on your site. Are you going to offer more different pieces of jewelry this year?

I most definitely will have some other items as I grow as a designer. I try to keep my process very honest and passion driven. I’m not trying to keep up with what’s hot or what’s in season. I create what comes naturally and am driven by whatever inspires along the way.

Do you have any other things upcoming projects you'd liked to share with us?

I’m a chameleon. A jack ( jill ) of all trades. I decided a long time ago to stop trying to be somebody and let my talents naturally carry me in the right direction. I can’t say what I’ll be doing next, but know it’s going to be epic.

GIVEAWAY 

The lovely Meosha has decided to giveaway three pairs of earrings. Two winners will win one pair of the Fan Button Earrings (shown in pictures one and two) in their choice of color and one winner will win the medium sized button earrings (shown in picture three).

To enter, you must "Like" Meosha's 1MeNaturally shop on Etsy and  tell me what you found most interesting or inspiring about her interview. Also include which pair of earrings you are trying to win by posting the number. Please include your email address as well. This giveaway will be open for one week and will end February 12th at 11:59 EST.

Thanks again Meosha for sponsoring this giveaway and giving this awesome interview! If you would like to follow Meosha, please check out her links below.

YouTube

 http://www.youtube.com/user/OneMeNaturally

Tumblr

 http://www.1MeNaturally.Tumblr.com