"Our nest eggs, no matter how small, are safe." - Nick Clooney

Happy Sunday and Welcome to the first installment of Etsy Artisans. Today's interview is with Caroline and Jose of Paloma's Nest. Read carefully for a special reader discount. We had one custom made for our wedding and it is seriously adorable. Ours read "Amor Vincit Omnia" and has our wedding date June 13, 2009. I will have to find a picture of it and if I can't I will take one. :]

What’s your story?

We are Caroline Colom Vasquez and Jose Vasquez-Corbalan, the owners and designers behind the brand Paloma's Nest. We are based in Austin, Texas, and sell our wares worldwide via our site palomasnest.com. We are happy to announce the opening of our first flagship retail boutique/showroom here in Austin in June 2011. Come see us if you are in the area!

Caroline is from the small historic town of Mystic, Connecticut, and Jose is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Together their company offers a large collection of gifts, tabletop products, stationery, holiday ornaments, home furnishings, and keepsakes. As the creator of The Original Ring Bearer Bowl™, Caroline invented the concept of employing a ceramic piece, instead of the traditional pillow, in a wedding ceremony. The result was an entirely new take on the wedding tradition that has swept the bridal industry. José brings his talents as a furniture maker and woodworker to the business, creating a wide range of designs using natural and reclaimed materials, including the new "For the Gentlemen" collection featuring cuff links and lapel pins for the groom. {Readers can receive free standard shipping within the US on any item in the For The Gentlemen collection using coupon code FORTHEBOYS. Valid only on palomasnest.com}

Together Caroline and Jose raise their young daughter Paloma, for whom the company is named. In Spanish, “paloma” means “dove,” : a powerful symbol of peace, tranquility, and hope – elements that they hope each Paloma’s Nest piece will bring to every customer.

When, how and why did you decide to make what you make (and sell it)?

Caroline has a background in art and design, with a focus on home decor and ceramics. When she and Jose crossed paths, they literally began designing together the day they met and fell in love. A product line featuring home furnishings and gifts, hand crafted from both wood and clay, was always a dream they shared; making that dream a full-time reality was a leap of faith they took together in late 2007. They have never looked back, and today the company is a family-run business with a growing team of artisans and staff helping the business grow.

What inspires you?

Our designs are inspired by the concept of heirlooms. We are fascinated by history, genealogy, and family, and how items or objects are saved and passed on to future generations. This inspires us to create pieces that hold meaning by commemorating a time or occasion, and to design them in a style that is elegant and timeless. We hope to design pieces of the highest quality materials and craftsmanship that will still be beautiful in 100 years.

Other than Etsy, where else on the web can we find you?

+Our main site is http://palomasnest.com where you can find our complete collection.

+Our blog is http://palomasnest.com/blog/

+facebook is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Palomas-Nest/110467672354733

+We are on twitter @palomasnest

+Caroline likes to post some fun things on Tumblr at http://palomasnest.tumblr.com/

If you were a crayon what color would you be ( and why)?

Caroline- I'd be a white crayon. I love how it shows up on unexpected surfaces. A white crayon seems so shy but can be so bold in the right places.

What’s your favorite top five favorite art inspiring albums?

We both love Johnny Cash and the Pixies.

Caroline loves the Cure and every kind of Christmas carol you can imagine; Jose has a weakness for tango.