FEATURED ETSY SHOP - WEEKNIT

Old McDonald Finger Puppets (Set of 5)

by WEEKNIT

(Click on photo above to learn more about these puppets)

WEEKNIT, on Etsy, is a mother (Tracy) and daughter (Jenny) team whose handknit, colorful finger puppets and other creations are sure to delight not only the youngsters in your life, but also the parents! Be sure to pay WEEKNIT a visit to see how much fun can be had using these little characters to stimulate your children's imaginations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

You mean I wasn't born knitting??? It's hard to remember where it all started. I suspect my "knit"wit days started when I began knitting ski hats to make money while still being a stay-at-home mom. From there, I started playing around with my knitting machine and eventually came up with a few finger puppets that my children enjoyed. I started selling a few at neighborhood boutiques. Over the years, things evolved. My finger puppet selection grew (I would guess I make around 150 different puppets or so.) as did my business.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I started crocheting as a child. My dad wanted to encourage my new hobby and made me a deal. He promised he would buy me yarn whenever I ran out. I soon became quite speedy with my fascination of turning yarn into various creations. Suffice it to say, my dad was soon sorry he had made the deal. LOL

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Probably the funnest part of the creation process for me is the design. I find it fun, yet sometimes challenging, to create new items. Often a customer request evolves into a new favorite. Some recent additions to our finger puppet line (Alice in Wonderland and Spiderman) began as customer requests.

Bugs Finger Puppets (Set of 5) as seen in Parents Magazine

(Click on the above photo to learn more about these cute little bugs!)
Now these are the kind of bugs I like!

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Hmmmm....I can't come up with a fruit or a vegetable, but I would describe my craft endeavors as NUTS (but in a good way)! Does that count??? YES, IT COUNTS! GOOD ANSWER!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?

This was a hard question mainly because my puppets keep me so busy it's difficult to find time to delve into new ventures. But I always thought it would be fun to play around with salt dough. Hmmmm...finger puppets and salt dough, maybe I long to be back in preschool.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I believe that my finger puppets encourage creative play. In a world where so many toys are battery-operated, I find our puppets refreshing. They encourage interaction, imagination, creativity, and most of all, fun!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
I think success comes in many forms. A person can have success in many different areas of his or her life (family, financial, personal, spiritual, etc.). I think you need to love what you do. What do you want your art/craft to do for you? Focus on creating success in one or more areas. Find the drive that pushes you forward to inspire, to create, to succeed.


Thank you, WEEKNIT, for a delightful interview, and for sharing your creativity with all of us.

Be sure to visit the links below to learn more about WEEKNIT creations.

ARTFIRE

WEEKNIT BLOG

TWITTER

PLURK

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LYDIA KRUPINSKI OF PIEROGI PICNIC

Strawberry Siesta ReVamped Eco Dress

by Lydia

of

PIEROGI PICNIC
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...all while being fashionable in this one-of-a-kind ReVamped Dress!

(CLICK on photo to learn more about this dress)

WELCOME, Lydia and her delightful "revamped" clothing creations which she sells in her Etsy shop, PIEROGI PICNIC. I just spent some time browsing through Lydia's shop, and you can just feel the "energy and fun" that comes through in each of her designs. Her use of upcycled goods is quite amazing and innovative. Be sure to pay PIEROGI PICNIC a visit after reading Lydia's interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

From an early age I was dreaming up little projects. My mother has a Polaroid somewhere of some dolls I had outfitted with toilet paper dresses...that seems to be the earliest indication of my love for whimsical crafting. When I was in elementary school I was called into the principal's office for selling handmade jewelry on the playground...entrepreneurship was not something that was encouraged at the time. I continued to collect, sew, design, draw, and create as an adolescent. The years passed, I went to college, got married, developed a career, and then, was suddenly laid off. In my new-found free time I became reacquainted with my love of design and with the insistence of my hubby...Pierogi Picnic was born!

Popsicle Falls Darling Eco Shirt Dress M

This adorable frock is the perfect piece with which to celebrate the warmer weather! Pieced together from a reclaimed top and men's dress shirt, this dress has a modern edge and vintage charm.

(CLICK on photo above to learn more about this dress)

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

Decided? I have yet to decide! This is perhaps the most difficult thing for me. I am a media maker by trade, artist by night, singer by earshot, and crafter by day. I have a terrible time streamlining my creative energy. Pierogi Picnic focuses on recycled textiles because I have an obsession with color, texture, and sustainability. I love the way fabrics feel, and the way they flow when you walk, but I also love knowing that what I make is created from materials that someone else has used in the past. I'm not purchasing new fabrics, but re-using those that are abandoned by other consumers.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Discovery! Be it finding the perfect cotton men's shirt with which to make a dress, or concocting a new design...the flow from find to idea is one of the most rewarding aspects of my biz. It's also exciting when others discover my creations.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

That's a hard one. My cat's name is Tomato so I feel inclined to choose that...but I will have to say Basil. I know it's an herb and all, but it's green, easy to grow, fresh and invigorating...all the things I want Pierogi Picnic to be!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

The moving image. Before craft came into my life I was making videos. From childhood I would write scripts, make puppets, and with the help of my father's camcorder, make films with special effects and the like. I went to art school and focused on film and video but found that abstract media production doesn't pay the bills. So I've set my creativity to the side and worked commercially in the field.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

Choosing to live a conscious lifestyle doesn't mean you have to eat flavorless granola and wear post-consumer mules. You can be stylish, sustainable, sassy and make a difference in the world around you!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Creativity is the spice of life! Don't allow the mundaneness of daily life to prevent you from harnessing your creative abilities and sharing them with the world!

THANKS, Lydia for taking the time to share your fun, one-of-a-kind clothing. Great interview!

If you'd like to see more of Lydia's creations, learn more about Lydia, be sure to visit her links below.

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WHAT WILL THIS MERMAID'S NAME BE...? BE SURE TO VOTE!

WHAT WILL BE THE FAVORITE WINNING NAME for this fiber sculpted mermaid?? The giveaway for this mermaid ended June 27, 2009 - 12:00 Midnight CST.

I have randomly picked 5 entries, which will now go into the "NAME THE MERMAID" poll.

As soon as the 5 entries are confirmed, I will be posting the information here on DZFANTASY, and will run the poll for a period of 1 week. The poll will be displayed in the upper right column of this blog.

The 5 entries selected have until July 1st - 5 p.m. to respond to the emails which I sent them. If any of the entries do not respond by this time, I will then select another entry from the remaining entries received.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - C'EST MAGNIFIQUE

Captured Woodland Fairy - Original Mixed Media and Found Objects
by Tania

of C'est Magnifique
(Click on photo above to learn more about this creation.)

I've been featuring Etsy shops here on DZFANTSY for a little over a year now, and it is always such fun to come across all the amazing artists and crafters, and to learn a bit about what makes each one "tick", and to see their delightful creations!

I'm happy to have Tania and her Etsy shop, C'EST MAGNIFIQUE, as a featured shop. Tania creates a wide variety of altered and mixed media creations such as, altered art dolls, assemblage, shadow boxes, altered couture, and much, much more. Do yourself a favor and pay a visit to C'EST MAGNIFIQUE where perhaps you will find something you just can't do without!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My whole family is crafty in one way or another. My grandmother’s sewed, crocheted, and painted. My mom sews, and paints and my dad is creative in the garage! I have always been interested in arts and crafts from the time I was young, in fact my mom recently gave me a Clue board game that I had made when I was about 12! I remember saying to my mom all the time, “I want to make something”! I used to go out to my dad’s garage looking for things to “make something with” too! I think my first experience selling my wares was at my mom’s craft shop that her and her friend co-owned. I made little faces out of nylons and made them into lapel pins. I had a little basket of them next to the cash register and believe it or not, I actually sold some! My mom worked at a bank too, and she used to take things that I made and put them on her teller window and sold them for me.

Mini Sewing Shadow Box - Altered Art Sewing Themed Collage

by Tania

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I have tried many different kinds of arts and crafts (wood carving, sewing dolls and teddy bears, decorative tole painting, etc.), but it wasn’t until I picked up an issue of Somerset Studio magazine that I discovered altered art and mixed media, I was hooked! It seems to satisfy my urge to “make something”! Following patterns and instructions just isn’t satisfying enough for me I guess.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I enjoy the process of taking something that once served one purpose and re-creating it or altering it into something else. Adding found objects and vintage ephemera to create my art is so satisfying and it also satisfies my pack-rat tendencies because I get to collect “stuff” that may be useful in my art! I still have the urge to sew and paint sometimes, but I think altered art is the most satisfying for me.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

I think the passion fruit because it has a unique flavor that is appealing, much like my art! It is unique, I hope it is appealing, and I am very passionate about my work!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your creativity, what would that be, and why?

I think fabric would be another medium that I would enjoy. I do a little bit of altered clothing, but I’m not that creative with it yet… I think my sewing skills need a little improving first!

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I’m not necessarily trying to convey a message except perhaps the feeling that I am having when creating each piece. I think that artwork is very subjective. Two or three different people can look at the same piece and it will have a different meaning for each of them.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you love. Don’t try to make something because you think people will like it, make it because you like it. Not everyone is going to like what you make and that’s okay.

Tania, thanks so much for taking the time to share your delightful creations and thoughts with all of us. You must have a great time searching for all the "goodies" that make up your creations!

To see and learn more about Tania's creations, be sure to visit her links below.

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FLICKR

MY FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING!

I thought I'd share a few photos of parts of my flower garden.

My second favorite thing to do....my first being creating my fantasy sculptures and going to art shows...is taking closeup shots of flowers!

The lilies above just opened yesterday and I had to get a few shots of them!

For some reason my snap dragons are off to a really slow start as you can see in the lower right corner of the above photo . It must be Wisconsin's cold start to spring.....or maybe I'm just a wee bit impatient!

Actually, I'm not sure what these flowers are. All I know is that it is a perennial. Does anyone know what it is?

This is my front yard "fairy garden"....red impatiens this year.

We usually take a trip to the arboratum in Dubuque, Iowa at least once in the summer, so hope to get some good photos from there.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE

Headache Relief Balm - Full Size and Travel Size
by
ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE

I was just browsing through Melissa's Etsy shop, ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE, and loved reading about and seeing all the delightful bath and beauty products that are offered there. I don't think there is anyone that doesn't like to pamper themselves with a beautiful, handmade natural soap, lotions or any other bath product. Melissa offers essential oil soaps, headache/lip balms, lotions, bath fizzies, gift sets and more, so be sure to pay ELEGANT ROSE BOUTIQUE a visit.

SUNNY DAY GARDNER'S SOAP - All Natural

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I bought some homemade soap from someone a few years ago that was going out of business and the rest is history!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I have been using essential oils for the past 8 years for health issues, like headaches, stomach aches, etc, so using essential oils in soap was an easy progression.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I really enjoy creating new scents for my soaps and body care products and also love taking the photos.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

In addition to soap making, I enjoy sewing/quilting and making cards, I have always enjoyed working with my hands and creating things.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I don't know if you would call it a message, but I would hope that people would realize how many chemicals they use daily and try to minimize them. Most don't think twice about their toothpaste, deodorant, or soap. Usually you can't pronounce most of the ingredients, let alone know what they are.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Make sure you enjoy what you do or find something else!

Melissa, thanks for being a featured shop here on DZFANTASY. I think your products are wonderful, and couldn't agree with you more as to the advantages of using products made with natural ingredients.

To learn more about Melissa and her wonderful bath and body products, be sure to visit the links below.

ELEGANT ROSE BLOG

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LoopDiLoops

Baby Sling - Coriander Blue Carrier

by

LoopDiLoops

As I was browsing through Dani's Etsy shop, LoopDiLoops, I thought, now why didn't they have these fun, colorful baby carriers way back some 40 years ago, when I was lugging our daughter around on my hip, and 20 years ago with my grandson! I must say today's Moms are so lucky with all the innovative, colorful creations for carrying their little ones!

Be sure to pay a visit to LoopDiLoops, to see all the colorful carriers that Dani creates.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making baby carriers shortly after I had my daughter. I needed something to help sooth her while keeping me hands-free to do do things around the house, and it was really handy for going for little walks without fussing with the big stroller.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I started out with a completely different fabric than I currently use now, after some trial and error, I've settled on 100% cotton that has a bit of give to it and not only that but comes in fabulous colors and patterns. Style is a big factor, but combined with the weight of the fabric, for me it's the perfect combination for comfort.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

My very favorite part is wrapping up the package for my customer. I take great pride in making sure that it's just as exciting to unwrap as it is getting the package in the mail. First impressions are so important, so it has to look perfect!

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

I would choose a potato. It's a diet staple, and it's so versatile. I couldn't live without potatoes, and as far as having babies I couldn't live without my carrier!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Another avenue I use to display my creativity is clothing design. As far as Etsy goes I haven't really shown much of this side, but I really love designing couture formal gowns. The kind that you just drape and sew, and that create themselves as you go along.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

Just that you can be a trendy, stylish hip mom without comprimising on comfort and function.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you love to do, and create items that you love as well, other people will pick up on that and love them too.

Thanks, Dani, for taking the time to share your creations and thoughts with everyone!

If you'd like to learn more about LoopDiLoop creations, be sure to visit Dani's links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - NEW HOPE BEADING BY CAROLINE MAGDA

Labradorite, Keishi Pearl, and Sterling Silver Bracelet

by

NEW HOPE BEADING

(Click on above photo to learn more about his beautiful bracelet)

I'm very happy to have Caroline and her Etsy shop NEW HOPE BEADING as a featured shop here on DZFANTASY. Be sure to pay a visit to NEW HOPE BEADING to see all of Caroline's beautiful pieces of jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making jewelry after my daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. At first, I made medic alert bracelets for her, but soon found that, because I needed to concentrate on what I was doing, making jewelry kept me from worrying about her having a seizure at school. When she had more bracelets than any 8 year old could possibly wear and I had run out of people to make gifts for, my husband encouraged me to start a business.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I have always been fascinated with gemstone. When I was about 6 years old, Santa brought me a rock tumbler. I remember waiting for it to be done…because it takes a couple of weeks, you know. When it was finally done I would roll the stones over and over in my hands and take in every detail and feature. I haven’t changed much. Today I received a shipment of gemstones from a supplier. I could hardly contain myself to get the envelope opened. I have been moving them around on trays all day in different combinations with different things I own already. First I think they want to be a necklace, no a bracelet. I should probably start work on some of the pieces, but I won’t. I need to look at them for a few days and “play” some more. When it is the right combination I will know.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love the planning. I am never at a loss for ideas. Last night my 6 year old woke up with a bad dream. I got him back to sleep, but instead of going back to sleep I crept down to my studio at 3:00 am because I had just decided how I wanted to lay out a certain necklace and had to quickly sketch it before I forgot.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Yeah don’t think I can think of one and I really tried LOL. I don’t think of my craft as a noun but rather as a verb. It would be more like creating a meal for dinner. You have to decide what to serve and how you are going to prepare it. So I guess making fruit salad is the best thing I can come up with for fruits. What are you going to include? How are you going to present it?

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I used to write. In fact my Masters is in teaching writing. As I’ve gotten older, however, I find writing drains me. I am not sure why this is, but it is probably the reason I do not have a blog of my own. Making jewelry has just the opposite effect on me. It energizes me.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I don’t know that I necessarily want to convey a message, but rather it is a form of duty. I feel a respect for the materials and feel obliged to mold them. I used to laugh when I would hear the old adage about the sculptor who saw the block of stone and knew where the sculpture lay within it. “Yeah right?” I hear myself say. But if I have to be honest, and I know it sounds silly and I fear a bit pretentious, but I’ve had that feeling. I do try to use my shop I as a way to be an Epilepsy Advocate. Even today, epilepsy is a topic that people shy away from. This stigma keeps people from seeking treatment and makes them feel alone. They are not alone. Epilepsy affects 3 million Americans and 50 million people worldwide. That is more than MS, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease combined! To hear their stories, visit http://www.epilepsyadvocate.com/ and click “Meet the Advocates.”I keep this link in my shop announcements as a resource for people. From time to time, I have items where 100% of the sale price is donated to The Epilepsy Foundation of NJ. Right now I have 2 such items. These items can be found under my shop section “Benefit EFNJ”. In addition, I donate 5% of all sales to The Epilepsy Foundation of NJ.

Coral, Turquoise, and Bali Silver Earrings

These deligthful earrings above are one of the items in NEW HOPE BEADING, where 100% of the sale price will be donated to Epilepsy Foundation of NJ.

(Click on the photo, to learn more about these earrings)

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

For me, I always say don’t let all of the promoting and pressure to do more eclipse what you love to do.

Thanks, Caroline, for not only sharing your lovely creations, but also for your part in trying to help people learn more about epilepsy. It is a very misunderstood disease. My mother was diagnosed with it when she was in her later years, so I know what you are talking about. May you have a lot of success in your contributions toward this disease.

If you'd like to learn more about Caroline and her jewelry, be sure to visit her links below.

ARTFIRE

1000 MARKETS

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FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BEBE BABIES AND FRIENDS

Cloth Plush Mouse Baby Doll by BEBE BABIES Safety Jointed for Kids
(Click on the photo above to find out more about this little charmer)

WELCOME, Casie and her BeBe Babies and Friends shop on Etsy! When you pay a visit to BeBe Babies and Friends, you will find the sweetest, most adorable soft sculpted dolls, and critters. I'm sure you will fall in love with them. They are just waiting to be adopted. You will find tiny little dolls for your little ones, and also one-of-a-kind larger dolls.

Let's learn a bit more about this delightful doll artist to see what motivates her to create her charming dolls.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Originally I was a doll collector and wanted to try making dolls on my own. I began creating vinyl reborn baby dolls and then moved to primitive raggedy anns. I was looking for something more original and "my own" so I created the first BeBe Baby in March 2007.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I have always liked sewing. I never was happy with my skills in any other medium although I did try sculpting and painting, once I started sewing there was nothing else I wanted to do!

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love the design process. Sometimes it can be frustrating when something won't come together right, but the feeling of when it finally does is awesome. I also really like the feeling of completing a large order. Seeing a huge pile of dolls is very rewarding.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Right away I thought of an apple. I think it is because apples are so mild and sweet, at least that is the way I think of them. They aren't too wild and most everyone loves them

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I would probably write. I have always loved writing and have created zines in the past. I would love to do another zine, possibly a comic book.

OOAK Cloth Asian Toddler Boy Baby Doll by BEBE BABIES Dolls

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I want everyone, children and adults, to feel like they would like to collect my dolls. I want to convey childhood and a carefree spirit.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I always have lots of advice, but I think overall I would say you better love what you are doing. It takes a long time to build a name, reputation and customer base. If you don't love what you are doing you probably won't last long.

THANKS, Casie for sharing your wonderful creations and thoughts with all of us! How sweet they are!

If you'd like to learn more about BEBE BABIES and FRIENDS, be sure to visit the links below.

FLICKR

BEBE BABIES WEBPAGE

MEET MY SPOILED PARAKEETS...SAMI AND SNOW!

SAMI AND SNOW

(I bet you can guess, which one is Snow!)

These two little guys are sooooooo spoiled as they have the run of the house! They have a regular flight path from their cage or playground to circle the dining room and then back again.

They go zooming over our heads, and for some reason they like to "buzz" my husband's head when he is sitting at the kitchen table.

It is very hard to catch them sitting still for any length of time, especially if they see me coming t0wards them with my camera, so it was really fun to get a few shots of them this morning.

Here they are on their playground, which is directly across from their huge cage. A starling happened to be out on the bird feeder when I caught this shot.

SAMI

I've always had birds, usually parakeets, and for many years have always had a pair of them. They are cheery little creatures and it is fun to watch how they interact with each other.

These two get along pretty well together...of course, once in a while one or the other has too prove who is top bird by getting to the favorite swing first and not letting the other on it! It doesn't matter that both swings are the same!

They can really get to making a lot of noise with their chatter, but I couldn't imagine a home without some pet in it. My husband especially loves that when he is trying to watch TV...! One sits on the playground and the other on their cage and they talk back and forth with each other. It is a wonder they don't get sore throats with all the noise they make!

SNOW

What would we do without "furry or feathery" friends to brighten our lives.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - FEATHERWURM GRAPHICS

The Dour Fantastic - Dragon

by

FEATHERWURM GRAPHICS

When you visit Pearl's Etsy shop, FEATHERWURM GRAPHICS, you will not only find original artwork, cards and stationary, but some of the most whimsical figurines and miniatures. After reading Pearl's interview below, be sure to pay a visit to FEATHERWURM GRAPHICS.

You just might find a tiny creature there that you can't live without...whether it is in the form of a painting or a figure.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I try all sorts of new things, anything and everything, and sooner or later most things I try find their way to Etsy. I focus on sculpture as I really enjoy bringing to life new creatures and creations (and I enjoy creating things in miniature, I like tiny things!). I've been creating fantasy creatures for as long as I've been breathing, it's only ever seemed natural to just make more and more of them! My parents were a wonderful influence on me growing up, and I can only keep following their direction to find my own way, and just keep creating and being who I am.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I work with many mediums, I enjoy being a jack of all trades (if a master of none...), since I work in theater, and often have to make do with what I can find. Through doing this, I've found out how to work with many mediums and styles, and continued to use them with my foundation in art to constantly try new approaches. I like to play with new stuff all the time, and I'm even looking into working with plastics and acrylic at the moment.

Little Laidly Worm (Wyrm, Wurm, Wyvern..)

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I would have to say that the conception of any new creature is the most fun, deciding how it will look, seeing it come about, and developing its story and nature. I love to tell stories with my work, and in crafting many little creatures, scenes, and designs, I'm given the opportunity to develop new stories every day.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?


I would definitely choose peppers! Hands down, as they're spicy, bright, and come in so many varities! Actually... that gives me ideas for new dragons...!


If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Well, I do use a lot on my own, but if I were to add a new one to my repertoire, I think I would choose cooking (a strange 'medium' I know), which I feel is a very fine art form, which as yet still eludes me. To learn to craft elaborate sugar sculptures and compose dishes and items that delight the palate would be a great joy to me. The art of scent and taste, be it perfume or confectionery is a realm I definitely wish to explore in the future.


What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?


There is always room for brightness, fantasy, and joy in the world, and not all things with too many teeth are as scary as they look.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Never throw away your old work, and don't undersell yourself. Your old work will show you how far you've come, don't look down on it, embrace it as a part of what you've learned. If it didn't work the first time, fix it and try again. And remember that your time and work are valuable, don't forget that.

Thanks, Pearl, for sharing your whimsical fantasy creations with everyone, and for giving us a bit of an "insight" as to what motivates you as an artist. It has been a pleasure to have you on DZFANTASY as a featured artist.

To learn more about Pearl and her FEATHERWURM creations, be sure to visit her links below.

FEATHERWURM GRAPHICS WEBSITE

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BRIGHT BLUE "BUTTERFLY FAIRY" FACE PIN GIVEAWAY!

BRIGHT BLUE "BUTTERFLY FAIRY" FACE PIN

GIVEAWAY

BY DZFANTASY!

This delightful blue butterfly fairy pin is my latest "giveaway" here on DZFANTASY.

If you love butterflies and fairies, now you can have an opportunity to win one of my original designed fiber sculpted pins.

Be sure to follow the rules below to enter this giveaway.

START DATE: June 15, 2009

END DATE: July 15, 2009 - 12:00 Midnight CST

ELIGIBILITY: Open worldwide

PRIZE: 1 - Fiber sculpted butterfly pin

VALUE: $20.00

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment in this post

2. Leave your email address or a link to your email address. This is very important,as the WINNER of the giveaway will only be contacted via email.

3. On July 16th, a WINNER will be randomly selected from all entries received up until the close of the giveaway on July, 17th 2009 - 12:00 midnight CST

4. I will send the WINNER an email, and WINNER will have 3 days in which to respond to the email. If WINNER doesn't respond within the given time frame, I will randomly select another winner from the remaining entries.

5. After I have received a "confirmed" shipping address, of the WINNER selected, I will post the winning name and date of entry out here on DZFANTASY.

To give you a better idea of her size, I laid her on a denim jacket. The top picture of her is a "close-up" view.

A BIT ABOUT THE "BUTTERFLY FAIRY":

Size: Wings measure approximately 3" wide at top, and 3" long from top tip to bottom tip.

Her face is 100% silk which I have individually handdrawn, needle sculpted and handpainted.

Her bright blue hairdo is a wispy "eyelash" style yarn, and her antennae were created from Swarovski crystals on colored wire.

Her bright blue wings are fabric with a sparkle throughout the pattern. The pin's back is a half circle of texturized brass to which the wings and the pin's clasp are cemented to.

These pin's make wonderful, unique accents to any outfit, and wearer is sure to receive a lot of comments.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BUY!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

REVIEW OF MONUMENT SQUARE ART FAIR - RACINE, WISCONSIN

My jungle display!

Butterfly Display Panel

at
Monument Square Art Fair

in Racine, WI this weekend

This past weekend June 13th and 14th I was an exhibitor in the Monument Square Art Fair in Racine, Wisconsin.

Of course, after two "beautiful" days of sunshine, Saturday, the first day of the fair, started out with clouds and showers! Luckily, my booth space was under the fair's new huge tent so that helped. My space was on the outer edge of the tent, so that when the weather finally turned sunny and nice in the afternoon, we could sit outside and catch some sun. Yippee! Sunday's weather was gorgeous, so my sister and I sat in the sun and enjoyed the weather!

I've done this show for several years now, and I'd have to say that this year's show was very disappointing as far as sales went. Many artists, including myself, hadn't even made their booth fee of $130.00 by the end of the day on Saturday. Sales were definitely way down for the majority of artists!! You can see by several of the photos I took that there weren't a whole lot of people there. A bit more on Sunday with the nice weather, but overall not a very active showing of people. Those people that were there, weren't buying....mostly strolling around and looking. The shows food vendors, however, seemed to be doing a brisk business of selling kettle corn, ice cream and other food.

Inside of the new tent

While walking around talking to many of the artists, the general thoughts were that trying to make some money doing art shows is definitely a challenge in this SLOW economy. Some artists said they were doing a lot more shows to make up for the low to lower sales at the shows they normally did, while others, like myself, were doing less shows since sales have taken such drastic cuts.

My "fairy face" pins on display

The "mermaids" on display!

(I did sell the 3 green mermaids on the left side)

My next show will be on July 11th, the 34th Annual Lake Country Art Festival, Delafield, WI in Naga-Waukee Park. It will be very interesting to see how that show goes.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL YOU ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS OUT THERE WHO ARE DOING SHOWS! SOME CAN BE GOOD AND SOME CAN BE BAD!! ONE JUST HAS TO GO WITH THE FLOW!

I, for one, am not giving up!! It would be fun to hear from other artists and crafters to see how things are going in other areas, so be sure to leave your comments.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CALSYRIAL DESIGN

Case Refillable Notebook

by

Kerry of CALSYRIAL DESIGN
(Click on above photo to learn more about this item.)

Let's welcome, Kerry, and her Etsy shop CALSYRIAL DESIGN. When you pay a visit to Kerry's shop, you will find journals, notebooks, organizers and more. If you have your own materials that you would like to incorporate into a one-of-a-kind item, Kerry will be more than happy to work with you on a custom order.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always loved art, in all forms, and enjoyed creating it. The last few years though, after having a child and working, working, working, I found that I wasn't being creative at all. I decided to change that, and here I am! I am still pretty new at selling my wares, but I have completely enjoyed creating again.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I really just looked around my house. I have so much stuff and a lot of it was just collecting dust because although I loved it, it just wasn't living up to its potential. So taking stock of what I have, and the things that I love to collect I was able to pinpoint the kinds of items I wanted to make. I also knew from the start I wanted to be finding new uses for new things, so Calsyrial Design just kind of came together organically.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Looking for my supplies is so much fun. I love rooting through old junk and finding something I can salvage, it is inspiring and where everything I make comes from.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Hmmm, this is tough. I guess I would say a kiwi, just because they start out kind of rough looking but with a little prep, they are quite enjoyable. Kind of like repurposing things to make them beautiful and useful!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

Definitely pottery, I love working with clay because it is so relaxing, and really the epitome of working with your hands. I make pieces only my mother could love, though.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

That beautiful things don't have to be expensive or contribute to waste!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I'm kind of new at this to be offering advice, but I will say that you can't go wrong doing something that you truly enjoy doing.

THANKS, Kerry, for sharing your ideas and creativity with everyone out here on DZFANTASY! I always find it such fun to learn about all the different creativity on Etsy and to get a bit of insight into what makes each person motivated to create what they do!

Be sure to pay a visit to CALSYRIAL DESIGN by visiting the links below. You can also follow CALSYRIAL DESIGN on TWITTER to learn of Kerry's sales, and new items, etc.

TWITTER

Colorful, Whimsical BUTTERFLY FAIRY just arrived!!

MY NEWEST CREATION!

I just finished this bright, colorful 'BUTTERFLY FAIRY", and if you'd like to learn more about her...just click on either of her photos. She comes sitting on her very own hand-painted trinket or keepsake box.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - NICOLE THREADS

Royal Blue Patchwork Pocket Top

by NICOLE

(Click on above photo to learn more about this colorful top)

WELCOME, NICOLE and her Etsy shop NICOLE THREADS. NICOLE THREADS has a wonderful selection of handmade clothes for you to choose from along with belts, wrist cuffs, earrings and more! Be sure to stop by for a visit. Now let's learn a bit more about this creative young lady.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started sewing when I was about 16. I collected lots of different fabrics and vintage clothing that I knew I wanted to do something with but wasn't sure what. I eventually experimented enough to develop Nicole's Threads into what it is today.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I still haven't! I make clothing, paint, take pottery classes,and play music among other things... I love it all so much, but sometimes it becomes difficult to decide on which to focus more time on.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love the finished product the most, each step is just part of the process. Finding someone who loves the finished product is just as rewarding.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Gee, I don't know. I may choose a strawberry. Someone once said that the tops I make remind them of miss strawberry shortcake, was that her name?

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

To physically show my creativity I would probably choose painting, or ceramics, I really can't decide! I love making music above all other creative outlets. You could hear it at: http://www.myspace.com/nicoleerincarey

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I want my 'new' creations to almost be a thing of the past.. I want my clothing to be sustainable, comfortable and cute... in that order.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I'd say to keep experimenting and ask always ask questions. Promote yourself by wearing your own creations, give things to your friends, start a blog (and update it more than I do), use flickr, use everything that is free as a serious resource.

THANKS, Nicole for taking the time to be featured here on DZFANTASY. It is fun having you and your creations here, and may you keep on expressing your creativity in many ways!

To learn more about Nicole, visit her links below.

BLOG

MYSPACE

FLICKR

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

ANNOUNCING THE "WINNER" of DZFANTASY'S "COLORFUL FAIRY FACE PIN" GIVEAWAY!

My giveaway for the "Winner's Choice - Colorful Fairy Face Pin" ended on JUNE 5, 2009 at 12:00 midnight CST!

The WINNER of this giveaway was:

ANN of STEVENSVILLE, MI

Ann's entry of June 5, 2009, was randomly selected out of the 54 entries that I received for this giveaway. Ann had the choice of either selecting the fairy face pin shown in the giveaway post or of choosing any other fairy face pin from my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy. Ann chose the colorful fairy face pin pictured above.

CONGRATULATIONS, ANN!

Again, I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to enter the giveaway. and for your lovely comments.

DZFANTASY will be having more giveaways in the coming weeks so do stop back and enter!

MONUMENT SQUARE ART FAIR on THE LAKE -2009

THIS COMING WEEKEND OF JUNE 13th AND 14th I will be exhibiting at the 47th Annual MONUMENT SQUARE ART FAIR - BOOTH #106 in the tent, which is held on the sunny shores (hopefully sunny) of beautiful Lake Michigan, Racine Wisconsin.

If anyone lives in my area and is looking for something to do this weekend....STOP ON BY, and see my creations in person!

MONUEMNT SQUARE ART FAIR

Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday

Festival Park, Racine, WI

Directions: I-94 to Exit 333, East to Lake Michigan, The Civic Center Festival Park is located a 5 Fifth Street and Lake Michigan.

I will be doing a "review" of the show on the Monday after the show, so let's hope it is a good one! This show always has a great selection of fantastic art for sale. Hope to see you there!