BREAST CANCER AWARENESS "PINK FAIRY" GIVEAWAY!

PINK BREAST CANCER FAIRY GIVEAWAY

by

DZFANTASY

The month of OCTOBER IS "Breast Cancer AWARENESS" month, and anyone who has lost a loved one to this disease or who has gone through the trauma of dealing with it themselves....knows how important it is to find a cure for this devastating disease!

In memory of my dear niece, Kim, who fought a losing battle with breast cancer 12 years ago, at the age of 37, I'm giving this sweet little pink fairy as a "giveaway" in honor of her and all the brave women who have fought this disease, and to bring awareness to the need for a cure.

START DATE:  September 30, 2009

END DATE: October 31, 2009 - 12:00 Midnight CDT

OPEN:  Worldwide

Prize: 1 pink fiber sculpted fairy

VALUE:  $49.00

RULES TO ENTER:

1.  Leave a comment in this post.

2.  Leave your EMAIL address or a valid LINK to your email address.  This is important as it will be the only way that I can contact you, should you be the lucky winner.

3.  At the close of the "giveaway" on October 31, 2009, a WINNER will be randomly selected from all the entries received.  WINNER will be notified by EMAIL only, and they will have 3 days in which to respond with their complete shipping address.

4.  If the WINNER doesn't respond within the give timeframe, I will have to randomly select another WINNER from the remaining entries.

5.  THAT ALL THERE IS TO IT!! 

She is one of my original designed fiber sculpted fairies with a silk face....handdrawn, needlesculpted and handpainted.

Sbe's a "sweetie"!

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - PAPER ROSE DESIGNS

ANATOMICAL HEART NECKLACE

by

Erin of Paper Rose Designs

I painstakingly drew this image, which I found in an old edition of Grey's Anatomy, onto copper, then enameled over the image (fired in my kiln at 1500 degrees) to provide the glossy, smooth surface.

WELCOME, Erin, and her Etsy shop PAPER ROSE DESIGNS.  The above enameled necklace is just one of Erin's designs that you will find when you visit her shop.  Be sure to pay a visit to PAPER ROSE DESIGNS to see her other unique, one-of-a-kind enameled necklaces.

First, let's learn a bit more about this delightful jewelry artist by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?



I’ve admired enamel techniques since I was a child—cloisonné held a particular fascination for me—and it was a contemporary jewelry piece that I saw in a museum years later that led me to sign up for a studio class.


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


As an employee of an art museum, I got a big discount on the classes they offered. I was torn between taking metalsmithing and enameling; when I went to sign up, I found out that metalsmithing was filled up. Enameling it was! I’ve learned some metal fabrication techniques over the years. Enameling has been a constant learning process, which is wonderful.


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


It’s hard to name just one. I love when everything comes out perfectly. Enamels can be tempermental—the slightest variation can cause unexpected results. While those, too, can be interesting, I love pulling an item out of the kiln and seeing the perfectly domed, candy-colored, shiny enamel surface of a finished piece.


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


Mushrooms. Seemingly simple on the surface, but if you look closer, you notice fine details. Very versatile—you can do many different things with it. And I love both of ‘em!


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


I do lots of other creative things, but my favorite is probably photography. It invites a different way of looking at the world: I look more closely and carefully at angles and details.


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

Generally, I don’t infuse my enamel work with overarching themes—it tends to be simply about the form itself. That said, I do have a small line of necklaces wherein 100% of the profit goes to charities: the Susan Komen Foundation, the Humane Society, and the Ali Forney Center.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Do something every day that stokes your curiosity and wonder.


Erin, it is a pleasure to have you and your unique jewelry here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist.  Thanks for a great interview and for sharing your creativity with everyone.

To learn more about Erin and her creations, be sure to visit her links listed below.

WEB PAGE

BLOG

FLICKR

TWITTER

Blog for Etsy Enamel Artists Team

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - DAINTLY DESIGNS

SunBurst Drop Earrings

by DAINTLY DESIGNS

WELCOME, JACKIE!  I'm happy to have Jackie and her Etsy shop, DAINTLY DESIGNS, here on DZFANTASY as a featured Etsy shop.  I discovered Jackie also lives in Wisconsin, and not very far from me.  What a small world!  I find it such fun to meet all the talented people who sell on Etsy, and get to learn a little bit about them and their creativity.

Read Jackie's interview below to learn how she got started creating her lovely jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft

It started as a Christmas present for my mom...I thought I'd learn how to make earrings and make her a bunch of them as a gift. I went bead shopping and all the lovely beads had me envisioning so many lovely pieces of jewelry, I went a little overboard in my bead buying! This seemed to be the case every time I went bead shopping, resulting in my collection of 2 tackleboxes full of beads! I decided making jewelry to sell would be an excellent use for all those beads, and a fun way to make some extra money.

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


I like the limitless options available when working with sterling silver, gold, and antiqued bronze wire. I also wanted to form my own earwires, and using wire allowed me to do that.

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


Picking out beads, of course! I love when I find that unique bead that catches my eye and I immediately start imagining what I can design with it. It is also very rewarding being able to create something that people find special!

SALE- Red Swarovski Earrings

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

I think green beans. The more that I create with my beads, the more ideas pop into my head, kinda like how green beans grow more green beans when you pick them! Plus I really like green beans :) That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

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

Wheel-thrown pottery. The possibilities of what you can create are endless, just like jewelry. It's so relaxing, and very satisfying when you create a piece that can be actually useful for something.

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

I'm not sure that my jewelry has a particular message, I just hope that when someone sees one of my pieces they think it is well-made and they feel a little special when they wear it!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

If you are thinking about selling online, I strongly recommend Etsy.com! It is so easy to get started, and you'd be among a great online community of crafters.

Thanks, Jackie, for a delightful interview, and for taking the time to share your beautiful jewelry with all of us. 

Be sure to pay a visit to DAINTLY DESIGNS, to see all of Jackie's charming and exquisite jewelry.  She has a huge selection of wonderful earrings! You can either click on the individual photos below to go directly to that item in her shop or click on her shop link below the photos.

Rainbow fairy and butterfly mobile! Whimsical fantasy creation!

Rainbow Butterfly and Fairy Mobile!

For a long time now, I've been wanting to create one of my tiny fairy's flying on one of my fabric sculpted butterflies. I finally did it!! 

Getting her to balance on the wings took a long time and it was very "touchy", but as you can see in the photo above, she is flying.  She is hanging from a bit of clear fishing line, which has been attached to a hidden loop in the back of her fluffy hairdo.

She can also be displayed sitting on a shelf or table.  The photo above shows her sitting on a flat surface.

Back view of her hanging as a mobile!

She is now listed in my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy, so if you'd like to learn more about her and see more photos, just click on the link below.

DZFANTASY

Now that I have the design figured out, I hope to have time to create some more of these fun creatures.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - FUSCHIA BLOOM STUDIO

Pure and Simple- Sterling Wire Clef Earring with Aqua Freshwater Pearl

WELCOME, Rebecca and her Etsy shop, FUSCHIA BLOOM STUDIO.  When you pay a visit to Rebecca's shop, you will find a lovely selection of  simply elegant pieces of jewelry...ranging from earrings, necklaces, jewelry for brides and more.

FUSCHIA IN BLOOM STUDIO is having a 15% off sale on any item in the shop, running through September 27th, so be sure to hurry on over for a visit.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I originally started making jewelry over 15 years ago when I was in college studying marine illustration. I was getting bored with doing detailed line art and wanted to do something more three-dimensional.

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

I was originally inspired to make a wire necklace based on a piece that a friend had, and thus chose wire as my main medium. My materials have changed somewhat over the years ( I started with big, chunky pieces in steel and aluminum wire), but basically I use various small gauge wires (mostly sterling), freshwater pearls, gemstone beads and unusual vintage, crystal and glass beads to make my creations.

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

I get inspired when I buy a batch of new beads in exciting colors, when I see artwork ,jewelry or even something in nature that I like, or when I look in a jewelry or bead magazine and see a new technique I want to try, then I rush to get to work!

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

I would have to say blueberry. It’s my favorite fruit and I think it is unusual looking but simple and a bold color. Sort of like my jewelry - I like simple but catchy designs and pick colors not for the faint of heart!

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

At the moment I also do linoleum printing and I am going to be selling it in my Etsy shop soon. I like it because it is a two dimensional medium, but has three dimensional qualities.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I think if you are inspired by what you do, you should stick with it even when times are tough!

Thanks, Rebecca for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with all of us.  Your work is delightful and refreshing!

There's still time to get on over to FUSCHIA BLOOM STUDIO and get 15% off any item in the shop....now through Sept. 27th.

BLOG

FLICKR

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - THE JOYS OF JESS

Pink Birdie on a Branch - Hand Embroidery

by Jess

Let's welcome Jess, and her Etsy shop, THE JOYS OF JESS.  After learning a bit more about Jess and her creativity, by reading her interview below, be sure to pay a visit to her shop to see what she has to offer.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I used to crochet, but found that I was frustrated with how long things took to make. I was also frustrated with the cost of nice yarn! I was puttering around Michael's one day and saw a book called "The Impatient Embroiderer" and thought "Now THAT is for me." I picked up some hoops, fabric, and floss and that was that.

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

Trial and error! I've tried everything. Painting, quilting, sewing clothing, crochet, knitting, mosaics. You name it, I gave it a whirl. Embroidery is the one that has stuck so far.

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

When I finish a piece. I'm all about the end product. If I finish something and I'm proud of it, I just feel awesome.

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

This question cracks me up! I would probably pick a cucumber. I love cucumbers, much like I love embroidery. Growing cucumbers is a quick process, much like embroidery (compared to other crafts I've tried!). Now I am missing our cucumber plant!

A Field of Scribble Flowers by Jess

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


I honestly don't know! I'm very burnt out on crochet, because I did that for years. Knitting is too slow. I do teach preschool and I think my creativity comes out there in planning lessons and art projects.

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

I just want to create items to warm your home. I grew up with crossstitch on the walls and it always seemed homey to me.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Keep trying! If one type of craft isn't working out for you, try another one! There's something out there for everyone. And if you love what you do, it'll show in your work, and there's nothing better than that.

Thanks, Jess, for a delightful interview and for sharing your creativity with everyone.

To learn more about Jess, click on any of the links below.

BLOG

TWITTER

FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LAZULI BLUE CREATIONS

Purple Velvet Leopard Print Halter Dress

by Melinda

WELCOME, Melinda and her Etsy shop, LAZULI BLUE CREATIONS, where you will find a wide variety of one-of-a-kind creations.  Some of the creations Melinda has to offer are vintage slip dresses, vintage camisole tops, retro halter dresses and much more....so be sure to pay LAZULI BLUE CREATIONS a visit!

Let's read Melinda's interview below as she gives us a little peek into what made her start creating and designing clothes.

What led you to start creating your art/craft

It started around 20 years ago when I discovered thrift shops and taught myself how to make simple clothes patterns. I started collecting vintage fabrics and chopping up vintage dresses to make more modern, flattering styles. I would get a little thrill everytime I went into thrift shops. I especially love anything with flowers and crochet. Luckily my mum let me store bags and bags of fabrics in her garage over the years.

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


I loved wearing unique clothes and found the ones in shops boring so I had to make my own.

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


I love finding new fabrics, thinking of new designs and hand-dying. Dyeing clothes is always a surprise.

Long Emerald Green Velvet Skirt

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

Can I say a fruit salad? Because my garments are an array of vibrant colours.

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


Designing and making jewellry with silver and gemstones. I dabbled in this when I lived in South America and loved it. Especially turquoise, amber and red coral.


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


I make clothes that are feminine and flattering to the female body so I guess it would be to celebrate your femininity.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Do what you love to do and it will never seem like work. And do it well.

Thanks, Melinda for sharing your creative talents and thoughts with everyone!

To see more of Melinda's designs, click on her photos and shop link below.  You just might find the perfect piece of clothing to express your individuality!

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CAROLYN MACKIN

Lourve-Rivoli metro station, Paris, France- petite fine art print- 7.778 x 3.5in

by Carolyn Mackin

WELCOME, Carolyn Mackin and her fairly new Etsy shop (April, 2009), called CAROLYN MACKIN.  Carolyn is a fine art photographer, and has a wide variety of prints listed in her shop.  Be sure to pay a visit to Carolyn's shop....you just might find that perfect scene to hang in your home or office.

First, let's learn a bit more about Carolyn by reading her interview below.  I always find it fascinating to learn why someone chose the "medium of expression" that they did.

SPECIAL OFFER:  Carolyn Mackin is offering free shipping to anyone who places an order during the month of September or October 2009 and adds the message "fantasy" at checkout.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Just before my third birthday, I spent two weeks decorating the goody bags, tablecloth, and party hats for my party, and I have been creating ever since. Creating images of beauty that resonate emotionally and spiritually and then sharing those pieces with others gives me extreme pleasure and a sense of fulfillment.

Australia, Embracing Couple, 2001)- petite fine art print- 8 x 3.5in

by Carolyn Mackin

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


I have always loved to create objects and experimented with many mediums. A photography workshop I took at a local art museum while in high school secured my passion for the medium. The click of the camera's shutter, watching prints magically emerge from light sensitive paper, and then the control and infinite possibilities I found with digital imaging all made photography very appealing to me.

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


Sharing it with others and receiving feedback gives me immense pleasure. I love honest critiques and feedback and the wonderful dialogue it can produce.

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


Very interesting question! A blueberry because they are beautiful on the outside, but have a full depth of flavor and nutrients.

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


Oh- choosing just one is impossible! I love to hand paint on my images, and I love paintings in general. However, I find the blank white canvas daunting and so starting with a photographic image works best for me. I have also worked with video and installation art. I find the combination very powerful, however it can be expensive and time consuming.

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


I like to convey many different messages in my work, depending on the series I am working on. I take the time to write an artist statement about each portfolio so that the viewer can get a glimpse of what my intention was.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Create from your unique perspective. Tell a visual story in each piece that is true to who you are. Work that has a different perspective and authenticity to it will always stand out as superior for me.


THANKS, Carolyn for sharing your great photography with everyone.  It must have been fun to visit those places and to capture them with your photographic eye.
 
To learn more about Carolyn and her work, be sure to visit her links below.

CAROLYN MACKIN WEB SITE

THE WINNER OF THE "BUTTERFLY WALL ACCENT" GIVEAWAY is.......!

MICHELE P.

from

Waterville, ME

CONGRATULATIONS, MICHELE!

Michele's entry of 9/14/09, was randomly selected, today, out of the 36 entries I received for my "BUTTERFLY WALL ACCENT" giveaway on DZFANTASY.

Michele's daughter chose the pink, speckled butterfly shown above, and she will be getting it for her room.

Thanks again to all of you who entered the giveaway and left such lovely comments. 

DZFANTASY has several great giveaways running right now so be sure to take time to enter them.  Any giveaways on DZFANTASY can always be found in the right upper column of my blog.  Just click on the GIVEAWAY photo to enter that particular giveaway.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CAT'S CREATIONS

Spirit of the Sea brooch pin

by

CAT'S CREATIONS

WELCOME, Cat and her Etsy shop CAT'S CREATIONS!  Cat is a jewelry artist from the United Kingdom, and designs and creates some lovely jewelry, so be sure to pay a visit to her shop.  I love the "Spirit of the Sea" brooch above, and how Cat incorporates different, unique findings into her jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always loved making things, for as long as I can remember I've made cards for my family and friends, painted on pebbles from the beach and pressed flowers to make pictures from. I started making jewellery after realising how many beautiful beads there are in the world! I began by making presents for friends who seemed pleased with the results so I thought I'd try taking it a step further and selling some of my creations.

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

I'm a bit of a magpie and just love small shiny things! Jewellery is perfect for me because I like to see results fairly quickly. It means I can spend a long time playing with different colours and designs, but when I am happy with the look of a piece, I can assemble it in a short time and then start on the next!


I've become more interested in using found objects in my work. I don't like the amount of waste we produce as a species, so if I can re-use something that might otherwise get thrown away it makes me happy. This has led to the incorporation of more bits of vintage broken jewellery or findings, and more organic finds such as beach glass in my work than I have previously used.

Butterflly Spirit Earrings by CAT'S CREATIONS

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

I love the process of designing a new piece. Trying out different beads and colours and incorporating surprising elements is very enjoyable to me because it lets me play constantly! I also love to see the finished result making someone happy. That is the purpose of my jewellery after all.

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

Wild Blackberries. Because they are a lovely rich colour, a funky bobbly shape and you get a lot of oomph in a little package! And there is always something special and exciting about finding the first ripe blackberries of the year...

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

It would have to be mixed media collage. This is something I have always loved and been fascinated by. There are so many talented collage artists out there that I am constantly inspired by. There is no right or wrong way to create which I find very freeing so I enjoy making small pieces for myself and my family.

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

Have fun! Express yourself and get as much out of life as you can. And be creative in your recycling!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you love and don't let anyone try to stop you. And never be put off by thoughts that what you do isn't "good enough" or that people won't like your work. This really is easier said than done, but the rewards for getting out there and creating something completely of your own are worth it!

Thanks, Cat, for giving us a peek into what makes you tick as a jewelry artist and for sharing your lovely creations with us.  Great interview.
 
To learn more about Cat and her work, be sure to visit her links below.

BLOG

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LITTLE MISS DESIGNS

WELCOME, Megan and her Etsy shop, "Little Miss Designs"!  When you pay a visit to Megan's shop you will find bright, colorful, handmade hair clips, purse tags, and more.

Let's find out a little bit about Megan and how she got started on her "creating" adventure!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My 8-month old daughter! Before she was even born I started shopping around for cute hair accessories. I couldn’t find exactly what I knew I wanted, so I decided to try my hand at making them … and voila!

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

I liked the look of felt since it easily keeps its shape. And the fact that it doesn’t fray or unravel is a huge plus!

Felt and Corduroy Hair Clips Trio

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

I love that what I do doesn’t take me away from my family. My “shop” is set up in our house and I have everything in a common area where my daughter can be playing and my husband can be watching TV. And even when there is down time and orders aren’t coming in, I continue to make items for the pure enjoyment of making them – it relaxes me.

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

Cute question! I would choose a head of lettuce! On the surface it seems that it “is what it is”. But as you pull back the layers, you see different textures and colors and it almost takes a completely different shape. With my craft, I started off doing different variations and colors of basically the same thing – a flower shaped hair clip. While that was fabulous, I wanted to start pulling back the layers and challenging myself to see what other ‘shape’ my business could take on. I wanted to continue with the children’s line, but also start thinking about what I could offer MOMS, so that I would appeal to different age groups. Now I offer clip organizers and bag tags … and some new cute, different things soon to come!

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

I’ve actually never considered myself all that creative, so I’ve even surprised myself through this journey! But if I had to choose another medium, it would probably be crochet. I love to crochet, but would certainly have to practice, practice, practice before showing my work to anyone outside of my family! Ha!

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

I am not sure what message I want to convey with my craft, but I know the message that I want to convey through my craft. 10% of all of my sales are given back to my church. My day job has never given me the satisfaction of “giving back” that I have desperately wanted for so long. My craft is affording me the opportunity to finally feel like I am making a difference for others.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Take the risk and put yourself out there. I still need a confidence boost every now and again, but the best thing I ever did was just “go for it”.

Thanks, Megan, for not only sharing your delightful, colorful work with all of us, but for a great interview!

If you'd like to learn more about Megan and her "Little Miss Designs", be sure to visit the links below.

LITTLE MISS DESIGNS BLOG

LITTLE MISS DESIGNS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

REVEIW OF WAUKESHA ART FEST 2009

ALMONT GALLERY

CLICK on the above link to find out more about the Almont Gallery

This past Saturday, September 12th, I was an exhibitor in the 20th Annual WAUKESHA ART FEST, which was held in its new location in downtown Waukesha.  The show, since I 've been in it, was always held in Cutler Park by the library so when I heard that it was being moved to West Main Street in downtown Waukesha I was a bit disappointed.  I thought the park with the trees and bandstand, etc. was a nice place for an art show.

I must say both my sister and I were pleasantly surprised with the new location. 

We thought the new location provided a much more lively atmosphere, and it was laid out nicely on two closed off sections of W. Main Street, with artists' booths on both sides of the street. There wer several bands, and plenty of restaurants!

 All exhibiting artists could drive right up to their spot for unloading and loading.  How great is that!!  No hauling heavy gridwall, canopy and other materials! 

My spot was perfect, which happened to be right next to the ALMONT GALLERY, owned and operated by Lynn Gaffey. 

This gave me the opportunity to take a peek inside and take some photos of this very eclectic gallery.  There were stunning clothes, painted glass items, jewelry, paintings, photography, gorgeous ceramic creations and so much more!  The gallery has a very uplifting atmosphere and a lot of "eye candy", so if you are ever in the Waukesha area, be sure to stop in and visit the Almont Gallery.  There are many more unique shops, restaurants and galleries in downtown Waukesha.  Even though I only live 15 minutes away, I haven't really been in downtown Waukesha for a long time, and was surprised at how much everything had changed.

The people running the show were very helpful, and things went quite smoothly.  I heard from customers and artists alike, that they thought the new location was great.  In fact, many liked it better than the old spot in the park....including me!

While the attendance was good....from what I could see of the people walking around there weren't that many "purchases" going by.  I do believe the economy is still affecting sales.  My sales were a bit down from last year at this show, but were a lot better than several other bigger shows I've done this year.  I'll be looking forward to doing the show again next year!

Sections of my displays at the show

The weather was so beautiful we didn't have to bother with putting up the sides.  What a time saver that was!!

One of my bride fairies enjoying the breeze!

My last art show of the season will be the Winter Art Festival in Madison, WI on November 14th and 15th.

WINNER'S CHOICE - ART GLASS "FLOWER SUNCATCHER" by DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS

I'm thrilled to be hosting this giveaway for a WINNER'S CHOICE - of an original designed art glass "flower suncatcher" from Bonnie of DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS!!

Her work is nothing short of fantastic! I can vouch for that, as I own several pieces of Bonnie's work, and they are much more beautiful in person than even the photos can show!!

Now you have the opportunity to enter this great giveaway, where the WINNER will be able to select any "flower suncatcher" which is in Bonnie's shop at the close of this giveaway. Read below to see how to enter this great giveaway:

START DATE: September 14, 2009

END DATE: October 14, 2009 - 12 midnight - CST

ELIGIBILITY: Open to USA only

PRIZE: 1 - Glass "Flower Suncatcher"

VALUE: $29 - $39.00

READ THE RULES BELOW TO ENTER:

1. Visit Bonnie's Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS, by clicking on her shop link below and see what suncatcher you would pick if you are the lucky WINNER.

2. Come back to this post and leave a COMMENT as to what suncatcher you would choose, should you be the lucky winner, OR tell us what is your favorite item in her shop.

3. Be sure to leave your email address or a link to an email address, as this is the only way the WINNER will be contacted. This is very important!

4. At the close of the giveaway on October 14, 2009 - 12:00 Midnight CST, I will randomly select a WINNER from all entries received up until the close of the giveaway.

5. I will contact WINNER for their full shipping information. WINNER will have 3 days in which to reply, or I will have to randomly select another WINNER from the remaining entries.

6. Once the WINNER has replied with their shipping info, I will forward this information to Bonnie, who will contact you to see which suncatcher you would like. She will be sending the prize directly to the WINNER.

As the host of this giveaway, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Contact Donna at: dzfairies@msn.com

THANKS, BONNIE, for letting DZFANTASY host your great giveaway!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS

GLASS ART ROUND In The Beginning
by
Bonnie Donahue

CLICK on above photo to learn more about this stunning piece of art!

WELCOME, Bonnie, and her Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS. I am so happy that Bonnie "hearted" my DZFANTASY shop, as otherwise I might not have met her. Bonnie is not only a very talented artist, but a truly delightful person as well.

You really must visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS to discover for yourself, her amazing glass creations!

Bonnie has also generously decided to have a "WINNER'S CHOICE" giveaway for one of her beautiful "suncatchers". I will be sponsoring this giveaway here on DZFANTASY, so be sure to enter.

GLASS SUNCATCHER Large Plum Flower

CLICK on photo to learn more about this beautiful suncatcher!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I’ve been playing with art, crafts, music, writing, dance and drama for most of my life. As a kid, I enjoyed making dollhouse furniture and dolls more than actually playing with them. I spent much of my time alone and in nature. Nature continues to inspire and amaze me and I’ve always thought of myself as nature in human form (in spite of the prevailing western world view of dominating nature). In pondering this question, my sense is that it’s this great love and feeling of gratitude for the gift of life that compels me to create. You can only stand so much of that before it just has to come out.


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

Glass grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The brilliance, transparency and luminosity of glass touches something very deep and powerful in me. What, exactly that is, is hard to say. I think there is a good reason why working with glass has become so popular at this time. My sense is that this expresses the drive of our collective human spirit to break through its self imposed limitations and allow our inner brilliance to shine! It sounds good to me, anyway.


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

One of the reasons I’ve stayed with glass as long as I have (12 Years!) is because I enjoy all the processes of creating it. I can make two dimensional as well as three dimensional pieces. I am able to create tremendous sculptural dimension by fusing pieces at lower temperatures. I enjoy making my own molds for casting and for slumping glass. I enjoy figuring out how to make something that no one has done before. I enjoy teaching glass classes. I really don’t think that it is possible to exhaust the possibilities of creating with glass. I’m never bored with glass.


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

I would have to choose the blueberry because it’s my favorite fruit. It is so squishy, tasty and pretty, and it is oh so good for you.


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

My next most favorite medium of expression is improvisational movement and sound. It allows the whole of me to participate in the expression of whatever the moment calls for. I’ve always been more drawn to movement rather than dance and to sound rather than music. The raw, direct expression really appeals to me. And so it follows that I’m drawn to “authentic” expression regardless of the media used. Naive or “outsider” art especially appeals to me.


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

Rather than conveying a message per se, my greatest hope is to spark, encourage and support that inner spirit common to us all. That seems to be something that naturally comes out of me when I teach glass classes. It may be obvious, but the media used is a dim secondary concern for me than the encouragement of the spirit.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Have the courage to follow your deepest inner promptings regardless of where that may seem to lead you. Have the courage to be true to what feels deeply true for you. You may be lonely and unpopular at times, but the long term benefits far outweigh any short term detriments.

Bonnie, thank you not only for sharing your gorgeous creations with everyone, but for a wonderful interview. Also, thank you for your generous giveaway of one of your delightful "suncatchers".

CLICK on the link below to enter Bonnie's suncatcher giveaway post.

 

SUNCATCHER GIVEAWAY

Be sure to visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS by clicking on the links below.

"BRIGHT PATCHWORK CHARMER TOTE" GIVEAWAY

BRIGHT PATCHWORK CHARMER TOTE - IT"S REVERSIBLE!
by

SID'S IN STITCHES

Sid, from SID'S IN STITCHES, on Etsy, is back here on DZFANTASY with another fantastic giveaway of one of her colorful, handmade totes! You don't want to miss out on the chance to be the lucky winner of the beautiful tote shown above.

START DATE: 9/14/09

END DATE: 10/14/09 - 12 Midnight CST

ELIGIBLITY: Open to USA

PRIZE: 1 - original,handmade tote

VALUE: $32.00

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Pay a visit to SID'S IN STITCHES, and then come back here and tell us what item is your favorite!

CLICK on the link below to visit Sid's shop:

SID'S IN STITCHES

2. Be sure to leave your email address or a link to your email. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT as the winner will be contacted by EMAIL ONLY!

3. At the end of the "giveaway", I will randomly choose a winner from all the entries received by the close of the giveaway. I will then be contacting the WINNER, via email, to notify them that they have won and to get their full shipping address.

4. The WINNER will have 3 days in which to reply to my email. If they do not reply within the given timeframe, I will have to randomly select another winner from the remaining entries.

5. Once the winner has responded with their shipping information, I will notify Sid, and she will be shipping the tote directly to the winner.

REVERISE SIDE

DESCRIPTION OF PRIZE:

Patchwork Sewer Charmer Tote, Reversible Handbag, Shoulder Bag

A variety of bright prints make this charmer (from my Charmer Tote pattern). One side is a patchwork medley of prints – needles and thread, stripes, tone-on-tone dots, and stylized quilts in orange, purple, hot pink, bright blue, yellow, lime green, and magenta. This tote’s roomy enough for toting almost anything! The handles and trim are a variety of colorful buttons on purple. The handles are long enough to throw over your shoulder. Plenty of pockets make this bag practical to use. It’s reversible - the opposite side is patchwork pairs of blocks kite-tailed on a lime background. It closes with a two-toned round 1.5” (2 cm) handmade button in lime and purple (made by my daughter).

Accessories not included. My teenager models another version of the Charmer Tote for size comparison.The Charmer Tote is REVERSIBLE!

It’s a medium size to hold everything including a book for waiting in line along with all your daily necessities. It has hidden outside and inside pockets on each side. A button closes it at the top.100% cotton

Dimensions: 20” straps (51 cm)9” drop (23 cm)11” wide (28 cm), 5" deep (13 cm), 7" high (18 cm)2 Inside Pockets – 4” high x 5” wide (10 cm x 13 cm)2 Outside Pockets – 4”high x 5” wide (10 cm x 13 cm) Sizes approximate.

WHAT A GREAT GIVEAWAY! THANKS SID!

If you'd like to see Sid's other styles and colors of purses/totes, click on her shop link below.

THANKS FOR ENTERING AND

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!