HARLEY IN HIS SANTA SUIT!
Wishing all my blog readers/followers a
VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
&
A HAPPY, HEALTHY, FUN 2011!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
The WINNER of the FIBER/SWAROVSKI crystals earrings giveaway is..........
BRANDLYN CAROL
from
CLIFTON, TENNESSEE!
Congratulations, Brandlyn
Brandlyn's entry of 12/6/10 was randomly selected as the winning entry out of the 20 entries received for this giveaway, which ended December 17, 2010.
A big "thank you" to those of you who took the time to enter the giveaway.
NOTE: I am having a 10% off sale in my Etsy shop through December 31, 2010. To receive this discount on any purchase/s all you need to do is enter the coupon code DZFANTASY10 into the coupon code area when checking out. Great savings! Get a pair of original designed earrings with hand knit beads and Swarovski crystals for $18.90.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS
(CLICK on item's title above to learn moer about this charming Santa!)
WELCOME, Mike and his charming creations, which he sells through his Etsy shop, BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS. Mike designs and creates one-of-a-kind, whimsical paper mache collectibles, with old world style santas being his speciality! Be sure to pay a visit to BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS after reading Mike's interview below. You will surely find yourself smiling as you see all the fun characters!
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I started making furniture .... I soon realized it took a lot storage space. It was not eay to pack and unpack plus I needed a big truck to haul the furniture to shows. I decided I needed something that took up less space. For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself. Read various articles on ceating paper mache and chalkware ... experimented with various receipes and finally came up with one that worked for me.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
I enjoy working with the paper mache the most as it allows me to use my imagination.
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
The star fruit ... most fruits and vegetables are round or oblong but the star fruit is unique it is star shaped. My work is like the star fruit because it is very unique.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Wood because I love making furniture.
(CLICK on the item's title above to learn more about this whimsical Santa!)
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?Handmade work is unique and one of kind .... it is not mass produced.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Try to think out of the box and never get discouraged?
THANKS, Mike, for sharing your wonderful, imaginative creations with all of us. When looking at them, they take you to a fun, whimsical place!
To see more of Mike's designs visit the links below. You just might find a delightful creature you can't live without!
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about this fun "snowman"!)
Sunday, December 12, 2010
FEATURED ETSY SHOP - DIANE'S CLOSET
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
WELCOME, Claire and her vintage shop on Etsy, which she calls Diane's Closet (her mom's name). If you love to wear vintage clothing, you really must pay a visit to Diane's Closet as it has a wide variety of items to choose from.....skirts, tops, dresses, jackets, coats and lots more.
Let's take a moment and read Claire's interview below to get a peek into how/why she decided to start selling vintage clothing.
What motivated you to get into selling “vintage” items!
I have had a love affair with vintage clothing for a long time. My mother saved a number of items of her clothing from the 1970s, and my sisters and I would often wear them. We would also go thrift store shopping quite often and I loved bringing home the crazy and unique items we would find. This summer I got married and wore my mother's wedding dress, altered to fit my specifications. Shortly after, I quit my job and returned to school full time to work on a Masters degree. I had been searching for part time jobs with no luck when I saw a vintage suit in a shop window that reminded me so much of my mother's vintage. I decided to open a shop selling vintage clothing in lieu of a part time job.
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about this exquisite dress!)
Is there any category of vintage items that intrigues you the most?
Clothing of course! I especially love skirts and bags. Vintage shoe bags from luggage sets make excellent purses! I had one when I was young but I have yet not happened across some to sell in my shop.
What aspect of finding and selling vintage items do you find the most enjoyable?
The fun of "discovering" unique and interesting items. You never know what you are going to happen across. It's exciting to find a item you know is old but looks like it was made yesterday. You can tell it's a quality piece.
(CLICK on the item's title above to learn more about this fun handbag!)
What vintage item would you love to find, that you haven’t already seen or sold?
A beautiful, pristine formal dress is always on my wish list.
What advice do you have for others in the selling or collecting of vintage items.
If you are searching a thrift store, always check for stains, rips, holes, etc. before you buy. They can totally ruin what you thought was a good deal. Know what you are looking for when shopping an exclusively vintage shop. If you see things that you don't think are genuine vintage, go elsewhere! There's nothing worse than paying for something you thought was pristine 1960s vintage only to find out you could have gotten it at TJ Maxx for $10. A reputable seller should be up front about where they obtained the item and the evidence they have for it's vintage status.
What is the most interesting or exciting piece of vintage that you have found to date?
The blue silk beaded 1980s era dress I currently have listed is in pristine condition because it was never worn! Those types of dresses are typically missing patches of beads because of their delicate nature. This one even still has the original tags attesting to the fact that it was not a cheap purchase when first bought!
THANKS, Claire for taking the time to share your thoughts/ideas, and of course, your line of vintage clothing! I had fun looking at the times in your shop and I'm sure others will also!
Click on any of the photos below to go directly to that item in Claire's shop, or click on the shop name to go to the shop.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
FEATURED ETSY SHOP - REBECCA ANN CREATIONS
by
REBECCA ANN CREATIONS
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
WELCOME, Rebecca and her Etsy shop, REBECCA ANN CREATIONS, as a featured artist here on my DZFANTASY blog. Pay a visit to REBECCA ANN CREATIONS, and you will find a wide range of items to choose from....bath, hair accessories, jewelry, head attire, scarves, cowels and a whole lot more!!
Let's learn a bit more about this multi-talented artist by reading her interview below.
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I learned to crochet with a friend of mine in 2007. I loved it and was making things for friends and family. Someone asked me if I had an Etsy account, so I looked into it! Now I've learned to make many things in addition to my crochet! I just love creating!
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
This one is hard. I still don't really know what medium I'm in. I like wearing all kinds of accessories so I started making them! I'm always making different kinds of accessories . Whenever I see someone wearing something I like, I go home and make it!
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
I enjoy the feeling once I'm done with something. I guess my favorite aspect is finishing a project!
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I would say a peach. Sometimes it's sweet, sometimes a little tangy, but most of the time it's calming.... that is how I feel about my creations!
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Wow...only one? lol. I love creating things, I would like to learn to sew and make children's clothes. I always look at other people's shops who make little girls dresses and I wish I could make them!
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
My message is that we are all beautiful in our own way! I create many different styles because I know we all have different tastes, and even though we are different we are all beautiful!
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
GO FOR IT! If you enjoy making things than do it! Otherwise you'll regret it later.
Rebecca, thanks for a lovely interview and for sharing your creative ideas with everyone! To see more of Rebecca's designs and to learn more about her, visit the links below.
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Fiber/Swarovski Crystal Fantasy Earrings Giveway
Original Designed handknit ribbon bead with Swarovski crystals earrings
by DZFANTASY
I am having a giveaway for the above pair of earrings. Add a bit of sparkle and magic to any outfit with this pair of original designed handknit fiber/crystal earrings. I individually handknit each bead using a beautiful satin finish ribbon yarn. The handknit beads are then accented with Swarovski crystals, and silver plated findings. VERY LIGHT WEIGHT AND WILL BRING A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY, READ BELOW:
START DATE: December 3, 2010
END DATE: December 17, 2010 - 12:00 Midnight CST
PRICE: 1 pair of original designed fiber/crystal earrings by DZFANTASY
VALUE: $21.00
ELIGIBLITY: Worldwide
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Just leave a comment in this post, along with an email address or a link to an email address, as this will be the ONLY means of contacting the winner.
2. At the close of the giveaway on 12/17/10, a WINNER will be randomly selected from all the comments received up until the closing time of 12:00 midnight on 12/17/10.
3. The WINNER will be contacted via EMAIL, and will have 3 days in which to send me their shipping information.
4. If the WINNER does not reply within the given timeframe, I will have to randomly select another winner from the remaining entries.
That's all there is to it! Just be sure to leave a means of contacting you in your comment!
DESCRIPTION OF EARRINGS:
SIZE: 2" drop from top of ear wire to bottom of head pin: 1.5" from top Swarovski crystal to bottom of headpin
I love the colors in this pair of earrings. The bottom Swarovski crystal is a fuschia 8mm bicone, topped with my original handknit ribbon bead. The ribbon bead is capped with an antique silver bead cap with a scroll heart design. Two 4mm Swarovski crystals finish off the earrings.
THANKS FOR VISITING DZFANTASY, and good luck to all! If you have ANY questions, please feel free to contact me at: dzfairies@msn.com
Thursday, December 2, 2010
FEATURED ETSY SHOP - VALERIA BEADS
(CLICK on item's title to learn more about this lovely piece!)
WELCOME, Valeria and her Etsy shop, VALERIA BEADS. Valeria has some very beautiful, intricate designs in her shop, so be sure to pay it a visit after reading her interview below. Great pricing on these intricate designs!
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I was born in USSR in Kazakhstan. we did not have books about crafts, no computer to see how big is the world. My mom was always busy with something, crochet or knitting or macrame, sewing, so we learned that from her, but it was not enough. We learned how to do needle work and some construction work from my papa. I grew up and learned more hobbies. my main interest now is beading.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
When I was 8, I had a string of dark blue beads and wanted to have treasure box. Me and my sister made a box from post cards! We would put lots of junk inside and on the top that blue string of little beads imagining that the box is filled with treasures. For years we were keeping those beads stringing them on 1 or 2 threads. we did not know what else to do with it. It is why I like weaving beads now, as it was something I did not learn when I was a kid.
CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
Complicated things! I could string nice beads, add a clasp to it or put a charm on chain and call it jewelry, but it is boring. About everybody else can do it, but not every jewelry person can weave little tiny beads together and get an art, get them to bloom, turning them into flowers, feathers, almost anything!
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I like to do blooms of both as with seed beads it is possible. but I am probably fruit as they are higher from the ground usually!
(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about it!)
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Cross stitch. I started needle work when I was in kindergarten. we would stitch a little napkin every birthday for my grandma. I never saw her use them. She is no longer with us, but once when I was making order in her house, I opened one drawer and found all ofr our little presents to her. I cried. I did not know she dearly kept them all as she was a very strict woman who was not spoiling us. I do cross stitch sometimes, but not get patterns from the store or web. I like to do something only mine. so I am making portraits by designing patterns. It takes about 6 months for one, but I love to see how colorful threads are becoming something beautiful.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
I want people to be noticeable by wearing something different.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
I am not doing it for profit, I am doing it for joy!
THANKS, Valeria, for sharing your truly lovely designs with everyone, and for such a delightful, informative interview. It is fun to know more about you and what motivates you.
Click on any of the photos below to go directly to that item in Valeria's shop or click on her shop's name below the photos. You can also learn more about Valeria and her designs by visiting her blog.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
HARLEY in the first snow!
My buddy, Harley, in his new coat...enjoying the first snow!
While I wasn't exactly thrilled to see the first snow of the season, Harley sure was!! He was trying to catch it in his mouth and went wild running around in the little bit we had so far!
Now if he could do some shoveling that would be great! Guess I will see the joy in snow through his antics in it.
He does have a "thing" about sitting on top of things!
I will be having a new giveaway out here soon, and also new "featured" Etsy shops, so do stop back for a visit!
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