FEATURED ETSY SHOP - THE 35TH OF MAY

Let them eat cake ring

"If they have no bread, then let them eat cake!"

This Cake ring is fit for a Queen! Vanilla scented polymer clay cake ring handcrafted with much detail.The ring is adjustable. Ring measures 3 x 2.5 cm

Now doesn't that little cake just look good enough to eat!

I'm delighted to have Moi from Stockholm, here on DZFANTASY with her fun, whimsical and very creative ideas!  Treat yourself to a visit of Moi's Etsy shop, THE 35TH OF MAY.  It makes you smile just to see her creations....and it is definitely something we can never do too much of. Her scrumptous looking polymer clay creations, make you want to pop them into your mouth!

First let's hear from Moi as she expresses her thoughts and shares a bit of herself.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I guess my mother. Thanks to her I have been doing crafts for as long as I can think. I remember how we made handcrafted Christmas gifts every year. I really miss that tradition. I’m actually going to do it with her again this year, and I’m really looking forward to it! I guess not too much changed since those times, instead I just craft all year around.

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

I started experimenting with polymer clay on April this year and I really seemed to have a knack for it, but I don’t really like to limit myself with just one medium; I like to experiment with anything coming my way.

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

I can’t pinpoint anything specific, but I can tell you this.....I did not do anything arts and crafts related for two years, and I did not realize how important it was for me, until I started doing it again. Now I feel so good, I don’t even know where to put all that creativity I have had subdued for all that time.

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

Cherry or Strawberry. I have no idea why. Maybe you can tell me?  (Moi, I think your work is very refreshing and makes one feel good, just like when eating a juicy cherry or strawberry!)

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

It would definitely be cooking! Many seem to forget that cooking is truly an art.

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

I want people to be able to put a little color and magic into their everyday, familiar, general, habitual, normal, quotidian, routine, run-of-the-mill, standard, traditional, typical, usual, humdrum lives.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Never stop learning. What advice do you have for me? (Keep on having fun with your creativity and do what you enjoy and that will reflect in your creations!)

Moi, it was a real pleasure to have you here on my blog as a "featured" Etsy shop, and such fun to see your whimsical creations!

To see more of Moi's work be sure to visit the links below.

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

DEVIANT ART

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - CHRISTEN LARGENT, METALSMITH

Journal Circle Bracelet with Birthstone Setting

Customize with your choice of words in my NEW Journaling Lowercase Font. Shiny or Oxidized Finish

CLICK on above photo to learn more about this item

I'm happy to bring you the fine designs of Christen Largent, Metalsmith from Etsy. You really must pay a visit to Christen's shop to see all of her great jewelry designs. There is a wide variety of items in her shop. Christen offers customized/inscribed bangles, bracelets, personalized pendants for both men and women, gorgeous rings, and more....!

Let's read Christen's interview below to get a bit more of an insight into this talented jewelry artist.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always worked with my hands, (I'll spare you the line-up of mediums over the years!!) but around the time that my son was born, I started wire-working...making jewelry, teaching the art, etc. and as I was working with wire, I realized that there were limitations. My dad did some metalsmithing in school, so he gave me my first lesson in soldering and the rest is history!

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

It found me! First with wire and then just all-out metal! I'm basically a crow anyway - anything pretty and shiny and I'm in love!

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

A challenge - thinking up an impossible piece with a bazillion soldering joints and seeing it all come together...it's like I've conquered the limitations of metal!! I'm not even a REALLY, REALLY experienced metalsmith, so I can't wait to see what the future brings!

Spring Crocus Stacked Sterling Rings . set of three

made to order in your size (whole, half or quarter sizes)

CLICK on the ring's photo to learn more about this item

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

This is a great question because I LOVE to garden....I think I will say a tomato because if you've ever seen a successful tomato farmer, and ask him how his tomatoes are so healthy and prolific, he'll tell you it takes years of practice, knowing what the tomatoes need in order to thrive and tender loving care. And that's exactly what metalsmithing takes. You can't just say one day "I think I'll metalsmith"! and just jump in and start making beautiful things. It takes learning the "rules" (science behind metal and flame), having the right tools, and a great deal of patience and tender loving care, and YEARS AND YEARS of practice. You're going to melt things down, you're going to burn and cut yourself, but you just keep going!

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

I am an avid scrapbooker and LOVE layout design. It is somewhat similar to building a piece of jewelry too!

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

My message, first and foremost, is the beauty of nature and the awesomeness of God who created it! I get inspired EVERY DAY when I look around me! God created metal and the physical properties of metal too, so I'm grateful all the way around!!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Find something that you LOVE and do it with all your heart, soul and mind! It's great to be able to sell it, but if it's a choice of something that nourishes your soul or something that nourishes your bank account, choose your soul!!!

Christen, thank you for a delightful interview! It was fun learning more about the artist behind the beautiful jewelry, and to see your work.

If you'd like to see more of Christen's creations, be sure to click on the photos and link below.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ACTUALI DESIGN

Sealed With a Kiss Romantic Greeting Card

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

WELCOME, Ali and her Etsy shop, ACTUALI DESIGN. When you visit ACTUALI DESIGN, you will find Ali's original designed greeting cards which will let you tell someone that they are "special".

Let's learn a little more about Ali by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

A few years back, my mom bought me a book from her crafter's bookclub on cardmaking, as I'd been creating handdrawn cards for friends and family for years. The book really opened my mind to multimedia greeting cards. I'd never thought to take a crafty approach over a fine art one. I went out to Michael's shortly thereafter, and stocked up! I decided I was going to sell cards at the annual craft sale at my cottage, and I did. I've been doing it every year, since.

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

Like I said, that book really opened my eyes to the possibilities. At first, I stuck largely to paper materials and brads. You know, the basic scrapbooking materials. Over the years, I've added to my collection with rubber stamps, die cuts, and other traditional things, but I've also begun using things like buttons, fabrics, and other fun finds. I love experimenting! As far as my small print collection, I really got into digital arts as a result of wanting to be a graphic designer. It led me to experimenting with software like Adobe Illustrator, and I found that I really enjoyed it!

White Tulips Print

(CLICK on photo to learn more about this beautiful card)

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

My favourite part is just sitting down in my studio, and sifting through all my supplies, considering all the possibilities. I love trying different combinations, and often do so for almost an hour before I actually settle on one, and make a card!

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

Hah, I like this question! I'd have to say an orange. It helps that I love oranges, but they're also a good symbol of freshness, which I equate with modernism. If you know your colour theory, you know that the colour orange signifies happiness and energy, as well as being a great out-of-the-ordinary attention catcher. That has a lot to do with why I chose to use a yellow-orange in Actuali Design's logo!

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

I would love to try letterpress. It's an obvious extension of my love for digital art. Typography fascinates me, and letterpress would be a great way to play around with that.

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

With my cards in particular, I want to make it feel more personal. I don't like the idea of stocking up with a ton of cheap cards from the dollar store, and working your way through the pile of boringly ambiguous cards as you need them. Cards are supposed to let someone know you're thinking of them, and picking a handmade card just for them contributes to that.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

If you decide to take your hobby from just that to a business, don't get too caught up in the business side of things. Remember that you're doing this because it's what you love. If it's not, you're doing the wrong thing.

Great interview, Ali! I love your thoughts and ideas. Thanks for taking the time to share your creativity with everyone.

To learn more about Ali and see more of her designs, be sure to visit her links below.

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTS

Deer Valley rag quilt throw in Joel Dewberry Fabrics

Melanie of

SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTS

Now isn't that a charming, cozy quilt to cuddle up in!

CLICK ON THE QUILT'S PHOTO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT

WELCOME, Melanie and her SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTS shop on Etsy. I had fun going through Melanie's shop and seeing all the beautiful quilts, and other items which she creates. When you pay a visit to SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTS, you will find a wide selection of delightful quilts, totes and diaper bags, pillows and shams, and much more to choose from. I just love the charming diaper bag shown below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I watched my Grandma make me clothes and costumes as I grew up, I always loved watching her. I would play at her feet while she worked. I actually learned how to sew in Home Ec. class in high school.

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

I decided to learn how to quilt, because I loved snuggling under them, I could just never afford to buy them, so I thought I could learn to do it myself. That's why I try to keep my quilts so affordable, I know others feel the same way.

X-Large Rag Quilt Bag....Diaper Bag...for baby girl

HOW SWEET! GREAT BABY GIFT IDEA!
(CLICK ON ABOVE PHOTO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CHARMING BAG)

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


I love picking out the fabrics. It is my absolute favorite part. I could shop for them all day long. I buy so much fabric, that I never even get around to using, I love it that much

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 pear, but I'm only saying that because its my favorite. Not so crazy about how they taste, I just like the way they look.


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


I used to scrapbook before scrapbooking was cool. I didn't have all the cool things that you can go out and buy now for your scrapbook. I had to make my own. I would stay up all night when my children were babies making their scrapbooks. I haven't touched a scrapbook for 10 years now, but I could definitely take it back up.


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


I don't really have a message to convey. I just like to look at cute stuff.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


I would say to love what you do. If you start to not love it, swap to something else that you do love. There is still a lot of stuff I want to learn to do.

Melanie, your work is truly delightful!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share not only your creations with everyone, but also your thoughts.

Be sure to visit Melanie's links below.

SOUTHERN CHARM QUILTS WEB PAGE

BLOG

TWITTER