FEATURED ETSY SHOP - PAINTING PAM AND PAPER TOO

Here's Your Stimulus Package Paper Money Note Cards

by PAINTING PAM

These Paper Money Note Cards are perfect to enclose real money for graduation, anniversaries, birthdays and for those special people in your life.

Measuring 5 3/4" X 8 1/2", the card is formed with beaten abaca fibers and genuine shredded US Currency. The Currency has been hand stirred into the pulp.

WELCOME, Pam and her Etsy shop, PAINTING PAM AND PAPER TOO.  When you pay a visit to Pam's shop you will find delightful offerings of handmade "paper wear jewelry", "frameable paper wall art", "note cards" and more....so be sure to pay a visit.  

First let's learn a little bit more about Pam and how she got started creating her homemade paper items.
 
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
 
I took a hand papermaking course in 1990 at Penland School in NC.

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

This course inspired me to return home and set up my own papermaking studio with a vacuum table to create large paper sculptures.

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

In papermaking, there are many actions which I do which creates a rhythm or dance. There is the noise of the blender, the quietness of the water, the coolness of the water and pulp as I dip my hands and mould/deckle frame in, the pressing new paper on blankets and finally moving my 12 ton hydraulic press out into the driveway. I love all of these.

Ferns Embedded in Hand Made Paper

Framable handmade paper in 8 x 10 matting for easy framing

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

I'm a fruit smoothie, any flavor because I use a blender to chop up the pulp, use many colors of pulp and it's liquidy!!

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

I would be a collage artist because using different types of paper, one glues and pastes all kinds of paper to create an art piece.

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

Hand papermaking is over 300 years old with the origins starting back in China. The process I go through is labor intensive, but buyers will purchase an original note card or stationery with real leaves and/or flowers.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

My advice for artists--Do what you love and love what you do. As an artist, this is my escape from the modern world.

Pam, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and original handmade paper items.

To learn more about PAINTING PAM AND PAPER TOO, be sure to visit the links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP -MIDNIGHTSKYE

8x10 Beautiful Bright Pink Roses

WELCOME, Toryanni and her Etsy shop, MIDNIGHTSKYE. When you pay a visit to MIDNIGHT SKYE, you will not only find beautiful photography, but also a selection of note cards. First, let's learn a little bit more about Toryanni.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making cards when I was 13, because my mom was really interested in scrapbooking, so I started my own scrapbook and progressed to cards. I actually am completely in love with paper and have a ton of it. When I turned 21, my aunt and uncle bought me my first digital camera, so I started snapping pictures of everything. I've gotten alot better at it now then I was before. I really enjoy it because, it's more active then the cardmaking.

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

I went to Joann's and started looking at the papers and the quality of them. Pretty much I like DCWV for my papers, they have the best quality and selection in my opinion.

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

I like putting the things together the most, making the selection of paper and ribbon to go with it. I also like that both photography and cardmaking release stress!

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

I would choose an orange, because it's sweet but kind of tart at the same time! Plus I just really love oranges!

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

I would love to paint or draw because I'm not very good at either one of those, but absolutely love other peoples work.

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

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Keep going! You never know when things may change!

THANKS, Toryanni, for taking the time to share your creativity with everyone! I especially love all your gorgeous flower photography! To find out more about Toryanni and her work be sure to visit her shop and other links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - EVERYBODY ELSE

I love the whimsical look of this artist's drawings. What fun cards!

WELCOME, Melody and her Etsy shop, EVERYBODY ELSE. Read below to learn a bit more about Melody and her creativity!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

All kids draw. When you're in preschool it's a given that you will spend a certain percentage of your life coloring, mostly on things other than paper. Most kids also grow out of that. I became obsessed.


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


Pencil and paper are just so darn convenient. I can draw anywhere. If I'm inspired I don't have to wait. Plus, I draw all the time so it's what I'm best at. I also use photoshop to color my cards, and I just love Photoshop because I can try out so many different ideas in such a short span of time.


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


I'm not sure I could choose! Seeing it all come together is definitely a big high though.


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


A peach, because it's so sweet!


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


Just one?! Probably photography. I love to take photos. I love the way photographing something can let us see it differently.


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


Life is fun! My drawings are almost always people, and they're almost always enjoying themselves. I've tried the angsty, soulful bit and it just doesn't work for me. Once I was in a cafe and I was upset and trying to draw something edgier than I normally do, and a girl in line peeked over my shoulder and cried, "Oh that's so dear!" What can I tell you? It was.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Have your own style. People really latch on to that and want to have more. Sometimes I try to change it up a bit. I'll copy other people's styles or try to do something different. Invariably people say, "But what about YOUR people?" On the other hand, always be growing. My style hasn't changed much since highschool, but it is a lot more polished than even a year ago.

Thanks, Melody, for taking the time to share your thoughts and delightful, whimsical work with us.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - MARY JAYNE CARDS

I'm happy to have Meghan of MARY JAYNE CARDS on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. Meghans' shop offers delightful, handmade cards, and gift tags. After finding out a little bit more about Meghan, by reading her interview below, be sure to stop in at MARY JAYNE CARDS!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

A friend of mine gave me a book that taught me how to make folded cards. Eventually I just combined that book with my love for scrapbooking. I've been making cards for a long time, but I just started selling them this summer.

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

I love to work with paper! Shopping at scrapbooking stores is one of my favorite things to do. It's so much fun to find great patterns and textures. My only complaint is that paper scraps are hard to store.

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

My favorite part of cardmaking is sitting down and making three sets of cards right in a row. It is very relaxing for me. I don't know what it is, it's just such a peaceful thing for me to do. I usually just put in a good movie or CD and start working.

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

My work is like an apple. It's crisp and clear but also sweet!

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

I've tried watercolors before. It'd be fun to try making some pretty cards using that skill. I don't think I'd be able to compete with the fantastic artists on Etsy, though!

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

The message I convey with my craft is simply "hello". I love the warm fuzzy feeling I get when I send (or receive) a card. That's how I want people to feel when they get one of my cards.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

The biggest lesson I have learned so far is to keep it simple. Too often I get carried away with paper and ribbon and buttons. Many times I've had to remind myself that just because something matches perfectly doesn't mean it has to go on the card! I'm not sure if this applies to every craft, but it's certainly true for me.

Meghan, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and creativity out here on DZFANTASY.

Be sure to visit MARY JAYNE CARDS! You never know when you just might need that "special" card to send out.