FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - DOVE DESIGNS

Christmas Korker Red and Green

by

DOVE DESIGNS

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WELCOME, Jodi and her Etsy shop, DOVE DESIGNS.  When you pay a visit to DOVE DESIGNS, you will find a delightful array of handmade hairbows, clippies, korker bows (such as the one above) headbands and more.

First take a moment to read Jodi's interview below where she gives us a bit of an insight into how she got started creating her designs.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

After having my daughter, I quickly saw how a cute hairbow pulled an entire outfit together. Hair accessories can really make or break an outfit for a little girl. I started designing bows for her and soon I was getting requests from strangers.

Twisted Boutique Bow in Black and Pink

 

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

In my area, bows are more popular than other hair accessories, such as flowers or headbands. My daughter has extremely curly hair and I wanted something that would stay in her hair.

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

I find seeing the finished product to be the most enjoyable part, especially seeing it in someone's hair! I love to see how my bows match different outfits for different girls.

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

I think I'd choose an apple to represent my bows. Apples come in several colors and flavors, just like the different bows I make. I think of my creations as fresh and tart, just like an apple!

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

Another medium I'd choose would be sewing. I love to see custom outfits for children, especially smocking. The creative possibilities with colors and textures are endless. Unfortunately, I'm a terrible seamstress!

Gingerbread Man Christmas Bow

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

The message I'd like to convey is that every little girl can look cute. I try to make bows to represent a wide variety of tastes. Not every girl is a girly-girl in pink. Not every girl likes bling. I want to provide hair accessories that appeal to different personalities and tastes.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I'm still new to Etsy, so I'm still learning what works there! But anyone interested in designing bows should do lots of research and try out different materials to see what appeals to them. And practice, practice, practice!

THANKS, Jodi, for sharing your thoughts and creations with all of us.  May your DOVE DESIGNS prove successful for you!

To see more of Jodi's creations, be sure to visit the links below.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - EMBELLISHED...embrace being unique

WENTZ STUDDED NECKTIE

by Jessica of EMBELLISHED

WELCOME, Jessica and her Etsy shop EMBELLISHED!  If you like to stand out from the crowd and show your uniqueness....be sure to pay a visit to EMBELLISHED to find that perfect accent for any outfit!  You will find ties, hair accents, head bands and more.

Take a moment to learn a bit more about the artist behind this creativity, by reading Jessica's interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always been crafty since I was a child. As a creative person I always needed some form of a creative outlet, something to do with my hands. Last year I lost my job due to a corporate layoff from the economy, I had already been playing around with the idea of an Etsy shop. That weekend I went to the fabric store, stocked up and got to work: sewing, graphic designing, photography; you are a one woman show when you own your own shop!

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


I have wanted to work in fashion since I was 12 years old. So "What to make" was never I question, I knew it would be fabric related. I decided to start off on a smaller scale with headbands and neckties and built the brand so that I can expand when I feel my seamstress skills are up to par.

Swift Cluster Hairclip

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

Hmm..the process of taking an idea in my head and watching it come to fruition. I am influenced by so many things in life, and to be able to draw from all of them and create something unique to put out into the world is really fulfilling.

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


Kiwi! Because they are more unique, and like my brand they are sweet with a tangy rock and roll side. Not to mention they are pretty colored and hail from a warm place!

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


I am actually in that process currently! Because of my shop, I have really fallen in love with photography this last year. I bought my own professional camera late last summer and have been clicking my life away. I get so much feedback on how my consumers love my photos, on my shop and my blog, and have decided to expand Embellished with a photography section. What better to add to a brand than the very thing that provoked its inspiration, right?!


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


Embrace being unique! One of my favorite things about people is how different we all are! I love seeing how different customers add their own spice to my products, it gives them new life that I could never have imagined. A product isn't complete until the customer adds their own spice. I truly believe that every person has their own beauty and they need to embrace it. I love having an opportunity to aid in that philosophy in some way.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Never give up on something that you love! Anytime you work with customers, it is an unstable environment because you are dependant on their life situation just as much as your own...case in point the recent recession. You may feel like your shop is not going somewhere so take a step back, breathe, and see what you have NOT tried yet. My best advice would be to Be Active on the Etsy Forums. It is such a supportive community, and full of sellers who take the time to give you any advice you are looking for, and its a great way to become an involved part of you shop's home.

Thanks, Jessica, for taking the time to share your thoughts and "unique" creative accents with everyone!  I totally agree...we are all unique and we shouldn't be afraid to show our uniqueness!  Your fun creations give people this opportunity!

To learn more about EMBELLISHED, be sure to pay a visit to Jessica's links below.

BLOG

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CRAFTY MAMA DESIGNS

Turquoise and Green Mini Bow Clippies (Set of 3)

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WELCOME, Aviva, and her Etsy shop, CRAFTY MAMA DESIGNS. Aviva's shop offers you a lot of colorful, fun hair clips and bows so your little princesses can always be in style!

Read below, to hear in Aviva's own words what her crafting means to her!

My name is Aviva and I'm a SAHM (stay-at-home mom) getting crafty in my "spare time"- ha! Mostly after the kids' bedtimes and into the wee hours, that is. I pay a lot of attention to detail and offer my crafty creations for affordable prices, because I just have so much fun doing it!

Flip Flop Sandal Hair Bow Holder

(CLICK on the photo above to learn more about this item)

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I never thought of myself as a creative person, but I took a class on jewelry-making 6 years ago and was instantly hooked. I had the bead fever! Then when my daughter was born, I wanted to try my hand at making my own hair clips for her. I quickly caught a case of ribbon fever and my supplies multiplied, so I started selling them to keep up my habit! I love making accessories for her, and the best part is that she loves it too. Now she requests the clips that Mommy made!

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

My daughter’s crazy curly red hair was really the motivating factor! I had to get her to keep the clips in so the hair would stay out of her face. So I got creative and made cute clips that she’d want to wear! Luckily she loves dressup and accessories, and so it wasn’t hard to convince her! She’ll sometimes look through my stash of ribbons and then tells me which ones to use next, so I guess you could call her my muse!

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

I love the creation process, just looking over all my supplies, putting different colors and patterns together, and letting the ideas marinate. Then when the right inspiration hits me, I just start crafting! Also, for a stay-at-home mother of two little ones, there is also something very meditative about being able to focus on a task and actually complete it!

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

I’ll stretch this one and say- fruit salad! I love the summer fruits especially, and I can’t pick just one. I think it’s also very representative of my shop, since it’s a bit of an eclectic mix of the crafts that I enjoy most- from hair clips and bows, to jewelry, to beaded serveware. I like trying new things too, so who knows what’s coming next??

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

I think the next medium for me would be sewing. My talent in this area is pretty much limited to sewing buttons on my husband’s shirts, so I think the next step is taking a class!

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

I like creating things that are fun, whimsical and maybe a little bit funky, and I love trying different color combinations too. My message is to just have fun! I think the accessories we choose to wear can reflect our inner spirit and passion for life- just go for it!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Be true to your own style! I sometimes get caught up in thinking what other people will like, and I’ve learned to just create the things that I like myself. It’s more enjoyable that way, and I think it reflects in my creations as well.

THANKS, Aviva, for a delightful interview! It is a pleasure to have you and your creativity here on DZFANTASY!

To learn more about Aviva and CRAFTY MAMA DESIGNS, be sure to visit the links below.

CRAFTY MAMA DESIGNS BLOG

FACEBOOK

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - WINKELPOTS

Now how adorable is this little model with her carmel apple t-shirt designed by her mom, Holly, whose Etsy is called WINKLEPOTS. Let's hear what Holly has to say about her adorable designs for childrens clothing, and how she got started.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
Over a year ago, I started painting items for my daughter that I couldn't find in the store. Eventually I started painting for friends and decided I'd try to open my own business; and Winklepots was born.

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

Painting seemed easier than trying to learn to sew, honestly. I've been sketching for most of my life, so painting just seemed like the next step.

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

I really enjoy painting. It puts me in this creative calming state. As soon as the first brush stroke hits the fabric, I'm in the zone. It's very stress relieving.

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

A mango. It's pretty gender neutral and a little off the beaten path.

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

Polymer clay art. In fact, I have a lot of it, and have even made ornaments, but that's down the road.

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

It doesn't have to be cutesy in order to put it on your child, nor do you have to follow the mainstream trends in children's fashion. Different is good.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Remember that everyone had to start at the bottom; no one becomes wealthy and famous overnight. When it comes to marketing, you have to work very hard to hardly ever work. Eventually, word of mouth will help but you have to generate the interest and sales first.

Here is Holly's other adorable little model!

Thanks, Holly, for taking the time to share your thoughts and your delightful designs with us. If you are looking for colorful, designs for your children, be sure to visit WINKLEPOTS by clicking on the links below.

WINKLEPOTS BLOG