Showing posts with label fiber arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiber arts. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BLUE BIRDS AND BLOSSOMS


Berries purple pink fuschia warm scarf hand knit
by
Romy

WELCOME, Romy and her Etsy shop BLUE BIRDS AND BLOSSOMS.  When you pay a visit to Romy's shop, you will find not only a wide variety of handknit scarves and neck warmers, but also her delightful, original fine art....STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, LANDSCAPES and more! 

First, let's take a moment to learn a bit more about this talented artist by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?


Like many people I did a lot of arts and crafts when I was a child. I think my mom probably still has some of my childhood drawings from when I was about 5 years old.


In college, I studied earth sciences, never took any art classes, as I was planning to work in the science field. I guess you could say through a twist of fate I wound up working as a photographer. Science became the hobby and art became the career. From there I just kept expanding into different art mediums… photography, painting, fiber arts, etc.

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

I think the mediums choose me. Seems like I'm drawn to them, the creative energy seems to flow through me to whatever medium - like an urge to express that energy.

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

The whole process… from being inspired and coming up with ideas for new pieces, to creating those pieces, and finally hearing from collectors how much they enjoy that artwork in their home makes the circle complete.

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

Had to think about this one… I'd say a wild fruit tree. They grow as part of the local ecosystem and according to the local micro-climate conditions. Wild fruit trees aren't dependant on all the inputs of fertilizer and stuff that a cultivated fruit tree is, they adapt to whatever is available. Times when everything they need is in abundance they give sweet and tasty fruit that you can't find in any store.

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

Probably either clay, mosaics, or landscape design. (Guess I couldn't choose just one - laughing). I enjoy working with my hands and also enjoy working with the earth. When I see a bare patch of ground in the garden I imagine all the beautiful flowers and edibles that can grow in that space.

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

My personal belief is to try to contribute positively to the world in whatever I do. Through my art I try to convey the beauty and simplicity of the natural world… as our lives get more hectic, complicated, and technologically advanced I find myself longing for the simpler things in life. So through art, I try to give the viewer not only a positive place to escape to for a moment, but a space to explore their own personal connection with the natural world.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Believe in your abilities… always keep learning, growing, and experimenting with your art or craft. As far as the business side goes… continue to educate yourself on running a business. Realize that it takes a lot of discipline and perseverance to be self employed, and it takes even greater perseverance to be self employed in the arts field.

GREAT, interview, Romy!  I love how you express yourself, not only in your creative talents, but in your words as well.
 
To learn more about this delightful artist, visit her links below.  Romy has also started "featuring" other artists (myself included), and you can read about them on her blog.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

DZFANTASY'S 6TH WEAR A FAIRY GIVEAWAY "WHIMSICAL CAT" Face Pin

WEAR A "CAT FAIRY" FACE PIN
THIS GIVEAWAY ENDED JANUARY 6, 2009 12:00 midnight CDT
A"WINNING POST" WILL BE ADDED
AS SOON AS I HAVE A "CONFIRMED" WINNER!
and you'll be sure to receive a LOT of compliments
when this delightful kitty goes out and about with you!

This is the 6th fairy face pin in my DZFANTASY'S "WEAR A FAIRY GIVEAWAYS! If you'd like to have the opportunity to win her, please read and follow the GIVEAWAY rules listed below!

RULES:
1. Leave a comment in this post.

2. Leave your FIRST NAME, and your EMAIL or a LINK which allows me to get in contact with you, should you be the lucky winner.

THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT!!

START DATE: DECEMBER 6, 2008

END DATE: JANUARY 6, 2009, 12:00 Midnight CDT

PRIZE: 1

OPEN: Worldwide

VALUE: $20.00

The WINNER's name will be randomly chosen from all entries submitted up until the closing date of January 6, 2009, Midnight, CDT

Winner will be contacted via EMAIL, and will have 5 days in which to respond to my email. WINNER may contact me at my email: dzfairies@msn.com

If WINNER does not respond within the stated timeframe, I will randomly select another winner from the remaining entries.


A BIT ABOUT THE "CAT FAIRY" FACE PIN!

She measures approximately 1.75" x 1.75". I took a couple of photos of her against a jacket to give a better idea of her size. The photo at the top of the page is a close-up of her.


Her face is 100% silk, which I individually hand-drew, needle-sculpted and hand-painted. Her ears are part of the face and are also 100% silk, which I hand-painted...they are lavender with tiny polka dots. Each ear has a 4mm Swarovski crystal hand sewn into the center of it. She also has several Swarovski crystals sewn into her hair (center top between her ears).

Her coloful hairdo was designed from an Italian yarn which is a mixture of soft wispy "eyelash", and "poofs" of color. Her eyes and lips have a coat of crystal clear lacquer, which gives her a very "life-like" look and shine. The entire face has been sprayed with a matte finish sealer, so you don't have to worry about it running or smearing.




The pin's back is a circular piece of texturized brass to which the face and the pin's clasp have been cemented to.



Be sure to check out my other free "GIVEAWAYS", which I currently have running on DZFANTASY. All giveaways are listed in the right hand column of my blog. All you need to do is CLICK on the photo of the giveaway to get to the giveaway post.



GOOD LUCK!!











Wednesday, December 3, 2008

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BLACK MUSTARD - Fiber Arts

WELCOME, Joline and her Etsy shop, BLACK MUSTARD - Fiber arts!! Right now in Wisconsin the weather is perfect for some of Joline's lovely knitted and crocheted creations! At BLACK MUSTARD you will find delightful wrist warmers like the ones shown above, head bands, neck warmers, cowels and more. I even noticed a charming "felted vase" in her shop!

To find out more about Joline and her creations, be sure to not only visit her BLACK MUSTARD shop on Etsy, but to visit her other links listed below the interview.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My mom taught me to knit about 3 years ago. I'd been wanting to learn for a few years prior to that, but had been very intimidated by the whole thing. Since then, I've been knitting obsessively, for myself, for gifts, and since last year, for sale in my Etsy shop.

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

Knitting is about the only thing that is enjoyable and relaxing enough for me that I want to do it all the time. I've met a lot of great people through my local fiber artists guild and online networking, and keep getting turned on to new things to do with fiber. I'm basically going deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, and I love it! Knitting led to needle-felting and spinning, and next up for me will be dyeing fiber.

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

The tactile experience of fiber and yarn is a big one. It is so satisfying to squish a brand new ball of yarn or a fluffy bunch of spinning fiber. Also, I really love being able to make something functional and beautiful out of what is basically string! I can't wait to get into playing with color, as I learn to dye fiber!

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

I'd say an heirloom tomato. I had the pleasure of trying these recently, and they are so flavorful and amazing! I thought, “this is what a tomato is supposed to taste like!” In the sea of mass-produced and generic “stuff” out there, I would hope that my work (and all the wonderful handmade work available on Etsy) would stand out as “the real deal”.

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

Well, I'm also a musician - I guess that's a creative medium. I've loved singing since I was a child, and I've been playing flute and guitar for about 14 and 12 years respectively. I love to write music and perform in coffee shops and such, usually with my brother (who is also a very talented musician). We teach guitar lessons out of our homes and dream of opening a music center someday.

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

I guess I just want to help add weight and momentum to this whole "Handmade Movement" - to show people the value in handmade crafts and the individual, as opposed to rock bottom prices and the corporations. I’ve made some great connections with other artists on Etsy and elsewhere online, and I’m so excited to see people who support and encourage each other instead of viewing each other as “competition”. It allows us all to breathe a little easier and not feel like we have to watch our backs all the time. I’m also big on being mindful of my impact on the world and the environment, which is why I make a point of finding environmentally friendly and humane sources for my wool and materials wherever possible.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Be true to yourself and do what you enjoy. Don’t try to get in on the fads at the expense of creating what you really love, because that will show in your work. Do what you love, take stellar photos and promote your work well… and the customers who will appreciate you will find you. Also, reach out and get to know others involved in your particular craft! They can be a huge source of support, information and inspiration.

Joline, thanks for a great interview! I'm sure you will go far with whatever you choose to do. In the meantime....keep on knitting your lovely creations.




BLOG

FLICKR

RAVELRY

INDIEPUBLIC