FEATURED ETSY SHOP - "terrabella"

Popoyo - Long Strand Coconut Necklace

by Sheila of "terrabella"

WELCOME, Sheila and her Etsy shop, "terrabella"!  Sheila's shop is a "must visit", where you will find not only unique, exqusite designed jewelry made from wood, coconut, and gemstones, but also exotic leathers goods, baskets and more.  All of these delightful creations are handmade in Nicaragua.

It is always interesting and fun to learn a bit about the artist who creates the work, so let's read Sheila's interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My grandmother has been a jeweler for over 30 years. My grandmother, mother, and I all moved to Nicaragua around 1995. I became her apprentice. I learned from her and was inspired to begin my own creations and open various retail stores.. Today I am still her apprentice and she is an inspiration and a mentor (also my neighbor).

We are now four generations of jewelry designers -- my 7 year old daughter is the fourth generation in learning how to work with mixed mediums.

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

Semi precious stones, gold and silver were necessary in order to fit in to the retail jewelry store. Since we are in Nicaragua, the tourist market led me to begin experimenting with other mediums like wood and exotic leather. I love the combination of exotic and natural materials. Everyday I find new inspirations in my surroundings and am always looking for new ways to offer variety in textures and styles. "terrabella" has given me the opportunity to experiment with these natural mediums.

Pine Needle Basket

by Shelia of "terrabella"

These intricate baskets are woven by hand utilizing the needles of the pine tree, and can take up to week to make. Two beaded flowers made of dried seed accent two sides of the basket.

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

The inspiration and gratification I receive every time I create a new piece.

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

Avocado. It has different textures and colors. It can be combined with different ingredients and used in multi-cultural dishes.

Mango - Solid Wood Keepsake Box with Cluster of Jade,

Smoky Quartz, Lime Citrine and metal Charm

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

Clothing. Accessories are usually worn to complement an outfit. It would be a true adventure for me to create the entire outift.

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

Enjoy life and the wonders of nature!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Focus on what you love, fulfills and inspires you.

Thanks, for a great interview, Sheila!  It was fun getting to know you and see your wonderful creations!

If you'd like to see more of Sheila's work, and learn more about them, be sure to visit her links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP- LILYJA

ENCHANTED

by

LILY

WELCOME, Lily and her ETSY shop LILYJA. Lily has some very unique and gorgeous creations in her shop...including a variety of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more. Be sure to pay LILYJA a visit. First, lets learn a bit about Lily.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?


During my teens, I really loved to wear jewelry and I remember one time buying a pair of earrings and knowing deep inside that one day I'd make jewelry myself.


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


I've painted ever since I can remember, and I take photographs, and also make jewelry. I think it’s the need to feel the material with my hands that led me to put the emphasis on jewelry, plus the joy in doing something and seeing it brings happiness to someone else.


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


I love the moment an idea is showing itself in my mind's eye, I love that exciting moment… inspiration I think its called.


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


I would choose Artichoke! I don't know why, but it’s the first association that came to me.


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


Aside from photography, I think it would be sculpturing, because of the feel of the material.


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


I hope the world will forgive me for not thinking about it. I don't think about my art, I just bring it out.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


I think the best advice is the one I got – DO ! Just keep on doing, and follow your heart. The rest will follow.

Lily, I loved having you here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. Your work is truly beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - MOOSEWINKS by Barbara Berry

Crocus Blooms Freeform Peyote Stitch Beaded Necklace

Closeup of Crocus Blooms Necklace

When Barb, of MOOSEWINKS on Etsy sent me the link to her favorite item in her shop, for her feature on DZFANTASY, all I could say is WOW!! This necklace is absolutely stunning....what a beautiful blend of colors and textures!! This is not the only item in Barb's shop that will make you say WOW, so be sure to pay MOOSEWINKS a visit.

Let's find out a bit more about Barb and how she turned her artistic talents into creating her beautiful jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always loved creating. As a little girl I made my own paper people including little pocket beds for them to sleep in. Anytime I was able to draw, make potholders, or even mud houses in the dirt I was happy. My father loved to paint and my mother is not very artistic but really encouraged all four of her children to express themselves through music, art or dance. I took art classes in elementary school and was selected for a special Saturday program at the Delaware Art Museum. I loved art classes in high school, but was terrified that college art would force me into a mold I didn’t want to be stuck in. I refused to take art classes and was not very happy with the other courses I took. I dropped out and moved to Cambridge. After a year of waitressing in Boston, I ended up returning to the University of Delaware and taking my first art course in my junior year. From then on I crammed all the art I could get into my schedule and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts. I started substitute teaching after graduation and found out I really liked teaching. So through a series of events I ended up going back and pursuing another degree in Art Education. I love teaching art, but it did not satisfy my need to create. One summer I took a week long workshop at Bennington College with Tory Hughes teaching on polymer clay. I couldn’t get enough! I stayed up every night until about 2 am making stuff. I knew I was an artist at the end of that week. Since then I’ve been perfecting my techniques and exploring bead and jewelry making. I exhibit in several craft shows and I have had my work in galleries. Becoming a mom later in life has changed my way of working. I have another priority these days. I still create jewelry, but not the quantity that I used to. I am still teaching middle school art which is fun but demanding.

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

Once I took the workshop in Bennington, I fell in love with the possibilities of polymer clay. I dabble in quilting, drawing and painting, but I seem to always come back to the world of polymer clay.

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

As a teacher, I am surrounded by children all day long. When I come home I am taking my son to activities, having his friends over and spending time with him. I still have to make dinner, do dishes, and all the other things that we all need to do! When I am working on my jewelry I get into another world and often I am alone. I need the solace and find that just having that quiet time to myself (when I can get it) is a treasure in itself. I really enjoy the proces of working with the clay. Making canes and shaping beads is full of new discoveries constantly. Pouring my beads onto a tray and choosing colors is the beginning of a new design for a piece of jewelry. I never know exactly what it will look like until I am finished. Displaying my work and hearing the comments of my customers usually inspires me to make new works.

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

My work is most like a mixed berry concoction. Lots of sweet color and many individual roundish parts. And how can I resist a berry when it is my last name?

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

I am so intrigued by beautiful pastel paintings I’ve seen. I would love to try working in them. I am especially drawn to landscapes in pastel.

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

I hope that others see the joy I find in creating beautiful objects. I have been told I have a good sense of color, and I do like to work with bright “happy” colors. I want people who look at my artwork to smile. I want women who wear my jewelry to feel beautiful when they are wearing Moosewinks Jewelry.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I’ll give the advice that has been given to me over and over. Make what you love, and someone else will love it too.

Barb, I'm so happy to have come upon your very creative, beautiful jewelry, and that you took the time to share your thoughts, ideas, and work with everyone.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - THE SPEECE COLLECTION

Bracelet Nesting Pretty Pearls, Lavender

by Pat

There is so much detail in the beautiful bracelet by Pat from The Speece Collection, that I have put the close-up photo and another photo showing the whole bracelet. What a gorgeous creation! One can tell that a lot of time went into its creation.

Let's welcome Pat, and her Etsy shop The Speece Collection! When you pay a visit to Pat's shop you will find some very exquisite creations ranging from earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more. Read below to learn a little bit about Pat and her work.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Rocks, jewelry, rocks, jewelry......As a kid, I collected and saved my rocks mainly from the field behind my house, carefully saving them in an old bucket. I spent many afternoons dipping each rock into a pan of water and admiring the colors and patterns. Later, jewelry took over as an interest, and finally matured into the realization that a lot of jewelry is made from gems and minerals, and rocks --- all solid earth creations. Now I could work with both interests. But how? I joined a rockhound group, and during one of the shows, a friend was demonstrating how to make jewelry. I stood transfixed, admiring his ability and creations. He said, "Pat, you can do this!"Really? Yes... and so I did.

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

After working with clay, jewelry components were light-weight, small, dry, and I could wear the outcome! I could also work in the house on cold days.

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

I love looking at a pile of components and turning that into something beautiful. The entire process is satisfying, and I feel really good with the final results. If I don't, it's back to the drawing board until I am very happy with the outcome. When I think I might be done with a piece, I ask myself what can I do to make it better. When I answer that question, and act on it, then I know it is finished and ready for someone else. That is the most fulfilling feeling!

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

A peach. They are beautiful, tasty, filling and satisfying. I like to think my customers are happy and very satisfied with their piece, the piece that fills a need to complete their outfit.

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

I would choose clay sculpture. I've done this in the past. Clay is forgiving of mistakes in that you can just wipe them out and go forward until the piece looks right and wonderful in all its parts as well as in total. Sculpture allows changing directions in the middle of the process, as does making jewelry. Since color is not involved, it is possible to concentrate on form only.

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

I want them to realize that the piece was made with great care, and that it shows. When one of my pieces arrives at its destination, I want the buyer to open the mailing box, slip off the ribbon and note, and with happy anticipation, lift off the lid of the gift box, and have a big grin on their face, and exclaim "Wow!".

What advice to you have for other artists/crafters?

I would advise others to find the creative outlet that satisfies them. Something that is enjoyable in every step of the way, that the challenges are not insurmountable, and that greatly satisfies them.

Pat, thanks again, for sharing, and for a really great interview! Your work is beautiful, and one can tell that you really love what you do...your creations certainly reflects it.