FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ANITA CRAFTY CREATIONS - Sweet Treat Your Body

Now doesn't that look "yummy"...! Can you believe it is soap? Now you can enjoy your "sweet tooth" without worrying about whether it is good for you or not! Just visit ANITA CRAFTY CREATIONS on Etsy, and indulge yourself and your body with all the delightful creations that Anita has to offer. There you will find bath bombs, scrubs, soaps, lip balms and more! You'll LOVE her creativity!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I've always been a crafter! But back in 03 my son's skin wasn't reacting right to commercial products and I had to either buy it or make it! So here we are!

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

I'm a sweet head! I love cakes and candies and anything that can give me a cavity. So I figured I would do my crafts surrounding that. Give the illusion of products that are so sinful to eat and make it so, that you can use them and not worry about calories!

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

That I can be creative as I want to be. When I first started I thought I would get dozens of messages a day on how someone wanted a particular item to look, due to the way I describe it, but I don't! People see and respect that I have a creative flow and they love it! I love getting orders and someone say's "do what you do best because I know it's going to look great", I faint, lol. Having that creative feeling is what I enjoy the most.

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

Hmmm, wow! I would have to choose a Honeydew Melon! Once you get to the inside of it, it's bright, it's flavorful, it's fun, cute and sassy. You can make it into so many shapes and creations and that's me! I love that I can be that versatile.

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

I would say Photography. I love the different feelings you can get from different photo's and they way you can capture any emotion. I think I was one in my former life.

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

Have fun in life! Life is not always promised, so enjoy it!!! If you wanna eat that piece of cake and your on a diet, go for it! If you want that extra cookie, go for it!! My products are all about fun, using your imagination and stepping away from the "same ole, same ole". So go out and live, live to the fullest!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

DO what you do because you love it. Yes it may pay a bill or two and buy you that new outfit, but never loose your passion just because of money. There are some people who would give anything to be able to have a creative bone and we being those creators, have to keep that love and passion in our products all the time. Anything else, it's extra.

Anita, thanks for sharing your colorful, delightful bath and beauty products with everyone! What fun! Treat yourself and pay a visit to ANITA CRAFTY CREATIONS by clicking on the links below.

FLICKR

ANITA'S SWEET TREAT CRAFTS

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SOUTHERN PLEASURES

I'm delighted to welcome Tenisha and her shop SOUTHERN PLEASURES as a featured Etsy shop out here on DZFANTASY. Everyone loves soaps, and I continue to be amazed at all the variety and shapes offered on Etsy. Be sure to visit SOUTHERN PLEASURES to see what delightful soaps are available for your enjoyment! SOUTHERN PLEASURES offers Essential Oil Soaps, Fragrance Oil Soaps, Lip Balms and more!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I first became acquainted with handcrafted soap when I was a member of a popular message board on the net for women. One of the members there started a thread about some Christmas soaps she had made. I remember looking in awe at the beautiful soaps she created and started to question if she really made them. I honestly thought soap was something only major companies were capable of doing. From that point onward I became very interested in learning how I could also make soap. Reflecting back on this, I was looking for something to occupy my time as I had just moved to a new city and didn't know anyone. Soap making seemed like it could be a fun process to pass the time. In several months, I did a lot of research on how to make soap while I made batches. A lot of what I did in the beginning was really a lot of trial and error with many failed batches as a result.

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

Once I got the basic skills down, I started to research advanced techniques and tried to implement them. The more I practiced what I was learning, the better my skills became. I always wanted to swirl soap because it looked really cool. What I failed to realize at the time it's not an easy task initially. Eventually things started to flow on their own as I gained experience. Lately I find myself inspired with texturizing soaps to create interesting patterns.

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

I love designing soap with many bright colors just as much as I enjoy creating essential oil blends to scent the soap with. There are just so many limitless combinations one can do. Plus colorful soaps in my shower keep me happy.

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

Soap making to me can be compared to a bowl of grapes. No matter what season, you can almost always find fresh grapes to enjoy. Soap is a personal care product that is always in season because it's a basic necessity. The grapes on a vine resemble all the different varieties of soaps one can create for others to enjoy.

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

Definitely an art museum. I say this because there are so many talented soap makers in the world who blow my mind with their creativity with colors and patterns. Many have shattered this industry and gone beyond the norm when it comes to conventional soap making. I have surprised myself within the realm that I have progressed to within the past couple of years. Soap to me is a major art form while at the same time still being functional.

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

Continue to support handmade items and their creators. Much time and planning has gone into the creation of their items. Handcrafted soap is truly a luxury. If you haven't tried it at some point you really are missing out!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Always strive to create the best product or item you possibly can. Don't cut any corners to sacrifice quality. Believe wholeheartedly that your product is the best of the best. Have confidence in yourself, don't be afraid to take a risk to try something new.

Thanks, Tenisha, for sharing your thoughts and wonderful products with us. Don't forget now....pay a visit to SOUTHERN PLEASURES by clicking on the links below.

TRUNKT

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