FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CRYSTAL'S IDYLL

CANDY CANE ELF HAT

by CRYSTAL

(TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS WHIMSICAL HAT CLICK ON IT'S TITLE ABOVE)

"I machine felted a red and white 100% wool sweater, then sewed it into a pointed pixie hat of my own design. There are earflaps to keep you warm, with overlong ties that can be made into a bow or wrapped around to warm you neck. The tip of the hat is ornamented with 5 streamers. Three of them end in snowflakes I hand crocheted from cotton thread and starched to shape, the other two end in brass bells. More bells are sewn to the end of the ties to jingle all the way."

WELCOME, Crystal and her Etsy shop CRYSTAL'S IDYLL.  Be sure to pay a visit to CRYSTAL'S IDYLL where you will find unique fantasy accoutrements ranging from delightful hats, bags, jewelry and more!
 

 

Stardust and Memories Victorian Garden Locket

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
 
A surfeit of time with my kids in school and a surfeit of fabric in my stash got me started.


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

I'll try anything that catches my creative eye. Sometimes it doesn't work. You'll notice I have no paper products or drawing of any kind in my shop.

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

I love looking at a finished product and knowing I did that.

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

Pomegranate, somewhat exotic, full of beautiful jewels and either you love them or you hate them.

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

I would love the ability to write fiction. Stories in my head don't translate onto paper.

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

Life is fun! Let your imagination run away with you and enjoy the trip.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Find your own niche and fill it. Don't try to copy what's popular.

Thanks, Crystal, for giving everyone a "peek" into your thoughts and creativity!   One can tell from your whimsical creations that you do enjoy life, and the magic that can be found when we use our imaginations.
 
To see more of Crystals creations, click on her links below:
 

CRYSTAL'S IDYLL WEBPAGE

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LYDIA KRUPINSKI OF PIEROGI PICNIC

Strawberry Siesta ReVamped Eco Dress

by Lydia

of

PIEROGI PICNIC
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...all while being fashionable in this one-of-a-kind ReVamped Dress!

(CLICK on photo to learn more about this dress)

WELCOME, Lydia and her delightful "revamped" clothing creations which she sells in her Etsy shop, PIEROGI PICNIC. I just spent some time browsing through Lydia's shop, and you can just feel the "energy and fun" that comes through in each of her designs. Her use of upcycled goods is quite amazing and innovative. Be sure to pay PIEROGI PICNIC a visit after reading Lydia's interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

From an early age I was dreaming up little projects. My mother has a Polaroid somewhere of some dolls I had outfitted with toilet paper dresses...that seems to be the earliest indication of my love for whimsical crafting. When I was in elementary school I was called into the principal's office for selling handmade jewelry on the playground...entrepreneurship was not something that was encouraged at the time. I continued to collect, sew, design, draw, and create as an adolescent. The years passed, I went to college, got married, developed a career, and then, was suddenly laid off. In my new-found free time I became reacquainted with my love of design and with the insistence of my hubby...Pierogi Picnic was born!

Popsicle Falls Darling Eco Shirt Dress M

This adorable frock is the perfect piece with which to celebrate the warmer weather! Pieced together from a reclaimed top and men's dress shirt, this dress has a modern edge and vintage charm.

(CLICK on photo above to learn more about this dress)

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

Decided? I have yet to decide! This is perhaps the most difficult thing for me. I am a media maker by trade, artist by night, singer by earshot, and crafter by day. I have a terrible time streamlining my creative energy. Pierogi Picnic focuses on recycled textiles because I have an obsession with color, texture, and sustainability. I love the way fabrics feel, and the way they flow when you walk, but I also love knowing that what I make is created from materials that someone else has used in the past. I'm not purchasing new fabrics, but re-using those that are abandoned by other consumers.

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

Discovery! Be it finding the perfect cotton men's shirt with which to make a dress, or concocting a new design...the flow from find to idea is one of the most rewarding aspects of my biz. It's also exciting when others discover my creations.

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

That's a hard one. My cat's name is Tomato so I feel inclined to choose that...but I will have to say Basil. I know it's an herb and all, but it's green, easy to grow, fresh and invigorating...all the things I want Pierogi Picnic to be!

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

The moving image. Before craft came into my life I was making videos. From childhood I would write scripts, make puppets, and with the help of my father's camcorder, make films with special effects and the like. I went to art school and focused on film and video but found that abstract media production doesn't pay the bills. So I've set my creativity to the side and worked commercially in the field.

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

Choosing to live a conscious lifestyle doesn't mean you have to eat flavorless granola and wear post-consumer mules. You can be stylish, sustainable, sassy and make a difference in the world around you!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Creativity is the spice of life! Don't allow the mundaneness of daily life to prevent you from harnessing your creative abilities and sharing them with the world!

THANKS, Lydia for taking the time to share your fun, one-of-a-kind clothing. Great interview!

If you'd like to see more of Lydia's creations, learn more about Lydia, be sure to visit her links below.

BLOG

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - AISLE 3 STUDIO

I was quite amazed when I saw what this artist could create using recycled items!! WOW, that is quite incredible! That just proves there is no limit to what one can do if we use our imaginations!

Deborah is a part-time art teacher, and artist who lives in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm happy to have Deborah and her creations out here on DZFANTASY as a "featured artist". After learning a bit about Deborah and her unique designs, be sure to visit her Etsy shop - AISLE 3 STUDIO.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I've loved Art ever since I was a little kid watching my dad draw with chalk pastels in his makeshift studio in the garage. I took classes throughout school in ceramics, photography, metals, painting...you name it, I took an art class in it! I became an Art Teacher and maintained my love for creating! I'm always trying to do something different and unique that is funky yet functional. Really, I'm aware that my art can be a little weird but I create mostly for me and hope that someone else out there will like it too.

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

Being an Art Teacher, like every other Art Teacher I know, naturally, I find it difficult to stick with one medium and one way of doing something. When I chose to start selling on Etsy I wanted to do a couple of things; 1. do something different, and 2. use recycled materials. While living in Northern Virginia, I began making these photo sculptures that used textures and colors. When I looked at my cereal box every morning, I began seeing textures and colors! I came up with a system that would make the petals I cut sturdy enough to form a functioning bowl or wall hanging.

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

I love feeling innovative. Lets face it, we live in a world where most of the time people are praised for following directions and going mainstream. I feel lucky that my job encourages my creative side to shine. I'm inspired by my students when they create something new and feel so accomplished. I love taking that inspiration home with me and putting that energy into becoming innovative in my own Art!

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

Hmm, I would have to say a Pineapple! It just so happens to be my favorite fruit, but is also pointy on the outside, like the edges of my sculptures and has a bold sweet flavor inside.

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

Ceramics, totally! One day I would love to open my own ceramics studio. I just love the feel of clay and all you can do with it. I toured a pottery studio when I was in Atlanta visiting Amnieva (also on Etsy), and just loved the atmosphere in this studio. Clay was everywhere, people were throwing pottery. It's such a flexible material. I tend to think 3 Dimensionally so I love ceramics.

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

I want to show my ability to see the beauty in everyday things that others might not have ever considered. I also want to show that you can still be an Artist and a creative individual when using recycled materials.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what YOU like, not what you THINK others will like. I have made some serious crap trying to come up with what I thought others would want to buy. The thing is, that's never going to work or make you happy. I think people can tell if you like what you do or make. It shows in your work.

Thanks, Deborah for sharing your ideas and creativity with us. I know when I look at cereal boxes I will see them in a new light after seeing what you can create with them! You can see more of Deborah's work by clicking on the links below.

AISLE 3 STUDIO BLOG