SPRING FLING PART II - If you are looking for SPRING, you'll find it on ETSY!

SPRING FLING - PART II

Come join me in the second series of delightful, colorful spring items from a collection of shops on ETSY. Whether you live in an area where it finally looks like spring has sprung, or you live in a warm climate all year long, I'm sure you will enjoy what the following shops have to offer.

This is SPRING FLING - PART II. I will have a SPRING FLING III out here in the next week or two. ENJOY!!

Girls' Peach Gown with Ruffled Overskirt and Gold Accents, Size 4

SHOP: Needful Things of Salem
Baby items, children clothes, stuffed animals and more

SKETCHY PETALS PRINT

SHOP: ALISHA VERNON

Sketchy petal prints and abstract prints

Crochet Necklace--3 Tiered Bright Amber Yellow with Bead

SHOP: SUMPIN ELSE

Handcrafted custom gifts, journals, cards, boxes, frames and more

Garden Green Floral White and Brown Spring Flowers DiY Adjustable Silver Tone Circle Ring

SHOP: SPARKLE ME

Rings (Kawaii, gothic, elegant, geekery) necklaces, magnets and more

GISELLE NECKLACE
SHOP: KRISTEN ANN
Earrings, Necklaces and Bangles

Flower Photo Note Card Sets

SHOP: PAST PERFECT
Fine art photo prints and cards

Handpainted Original Puzzle Charm SPRING DELIGHT

SHOP: PIECES OF ME by LMG DESIGN

Jewelry, Charms, stationery

Daisy the Any Occasion messenger dog
SHOP: WISH WITH ME
Soft sculpted dolls, animals, crocheted bags

TWEET TWEET BIRDIES

SHOP: COTTAGE DAY DREAMS

Handmade cottage-style tablecloths, aprons, comforters, quilts, pillows and more

DARLIN DIVAS Hand Painted Wooden Wall Letters shown in Storybook font

SHOP: POSH DOTS

Custom, Handpainted Wooden Letters and Decor

Paper Crochet Single Egg Holder

SHOP: MY THETA

Crochet and Fiber Goods

Iris Flower Art-Turn the Tide

SHOP: ALL KINDS OF ART

Artwork, Pins/Jewelry, Purses, Fiber Baskets and more

Diane, Her Iris Vase and Her Dog - set of 5 magnets

SHOP: TAMER HAMMER

Whimsical paintings, greeting cards, magnets and more

Mesh Cap with Flower - Ivory - Newborn to Child Sizes - Perfect Spring or Summer Cap
SHOP: CHARBRIDGE KNITS AND GIFTS
Fun, whimsical handmade knits for kids of all ages

Scrabble Tile Pendant - Bunny Rabbits and Carrot

SHOP: SQUARES OF FLAIR

Scrabble Tile Pendants

SPRING BIRDHOUSE

SHOP: PURPLE SMURPLE

Handpainted items

Kiwi - ceramic necklace

SHOP: 3 SQUARES

JEWELRY: Metal necklaces, glass necklaces, earrings and more

IMPRESSION

SHOP: DIAMOND SEEDS

Unique handcrafted Jewelry

Silver Filigree Leaf Spring Necklace blue green pink antiqued

SHOP: UNORIGINAL SINNER

Unique Clockwork Steampunk Bohemian Victorian Jewelry

Give Me A Boost Frog Vase

SHOP: LISA D. POTTERY

Raku Pottery

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - GOVANGO

5 x 7 embroidered OWL ART PRINT It's okay to be geeky

When you visit VAN, and her GOVANGO shop on Etsy, you will find a wide selection of "print your own" cards, collage, stationery and a lot more cute, fun items. If you want something customized....Van, will be very happy to work with you!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I think going to college and being immersed in the art/music/fashion scene was a big influence on me. That college atmosphere is where you see what's really fresh and for some reason, "kawaii" was a big deal. Kawaii is really... anything that's cute! And I loved that! And as a graphic design student with a solid background on design and illustration, it was only natural for me to fall into the handmade, DIY thing. I was making fun stuff like posters and cards when I wasn't slaving away on school projects. It all started in college for me really.

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

I work with primarily paper and ink or felt. As a designer, I've learned to appreciate paper and ink. It was the first and easiest medium to get my hands on and since most of my work starts out digital anyway, its only fitting. Over the summer though, I've also fallen in love with felt as well because its so easy to work with and the possibilities with it are endless! I love to sew by hand. I liked these two mediums because they are very different from one another. One is very crisp and straightforward, while the other is very textural. I can never stick to just one medium. I like contrast when I'm working on projects.

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

When I'm done! Hah. I love to admire my own handiwork at the end of the process. If its not that, I suppose its at the very beginning when I'm thinking of all the possibilities I have in creating something. I like sitting down, looking at all of my supplies and thinking of what I can do with it.

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

Probably a strawberry because its small and sweet and alot of my things are small and sweet. Strawberries can be kind of funny looking too and I like to add a little humor to some of my work.

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

Fabric. I'd love to learn how to screenprint fabric for artwork or actually make bags or clothes or something out of it. I've been interested in surface design for awhile as well and would love to make print designs for fabric.

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

If you're gonna be cute, be seriously cute.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Keep loving what you do and never forget about why you're doing it.

Thanks, Van, for sharing your thoughts, and fun creativity with everyone.
To learn more about Van and her art, visit the links below.

BLOG

TWITTER

FLICKR

FACEBOOK

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - EGYPT MACHINE by SARA MACIAS

Vanilla dream high waisted pencil skirt

by Sara

LETS WELCOME, Sara and her Etsy shop EGYPT MACHINE. As you will read below, Sara started sewing and creating at a very young age, and she is still following this dream. When visiting Sara's shop you will find skirts, dresses and more!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started back in high school, recycling old band shirts to look better. I didn't have a lot of money to constantly buy new stuff all the time, so making old stuff new seemed like the thing to do. I actually began Elegy Ink as a junior in high school. I wanted to earn money, because at the time no one would hire me anywhere, lol. ..so I began making simple clothes and accessories and I'm still doing it to this day.

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

Clothes are something I was just better at making than other crafts. So that's what I stuck with.

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

To me making clothes is the most fun, I enjoy using different fabrics, and techniques for decor. The end result is always the best part.

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

I would choose a pomegranate, because its beautiful and interesting looking like my clothes.

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

If I had to chose one other craft it would be to make bags/purses. I'm really becoming a bag person lately, and I would like to make crazy ones from recycled goods and just expand my creative outlet.

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

Be loud, interesting, bold, and original.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you know, and do what you love. Being happy is key, and if you can make a buck off it even better!

Sara, thanks for sharing your thoughts and creativity with everyone. I'm sure you will always be looking ahead to see what you can create.

To find out more about Sara and her creations, visit her links below.

MY SPACE

New "SPRING FAIRY" showing off her new hat!

SPRING FAIRY

This little fairy was so happy with her new spring hat, decorated with silk flowers and Swarovski crystals, she insisted that she come out here on DZFANTASY to show it off. She is a very cheerful little creature and is sure to make you smile.


If you'd like to see more of her,and learn more about her....just click on either of her photos!

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BIRD AND FLOWER DESIGN

KAYE

Kaye is a handmade paper-doll angel. She is made from card-stock, colored pencils, and scrapbook paper.Her dress has two apron pockets made from vellum printed with dragon flies. In the top pocket: is a heart that says "true". In the apron pocket are three cards, "inspiration" "confidence" and "abundance"

WELCOME, Elaine and her Etsy shop BIRD AND FLOWER DESIGNS. I happened across Elaine and her magical "paper dolls" when adding her Etsy mini to my DZFANTASY blog. I asked her if she'd like to be a "featured artist", and here she is!! Be sure to visit BIRD AND FLOWER DESIGNS, where you will find her unique paper dolls (angels, mermaids....), paintings, affirmation cards, ACEO artist cards and more.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

On Etsy, I mostly sell paper dolls, but I am led by the things I learn that catch my interest. I like to take the skills I’ve learned and the things that excite me, and mix them together. I love working with materials, supplies, paper, and found objects. To be making, creating that is important.

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

I have created paper dolls since I was a little girl. I used to set up a TV tray as my studio. I always knew I was an artist. I used to play with scraps under my mom’s sewing table. I loved making colored circles on the wall. It seems like the mediums were coming to me, in a way choosing me. A teacher once gave me crayons, the school nurse showed me acrylics, I once bought a piece of shrink plastic and carried it around for years before it later became a book. My mom taught me how to crochet. The other mothers where I liveD taught embroidery, and sewing. It seems so natural from time to time to combine these things together.

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

I love it when the idea is finished. The energy around it crescendos and I have a finished piece. I also love the birth of an idea. I get a vision of something and the idea challenges me to bring it into existence the same or better than it is in my mind. I guess I love the whole creative process.

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

I would choose a mixed fruit tray or a cornucopia. I feel my work is “bountiful”.

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

Sorry, I can’t just pick one. I’m driven by curiosity, healing and love, and I do whatever to channel that goodness.

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

I want people to experience serendipity. I like the idea that people come across my work, and at the same time I feel I am looking for a place to let my work shine. I want to be a messenger that good things are coming, someone loves you and there is hope. I want to inspire.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I think the power of your work is in having your own vision. There is no right or wrong way to go. Selling lots of items is not the only kind of success. Ask your art work where it wants to go.

THANKS, Elaine, for a truly delightful insight into what makes you the wonderful "artist" that you are. Loved your answers! To learn more about Elaine and her work be sure to visit the links below.

WEB PAGE

BLOG

FLICKR