FEATURED ETSY SHOP - AGERATUM JEWELRY by DONNA

Amethyst Elegance Necklace with a Fiery Spark

AGERATUM JEWELERY

by DONNA

The gorgeous amethyst necklace shown above is only one of the many beautifully designed pieces of jewelry that you will find when you visit Donna's Etsy shop, AGERATUM!  Donna has a huge selection of necklaces, earrings, earring/bracelet sets and more, so be sure to stop by for a visit.  Here you will find some great gift ideas, and also great savings.  AGERATUM is offering a "holiday sale" through December 15th!!  Don't miss out!

To find out a bit more about this delightful jewelry artist, read her interview below.

What led you to creating your art/craft?

I've always been inclined to make things myself and have done many kinds of crafts. One day, while visiting our kids in MA, we girls decided that to visit a shop and make our own necklace/etc. would be fun. I have been stringing ever since and can't seem to stop!


How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I've always liked natural stones. My brother cuts gemstones and that probably enhanced my desire to make beautiful things with natural gemstones also. Since then I have branched out into glass and this year I have purchased a set of polymer snowmen for earrings. The thought of using plastic just makes me shudder, although I suppose there are some beautiful plastic beads around.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
The finished product - and its NOT finished until its most enjoyable to me!


If you had to chose a fruit OR vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you chose and why?
A strawberry. It has such vibrant colors, it starts out as a pretty little green plant, then a beautiful little white flower appears (much like a thought that pops into my head for creating), then it grows into a beautiful red fruit (red, my favorite) that is sweet and tart (down right sassy) and has all those varied little seeds adorning it. Yummy! And quite often they are shaped like little hearts - symbolizing love. That's where my creations come from - the heart.

If you had to chose one other medium in which to dislay your "creativity", what would that be, and why?
Photography. I'm not very good at it, but it just thrills me to capture some of God's handiwork in a still picture. I am learning how to use those few good pics I get to turn them into objects of appreciation. Am I thinking a new etsy shop here??? hmmmm

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Just love one another - be happy, enjoy life. Never give up.

With All My Heart .....
feel so special while wearing this lovely bracelet and earring set .....or give as a gift

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

My first thought is "Oh my! I need all the advice I can get!" Not sure if I could help someone else. HA Maybe, just put love into your work, and always do the best you can. Be open to criticism - it is a learning tool, even though it may hurt a little.

Donna, thanks for a delightful interview, and for sharing all of your lovely creations with everyone!  One can tell you really enjoy what you do!


You can visit Donna's shop by clicking on any of the photos below, to go directly to that item, or click on her shop name below the photos, to visit her AGERATUM shop.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ECO CREATIONS

Blush - Matte Pink Glass Seed Beaded Hemp Bracelet

by COURTNEY - ECO CREATIONS

ECO CREATIONS on Etsy is a two woman team.....Courtney and Stacy.  When you pay a visit to ECO CREATIONS you will find a wide array of choices of eco-friendly and nature-inspired hemp, beaded jewelry and artwork.....bracelets, necklaces, earrings and more!!

In the interview below, Courtney gives us a peek into how she got started designing and creating her colorful, fun jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft

I began working with hemp as a teenager and it spiraled into beaded jewelry after I graduated high school. I never thought about selling my creations until I gave a necklace to a friend and they asked where I had bought it. The remark completely floored me and got me thinking that maybe my artistic talent could eventually become my livelihood. After I started selling on Etsy, my then girlfriend (now fiance!) started trying to push my artistic horizons and exposed me to painting and ceramics.


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


Honestly, I never really chose just one medium, nor do I see myself stopping from exploring new mediums. Currently I'm learning glassblowing and ceramics as well as working on improving my graphic design skills on the side.


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


What I love about creating is how I can look at anything around me and draw inspiration from it. As a result, my jewelry, although inspired by nature, is far from the muted, subtle colors usually used when incorporating nature in design.

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


My work is reminiscent of peppers in my opinion. Peppers can be sweet or savory or in your face spicy and I feel that my work is very much the same way in the colors I choose and motivations I have.

Abstract painting

by STACY - ECO CREATIONS

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


I would actually love to make pins. I love the idea of creating a bunch of designs and sayings that people will then use to express themselves on backpacks, bags, clothes, etc. I just love self-expression and for my work to be the medium that people use to help express themselves would be an otherworldly feeling.

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


If people take anything from my work I would hope that it would involve having respect for the earth. If people don't start caring about their environment we won't have an earth to live on!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


I have to say the most important advice I ever received was to never give up (cliche as it is!). It's really easy to give up when you go days, weeks or months with no sales, but as long as you keep on promoting on your end and have a good product the sales *will* come. (I promise!)


Thanks, Courtney, for taking the time to share your creativity and thoughts with everyone. 


To learn more about ECO CREATIONS, be sure to visit the links below.

THE CLOUD LADY BLOG

ECO CREATIONS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS - Country Primitives

SANTA BOWL

by Brown's Country Originals

You really must pay a visit to Brown's Country Originals!!  The whimsical, colorful pieces of art in this shop will surely make you smile. Here you will find delightful snowmen, old world Santas, Americana, jewelry,dry flower arrangements and more. It is the perfect time to collect a wonderful, handmade keepsake that can be enjoyed for years and years to come.

Mike and Donna, a husband and wife team, are the artists who operate Brown's Country Originals on Etsy.  Mike said he likes to work with wood, chalkware, clay, oils, water colors and papier mache. Donna works with dried, fresh and artificial flowers, concrete and basket reed.

Let's learn a little bit more about the talent behind these wonderful creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making furniture .... I soon realized it took a lot storage space. It was not eay to pack and unpack plus I needed a big truck to haul the furniture to shows. I decided I needed something that took up less space. For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.


I read various articles on ceating paper mache and chalkware ... experimented with various receipes and finally came up with one that worked for me.


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


For years I collected paper mache and chalkware Santa's, so I decided to try and make some myself.

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


I enjoy working with the paper mache the most it allows me to use my imagination.

Oh, what a fun Humpty Dumpty!

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

The star fruit ... most fruits and vegetables are round or oblong but the star fruit is unique it is star shaped. My work is like the star fruit because it is very unique.

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

Wood because I love making furniture.

Country Holly Arrangement

This arrangement is perfect for a teacher, neighbor or friend. The arrangement consists of a new rusty paint can filled with pine greens, pine cones and rusty holly. The arrangement is 10 inches tall by 8 inches wide.

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


Handmade work is unique and one of kind .... it is not mass producted.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


Try to think out of the box and never get discouraged!


Thanks, Mike and Donna for sharing your wonderful creative talents with all of us. 

To learn more about Brown's Country Originals, be sure to take the time to visit the links below.  Charming creations are waiting there for you!

BROWN'S COUNTRY ORIGINALS WEBPAGE

Love the color turquoise....? Beautiful turquoise items in this treasury?

I just found out I'm in another treasury!  I don't know how they do it, but it is always such a delightful surprise to hear that one is in a treasury on Etsy. 

This delightful "Turquoise" themed treasury was put together by Gayle from WHATS HER NAME, and Sandy from CAPE COD CONSIGNMENTS!  Another great job ladies. Thanks for including my rainbow butterfly fairy.

Here is the link to the treasury, so that you can check out all the wonderful items in it.

TURQUOISE TREASURY

This treasury will expire Friday, 12/04/09 at 7:05 p.m., so be sure to check out the shops!

There's still time to enter my FAIRY FACE PIN/KNIT NECKLACE GIVEAWAY!

Click on the link below to learn more about her!

SPRING MEADOW FAIRY

I just finished the above "Fairy Face Pin/Handknit Necklace Set", which I'ved added to my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy.  There is still time to enter my WINNER's CHOICE giveaway where some lucky winner will get to choose one of these "sets" out of any that are left in my shop at the close of the giveaway.  The giveaway will end 12/09/09 - 12:00 midnight.

Since I had over 27 of these sets in my shop before my last art show, where I sold 20 of them, I've been trying to add a few new ones to give the winner a wider choice.

I hope to have a few more added before the close of the giveaway. If you haven't already entered the giveaway, click on the link below to enter:

WINNER'S CHOICE - FAIRY FACE PIN/KNIT NECKLACE SET

The pin's can be worn alone, alongside the necklace or anywhere on the necklace to create your own individual style.  They are my own original designs and make a wonderful, magical gift idea.

I'm off to start another one!