WINNER'S CHOICE - ART GLASS "FLOWER SUNCATCHER" by DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS

I'm thrilled to be hosting this giveaway for a WINNER'S CHOICE - of an original designed art glass "flower suncatcher" from Bonnie of DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS!!

Her work is nothing short of fantastic! I can vouch for that, as I own several pieces of Bonnie's work, and they are much more beautiful in person than even the photos can show!!

Now you have the opportunity to enter this great giveaway, where the WINNER will be able to select any "flower suncatcher" which is in Bonnie's shop at the close of this giveaway. Read below to see how to enter this great giveaway:

START DATE: September 14, 2009

END DATE: October 14, 2009 - 12 midnight - CST

ELIGIBILITY: Open to USA only

PRIZE: 1 - Glass "Flower Suncatcher"

VALUE: $29 - $39.00

READ THE RULES BELOW TO ENTER:

1. Visit Bonnie's Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS, by clicking on her shop link below and see what suncatcher you would pick if you are the lucky WINNER.

2. Come back to this post and leave a COMMENT as to what suncatcher you would choose, should you be the lucky winner, OR tell us what is your favorite item in her shop.

3. Be sure to leave your email address or a link to an email address, as this is the only way the WINNER will be contacted. This is very important!

4. At the close of the giveaway on October 14, 2009 - 12:00 Midnight CST, I will randomly select a WINNER from all entries received up until the close of the giveaway.

5. I will contact WINNER for their full shipping information. WINNER will have 3 days in which to reply, or I will have to randomly select another WINNER from the remaining entries.

6. Once the WINNER has replied with their shipping info, I will forward this information to Bonnie, who will contact you to see which suncatcher you would like. She will be sending the prize directly to the WINNER.

As the host of this giveaway, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Contact Donna at: dzfairies@msn.com

THANKS, BONNIE, for letting DZFANTASY host your great giveaway!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS

GLASS ART ROUND In The Beginning
by
Bonnie Donahue

CLICK on above photo to learn more about this stunning piece of art!

WELCOME, Bonnie, and her Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS. I am so happy that Bonnie "hearted" my DZFANTASY shop, as otherwise I might not have met her. Bonnie is not only a very talented artist, but a truly delightful person as well.

You really must visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS to discover for yourself, her amazing glass creations!

Bonnie has also generously decided to have a "WINNER'S CHOICE" giveaway for one of her beautiful "suncatchers". I will be sponsoring this giveaway here on DZFANTASY, so be sure to enter.

GLASS SUNCATCHER Large Plum Flower

CLICK on photo to learn more about this beautiful suncatcher!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I’ve been playing with art, crafts, music, writing, dance and drama for most of my life. As a kid, I enjoyed making dollhouse furniture and dolls more than actually playing with them. I spent much of my time alone and in nature. Nature continues to inspire and amaze me and I’ve always thought of myself as nature in human form (in spite of the prevailing western world view of dominating nature). In pondering this question, my sense is that it’s this great love and feeling of gratitude for the gift of life that compels me to create. You can only stand so much of that before it just has to come out.


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

Glass grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The brilliance, transparency and luminosity of glass touches something very deep and powerful in me. What, exactly that is, is hard to say. I think there is a good reason why working with glass has become so popular at this time. My sense is that this expresses the drive of our collective human spirit to break through its self imposed limitations and allow our inner brilliance to shine! It sounds good to me, anyway.


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

One of the reasons I’ve stayed with glass as long as I have (12 Years!) is because I enjoy all the processes of creating it. I can make two dimensional as well as three dimensional pieces. I am able to create tremendous sculptural dimension by fusing pieces at lower temperatures. I enjoy making my own molds for casting and for slumping glass. I enjoy figuring out how to make something that no one has done before. I enjoy teaching glass classes. I really don’t think that it is possible to exhaust the possibilities of creating with glass. I’m never bored with glass.


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

I would have to choose the blueberry because it’s my favorite fruit. It is so squishy, tasty and pretty, and it is oh so good for you.


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

My next most favorite medium of expression is improvisational movement and sound. It allows the whole of me to participate in the expression of whatever the moment calls for. I’ve always been more drawn to movement rather than dance and to sound rather than music. The raw, direct expression really appeals to me. And so it follows that I’m drawn to “authentic” expression regardless of the media used. Naive or “outsider” art especially appeals to me.


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

Rather than conveying a message per se, my greatest hope is to spark, encourage and support that inner spirit common to us all. That seems to be something that naturally comes out of me when I teach glass classes. It may be obvious, but the media used is a dim secondary concern for me than the encouragement of the spirit.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Have the courage to follow your deepest inner promptings regardless of where that may seem to lead you. Have the courage to be true to what feels deeply true for you. You may be lonely and unpopular at times, but the long term benefits far outweigh any short term detriments.

Bonnie, thank you not only for sharing your gorgeous creations with everyone, but for a wonderful interview. Also, thank you for your generous giveaway of one of your delightful "suncatchers".

CLICK on the link below to enter Bonnie's suncatcher giveaway post.

 

SUNCATCHER GIVEAWAY

Be sure to visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS by clicking on the links below.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BUDDA KITTY GLASS

Purple and red swirl bowl with dichroic dots

I am always amazed at all the different talents out on Etsy and the variety of artistic mediums one can find. I'm happy to have Steena and her BUDDA KITTY GLASS shop as a featured artist here on DZFANTASY. It is quite interesting to see the colors and shapes of glassware that Steena creates. I love the swirls and colors in the bowl pictured above. Be sure to visit BUDDA KITTY GLASS, to see what other delightful creations Steena has to offer.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My first trip to Europe triggered my fascination with glass. I was amazed by the stained glass windows in the cathedrals. After returning from Europe, I began to take classes in stained glass and glass bead making. From there I pursued fused glass and fell in love with the process and the beautiful art that can be made in a kiln.

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

I have worked with many mediums in art throughout my life, but glass is by far my favorite. Its versatility and wide array of colors is wonderful to work with.

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

I love watching the changes in glass as heat is applied to it. Glass has amazing textures and vibrancy, which firing in a kiln enhances.

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

I think a fruit salad because it has many colors and textures similar to glass.

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

I would love to learn how to paint on glass.

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

I would like people to see my work and develop an appreciation for the rich and diverse art of working with glass.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Make the art you like, not what you think will “sell.” Art made from the heart is so much better and will find its audience.

Steena, thanks again for taking the time to give us a bit of an "insight" as to what got you started as an artist, and to share your beautiful glass creations with with everyone.

You can see more of Steena's work by clicking on the links below.

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