FEATURED ETSY SHOP - HAPPY MONKEY ART

MEGAN'S "LIFE" BOWL

Welcome Megan and Lori....the two fun artists behind the HAPPY MONKEY ART shop out on Etsy. These ladies sound like a lot of fun, and so are their artistic creations. Be sure to pay the HAPPY MONKEY ART shop a visit to see what they are all about. Before you pay a visit, let's learn a bit more about these delightful ladies....Lori, is the one who has answered the interview questions below.

LORI'S - "He's a Screamer"

OK, Lori...we all want to hear your thoughts and ideas!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Well at the tender age of six, my dad brought home a little yellow tub with a red top on it. I excitedly opened up this new present, and the wonderful aroma of play dough filled the air… and I was hooked ever since.

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

I have crazy dreams that have crazy things in them, and clay was the best way to make them a reality.

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

Working with my best friend on “clay dates”. Also, being able to put the ideas in my head, into my hand.

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

Tomato! It’s seen as both! I’m a rebel and still put it in the vegetable drawer in the fridge…Also Megan and I have very different artistic styles, we are a little of both. We are a little Fruity and always good for the soul.

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

Silly putty … it keeps going and going and going… bounces good and not so major if it hits you in the eye…. On a serious note I’d like to try T-shirt screening. Megan and I are playing with it a little bit… If our clay things are off the wall I can’t wait to see what we come up with to print, stay tuned for those little Gems!

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

Do not, I repeat, do not get clay in your eye! And nothing is impossible with clay!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Keep an idea book with you ALL the TIME! Most of my ideas come from crazy dreams I have or really random thoughts, if I don’t write them down I forget all about them.

Lori, I have no doubt you and Megan have a wonderful, fun time together creating your fun art. Thanks, for a refreshing view of what goes on behind the scenes at HAPPY MONKEY ART.
Treat yourselves to some fun and visit the HAPPY MONKEY ART by clicking on the photos or links below.

Lori, also has another shop out on Etsy called THRU ARIES EYES SHOP, where you will find her abstract paintings. I have also added her Etsy mini below the HAPPY MONKEY ART mini, so that you can visit both places.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SILK BAGS 'N TREASURES by SUE

I'm happy to have Sue of SILK BAGS 'N TREASURES as a featured artist on DZFANTASY. The above photo show's one of Sue's original designed creations. Be sure to visit SILK BAGS 'N TREASURES after reading what Sue has to say about herself and her creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I have always had an artsy streak. I was even doing murals on the walls of the womb! I've worked in most all mediums. I've done many local craft fairs over the years, but I don't keep up with them anymore. I am tickled to have found Etsy!! What a great place to show our wares. In 1997, I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, which is an auto-immune disease that effects the communication between nerves and muscles. I had to retire on disability, and since then I have been crafting as much as I can to supplement my income and to keep busy. I started off painting critters on smooth rocks and then I began to sculpt them in clay. I'm an animal lover, so that interest worked well as inspiration.

In my shop I feature handbags made of 100% imported Chinese silks. Rich with color and texture, my silk bags are a delight to the eye and the hand. All profits made on the sale of each bag will go to support a Christian mission in the far East.

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

My craft closet, which badly needs 'destashing', can attest to my many interests artistically. I've tried most all mediums. There was even a period of time when I soft sculpted babies and sold them. But my most recent artistic endeavors have been influenced by the market. Folks love their dogs, and that was a deciding factor in what I could do to artistically represent them. I enjoy painting, and was successful at that, but then I discovered polymer clay, and that was all I needed!

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

It is fun to take a lump of shapeless clay and turn it into a close likeness of an animal. It's fun to rise to any challenge, trying to create a way to achieve a certain pose, and of course it's always terrific to get good feedback from happy customers.

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

LOL! Well, I never thought of it this way. I suppose it would be an onion, with all the layers, waiting to be peeled back. My clay pets have really improved. When I first started making them, my son joked that they all looked like little zombies, and I have to agree that they did! HA!! I still have to laugh when I look at pictures from that time. But like with most anything, practice either makes perfect, or greatly improves your efforts.

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

Well, I've ALWAYS loved glass. It mesmerizes me. Translucent, appearing to be fluid and yet solid! I would love to make lampwork items.

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

I have a sense of whimsy and humor, and I hope that comes through in my sculptures. I hope that people can see the "personality" of their pets in special order pieces.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Be patient. It takes time to develop you client base. Just because your items aren't flying off your virtual shelves, don't give up.

Thanks again, Sue, for taking the time to share your lovely creations, and giving us get a bit of "insight" as to what makes you the delightful person and artist that you are! You can learn more about Sue (a.k.a SOO), by clicking on her links below. You just might want to have her sculpt your favorite four-legged friend! How whimsical!

HEART THOUGHTS BLOG

SOO'S ORIGINALS (Clay Animals)