FEATURED ETSY SHOP - TINA FRANCIS DESIGNS

SPOTTED DOG

by Tina Francis Designs

(CLICK on the photo above to learn more about this little guy!)

This little earthenware clay dog is one in a series of my hand sculptured dogs that sit on little stages or stands

I'm very happy to have Tina of Tina Francis Designs on Etsy as a featured artist here on DZFANTASY. Her delightful works of clay, whether it be her whimsical animal figures, beautiful, colorful necklaces and earrings, and more, they all are sure to make you smile and feel good! Do yourself a favor and pay a visit to TINA FRANCIS DESIGNS, where you will find a wonderful selection of Tina's creations.

GREEN LEAF EARRINGS

(CLICK on the photo to learn more about these charming earrings!)

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I think I was born with a crafting gene! As a child I loved art... drawing, painting, clay...I was happy as long as I was making something. My mom taught me to crochet, needlepoint and embroider and encouraged me with whatever I wanted to try artistically.

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

I majored in graphic design at art school, but was fascinated with the clay classes that were offered only to art education majors. It was several years later when I was married with two little girls that I discovered a clay class in my neighborhood and was hooked immediately. I worked for years as a graphic designer but always found time to create with clay. I always dreamed of the day when I could devote full time to my art and that is exactly what I am doing now. I'm happy!

What aspect of creating your artcraft do you find the most enjoyable?

Creating with clay a lot of fun steps: designing, sculpting or hand building the piece, painting on the glaze and firing. I love every step, but my favorite would have to be creating the expressions for my animal pieces, angels and mermaids. When a face suddenly develops a personality through some gesture with the clay, or the painting of any eye, nose or mouth, it always makes me stop and smile. I feel like I just made a new friend and its a great feeling.

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

I would say an apple because I just can't get through a day without eating an apple, and find it just as hard to get through a day without working with clay.

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

I would love to make mosiacs. I have seen so many beautiful ones made from glass, clay, even pebbles and rocks... one of these days I will make my first mosiac.

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

I hope that my art conveys joy. I love to make beautiful, colorful, happy things that make people smile. It takes time to make art and to look at and appreciate art. It would be nice in our busy, busy culture if people understood how important it is to just STOP and look at our beautiful world. My daughter, Leah, is an amazing artist and I feel blessed that I was able to teach her to take the time to look and really see.

What advice do your have for other artist/crafters?

Get the education and technical expertise that you need for your art or craft and never cut corners with the quality and execution of your work. Create what you love and don't ever stop.

Tina, what a wonderful, creative talent you have! Thanks for taking the time to share your creations and your thoughts with all of us.

To learn more about Tina and her creations, be sure to visit the links below.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BEN MCFUZZYLUGS

I am very happy to be featuring Pam and her Etsy shop.. BEN MCFUZZYLUGS , not only because this artist's work is so adorable, but I love what she is doing to help our four-legged friends. Be sure to visit BEN MCFUZZYLUGS to see how you can help not only this sweet little dog named Mia, but others as well, and have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind felted sculpture of your own dog or cat.

Mia

Below you will hear in Pam's own words what she has to tell us about herself and her creations!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

The book 'fleece dogs' jumped out at me in a craft shop. I bought it and some supplies and even my 1st attempts looked a little like they were suposed to.

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

I have been doing many crafts for years, but never sold any. On a dog forum, I mentioned what I was making and people asked me to make some fuzzy pets for them too. Everyone loved theirs - and they actually paid for them, so I decided to have a go at selling them.

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

The wool forming into the shapes for me, and when I put the eyes on them and they come to life,

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

Haha good question...a pomegranate...looks simple but there is a lot more going on (and they are hard work but worth it)

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

Clay, I have always loved the look and feel of clay, but have no money or space for a kiln.

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

Love and happiness. I am always so worried when I make a model of a pet that is at the rainbow bridge, our pets are with us for a short time but give us so much. It is nice to have a reminder of them. The good thing about this art is you can even include some of the pets fur into the sculpture.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Creating what you love - is there a better job?

Thanks, Pam, for a great interview, and also for helping our furry friends through your art! Be sure to visit BEN MCFUZZYLUGS to see her delightful "fuzzy" creations!

BEN MCFUZZYLUGS BLOG

If you love cats, fantasy and whimsey...be sure to take a look at my new CAT FAIRY

CATS, CATS, AND MORE CATS!

10.75" Fiber Sculpted Cat Fairy

my latest creation!

I just finished this delightful "Cat Fairy", and was so pleased with her that I thought I'd share her out here with you. I great number of my creations tend to be very brightly colored batik fabrics, with wild colorful hair. I happened to be shopping for some more colorful batiks at a quilt shop in my area, and this delightful "cat fabric" jumped out at me. It was just begging to be created into a whimsical cat fairy. Now how could I say "no" to that! There a cat faces peeping out at you, whereever you look.

She is completed designed out of fabric, with a silk face, which I individually hand-drew, needle-sculpted and hand-painted. If you want to find out more about her, you can click on the link below to visit her in my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy. She would like to find a good home, where she can work her magic!

CAT FAIRY

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)