FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ANA'S HOUSE DRESSING

RABBIT TASSEL

by ANA of ANA'S HOUSE DRESSING

"This is my new favorite tassel. Beautiful pale green ceramic rabbit sits on top of several gorgeous layers of high end decorator trims and riboons. Accented with red this sweet tassel is big on character."


Ana, of ANA'S HOUSE DRESSING on Etsy creates the most delightful decorative tassels, which most certainly would add a bit of color and whimsey to any area in your home!  The green bunny above is one of my favorites!
 
 I'm happy to have Ana here on DZFANTASY as a featured Etsy shop.  Ana has also kindly offered to have a WINNER'S CHOICE giveaway for one of her tassles.  Be sure to click on the TASSLE GIVEAWAY link below to learn more about this fun giveaway, and how to enter.
 
First, let's learn a bit more about Ana and her creations, by reading her interview below.
 
What led you to start creating your art/craft?


I have always been artistic and really began sewing when my daughter was born, when she passed away, I couldn't bring myself to draw anymore.Two years ago, I entered a recovery program called Celebrate Recovery, and on this journey I have found that bringing together the sewing with the creativity was a wonderful outlet for me.

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

I love fabrics and trims, I also love to paint and draw, so this is like a combination of both.

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

The inspiration I get when I start with either an already painted ceramic or an unpainted ceramic. I used to think the finished product was the most important part, now I believe it is all in the process...kind of like life.

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

Avacado, either you love it or hate it, sometimes not real sure what to do with, but leave it to a Hispanic to make some delicious guacamole!

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

Pencil. I used to draw and express myself this way as a child and I have had a real yearning to pick it up again, and let myself feel the pain and put it on paper.

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

Don't take life too seriously, don't miss the good while looking for the perfect.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

You find your niche when you pick up that special something that transports you to another dimension and the world fades into the background. That moment when you realize, for this I was created.

THANKS, Ana, for a great interview and for sharing your wonderful creations with everyone.

To learn more about Ana, and her creative endeavors, be sure to visit her links below.

BLOG

I'm a Hodgepodge Blog

To enter Ana's 'WINNER'S CHOICE - DECORATIVE TASSEL GIVEAWAY click on title below the SANTAS CLAUS tassle photo.

WINNER'S CHOICE - DECORATIVE TASSEL GIVEAWAY

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 SHOP - CAPRICE CREATIONS

Home Wall Decor - handpainted wall hanging

by Janet

If you pay a visit to Janet's Etsy shop, CAPRICE CREATIONS, you will find a variety of handcrafted items. While Janet's main focus is home decor items and hand-stamped stationery, you will also find journals, photography, and more.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

When I was 9, my grandmother taught me how to embroider. After that, she taught me how to cross stitch. My fascination with all things crafty bloomed from there.

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

I never look at an object in a normal way. I am always thinking of ways I could use common everyday items in my crafting. Some of my favorite items are old cabinet doors and hardware.

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

I love the creative process - from planning, to creating, to viewing that final product. It's all so relaxing!

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

Definitely a fruit! Lots of colors and usually pretty sweet!

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

I would love to be able to crochet. It was the one craft that my grandmother tried to teach me that I just couldn't "get".

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

Live life to the fullest! Never have a dull moment!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

No matter what, don't give up on your dreams! One day, they will come true!

THANKS, Janet, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone! You can learn more about Janet and her creations by visiting her links below. Stop in and visit CAPRICE CREATIONS...you just don't know what this busy crafter might have come up with next.

CAPRICE CREATIONS BLOG

TWITTER

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - MIREASMA

WELCOME, SHANNON of MIREASMA out on Etsy! I found out that Shannon and I are almost neighbors. We both live in areas surrounding Milwaukee, WI. What a small world!!

Since I love candles, I am very happy to have an artist who creates such lovely candles out here on DZFANTASY, as a featured artist. Even the names are delightful.

Be sure to visit Shannon's shop MIREASMA after learning a bit more about Shannon and her candles. If you happen to live in our area, you might just want to visit Shannon at a show she is doing on November 29th called ART vs CRAFT. Click on the link below to find out more about this show.

ARTvsCRAFT

Now lets hear what Shannon has to say......

What led you to start creating your art/craft

I have always loved candles. I was sitting around the house one day looking for something to do and thought "I'll learn how to make a candle." I started looking on the internet and learned all about how bad parrafin candles are for you and the environment. This is what I had been burning, so I was very interested in an alternative. More research led to my learning all about the benefits of soy candles. I ordered some materials, and by trial and error, started to teach myself how to make candles! I have worked for years to perfect my candles (there's way more to it then you'd think, lol), and now, finally, I have my shop on Etsy!

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

Soy wax provides me with everything I could look for in a wax. It is clean burning, long lasting, renewable(this is great for farmers), is a US product, and performs really well as far as scent is concerned. I have also purchased and tested about 1 bazillion different fragrances, and only use the VERY best.

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

I ♥LOVE♥ scents! Scent is the most powerful of all of our senses. It is hugely mood altering, and can conjur up emotions and memories in an instant. I find this fascinating, and love creating something that holds the power to have a positive effect on someone. I also have a lot of fun decidiing which beads will go with each candle.

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

I'd choose the obvious soybean, but fresh veggies come to mind when I think of my candles. I have, and really enjoy, quite a few herbal and veggie scents. Tomato, cilantro, lemongrass and sage, thyme...

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

I dream of a day that I learn the in and outs of chemistry, and study with master perfumers:) I would LOVE to live in Italy and make scented oils from my beautiful surroundings.

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

I want to convey happiness and relaxation. I try to make my candles beautiful and elegant, but still have fun and humor with the scents. I make a a candle that appears very chic, but smells like banana cream pie! I want my art/craft to be pretty, but also make people smile.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you love. Your products will have a better result if you're creating exactly what YOU are passionate about. It's OK to continuosly change things~it means that you are growing. Pay attention to detail!

THANKS, Shannon for taking the time to share your thoughts and lovely candles with us. BEST OF LUCK AT YOUR SHOW ON NOVEMBER 29TH. Hope you sell out!!

MIREASMA BLOG

FLICKR

DID YOU EVER SEE A MAPLE LEAF THIS SIZE?

Finished Leaf Waiting for the "Fairy Face" to be added

MY TUTORIAL ON CREATING

A

100% SILK "MAPLE LEAF FAIRY" WALL ACCENT

STEP ONE - The Leaf

What you will see here are the steps it took me to create a fiber sculpted "maple leaf fairy" wall accent using my original template of one of the biggest maple leaves I ever saw.

I designed the template from a real maple leaf my husband and I found while taking a walk two years ago during a gorgeous fall day in Lake Geneva, WI. It was the most amazing size maple leaf I ever saw!

This huge leaf, was laying among other regular sized leaves which had fallen from the tree. I was so thrilled at this find I had to rush back to our car and press it between paper towels so that I could perserve it until I got home. The leaf measured 11.75" long, and 11.25 wide by the time I got it home. It had shrunk just a little bit.

Below you will see the steps taken to create this 100% silk, leaf. In another post I will show you the steps taken to create the fairy's face, also out of 100% silk, and finally the completed creation! This is only the third "Maple Leaf Fairy" I have created using this huge maple leaf. There is so much work to it!

The photo below shows the template after I traced the actual leaf onto white posterboard. It was quite difficult tracing all the little peaks on the leaf without ruining the leaf.

The next step was to trace the leaf template onto the silk fabric which I used. I used "tussah" silk. Tussah silk is a silk that is derived from wild moths, whose main diet is oak leaves. I also use this same silk for all of my fantasy creation's faces, as well as the mermaids upper bodies. The natural color of tussah silk can be anywhere from a very light cream to a darker tan. When I plan on dying the silk, I use the very light colored tussah. In order to trace the template onto the fabric, I use an iron on interfacing.


Below you will see the leaf after I have sewn it. Let me tell you....it takes a LONG time to sew around all those little peaks, but the hardest part is yet to come....turning the leaf inside out!!

I think you can see from the photo above, where there is a tiny opening at the base of the leaf. That is where the trouble begins...trying to get the whole big leaf through that teeny, tiny opening. I use a long "alligator forceps" tool to manage this, but it still took me almost an hour to turn the leaf right side out! How is that for patience!

The next step is steaming and pressing the leaf to get all the many wrinkles out that were incurred pulling it through the tiny opening. The photo below shows the leaf after it has been stuffed with acrylic fiberfill.

The next step is to "top-stitch" a design onto the leaf. The photo below shows the leaf after I have completed this step. I always sew all of my creations using a clear quilting thread.

Now is the part I love best.....painting the leaf using Jacquard's liquid Dye-na-Flow fabric paint. It flows on so nicely, but you have to work very quickly with it so that you don't develop lines in the coloring. Below are several photos taken in the process of painting the leaf.

I used several different shades of Dye-na-Flow to achieve the colors I wanted for the leaf. Below you will see the finished leaf....waiting to dry! The next step will be creating the "fairy face" , which will go on the center of leaf. The final creation will be a delightful, colorful wall hanging. Be sure to stop back to see the how the whole Maple Leaf Fairy turns out. I will be doing it in another post later this week.

The center of the leaf and the stem are a bit off center, but this won't show when the creation is entirely completed. Be sure to stop back to see how the completed creation will look!

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - YONPLI MOSAICS

Let's welcome Bethany of Yonpli Mosaics out on Etsy. I've browsed through her shop, and found a great selection of mosaic pieces ranging from pendants, framed mosaics, bottles, balls and more! After reading below to hear what Bethany has to say about herself and her work, be sure to pay a visit to YONPLI MOSAICS.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I have always been crafty and loved art – I can’t really say where it all started.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I have always loved glass. When I was little I collected sea glass at the beach. When I was older, I developed a “glass problem.” I had a bunch of wine bottles in different colors and could not throw them out for recycling. I wanted to make something with them and didn’t know what. Then I discovered the art of mosaics, and the rest is history. (But I never did use those wine bottles because I discovered beautiful Italian vitreous glass!)

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
I love the feeling that I’m painting with glass. I get so involved in my mosaic that I forget the stresses of life for those few moments . . . or hours.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
Ummm, I think a kiwi – not sure why, but a kiwi sounds good.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
I think I would put a modern twist on traditional quilt patterns.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Mosaic is the art of imperfection and irregularity. In my work, each piece is broken using a pair of nippers. No break is completely perfect and no piece is laid in the mosaic perfectly either – that is impossible. But each piece is shaped and placed well. And mosaics are beautiful because of both the skill and talent of the artist, but also the imperfections that give the mosaic character and a touch of the artist’s humanity. True beauty is not complete perfection; it is being able to put all the little imperfections together into an amazing whole.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Find an art or craft that you love – the rest doesn’t matter so much as long as you absolutely love what you are doing.

THANKS, Bethany for taking the time to share your thoughts and work with all of us. I really enjoyed being able to learn a little bit about what makes you "tick" as an artist. Great answers....especially what you had to say about what "message" you want to convey with your art. You can also see more of Bethany's work out on her Flickr site.

FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - MADELINE CAREY - PAPER MACHE BOWLS

I just love all the vivid colors in this artist's work!! Let's hear what Madeline has to say about her work and how she got started making these delightful paper mache' creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Well, my father, Craig Carey, http://www.careyart.com/, has been living off of his art for over 35 years, and I just sort of grew up with the idea of 'making things = your job'. I ran the booth at art shows for him and he taught me to paint and to do simple assembly. Eventually I wanted to start contributing more to the business.

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

I had to find something to do that I couldn't hurt myself with. I'm fairly easily distracted so my father didn't think it was a good idea for me to work with saws or drills, and I'm still a bit afraid of hot things... Anyway, paper mache is neither sharp or hot so it seemed like a safe bet.

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

It's all enjoyable. I mean, it's work, but it's also squishy, and I get to paint things in bright colors.

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

I have no idea. I must not be that creative. Maybe Dragonfruit... because it's colorful and different.

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

I'd like to try casting jewelry... rings specifically. I've got the equipment, but haven't invested the money in any gold and silver yet. I just don't think that there are enough people casting their own designs anymore.

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

No messages here. Just colorful home decor.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Do what you're good at, don't use other people's ideas, and always make sure to pay yourself a decent wage.

Thanks, Madeline for taking the time to share your thoughts and colorful creations with us! If you'd like to see more of Madeline's colorful, whimsical work, be sure to visit her Etsy shop by clicking on either the photos or the shop link below the photos. Madeline also has a blog you might want to visit. The link is below. I always like to get a better insight into the artist behind the creations...!

MADELINE'S BLOG

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CREATIVELO by Lois

I'm happy to present CREATIVELO, delightful clay artwork by Lois as a featured Etsy shop! I love mermaids, and it is always fascinating to see the works of other artists who create them, and in different mediums. Here you can read what Lois has to say about herself and her delightful creations. Be sure to visit her CREATIVELO shop out on Etsy to see more of Lois's work.

Hi! I'm Lois! I'm a retired elementary school teacher, and proud of it! Art is my PASSION! (Second only to love and laughter!) I became obsessed with pottery about twenty years ago. Now I have an art studio in my VERY PINK HOUSE, and a kiln in the back shed. I sell my work at galleries in the area and local shows. I especially love making whimsical items, and specialize in mermaids and water related pieces. Recently, I've added cats to my repetoire. They're way fun!

What led you to start creating your art?
I guess I just loved it; was drawn to it! I started doing art as a child- drawing, painting, and creating multi-media pieces. I also took art classes as I was growing up, and then continued after I'd gotten my degree to teach elementary school, plus a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. I was given incentive to make a higher salary by taking 60 credits past my Master's Degree. I did it all in art, including getting certification to teach art.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
That's tough because I love it all! But once I started working with clay, it seemed to have more possibilities, and I became obsessed with tons of ideas I wanted to explore! I felt there'd never be enough time to try all the things I was imagining!

What aspect of creating your art do you find the most enjoyable?
There are no rules! The imagination and creativity have no bounds. One thing leads you to another, moving you in new directions, causing you to grow and change. With change, there is excitment, and feeling good about oneself for each success at having found a new place.

If you had to choose a fruit or a vegetable to describe your work, what would it be and why?
Probably an onion. I don't eat them much, but they are layered and can be pulled apart, revealing yet other layers as is true with the exploration I experience over a period of time with my work.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art?
That life is fun and full of possibilities. That it's OK and good to be different and original, and show who and what really makes you tick. That ALL human beings need to , and should, express themselves artistically, be it with music, dance, writing, whatever, with no concern as to whether or not they do it "well". It is the emotion behind it and the process that truly matters! Let out your feelings! It's healthy and theraputic!

What advice do you have for other artists?
Do it! As a hobby or a career, for yourself or for others, but just DO IT!

Thanks, Lois, for taking the time to share your thoughts and art with us! LOVE YOUR ANSWERS! You can click on any of the photos below to go directly to that item in Lois' ETSY shop CREATIVELO, or click on the link below the photos to go directly to CREATIVELO

Featured Etsy Artist - BLOSSOMS by Debashri

I was totally amazed when I realized that these flowers were made of clay!! How fantastic is that!! I thought they were real! What a talent this artist has! The details and shapes are so exquisite. Flowers that will last forever! Read below to hear what Debashri has to say about her work, and how she got started on this wonderful adventure of creating flowers. Below is a closeup of the "Fall Colored Wedding Bouquet" shown above.

What led you to start creating your art?

I have always loved flowers. When I was a kid, I used to get my mom wild flowers. When I started working, I got her flowers on every payday. My favorite gifts to people have always been flowers. My only complaint against real flowers has been that they dry up. So, I had tried to create long lasting blooms using paper and satin in India. When I came here and was without a job, I decided to take up making flowers again and came across a DECO Clay book. When I looked at the real-looking clay flowers, I knew at once that this was what I wanted to do.

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

I did not choose the medium. The medium chose me, I'd say. I just wanted to create flowers. Having made flowers from satin and paper back in India, I wanted to keep making flowers. When I came across DECO Clay and realized how real the flowers looked, I couldn't resist the medium. It pulled me to it.

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

To be able to make people happy - I love the way children's faces light up when I give them a flower. They protect it like it is a piece of precious jewelry! Personally, it relaxes me - unlike my previous corporate jobs, what I do now is not stressful. Its a stress buster really, and I love that aspect of it. Also, having my own hours allows me to spend more time with my husband.

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

I would say Tomato - Weird as it may sound, I think my craft is 'juicy'. Its got a lot of spunk, like a raw tomato. And when my flowers dry, they become all the more irresistible.

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

I always wanted to spread the message of love and equality through anything that I did. My art allows me to do that effectively. Flowers are great equalizers. Everybody loves them! They break down barriers between people.

What advice do you have for other artists?

Don't let anyone or anything stop you from doing what you love to do!

Debashri, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and fantastic flowers with us! If you'd like to see more of Debashri's work, be sure to visit her Etsy shop below.