FEATURED ETSY SHOP - AUTUMN RAIN CREATIONS BY APRIL

Photography Print 5x7 Summer Day

Late in the summer when all the plants and flowers are big and beautiful.

by April

 of AUTUMN RAIN CREATIONS

WELCOME, April and her Etsy shop, AUTUMN RAIN CREATIONS.  When you pay a visit to April's shop, you will find a lovely selection of -  Photographic Art, Handcrafted and Upcycled Vintage Earrings. Craft Supplies. Flax Pillow Packs. Vintage Treasures.

Before you visit, AUTUMN RAIN CREATIONS, take a moment to read April's interview  below to get a bit of an "insight" into what started April on her creative adventures.

What led you to start creating your art/craft

I don't think there was anything that led me to start doing this it's just there in me always has been. My grandmother, dad and my daughter are very artistic, so it has always been around me one way or the another. It may sound cliche, but as a child I was always creating something. I have always been intrigued and interested in all art. I love being around it.

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

I have always just worked with what I enjoyed and felt drawn to at that moment.

Purple Glass Copper Dangle Earrings

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

The solidarity aspect is most enjoyable to me. That's when I just put my whole self into my project and nothing else is on my mind but the creation itself.

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

When I am taking pictures, I really see so much of the beauty of nature (God's labor) so I guess I would have to say fruit.

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

Probably painting. I use to draw and paint when I was young and have always wanted to start back up again. My daughter is 17 and paints/draws so artisticly. It motivates me.

Purple Leaves Eye Pillow

Eye Pillow Pack filled with Flaxseed. Use cold or hot. Heat in microwave in intervals to achieve gentle moist warmth or store in refrigerator/freezer too cool or help unpuff eyes. Wonderful for a number of aches and pains. Measures 9x3 inches. Made of cotton fabric and flaxseed.

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

I think it's more of a personal inner strength than a message for me. I do it because it makes me feel good, it's calming, it's a creative outlet and sharing it helps me show how I feel about life at that time.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I don't believe in what's best selling or following the trend. My advise would be draw your creativity from your heart and roll with it.

Thanks, April, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity here on DZFANTASY.
 
To learn more about April and her art, be sure to visit the links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - JEWELS OF INDIA

Swarovski and Silver Maharani of Mewar Statement Necklace- India inspired
CLICK on above necklace to learn more about it!

Jaipur in Rajasthan also known as the Pink City, is renowned for its colossal forts and palaces which were constructed of stones with subtle pink accents. On my visit to one such fort, I was taken aback by the majesty of the walls. I stared at them longingly, wishing I could take a part of it back with me.

I'm happy to have this talented jewelry artist, JEWELS OF INDIA, here on DZFANTASY as a featured shop. After learning a bit more about her by reading the interview below, be sure to stop in JEWELS OF INDIA, to see her beautiful designs.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Being an avid fashion follower I realized that the importance of accessories in making or breaking an outfit has reached astronomical levels. So, I decided to try my hand at creating accessories that would "make" any outfit, and hence was born Jewels of India. Being the crafty kind, I took some jewelery-making and sewing courses during my college break and started fashioning bags, scarves and various jewelery pieces.

Sadly, my daily schedule as a law student doesn't allow me to afford the luxury of indulging in my craft on an everyday basis. This shop is my indulgence. It is my way of staying connected to something I feel very strongly about. It is my way of saying that no matter where life takes me fashion will come along with me.

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

Well, I could go on and on about how I always knew this was my true calling and stuff. But frankly, it all started as a means to create accessories that I could actually use myself. Being a huge fashion addict, I love to accessorise my outfit with statement necklaces, chunky bangles and vibrant earrings. I decided to take a jewelry-making course so that I could make pieces for myself. Later on I realized that I loved creating things for my friends and family and they appreciated my silver handy-work as well. That's when I decided to start selling my handmade sterling silver pieces on Etsy.

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

I enjoy every moment in the process of creating my jewelry pieces. But, my favorite part remains the designing phase where I sketch the piece on paper initially and then I create a true-to-size final sketch. This is the part where I can let my imagination run wild, dreaming that I am designing for the wedding of an Indian princess or for the red-carpet appearance of a Hollywood diva!

I also love scrounging for stones, beads or crystals to use and then deciding which color would go with which design. Even though the construction phase can be a bit daunting and tiring, the final product which emerges after the hard work is so worth it. I really put a lot of thought and effort into designing and kinda fall in love with every piece on the way.

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

MANGO, called the 'king of fruits' in India would perfectly reflect my shop and its aesthetics. It's sweet with a bit of sassy. Jewels of India is too. Its vibrant colorful and fun. It's so juicy that you will always want more. Jewels of India is so colorful that you will always want more. But, most of all, they both never disappoint!

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

Sketching and Painting without a second thought. I always maintain that sketching/painting and illustration is my very first love and every thing else I do is just a reflection of this love. Jewelry making stems from my love of creating things that are aesthetically pleasing. Why did I not start a painting or illustration/ACEO store?... you may ask. Practically speaking, a jewelry store is more viable than an art store, that's why.

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

In these treacherous times full of war, poverty, natural disasters, recession, pandemics etc. our world desperately needs beautiful things that would distract us from all this and make us feel good. We need things full of optimism that will reinstate our faith in the human race, and beauty can be one of our most powerful weapons. My message?...it's simple " All of us should go about making beautiful things or rather making the world more beautiful looking toward the future with hope in our eyes and a silent prayer in our hearts."

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I am hardly the one to give any advice. I would still like to say that the sellers should not under-estimate their customers. Please treat them with respect and reverence and you will see how they keep coming back to you again and again. Please reply to your convos, and don't treat Etsy like a market where you come only to sell your goods. Etsy is so much more than that. It's a place where the buyers and sellers interact on a personal basis and so networking and making friends on Etsy is very essential. You will also see that it makes your Etsy-life and business more enjoyable!

Rani Padmini Turquoise Swarovski Earrings - gold finish

CLICK ON EARRINGS TO LEARN MORE!

This opulent and unique piece made of bright turquoise Swarovski crystals and beads has been made deriving inspiration from the lavish life of Rani Padmini, queen of Chittor and the wife of King Rawal Ratan Singh. Her story has been immortalized in Padmavat, an epic poem written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in the year 1540. Legend has it that she was the most beautiful woman of her times, and her husband would pamper her with exorbitant jewels from various nooks and corners of India.

Thanks, JEWELS OF INDIA, for a truly delightful interview and for expressing your thoughts and ideas so wonderfully. May you continue to be able to find time to design and create your beautiful jewelry! To learn more about this talented jewelry artist, be sure to visit the links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP- LILYJA

ENCHANTED

by

LILY

WELCOME, Lily and her ETSY shop LILYJA. Lily has some very unique and gorgeous creations in her shop...including a variety of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more. Be sure to pay LILYJA a visit. First, lets learn a bit about Lily.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?


During my teens, I really loved to wear jewelry and I remember one time buying a pair of earrings and knowing deep inside that one day I'd make jewelry myself.


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


I've painted ever since I can remember, and I take photographs, and also make jewelry. I think it’s the need to feel the material with my hands that led me to put the emphasis on jewelry, plus the joy in doing something and seeing it brings happiness to someone else.


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


I love the moment an idea is showing itself in my mind's eye, I love that exciting moment… inspiration I think its called.


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


I would choose Artichoke! I don't know why, but it’s the first association that came to me.


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


Aside from photography, I think it would be sculpturing, because of the feel of the material.


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


I hope the world will forgive me for not thinking about it. I don't think about my art, I just bring it out.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?


I think the best advice is the one I got – DO ! Just keep on doing, and follow your heart. The rest will follow.

Lily, I loved having you here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. Your work is truly beautiful. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SHIMMERMEBLUE by MELISSA

Rustic Unachite Bracelet

by

Melissa

Welcome, Melissa of SHIMMERMEBLUE on Etsy. I was surprised to learn that Melissa and I live in the same area surrounding Milwaukee, WI. What a small world it is!

I'm happy to have Melissa here on DZFANTASY as a "featured jewelry artist", and hope you take the time to visit her shop SHIMMERMEBLUE. She has a wide selection of delightful jewelry! First, let's learn a little bit more about Melissa.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I actually started making jewelry out of the blue. I have always been a 'crafty' person, and started to see a lot of handmade jewelry. I thought 'I can do this!' I skimmed through several tutorials on different sites, watched a few You Tube videos and started buying beads.

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

I love the look of glass beads, but honestly it was the easiest thing to start out with! As I learn more, I will be making a lot of different things. It just all takes time and practice!

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

I would have to say, looking at the finished piece and the feeling that I accomplished something. This is especially true when I work on projects I've never done before and the finished piece turns out really good!

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

Hmmm, this is a really tough one! Maybe a plum because each one tastes a little different. That's kind of how I design my jewelry, a little different, but still the same in some ways. I don't stick to one specific style, color or pattern.

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

I really want to learn how to make handblown glass beads! I think the finished product is so amazing and I would love to be able to make my own beads for my jewelry.

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

If you are passionate in what you do, go for it! There's nothing better than being able to do what you love, even if you only do it as a hobby.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don't get discouraged if you are not successful and making tons of money right away! It all takes time, work and patience.

Thanks, Melissa for sharing your thoughts and jewelry with everyone. May you continue to enjoy creating, and may it bring joy to those who wear it!

To learn more about Melissa, and see more of her work, be sure to click on the links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - COCO'S JEWELRY

LIGHT MY FIRE

by Coco

What a stunning necklace....! Anyone wearing this very creative necklace would be sure to get a lot of compliments!

Let's welcome Coco and her COCO'S JEWELRY shop on Etsy.

Congratulations are also in order for Coco, as she informed me that she has been contacted to be on the Martha Stewart Show!! Now that is a real compliment to her and her creations.

Be sure to visit COCO'S JEWELRY as she has some gorgeous creations in there....necklace and earring sets, bracelets, and my favorites macrame necklaces, and much more!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I grew up in a very ‘artistic’ environment. My father was a well known artist and the house always smelled of turpentine and linseed oil! Words like ‘color’, ‘composition’ ‘design’ etc. were part of our everyday vocabulary. But even in this environment, I never considered myself to have any talent for anything. Then, a few years ago I ran into an old college friend of mine and found out that she was working with fiber and macramé. Although she did large commissioned hangings etc, she showed me some of the jewelry she had made with thread. I was hooked. She was kind enough to teach me this technique. Since then I have been enjoying this craft (sometimes I think of it as art). The second part of this creative process is equally important to me. I do work with other materials besides thread and glass beads. This is what I would call ‘mainstream’ jewelry. I love gemstones, wood and resin beads and the colour and textures of all these materials combined. I offer both these styles in my shop. I would love to use different types of beads, other than just glass in the macramé styles. Unfortunately, I am restricted in this area because of the size of drilled holes in most of these beads, especially gemstones. I am fascinated with lamp work (flame worked) beads. I took a course on flame working last year, but I am still not good enough to use my own beads in my work. These would lend themselves extremely well to macramé knotting.

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

I didn’t ‘decide’ on the medium. The medium came to me quite by chance as explained above.

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

It’s the design aspect. You see some beautiful beads, all in different shapes and sizes, and think about what you can do with them, and slowly, a design is born. The rest is just execution. The technique of knotting in macramé is not difficult. There are only a few knots that are involved, so the execution may not be hard, but it is definitely time consuming. It is the design concept that takes me the longest time.

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

It has to be the Alphanso mango, the king of all fruit. The smell and color of a ripened mango in full season can be maddening! The color is so rich and lush and warm. My jewelry is also full of these rich and luscious colors. Visually and tactically beautiful.

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

I would like to work with textiles some day. I love the idea of creating designs, with paint or block printing on fabric.

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

To think outside the box. To bring new life to ‘old’ traditional materials and make them beautiful again.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Get good at what you love to do. Enjoy the process of learning and creating. I am constantly striving to improve. Having a shop on Etsy brings about the need to excel in other areas too, like photography, marketing etc. I have much to learn in these departments.

GREAT WORK, GREAT INTERVIEW! Thanks, Coco, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with us!

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - GIFTBEARER by Pippit Carlington

Welcome, Pippit and her Etsy shop GIFTBEARER! As I looked through Pippit's shop, all I could say was WOW!! She is one talented lady, and her work is truly exquisite! It has a life all its own!

You really must take the time to visit her shop and all of her other links, which I've listed below the following interview.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always been into art ever since I was a young child and decided to focus on jewelry when my son was born, as I was deciding what to do for a career.

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

I was considering what type of art would be easiest to sell and I loved working with wood so began cutting cross-sections of pressure-treated pine, attaching hooks and shaping them into earrings; leaving some with natural wood grain, and in others experimenting with different paints and fingernail polishes. I enjoyed making those so much that I started taking various classes in other jewelry-making techniques, including beadweaving, and metalwork.

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

I love working with PMC, although the technique used for my Budding Vine bracelets is very time-consuming (requiring 15-20 coats of metal clay slip applied). I also enjoy stone-setting, and working with copper, forging and forming metal from flat sheet and wire into contoured shapes, and I absolutely love it when people appreciate my work enough to buy it. Compliments are great, but the best compliment is when people are willing to pay for something you've put all your time and heart into. That incentive inspires me to do more and come up with new and exciting pieces.

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

I think a star fruit would best describe my art because it is unique, esthetically pleasing, and not like others. Also, people like to hold my pieces in their hand, and a star fruit is one of those shapes that is comfortable to hold. The edges are rounded although it's very three dimensional. I have always preferred making 3-D shapes instead of flat ones.

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

I also paint and particularly like to do watercolor. Be sure to watch for some of my paintings on Etsy. I plan to open another store for those. My first subject matter will be a series on Carmella (my dog) of which I have taken tons of photos capturing some great perspectives. I may also sell some copies of these photos as well. My Nikon D-40 digital SLR camera has been a great investment! Carmella is a special needs dog adopted from an animal shelter and I need to use my nogin to make all the sales I can in order to pay for her medical expenses.

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

I strive to create each piece as though it had a soul of its own; more like a living thing than an object. My hope is that the character of each one will connect deeply with those who look and resonate on a deep level. Several people have actually told me that a piece of mine has had a healing effect on them and has fulfilled an important emotional need in them. If/when that happens I know I have hit the mark!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don't sell yourself short just to make a sale. If you have a product that you can sell inexpensively and still make a reasonable profit that's one thing, but your job as an artist deserves compensation as much as any other job in the work force, and your time, skill, and effort should be respected and appreciated. As Suze Orman says, "Don't put yourself on sale." It takes alot of courage to do what you do not working for somebody else, and you must take care of your bottom line if you're doing your art professionally and not just as a hobby.

Thanks, Pippit for taking the time to not only share your stunning work, but also your thoughts and ideas with everyone! Visit Pippit's links below to get a broader view of her fantastic creations!

SMASHING DARLING

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DaWanda

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - THE BEADED LILY

MIRKA COLLAR

by

THE BEADED LILY

Sarah of The Beaded Lily has some truly unique and exquisite jewelry in her shop. Do yourself a favor and pay The Beaded Lily a visit after you've read Sarah's interview below. She has something for everyone!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I've "always" been inclined towards art and craft. It started with crayons and making my own little coloring books, progressed to drawing and fiber arts and dabbling in so many things .

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

I ended up with beads because I'm good at it. I've never had the patience and determination it takes to keep working with things that I just don't have a knack for. I first picked up beads when my cousin shoved her stash at me to calm my nerves during a family crisis. I immediately loved the feeling of peace it gave me. My mother bought me $200 worth of supplies and I started working things up. People loved them. They wore them. Eventually they wanted to buy them. As I worked on technique, I came to appreciate how special wearable art is, and the magic of the bead. Now this is what I do, it's part of who I am.

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

When it starts to come together. I love that feeling. The thing is, each piece has a different come together point. For some it's when I gather the final odds and ends materials wise and I can see the piece in my head. For others it's when I hit the middle bead of a symmetrical design. Others wait till I add the clasp or the very last embellishment.

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

Pomegranates immediately come to mind. Why? They're built around the seeds-- very much like a piece of jewelry is built around the seed of an idea. And it's not just the one seed, but hundreds of seeds, encased in their own little bits of perfection, side by side, coming together to create a segment, and the segments come together to create the fruit. And the fruit is one of the most beautiful, tasty, wholesome things you can eat-- and so few people even have a clue that it's there, much less how perfect it is!

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

I might sew. I've done some of it, and I'm pretty good. You can create marvelous things with the right fabric, cut and trim. It's also all about personal adornment, wearable art.

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

My ultimate goal is to connect you to the thread of artistic personal adornment that is almost as old as humanity itself. I want to connect people. To me, to each other, to history, to the artisans who make the beads and the earth that forms the crystals, to the very first human to pick up a feather and put it in their hair, to the cultures that figured out how to turn gold into wire, to the voice inside them that whispers "I'm me."

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

If you don't have to do this, don't. If you have to do this, don't stop, ever. Whatever you do, let it be you, an extension of yourself, your core beliefs. And just keep doing it.

Great interview Sarah, and beautiful creations! One can feel your passion in what you create! Thanks, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone.

To see more of Sarah's work be sure to visit the links below.

THE BEADED LILY BLOG

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - EARRINGS by JULIA A - Lovely, Feminine, Classic

If you are looking for a special pair of earrings to lend a bit of class or special look to any outfit, be sure to visit JULIA A on Etsy. Julia's shop specializes in earrings, so I'm sure you can find the perfect pair! I know I can't leave the house without wearing earrings! Let's hear what Julia has to say about how she got started making her jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I remember finding a bead shop when I was in high school; I immediately gravitated toward deep blues, and was entranced by the idea of creating things I really loved, with designs that were completely mine. I think I was 16 at the time. Since then, I've been working with beads off and on, and it's been a consistent passion more recently. In the past year or two, my main focus has become earrings.

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

I've been drawn to beads, and earrings, because they're something that I enjoy and wear. Designing and making them had instant appeal.

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

I love discovering a new way to accentuate pretty beads...the satisfaction of new designs is wonderful. I'm waiting for an order of beads in the mail now, and I'm excited to get started with some new looks!

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

Wild blueberries are unique in their wonderful color, and they're sweet and dainty. The work I do seems best described by blueberries--I make unique statements of classic beauty with my dainty earrings.

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

I've always thought it would be wonderful to work with clay...handmade pottery can have such gorgeous colors, and it would be involving and satisfying to work with color and shape in such a versatile medium.

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

Beauty and balance. I like interesting jewelry that's based on simple beauty. Pretty beads set off by a bit of embellishment can make a strong stylistic statement while still being petite and lovely.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

It's common advice: Find what you're passionate about. If you love what you're creating, you'll achieve much more, and enjoy it immensely.

Thanks, Julia, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone!

Be sure to visit Julia's Etsy shop and her other links below, where you will find delightful, affordable earrings to compliment any outfit you might decide to wear.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SCHMUCKLUST - the delight to adorn - artisan jewellery

Let's welcome Britta and her Etsy shop SCHMUCKLUST !! Britta is very new to Etsy, having just opened her shop on September, 2008, so be sure to stop by for a visit! Shown above is one of her charming, romantic necklaces, and I'm sure you will find more delightful jewelry when visitng her shop. Here in Britta's own words, you can find out a bit more about this delightful artist.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Aren’t you fascinated how people around the world, across all cultures spend a significant time and effort on their own decorations? So, I have always been interested in jewellery and did take courses in jewellery making at the University of South Carolina.

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

When I discovered Japanese hand painted richly decorated papers, I just loved them. And when you convert them into jewellery you get the best of several worlds. Fine, intricate, high class style – but at affordable prices. Also, the artisan beads are hand treated – lacquered in fact – which has also played a big part in Asian cultures, but keep their light weight aspect. So, the look great, weigh little and can be custom made to reflect colour stories. There are endless possibilities and I am still exploring new ones.

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

Once I have created the beads and look at them, an idea emerges as to how the necklace or earrings etc should look. It is as if the original Japanese print calls for its final stage. Or when I see something else and have an inspiration – in short – the creative side.

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

Does a rose count? It is the always recurring beauty – even that they have become such parts of our daily lives.

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

Photography/Painting - as I am a very visual person.

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

Beauty can be around us daily. Appreciation for the finer things!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Just go with your heart. You will know where your creative urges are. Get lots of supportive people or a community around you – like Etsy – because there will be dry stretches – and than it is great to get some encouragement.

Schmucklust is German and means "delight to adorn". We have these precise words to describe emotions and feelings – like Wanderlust, Zeitgeist – or not so nice - Schadenfreude. Through my affordable creations I hope to allow women to experience “Schmucklust” more often.

This is my favourite cap – Red Riding hood, which a friend of mine, Claire from PocoLoco made for me. I also call it “putting on my self confidence”, particularly when I approach shops to display my work. And it has been an excellent companion so far. I am sure you have you a lucky piece as well.

Thanks again, Britta, for sharing your thoughts and creations with us!! Let's all make Britta feel welcome on Etsy and be sure to visit her shop SCHMUCKLUST!

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - COBWEB CORNER

The Lion Battles the Snake - Natural Brass Necklace

WELCOME, Carla and her Etsy shop COBWEB CORNER!! I just continue to be amazed at all the wonderful and unique styles of jewelry out on Etsy. Let's hear from Carla, in her own words, what she has to say about her lovely creations, and get a bit more insight to Carla as an artist. Don't forget to visit COBWEB CORNER and Carla's other links listed below this interview.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

A friend at work had made a Halloween Bracelet. I told her to make some more and I would try selling them on my website. Her reply “You can make them – it’s really easy”. She made a list of the supplies I would need, I went shopping, and boom – I was designing jewelry. I was hooked right away.

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

I work with many things, but in general my designs are simple. I try to concentrate in finding unique focal beads/pendants and creating something around that. My goal is to keep things affordable, but very original. Also – it must be wearable. That sounds obvious, however some pieces can be amazing, but not something you would actually wear – if that makes sense. My newest venture is with natural brass components. I love the vintage-style designs and really enjoy creating jewelry using the brass items.

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

I really enjoy creating designs that people love to wear. I love it when people contact me and say something like “I wear that necklace I bought from you all of the time.” This just makes me feel good! I also have a line of gift items that includes poems that I wrote. I especially am touched when someone chooses one of my items to give as a very special gift. There are so many choices, and when someone selects one of my items for that ‘extra special’ gift, I am really very touched.

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

Tough question! I would say vegetable. Mostly because fruit reminds me of bright and whimsical, and I don’t think that describes me. Vegetables remind me of muted and stable – that sounds more like me.

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

Writing. I have always had a thought in the back of my head about writing – but never really considered actually pursuing it. I don’t think blogging counts!

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

I don’t have a message per se, but I do truly want my customers to enjoy what they purchase from me. Everyone knows that there are a lot of options when it comes to choosing where to spend your money. I want my jewelry designs to say “You’re going to be happy you decided to shop here.”

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Stay with it, but at the same time don’t be afraid to try new things. Grow with your craft. Decide whether you truly want your talent to be a business or a hobby. Turning your craft into a business is a lot of work, and your hobby becomes something you must do rather than something you want to do. Also – don’t undervalue your work. Network and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of places to get to know others in your field. Oh- and Have Fun!

THANKS, CARLA for a sharing your lovely work and thoughts with all of us.

COBWEB CORNER WEB PAGE

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ZEBA

I'm happy to have Sholeh and her delightful jewelry out here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. Be sure to visit her Etsy shop, ZEBA, to see all of her wonderful, unique creations. Also, be sure to enter her FREE GIVEAWAY drawing for a very delightful and charming necklace, which I am hosting out here on DZFANTASY! But first, let's learn a little bit more about Sholeh and her creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started as a stained glass artist. While working on stained glass, I became interested in working with metals which led into making jewelry. Now making jewelry is my primary passion.

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

I like working with metal and with jewelry, but your choice of metals are somewhat limited. Gold is too expensive; copper, I like to work with, but it oxidizes; so the most practical one for me is Silver. I may still go back and give copper another try.

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

Trials and errors to find solutions so that the outcome is like what I have in mind, or something I am pleased with. A lot of time, I start with an idea and thru trial and error the end product is something I am proud of, but not necessarily what I started with. Sometimes I start without any idea at all and I let the metal or the wire tell me where I should go next.

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

I have to say ‘Ugly Fruit’. It is called ugly, it looks like an unripe orange, but you are in for a treat, if you are willing to try it. Raw materials for my craft are not pretty at all, and it takes a lot of time and effort to bring out the hidden potential and shine, just like an Ugly fruit, you have to cut into it and be trusting.

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

I have already tried, painting, color pencil and watercolor and stained glass and I like them both. But I have to say, I prefer Stained glass. Both the glass and metal have a mind of their own, which creates interesting problems and challenges.

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

I don’t have a special message; I just want to make people feel good.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Be patient and don’t give up.

Thanks, Sholeh for sharing your thoughts and your creativity with all of us!

Also, thank you for participating in a "giveaway", on DZFANTASY, for one of your delightful creations.

Be sure to enter the drawing for this whimsical, fun cat necklace! You can go directly to Sholeh's "Cat in on a Window Ledge" necklace giveaway by clicking on the photo below.....all you need to do is a leave a comment in the post.

If you'd like to see more of Sholeh's creations be sure to visit her Etsy Shop and other links listed below.

FLICKR

SPECIAL NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY FROM ZEBA

" Cat on a Window Ledge" Necklace

by Sholeh

You'll be sure to want to enter this "special November" giveaway which I am hosting for Sholeh, a delightful jewelry artist from Etsy. I am very happy to host this UNIQUE, FUN, CAT necklace.

GIVEAWAY: 1 - "Cat on a Window Ledge" necklace

VALUE: $30.00

Start Date: October 30, 2008

End Date: November 30, 2008 - 12 MIDNIGHT - CDT

ELIGIBILITY: USA only

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment in this post

2. Be sure to leave either an email address or some other means of contacting you, should you be the lucky winner.

3. If you sign in as "Anonymous", be sure to leave at least some means of identification.

4. Winner will be randomly chosen on December 1st, from all the entries. Winner's name will be posted out here on DZFANTASY, and if an email is listed in the winning entry, I will immediately notify the winner. The WINNER then has 5 days in which to contact me at dzfairies@msn.com to provide me with their shipping information.

5. If WINNING entry has not left a means of contact them, entry and date will be posted out here on DZFANTASY, and WINNER will have 5 days in which to respond, or I will randomly choose another entry. Be sure to stop back and see you the winner is...IT COULD BE YOU!

6. If WINNER doesn't contact me within the 5 day time frame allowed, I will then randomly select another winner from the remaining entries. It does speed things along if an email is left in your comment.

7. Once the WINNER is verified, I will notify Sholeh of the WINNER'S name and shipping information, and she will ship the necklace DIRECTLY to the WINNER.

PLEASE READ BELOW TO SEE A DESCRIPTION OF THE NECKLACE:

Cat On The Window Ledge Necklace – Glass and Wood Necklace Fun, casual and playful are a few words to describe this pendant style necklace.A Chinese glass red cat surround by rectangular brown wood frame that resembles a Cat on a window Ledge. A Chinese lamp work glass bead is used as decoration to tie the wood frame to the leather cord. The lamp wok is red with while and olive dots. The pendent measures 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) and is hung from a 1mm brown leather cord secured with Bali sterling silver end cap and end hook.The necklace measures 16 (40cm) inches long. The clasp length is included in the overall length. A 2 inch extension sterling silver chain is included. The necklace is shipped in a box suitable for gift giving. For Necklace Length help see http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15843693

If you'd like to see more of Sholeh's work, be sure to visit her shop on Etsy by clicking on either the photos below to go directly to that item in her shop or to click on the ZEBA link below the photos!

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - ELAINE HAYDON JEWELRY - semi precious gemstone accessories

I'm happy to have Elaine Haydon with her exquisite jewelry out here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. The bracelet above is absolutely breathtaking!

You really must take the time to visit Elaine's Etsy shop to see all of her wonderful creations. First, let's hear what Elaine has to say about her adventure as a jewelry artist.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

A love of art, jewelry & a strong desire to work from home & raise my children.

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

I worked in the retail & merchandising end of the fashion industry for about 15 years. I think it stems from that, really, more than anything else. I have a passion for fashion & accessories. And I LOVE jewelry. I'm particularly drawn to unique natural gemstones.

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

I love every aspect of it- except the photography and marketing (which are the most important parts of selling online). Mainly, I love sitting down with the stones & just creating without sketching. That's really when I do my best work.

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

Hmmm...that's a tough one. I would probably choose a bunch of grapes. I'm really drawn to clustering gemstones right now & curled headpins, which actually remind me of grapes.

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

I would have to say pastels. I have loved creating with pastels since I was young. My kids think it's great that I "draw with chalk". I find it very relaxing.

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

Just a strong sense of style, individualism & beauty. I want every woman that wears my jewelry to feel great about how it pulls her look together.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don't give up. Be passionate about what you do & stay consistant. And, above all, don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't succeed.

Elaine, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and gorgeous creations with us. They are truly delightful. To see more of Elaine's work be sure to check out her web page listed below, as well as her Etsy shop.

ELAINE HAYDON JEWELRY WEB PAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ANNWN - Handcrafted Lavender Glass Bead Jewelry by Andrea Kiernan

WELCOME, Andrea of ANNWN - Handcrafted Lavender Glass Bead Jewelry out on Etsy. I just love this artist's exquisite glass lavender beads!! One can almost smell the wonderful scent of lavender...just by looking at her lovely beads! Let's hear what Andrea has to say about herself and her delightful creations.

In my island studio I work to recreate the beauty of the lavender fields. I primarily use the lavender beads for pendants like the ones modeled after the Grosso variety that have been featured in various beading books and magazines. Most recently, my jewelry has grown from simple pendants to large art pieces containing multiple lavender flower spikes. The hollow focal bead functions as a vial, meant to be filled with the lavender plant's calming essential oil. Its wearer experiences a constant aromatherapy treatment, the next best thing to a summer walk in the fields.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I studied off hand glass blowing in undergraduate school. When I moved out to San Juan Island, there were no hot glass shops so I built and ran my own small glass studio and quickly learned how expensive they are to keep in constant operation! It was at this time that I pulled out the lampworking torch that I had been carrying around since high school and taught myself how to make glass beads.

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

Hmmm... I have always been really excited by molten glass, but I do remember getting to see a hot glass demonstration when I was a kid on a family vacation. After that, whenever anyone asked what I wanted to be when I grow up I would reply a glassblower.

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

I really enjoy the torch time, it is where I can experiment and be creative, I also enjoy assembling my beads into finished jewelry- this I can do right in my living room while at home with my three-year-old daughter, it enables me to be at home while working and helps our family avoid crazy high daycare bills.

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

I would choose vegetable, the head of the lavender plant reminds me of asparagus!

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

Silversmithing- I really want to learn how to solder and have the materials to cast and polish silver and other metals. I feel limited with jewelry design not being able to design my own fine metal components.

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

The beauty of the natural world and the amazing properties of lavender as a medicinal herb.

Thanks, Andrea, for sharing your beautiful work with us. Be sure to visit Andrea's links below to learn more about her wonderful creations.

PELINDABA LAVENDER

SHOP THE FRONTIER

SILVER ONLY

FOREMOSTFOCAL

LAVENDER BEADS (Etsy Shop)

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SILVER RIVER JEWELRY

Let's welcome Sonja of SILVER RIVER JEWELRY on Etsy. I love the unique design of the copper wires, and the brillant blue of these earrings. Sonja's shop has a beautiful selection of delightful jewelry, so be sure to pay Silver River Jewelry a visit. First, let's read what Sonja has to say about herself and her jewelry.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always done something as far as arts and crafts go and have dabbled in many crafts. The jewelry obsession started when I purchased a beading kit for my daughter's 13th birthday. She had shown some interest (anything that will hold a 13 year old girl's attention for more than 30 seconds AND is creative and/or productive is to be encouraged by any means, lol, so I went ahead and got it for her. She decided that she really wasn't that interested, so one night while watching TV I picked up the beading kit. That was pretty much it for me, I made 6 pairs of earrings and a necklace that night and haven't looked back since.

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

Well I have narrowed it down to three different main techniques that I want to focus most of my energy on. Metal smithing, wire wrapping and Lapidary (cutting and shaping stones from rough rock). These three techniques should allow me to take almost any design from start to finish with little or no dependency on commercial findings. (Barring glass beads, I haven't learned how to make those yet lol)

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

All of it! From that first look at the stone, beads or whatever to the finished product, I love the entire process. Oka,y I would be happy with a little less sanding and making of headpins but other than that I love the whole process.

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

This is going to sound kind of bizarre, but I am going to have to say a potato. Mostly because it is such an earthy vegetable and all of the basic materials for making jewelry come from the earth, the metals, the sand for the glass. Plus potato's are a very versatile product, so many yummy things can be made from them.

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

Sketching or painting, because there are no restrictions to what your mind can apply to paper or canvas.

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

That inspiration and beauty can be found anywhere and transformed into something else beautiful.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Make what you love and make it well. Always, always work on improving your work, there is always the next level of craftsmanship to attain.

Sonja, thanks for a delightful interview, and for taking the time to give us a little bit of an insight into you and your lovely jewelry! Be sure to take some time to visit Sonja's Etsy shop and her other links below.

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FLICKR

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - D' Elle Jewelery

I had the pleasure of meeting this delightful artist from Belgium when I entered her "giveaway" for one of her charms. Lo and behold....I won the charm, and was so impressed with her Etsy shop and jewelry that I wrote and asked her if she'd like to be a featured artist on my blog. Happily, Elke said yes!

To find out a little bit about Elke and her delightful jewelry, read below to hear what she has to say in her own words.

Her charms are quite charming all by themselves,

and I wear mine on a sterling silver chain. (Thanks again, Elke)

What led you to start creating your art/craft

When I was younger I was always looking for something creative to do but I couldn't think any further than painting. And that isn't my favourite thing I guess. One day, someone in my class, that I didn't even like, told me she made jewelry. I visited her and asked her to teach me something. We made this pendant according to a pattern. Mine wasn't even done right. Then I asked my mom for some beads and a book with patterns. I showed this book and creations everywhere, and that's when some people asked me to make them something. I guess that's how it started. Soon I tried other things than just following those patterns. I didn't think of that as very creative when your own input is just choosing the colour of the beads. Family and friends bought some of my jewelry so I could buy new materials and that's how it started.

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

Lots of crafts aren't really suited for a 16-year-old girl. They often require lots of space or are really expensive just to make one thing. With jewelry, I could decide what to make up front, and buy what I needed for it. I could also wear it myself and make gifts for friends and family. I was also interested in gemstones before I thought about making jewelry, and now I'm using these too. At that time it seemed I chose it because it was something I could do but now it's a passion.

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

The thing I enjoy most is the moment when someone sees a piece of jewelry and falls in love. Then they try it on and it is meant for them to be worn. I can start crying when I see that. It is so rewarding. I know a girl who worked all weekends when she was 15 just to be able to buy one of my necklaces. Now she wears it everytime I see her. When I'm working on a piece of jewelry and after trying and trying and trying it's suddenly all right, I love that moment.

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

I would choose cherries. I try to make jewelry for very feminine women. I also think it is important to have something for everyone. Lots of people love cherries, but they were also used ages ago in paintings with high society woman. So cherries are a bit for everyone. When you buy a bag of cherries, they all taste a bit different. This is also something I want to show, and that's why most of my pieces are one of a kind.

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

Two weeks ago I would have said sewing. I wanted to make dresses to go with the jewelry I created. They go really well together. But I bought some fabric and made some wallets and I just don't feel the same passion. I tried scrapbooking, but it wasn't my thing either. I thought about soap making, but my mother wouldn't let me. I did make some paintings for our living room, but I was happy when they where finished. I guess the answer to this question is a bit weird. I would use acrylic. I'm a artificial nail technician and make-up artist and I just love making nail art with acrylic, like flowers and things like that. The fun part is that you can use it to decorate everything.

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

Everybody deserves a special thing for themselves. I want all women to feel good about themselves, and having something to treasure. When they are alone they should be able to imagine they are a glamourous movie star or a cow girl, whichever they prefer, but they should always be themselves.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

No one ever said it would be easy so keep doing what you love. Crafting is about true love.

Elke, thanks for such a delightful insight to you and your art! May you be successful in whatever you do with your creativity! To see the variety of Elke's jewelry,and to learn more about her, be sure to visit her Etsy shop, blog and also her website (which is in Dutch), by clicking on the links below.

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WEB PAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - TILLEYJEWELS

Let's welcome, Meredith, whose shop on Etsy is called TILLEYJEWELS. Meredith's 16 year old daughter, Audrey, and her shop AUDDITIES was just featured out here, and I'm now very happy to have Meredith here on DZFANTASY also as a featured artist! The gorgeous bracelet above is just one of many beautiful pieces of jewelry which Meredith creates. You really must visit TILLEYJEWELS to see all of her other delightful creations! First, read below to hear in Meredith's own words what she has to say about herself and her creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I was raised in crafts. One of my earliest memories is of sitting with my mother doing needlepoint. I'm not sure if I could even read a book at the time, but I could read a needlepoint graph. Everyone in my family does something creative, so it was pretty much inevitable that I would, too. It was just a matter of what I would focus on.

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

I've tried pretty much every arts and crafts medium available throughout the years, but somehow it always seemed to come back to beads. My first beading projects when I was younger weren't jewelry--they were little bead and wire sculptures. I think that's why I enjoy making tiaras and headpieces so much--they take me back to that "sculptural" effect. The first "real" piece of jewelry I can remember making was a multi-strand pearl choker that I wore to my senior prom.

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

A lot of people would think I'm crazy, but I really enjoy working with brides. It's an incredible feeling to know that they trust my skills to create something that they are wearing on one of the most important days of their life. Knock on wood, I have yet to actually encounter a Bridezilla.

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 say my work is like a bunch of grapes--every piece has some common characteristics that hold it together into a group, but at the same time each one is its own individual unique creation.

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

I spent several of my school-age years creating pottery. I even taught children's pottery classes through our local artists' guild for a while. There was a whole "mad scientist" aspect to molding a form from the clay, firing up the kiln, we even mixed our own glazes from raw chemicals back then. That's an experience I would have loved to pass on to my own kids, but the facilities aren't available around here any more. The types of clay work I can do at home--polymer clay and PMC--are fun, but just don't have quite the same emotional feel to them.

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

I use the tagline "fairytale jewels for the everyday princess" for my business. I believe that every woman deserves pretty things and to feel like a princess once in a while.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?-

Always take time to do what you enjoy, and not just what everyone wants you to do or what makes money. When it starts to feel too much like work, back off and take time to play around and create just for the fun of it, just for yourself. It's wonderful to make money off of your talents, but you don't want to end up resenting your art.

Meredith, thanks so much for sharing a bit of yourself and your lovely jewelry with us. It is always a real pleasure to get to know a little bit about each artist behind the lovely work that has been featured out here on DZFANTASY. If you'd like to see more of what's offered at TILLEYJEWELS, be sure to click on the photos below to go directly to that item in Meredith's shop, or click on the link below the photos to go to her shop. To learn more about Meredith and her work you can also visit the other links below.

Smashing Darling

LIZZY WISHES

MADE IT MYSELF

LOVLI