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

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - DUBLIN ROOTS

TRIBUTE TO VINCENT VAN GOGH

I happened across this delightful artist and her work when viewing a Etsy treasury we both were in. I was attracted to the colors and textures of her pieces. Ruth, of DUBLIN ROOTS was kind enough to take the time to share her thoughts and her beautiful needle-felted art with us. Her "Tribute to Vincent Van gogh" was her choice for her favorite piece, and I have added several other views of this piece out here in her feature. I'm so amazed at the artistry that goes into so many of the needle felted pieces I have seen out here on Etsy. One can only imagine the time it takes to create such a piece as this.

Let's learn a little bit about Ruth and her work. The following paragraph was taken from Ruth's "Profile" out on Etsy, and gives us a bit more insight into Ruth and her art.

I was born in Dublin, Ireland, lived and worked in NY for many years...and feel like i have come home in these North Carolina mountains.. well almost, I love Ireland! Currently working with fibers found locally, and knowing the people who raise the animals I get my wool from adds another whole dimension to my art work. I love working with fibers, doing art, meeting other artists and sharing and exchanging ideas. I have lots of photos on Flickr..dublinroots...meeting so many artists within here and there has opened up a whole world of art..and artists.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I believe we are all artists. I am a self taught artist, and have recently become curious about needle felting. I had never heard of it until 2 years ago.

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

Any creative activity I engage in pulls me into a world of silence and peace.

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

The fruit I think of is a Mango.

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

Oil painting would be my choice... because of its fluidity....and I love the smell of oil paints.

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

I am not aware of any message to convey thru my artwork... my enjoyment comes from people's response to my art. I very much like to see the people who purchase my artwork...that is most satisfying to me.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Advice I can offer is to share your craft and teach others who are interested in learning.

Thanks, Ruth, for taking the time to share your thoughts and wonderful needle-felted creations with us.

Be sure to pay a visit to Ruth's shop on Etsy by clicking on the photos below to go directly to that particular item, or click on Dublin Roots below the photos to get to her shop.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - TRACEY'S FUN FELTING

What a delightful felted creation!!

Welcome, Tracey of TRACEY'S FUN FELTING out on Etsy! I've been seeing more unique "felting creations" since I joined Etsy, and am happy to have this "felting" artist out here on DZFANTASY. I am amazed what people are creating...and in such detail! I tried felting several years ago and sure didn't have results like many of the felting artists out on Etsy. Read below to get a little bit of an insight into Tracey and her whimsical creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Actually, I was in a quilt store with my mother, dragging my heels and giving her a hundred reasons why I was "absolutely NOT going to get into another hobby or craft, especially not anything involving material, because I am needle challenged and besides I already don't have enough time to spend on crafty things..." Honestly, the words were pouring out of me that fast. When I stopped to take a breath, a very small very wooly sheep figure caught my eye. She wasn't especially attractive or well done, but the texture was marvelous. I couldn't put her down. Less than 30 seconds later I was starting my new obsession with things needle felted. I didn't even know what could be done with needle felt, but the idea of taking wool roving and creating sculptures with it was all it took... I was off and running. Well, poking anyway.

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

In needle felt sculpture you need two things - a needle and fiber. I've experimented with silk and soy and other exotics, but I love working wool. There's so much variety and texture and so many beautiful colors - and best of all, it felts beautifully. Silk and tencel are soft, but tedious to work with.

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

The sheer versatility. Wool goes where you poke it, so the possibilities are truly limitless. I can imagine the 3-dimensional rendering of a nursery rhyme and the piece of fluffy roving transforms in my hands. I also have to admit that I'm really into immediate gratification, and while needle felting is labor intensive, I can see the shapes and story emerging as I work and it keeps me engrossed in what I'm doing.

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

A pineapple. It's poky and fibrous and has a lot of different textures. There's also a lot of work involved before you get to the finished product, but it's worth it in the end!

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

I recently discovered the world of miniatures. I was working some very, very, tiny needle felt pieces, just to see if I could. Not only was it challenging, it was really fun. I didn't think about applications, but then I was in a miniature dollhouse store with my mother, who was working on a conservatory. I saw a picture of a fairy door, which I couldn't leave alone... I had to worry at the idea and eventually I had a fairy box that fits into the wall with a beautiful wooden door, and a whole miniature scene right out of fairy-land inside it. Complete with some needle felted pieces, of course. Hmmm... as I think about it, I see a pattern here. I've really got to quit accompanying my mother to new places

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

I read a series of books once, by Orson Scott Card, about Alvin the Maker. One of the ideas that really stuck with me was that bad things come from un-making. And the only way to combat un-making is to make something. Big or small, elaborate or simple, the act of making brings order and beauty to the world. Arts and crafts are makings.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Enjoy what you do. From the selection of materials all the way through to the final piece, imbue your making with joy. Don't worry about commercial aspects - if there is joy in your art, it will stand out.

Tracey, thank you for a delightful interview and sharing your work with us. One can just "feel" the energy and love you have for your art! Treat yourself by visiting TRACEY'S FUN FELTING shop on Etsy by clicking either on a photo to go directly to that item in her shop or click on the link below the photos to go to her shop.

TRACEY'S WEB PAGE