SPRING FLING - PART IICome join me in the second series of delightful, colorful spring items from a collection of shops on ETSY. Whether you live in an area where it finally looks like spring has sprung, or you live in a warm climate all year long, I'm sure you will enjoy what the following shops have to offer.
This is SPRING FLING - PART II. I will have a SPRING FLING III out here in the next week or two. ENJOY!!
Girls' Peach Gown with Ruffled Overskirt and Gold Accents, Size 4 
SKETCHY PETALS PRINT
Crochet Necklace--3 Tiered Bright Amber Yellow with Bead
Garden Green Floral White and Brown Spring Flowers DiY Adjustable Silver Tone Circle Ring 
GISELLE NECKLACE
Flower Photo Note Card Sets
Handpainted Original Puzzle Charm SPRING DELIGHT
Daisy the Any Occasion messenger dog
TWEET TWEET BIRDIES
DARLIN DIVAS Hand Painted Wooden Wall Letters shown in Storybook font
Paper Crochet Single Egg Holder
Iris Flower Art-Turn the Tide
Diane, Her Iris Vase and Her Dog - set of 5 magnets 
Mesh Cap with Flower - Ivory - Newborn to Child Sizes - Perfect Spring or Summer Cap
Scrabble Tile Pendant - Bunny Rabbits and Carrot
SPRING BIRDHOUSE
Kiwi - ceramic necklace
IMPRESSION
Silver Filigree Leaf Spring Necklace blue green pink antiqued 
Give Me A Boost Frog Vase
Where Can We GoI'm delighted to have Matthew Hyatt as a featured artist out here on DZFANTASY. I like how Matthew expresses himself, not only through his art, but in his descriptions of them. I pick up that he has a "sense of humor" as well! Be sure to visit Matthew's shop after reading his interview below.
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
Monet, hands down - sitting in the dentist chair, my dentist loved him. I fed on his ability to capture light with brushstrokes. I love emotion and light in paintings. The viewer should be able to understand a sense of light or emotion rather than just looking at a "photographic" image on canvas. I felt like there were so many simple things that hadn't been painted, but needed to be to satisfy something inside me. I constantly think about composition and what to work on next, sometimes working on three at a time.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I fought with acrylics and watercolors for so long, so, frustrated with them, I tried oil because of the consistently slow drying time. I fell in the love with the ability to continually shift and change color and mood and really endow the paintings with quick emotions and a sense of light.
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
Being able to work on a large scale and really attack the canvas with sharp colors. it feels so good, I can't even explain it.
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I'd totally choose an onion. they're strong and potent, you can remember their smell long after. Sometimes they make you cry but they remind you of things. They're often rough on the outside, but have a beautiful inner layer.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
Spray paint; I love it's spontaneity even when you think you're going to do something it takes over. lol.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
I want the viewer to be able to pick out something from their life and relate to it. Like the onion could remind you of mama's cookin, I want my paintings to be an extension of their lives - like poetry.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
If you're trying to be professional, act professional and always strive to better your skills. apply at many galleries and don't let man defeat you. you are given the artistic gift for a reason!!!
THANKS, MATTHEW, for giving us an insight as to you as an artist, and also for sharing your wonderful creativity with everyone! You can visit Matthew's Etsy shop by clicking on Matthew below:
Bumblebee Girl Original Artwork Bookmark by Audrey
Before we get to hear what Audrey has to say about herself and her art, let's hear from Audrey's mom. Since Audrey is a minor, her mom handles all of her sales, etc. at Audrey's AUDDITIES shop.
Audrey just turned 16 in late July. She's a junior in a high school that has an excellent art program. She is taking all the art courses available to her in school--is excited about starting ceramics this semester when classes begin next week. She is planning to study art in college and pursue some form of art as a future career, possibly teaching or graphic design. Audrey has spent the majority of her life immersed in the art scene, travelling to craft shows and demonstrations with either me or her grandmother (just like I did growing up). Last fall she had her first booth selling in a juried art show and has won several school and community-based awards for both her artwork and fiction writing. THANKS, MOM!
Now let's hear in Audrey's own words what she thinks about art and her work.
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I've always liked to draw, and it keeps me from being bored. I've also had many family influences who support my art, like my mom.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with
I try pretty much any art medium I can, and like them all to some extent. I usually use whatever supplies I can afford or that I get as gifts.
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
It's a way to create fantasy worlds of fairies and vampires. I like those things.
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
I'd choose an apple because it's bright and colorful. It's hard not to like an apple and my work kind of has that effect on people (or at least I hope it does!)
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
I really would like to work in 3-D, specifically puppets. Jim Henson has had a big impact on me and I would love to make things as memorable and lovable as his work.
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Just that I'm having fun doing something I love.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
If you love to do something, keep at it and don't give up.
AUDREY, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and your art! It was really fun having a "budding young artist" like yourself out here on DZFANTASY! Your work has a whimsical quality to it, which I really like! Don't give up your dreams!! I'm sure Audrey would be delighted to have you visit her AUDDITIES shop. Just click on any of the photos below to go directly to that item, or click on the link below the photos.
What led you to start creating your art/craft?
For the past 20 years I have been creating art. Doing a little illustration, creating huge and not so huge watercolor paintings, always photography, now a jewelry artist and painting in acrylic & oils. I am a self taught artist but won many awards for my watercolors the first year I started painting sooo.. I took that as a sign and gave up my computer consulting business to become a full time artist and never looked back. Earlier in my life I didn't accept the idea that I was an artist in spite of all the signs I was showing through out my life. But when My daughter was in High School I took a beginning watercolor class at the urging of others and the rest is history. My wish is to make people happy with my art and notice the beauty around us.
How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
Watercolor was kind of chosen for me by, being the first medium I worked with. I do love dancing with watercolor as it has a mind of its own. If we just trust it to flow freely and not try to control its movements, your painting will be far more beautiful than anything you could ever imagine and the colors are sooo pure, beautiful and transparent they make you feel happy. Life is like that too.
What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
Applying the watercolor. Letting it run. When creating my necklaces I enjoy putting all the elements together to create a design to enhance the gorgeous handmade Venetian Murano beads that are the focus of my necklaces.
If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose and why?
For my paintings I would choose a fruit, a ripe glorious peach, because my paintings are sweet,juicy, beautiful and make you feel good. For my jewelry I would choose another fruit, sweet cherries, because they are exquisite to look at, rare to find and make you salivate when looking at them.
If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?
Acrylics are another medium I truly love as they are very versatile. You can make them look like watercolor, oils or even acrylics. They are eco friendly (water based, don't smell, can be throw out in the trash no problem). The colors are wonderful and you can modify their texture with sand, gels & on & on. I am currently beginning to get familiar with acrylics & you will see more of my paintings in my shop. One is there now "Sunrise on Long Sought For Pond"
What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
I want my art viewers and jewelry wearers to feel joyful, happy, hopeful and to love the feeling of having the beauty of our world brought close to them to notice and love too.
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Trust your creativity. It is good. Read "How to Avoid Making Art" by Julia Cameronauthor of "The Artist's Way". You will find all your excuses not to create so you can get going again and trust yourself.
Great interview, Cynthia! Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts and work with us. You can visit Cynthia's Etsy shop by clicking on any of the photos below to go directly to that item, or click on the link below the photos to see all the items in her shop. Cythnia also has a web site link below where you can view some of her larger paintings.
