FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LOCKS OF PIZAZZ

 

VERONIQUE Aqua and Brown Damask Dangle Earrings

 

Emily of LOCKS OF PIZAZZ

WELCOME, Emily and her Etsy shop LOCKS OF PIZAZZ, where you will find, as Emily states in her shop title's tag line...."Embellisments with elegance for hair, body and soul!"  Some items you can choose from will be "hair flair", ear jewelry, pendants and more.

Emily also has a second shop on Etsy, called ORCHID'S DREAM...carrying beautiful flower jewelry and accessories created using polymer clay.  You will be able to visit both of Emily's shops by clicking on her links below the following interview.

Take a moment to read Emily's interview below, where she gives us an insight into her thoughts and creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I am a mom of twin girls. After the first year of being home, I started getting cravings to express myself once again and be creative through art.

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

I have a background in printmaking, monotypes to be exact. While I love that, I started thinking about a medium that would be a little less messy, and more versatile. Years ago I was asked to demo polymer clay in a workshop for kids. I enjoyed the brief ‘encounter’ I had with it then, so started doing some research. That led me to NJPCG (New Jersey Polymer Clay Guild). I went to my first meeting, and have been hooked ever since.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
 
I would have to say the experimental aspect. Most of the time I sit down with a piece of clay and begin on the journey towards my destination. Yet there are times I get sidetracked. For example, if I am mixing up color, and it suddenly looks like an amazing piece of agate, I stop there. I also really enjoy doing pattern transfers onto clay. I simply can’t resist French damask…most of my items in my new shop are just that. It’s very enjoyable to be in the moment, and working with clay helps me achieve that.

BUMBLE BEE Shabby Chic Bobby Pins

(These charming pins can be found in LOCKS OF PIZAZZ shop...see links below)

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


What an interesting question! I would have to say a tomato. Why? Tomatoes have culinary versatility. A tomato can be used a wide variety of ways. Ex. in a sandwich, a rich marinara, the base for a spicy salsa, etc. It’s the same with polymer clay. There are countless examples of different methods and results that polyclay artists use to create some real visual masterpieces.

ORCHID POPPY Button Flower Statement Necklace

(This delightful necklace can be found in Emily's ORCHID'S DREAM shop. See links below)

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

I think I would like to explore the world of textiles. I love patterns, rich colors…, luxurious fabrics. Oddly enough I don’t sew. Maybe in another life, can’t imagine there’s enough time in this one!

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

Beauty is created by combining juxtaposing elements. (ex. old and new, shabby and chic.) Also, I like thinking outside the box, and doing things differently. Locks of Pizazz was created to address a void that I see in womens accessories; pretty hair jewelry. My pieces are very unique AND affordable. Gotta love that ‘opposing’ combination!
 
What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I think back to high school. The class the kids would sign up for the easy “A” was always art. For those of us who pursue it as our vocation however know differently! It takes courage to do your art or craft and put it on display for all to see. My advice is to be courageous. Believe in yourself. Keep fine tuning your talents. Look at trends for inspiration but don’t get bound by them. Strive to find a niche. Work hard and have fun!

Emily, thanks for a great interview, and for sharing all of your delightful creations with everyone.  Being a mom of twin girls, I'm amazed that you have time for so much creativity! 

Be sure to visit Emily's links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - Emariecreations

Deck The Halls Gingerbread Earrings

by Samantha of EMARIECREATIONS

Samantha of Emariecreations on Etsy has many delightful creations made of polymer clay such as the fun little Gingerbread earrings shown above.  When you pay a visit to Samantha's shop you will find jewelry, push pins, magnets, hair accessories and more, all at very reasonable prices.

Take a moment to read Samantha's interview below to learn how she got started in creating her polymer clay creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started working with polymer clay around the age of 11 or 12 as a hobby, mostly creating miniature food for my dollhouse. It wasn't until earlier this year that I became more seriouse about making and selling my clay creations. I enjoyed making the miniatures, but never thought I would be selling them!

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

I think I was drawn to polymer clay because of how easy it was to work with. I also think the brilliant colors it comes in was a big factor, too!

Pastel Snow Lady Ornament

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

I think I would have to say creating custom orders is the most enjoyable aspect for me. I get to work with great people and create something special just for them.  Also seeing the finished product of some new idea I have created is great, too!

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your "creativity", what would that be and why?

A very interesting question! I think I would say a raspberry. They come in so many diffrent flavors, colors, and varieties, are small, yet are so full of flavor!

Fresh Picked Apple Earrings on SALE - $5.00

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

I think I would choose origami or paper quilling. For both you have to use your hands, and I really enjoy working with my hands. I also love making tiny and intricate designs with my medium, and both origami and quilling include that.

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


 I want to convey a feeling of cheerfulness and fun. I enjoy what I do and want others to get the same joy out of it that I do.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Whatever your art or craft is, do it to the best of your ability! Don't do things half-heartedly- that will show up in your work. If you do your craft with joy and excitment, others will see that through your art or craft.

Thanks, Samantha, for taking the time to share you whimsical creations and thoughts with all of us.

To see more of Samantha's creations, click on the links below.

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - CLAY IT AGAIN

If you only had faith as a grain of mustard seed...

nothing shall be impossible to you." Matthew 17:20

I have always loved this saying from the Bible. I have a plaque with this same saying hanging in my studio. And every once in awhile I need to be reminded of those words. So I created a pendant with the same sentiment and a real mustard seed encased within the heart of the pendant.

Welcome, Cindi and her Etsy shop CLAY IT AGAIN. I love the idea of her mustard seed pendant above. In this troubled world of ours....we all need to remember to have faith! Be sure to visit CLAY IT AGAIN, to see Cindi's other wonderful creations.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My mother was my girl scout troop leader and so we were always doing some kind of craft or another...macaroni, tissue paper, ash trays for smokeless families... When that creativity is sparked in a child, it just follows with you, your whole life.

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

I discovered polymer clay when I ran out of wooden beads for some wire angels I was making for Christmas one year. I asked my (normally very generous) stepson if I could have some of his old junky modeling clay. I was shocked when he told me NO! So I sent my hubby and (and stepson) to the store to get me some beads. Hubby got the wooden beads; But my son picked out a sample pkg of polymer clay because he thought I needed clay. The clay sat around for a couple of months and then one day I saw Donna Kato on the Carol Duval show. And the rest, as they say, is history...I've had polymer in my veins ever since, and I blame my son for this addiction.. LOL

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

The most enjoyable part for me is when an idea pops into my mind, and I have to figure out the mechanics of how to put everything together to make a tangible product. To be honest, I get bored making the same thing over and over. And although I am very patient with tedious time consuming projects, it is a real challenge for me to make more than 6 of anything. When I do HAVE to make more than half a dozen of something, you will always see variations in the items.

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

I would choose grapes. They are can be sweet, juicy, sometimes sour, and they make you want to keep plucking off another one to enjoy!

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

I actually do switch off polymer occasionally to do landscape oil paintings. I can create a whole different place to go when I paint, but the whole time I am painting, my mind is racing with ideas of things I can make in clay. I have to keep a notepad with me to write down polymer ideas while I am painting.

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

I just want people to enjoy my creations, whether it is to look at, to touch, to wear, or simply to hold. If it brings someone happiness, I've done my job well.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Practice, patience, and perserverance...Good things come to those who wait.

THANKS, Cindi, for sharing your thoughts, and creativity.

Cindi also has another talent....painting beautiful landscape scenes in oil! Be sure to also visit her other shop on Etsy...12 MIDNIGHT OILS.

CLAY IT AGAIN BLOG