FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ARTISAN CREATED

Citrine Candlelight Earrings

by

ARTISAN CREATED

I'm happy to have Anna of ARTISAN CREATED on Etsy, as a featured artist here on my DZFANTASY blog.

Anna creates some beautiful jewelry...earrings, necklaces and more. For her favorite item to show on her feature, Anna selected the gorgeous pair of Citrine earrings shown above. While browsing through her shop, I noticed the matching necklace, and just had to add it out here! Very beautiful.

Citrine Candlelight Necklace

Let's hear what Anna has to say about her work, and why she loves creating beautiful jewelry. Be sure to visit ARTISAN CREATED to see more of Anna's work.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I always liked crafts and a friend of mine introduced me to beading. I guess I took to it like a duck to water. It's relaxing and lets me express my creativity.

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

I wanted a medium that was accessible; something I can find easily and use my imagination to create something unique.

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

The creativity that my craft allows me is most enjoyable. There are so many options in materials, should I choose to select something different. Having people compliment me and/or buy the things I create is certainly a wonderful feeling.

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

Hmm.... Great question. I think I'd pick an onion because there are layers to my jewelry and just like onions are a great addition to most any dish, my jewelry is a great addition to any outfit.

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

Photography. Check out the shop in the next month or so as I will be adding photography. People tell me I see things that others don't, or see things in a different way. There's so much beauty out there and I want to share the beautiful things I see.

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

Another great question. I think the message I want to convey with my art is beauty and elegance.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

My advice to other artists/crafters would be to do what they love. Stay true to who are and do what you love, what makes your heart smile, what makes you proud.

Thanks for a delightful interview, Anna, and for taking the time to share your thoughts and wonderful jewelry with us.! You can learn about Anna and her creations by clicking on her links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - RARE ARTISANS - Handcrafted Jewelry and Original Art

"Sunlit Vase" by Frank Rose

I am very happy to have the "Rare Artisans" shop on Etsy as a featured shop out here on my DZFANTASY blog! What a detailed and exquisite drawing above!! One can only imagine the time it took to create such a work of art!
Be sure to visit the Rare Artisans to see more original art and beautiful hand-crafted jewelry. Let's hear what the Rare Artisans have to say about their work as they share their thoughts with us.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
Our conglomerate began creating art years ago, all of us starting our journey at different stages in life. Collectively, we have all answered the same calling…to be creative and expressive by channeling love and joy. We all found the creative process relaxing, and only later discovered that it could also be lucrative. Several of our members have been severely disabled for many years and have found that making “things”, and having them be appreciated by other people, encouraged them to be more satisfied with themselves. Getting together, loving each other’s work, laughing at our mistakes, and learning from each other led to starting our website and then opening our Etsy shop!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
Basically, it has settled down to whichever medium is available at the time. We may not be the best at it, but love to dig in with every ounce of determination and talent granted to us. We encourage and mentor each other to try new things, so each day opens new possibilities!

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
For one individual, it is when he is constructing jewelry, taking time to ensure that each piece is strong and beautifully crafted. Another finds that the greatest moment is when he first sees a certain combination of jewelry components that he knows will become a beautiful piece. One of our artists enjoys the freedom of a blank piece of paper just waiting for his pencil to tell him what to create! For another one of our artists, it is when she clicks the camera’s shutter knowing it will be “the one” out of the bunch that captured all essentials to become an emotionally stirring photograph (see her fine art photography at http://alisondubois.etsy.com) ~ and she also loves imagining a jewelry item, and then creating it by learning different techniques. Another feels special knowing her art is out there in the world, adorning someone with her jewelry accompanying them on a night out on the town, during a significant moment in their lives, or a nonchalant moment where they take time out to notice her piece throughout their day.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
This is a difficult question! Maybe an interesting fruit bearing plant from the rain forests, currently unknown to man, that would make people wonder “Is it a fruit or a vegetable”? It would be healthy, entertaining and appealing, delicious and versatile…and no one would be allergic to it! The fruit would be our jewelry and art pieces - ready for people to pluck and enjoy today, tomorrow, and as heirlooms passed to generations to come!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be, and why?
We gathered our pool of incredible artists together (some whose work is yet to be featured) to help answer these questions (and had a great time!) So, we came up with a few answers to this question.
1) Sculpture, because it is an art form that is not commonly displayed in the public as much as it used to be.
2) Old style techniques in photography, because this is a medium that should be preserved and revered.
3) Gastronomy~ simply because being a chef and preparing dishes that are not only vital to living, but are also a wonderful way to connect people of all ages and origins…everyday would be wonderful. How splendid it would be to create recipes that could potentially become a staple in everyday lives - to prepare glorious works of art, only to see them gobbled up!

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Rare Artisans’ crafts are intended to capture emotions, convey beauty, and share our respect for the endless combinations of crafts that are available for anyone to try. We’d like to encourage people to believe in themselves…believe that they can create and receive satisfaction for their work.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Just go out there, work with what you can afford, there are an abundance of resources to learn different techniques, for endless creations. If you fail, try, try again! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the world of art is constantly growing and changing with the times.

THANK all of you "Rare Artisans" for taking the time to contribute your thoughts and ideas for this feature. GREAT answers, thoughts, and wonderful work!! It is wonderful to hear of a group such as this! I'd like to mention here, that Alison DuBois has also been featured out here on DZFANTASY. Be sure to visit RARE ARTISAN'S shop on Etsy and also the other links listed below.

RARE ARTISAN'S BLOG

ALISON DUBOIS BLOG