FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BRASS CAT STUDIOS

Nesting in Rainbows

by

BRASS CAT STUDIOS

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WELCOME, Xeque and her Etsy shop BRASS CAT STUDIOS.  I love the unique colors and textures of the above necklace!  When you pay a visit to BRASS CAT STUDIOS you will find other delightful creations created by Xeque....both vintage and modern jewelry, along with some supplies, etc.

Let's find out how Xeque (pronounced just like X), got started in her creative endeavors by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

One day I started playing with my sister's beads. I was having so much fun just making patterns and color schemes with plastic beads and stretchy string, I decided I had to start getting some real supplies.

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

I've tried so many different crafts. Oftentimes I would enjoy it for a very short while then it would just fizzle out. Jewelry was something I had tried on numerous occasions in my childhood, but it wasn't till later on when I experimented with my sister's beads I realized just how much I loved it and that it was the one thing I never tired of. So I wanted to try my hand at selling to help fund the craft.

Twinkling Lights Tree Wreath Ornament

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

It's a really good feeling to share with others what you've created with your own hands. My family and friends always enjoyed receiving my jewelry as gifts, but when I started being encouraged by total strangers who saw my jewelry, it gave me the confidence to give Etsy a try. The unity in people who create handmade goods makes the experience so much more enjoyable.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
 Passion fruit, because I'm passionate about what I do.

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

Hmm...does writing count? If so, because I've always loved writing, and do have the hope to publish someday. If not, art, because in the past I really enjoyed drawing before I started making jewelry.

Web of the Widow

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

I don't feel I have a message really. I just have fun, and hope people have fun wearing what I make.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

I think anyone is capable as long as they love what they do. Your craft shouldn't be a chore, it should be something you enjoy doing. People will care about your work as much as you care about it.


Xeque, is has been a real pleasure to have you and your unique creations here on DZFANTASY as a featured Etsy artist.  Thanks for taking the time to share not only or creations, but also for a great interview.

To see more of Xeque's creations, be sure to BRASS CAT STUDIOS by clicking on either the thumbnail photos or shop name below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - BluKatDesign by Heather

Rhinestone Statement Necklace.

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WELCOME, Heather and her Etsy shop BlueKatDesign.  Heather designs some very stunning and gorgeous "upcycled vintage and modern jewelry"!  You really must pay a visit to BlueKatDesign after you read Heather's interview below.  Her jewelry designs are truly amazing.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have been a jeweler for over 35 years and doing it professionally for over 30. I had some vintage items so naturally wanted to make something out of them. I discovered this was a lot of fun so I decided to make more to sell.

Beaded Rose Earrings

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

This is what I have been doing since high school!

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

Creating a fun fashionable piece out of a clunky old earring or a pretty vintage flower that is unique, totally wearable and in style today!

GOLD FLOWER NECKLACE

(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about this stunning necklace!)

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

Fruit; colorful like a vintage flower!

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

Miniatures; I also make dollhouse miniatures or paint.

Foral Rhinestone Statement Necklace

(CLICK on item's title above to learn more about this gorgeous necklace!)

 

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

 I think people like to wear something different, unique and one of a kind and make their own statement!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Make and sell what you love.

Thanks, Heather, for giving us an insight into your thoughts/ideas and sharing your beautiful jewelry with us.

To see more of Heather's designs be sure to visit her links below!

FACEBOOK

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - SUGARLILAC JEWELRY by MARISSA

Sky Dream Necklace, Aqua Blue Glass Teardrop Trio, Faceted Briolette in Brass

by Marissa of SUGAR LILAC

I'm happy to have Marissa and her Etsy shop, SUGAR LILAC, here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. Marissa designs beautiful, "unusual bohemian & nostalgic altered vintage"  style jewelry in the form of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more, so be sure to visit SUGAR LILAC!

First take a moment to learn a little bit more about Marissa and how she got started on her jewelry creating venture.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I started making jewelry as a small hobby , but it didn’t take long for me to grow more and more interested in it. I always loved art and being creative!  A few years later, I am happily making jewelry all the time.

African Turquoise Rhinestone Earrings, sea Green stone, Titanium French Hook Earwire

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

It’s difficult for me to decide what mediums to work with because I have so many ideas. Some of my favorites are brightly colored gemstones, brass, and silver. Lately, I’ve also been doing these stamped bracelets in aluminum, which I’ve found to be a very cool and more affordable alternative to silver. The bracelets are pretty popular and they are a great price. I do wish I could do more metalsmithing , if only I had my own torch.

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

My favorite aspect of creating jewelry is being able to share it with others.

Aqua Terra Mermaid Necklace , Long gold, Ocean Blue Impression Jasper

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

I guess I would choose a strawberry, because it is a sweet, wonderful treat! Also happens to be my favorite food.

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

Another medium I love working in is oil painting. I love to paint and don’t do it often enough.

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

If I could convey a message, it would be love! Jewelry is often given as a token of love, appreciation, friendship. I hope I can help deliver these messages and make someone very happy.

TidePool Bracelet , Trio of Aqua Terra Blue Impression Jasper

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

My advice to other artists would be to never give up on your art. Just keep creating, keep working, because that’s what keeps you going!

Marissa, thanks for sharing your beautiful creations and your thoughts with everyone. One can tell from your designs that you really enjoy what you do! 

To see more of Marissa's work, be sure to visit her links below.

FACEBOOK

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - KD DESIGN STUDIO

WELCOME, KIM of KD DESIGN STUDIO on Etsy!! Kim's beautifully designed creations have a "vintage and nostalgic" theme to them. They make you think of days gone by! Be sure to visit KD DESIGN STUDIO to see her selection of bracelets, necklaces and more! Now, lets learn a bit more about this delightful jewelry artist.

Kim is also having a "giveaway" on her blog for a very charming bracelet, so be sure to vist her blog and enter the "giveaway". You can click on the bracelet photo below this interview to get to her giveaway.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

When I was young, I lived in a fantasy world and I carried that fantasy into everything including playing dress up. When I was 5 and my brother was 4, we spent hours playing dress up with my Grandmother’s table cloths and hats. The picture, in my banner on Etsy and Shop Handmade, was taken by my Grandfather after one of our dress up days. (You can imagine how embarrassing this image is to my brother now, but what the heck that is what big sisters are for.)

Even then I was in love with jewelry, can you find the pin on my shirt? That picture represents the little girl fantasies that I don’t want to lose. I used the picture in my banner because it reminds me to never forget that fantasies can come true.
When I was 7, I asked my Mom to help me open my own store. I got the idea after seeing an empty store near the market and I just knew I could find something to sell in that store. I decided I could take bent clothes hangers and straighten them out and make something out of them. Of course, I am laughing about this today, but you can see that my fantasy world grew from clothes hangers to jewelry, and now I have the stores I longed for and something to sell. I don’t use wire clothes hangers, but the idea is just the same.

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

I chose jewelry because it is so versatile and expressive. If you don’t love what you make, you can take it apart and make something else. I come from a very artistic family. My father, Herb Fillmore, passed away in 1999. He was a successful international artist and commercial illustrator. My mother is a writer and a published author, and she, also expresses her talents and creates works of art thorough needlepoint. My brothers, (I have four of them and yes I am the only girl), are all creative. One is a producer, director and editor for TV. One teaches middle school kids history through games. One brother is a building contractor and can create and build anything. My brother, the one in the picture, is an accomplished artist and he also buys and sells art.

As you can see I was born into talent, so I looked for a way to create and I found one I love. Making jewelry and writing the stories to go with them, is now a passion and something I look forward to everyday. I am always looking for old books and jewelry parts, and then I use the pictures or the findings to create fun charms like I did in my “If Wishes were Horses” carrousel charm necklace and bracelet or “After the Dances Were Through”, my signature piece.

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

I love the quiet. I can go into my studio, (or as my husband likes to call it “the second bedroom”), and just use my imagination and make things I love. It is instant gratification and it relaxes me.

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

I would choose a cherry. It is sweet, dainty, fun, bright, and everyone loves them.

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

One day I picked up a camera and I loved it. I started taking pictures of kids on bikes at bicycle motor cross races, and I wound up as a contributing photographer for Super BMX Magazine. I went on to take photos of drag boats, cart racing, off road racing, NASCAR, classic cars and the drags, there is a theme here, I love things that go fast. My fast days are pretty much gone, but I am so glad I learned how to shoot as I am getting great shots of my grandchildren.

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

For 35 years I worked a high power job where I managed a number of employee’s. I am not working now and I wanted to stay busy; creating and making jewelry, maintaining a shop on Etsy and Shop Handmade keeps me hopping. What I want to convey to others is, it’s true what they say, when one door closes another one will open.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

When I came to Etsy, I thought that I had such a novel idea, to use antique photos, vintage artwork, jewelry findings and other items and turn them into works of art. Of course, once I opened my shop and then started looking around the websites, I found out that my novel idea wasn’t very novel. What advice I want to share with others is, as long as you put your heart and soul into what you are making and you make it your own, there is enough room for everyone. Remember to “pay it forward” reach down and help the new shop owner and encourage their individuality. That is what two wonderful ladies did for me.

Check out Bianca’s shop on Etsy at …. Justbedesigns and of course …Donna at DZFantasy .Thank you both very much.

THANKS AGAIN, KIM for taking the time to share your thoughts and lovely jewelry with all of us!


BE SURE TO VISIT KIM'S "BRACELET GIVEAWAY" BY CLICKING ON THE PHOTO BELOW.

To visit KD DESIGN STUDIO, just click on any of the photos below, or the link below the photos.