FEATURED ETSY SHOP - LITTLE MISS DESIGNS

WELCOME, Megan and her Etsy shop, "Little Miss Designs"!  When you pay a visit to Megan's shop you will find bright, colorful, handmade hair clips, purse tags, and more.

Let's find out a little bit about Megan and how she got started on her "creating" adventure!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My 8-month old daughter! Before she was even born I started shopping around for cute hair accessories. I couldn’t find exactly what I knew I wanted, so I decided to try my hand at making them … and voila!

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

I liked the look of felt since it easily keeps its shape. And the fact that it doesn’t fray or unravel is a huge plus!

Felt and Corduroy Hair Clips Trio

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

I love that what I do doesn’t take me away from my family. My “shop” is set up in our house and I have everything in a common area where my daughter can be playing and my husband can be watching TV. And even when there is down time and orders aren’t coming in, I continue to make items for the pure enjoyment of making them – it relaxes me.

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

Cute question! I would choose a head of lettuce! On the surface it seems that it “is what it is”. But as you pull back the layers, you see different textures and colors and it almost takes a completely different shape. With my craft, I started off doing different variations and colors of basically the same thing – a flower shaped hair clip. While that was fabulous, I wanted to start pulling back the layers and challenging myself to see what other ‘shape’ my business could take on. I wanted to continue with the children’s line, but also start thinking about what I could offer MOMS, so that I would appeal to different age groups. Now I offer clip organizers and bag tags … and some new cute, different things soon to come!

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

I’ve actually never considered myself all that creative, so I’ve even surprised myself through this journey! But if I had to choose another medium, it would probably be crochet. I love to crochet, but would certainly have to practice, practice, practice before showing my work to anyone outside of my family! Ha!

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

I am not sure what message I want to convey with my craft, but I know the message that I want to convey through my craft. 10% of all of my sales are given back to my church. My day job has never given me the satisfaction of “giving back” that I have desperately wanted for so long. My craft is affording me the opportunity to finally feel like I am making a difference for others.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Take the risk and put yourself out there. I still need a confidence boost every now and again, but the best thing I ever did was just “go for it”.

Thanks, Megan, for not only sharing your delightful, colorful work with all of us, but for a great interview!

If you'd like to learn more about Megan and her "Little Miss Designs", be sure to visit the links below.

LITTLE MISS DESIGNS BLOG

LITTLE MISS DESIGNS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

REVEIW OF WAUKESHA ART FEST 2009

ALMONT GALLERY

CLICK on the above link to find out more about the Almont Gallery

This past Saturday, September 12th, I was an exhibitor in the 20th Annual WAUKESHA ART FEST, which was held in its new location in downtown Waukesha.  The show, since I 've been in it, was always held in Cutler Park by the library so when I heard that it was being moved to West Main Street in downtown Waukesha I was a bit disappointed.  I thought the park with the trees and bandstand, etc. was a nice place for an art show.

I must say both my sister and I were pleasantly surprised with the new location. 

We thought the new location provided a much more lively atmosphere, and it was laid out nicely on two closed off sections of W. Main Street, with artists' booths on both sides of the street. There wer several bands, and plenty of restaurants!

 All exhibiting artists could drive right up to their spot for unloading and loading.  How great is that!!  No hauling heavy gridwall, canopy and other materials! 

My spot was perfect, which happened to be right next to the ALMONT GALLERY, owned and operated by Lynn Gaffey. 

This gave me the opportunity to take a peek inside and take some photos of this very eclectic gallery.  There were stunning clothes, painted glass items, jewelry, paintings, photography, gorgeous ceramic creations and so much more!  The gallery has a very uplifting atmosphere and a lot of "eye candy", so if you are ever in the Waukesha area, be sure to stop in and visit the Almont Gallery.  There are many more unique shops, restaurants and galleries in downtown Waukesha.  Even though I only live 15 minutes away, I haven't really been in downtown Waukesha for a long time, and was surprised at how much everything had changed.

The people running the show were very helpful, and things went quite smoothly.  I heard from customers and artists alike, that they thought the new location was great.  In fact, many liked it better than the old spot in the park....including me!

While the attendance was good....from what I could see of the people walking around there weren't that many "purchases" going by.  I do believe the economy is still affecting sales.  My sales were a bit down from last year at this show, but were a lot better than several other bigger shows I've done this year.  I'll be looking forward to doing the show again next year!

Sections of my displays at the show

The weather was so beautiful we didn't have to bother with putting up the sides.  What a time saver that was!!

One of my bride fairies enjoying the breeze!

My last art show of the season will be the Winter Art Festival in Madison, WI on November 14th and 15th.

WINNER'S CHOICE - ART GLASS "FLOWER SUNCATCHER" by DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS

I'm thrilled to be hosting this giveaway for a WINNER'S CHOICE - of an original designed art glass "flower suncatcher" from Bonnie of DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS!!

Her work is nothing short of fantastic! I can vouch for that, as I own several pieces of Bonnie's work, and they are much more beautiful in person than even the photos can show!!

Now you have the opportunity to enter this great giveaway, where the WINNER will be able to select any "flower suncatcher" which is in Bonnie's shop at the close of this giveaway. Read below to see how to enter this great giveaway:

START DATE: September 14, 2009

END DATE: October 14, 2009 - 12 midnight - CST

ELIGIBILITY: Open to USA only

PRIZE: 1 - Glass "Flower Suncatcher"

VALUE: $29 - $39.00

READ THE RULES BELOW TO ENTER:

1. Visit Bonnie's Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS, by clicking on her shop link below and see what suncatcher you would pick if you are the lucky WINNER.

2. Come back to this post and leave a COMMENT as to what suncatcher you would choose, should you be the lucky winner, OR tell us what is your favorite item in her shop.

3. Be sure to leave your email address or a link to an email address, as this is the only way the WINNER will be contacted. This is very important!

4. At the close of the giveaway on October 14, 2009 - 12:00 Midnight CST, I will randomly select a WINNER from all entries received up until the close of the giveaway.

5. I will contact WINNER for their full shipping information. WINNER will have 3 days in which to reply, or I will have to randomly select another WINNER from the remaining entries.

6. Once the WINNER has replied with their shipping info, I will forward this information to Bonnie, who will contact you to see which suncatcher you would like. She will be sending the prize directly to the WINNER.

As the host of this giveaway, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Contact Donna at: dzfairies@msn.com

THANKS, BONNIE, for letting DZFANTASY host your great giveaway!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS

GLASS ART ROUND In The Beginning
by
Bonnie Donahue

CLICK on above photo to learn more about this stunning piece of art!

WELCOME, Bonnie, and her Etsy shop, DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS. I am so happy that Bonnie "hearted" my DZFANTASY shop, as otherwise I might not have met her. Bonnie is not only a very talented artist, but a truly delightful person as well.

You really must visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS to discover for yourself, her amazing glass creations!

Bonnie has also generously decided to have a "WINNER'S CHOICE" giveaway for one of her beautiful "suncatchers". I will be sponsoring this giveaway here on DZFANTASY, so be sure to enter.

GLASS SUNCATCHER Large Plum Flower

CLICK on photo to learn more about this beautiful suncatcher!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I’ve been playing with art, crafts, music, writing, dance and drama for most of my life. As a kid, I enjoyed making dollhouse furniture and dolls more than actually playing with them. I spent much of my time alone and in nature. Nature continues to inspire and amaze me and I’ve always thought of myself as nature in human form (in spite of the prevailing western world view of dominating nature). In pondering this question, my sense is that it’s this great love and feeling of gratitude for the gift of life that compels me to create. You can only stand so much of that before it just has to come out.


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

Glass grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The brilliance, transparency and luminosity of glass touches something very deep and powerful in me. What, exactly that is, is hard to say. I think there is a good reason why working with glass has become so popular at this time. My sense is that this expresses the drive of our collective human spirit to break through its self imposed limitations and allow our inner brilliance to shine! It sounds good to me, anyway.


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

One of the reasons I’ve stayed with glass as long as I have (12 Years!) is because I enjoy all the processes of creating it. I can make two dimensional as well as three dimensional pieces. I am able to create tremendous sculptural dimension by fusing pieces at lower temperatures. I enjoy making my own molds for casting and for slumping glass. I enjoy figuring out how to make something that no one has done before. I enjoy teaching glass classes. I really don’t think that it is possible to exhaust the possibilities of creating with glass. I’m never bored with glass.


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

I would have to choose the blueberry because it’s my favorite fruit. It is so squishy, tasty and pretty, and it is oh so good for you.


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

My next most favorite medium of expression is improvisational movement and sound. It allows the whole of me to participate in the expression of whatever the moment calls for. I’ve always been more drawn to movement rather than dance and to sound rather than music. The raw, direct expression really appeals to me. And so it follows that I’m drawn to “authentic” expression regardless of the media used. Naive or “outsider” art especially appeals to me.


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

Rather than conveying a message per se, my greatest hope is to spark, encourage and support that inner spirit common to us all. That seems to be something that naturally comes out of me when I teach glass classes. It may be obvious, but the media used is a dim secondary concern for me than the encouragement of the spirit.


What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Have the courage to follow your deepest inner promptings regardless of where that may seem to lead you. Have the courage to be true to what feels deeply true for you. You may be lonely and unpopular at times, but the long term benefits far outweigh any short term detriments.

Bonnie, thank you not only for sharing your gorgeous creations with everyone, but for a wonderful interview. Also, thank you for your generous giveaway of one of your delightful "suncatchers".

CLICK on the link below to enter Bonnie's suncatcher giveaway post.

 

SUNCATCHER GIVEAWAY

Be sure to visit DONAHUE DESIGN GLASS by clicking on the links below.

"BRIGHT PATCHWORK CHARMER TOTE" GIVEAWAY

BRIGHT PATCHWORK CHARMER TOTE - IT"S REVERSIBLE!
by

SID'S IN STITCHES

Sid, from SID'S IN STITCHES, on Etsy, is back here on DZFANTASY with another fantastic giveaway of one of her colorful, handmade totes! You don't want to miss out on the chance to be the lucky winner of the beautiful tote shown above.

START DATE: 9/14/09

END DATE: 10/14/09 - 12 Midnight CST

ELIGIBLITY: Open to USA

PRIZE: 1 - original,handmade tote

VALUE: $32.00

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Pay a visit to SID'S IN STITCHES, and then come back here and tell us what item is your favorite!

CLICK on the link below to visit Sid's shop:

SID'S IN STITCHES

2. Be sure to leave your email address or a link to your email. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT as the winner will be contacted by EMAIL ONLY!

3. At the end of the "giveaway", I will randomly choose a winner from all the entries received by the close of the giveaway. I will then be contacting the WINNER, via email, to notify them that they have won and to get their full shipping address.

4. The WINNER will have 3 days in which to reply to my email. If they do not reply within the given timeframe, I will have to randomly select another winner from the remaining entries.

5. Once the winner has responded with their shipping information, I will notify Sid, and she will be shipping the tote directly to the winner.

REVERISE SIDE

DESCRIPTION OF PRIZE:

Patchwork Sewer Charmer Tote, Reversible Handbag, Shoulder Bag

A variety of bright prints make this charmer (from my Charmer Tote pattern). One side is a patchwork medley of prints – needles and thread, stripes, tone-on-tone dots, and stylized quilts in orange, purple, hot pink, bright blue, yellow, lime green, and magenta. This tote’s roomy enough for toting almost anything! The handles and trim are a variety of colorful buttons on purple. The handles are long enough to throw over your shoulder. Plenty of pockets make this bag practical to use. It’s reversible - the opposite side is patchwork pairs of blocks kite-tailed on a lime background. It closes with a two-toned round 1.5” (2 cm) handmade button in lime and purple (made by my daughter).

Accessories not included. My teenager models another version of the Charmer Tote for size comparison.The Charmer Tote is REVERSIBLE!

It’s a medium size to hold everything including a book for waiting in line along with all your daily necessities. It has hidden outside and inside pockets on each side. A button closes it at the top.100% cotton

Dimensions: 20” straps (51 cm)9” drop (23 cm)11” wide (28 cm), 5" deep (13 cm), 7" high (18 cm)2 Inside Pockets – 4” high x 5” wide (10 cm x 13 cm)2 Outside Pockets – 4”high x 5” wide (10 cm x 13 cm) Sizes approximate.

WHAT A GREAT GIVEAWAY! THANKS SID!

If you'd like to see Sid's other styles and colors of purses/totes, click on her shop link below.

THANKS FOR ENTERING AND

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!