FEATURED ETSY SHOP - THE SIMPLE THREAD

Verona Upcycled Bag

by THE SIMPLE THREAD

The Verona Upcycled Bag is a versatile hand bag that I have made by hand using a cotton pillowcase in a red, orange, and fuchsia block pattern. The handles which have also been re-purposed were originally wooden hangers. To add comfort to each handle, I have added a leather grip that has been molded to the wood and double hand stitched.

WELCOME, Judy and her Etsy shop, THE SIMPLE THREAD.  When you pay a visit to THE SIMPLE THREAD, you will find fun, whimsical hats, as the main items of creativity, but also "upcycled bags", pom poms and headbands.

Let's take a moment to learn a bit more about Judy and her creativity by reading her interview below:

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I can’t remember not being an artist. I have always been making things. I did a lot of building and constructing objects as a small child. I also began sewing at eight. I received my first sewing machine for Christmas when I was twelve and it is the same machine I work on today. Throughout adolescence, I went through sewing spurts, mainly sewing with little formality. During my time as a sculpture major in college, I really developed my sense of planning and began to make my own patterns for various soft sculptures. After finishing college, I began feeling that the act of art making was selfish and an act of gluttony. So, I put aside my making for teaching art in an elementary school. Over the past several years of abstaining from the act of making work, I have begun to feel extremely repressed. This is what brought me to upcycling and making utilitarian objects such as bags, hats, and headbands. I am able to enjoy developing and construction again and ultimately I believe this will lead me back to making fine art.

The Prince Josiah Fleece Hat Size toddler

What better than a cozy fleece crown to keep your little prince warm on a cold winter's day. This ready to ship Princess Josiah is suitable for ages 1-3 with a 20" circumference, but please check your little prince's measurements to make sure it is just right for him. If you need a different size don't hesitate to convo me and I will make your prince a crown that is just perfect for him

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

Sewing is accessible at this time in my life with a little one and far easier then having a metal studio or working with wood. Plus, there is a level of immediacy and gratification that I am able to experience. This is much needed since I have been on a hiatus from art making for several years.

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

Working through the concept and patternmaking.

The Princess Addison Fleece Hat Size toddler

What better than a cozy fleece crown to keep your little princess warm on a cold winter's day. This ready to ship Princess Addison is suitable for ages 1-3 with a 20" circumference, but please check your little princess' measurements to make sure it is just right for her. If you need a different size don't hesitate to convo me and I will make your princess a crown that is just perfect for her.

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 mango. I have never eaten one, but I have often peeled and sliced them for my family. This connects to my work because I do not use a purse or wear hats or headbands, although I have made them for others. In addition, I enjoy the color combinations and textures of the mango as well. This is where my inspiration in making accessories lies..with the patterning, color combinations, and textures that I am able to utilize or create.

Blue Fleece Pom-Poms

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

I would have to say printmaking because I love the limitless processes.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

As artists we do not have a choice as to whether we should create because we must. It is up to us to be passionate about what we do and everything else will follow.

Thanks, Judy, for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone. 
 
To learn more about Judy and her delightful creations pay a visit to the links below.

TWITTER

DZFANTASY FANS.....Save on purchase/s of my Fiber Fantasy Jewelry!

NEW STYLE

Beautiful Knit Necklace Chain with Swarovski Crystal Pendant

DZFANTASY "FIBER FANTASY JEWLERY" SALE

FOR

DZFANTASY FANS!

If you are a "fan" of DZFANTASY, or if you become one.....you can save $5.00 on each purchase of any necklace, earrings or face pin....MAY 11th - MAY 31st.  The savings will be refunded via PayPal.

Add a bit of color, whimsey and magic to any outfit.  These creations are light weight and very unique.  You will be sure to receive a lot of compliments.  Swarovski crystal accents!  Great gift ideas!

You can purchase from either my DZFANTASY shop on Etsy or Zibbet, by clicking on the links below.

DZFANTASY ON ZIBBET

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - KIRAMEKU

Berry Ring - Limited Edition

by Kirameku

It is my pleasure to have Maxime and her Etsy shop here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist.  I thought her shop name was very unique, so it was interesting to read in her Profile, how she chose the name....KIRAMEKU......"As for my shop’s name, it’s actually a Japanese word to describe the shine of the ocean and the diamonds. I thought it fit the shop so perfectly, because, I go crazy for everything that shines!"

Take a moment to read Maxime's interview below to learn a little bit about her, and then be sure to visit KIRAMEKU to see her lovely creations.

Sparkling glass crystal bracelet

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

For jewlery; I would say simply curiosity at first, when I was younger. I left that hobby aside and picked it up a few years later beacause I couldn`t find jewlery that suited my tastes. As for arts, it is my biggest passion, so I just kept studiying it and experimenting, they are just too many possibilities ! It is so fun !


How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
The medium for art took a while. After trying out oils, watercolors, gouache and acrylics, I saw that I like the waterbased one better, so there you go. As for the jewlery, I would simply say anything that shines I love !

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

I think it is the experimenting part that I love the most, I`m so curious ! I just love to discover new techniques.

Turquoise Flower Paper Earrings - Limited edition

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

I would say berries. You simply have to take a peek at my Etsy mini and you will know exactly why.

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

 Hum, I already touch a lot of medias so I would probably say painting on wood.

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

If my art could talk, it would say: look around, see the beauty within everything.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Hum, advice... I would probably say document as much as you can, you can never learn enough on your media. Knowing it inside and out is a must.

Thanks, Maxime, for sharing your thoughts and lovely creativity with all of us. 

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

FEATUARED ETSY SHOP - HATT STREET

SALE Teal button toque

by Kendra

This toque will beat the competition black and blue. Think girlie toques are just for sissies? Think again! Bright blue teal and black keep this toque edgy and tough. Blue spirals down to the black brim, and two off white buttons finish the punch.

Let's welcome Kendra and her Etsy shop, HATT STREET. Pay a visit to HATT STREET, and you will find an array of lovely, colorful crocheted items...jewelry, spring toques, WINTER SALE ITEMS and more.  First, take a moment to learn a bit more about Kendra and her creations by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

My dad taught me how to crochet when I was young, and my mum also taught me how to knit. I kept forgetting how to knit, though, so after the first ten times she showed me, I gave it up as a bad job! The crocheting stuck, and when I saw how much toques sold for in stores, I decided to start making my own. Plus, that way I got to pick whatever colours I wanted! People started commenting on my toques, and I started making them as gifts, and things grew from there.

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

Ah, can we blame genetics?! I never made a conscious choice to create with wool, but it works for me!

The Daffodil Bracelet

Nothing says spring like daffodils. April is also Daffodil Month with the Canadian Cancer Society, and this bracelet combines a crocheted daffodil with their royal blue colours to help spread the word. The band of the bracelet is stretchy, and measures 7" around when relaxed, and can stretch up to 11" at the maximum.  $2 from the proceeds of this sale will go to cancer research.

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

I love a challenge. I love creating custom orders for people and seeing their reactions to my work. I love trying new things and writing my own patterns.

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

I want to say a potato but I don't know why...

The Slouchy Toque

Lightweight and bright, this toque is the perfect accessory for those cool spring evenings when you just want that little extra warmth without getting a jacket. Slouch fit with a snug band, in a cotton blend yarn.

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

Food! I love to cook, and I make some pretty excellent cakes.

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

I don't think I have a message, exactly... Just want people to have fun with winter!

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Let yourself be creative. Go with what works for you, and have fun with it!


THANKS, Kendra, for sharing your thoughts and creativity with all of us.  Kendra has some great sales going on now for her winter items, so don't pass up the chance to get beautiful, handmade creations at great prices.

HATT STREET ON FACEBOOK

ARTIST'S REVIEW OF - 34th Annual Madison Audubon Art Fair 2010

Lobby of the Warner Park Community Center

on day of the Audubon Art Fair

This past Saturday, May 1st, I exhibited at my first art show of the season at the 34th Annual Madison Audubon Art Fair.  I rather had a premonition that this day might not be one of the best I've ever had at an art show!

My sister was supposed to be at my house at 5 a.m. on Saturday so that we would have plenty of time to make it to the show, and set up before the 9:30 a.m. starting time of the show.  Well, about 5:15 a.m. I get a call from my sister on her cell phone saying she was lost, as she had to get off the freeway due to a large accident or something.  Now you have to know that it doesn't take either of us very much to get lost.  I'm terrible at giving directions over the phone because I drive by landmarks and not streets.  Therefore, trying to envision where she had ended up wasn't that easy for me!  After about 20 minutes of both of us trying to figure out the best way for her to get to my house,  we finally suceeded!  Now we were only running about 45 minutes late.

No worry!  Using her GPS, we did find the Warner Park Community Center building giving us a good amount of time to haul our stuff in and setup.

SILENT AUCTION SETUP AT SHOW

(Artists are asked to donate a piece of their art, where people can then bid on it.)

I've done this particular show for several years now when it was held at the Olbrech Botanical Gardens in Madison, and this was the second time I've done it at the new location at Werner Park Community Center.  I have to say that since the show was moved to this new spot, it hasn't been the same show as far as sales, people attending and the ambience is just not there. 

Setting up in a gym with grey plastic all over the floor doesn't make for a good environment for an art show.  On top of that it turned out that the people running the show mixed up my booth number with an artist friend of mine.  She wanted electricity and paid for, and I didn't.  I was given her booth and she was given mine.  We both already had our setups half up before we realized this.  To make matters worse her medium of "jewelry" was listed under my name, and my medium of "fiber" was listed under hers on the program.

Well, OK, my jewelry friend and I both decided to go with the flow!!  I know these shows are organized and setup using volunteers, and realize it takes a lot of work to put them together, but when artists pay a pretty good fee for their booth fee, I feel they should at least be assured of some quality treatment.

A portion of my "booth setup" with my new fiber jewelry and fantasy figures!

I'm so lucky to have my sister, Dianne, to help me with the display...actually she does most of it after we've set the gridwall up.  I just hate that part of doing a show!

My newly designed "jewelry diva", sitting in her chair is watching over things!

We are all set up and still have 10 minutes before the show starts!  I don't know how we managed that!  Now all we had to do is wait for the people to come flowing in.  Well, sorry to say that did not happen!  I have never seen such low attendance at this show.  I thought it was bad last year, but this year was unbelievable!

View of indoor part of the show

 NOTE: I took this photo in the middle part of the day, so you can see that there wasn't very many people attending.

View of the artist exhibiting outdoors...also not a lot of people!

One thing I always love about doing a show, whether good, bad or horrible is the fact that we always meet some delightful people, and can visit with past customers and meet a few new ones.  We've also always been lucky to have a delightful artist in the neighboring booth.

 Below is a photo of  our next door neighbor's booth, Anne Alessi of Waunakee, WI.  Anne designs and creates gorgeous "loom knit hand painted sweaters and silk scarves!  (Anne, thanks for the scarf!) To learn more about Anne and her exquisite designs, pay a visit to her web page by clicking on the link below:

ALESSI STUDIO

Below is a photo of a piece done by a truly talented glass artist!
(I had taken a few other photos, but somehow they weren't in my camera when I got home!)

The photo doesn't even begin to do justice to her work!

To sum up this show, I'd have to say there were a lot of very unhappy artists with many not even making their fees (myself included).  I actually only sold one tiny fairy for $49.00 and donated another for the same price to the silient auction, so that equals ZERO!  Not to mention my booth fees and gas.  Needless to say, this is one artist who won't be doing that show again.  Two years in a row, of low attendance and sales, makes me look to other venues, as I'm sure some of other artists attending will also. There is some wonderful art at this show, but it appears it is going the way of many of the art shows in this area.

What is the cause....it is hard to say....lack of promotion and advertising, the economy, location???

My next show will be coming up on June 5th.  It is a show I've never done before, so we shall see what happens there.  Stay tuned!  To all you artists and crafters out there....BEST OF LUCK, and may you find a few great shows!