Sunday, June 22, 2008

Featured Artist

Our featured artist sculpts in Fabric and what she creates is fabulous! Come and meet



Here is our interview with Donna -

Briefly describe what you make?

I design and create one-of-a-kind, fiber fantasy sculptures in the form of fairies, mermaids, sea nymphs riding their magical fish, fairy face pins, magical witches, butterflies, fairy scenes, leaf spirits, and whatever else pops into my imagination!

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

My favorite medium is "fabric" and "fibers" because I love the warmth and texture that these mediums provide. I especially love using silk, which I hand-dye and hand-paint using silk fabric dyes. It allows me to come up with one-of-a-kind colors and patterns. The many wonderful, colorful yarns available allows me to come up with some pretty wild hairdos for my creations!

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been designing and creating, and selling my sculptures for a little over 10 years.

How did you get started?

I always liked to create things out of fabric, especially when our daughter was little. I started out making cloth dolls, and designed all their clothes, and drew on the faces. After I started getting into craft shows and selling my work there, my work evolved over the years to my current whimiscal designs, which I now sell at art shows in my area, my web page, and on Etsy.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

I came up with the name DZFANTASY because DZ are my initials and I am totally into "fantasy".

What would you most want people to know about your work?

I would want them to know that each creation was created with a lot of love, with the hopes that it will bring a bit of joy into the lives of whoever may own them.


What words of advice do you have for other artists?

If you truly love what you are creating, don't ever give up and be discouraged if you don't happen to be selling as much as you would like. Keep on creating what makes you happy! Also feel happy and blessed that you have this creativity within you to share with others.

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Wow! You have got to see these sculptures! Go right now and visit Donna's shop!

While you are at Etsy please come see the new photographs at PAST PERFECT!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Featured Artist

This artist has a shop with a funny name but she makes very nice greeting cards. Come and meet Steph from



Here is our interview with Steph!

Describe what you make?


I make greeting cards, mini albums, and decorated wood letters.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

All of my items share an element of paper. I love how so many designs exist as to match any mood or occasion. While I have dabbled in several things from pottery to knitting, I think I've found my niche.

How long have you been creating craft?

I've loved crafts since I was little. But my paper crafting as it is today started in 2002. It has been evolving since then.

How did you get started?

I was recently married, and wanted to start documenting and scrapbooking our pictures, so I began putting them together in a "glorified photo album" The fancy papers, dicut machine and embellishments eventually were added to the mix.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

I gave myself the screen name of "So-Cal-Mommy" when we lived in Southern California. When we moved, it didn't work any more, but I realized that quite often I do feel like a "So-Called-Mommy" as we all figure out our roles in our family here.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

That I enjoy doing it. I love creating things that make me smile, and that can make other people smile too.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Find your niche in what you love, but never stop learning about it. Learn new techniques (or create them yourself!) and continue evolving as an artist.

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Steph has some very nice things for you to see at her shop.


While you are visiting Steph come on over to PAST PERFECT and see our new selection of note cards - sold in sets of four. Each card with a striking photo. There is an assortment for women and one for men.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

YART SALE!!!

What is a YART Sale? Ever been to a yard sale. Well, now you don't have to leave your cool, air conditioned home to find bargains. A YART Sale is a Yard Sale on the Internet.

Many shops are having Yart Sales over at Etsy. I am having one too! Come on over to PAST PERFECT and you will find all of my beautiful and stunning flower art photographic prints reduced. The YART Sale runs from June 11 to June 20, 2008. Don't miss it. This is a chance to get some beautiful art and save some money!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Featured Artist

Our featured artist is a fiber artist who crochets. Her shop is Millie Fern.


Come and meet Adie of MilleFern -

Briefly describe what you make?

I make mostly handbags and plush animals/dolls. I also make some home accessory items like baby blankets/throws that don't usually make it to my website. I crochet and often felt my projects. I also create bags and animals from recycled wool (i.e. wool sweaters) tht I felt and use to create with.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?


I love yarn! However, I also line my bags by hand, and hand-dye leather to use for the straps. I often add embellishments such as beading to accent the work. There are lots of steps involved in making one of my bags since they are lined and have leather handles. I see a lot of felted bags for sale, but most of them are unlined. In addition to my etsy shop, I love to paint and also work with paper (I make cards).

How long have you been creating craft?

Forever. I've been creating since I can remember. Whether drawing, using leftover materials to create items as a child to now- crocheting and still using leftover materials to create!

How did you get started?


As far as my handbags go, I got started crocheting just a couple of years ago. I had wanted to learn, so I did. I practiced and practiced, learning stitch after stitch until I could finally crochet something that didn't curl and twist and look generally awful. Then I saw a felted bag on TV. I had to learn how. I did it once, and I was hooked. Someone saw my first felted bag and wanted one. That was my first custom item, and when I had to come up with my name(I'll get to that). After that, I started exploring what I could do, and I've come a long way. I use my own designs for my bags and animals. The bags you see in my shop are one of a kind! After I learned about etsy I was hooked on that too. That helped keep me motivated to keep creating.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My shop name is very personal. My great grandmother was Millie Fern. She was a creative and beautiful lady. I had always loved the sound of her name. I had always thought it would be perfect for something, I just didn't know what. When I sold my first bag two years ago, I had to have a name and a tag to go on the bag, of course. So, I decided on Millie Fern!





What would you most want people to know about your work?

I would like people to know that there is a lot of time that goes into each bag. I'd like people to know that they are quality. That they're original designs! Someone could copy me, but they are not going to end up with the same product. I create my own designs. I'd like them to know that I add a lot of detail that also takes a lot of time. Most of my bags have embellishments such as felted flowers/blooms or beadwork. The lining is done by hand. The strap is real leather, and I dye it and seal it myself. Basically, that if they choose one of my bags, they're getting something unique and original. Also, I love custom work!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

You have to keep exploring and trying new things. Think outside of the box, get outside your comfort zone, and keep it fresh. You've got to practice your craft and you've got to get better. If you're not growing and improving, then you're going backwards. There is no such thing as standing still- gotta keep on movin'!

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That was a great interview! I love it when artists share so completely with us! You must visit Adie's shop - MillieFern!


While you are at Etsy please be sure to come look over my photography shop - Past Perfect. You will find some beautiful prints and I soon will be adding notecard assortments of some of these great prints.