Personalized Disney... by Me!

Back when I was planning my wedding in 2007/2008, I became friends with an online community of women all planning their weddings for the same month and year.  They're all over the US, and one's even in Canada.  A sizable group of us are still friends, and some of us have met and become friends in person as well.

And for the holidays, we do a secret Santa gift exchange.

My recipient this year happens to be a former Disney employee, who still loves all that is Disney.  Loves.

So for her gift, I got her Disney fabric, Disney ribbon, Disney stickers, Disney buttons, and even some non-Disney stuff!

Also, she likes unicorns.

In my travels, and while shopping for her gifts, I found that apparently Minnie Mouse has dressed as many princesses... but never a unicorn!  Not one I could find anyway.  Well, of course I had to remedy that.

Behold... the one and only Minniecorn!

I used this drawing I found online as a basis for Minnie's shape and stance and angles, but I did draw it freehand, as you'll notice if you take a look for inconsistencies.  It was so fun to create!  And I love that my friend will own a piece of Disney fan-art that will never exist anywhere else.

Besides, you know me & handmade.

Artist Spotlight: Part One Hundred and Seven

I could be wrong, but I don't think you've met Monika of MyEuropeanTouch here before.

You'll note that her banner says "mosaic art," but that may be an understatement.  This woman is an artist with a capital ART.

A mosaic artist for 10 years, she's been working with different mediums quite literally all her life.  Mosaic is natural for her, though.  Growing up in Germany shortly after WWII, she watched her parents reuse, recycle, and reinvent.

She's come a long way since post-WWII Germany; her work has been seen on HGTV!  But on to more mosaics!

Would you believe she's completely self-taught?!  It's not just about the mosaics, though, no matter what her banner says.  This chick's got serious talent.  And she's come a long way since her childhood, knitting, crocheting, and sewing clothing for her dolls.

She still experiments with her diverse talents and the many types of art that have been a constant presence in her life.  Even the fine arts, which I love because it's close to my heart too.

Wanna know where else you can find her?  Try her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and her About Me page.

Artist Spotlight: Part Twenty-One

The artist to whom I have the pleasure of introducing you this week is Kazumi, a multitalented woman from Japan.  You can read all about her various projects on her blog.  Not only has she tried her hand at beading and bead making...

... but she makes beautiful purses, totes, card holders, and keychains that you can see and get at her Etsy shop.

You may have noticed a sock monkey keychain up there.  That's not all Kazumi does with sock monkeys.  Here's a sock monkey card holder.

Here's a sock monkey card.  She's got a lot more cards at one of her Zazzle shops.

Like this wedding card.

Also at that shop is cool apparel, featuring her designs, like this.

Don't think we're done with the sock monkeys, though.  Oooooooooh, no.  See, here is an assortment of actual sock monkeys you can see and purchase here!

Want a 2-D version?  You really need to check out her sock monkey chalk drawings!

If you're into sock monkeys, though, she's got many other chalk drawings available here, here, and here.  There are signs for your shops or restaurants.

Her chalk drawings have also been commissioned as wedding welcome boards or anniversary party boards.

Many of her chalk drawings, though, are simply beautiful artwork for the purpose of art alone, like these.

Speaking of art for the sake of art, Kazumi's isn't limited to chalk drawing.  She's also got these wonderful mixed media pieces.

Definitely check her out!