1CardCreator is your "one-stop-shop"

In the hustle and bustle of every day life and being stuck in cyber space all day long, it’s nice to know that the art of snail mail is very much alive. We still wait for the mail to be delivered six days a week. Diane and her shop 1CardCreator is your “one-stop-shop” for all your mailing needs. She has a passion for creating handmade cards. She also will take care of the rest for you…down to the personalization and the actual mailing. This is where her organizational skills shine.


While she is busy creating and running her business and family, she is also very active in several online groups. She belongs to the Etsy Greetings Team, She also shares her cards on Paper Craft Planet, and some on Split Coast Stampers under the name “eyelike2cook.”

Take a few moments to get to know Diane. Visit her Etsy shop and her blog. Let her know how her art makes you feel. Enjoy!

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I never considered myself to be artistic, then I went to a Stampin’Up!® party in 2001and realized I didn't have to be able to draw a straight line to be creative and make beautiful cards. Ever since, I've been hooked on making cards!


Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
My craft room must be neat before I can start creating. If I have something left out from a previous project, I have to put it away and straighten up. I am a list maker and organizer, I am constantly organizing my craft room to make it more efficient. If my craft room is cluttered, my mind becomes cluttered.

What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
I love the process, from the beginning of an idea in my head right on through to moving elements around, adding this and changing that in order to get it to the finished card. I most enjoy the creative process when I am making a custom card for someone. I frequently have people see something I sold before, or on my blog, ask me if I could make something similar for their situation. In fact last week a customer found a card that looked like a man's suit and tie that was done in blue and brown. She had a very sweet and touching story about why a black suit and red tie would be perfect. As we convo'd back and forth, we brainstormed together, and came up with what was the perfect card for her. The blue and brown card listed for $5 in my Etsy shop, because of a lot of added modifications to the inside (I made a pocket that looked like an envelope, typed out 20 personal messages, and edged them in gold). I had quoted her $8.50 because of the extra work, by the time the card was done, we had become friends and she asked me to list the card for $10. She said I deserved the tip, that is a first for me. She also ordered one card from my shop and requested I make three more from my blog.


What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
I am very fortunate to have so many nice tools. I love my Spellbinders Wizard and my Circuit. I am a paper snob, I hate cheap paper and card stock. I love rhinestones and beads, and I have a mental problem with ribbon. I just can't resist a good sale on beautiful ribbon. In fact I had to ask my husband to custom build a display rack to hold my over 100 rolls of ribbon!

When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
Sometimes I just can't get through the block and I have to set the project aside and go on to another one. So much of what I do is visual, and if I can't seem to get the idea from my head on to the project, it can become quite frustrating. Sometimes I can go back to it when I'm in a different mood, and it will all fall into place. And, sometimes it ends up as a totally different project. I always have ideas in the pipeline, so to speak. As soon as I get my Papercraft magazine I go through it and I think of different ways I can do what I see. I am always inspired by something according to my mood, that's why I write on the pages of my magazine. I can go back to the same magazine a week later and see something totally different and I write it down also, which I often do. I also keep a “To Do” notebook of card ideas. When I get a great idea for a card, I try to sketch it out and write down my idea of how to make it or what elements to use so I won't forget.

What do you hope your art says about you?
Quite simply, the same as my label, “handmade with loving care.”


What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
My greatest dream is to write a book with lots of pictures, instructions, and tutorials to help people find the joy I have found in card making. My greatest fear would be for the internet to replace handmade cards sent snail mail, kidding aside, I honestly don't have a fear as an artist.

What are your goals in art, and in life?
One of my goals is to submit more of my work for publication. I was chosen as one of the PaperCraft magazine's World Card Day Winners 2008, my card was featured in the in the March/April 2009 issue. I was recently chosen Top 5 Winners in the Spellbinders Pendant contest. That was very exciting, 5 projects were selected as winners and we had to wait to find out who would be chosen by the random generator as the Grand Prize winner. We each won $100.00 in Spellbinders products of our choice, and the grand prize winner received $500.00 from Spellbinders and an additional $700.00 in sponsoring products.
I just found out that 3 of my cards will be published in the Oct/Nov E-Zine, called Ready-Set-Create!


Tell us a little bit about yourself—where you grew up, your life now, other creative pursuits, other interests and hobbies.
I grew up in Michigan, and I still live here with my wonderful husband of 25 years who supports, encourages me, and is always willing to make whatever crazy idea I think I need to house my ever growing supply of card making "Stuff"! I have a 24 year old daughter who has just begun teaching 3rd grade at an inner city Charter school. My 19 year old son attends community college now and will go on to the University for his Junior and Senior years. He currently lives at home and helps my husband with everything from installing vinyl windows throughout the whole house to rebuilding his Muscle car. Along with card making, I really love cooking. They both calm my soul. I am as creative in cooking as I am in card making. I love to make recipes by experimenting. My son will bring home something from a restaurant and ask if I can make it for him. I usually can. Of all my wonderful and complex recipes I am unfortunately most famous for my macaroni and cheese, the easiest one to make! My son's friends tell their moms to call and get the recipe for it! I collect antique cookbooks and I enjoy reading them as much as trying the recipes.

Do you have more than one shop(s), and/or a blog?
My blog is: http://www.1CardCreator.blogspot.com
And, my Etsy shop is: http://www.1CardCreator.Etsy.com

Thanks for reading and learning more about me!

The Passion of Shannen and a Happy Elephant

“Happy Elephant Designs is my passion,” says Shannen. Her creativity is also her passion. While I was scrolling down her Etsy page, I noticed that she is not afraid to use many techniques. Her use of embellishments makes each one of her creations unique.

I could not pick out my favorites from her shop because I really admired each piece. The photos I picked are some of the most colorful, therefore they would look good on an online blog. That’s what I had to narrow it down to.

After you have learned more about Shannen, leave a comment here and let her know how her art makes you feel.

Enjoy!

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I’ve always been surrounded my art. My mom was an artist, so we were always doing something crafty. I’ve never had any formal classes though. I’ve always been compared academically to my older brother and sister, and because of my dyslexia, came up short. So I was afraid of getting my heart broken by someone saying I wasn’t as good as they were in art. One day I would love to take some classes though.


Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
My space needs to be neat and tidy before I can create. So as soon as I sit down, I get back out all my tools that I use every time (cutting board, scissors, bone folder, 3M adhesive gun…). Then I sit there and see what colors come to mind and start grabbing paper!

What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
The final creation. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing something that was in my mind come to fruition. It calms my soul.

What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
Paper is my favorite art medium. My favorite supplies are buttons, metal words, metal buckles, brads, and ribbons. And my favorite tools are my Xyron machine and my paper cutter.


When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
I have a little idea book that I continually fill up with magazine ads that catch my eye, cards that I like from my PaperCraft Magazine, and ideas I’ve come up with in the middle of the night. So I grab that book when I need some inspiration. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just grab some paper and embellishments and keep moving it around the card until it feels right.

What do you hope your art says about you?
I hope my joy and love of making cards comes through my cards. I want you to smile when you look at my cards. I hope my love of simplicity and color comes through also.

What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
My greatest dream is to own my own shop with my sister. A hodgepodge, kid friendly shop that moms and girlfriends will want to come to get their creativity out. It would be a mixture of paint your own pottery, scrapbooking and card making, and a place you could purchase one of my own cards!

My greatest fear is to disappoint a client or not to come through for them.


What are your goals in art, and in life?
My biggest goal in my art is to one day make a decent living off of my cards. Of course I want to continue to grow as an artist.

My goal in life is to lead a balanced life between my family and friends, my art, and God.

Tell us a little bit about yourself—where you grew up, your life now, other creative pursuits, other interests and hobbies.
I grew up in the country in a small town in Ohio about 30 minutes from Cleveland called Grafton. I went to college at Mount Union College (in Ohio) where I met my husband my freshman year. We married right out of college in 1996 and moved to Michigan due to his job. After 10 years of infertility, we were finally blessed with our daughter, Molly, who is now two and a half. I got to move back to my hometown 1 week after Molly was
born (yeah, that was some month!!).

I was a preschool/Early Fives teacher/Assistant Director for 12 years, but am now a stay at home mom who’s trying to make a go at making and selling cards.


I love to paint when I get the chance, but never took a formal class (I hope to remedy that someday!). I’ve tried knitting, which I love too, but only learned how to cast on and do a normal stitch…so for now I have a really long scarf!! Lol! I would love to learn to knit properly someday too! As you can see, I’m not formally trained in anything, but that doesn’t stop me from trying something creative everyday.

Do you have more than one shop(s), and/or a blog?
Yes, I have two shops, one on Etsy and one on 1000markets. They are http://HappyElephantDesigns.etsy.com and http://HappyElephantDesigns.1000markets.com.

I also have a blog at http://happyelephantdesigns.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading and learning more about me!

Pink Saturday on September 12, 2009

Welcome to my sixth edition of Pink Saturday.

This has been an interesting week for me. I guess I should say that Wednesday, Sept. 9, was very interesting. It got interesting (to me any way) when I finally sat down to think about it. It was my 56th birthday. No surprise there, except now I have to get use to the fact that I will be 57 next year. My thoughts were that all the people out in our world who’s birthday was on Sept. 9, 2009, or 09/09/09, did they realize that this date would not happen again for another 1000 years? This is something that took me time to wrap my little brain around. Yep, I’m weird, but that’s the way I wired. My husband asked me what I wanted to do on my special day. I came up with this...I wanted to go see the movie “9” at 9:00 p.m. Not only would that movie be “eye-candy” for an artist (it had a great message also), I felt like I was celebrating those birthdays that are going to happen 1000 years from now.

Okay, I have stopped rambling. Let's get going with Pink Saturday. This edition is going to highlight four shops from my ArtFire Passion for Paper Guild. I hope you enjoy the pink and check out their online ArtFire shops.

Friends are like flowers from Balsamponds:


Warm Wishes from Cards by Jenna:


Dog Lovers tags from She’s Batty Designs:


Flower bouquet card from Valmade:


Thanks for reading. Here’s another Pink Saturday, Backyard Neighbor, blog to read. And check out Beverly’s blog too. You’ll find other participants in this wonderful Pink Saturday.

CJGrand and a Steampunk Obsession

Wickipedia describes Steampunk as “…a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne…”

How do I translate Carol Cowan’s style of handmade jewelry? To me it’s a blend of punk, goth, history, romance, science, and her own imagination. Somehow her creative genius has worked magic on all the tiny bits and pieces of machinery, stones, beads, and crystals that inspire her.

Enjoy this interview. Check out her unique creations and her blogs. Let her know the inspiration you receive when you view her one-of-a-kind jewelry.

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I’ve been creating things all my life. I use to make and sell designer teddy bears. I loved making them but I got tired of the craft sale scene. There was too much competition and back stabbing by other venders. At the time there were no online sites for selling handmade items, in fact there was no online yet.

A few years ago I started buying small stones and minerals to make some unusual jewelry for myself, but I soon found I had more than I could wear in a lifetime. (It also ignited a passion for collecting rock and mineral specimens for display.) I realized that if I wanted to continue creating my jewelry I would have to find something else to do with it. So I created 'Healing Fashion' (metaphysical healing stone jewelry) and began selling at a few sci-fi conventions (one of my other passions).


It still wasn't enough to satisfy my need to create. That's when a friend suggested opening a shop on Etsy. So on December 30th 2007 I opened 'The Grand Design.’
It was at a convention that I discovered steampunk and it has become my greatest passion. I think I’ve been waiting for this genre all my life.

Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
No real ritual, I usually just play with whatever parts and pieces that interest me at the moment and wait for inspiration to hit.


What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
Definitely the creative process but I never feel they are quite finished.

What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
I love to tear things apart and make something new from the pieces. That’s why steampunk jewelry has become such a passion. It seems everything I look at now I’m thinking what else could I make from this.
Pliers are my most commonly used, and abused, tools. I must have at least half a dozen different shapes and sizes.

When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
I find I’m most inspired by other people’s work. I’m always very careful not to copy anyone else’s designs but sometimes just looking at what other artists have done helps inspire me to try something in a different way.

What do you hope your art says about you?
I’ve never really considered what my art says about me. I guess the best thing it could say is I have some talent. That is something I’m never sure of. I always find I like other peoples work better than my own. At least that keeps me constantly pushing myself to do something better.


What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
My greatest dream would be to sell enough of my work to not have to continue working at my dreary uninspiring day job. My greatest fear is that one day I will simply run out of ideas, or that no one will like them. I am terribly insecure.

What are your goals in art, and in life?
My greatest goal is to spend more of my time on things I enjoy than things I don’t. I’ve come to a point in my life where I want to simplify. Spending time with friends, pursuing hobbies, and working as little as possible seems like the best way to spend the rest of my life. I’ve had it with the rat race. The rats have won and they’re welcome to the prize.

Tell us a little bit about yourself—where you grew up, your life now, other creative pursuits, other interests and hobbies.
I’m a collector by nature. I collect many things including dragons, teddy bears, sci-fi memorabilia, rocks and minerals but my biggest collection is hobbies. My hobbies include photography, which is where my formal training is, although I’m not working in the field, sci-fi and fantasy costuming, special effects makeup, and astronomy to name a few and lately I’ve been playing with needle felting.


I’m a displaced city girl living in the country. I grew up in Brantford, Ontario but moved to a small town when I married a farmer. He works on his parent’s farm and we live in town, I haven’t been completely converted yet. I work in the local drug store and I hate it. I only wish I could pursue my art and hobbies full time.

Do you have more than one shop(s), and/or a blog?
The Grand Design (my shop on Etsy)
http://cjgrand.etsy.com
My various blogs, at least the ones I try to keep current:
http://cjgrand.blogspot.com/
http://cjgrand.livejournal.com/
http://cjgrand.deviantart.com/
My Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=686305462#/pages/The-Grand-Design/29485470104
My Twitter:
http://twitter.com/TheGrandDesign

The Art and Collections of Pat Labella

“Paper artist... altered art crafter... thrift store and vintage junkie... health conscious baby boomer... Buffalo native now living in the Vegas desert,” Pat Labella

I usually try to write about what I feel from an artist’s work, their passions, their love of life, their medium, but after reading Pat’s biography from her online shops, I could not write it any better. I have decided to quote from those biographies. Why try to edit or rewrite something that needs no editing or rewriting?

Her biography from her VintageIntent shop states…”Collections come and collections go. Once the excitement of the hunt wears off, it's on to something new. I search, I find, I enjoy. Then I move on. Oh, there are a few collections that I'll probably keep forever, but for the most part, I'll eventually turn them over to someone else to enjoy…Garage sales were a weekly tradition where I could find wonderful antiques and older collectibles. Now that I've moved to the sunny southwest I travel around to the three or four thrift stores on a weekly basis, and sometimes I get lucky. Through this studio I'm now able to pass some of these treasures on to you.” (You get my drift.)



I will say that you need to check out all her blogs especially the Better Bones blog. Read the Dog’s Prayer. We have always had pets. At one time we had three cats and three dogs. We now have one cat and two dogs. Her blog tugged at my heart strings. Those memories will never fade.

Enjoy this interview. And let her know your passions in life.

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I have been crafting since I was a little girl. I remember making cards, clay projects, knitting, crocheting, and making candles with my mother. I was always saving throw-aways that I thought might be used for some creative expressions. But it wasn't until about 10 years ago that I took this hobby seriously and began crafting in earnest, for myself, and to offer my creations on line. I started selling my vintage inspired greeting cards on Etsy and Ebay, and have since expanded my inventory to include many other projects that I enjoy. I love using paper and recycled objects in my artwork. That has never changed. The interests of that little girl many years ago are still surfacing in my modern day crafting.

Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
Well, I don't always have the neatest studio, so I usually have to clean up from my last project prior to starting a new one!

What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
Both. I love formulating a design in my head, but when I start working, the project usually morphs into something that is no where near my original concept. The final creation is often a pleasant surprise.



What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
That's a tough question, because I'm a gadget junkie. I love working with paper, so I have 3 different die cut tools - Spellbinder Wizard is my favorite, followed closely by Quikutz and my little Sisix Sidekick. I have three sizes of Xyron machines to fit any size paper I want (would you believe I'm thinking about a 4th!). My newest gadget is the Zutter Bind-it-All.

When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
I usually figure it's just time to back off and do something else for a while. There's always work around the house, shopping for new craft supplies, reading craft books, and watching the food network! After a while, new ideas start popping up and I'm back in the swing.



What do you hope your art says about you?
I try to infuse my love of life into all my work. I often use subtle or off beat humor in my creations.

What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
No fears - I do what I like. As for a dream - I'd love to have a studio large enough to be able to leave everything out in the open to play whenever I want.

What are your goals in art, and in life?
As I look forward to retirement, I realize many of my life goals have been reached. Education, marriage, family and career. But this is certainly not a time to sit back and reflect on the past without looking forward to the future as well. I live a lifestyle that will hopefully keep me healthy and active for the next 30 or more years. I still would like to start my own business in the pet or craft marketplace. And there's still plenty of places I'd like to visit.



Tell us a little bit about yourself—where you grew up, your life now, other creative pursuits, other interests and hobbies.
I was born in Buffalo, New York. Western New York is actually a beautiful area with gorgeous summers and winters filled with cold weather fun. Skiing and ice skating were great! I lived in the area for 50 years - graduated collage with a BS in Medical Technology, married and raised a family there. Then we did a complete turn around and moved to Las Vegas in 1999.

I love all kinds of animals. We've always had dogs and/or cats. We presently have our 6th Siberian Husky and tropical fish. I work full time in a hospital lab. I enjoy cooking with natural foods and try to keep my physical activity up by exercising, biking and power walking.

Do you have more than one shop(s), and/or a blog?
I have 4 blogs:
http://cardsbypatzee.blogspot.com
http://vintageintent.blogspot.com
http://yearsdontcount.blogspot.com
http://betterbones.blogspot.com

I have 4 shops:
http://cardsbypatzee.artfire.com
http://vintageintent.artfire.com
http://betterbones.artfire.com
http://thriftstoresupplies.etsy.com

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me.