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!
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I'm Moving!
I am moving my blog to my website at AJ's Design Artz . I hope you stop by!
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I am moving my blog to my website at AJ's Design Artz . I hope you stop by!
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Great post about Diane! She's warm and so talented!! I look foward to seeing her works published.
ReplyDeleteThank you Aletha I am honored that you asked me to share something about who I am. You did a wonderful job.~Diane
ReplyDeleteDiane it was so nice getting to know you! Wonderful interview and amazing work hun!
ReplyDeleteHugs~ Kim