Meet CardNotions of Etsy Paper

We have for you today another great member of our Etsy Paper Street Team. Take a load off and learn about Wendy with CardNotions and her creative process.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in the Midwest in a home with cut flower arrangements that were lovely and captivating, food that was too pretty to dig into, and fun activities like sketching portraits and making origami animals.  My mom added that special artistic touch to everything.  I loved to watch her do sumi painting, arrange pressed flowers, and practice calligraphy.  However, I never really exercised my artistic inclinations until I moved to Oregon with my husband and children a few years ago.  My kids are now grown and doing amazing things out in the world.

After spending many years at jobs focused mainly on design engineering, I started using drafting software for architectural card design and learned how to use graphic design software to create colorful images.  Every year I accumulated more cards and ornaments, that I had designed solely for family and friends.

Last holiday season, I did my first arts/crafts bazaar and was pleasantly surprised with my moderate success.  Shortly after that I opened my online shop and really enjoyed the Etsy culture, which is friendly and supportive.  I have also been very fortunate to get so much encouragement from my family and friends. This continues to be a work in progress for me; I have much to learn and am enjoying the journey.

When did you open your shop on Etsy?

I opened CardNotions on Nov. 7, 2011.  It was just following my first Holiday bazaar. 

Tell us about your shop.

Here is my shop link  http://www.etsy.com/shop/cardnotions.  You will find pop-up greeting cards and invitations, as well as intricately cut cards and wooden ornaments.  All of my art and designs are original.  My fabrication process is so flexible that it allows me to quickly modify my artwork, sentiments and cutting on any item I make.  Therefore, I encourage custom requests and can make and ship most one-of-a-kind items within 24 hrs.  I also offer high-volume, precise duplicates of a single design.

Name top (3-5) items (for crafting purposes) that you cannot live without.

For my pop-up cards, materials that I can not live without include double-sided photo paper, double-sided adhesive tape and ink for my printer.  For my wooden ornaments I need good quality 1/8” wood, ribbon, and gold cord.  I also can not live without great photos and my graphic design software.

What is it about paper that you love?

I love that I can start with a flat sheet of paper, make some cuts and folds and end up with a 3D pop-up.  I also love using lots of colors, cute details and hidden messages whenever I can.  With a 3D card there is a lot more space to fill since you can look behind the pop-up image.

What is it about paper that draws you to create with it?

The paper I use is very resilient, able to spring into 3D after being rolled flat by USPS and able to remember the fold that I gave to it even after sitting open on a shelf or desk.  My technical side loves the mathematics and visualization needed for architectural card design.  My newly rediscovered artsy side enjoys the challenge of artistic design.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by nature and animals and spend much of my free time hiking, backpacking, and trail running.  That’s when I do my best conceptualizing.  I am also inspired, or maybe challenged is a better word, by ideas and suggestions from customers, friends, and family.  I’m quick to brainstorm new or unusual suggestions, treating each as a potential path to new products. It’s great to have my husband to bounce ideas off of.

Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?

I sell both online and at art/craft shows.  Oregon is a great place for getting involved with art/craft fairs because something is going on every weekend and many tourists visit throughout the summer.  I sell a few items wholesale, and just recently was signed on as a supplier for “Made in Oregon”, which has shops at the Portland International Airport and throughout Oregon.  I am very excited about this new opportunity!

Please list your shop name and link and other places online we can find you.

My Etsy shop: CardNotions

My website: CardNotions

Facebook: CardNotions

Twitter: CnWendy             

My Etsy shop is pretty well kept.  My other online sites have been a bit more challenging, but I have been trying to learn and focus on improving.

Thanks so much Wendy for taking the time for this interview. Your work is amazing and we all wish you great success. You are definitely headed in the right direction!

If you are reading this, head on over to Wendy’s shop, CardNotions, and add her to your circles and as a favorite. I am sure that she would appreciate it.

The Etsy Paper Street Team

The Papernaut with Andrea!

Today we would like to introduce you to one of our newer Etsy Paper Street Team members, Papernaut. After you read all about this very talented paper addict, take a hop to Andrea’s Etsy shop.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello there! My name is Andrea, I’m from Texas and I have been a teacher, a Soldier in the US Army, a postal carrier, and currently I’m studying my butt off to prepare for Pharmacy school. I just got married last month and when I’m not busy doing all those other things I love to make cards!

When did you open your shop on Etsy?

My shop, Papernaut, just opened in April of this year. So far its going really well and I’m having a blast getting a hang of all the nuances of how to best present and promote my shop. Its definitely a work in progress and I’m always learning something new from fellow artisans or the team threads.

Tell us about your shop.

My shop is called Papernaut, and my motto is designing “hand crafted cards of the nerdy persuasion for every occasion.” We exclusively sell greeting cards, the geekier the better.

Name top (3-5) items (for crafting purposes) that you cannot live without.

Definitely all kinds of scrap-booking paper, my ranger distress ink pads, and my glue sticks! Also music for rocking out while crafting is a must.

What is it about paper that you love?

I think its more that I love greeting cards, and the thought and care that goes into sending a handwritten note by mail, especially nowadays when its so easy to just type “happy birthday” on someone’s Facebook wall without even leaving your homepage. A handmade card in the mail means so much more to the sender and the recipient.

What is it about paper that draws you to create with it?

Its pretty :) Also, I owe a lot of credit to my mom, who was really into Stampin’ Up and started making her own Christmas and Birthday cards for friends every year. I inherited the crafting gene from her. For inspiration I rely pretty heavily on my hardcore nerdiness. We are so fortunate to live in a time where nerds and geeks have infiltrated so far into pop-culture there’s no shortage of amazing books, games, TV shows, and movies to provide material.

What inspires you?

I am very passionate about astronomy and astrophysics (Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is my hero) so the name Papernaut Cards just seemed to fit perfectly. Just picture an astronaut flying around in a paper airplane! I also wanted a big part of my shop to feature more quirky, off-beat, scientifically themed cards so I have a whole section listing titled “For Science!” Each of those cards is dedicated to an inspirational scientist and I try to incorporate pieces of their famous works or discoveries into the design. 

Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?

Currently my cards are sold exclusively on Etsy, although I am interested in getting more involved in local craft fairs.

Please list your shop name, any other online places where we can find you, and the name of your blog with a link (if you have one).

My Etsy shop name is Papernaut. Also, I am on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Come say hi!

Thank you, Andrea, for taking the time to introduce yourself. I must say you are definitely busy and very talented. You call your shop, Papernaut, a little nerdy and geeky, but I am also getting a little Steampunk vibe in a lot of your little pieces of art. Of course, that is just my opinion. You all take a visit and see what vibes you come up with.

Thanks for stopping by! In a couple of more weeks, we will be spotlighting another Etsy Paper Street Team member.

Aletha and Etsy Paper Street Team

Etsy Paper Street Team

2BadCats and their Scratching Post

I feel like our team is getting a brand new start. This is very exciting! And thank you Chrystal for all your hard work!

Our member to be highlighted this month is Charity with 2Bad Cats. You really need to go by and take a visit. She does know how to pick the best vintage when it comes to paper. I had a really hard time picking out photos. I liked them all!

Tell us about you.
My name is Charity. I live in Terre Haute, IN with my husband of 13 years and my 6 month old daughter. I work part-time for a university and am a part-time stay at home mom. I have had a love for art since I can remember, and a love specifically for paper since I was young as well. I loved buying stationery and writing letters to pen pals and friends when I was growing up. I love old books and vintage cards, too. I only recently, within the last year, decided to start exploring the world of selling my ephemera collection and finds, and also some of my handmade paper crafts and goodies. I started with Etsy on the last day of 2009, but I have taken a less aggressive approach to marketing my goods recently, because of the birth and adoption of my daughter Eden. She is 6 months old and I put most of my marketing efforts on hold when she arrived. Now that she is getting older and I am adjusting to being a new Mom, I am about to begin listing new vintage ephemera and new handmade crafts in my shop! I am also on a personal journey to return to my letter writing ways, and I encourage you to try it, too. Pick up a pen. Open a beautiful card. Write. It's that easy.

How did you get your start in the world of art?
I always enjoyed the process of creating. My mother was a very creative person, and we did a lot of projects together, mostly drawing and other random crafts like sewing, pottery, etc. I've dabbled in all sorts of art forms, including writing, painting (NOT GOOD!!) and drawing. Now I mostly create random hand sewn crafts and paper stationery and greeting cards, but I do like found object art as well.

Do you have a ritual you perform before you start creating?
I look for inspiration before I begin a new project, but don't have any rituals because I am so random with what I do. Sometimes I plan things out a lot, other times I dive right in. It is fun to start at one point in a project and find yourself ending up in a totally different place!

What do you like best, the creative process or the final creation?
They both hold a special appeal for me. I enjoy creating because it is something I can DO...an activity that uses my mind and my body to create a tangible object. Even when I am writing I consider the words, the story, the tale to be a tangible outcome to my efforts. That whole process is enjoyable in and of itself, but there is also special joy in getting to the end of the project, looking and what you've made and realizing you feel pride. You can say, "I made this."

What are your favorite art media, tools, and supplies?
I like all sorts of things when it comes to art, but I have always enjoyed working with paper, stamping images, cutting, assembling, etc. But I also like sewing and felt crafts as well. My projects are simple, and because I also focus on finding beauty in vintage items, I feel that is also my art. To find an old greeting card written by someone 75 years ago, or a beautifully preserved, unused postcards from the last century... discovering those treasures and appreciating their beauty and perseverance for existing all these years later, even in their fragile paper forms is wonderful. That appreciation is also my art form.

When a creative block happens, what process do you go through to get the creative juices flowing again?
Again, I find myself looking for inspiration. I might go back to old projects, or look at books, magazines, and websites...seeing the direction other people have gone can show you hidden paths that you might choose to take, projects you might want to explore. Sometimes though, just stepping away and taking a break can help.

What do you hope your art says about you?
I hope it says I care. I really think that the basis for my ephemera collection and for the handmade items I sell is my desire to see people connect with one another again. People don't write letters any more. Then don't pen cards, and most certainly don't hand craft those cards if they do choose to send one through the postal mail. Email has taken over, but I want people to return to the simpler way of connecting with someone. I want people to take the TIME to sit down, and write a letter by hand that will reach out and touch someone else when they open it. I know the instant gratification of email and instant messenger clients will be missing, but the gratification of taking the time to show someone they are important and that you care is so much more fulfilling.

What is your greatest dream and greatest fear as an artist?
My greatest fear is that someone will think what I've done is crap. LOL. Basically, being judged. My greatest dream would be that I could sell some of my vintage items and make some money to finish paying for my daughter's adoption. That's ultimately why I started my Etsy shop...to create a new revenue stream for myself so I could work part-time instead of full-time outside of my home. If I can excite people to buy my handmade cards or my vintage ephemera, then I can be self-sufficient and encourage letter writing at the same time!

What are your goals in art, and in life?
My goal in art is just to do a good job. To write well received pieces when I write, or to have people enjoy the items I have presented to them. If they are touched by what I offer and it inspires them to connect with other people, then I have been successful. In life, the goal is to be happy. To be content, to love, to share, and to leave a legacy. I hope I can achieve those things

What is the name and link to your Etsy studio?
I have an Etsy shop: The Scratching Post, by 2badcats http://www.2badcats.etsy.com/

Do you have any other online shop, a website, a brick and mortar shop, and/or a blog?
I do not have a brick and mortar shop. I work out of a spare bedroom that is my crafting zone and my vintage ephemera supply vault! LOL
I do have a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/2badcats
I also have a blog, but I had to put that old hold when the adoption process ramped up LOL: http://2badcats.wordpress.com/

Thanks so much for stopping by! Leave some love for 2BadCats!

HampshireRose and Memories

Meet Sharon with HampshireroseMemories. Sharon has been scrapbooking for over 20 years. When you take a look at the pictures that are posted you can tell that she enjoys creating albums for family, friends, and now YOU. Sit back and get to know Sharon. You might find a little mini album that is just what you need.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a fulltime caregiver to my mother who has Alzheimers, I have been doing this for the last five years. We live in Lake Forest, California. I am divorced, and have a 26 year old son, yikes I'm getting old! LOL I have been scrapbooking for over 25 years.

When did you open your shop on Etsy?
I opened my shop in July of 2008. I have always enjoyed creating albums for family and friends, and my sister suggested I give Etsy a try. I had never thought of selling my creations before. Etsy has been a great experience for me, not only am I able to make a little money, but creating my albums helps me to relax, de-stress and realize that I'm not just mom's caregiver, but my own person as well. I have met the nicest people on Etsy, and have to say it's really been a lifesaver for me.

Tell us about your shop.
My Shop HampshireroseMemories http://hampshirerose.etsy.com specializes in all different kinds of mini albums. Mini albums are so popular right now, there are so many uses for them, carry them in your purse, display on your desk at work, or at home. And, of course, they make great gifts for family and friends. Mini albums are quick and easy to make, which is great for me because I never know how long my free time will last. LOL

Do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?
I am lucky to have a separate area for my scrapbooking. I have taken over the living room. This arrangement works very well for me, except that's it's the first room you see when you come in, so I have to keep it clean. I can’t just shut the door!

How much time do you spend daily/weekly working on your craft?
I usually try to get in a couple hours everyday creating my albums. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. My sister comes over and spends the day with mom, so I get the most uninterrupted time on those days.

How did your shop get its name?
My shop HampshireroseMemories is named for my mother she was born in Hampshire England and Rose is her middle name. Memories…that’s what my shop is all about…preserving your memories.

What's your emergency craft kit consist of?
Chocolate and Diet Coke!

What have you learned the most about life from your craft?
It's all about your memories. Life IS about the memories you make and the ones you share with your family and special friends. The other day my sister and I found a couple boxes of 35mm slides that had been hidden away. We had the best time looking at those old slides crying, laughing, remembering our childhood. It's an afternoon I will always treasure.

Thanks for stopping by. Please comment and let Sharon know some of your special memories. And she just might have the album for those precious memories.

Tina and her found passion!

“Find your passion, and do it well.” That is Tina’s favorite quote. And after selecting her pieces of art for this interview, she does do it well.

Tina, Ruthie's Girl Designs, inherited her creativity from her late mother, who, in her mother’s time, made clothes for her and her siblings. Her mother also made various crafts and Tina has held onto vintage supplies from her mother’s stash. Just imagine what she is holding onto. Tina also enjoys sewing and jewelry making.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy your visit with Tina.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a married mother of two 19-year old children. No, not twins! My husband and I have two children from previous marriages. We currently reside in a little town called Converse, Texas right outside of San Antonio.

When did you open your shop on Etsy?
I opened my Etsy shop on April 3, 2007. I waited a few days because I figured if I did it on the first everyone would think it was a joke.

Tell us about your shop:
My main shop, Ruthie's Girl Designs consists of hand crafted (pieced) invitations, greeting cards and stationery. Pipkin Paper Co is another paper shop of mine, which specializes in Baby Shower Invitations and Birth Announcements.

Name top (3-5) items (for crafting purposes) that you cannot live without.
I cannot live without my various cutters (guillotine, slide cutter, rotary), my modge podge, or my glue gun.

What inspires you?
The thing that inspires me the most, especially when making wedding invitations, are the bride and groom themselves. I like to talk to them and see what really moves them emotionally. I am also inspired by other paper artists' work. I love looking at techniques they have learned and try to learn them myself.

What is it about paper that draws you to create with it?
I have always loved paper. ALWAYS. I used to make these 3-D pictures, so to speak, out of shoe boxes with a hole in the far end, then the top cut out with blue paper on the top and then do a scene within the box. I did that in the 4th grade as an art project and got 3rd place at the Art Fair. I was pretty much hooked on paper then. Paper has so many personalities! It's one of those things that, even if it has a design on it, can become something more than a flat sheet of paper once you have molded it into something you want it to be.

Is there something that you've never tried with paper that you'd like to try?
I'd also like to try to use gesso in some of my designs. It's pretty versatile and I'd like to see where I can go with it.

When do you find/make time for your crafting?
I'm currently unemployed, so I have a lot of time in the day to create or search online for inspirations to create. When I was working, I created whenever I could find the time. I'd also carry a mini composition book around in my purse and would draw pictures of card ideas that came to mind. I also use my phone to take photos of commercial cards (NOT TO COPY!!!) that have a technique on them that I'd like to go home and try.

Do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?
I'm very fortunate to have a dedicated art room. I have about 100 sq. ft. of space to work in so I have lots of give room. Before that, I used the dining room table. We never had a place to eat for over 2 years. It's amazing how clean my house stays now, with out all the bins of paper and glue etc all over the place. It's amazing.

Do you remember the first item you made, and if so, do you still have it (or a picture of it)?
I count this baby shower invitation as the first thing I ever made, in terms of Ruthie's Girl Designs. I currently sell it in my PipkinPaperCo. Shop. It's a baby shower invite I made it with beautiful textured paper (called hapsack) and hand stamped flowers with textured paint centers.

How much time do you spend daily/weekly working on your craft?
I probably spend about 40/week or more.

Why did you decide to become on Etsy seller?
I decided to become an Etsy seller because I wanted to be part of the handmade movement, and to try to make a little money doing what I love best.

What is your favorite technique/ your "specialty"?
I don't think I have a favorite technique or specialty, but I've been told many times I do hand tie the perfect bow.

Do you have a favorite crafting book, magazine or TV show?
The Carol Duvall Show will always be my favorite show. Unfortunately, I don't think it's on anymore!

How do you create the perfect balance between family, house-hold duties, work and paper?
I keep everything in perspective. Family first, no matter what. We usually get up and feed the animals, do household chores, then I move on to my office. It's not the first place I go to in the morning.

Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?
I sell mostly online. I need to start doing craft shows!

How many different selling venues do you use?
I sell on Etsy (3 shops), Ebay occasionally and Shop Handmade.

Where do you go to first when you need ideas?
I go online to some of my favorite blogs and look at what they are doing at the time.

Who is your biggest fan?
My biggest fan hands down is my husband. He's always encouraged me to keep at it even when I doubted myself.

Are you a clean or messy crafter?
Now that I have my own dedicated space, I am a clean crafter. Although my work space (table) may get a little messy, I always clean it up at the end of the day. I like walking into my art room and it's clean. It keeps my mind from getting overwhelmed with clutter.

Do you have a day job? If so are you up all night crafting?
This IS my day job!

How do you get the word out about your products?
I can't promote much right now, or even relist. I try to keep my flickr account up to date with what I have going on at the time and by being a presence in Etsy when I can be.

How much planning do you do before you create?
It could be spur of the moment, or it could be days. I guess it all depends on what it is I am trying to make at the time.

Is there someone in your life that may have inspired your creativity?
Ruthie, my mom, was a crafter.

How did your shop get its name?
I dedicate my shop to my mother, Ruthie, who was a sewer and all around crafter.

What is your favorite item to create and why? Tell us about it.
I like to create boxes from scratch. Be it a box for a set of stationery, a gift, anything. I love to make boxes. I made one for my husband's birthday gift. I just like to take a bunch of flat nothing and turn it into something.

Do you have more than one etsy shop?
I have THREE shops! Two of them are going slow, but Ruthie's Girl Designs is my baby: http://ruthiesgirldesigns.etsy.com/ -Here I sell handmade greeting cards, stationery, and gifts. Pipkin Paper Co.- THis shop specializes in hand made baby shower invitations and accessories. http://pipkinpaperco.etsy.com/ . This shop has everything else that I like to make. So far, it's really pretty hair pins with sparkly centers. I plan on starting on some sewing projects and other crafts that interest me: Atenshn Deficit Design- http://www.etsy.com/shop/atenshndeficitdesign.

What has been your most successful marketing technique to date?
I really don't have a marketing technique, which is why I probably don't have as many sales as I should. I just try to be myself and always tell people what I do. I usually tell them I make custom communications, which interests them to ask me more.

What's your emergency craft kit consist of?
Gum ....seriously.

Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do cause it's cheaper than therapy.

What have you learned the most about life from your craft?
I've learned that no matter what, you we are all multi faceted and we don't have to spend our lives doing just one thing. Explore your options. Start over even if you are 55 or older. It's never too late.

Leave a comment or two about Tina and her work. I know she will appreciate it.

Mechelle Designs with an attitude

Mechelle with Mechelle Designs is one of those artists who knows how to use color. Those colors that she chooses makes you want to see more of her work. Her talent in illustration has led her business life to freelanceing. She has also worked for companies as a graphic artist.

I was reading her profile and she has sold her work at the Smithsonian Institution gift shops. That had to have been a wonderful feeling to receive that recognition!

I have picked out a few of my favorites from her online Etys studio. I really like the “birds with attitude.” Enjoy the sites!

Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a wife and mother of three children ages 12, 10, and 5 years old. We live in a suburb just outside of Atlanta.

When did you open your shop on Etsy?
I opened up my Etsy shop in December 2007

Tell us about your shop:
I create original art, prints, note cards, journal/sketchbooks, tags, pendants, and magnets.

What inspires you?
I marvel at the beauty of God's nature when I observe plants, animals, trees, and flowers. These creations inspire my work tremendously, but in a humorous way.

What is it about paper that draws you to create with it?
I love the fact that I am able to use my artistic ability to create a piece of art in a functional way.

How do you create the perfect balance between family, house-hold duties, work and paper?
That is an ongoing struggle since I have a child that goes to school a half a day. Time is very limited.

Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?
I sell online primarily but also at fine art and craft shows

What do you have on while you're creating, if anything, and is it tuned to something specific?
I love listening to talk radio while I create.

If you could learn a new craft, what would it be? Why?
I think soap making looks like so much fun to do. It is almost like baking a dessert.

Please leave a comment and let Mechelle know how you feel about her work.

Thanks for stopping by our blog,
Aletha

EtsyPaper Team Weekly Featured Member - Aletha Williams

* This is a re-post of our most wonderful Aletha of AJs Designs.  She will be taking over the team's featured members posts for us and I wanted to recognize her and her terrific shop once more.  Be sure to give her a BIG THANKYOU when you see her on Ning and our team threads!  Thanks Aletha!!!



Our next featured team member is Aletha Williams. Aletha is the creative mind behind AJ's Designs. She creates gorgeous cards, artwork, and really intricate mandalas (my favorite). Aletha has been a member of our team since November, 2008. We have 3 questions that tell us a little about Aletha and her shop and she has chosen 7 out of all of the questions that were submitted by our team members on the forum post. Here are her answers to our questions - happy reading!


Tell us a little about yourself :

I am now residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am married to a wonderful man. (I count my blessings every day. And, I make him count at least once a week.) We have two beautiful children, a daughter and son. Our daughter has given us two grandsons who are now age 14 and 11. Our baby, well he’s 27 now, just married in January to a beautiful woman. No grand kids there yet, he is still in law school.

Tell us about your shop:*

When did you open it?

I opened my shop in February 2007. I really got busy with it in 2008. I still do not have everything posted.

What items/type of items do you sell:

I sell collage art, hand bound journals, mini wall art (collage on stretched canvas no larger than 5”x7”), art cards, greeting and note cards, mandalas, mandala art cards, seasonal items such as ornaments and holiday cards. Just about everything I create involves paper and rubber stamps.


Getting to know you - 5 Questions (or 7,lol)

1. Name top 3-5 items (for crafting purposes) that you cannot live without.

I cannot live without rubber stamps and paper. I have an over abundance of both and I still keep collecting both. If I every decide to have a garage sale, just to clean my studio, I would probably be able to make the next two house payments. The other items that I could not live without are my X-Acto knife, paper trimmer, watercolor brushes, and rulers.

2.What is it about paper that draws you to create with it?

I have always been drawn to paper. We cannot live without it. It is part of our everyday life. I remember growing up and making my own “little books.” Some were small enough that Barbie could hold them. And then I did grow up and was lucky enough to land a job in a print shop. Thus began my career in graphic arts and print production. I was introduced to typesetting on some of the first photo type computers (I’m getting ready to show my age here). And I gained experience in operating printing presses. I realized then that some of the art that I created I could reproduce. Reproduction involved typesetting, dark room work (shooting negatives), burning printing press plates from those negatives to make the positive, getting the press ready to make the job complete. The most fun was choosing the paper for the job. I could not wait for a paper salesman to come and peddle their wares. They brought the most beautiful poster samples that was printed on “the stock of the month.” Now began my career in collecting paper. The fire marshal would probably have a few words of concern.


3.Do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?

I do have a studio. It is a 6’x8’ attic room. I have spilled over into the attic for storage. Whatever project(s) I am working on seem to over flow onto the stair landing. If I am doing a lot of tearing and meticulous trimming I will be in the living room and/or sun room. The dining room table I use as a catch all and packing for art festivals. I store my inventory in the spare bedroom closet. My shadow box frames are stored in the downstairs hall closet. My husband and I share an office with our computers. He’s the Director of News and Analysis for RigData and he telecommutes. He’s also a writer. Hmm..two creative people living together 24 hours a day. I do allow him to have his own desk in our office and he gets to use the kitchen table in our sun room. Hey, I had to learn to not talk to myself…he thought I was talking to him!

4.Who is your biggest fan?

I have to say that my biggest fan is my husband. You probably can tell that by now. He has to live with me. Next will be the kids. They check Twitter to see if I have posted anything new and if I haven’t, they ask why. Then there are my parents, the rest of the family and friends, who always gets something handmade as gifts.


5.How did you learn your craft?

My craft is rubber stamp art and I am self-taught. I was needing a creative outlet and during a year of watching Carol Duvall and the rubber stamp segments I kept repeating to myself, “I could do that.” I guess that my husband got tired of me talking to myself and bought me my first rubber stamps as a gift. I already had all the paper stock and he knew my creative side. He did create a monster. He asked me “just how much paper and how many stamps do you have?” Needless to say I changed the subject.

6. Do you have more than one Etsy shop?

No, I have the one Etsy shop: http://ajsdesigns.etsy.com/
I do have three other online shops and a blog. They are:
http://ajsdesigns.artfire.com/
http://ajsdesigns.1000markets.com/
http://zibbet.com/ajsdesigns
http://ajsdesigns.blogspot.com/


7. Why do you do what you do?

This is a very good question! Through the years ( I hope there are many more), I have realized that one of the biggest sins you can commit could be against yourself and others. That sin is not using your creative talent. What I mean by that is…be it God, the gods, nature, evolution, or just being human…if you do not use the talent that is given you, and nurture and let that talent grow, you are performing a disservice to yourself and the world. Let it shine! Practice one hour, four hours, or 24 hours a day. Just don’t let it go to waste. “That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.” —Dennis Miller



Find her here:

SHOP - AJs Designs

BLOG - AJs Designs

NING - Aletha

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST "OFFICIAL" MEMBERS

Be sure to visit their awesome shops!

* Funny Sky - Funny Sky

* Kim F. Aucher - Kimosabe Scraps

* Tiffany Burks - Tiffzippy

* Terri Moore - Terrbear37

* Kerry Downes - Erin and Celeste

* Kimberly Garner - My Creative Side

* Tina Price - Ruthies Girl Designs

* Julie aka Elves in the Attic - Elves in the Attic

* Gregg O. Byers - Greggs Goodies

Decisions were based on the date these members signed up as well as their participation level during that time. Our next membership announcement will be in early April.

EtsyPaper Team Featured Member - Joy Charde

Hello & Happy 2010 to all! We are getting back into the swing of things and have our first featured member of 2010 (drum roll please).....Joy Charde, the creative artist and owner of Art of Joy! I absolutely love Joy's beautiful artwork and am very pleased to feature her here on our team blog. Having purchased one of her gorgeous calendars, I can truly say her attention to detail is fantastic and the quality of her products is top notch. Be sure to visit Joy's shop to see more of her wonderful items:)

Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Joy Charde. Currently, I reside with my wonderful husband of 11 years and my almost one year old rolly-polly guy in the freezing cold Upstate New York. I work full time at a public library... so between work, baby and my etsy shop, I'm super busy!

Tell us about your shop:

* When did you open it?

I opened my paper shop on July 31, 2009

* What items/type of items do you sell?

I sell cards, stickers and other paper goodies!

Getting to know you - 5 Questions

1. When do you find/make time for your crafting?

Any time the baby is asleep (fortunately, my little one loves to nap).

2. Do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?

I don't have a space for crafting, so yes, the kitchen table is my "studio".

3. Is there someone in your life that may have inspired your creativity?

Aside from his claim that he's my biggest fan, my husband is a great source of my inspiration. He is always giving me ideas and encouraging me to try new things! Sometimes, he shops at the craft store with me, so I can find just the right tool to make my creative life easier. He also gave me the idea for my shop name. I frantically called him one day while he was at work, and demanded a shop name... He came up with "The Art Of Joy" - because my stuff is fun and "Joy" is my name. He's so awesome!

4. When did you join the etsyPaper Team and what has been your favorite thing about being a team member?

My favorite thing about our paper team is the support we are always giving each other. You guys rock!

5. What is your favorite item to make, the one that makes you smile just thinking about working on it?

I absolutely love making my stickers! They bring a huge smile to my face just thinking about them!

Find her here:


SHOP: The Art of Joy

BLOG: Creative Mamma

NING: Joy Charde

Roll Call Response List is Posted

I have posted the list of members/aspiring members we have received responses from so far. We are asking that everyone double-check the list for their name. We are going to give two additional days for responses to come in and then we will be "cleaning" the roster and ning. Thanks to everyone for your help!* If you need to respond to the roll call, you can find the requested info HERE.

FIND THE RESPONSE LIST HERE

Membership Roll Call - Quick Update

Just a quick note to all: I am in the process of creating a list of all members (official and aspiring) who I have received roll call info from. I am planning on posting it on Ning by tomorrow morning. You'll be able to double-check the list to make sure your info has been received. We are going to give an additional two days (after the list has been posted) for replies to come in - after the two days we will begin cleaning our membership roster and Ning. I will post here once the list is up:)

Membership Roll Call - Deadline for Reply is Almost Here!

For all who wish to remain on the EtsyPaper team: The deadline for reply to the membership roll call is October 30th. The roll call info request was sent as a broadcast message (to all members on Ning). For those of you who may have mis-placed or did not receive the email, I am adding the requested info below. You can just copy & paste the questions and respond to either me or Chrystal via etsy shop convo. Please feel free to ask questions through our Ning forum post HERE.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE REQUESTED INFO BELOW:

Name:Location:E-mail Address:
Primary Etsy Shop:
Etsy Username (if different from shop name):
Brief Description of Your Shop:

Any additional Etsy Shops (with brief descriptions of each): If directly related to your business...
Website:
Blog:
Flickr:
Other Sites:

Send to (either)

* Sarah Kinzalow (Paper Peddler)

* Chrystal Schilling (CS Paper & Beads/ Craft Studio)

Membership Roll Call - Deadline for Reply is Almost Here!

*IMPORTANT*ALL MEMBERS & ASPIRING MEMBERS: IF YOU HAVE NOT RECIEVED YOUR MEMBERSHIP ROLL CALL PLEASE CONTACT SARAH OR CHRYSTAL. WE WILL BE REMOVING MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT REPLIED BY 10/30.
* MORE INFO
* QUESTIONS

EtsyPaper Team October Challenge - Give Thanks

Hello and happy October to all! We are back with a new challenge for the month and hope to have a lot of participation. We have a few team members who are in the military, have been in the military (me included), or are married to a soldier. We thought it would be nice (with Thanksgiving right around the corner) to let our men and women in uniform know how much we appreciate them. Chrystal (CS Paper & Beads & Craft Studio) is married to a Marine and they were recently getting fellow Marines ready for deployment to Iraq. We thought it might send a little comfort to all who are away from home, especially during the upcoming holidays, to send our thanks, thoughts and well wishes over to them. Challenge details are below - enjoy!

GIVE THANKS - EtsyPaper Team October Challenge

* Make a thank you card for our recently deployed Marines

* Themes can be American/Americana or Fall/Autumn, Thanksgiving

* Take photos! Add them to Ning with "October Thanks" as the tag (so we can easily find them) We would also love to have you post in our team thread once you have completed the challenge and add a link to view the photos

* The deadline to have the cards finished is October 22nd. You may then mail them to Chrystal and she will see that they get shipped out to our Marines. Feel free to write an encouraging note inside and/or sign your card.

* EVERYONE is invited to participate! Official & Aspiring members welcome.

* You may also create multiple cards - the more, the merrier!

* An event will be created on Ning and we ask that you "RSVP" if you are participating. We will use the RSVP list to send out Chrystal's address.

We will highlight the entries as they come in on our team promo thread and here on the team blog. I am also hoping to get enough entries to create treasuries,etc. and gain some much needed exposure for our team and members. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Sarah (contact here)

Here are a few Thank You cards I found from our team members:

Scrap Your Story

Lindas Paperie

EnviroMental

BBesigns

CS Paper and Beads

Pumpkin Sputnik

AJs Designs

Modern Card

Lady Gil

Jujus Creations

Details Delights

Articulations