Today's feature shows that texture can be created with originally 2-D crafts. Catherine Stewart is here to tell us more...
1. Tell me a bit about your background and how long you have been an artist/crafter.
I am 30 years old and very fortunate to be married to a wonderful supportive husband who lets me make a living by playing with scissors and glue all day. We are currently trying to expand our family to include a little one! I have been scrapbooking for myself for approximately 10 years now, and in 2005 I quit my full time "real job" in the insurance industry to scrapbook for others full time. This expanded into opening my etsy shop, where I make handmade supplies for others who also enjoy the craft and love scrapbooking for themselves.
2. Where do you find your inspiration?
Shopping. If my creative mojo is ever low, all I have to do is pop into any craft store and I'm instantly inspired. Craft magazines and online galleries also provide me with a creative boost! I also tend to have an overactive imagination, so if I let myself daydream for just a little bit, it usually provides me with some instant inspiration.
3. Do you sell your work, or is it purely for pleasure?
It started out purely for pleasure but then I started getting requests from family and friends to complete projects for them. Once I realized that there was a demand for what I enjoyed doing, I decided to make a go of it professionally. Of course, even though I make a living from my craft, it is still all pleasure! I originally started making complete custom albums for clients, selling them through my website: www.yourmemoriesbydesign.ca (which I still do), but then I eventually branched out to creating a unique line of my own handmade supplies & embellishments which I started selling on etsy: http://www.ymbd.etsy.com/
4. If someone was looking to take up this craft should they have any related experience before they start?
They don't need any experience at all. Just the desire to create beautiful lasting memories that they can leave behind to be enjoyed for generations to come. In fact I even wrote a guide on how to get started for those who have never scrapbooked before: http://ymbd.blogspot.com/2007/11/scrapbooking-how-to-get-started.html
5. What would be your top 5 tips for a beginner?
(1)Start small, don't try to overwhelm yourself with creating a large album
(2)Always make copies of your photos before cropping/cutting them or adhering them down permanently
(3)When you do invest in tools, buy quality ones that will last so you aren't constantly replacing them
(4)Visit online scrapbooking galleries and pick up some magazines to help you get inspired and draw ideas from (it's ok to "scraplift" others ideas to use in your own personal albums)
(5)Don't stress about things being "perfect" or everything coordinating just right. If you want to use certain colors that don't quite match the photo - just go for it! Scrapbooking is an art form, a way to express the emotion of a photo, and there is no right or wrong way to do that.
6. What would be your top 5 items of essential equipment?
(1) Start with the basics: patterned paper, cardstock, a few embellishments (stickers, die cuts) and a good paper trimmer
(2) Journaling pens: a big part of scrapbooking is telling the story behind the photos. Good archival safe journaling pens will allow you to include those stories in your own handwriting versus printing them off the computer (I always think that leaving your personal writing behind in your albums is very important)
(3)A good adhesive: one that is archival safe and strong. There are many different types out there. They come in little pull off tabs, tape runners, wet adhesives etc. Experiment with different kinds, and find one that you like.
There is really isn't any more "essential" equipment than that! Of course, as you progress you will accumulate more tools that you just
can't live without, but to get started the above is all you really need!
7. Can you recommend a technique or ‘tips’ book ideal for a beginner?
1. Tell me a bit about your background and how long you have been an artist/crafter.
I am 30 years old and very fortunate to be married to a wonderful supportive husband who lets me make a living by playing with scissors and glue all day. We are currently trying to expand our family to include a little one! I have been scrapbooking for myself for approximately 10 years now, and in 2005 I quit my full time "real job" in the insurance industry to scrapbook for others full time. This expanded into opening my etsy shop, where I make handmade supplies for others who also enjoy the craft and love scrapbooking for themselves.
2. Where do you find your inspiration?
Shopping. If my creative mojo is ever low, all I have to do is pop into any craft store and I'm instantly inspired. Craft magazines and online galleries also provide me with a creative boost! I also tend to have an overactive imagination, so if I let myself daydream for just a little bit, it usually provides me with some instant inspiration.
3. Do you sell your work, or is it purely for pleasure?
It started out purely for pleasure but then I started getting requests from family and friends to complete projects for them. Once I realized that there was a demand for what I enjoyed doing, I decided to make a go of it professionally. Of course, even though I make a living from my craft, it is still all pleasure! I originally started making complete custom albums for clients, selling them through my website: www.yourmemoriesbydesign.ca (which I still do), but then I eventually branched out to creating a unique line of my own handmade supplies & embellishments which I started selling on etsy: http://www.ymbd.etsy.com/
4. If someone was looking to take up this craft should they have any related experience before they start?
They don't need any experience at all. Just the desire to create beautiful lasting memories that they can leave behind to be enjoyed for generations to come. In fact I even wrote a guide on how to get started for those who have never scrapbooked before: http://ymbd.blogspot.com/2007/11/scrapbooking-how-to-get-started.html
5. What would be your top 5 tips for a beginner?
(1)Start small, don't try to overwhelm yourself with creating a large album
(2)Always make copies of your photos before cropping/cutting them or adhering them down permanently
(3)When you do invest in tools, buy quality ones that will last so you aren't constantly replacing them
(4)Visit online scrapbooking galleries and pick up some magazines to help you get inspired and draw ideas from (it's ok to "scraplift" others ideas to use in your own personal albums)
(5)Don't stress about things being "perfect" or everything coordinating just right. If you want to use certain colors that don't quite match the photo - just go for it! Scrapbooking is an art form, a way to express the emotion of a photo, and there is no right or wrong way to do that.
6. What would be your top 5 items of essential equipment?
(1) Start with the basics: patterned paper, cardstock, a few embellishments (stickers, die cuts) and a good paper trimmer
(2) Journaling pens: a big part of scrapbooking is telling the story behind the photos. Good archival safe journaling pens will allow you to include those stories in your own handwriting versus printing them off the computer (I always think that leaving your personal writing behind in your albums is very important)
(3)A good adhesive: one that is archival safe and strong. There are many different types out there. They come in little pull off tabs, tape runners, wet adhesives etc. Experiment with different kinds, and find one that you like.
There is really isn't any more "essential" equipment than that! Of course, as you progress you will accumulate more tools that you just
can't live without, but to get started the above is all you really need!
7. Can you recommend a technique or ‘tips’ book ideal for a beginner?
Magazines are great and inexpensive source for beginners as well as for the veterans. Again, my guide can really help out the beginner and it's free: http://ymbd.blogspot.com/2007/11/scrapbooking-how-to-get-started.html
8. Can you recommend any brands to look out for, when buying equipment or kit?
There are many different brands out there that are fantastic. Usually, all items carried by your local craft store or local scrapbooking store are archival safe and good quality. If you are unsure, you can always check the products label to see if the item is archival safe (acid & lignin free).
Catherine Stewart, Memory Preservation Artist
Your Memories by Design
http://www.yourmemoriesbydesign.ca/
http://www.ymbd.etsy.com/
8. Can you recommend any brands to look out for, when buying equipment or kit?
There are many different brands out there that are fantastic. Usually, all items carried by your local craft store or local scrapbooking store are archival safe and good quality. If you are unsure, you can always check the products label to see if the item is archival safe (acid & lignin free).
Catherine Stewart, Memory Preservation Artist
Your Memories by Design
http://www.yourmemoriesbydesign.ca/
http://www.ymbd.etsy.com/
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