I just like makin' stuff
Late last night, I received a custom request for a sexy Jacob (Twilight) card that says:
“Once you go pack…you never go back!”
Hilarious! I couldn’t wait to start on it. I have been thinking of ideas for color and design all morning! Finally, when both boys went down for their nap (hubby and son), I had a quiet house. The fire and ink flew as I tore this and burned that. Stitch here and distress there.
I still have ink on my nose, but here is the finished product. I’m SO happy with it!
I’ve been papercrafting all my life! As a young child, someone showed me how to make a fortune teller (some people call them cootie catchers). Discovering that I could make an actual interactive toy out of a flat piece of paper seemed completely magical. Paper airplanes, origami and pop-up books all demonstrated how paper could be made interactive and dimensional and I’ve been obsessing about the possibilities ever since.
2) Where did you get the idea to start making pop-up and interactive cards and when did you start selling on Etsy?
I didn’t get seriously into interactive cards until I started planning birthday parties for my twin boys — I would spend months planning the celebrations, including designing completely over-the-top interactive invitations. The feedback I got from the cards was so encouraging that I ended up posting them for sale on Etsy a few years ago. Response has been wonderful and amazingly gratifying! I think I probably do it just as much for the validation and positive response I get as for the money it brings in.
3) How do you find design inspiration? What are some of your favorite pieces?
There are many wonderful how-to books about pop-ups available now (here’s a list of some of my favorites: http://mollyleecards.blogspot.com/2008/12/paper-engineering-books-i-love.html). I browse the web constantly, looking for clever ideas — there are a lot of papercrafting geniuses who regularly share their work online.
I really like how the mechanism works on my pop-up birthday cake card (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24754394).
Probably my most gratifying cards are my Three Reasons series of cards, which have different themes, like Three Reasons Why You’re my Superhero (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36203236) and an elegant, more traditional floral theme. This series of cards allows the sender to turn a wheel and write three heartfelt reasons why the recipient is special to them. Of any of my cards, these are the ones where people often send me feedback, telling me how their spouse simply broke down in tears when they read their sentiments.
And my spinning fish invitations are the first invitations that I created (for my boys’ third birthday) are still among my favorites: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28657799
4) What is one card that you’ve found to be the most popular?
My Drink a Toast Birthday cards are really popular!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32550909
They’re also my very favorite cards. When you pull the little lever, Drinking Paul raises his glass in a toast and says “A birthday? I’ll drink… to that!” It never fails to make the recipient smile.
5) What is a design or theme that you’d like to make in future cards? Are there any other unique card styles that you’re looking forward to trying?
I have several ideas that I’m working on right now — it takes a long time for me to post new cards because I’m really picky about my designs. I have a dinosaur-themed birthday party inviation that is nearly done. I have another interactive greeting card that will show images of fish bowls, propane tanks, miltary vehicles, etc. When you open it up, it will read “Many tanks!”
I love working with Vintage or Retro images. They are just so sweet and cute and sweet and cute!
This kitschy retro card is so happy and I smile each time I walk by it! I made it last night using one of my favorite images (I’ve included it here in the blog, so you can print and use it too!)
I’ve embellished it using the Sassafras Lass Hog Heaven line, some ribbon and a Vintage style button. There’s also space on the Happy Birthday tag to write the recipient’s name.
My little tiger, Jackson, is my greatest inspiration. I take picture after picture (after picture) of this little fellow. Everything he does makes me laugh (except when done at 11pm…not so funny then).
I always wanted children, but never did I imagine my heart’s ability to love. I love my hubby, of course, but there is some kind of awe when looking at my child that I had never experienced before becoming a mommy.
I look back at pictures and layouts sometimes and already feel nostalgic at how fast he’s growing up and changing (he’s only 3 for cryin’ out loud!)
For those of you who have not been to your neighborhood Michaels recently ~ you should probably print this entry so you can read it on the way before it’s too late.
Die Cuts With A View (DCWV) has released what I can only assume to be a private Michaels line (I have searched the Internet frantically for these page pads to no avail). They have about 4 or 5 lines of fabulous new paper packs! I was there the other day and went NUTS! I literally bought one of everything (I’m glad I did, too, since the store by my house is now out of stock!)
I remember sitting at every red light on the way home, flipping through each stack. Glittery pages beaming off the car beside me. Drivers looking confused and blinded by the brilliance.
The layout above is one of the new lines (The Family Collection). I really wanted to use this paper, so I had my son and his faithful side-kick pose on the couch (don’t act like I’m the only one here who takes pictures based on what paper/embellishments I want to use!)
I simply added my photos and some Prima bling ~ easy as pie!
Here are some of my favorite pieces so far:
I recently had the opportunity to interview Charlene, of http://www.ewillow.com/. This unique paper craft website opened in August of last year and is growing larger and more popular every day!
Here is what Charlene had to say about the biggest thing to happen to paper since embellishments:
For people uninitiated, what is eWillow?
eWillow.com is a site for those who love all things paper! It is a place where people who make handmade greeting cards, scrapbooks, and other paper crafts can have a storefront and sell their wares to people who appreciate these types of items but don’t have the time or the creative know-how to make them.
What prompted you to start your own craft selling website?
The light bulb went off one night around midnight. Over the years so many people have asked me to make cards and scrapbooks for them. I thought that other paper crafters must get asked to do the same. The worldwide web needed one place that would bring everyone together. There are so many papercrafting blogs out there, and the goal of eWillow.com is to house all of the blogs under one roof to make shopping easier and to give each blog a lot of exposure.
Do you have any hobbies other than crafting?
I love to shop!
What is your favorite medium to work with?
Hmmm…I really can’t answer this question. Each aspect and technique used in paper crafting is fun for me. I would have to say that my most favorite method of approaching a project is to be given a creative challenge and then coming up with something from scratch. I was recently asked to come up with a creative invitation for a senior harp recital. I was also asked to create some really cool gift bags for a Mardi Gras party. That is my favorite part of paper crafting…the challenge.
What do you like most about owning your own business?
The answer to this question changes every day! I think the best part is the part that I can’t see…the influence that I am having on my daughters. I think it is important for them to know that even when they are full-time moms like I am, it is important for them to maintain their own identities. It’s also nice to not have to explain myself to anyone…for example, I had to postpone this interview with you, Genevieve, because I had to take my sick daughter back and forth to the doctor. It was really nice not having to explain my postponements to a “boss.”
What has been the biggest surprise since starting this venture?
I have been pleasantly surprised to come to the realization that I can get a ton of work done without even getting out of bed! I mean that in all sincerity. One month after eWillow.com went live, I was diagnosed with mono. There were many days when I was too exhausted to move. However, I was able to keep my spirits up because I was able to accomplish a lot of things that I needed to just by going online. The Internet is fabulous!
What does the future hold for eWillow?
So many things! eWillow.com will be a household name! People will visit eWillow.com to buy all of their greeting cards, party favors, invitations, etc. from the very talented Design Vendors who have storefronts on the site. People will buy scrapbooks and/or hire our Design Vendors to scrapbook for them. What would like to see in eWillow.com’s future?
Bella Stitchery 