Describe what you make?
I create papercrafts with a particular emphasis on memory preservation ( also known as scrapbooking, photo albums), journaling (compositions books), and memo keeping (notepads, planners and jotters).
What mediums do you enjoy working in most?
I love, love, love paper. The possibilities are endless for what you can create and alter with just paper and glue. The paper doesn't even have to be designated just for crafting. I love to re-purpose newspapers, magazines, cardboard, packaging, and other paper items. You just have to see the potential in something and then work towards realizing it.
How long have you been creating craft?
I've been crafting since I was a child but I've been involved in a dedicated form or another of crafting for over 20 years. I've enjoyed fabric crafting, painting, sewing, and now papercrafts. Papercrafts is my absolute favorite because I can incorporate all the other crafts I've done in the past into my papercrafts. For example, I can sew on paper, or use fabric cut-outs, or add a little inking or painting.
How did you get started?
I got started in papercrafts as a child when my mother used to roll up glossy magazine pages into slender tubes. We would cover juice cans or boxes with these colorful tubes to make them into pencil holders or other crafts. From that point on I became acutely aware of the different designs and texture of papers, cardstocks and cardboard. I realized that paper didn't just come as an 8 1/2 x 11 white sheet. I realized that so many things can be done with any type of paper. That realization evolved into making my own books, cards, gift boxes, decorations, and albums. Papercrafting has allowed me to express myself while creating items that were useful in my daily life. Nothing is more personal to me than to give a handmade card or tag or to add create my specially themed album as opposed to buying one off as store shelf. Lots of time and effort go into each of my projects and that is part of the giving or gifting process.
Where does the name of your shop come from?
If it isn't obvious by now, my name is an indication of how much I love paper. Patterned, textured, or handmade paper--there is possibility in it all. I love paper, I am papersilly.
What would you most want people to know about your work?
I expend a lot of time and effort in my projects. I never sell them with the primary intent of making money. It's a cliche but money really isn't everything. Personal pride and satisfaction in my work is more important to me. I want people to enjoy my products and be proud to own it. Whether they ever realize the amount of time and effort that went into it, I want it to be obvious in the detail and quality of the item.
What words of advice do you have for other artists?
Do what you love and love what you do. If your heart is not in it, it reflects in the quality of your creations. You either MAKE an item or you CREATE it. You either do it as a HOBBY or an ART. It's your choice how you elevate your efforts. Another piece of advice-- find potential in everything you see. Whatever you do can be so much more than the beginning stage. The end result can be a treat or surprise to someone, it can be a comfort or a joy, it can treasured and kept forever. You just have to elevate to that level.
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That was a great interview, and Papersilly is a great shop to visit.
While you are at Etsy come see the many new things that we have at our shop!
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