'Bramble Lane Paperie' on Etsy
• Tell us about who you are and how you got started doing
what you do. Did you gain formal training? Where? If not, how did you develop your art?
I have always had an affinity for art. I have no formal art training other than high
school, and my creativity had been dormant for many years when I started
card-making. My daughter and I took a
couple of classes together in 2005 or 2006, and I was hooked. For the first several years I was just creating
cards to give to family and friends, but
more and more, I felt that I wanted to branch out and was being encouraged to
do so. I began selling and donating my
work in the fall of 2013.
• Tell us about your studio. Do you have a room or workshop especially dedicated to your art? Or is it the kitchen table or a corner in your child's playroom?
Our basement has an in-law suite and I use the
kitchen/dining area. I can easily spend
all day down there. It’s cool in the
summer and, in the winter, a woodstove keeps me warm.
I have my music, a sink to clean my inky hands, a
kettle, lots of counter and cupboard
space, and a 6 foot table.
• Tell us about your processes. How do you work? Do you listen to music or need quiet? Is it sporadic or do you dedicate set hours to work?
I do not have set
hours, as I work at a “day job” which has irregular hours. But I try to do some
every day. I like to listen to gentle
music and CBC.
• What are the toughest challenges you find in keeping consistent hours? What other challenges do you face in your work and what ways have you been able to address them (if you have)?
Sometimes the
creativity is just not flowing because I’m tired or out of sorts. For those times I keep a list of
“non-thinking” jobs that I can just pull out and do.
• What types of materials do you use and why?
I work with paper,
ribbon, and bling. I like a soft,
romantic feel, so I go for papers that are flowery and gentle, or with a
country feel such as sunflowers or chickens.
I recently purchased a package of
paper with a Mother Goose theme – I hesitated twice because it’s not really my
style, but finally decided that, since it was on sale, I would take a chance. Once I started working with it, I loved it!
• Where else do you sell your work?
I sell at Buckshot Books (1254 Fair Road in Errington, BC) and I keep a small selection of cards at Womyn’sPath of Healing in Campbell River - (by appt.) I also take orders
through my facebook page. I have a line
of kitten birthday cards which I donate to the Campbell River SPCA, and in
February, I donate Valentine’s cards to the Campbell River Head Injury Society
who, in turn, sell them to raise funds and awareness.
• Why do you think people should buy handmade?
It’s important to
support local small businesses, not just in the craft and gift world, but also
in the food we buy and the coffee shops we frequent. Shopping locally keeps the money here on the
island and supports our island economy.
And giving a card or gift that’s been handmade, is so much more special
than something bought at a big-box store.
• What goals do you have?
I want to learn new tricks and try new things. I recently took a 2 day course in using
alcohol markers, which is a whole different concept and effect from what people expect when they think of markers. I am looking
forward to some experimentation. I also
just bought a compressor and will be playing with air-brush techniques. I guess I could say that my goal is to keep
learning and having fun with it.
What are three items in your shop that you are particularly proud of?
• Will you be at any art/craft fairs this year? Any other place you will be (or have been) that you would like us to know about?
I will be at the CampbellRiver Judo Club Christmas Craft Market on November 15 and 16. I will also be selling my work at
the Artisan’s Christmas Market at the Campbell River Art Gallery from November 13
to December 24, 2014.
BRAMBLE LANE PAPERIE
