011: A Conversation with May Flaum

March 19, 2013 By 4 Comments

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I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast!

Today’s guest is May Flaum.

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When it comes to crafting May Flaum has one rule: it’s gotta make her happy. She’s not afraid to get super grungy or work with bright colors, dabble in lace and doilies then make something more splattered and wild. If she’s not in her studio (aka ‘the bat cave’) then she’s probably out running around having fun with her family or cooking up a storm.  May has been working in the scrapbooking industry for a decade and currently blogs [www.mayflaum.com] her crafty adventures, teaches on-line classes, and works with amazing companies sharing her projects and ideas. If she has one piece of advice to share, it’s always to be true to your creative heart.

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You can find May’s most recent e-book, “Fashionably Fast” here.

On today’s podcast we discuss May’s long and very interesting career in the scrapbook industry.  The theme of being true to yourself — both creatively and in your career path — is strong throughout this episode.  I found it to be a very inspiring conversation and I hope you will too! (And here is the link to May’s creative journey, as promised on the podcast.)

Find the show on iTunes here.

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009: The Julie Show

January 23, 2013 By 10 Comments

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Today’s guest is me!  (Due to a personal matter, our guest for today’s podcast was not able to make it. So, I ended up being the guest instead.)  I’m going to give myself the full guest treatment with a headshot, bio, and some images of my work:

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Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed media collage artist. She has been making art for as long as she can remember and loves the process of creating. “I believe that mistakes are creative opportunities and hold fast to the notion that enjoyment of the process is just as important as the finished product! I like to think outside of the box — experimenting with paper, paint, and fabric — always trying to find a way to push my supplies further and see all the possibilities.”

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Julie has had artwork and articles published in many magazines including Cloth Paper Scissors, CPS Pages, CPS Studios, Quilting Arts Gifts, Quilt Scene, Creating Keepsakes, Better Homes & Gardens’ Scrapbooks Etc., Memory Makers, Scrapbook Trends, Somerset Memories, Somerset Digital, scrapbooking m.m. (Sweden), Scrap Art Zine (Germany), Scrapbooking & Beyond, Simple Scrapbooks, Histoires de Pages (France), books by Leisure Arts, F&W Publications, and Lark, as well as multiple e-zines. She writes the “Adventures in Arting” column for Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine.

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Julie is the co-host of Scrapbook Soup TV (PBS) and has appeared several times on Quilting Arts TV (PBS) and hosted the “Artist to Artist” segment on Scrapbook Memories TV (PBS).  She has also appeared on Crafting at The Spotted Canary (PBS).  Julie’s hour-long instructional DVD “Collage Fast & Furious” was released in July 2010 by Interweave.  She released two new hour-long instructional DVDs in 2012: All About Faces and Stamp-Making Adventures.

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Julie’s yet-to-be-titled book on stamp carving will be released by Interweave Press in Fall 2013.

Julie designs stencils for The Crafter’s Workshop, stamps for Impression Obsession, and has several other products in the works with other companies.

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Julie lives in a tiny apartment with a big art studio in the middle of New York City.  She is a graduate of Brown University.

On today’s podcast we talk about my career trajectory, where I hope the craft industry will go, and my teaching philosophy.  I hope you’ll give the podcast a listen!  And be sure to leave any comments or questions in the comments section.  I know that Mom and I love hearing from you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Find the show on iTunes here.

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008: Cocoa Daisy

January 9, 2013 By 2 Comments

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I’m delighted to bring you another episode of the Adventures in Arting Podcast — the first of 2013!!  Today’s guest is Christine Drumheller:

Headshot-for-siggyHere are a few words from Christine:

I first joined Cocoa Daisy, as a subscriber, in 2007.  I later tried out when Cocoa Daisy had a Design Team call, and made the team. About 6 months later, Tricia (the owner then) asked me to start creating the project kits.  I loved coming up with ideas for the project kits and putting them together!  Soon, I was joining Tricia for her trips to CHA, so I got a good idea of how much work goes into putting together the main kit.

Well, fast forward to 2010. I found myself having to leave my marriage of 11 years, with no work history for the last 8 because I’d been a stay-at-home Mom.  At that time Tricia happened to be pregnant, moving to another state and planning to close things down here at Cocoa Daisy.  I approached her and said I wanted to do it!

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I was terrified… leaving a marriage, moving in with my parents and starting a business all at the same time.  That was the worst, most stressful summer of my life!  But I knew I had to give it a try because it was the perfect scenario for me. I’d be doing something I love and I’d also be home with the boys.

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My background in graphic design from before I became engaged, including 10 years’ experience as a Composition Manager, gave me the confidence to jump in and pray that God had placed this opportunity in front of me for a reason.

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It’s been an amazing two and a half years! Learning as I go, always trying to make changes and improvements, working to get the kits out on time and to give my 100% to customer service has been more than stressful at times, BUT I wouldn’t change a thing!

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Lately I have changed my focus from 12×12 layouts. I adore mini albums and I am addicted to instagram – so creating a mini album filled with instagram pictures from my phone seemed the perfect way to capture our daily lives.

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Links for Christine:

On today’s podcast we discuss Christine’s journey towards becoming the owner of Cocoa Daisy as well as the struggle for balance between work, home, and creative desires.  I hope you’ll listen in to our conversation and leave us your thoughts!

Find the show on iTunes here.

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002: A Conversation With Jenn Mason

October 2, 2012 By 4 Comments

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I want to thank everyone who has listened to the Adventures in Arting podcast.  The last episode was downloaded more than 8,000 times!  And I’ve got a brand new podcast for you today!  Mom and I chatted with Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine Editor and all-around fabulous person, Jenn Mason.

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Here’s a little bit about her:

Jenn Mason lives a double life. Part artist, part editor. Day-to-day she wears her press hat at Cloth Paper Scissors magazine headquarters, by night and weekend she is trudging through flea markets, painting, assembling, creating, looking for inspiration, or just dreaming. You’re most likely to bump into her in Brookline, MA.

Here is some of her recent artwork:

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Find Jenn online:

blog: JennMason.blogspot.com and clothpaperscissors.com
Facebook: Cloth Paper Scissors and Jenn Mason
Twitter: @CPSmagazine and @everydayartist

On the podcast we talk about Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine, Jenn’s career path, art vs. craft, and how to balance working and being an artist with being a Mom.

If you have comments or questions, I know that we’d love to hear them!

Find the show on iTunes here.

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