Featured Artist Sunday--Paper, Paper, Paper and a GiveAway!

The randomly selected store from my hearts on etsy happens to be another store which loves paper! Congratulations to paperplanet!!

>>>When did you get started in your craft?
I‘ve always Loved “making things”...even as a child. For as long as I can remember I’ve enjoyed giving one or two of my ‘handmades’ as gifts for family and friends. So every year it’s still an enjoyable challenge to come up with something new and different to give. There’s something very rewarding and meaningful about working on something special and presenting it to a relative or friend as a birthday or holiday gift.
I love Nature, being outdoors and gardening. The art of flower pressing has always intrigued me so it was a natural progression for me to combine my naturals from my gardens with handmade papers to create my Earth Lights and Luminaries, Earth Bookmarks, and Jewelry.

>>>What is your favorite part of your chosen craft?
I’m inspired by Nature nearly every day and I love to experiment with all kinds of flowers, leaves, and naturals. My gardens and container plants are a constant inspiration. It’s a joy to see flowers in full bloom and abundant with color. I enjoy growing flowers from seed and I also purchase additional garden plants, flowers, herbs, and bouquets. Gardening is one of my passions and I love learning about the flowers I grow and use. I depend on the success of my gardens in the Spring and Summer to provide me with enough pressed flowers and greenery for my projects to last until the next growing season. (Wow, that seems like a daunting task!)
One of my favorite things to do is work with lots of pressed flowers from Summer on a freezing cold Winter day. (That does sound fun!)


>>>In five years, what would you like to be doing?
I love what I’m doing right now so in five years I hope I’m still working with flowers and handmade papers, discovering more ways to make use of my materials, continuing to experiment, and always learning more. There are so many other areas of art I’d like to pursue (weaving, jewelry, ceramics, I could go on and on) I know I’ll still be expressing myself creatively!

And I also enjoy writing and have shared many of my projects, techniques and art experiences in over 50 published articles for a variety of national art/craft magazines such as: Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Holiday issues, Crafting Traditions, Crafts ‘N Things to name a few.

PaperPlanet is an active environmentalist, and views her art as a unique opportunity to bring the wonders of nature to those who enjoy embellishing their lives in peaceful, beautiful, fulfilling, and Earth-honoring ways.

Now PaperPlanet wants to offer a free Earth Light to one lucky person who comments on her shop. Go to PaperPlanet and find your favorite item and post your comment here!! Next Saturday, Febraury 26, I'll announce the winner.