We are a real nosey bunch here at It's a creative world and we love finding out what makes creative people tick.
Today we are excited to get into the artbox of the fabulously talented Ginger aka Claire.
IACW - We heard on the craftyvine that you've been gallivanting around CHA. So, what did you get up to in sunny So Cal?
GINGER: The craftyvine is right. I was out there but as I was working, on the Crafter's Companion booth, I didn't get much time for gallivanting. I did get to meet lots of our US customers and loved demonstrating and taking on-stand classes.
IACW: Did you spot an absolute favourite need to have it now item at CHA?
GINGER: Seeing as our Ultimate Crafter's Companion 10 in 1 tool won the CHA Innovations Award for Scrapbooking and Papercraft, it would have to be that, if I didn't already have one. Other than that it was mainly patterned paper that caught my eye. Two of my favourites but very different in style were Pebbles Inc - bright and clean cut (check out their new metallic chalks - more like creme eyeshadows) and Graphic 45 - vintage style.
Ok, back to reality
IACW: Did you have a particularly ‘crafty’ childhood, and what is your earliest crafty memory?
GINGER: I've always enjoyed making things. I can remember being chosen to colour in a large robin at primary school to go on the wall. It eventually came home and went up every year until I left home at 20!
IACW: Did you spot an absolute favourite need to have it now item at CHA?
GINGER: Seeing as our Ultimate Crafter's Companion 10 in 1 tool won the CHA Innovations Award for Scrapbooking and Papercraft, it would have to be that, if I didn't already have one. Other than that it was mainly patterned paper that caught my eye. Two of my favourites but very different in style were Pebbles Inc - bright and clean cut (check out their new metallic chalks - more like creme eyeshadows) and Graphic 45 - vintage style.
Ok, back to reality
IACW: Did you have a particularly ‘crafty’ childhood, and what is your earliest crafty memory?
GINGER: I've always enjoyed making things. I can remember being chosen to colour in a large robin at primary school to go on the wall. It eventually came home and went up every year until I left home at 20!
I wasn't always successful though. I had a few problems with cross stitch. I used to sew it to my skirt and have to be cut out of it and the end of the lesson!
IACW: How did you get into cardmaking, and how long have you been creating up a storm?
GINGER: I blame my Dad for getting me into card making and the large amounts of stash I now own! I needed a card for his 60th birthday and when I couldn't find anything appropriate I made one and was hooked.
IACW: What crafts do you currently enjoy besides cardmaking?
GINGER: I love scrapbboking and making gifts and mini books. I darent take anything other than papercraft up, there's no more room in the house.
IACW: From where do you draw your inspiration, and do you have any unusual sources of inspiration?
GINGER: I draw inspiration from lots of different places - magazines, clothes, home decor and advertisments. It only needs a colour, shape or contrast to get me thinking.
IACW: Have you had any cardmaking/craft disasters, and, if so, are you prepared to share the details with us?!!
GINGER: Too many! I'm a messy crafter. However my favourite one is when I was away on a scrapbooking weekend. I'd nearly finished a layout I'd been working on and managed to spill a glass of white wine on it. Luckily a friend reminde me it was only paper and glue and we laughed about it. The layout was dried out and the photo was reprinted and ta dah all was well.
IACW: What tools/products/embellishments are you using most at the moment? Is there a line of papers you’re particularly fond of? What’s currently at the top of your ‘wanted’ list?
GINGER: As I've been living in hotels for the last couple of weeks I've been creating cards with minimum tools. I really wanted the new Crate paper ranges and was lucky enough to get my hands on them at CHA. They were in the booth next to us and very lovely.
IACW: Do you have a blog?
GINGER: Erm, seeing as I haven't updated it since the middle of last year I'd have to say not really. I just don't get the time to update it.
IACW: Who are your craft heroes/heroines?
GINGER: The list is long but my favourites are those that inspire me and share their crafting space with me.
IACW: How did you get into cardmaking, and how long have you been creating up a storm?
GINGER: I blame my Dad for getting me into card making and the large amounts of stash I now own! I needed a card for his 60th birthday and when I couldn't find anything appropriate I made one and was hooked.
IACW: What crafts do you currently enjoy besides cardmaking?
GINGER: I love scrapbboking and making gifts and mini books. I darent take anything other than papercraft up, there's no more room in the house.
IACW: From where do you draw your inspiration, and do you have any unusual sources of inspiration?
GINGER: I draw inspiration from lots of different places - magazines, clothes, home decor and advertisments. It only needs a colour, shape or contrast to get me thinking.
IACW: Have you had any cardmaking/craft disasters, and, if so, are you prepared to share the details with us?!!
GINGER: Too many! I'm a messy crafter. However my favourite one is when I was away on a scrapbooking weekend. I'd nearly finished a layout I'd been working on and managed to spill a glass of white wine on it. Luckily a friend reminde me it was only paper and glue and we laughed about it. The layout was dried out and the photo was reprinted and ta dah all was well.
IACW: What tools/products/embellishments are you using most at the moment? Is there a line of papers you’re particularly fond of? What’s currently at the top of your ‘wanted’ list?
GINGER: As I've been living in hotels for the last couple of weeks I've been creating cards with minimum tools. I really wanted the new Crate paper ranges and was lucky enough to get my hands on them at CHA. They were in the booth next to us and very lovely.
IACW: Do you have a blog?
GINGER: Erm, seeing as I haven't updated it since the middle of last year I'd have to say not really. I just don't get the time to update it.
IACW: Who are your craft heroes/heroines?
GINGER: The list is long but my favourites are those that inspire me and share their crafting space with me.
Anna Davenport (Beautiful Cards and Quick Cards Made Easy) has always been one of my favourite designers, I love the way she uses colour. I'm now lucky enough to call her one of my best friends and share many a weekend of scrapping with her.
Gwyneth who I run a crop with is another constant inspiration, her cards are amazing.
Debbie Nicholas - how she finds time to make all the amazing things she does whilst bringing up 4 adorable boys is a huge inspiration.
IACW: On average, how much time do you spend crafting in a typical week?
GINGER: Never enough! But I squeeze in as much as I can and always have a basic tool kit in my car.
IACW: Are you working on a particular project right now? Can you share any details with us?!
GINGER: Crafter's Companion have a new release out on the 7th March, so I'm currently making cards and display boards. Unfortuantely I'm not allowed to tell you more than that, although it's fabulous.
IACW: And now for a bit of fluff!! What’s your favourite perfume?
GINGER: Gucci II
IACW: Who is your favourite artist? Have you ever worked a particular artist’s style into YOUR work?
GINGER: Monet - I love the colours and Degas - I love the subject.
IACW: What music do you enjoy listening to?
GINGER: I love music and listen to all kinds. I have the radio on all the time in the car and I love Radio 2 - I know that makes me old but it makes me happy. I love swing music as I also love swing dancing.
IACW: What was the last book you read?
GINGER: A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff and it was delightful.
IACW: What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Thank you so much for sharing some tidbits of what makes you, you!!!
GINGER: I honestly can't remember. I tend to fall asleep at the cinema. I'm not good sitting down doing nothing.
IACW: Do you have a big screen heart-throb?
GINGER: I love old films and Gene Kelly is a massive favourite.
IACW: You’re out to dinner at a restaurant where nothing is off the menu; what would be your dishes of choice (starter, main, dessert), and what would you be drinking?
GINGER: I love French food and there's a restaurant in the South of France that actually serves my ideal meal - fish soup, duck breast cooked in a wood oven served with dauphinous potatoes with creme brulee for dessert. To drink? Champagne of course.
IACW: Tell us a joke!!
GINGER: what do you call a deer with no eye - no idea (eyed-dear)!
IACW: Describe yourself in three words…
GINGER: Mad Ginger Claire :)
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