The REV It Up List

Adorn your life with Adornit

Earlier this month I had the fabulous opportunity of meeting Georgana Hall from Adornit -Carolee's Creations at the Craft and Hobby Association convention in Anaheim, California. Georgana is the sweetest, most down to earth person you can meet. Not to mention very CREATIVE and inspiring, as well! I am so happy to share with all of you an interview with her about her life passions, her work and her family. Be sure to check out the mini album created by Georgana to inspire our readers (you must go to the end of the post.)

Georgana, I understand that you have been in the craft industry pretty much your entire life because of your mom, Carolee, and your grandmother who introduced you as a young child to the world of creativity. So for you, what is it that motives you now as an adult to continually create art in your life?

So many things motivate me whether it be a deadline for a new project, a color combination, something I see in a magazine, or something I view on the web. Creating new projects and art keep me going - it's a stimulation I love and makes me happy. 

I know that you work full-time with your mother at the company headquarters. Can you share a little about how Carolee's Creations got started?

My grandma is actually the one who got me started scrapbooking. When my mom would take me shopping for supplies she could see that there was a need for product made specifically for scrapbooking. At that time the majority of what we were using were office supplies. Because my mom was an artist this was an easy transition for her. But because scrapbooking was in it's 'infancy' our first products were made so that they could also easy transition to office supplies too. At the time my Mom would have never guessed our company and the industry would be the size it is. 

How long have you been working with your family business and what is the best part of working with them?

In a sense I have also been working with my mom. I was always by her side and she would even take me to teach painting classes with her. I loved being with her and being with the women she was teaching. I also loved working at the painting shows and running the cash register. Something I remember AND still happens is her waking up at night with an idea so she'd get up and paint. When we would wake up in the morning she would each make us giver her our opinion. My mom is usually always given her inspiration at night. As far as a full time job I started as soon as I graduated high school (six years ago). Since then I live, eat, and breathe scrapbooking.

  And I must ask, seeing that you come from a crafter family, at Christmas and holidays, do you give each other hand-made gifts? 

Yes we do. One of my favorite gifts I made for my mom was a picture frame I made from a very old window, it hangs in her family room.

Since you do crafting as part of your day to day work, do you also craft as a hobby these days? if so, how much of your time is spent each day creating just for fun, versus creating for work?

I thing it goes hand-in-hand. At work I run the company so I am busy with emails, Internet, employee jobs, deadlines, etc. Almost every project I create is made after my boys are asleep and I have time to be creative and escape from daily tasks.

When you were a child, what did you see yourself growing up to be as an adult?  Did you ever imagine yourself working with your mom at Carolee's Creations?

No I never envisioned that I would do this as my full time job.  I also never envisioned that I would be a working mom. When I was a freshman in college. I originally was going to be a nurse. I received my CNA, but decided I wanted to be creative and our business is in the end, just what I wanted.

 

Blog: Andrew Borloz :: Urban Paper Arts

Artist Andrew Borloz has been on an artful journey full of "new ideas, hybrids, discoveries, experiences and pleasant surprises."  Andrew shares his love of design and paper arts through his wonderful finds through the streets of New York, in unusual books he discovers in quaint shops, and in storefront windows. Lucky for us, he's always got his camera with him so we can  share these in these moments! We love the way he delights in the little bursts of art he finds along the way...he even sees art  in the shadows! We love that!

Artist Alexandra (Xan) Underhill

Too cool for school* artist and author Alexandra (Xan) Underhill has opened a new etsy shop where she is selling her unique
fashions, many created with thrift store finds! I love the tie aprons and this very comfy looking t-shirt dress that was featured in the book Alternation (co-authored with the lovely and talented Shannon Okey). I have had the pleasure of seeing Xan's tie aprons in reality and they are fantastic. Her attention to detail is remarkable!

* Xan graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with honors in 1993. Cool kids stay in school.

Sarah Fishburn, Angela Cartwright and Pasticcio!

Artists and author duo Sarah Fishburn and Angela Cartright have given birth to another fabulous art baby! Their quarterly art zine Pasticcio is full of rich color, amazing art (a variety of mixed media art and photography), bold commentary, reviews, and creative techniques. Even the paper this zine is printed on feels good! Pasticcio looks and feels more like a book than a magazine and would look fantastic displayed on your coffee table~ it is a work of art!

A blooming artist: Karla Dudley

This weekend we have been busy doing the CHA, CHA in Anaheim, California, but we feel it is about time that we update our Rev It Up readers with something to inspire you this week, an interview with the fabulous Karla Dudley.

1. How did you get into the world of scrapbooking?  And how long have you been creating?

Well, After I had my son, Kody, I wanted to paint a picture on canvas for his bedroom. I went to Michael's Arts and Crafts to find one. On my way, I stopped to look at a Creating Keepsakes magazine and I was HOOKED! I had been drawing since I was a little girl. I found myself venturing into painting, always looking for another way to express my creativity. When I saw that magazine I just knew that it I was going to do it for the long haul! It's been almost five years now since that day in the craft store.

2. I have seen some amazing art sketches from you.  Do you have any formal training in the arts department, or are you a natural born artist? 

Thanks :) ....I don't have any formal training. Now that I'm older, I would love to go back and get some! I started out drawing Disney characters with a No.2 pencil. I kept at it and then stopped for a long while. Life happened, and I found myself doing other things. This past year I got back into it again. I'm loving it more than ever...making my own characters. It's just so fun :)

3. What makes you feel alive more than anything?

Wow...I would have to say a great day with the family. One of those days when you're tired because you had so much fun! It's satisfying...it's important. It gets tough sometimes to find family balance with my husband working a lot and things that take me away from the kids. Moving put a bit of a strain on us but when the time is right, when we are all together and go crazy...it's awesome!

4. I noticed you have started an etsy shop as well?  When did you get started and how did that come about?  What kind of items do you offer in your etsy shop?

Yes, it's totally something I just dove into! Lately, I have been designing little things here and there. Whether they be drawings or graphic designs. They've been chilling in sketch books and saved on my hard drive for too long. So, I thought that opening an Etsy shop would be the perfect solution to put them to good use and give people something they could really enjoy. I opened up shop in January 6th. I sell handmade journals, cards and soon I will be offering some illustrations as prints. I also have a newsletter that you can sign up for on my blog. It will give you all the news about what's out, coming up and specials. There will be so much more to come!

5.What percentage of your time do you devote to scrapbooking, sketching or creating?

NOT ENOUGH!!! LOL!!!! Really though, I would love to do it all the time, day and night but um? I have three kiddos under the age of 5 and they are a handful :) I spend about 2 hours a day on my crafts. When the kids are all in school that should be a different story!

6. If you had to pick only three favorite art supplies, which ones would they be and why?

Wooooeeeee...ok...I would have to say:
* 7Gypsies word sticker sheets. They are a staple in my stash. I'm always looking for things that are universal, timeless and that can last. These fit all that.....I absolutely adore them :)
* My circle punches. I am a circle freak! I love circles on circles, circles inside circles and.........circles LOL!!! With my punches I can get unique designs that I just find so cool. I can always find something new to do with some circle punches!
* Flourish rub-ons. These actually are a new favorite of mine, but aren't going down my list any time soon. I love all kinds from all kinds of companies. I can't get enough. Although I use very little on each layout; they make a huge impact!

7. I see that you are a design team member for October Afternoon and that you are one of the members, along with the founder Ronda Palarazzi, of the One Little Word blog Challenge group, what else besides these two activities are you currently involved in?  Any plans for the future?

Ok...first of all, Rhonda, she is a GEM! She is an awesome force and I KNOW she will be out there running something! Working with all the gals on OLW is a blast! I have been doing some designing for October Afternoon and Technique Tuesday. I am currently working on some kit samples for Creating Keepsakes as well. I'm having a lot of fun with that. As far as the future...I would love to come out with a book. Leaning towards digital tricks and tutorials that are modern, graphic and sophisticated. Also one that's geared towards mini BOOKS, pockets and the like. Hopefully someday.

ME! No...no....just kidding! I couldn't pick just one. As far as scrapbooking it would have to be Loni Stevens, Ali Edwards and and Renee Camacho. In the traditional art realm, that's a whole other story.

8. Who is, or has been, the most influential artist in your life?

ME! No...no....just kidding! I couldn't pick just one. As far as scrapbooking it would have to be Loni Stevens, Ali Edwards and  and Renee Camacho. In the traditional art realm, that's a whole other story.

9. Please share a few of your favorite projects. 

iart:  I really like this layout because it incorporates his art in it. I think it's looks cool and at the same time means a lot to the both of us.

yummy:  This layout was so much fun to create. I just love making pockets! Kennedy was thoroughly enjoying that candy! I just made the moment last :)

Steps: This was my first layout 2008. I made it for my word on OLW and as my word for the year. I like this layout because it's a reminder for me to take it slow. One step at a time. To go with with the flow but finish. It's on my shelf now as a reminder of this years resolutions.

Thanks so very much for having me! Happy Scrappin' everyone!

The Pulse: Artist Survey

Artist Seth Apter started a fun adventure interviewing a variety of artists with the same set of seven questions. He posted the answers to the 7 questions over 7 days on his blog, The Altered Page. I love to read what other artists have on their desks, what supplies they like and other odd bits of information about them. I always like to read the answers of the interviewer, too, so here are  Seth's answers to his own fun questions (easiest interview EVER!):
The one technique or tool that I cannot live without is...
As far as technique right now I would say distressing -- with sandpaper, by folding, with paint or ink, by tearing, etc. As for tool I would have to say scissors as I always seem to be slicing through something in nearly everything I make.
One artist that inspires me is...
Antoni Tapies because of his use of color, textures, and abstracted images.
5 things on my studio table right now include...
Piles of paper scraps, Caran d'Ache metallic wax pastels, several pairs of scissors, a spool of rusted wire that I found that is being saved for a future project, and book board. 
My current go-to blog is...
There are so many but these days I chose Le Divan Fumoir Bohemien http://florizel.canalblog.com/ because even though I can't understand most of the text (it's in French), the images are so unique and often breathtaking.
My current go-to website is...
I would have to say Google because of Blogger, the search engine, Picasa2,and Google Earth. Besides, how many websites have become verbs?
Today my favorite color is...
the color of amber shellac.
If I could take a class from one artist from anytime in history, including today, it would be...
The Japanese photographer Masao Yamamoto for his incredible eye, his amazing photographs, and the techniques he uses to paint, alter, and distress them.