When did you first start crafting and how did you learn?
Years ago I was put on a three-day week, and needed a hobby to fill the other two days. I'd always been creative in one way or another, and fancied trying cardmaking. I was in my local craft shop one day,and noticed they did cardmaking classes. As soon as I had made my first card, I was totally hooked. The teacher was lovely and she'd teach any technique I asked for like iris folding, tea-bag folding. Unfortunately, when she taught the latter, some of the ladies who'd been going to these classes for years, complained it was too fiddly! I didn't want to upset what was a lovely group by asking for techniques that they didn't like, so I left and spent hours learning from YouTube! I read about a Stampin' Up! event in a cardmaking magazine, and I wanted to join. I asked a more experience crafter than me what she knew about Stampin' Up! and she said you can only buy the proucts via a party/workshop, and it really put me off. Time went by and I learned more about Stampin' Up!, most importantly for me was that you can buy the products from an Independent Demonstrator, without having to hold a workshop! I've now been an Independent Stampin'Up! Demonstrator just over seven years. I have a 24/7 online Stampin' Up! shop. When I joined Stampin' Up! I was working a three day week for a financial publishing company in the City (London). I left that company just before I celebrated my second anniversary with Stampin' Up1 to concentrate on my business full time! And I have never looked back! I love running my own company, and being my own boss. The icing on the cake is earning the Incentive Trips! I've been to Thailand, and on an Alaskan cruise, and this year I'll be cruising around the Greek Islands!
Can you remember the first thing you made?
Vaguely, yes! It was a floral card, with a 3D butterfly! I was amazed I had made such a beautiful card. It was so easy!
Where do you look for inspiration?
The Success magazine demonstrators receive from Stampin'Up! each quarter, asns the weekly online magazine. Our catalogue is jammed-pack with inspiration, too. I find a lot on various groups on Facebook, and of course, Pinterest!
What's your craft space like and how do you organize your supplies?
I have converted our guest room into my studio. I made a video giving a tour of my craft room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4IP_HhPiPY&t=1637s
What music/podcasts/TV shows do you love to craft along to?
I don't! Most of the time I'm happy by myself. If I do want company, I'll let YouTube play one of my playlists.
Do you do any other crafts and what are your hobbies?
I enjoy making papercraft boxes and 3D projects. I also enjoy making home decor projects. Previous hobbies have included making clothers; first for myself, and then for my children. I also enjoyed knitting several years ago. When my two children wre small, I joined their school PTA (Parent/Teacher Association). I became involved wth a group of crafty mums, and we ran our own Craft Stall at the Summer and the Christmas School Fairs.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I have a team of like-minded crafters called Super Stars, (what a co-incidence?) and if anybody who's reading this would like to know more about being an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, in my team of Super Stars, I'll very happy to tell them what it involves! Happy crafting. JanB. xx
Cards
Stationery
