I have been following Karla's blog for years and years and years.
I finally had the privilege of meeting her in April.
See for yourself - she's delightful and oh, so talented!
Tell us something about
yourself.
I think it is important to surround yourself
with things you love and
things you love to do,
and to also spend time
with the people who are important
in your life.
How did you find out
about Whitworth Ranch Retreat?
Karen's Hillman's invitation.
How many times have you been there?
Once, but that isn't
enough.
Do you have
a preference as to which room you sleep in?
The adorable Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs attic space
in the craft cottage.
Where do you
prefer to get your craft on?
Large room, small room?
Do you have a favorite
spot/table?
I only used the large room, and loved it.
Were you in a mixed
group
or did you fill the house with your own friends?
A nice mix of old
buddies,
family and new friends from that weekend.
If
there is an opening for just one person,
are you open to attending a retreat
with women you’ve never met?
I think it would be a wonderful place
to meet like
minded, creative people, so yes.
We all know
that Stacy is an excellent chef.
Do you have a favorite meal?
THE
COOKIES! THE TARTS!
What do you do in your
spare time
when you are not crafting or retreating?
Baking, gardening, playing
with my grand fairies.
Are you a
paper crafter, seamstress, quilter, knitter,
jewelry maker or trouble-maker?
No
yarn or sewing skills at all,
but I really enjoy the rest, especially
trouble.
What is your
signature style? Romantic Cottage
What are you working on
right now?
I love creating coloring pages
and just finished a fairy tale one.
How would
you describe your art
for the general public audience
if they have never seen it before?
if they have never seen it before?
Vintage pretties
What have you created
that you are most proud of – and why?
I used to do more painting than I do now,
and had travelled doing murals for hotels,
day cares, casinos, etc.
Now, when I
see a 20' mural I'd painted many years ago,
I'm pretty proud of my
ladder/scaffolding climbing skills
and stamina for working that
big.
Has any of your work
ever been published?
If so what and which publication?
I've done about 50 or so magazines,
from Romantic Homes, Better Homes Paint Decor
with paint
techniques and home styling,
to Somerset crafting publications,
and most
recently my own home was in Romantic Country,
Daphne's Diary, and Country Sampler Home Tours: http://www.karlascottage.com/articles.htmTours: .
Do you have any crafting secrets you would
like to share?
Always use the best materials you can.
Your time is worth the
best.
Do not hoard your supplies.
What do
you wish you were better at?
Time management
If Ms. Muse decides not
to show up,
where do you get your inspiration?
If I'm not feeling creative,
I
love a walk through an antique mall or flea market.
Some little tidbit will
usually inspire a new creation.
How do you
stay inspired?
Spending time with creative friends, online or in
person.
How does
your creative process work?
I usually start with a day dream while driving
or
doing something uninteresting.
Do you have
a dedicated craft area in your home?
My studio is in an addition to our 100
year old farmhouse.
Tell us all about your studio.
What have you done to make your space cozy
or beautiful or inspiring?
I've found furnishings at garage sales,
painted them mostly white,
and try to make sure each s a functional piece to hold jars,
boxes, and stack of my supplies.
How do you keep your
area organized?
If I didn't invite guests on a regular basis,
it would be hard
for me to keep it presentable.
I tend to keep working and working
I tend to keep working and working
without
cleaning up,
until I have about a 6" square of desk space left to create in.
Hosting swaps where I need multiple tables
devoted to sorting other artists
work,
also makes me stay focussed and organized.
It is important for me to have
a reason
to stop and clean up,
instead of piling up more and more things
as I
keeping working on one project after another.
How many
hours a week do you spend in your happy place?
As many as I
can!
What would the walls in
your craft space say?
Oh no, she is squeezing in more stuff?
My
walls are aching already!!!
We don't have room for another table full of junk!!
If
you could add just one tool to your craft arsenal,
what would you add?
I just
bought a good paper cutter
and it has made me pretty happy.
What is your
favorite “must have” item for crafting.
something that you just cannot be
separated from?
The Ultimate Glue
What is the most
useless item
that you have purchased to craft?
Glue sticks - after a few years,
the glue falls apart.
Do you keep
any of your own creations on display?
I often create things just for certain spots on my walls.
I often create things just for certain spots on my walls.
Then, of course,
there are the things that I never got around
to trying to sell,
or the things that no one bought when I did try.
Isn't there
a quote about art starting out as a creative problem
and soon becomes a storage
problem?
What are your tricks
for organizing your supplies?
Either I label the drawers and boxes,
or keep
things where I can see them.
Out of sight, out of mind, I lose what I can't see.
Finish this sentence:
When I am in my creative space, I
lose track of time and get in
trouble for making dinner late.
I am going to grant you
three wishes
to make your area into your dream space.
What are your three
wishes?
I have my dream space!!
What are
your favorite products
to create with at this moment?
Art Journals and coloring
pages
How long
does it typically take you to finish a project?
I'm very, very
quick.
Are you a
neat or a messy crafter?
Pretty neat with the work, but my area messes up
fast.
It’s time to
go shopping.
Does most of your money go to Hobby Lobby,
Joann’s, Michael’s,
conventions or a local scrapbook store?
Or are you an on-line shopper?
I love garage sales, antique stores
and flea markets!
Are you an
impulse craft supplies shopper? Rarely
Do you have
any personal goals you have not yet attained?
If so, what are you doing to
fulfill these goals?
I'm not a goal oriented person.
Tell me that one thing
that you have not yet done that you really want to do.
I'm usually pretty happy
in the moment.
If
you were given $1000 to spend
on craft supplies/tools what would you purchase?
I'd have a heart attack if I tried to spend that much
on craft supplies.
Maybe
I'd spend it on a retreat
and pay for my sisters to come with
me.
Do you spend
hours and hours looking at blogs?
Do you have a blog?
I'd love for you to visit my blog
and my website
and my Etsy shoppe.
Do you own your own business?
If so, tell me all about it.
I keep a blog, and sell hand made
things
and supplies to make your own art.
I also teach classes and adore
making kits.
When I do a class,
I always make plenty of extra kits to sell
afterwards
because pulling together the ingredients
and writing the instructions
are very enjoyable for
me.
Thank you, Karla, for your allowing us to get to know you more.
Remember one thing: You Matter.
