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We are so excited to announce the winners of Pizzazzill Sweepstakes.
Grand Prize Winner: Cheryl Kelly-Van Domelen
Runner’s Up: Stacy McCall, Kim Lillpop, Chris Riffe, Niki Meiners and Jennifer McIntyre
Congratulations to all of you! Thank you for entering your great work into the Sweepstakes.
Click here to view the Winner’s Gallery >>
Click here to Shop Pizzazzill >>
Q: How did you get started in this industry?
A: I started out as a store owner in 1999 when I opened the first scrapbook store on Long Island (New York). From there I wound up co-authoring a book, which led me to teaching at different shows, appearing on DIY Scrapbooking, writing another book and eventually I came up with an idea and a portfolio and approached Creative Imaginations.
Q: Which products from your current lines are the most popular?
A: I think the Metal Flower Brads are the most popular, but now that I am getting into paper and coordinating extras…perhaps they will be popular too.
Q: What are some of the unique selling points of your products?
A: My products are hand made metal embellishments; no other company has that.
Q: How do you monitor trends in the industry?
A: By going to shows, reading all kinds of magazines, perusing various boards, staying in touch with the consumer…and I am a paper crafter / scrapbooker too!
Q: How do you select color schemes for new products?
A: I try to watch the trends for the upcoming seasons…I also have favorite color combinations that I like to try.
Q: What is the creative process
behind the names for each
collection?
A: That’s a funny one…sometimes the names I choose are not always what the product winds up being called. I create the product line and give it a name, if CI thinks there is a better name; we discuss it before it is finalized.
Q: When inspiration strikes what is the first thing you do to begin developing a new product?
A: Start working! Sometimes I sketch it out, other times I just play until I like the final outcome.
Q: How do you introduce new product lines and/or new items to the consumer?
A: Well, Creative Imaginations takes care of that with the trade shows, however, I also put things on my blog about the products, and I try to make projects to include on my blog as well. CI also has a blog that highlights all of the artist’s lines, and the fabulous design team gets their work published in various Medias introducing product as well as giving ideas for its use.
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of becoming a product designer for Creative Imaginations?
A: Hands down, the people! The people I have met as a result of my association with Creative Imaginations has been awesome…from staff to other artists, to store owners, to the consumers, to design team members…it has enriched my life immensely!
Q: What plans do you have for the year ahead?
A: To keep plugging away on my product lines…and hopefully find more time to scrapbook and paper craft for myself.
Join Allison Connors live on September 26th at 8:00 p.m. CST in Create My Keepsake's Chat Room»».
Q: How did you get started in this industry?
A: I started in this industry about eight years ago. A friend of mine told me about a new industry that my style would work great with. She hooked me up with CI, and the rest is wonderful history.
Q: Which products from your current lines are the most popular?
A: I believe the new Carole’s Christmas, and Aubrey are doing very well.
Q: What are some of the unique selling points of your
products?
A: I think some of the selling points in my opinion are how versatile and unique they are. Renae’s House is new and fresh. The many different products that are in each collection make it so easy and fun to use.
Q: How do you monitor trends in the industry?
A: Lots of reading magazines, shopping, and just watching all the other trends in the other markets.
Q: How do you select color schemes for new products?
A: I love color! I just select by what feels good, and do a little investigating….plus cross my fingers.
Q: What is the creative process behind the names for each collection?
A: Since Renae's House is about my house, everything is tied in with that. The names are my children, mother, (Carole), family and more to come….
Q: When inspiration strikes what is
the first thing you do to begin
developing a new product?
A: Grab my pencils and start sketching… then coloring… then I stop eating or sleeping!!
Q: How do you introduce new product lines and/or new items to the consumer?
A: CI is wonderful to promote my products at the shows throughout the year. I also travel, do appearances, and teach at scrapbook stores, It is such a great way to get feedback from the people that really matter!
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of becoming a product designer for Creative Imaginations?
A: I think the most rewarding aspect has been that I get to share my talents, still be with my family, and work where my heart is. Not to mention, being blessed to have worked with a great company for so many years.
Q: What plans do you have for the year ahead?
A: I have some fun new collections for Renae’s House and RENAE LINDGREN debuting at CHA in January. I have a few stores that I will be visiting. And I am always looking forward to meeting all the awesome women (and men) in the industry!
Join Renaé Lindgren live on September 19th at 8:00 p.m. CST in Create My Keepsake's Chat Room»».
I am honored and excited to share my newest webisode "Garden Gift Box" with you. It's a wonderful free website on Craft TV Weekly, that features great designers with tons of cool ideas!! This week, I'm using the Bare Elements Wine Container and the Anthology kit from Creative Imaginations. It was super easy to come up with something beautiful using those products!! I really can't take any of the credit though, I let the papers and stickers do most of the work for me.
I don't know if you'd consider me an artist, since I simply combine elements together in a nice way. I usually make a big mess when I'm working and often times find that my mistakes are the best part of the project. Some other designers are very precise and purposeful in every detail. I really respect that, and often envy their neat results. I wish I could be more like that, but I'm honestly just too lazy. I don't like to measure, add and subtract, I mostly just eyeball placement and hope for the best.
If any of you are like that, or want to try a less structured approach, I'm sure you'll like this project. You can't make a mistake with this thing because, like I said, the patterned paper and stickers do all the artsy stuff. You just cut and glue - seriously!! It's easy and there are several variations to gleen ideas from.
I'm lucky enough to work for Scrapbooking.com Magazine, where I find inspiration on a daily basis. The magazine features lots of articles with step-by-step instructions, innovative techniques and the latest products. The projects range from beginner to advanced so there's something for everyone. You can even sign up for our weekly newsletter, direct from yours truly, to have inspiration delivered to your email. Sign up for them and help ensure my job security!! :)
I really hope you enjoy the show and I'm looking forward to your feedback. Thank you in advance for taking the time to view it, I really appreciate all your support.
-Jami Petersen
Q:
How did you get started
in this industry?
A: I was invited by my local scrapbook store Ever After in Carlsbad to participate in a roundtable/focus group at Creative Imaginations. The meeting lasted all day and we critiques hundreds of products. After we were finished, the owner of Creative Imaginations asked if i wanted to have a drink with the rest of the crew to sit and talk a bit. I showed him 2 small mini albums I carried in my purse, one was an altered board book, the other was a western themed album.....and he shook my hand and welcomed me aboard that evening....the rest is history, as they say.
Q: Which products from your current lines are the most
popular?
A: My Love Struck collection is still going strong after nearly 18 months on the market. From my CHA release Rock Star and my Eclecti-ka Collection of embellishments are neck and neck. I feel blessed to have found my niche.
Q: What are some of the unique selling points of your products?
A: I think the most unique selling points for my product is that I tend to push the envelope a bit. I always have enjoyed being a bit out of the box.
Q: How do you monitor trends in the industry?
A:
Hmmm, that is a tough question....I don't
monitor per say. I watch every thing from music videos, to T.V. shows,
fashion magazines, to websites and blogs....I think many industries go hand in
hand with the craft industry. 
Q: How do you select color schemes for new products?
A: There is no set formula for what colors I choose; it just kind off happens as the collection develops.
Q: What is the creative process behind the names for each collection?
A: Brainstorming with my art director always brings forth a cool name for my collections.
Q: When inspiration strikes what is the first thing you do to begin developing a new product?
A: I normally create a mock up if it is 3D, and write notes if it is a paper collection idea.
Q: How do you introduce new product lines and/or new items to the consumer?
A: Introductions are a partnership between CI, my design team, and myself through blogs, advertising, and editorials.
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of becoming a product designer for Creative Imaginations?
A: This question has so many different facets to it. Because of CI I am able to follow my passion and create a living for myself and my girls. Because of CI I am able to share my passion with many more people than I would have had I been on my own. Creative Imaginations has truly become my extended family of amazing friends...that in it's self is quite a reward.
Join Marah Johnson live on September 12th at 8:00 p.m. CST in Create My Keepsake's Chat Room»».
Q:
How did you get started
in this industry?
A: I was working in the textile industry prior to getting involved with Creative Imaginations. My job was to design and color patterns for fabrics. I designed fabrics for swim and surfwear mostly and also did some designs for the quilt market. When my kids were born I decided to stay home and figure out a way to work out on my home. That is how I got into licensing my my art for scrapbook products. Scrapbook paper can look so much like fabric and it seemed like a natural transition for me.
Q: Which products from your current lines are the most popular?
A: I would have to say my foil paper and epoxy stickers.
Q: What are some of the unique selling points of your products?
A: The sparkly foil printed papers make my product unique. I have used foil in my fine art work for several years so it is really a joy to be able to translate this onto scrapbook paper.
Q: How do you monitor trends in the industry?
A: I attend the CHA Show, pick up magazines, and read blogs. Quite honestly I try not to monitor trends in the Scrapbook industry too much because I don't want to get overly influenced. I also find that I get overwhelmed and amazed with all the product and patterns out there and I need to stay focused on my own art. I monitor trends more carefully in fashion and interiors.
Q: How do you select color schemes for new products?
A: I keep a color notebook and usually put together a color story and theme board in my studio when I am working on a new collection.
Q: What is the creative process behind the names for each collection?
A:
I wish I were better with the name thing, my art director actually
helps me.
I am working on writing down names when I think of them but words are not my
forte...LOL!
Q: When inspiration strikes what is the first thing you do to begin developing a new product?
A: I usually work in my sketchbook. I still like doing things the old fashioned way by painting a design and then scanning in the artwork so I can manipulate it in Photoshop. This is how the collections are formed.
Q: How do you introduce new product lines and/or new items to the consumer?
A: We have a process at Creative Imaginations that helps us stay on track with developing new product. We have deadlines for submitting our proposals. We generally put boards together featuring our new ideas and they get back to us with changes and hopefully approval so we can begin to create the finished artwork. From there CI promotes the products through advertising and industry trade shows.
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of becoming a product designer for Creative Imaginations?
A: I love the people I have met in this industry and the friends I have made at CI. I also love getting my samples and my new products too! It is a rush to see your art turned into product and being featured in catalogues.
Q: What plans do you have for the year ahead?
A: I do have some exciting things planned for my product but I can't say too much about what that will be....yet! I will keep you posted!
Join Christine Adolph live on September 6th at 8:00 p.m. CST in Create My Keepsake's chat room»».
