What is gamsol and how do I use it?
Gamsol is a brand name of artist grade odorless mineral spirits. I did a post that has several links to different resources on this technique:
Gamsol and Prismacolor Pencils Tutorial Links
I see that you are on several design teams. What does a senior design team member do that the others don't? Also is there ever a conflict of interest?
Basically being a "Senior" member either means being one of the first DT members, or being a "permanent" member - as some companies also have monthly/guest members and whatnot and want to differentiate between those members (at least this is MY opinion on it!! :o)). As for what they do that other's don't - it usually means that their workload is a bit more than say a guest DT member etc....
For me - I happen to be on some WONDERFUL Design Teams and work for some fabulous people and don't have to worry about any conflict of interest. All of them know who I "work" for and what I do and they're all fine with it.
I know that some companies have it written into their contracts that if you design for them you can't design for company "x, y and z" (which has more to do with not being on teams for companies that have similar stamps and whatnot - it wouldn't make sense to be on a team for "company a" AND on a DT for "company b" when they both sell similar (ie competing) products you know what I mean??).
I also have come across some DT applications that state they don't want you to work for ANYONE but them - but I'm not on those kinds of teams - and wouldn't want to be - I like having options and there are SO many different stamp companies out there that I LOVE!!
This will be addressed later as it also got asked a few times and whatnot.......
How do you chose which embellishments to use together?
Well honestly - I don't put too muck thought into it. I just grad whatever is handy!! Ribbon is one thing I use on almost EVERY card - so that's a no-brainer (for me). Same with brads - they are so quick and easy that I just tend to use them fairly often.
For other embellies it just depends on my mood and the type of card I'm making .
How do you find inspiration (especially when working on a deadline) and nothing comes to mind?
Ahhhhhhhhh -------- inspiration. THAT question seems to be the MOST often asked question ------ WHERE do I get my inspiration???
I get it all over the place - from magazines, clothing ('specially my girls clothing - some of it has SUCH cute patterns and colors!!), nature, catalogs, online (other blogs, just random sites).........
I will address this in depth more often as time goes on as it's a topic that gets discussed quite frequently and I get asked quite often. I don't want to leave it as it's something I have certainly struggled with (and still do at times)...........
When it comes to meeting a deadline - I just DO it!! I don't often have to really hurry to meet a deadline but when I do I just sit and stamp!! I find that when my adrenaline gets pumping and I get creating I do some of my best work - and I fully enjoy it actually!!
If given only 1 choice of medium to color stamps with - what is your favorite?
Man see these kind of questions are the WORST for me LOL!! I MUST have options!! However if it was just for ONE card (or maybe a few) I'd prolly go with markers as it's quick and easy - but after that I'd want to do something else (watercoloring, colored pencils with Gamsol, pastels, etc etc etc)!!! I in no way could stick with one medium for all time - I'd go crazy :o)
I was approached yesterday by a relative that just recently purchased a candle business to supply cards that can be purchased with the gift baskets. He wants to start with Mother's Day cards because of a grand re-opening thing. I have many questions, but one simple one is "should I put a verse/saying/poem etc inside or just make the cards all blank and let everyone write their own?"
Hmmmm well it all depends on your area and what people would prefer. I would ask around and see what the general consensus is - blank insides or a verse?? I personally have the hardest time with this as people will LOVE the card but then will open it and not like the verse inside! Or they LOVE the card then open it and say "But it's blank?" ------------------- Maybe do a mix of BOTH - some with verses and some without - so then people can CHOOSE what they want.
My question is how do you come up with your color combo's? Do you start with paper, ribbon?
This ALWAYS varies - sometimes it a piece of patterned paper I want to use, or some ribbon, or an embellishment. OR sometimes I have an idea in my head and try to work with that.
