Enamored by the Victorian era - its eccentricities, timelessness, and oppulence.

TDS:: When did you start digital designing and what prompted you to venture into this area?
Netta::
I started designing about 2 years ago. I was on the internet Google-ing things and stumbled across digital scrapbooking. I checked it out and decided that it would be something that I would want to do because I tried paper scrapbooking and I hated it. Too messy and it took too long to even do one page. I started out with the intention of scrapping all of my photographs but I am such a creative person that about a week after I started collecting freebies, I jumped right into designing. I started out designing freebies exclusively until a very kind individual gave me the opportunity to sell. I haven’t looked back since.

TDS:: If you are designing something today, what do you need to get inspired?
Netta::
I’m always in a creative mode. As far as starting on kits, I am a very organized person. I have a list of all kinds of kits that I can make. I pretty much have everything planned out down to the last element before I even start designing.

TDS:: Since you are very organized and structured, how do you go about designing a kit?
Netta::
I first start out with an idea. Usually it’s a theme and from there I will create a color palette. Then I create the papers and finish with the elements.

TDS:: How long does it take you to design a full kit?
Netta::
It usually takes me anywhere from two to four days depending on the size of the kit. The smaller the kit, the faster I can finish it. The bigger the kit, the longer it takes me.

TDS:: Does it ever happen that while in the process of designing a kit that you abandon it because you don’t get where you want the design to go?
Netta::
Never. I can’t abandon a kit because I’m not satisfied until it is finished. It would be like leaving a painting half finished.

TDS:: So no matter what obstacles come from the moment of inspiration till the moment of completion, you got to complete the kit?
Netta::
Yes, I will complete it. I’ve never abandoned a kit yet.

TDS:: Do you consider having a certain style in your work?
Netta::
I like to consider mine as clean, fresh, and elegant with a slight hint of vintage to it. It’s what I like to call ‘Clean Heritage’.

TDS:: Is this why your designer name is called ‘Creative Victorian Designs’?
Netta::
Yes, it is. I chose that because I am enamored of the Victorian era with all it's eccentricities, timelessness, and oppulence.

TDS:: Living in an area with four seasons, do they play an important role in your inspiration?
Netta::
They tend to. I tend to have kits that are more ‘springy’ in the spring and kits that are more ‘autumnish’ in fall.

TDS:: Where do you sell your products?
Netta::
I sell my products at CreativeDesigns.com, my own personal store. I thoroughly enjoy having my own store, forum and gallery because I get one on one interaction with the customers and not direct competition from other designers. It’s a more intimate atmosphere that is conducive to my creative needs.

TDS:: Did you set up the store, forum and gallery by yourself or do you have outside help?
Netta::
I’ve done everything by myself except for installing the gallery. I had the gallery tech install it for me but I’ve done the coding and design for everything else myself. If something breaks I have to be able to know how to fix it.

TDS:: You started designing two years ago. Where do you obtain this knowledge to code yourself?
Netta::
A lot of Google-ing. I have done lots and lots of Google-ing for help on coding, html work, and all things required to run a site.