Continue from Page 1

TheDailyScrapper:
So the family is not in danger to be stripped off dinner because mom got an inspiration.
Nicole:
Yes. That's right. [laugh]

TheDailyScrapper:
Do you have any other designers in your store?
Nicole:
Mainly just collaborations with my friends. About 6 months ago, Ellie Lash posted on her blog that she had an idea and wanted to get a group of designers together to make a huge freebie collab for the  community. From that group came the Sunshine Girls, who now have their own shop. So, I've worked on a few collabs with them. I have a friend I knew in the rubber stamping world, Leslie. She was the only person I told about wanting to make a shop. She loves making templates, so I have her templates in the shop, because she's my buddy.

TheDailyScrapper:
You sounded very much involved in the community. Is it as much a community as maybe a friendship in the neighborhood would be?
Nicole:
It's easier for me right now in the stage of my life with small children to have friends on the internet who can wait 30 minutes for me to get back to them, verses having friends coming over for crazy play dates. We recently moved to this area and haven't been able to meet a lot of people yet, so it's nice to have a community of people to talk to regardless of where I live. I know they are always going to be there on the internet. It's a pet peeve of mine that some people don't think you make friends online, that you can't relate to one another. You can. No one's saying that it's exactly the same as having a girlfriend over but you are still interacting with another human being. We are sharing and talking about things. I definitely enjoy online communities.

TheDailyScrapper:
Since your involvement with the online community, designing, taking care of two kids and a household, is there still time for other things?
Nicole:
[laugh] A little. I do some paper scrapbooking because I am primarily a hybrid scrapbooker. I love to work with paper. I also enjoy knitting, especially around Christmas time.

TheDailyScrapper:
Could you describe your style of designing?
Nicole:
I think I am still discovering what exactly my style is. I do know that I like two styles that are very different. I like bold colors and geometrical shapes. I also really like shabby  and distressed papers, vintage elements and floral patterns. I feel having my own shop gives me the creative freedom to make whatever I want to without feeling like I have to please anyone else.

TheDailyScrapper:
Your products names are also very creative. Do you put as much effort on the creation of names as well?
Nicole:
I try to put an extra effort to it because I do love unique names. I want them stand out and sum up the theme of the kit for me, too. Sometimes it's hard to come up with something unique but I enjoy the process. It's fun for me.

TheDailyScrapper:
Do you have any other software to help you with designing?
Nicole:
I have a Bamboo which I received as a birthday present. I'm still learning what I can do with it. The last kit that I released included a lot of hand drawn elements. Other than that, I just use a laptop computer.

TheDailyScrapper:
As a designer, are you vulnerable to criticisms and insecurities?
Nicole:
Yes. I think it takes a bit of bravery to make something and put it out there because other people are going to look at it and judge it. You just have to say, "Well, I did my best work and now I am done. Enjoy it!" I know there are people who like to go to blogs to talk and criticize designers anonymously. That's kind of scary as a designer to think that these people could be spiteful and say that I'm making horrible things and could even start criticizing my family and kids, just because they feel safe to say things anonymously. I welcome constructive criticism, people who want to help me grow and become a better designer. But the environment of these 'smack' blogs is kind of scary.

For new designers going into this industry, do your best to have a thick skin about it. I have seen a lot of my friends having to deal with negative criticism and open contempt. You have to be prepared for that and don't let it affect you to the point that you want to quit.

TheDailyScrapper:
What would be the ultimate future for you?
Nicole:
It would definitely be the dream of a lifetime for me to someday create something that would end up in a scrapbook shop. What an amazing thing!

 

back to Page 1