Hey, that’s me!  Here’s a little interview I did with myself.

How did it all begin?
Gosh, it was 1995, I had a 6month old and 19 month old, and I was a consultant for a home business kitchen party company. My new consultant and I were participating in a home based business expo. I took a walk around and saw a scrapbook party consultant’s exhibit, with pictures cut up and stickers and flat die cuts. My first thought was “You’ve got to be kidding me! You people are out of your minds!” Shortly thereafter I was invited to a party to make a cute recruiting album. Then I found a local scrapbook store (LSS) nearby. I was hooked!

A little over 3 years ago I decided to start entering design team contests. My first entry was to Spellbinders! I was selected and have been with the company ever since. I transitioned from Lead Designer to Teacher, Blog Writer and Jack of Several Trades.

I don’t have formal art training, but took all the high school art classes I could, and still like to paint just about anything, but never caught on to sewing, much to my grandma’s dismay.

I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs. I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 19.5 years, with my 2 boys, now aged 15 and 14, along with our fur-baby Cindy.

My favorite die template has always been S3-004 Symbology, it was my first die template purchase when I got my Wizard 4 years ago. I love using inks, and you’ll find some kind of ink on everything I make. My latest favorite technique is airbrushing with Copic Markers.

I don’t work outside of the home. I tried that and my family didn’t like it when I wasn’t home to provide them with the full service they were used to. Now I work from home, getting most of my art done during the day. I get too tired and cranky at night! I usually craft alone. I like to socialize and I’m easily distracted at crops away from home.

I am learning digital, and I have a fine collection of digital kits. I will always keep my hands on paper and ink though. I think the process is just as important as the finished piece.

I like to shop. I shop locally, I am lucky to have several excellent LSS’s withing a decent driving distance, along with big box stores. I shop online when I need to find something unique or not yet available locally. I’m all about the immediate gratification of retail therapy!

I have taught locally and have traveled for Spellbinders and Copic, teaching consumers and retailers. Its been fun to see the light bulb moment for people with the Wizard!

You want know about my home workspace? Oh no, you don’t. Really? Ok, its a room in the basement that we set up with a sink, cabinets and countertop, and an awesome closet. I know where everything is. But if YOU went in there, you wouldn’t think so…I make a mess when I create. Don’t even ask about the dining room table right now.
I get inspiration from all over, I love architecture and magazine ads, and even digital scrapbook elements. The strangest thing I have used on a layout is underwear. It was new and clean! The letters are cut from it. Shhhhh, don’t tell my son I’m posting this!

Now I can dress him up, but I still can’t them out!  This layout uses S4-189 Labels 3, S4-114 Standard Circle Large, S4-116 Standard Circle Small, S4-130 Classic Rectangle Small, S4-169 Labels Small, S4-168 Labels Large , and S4-195 Small Classic Inverted Scalloped Circle.

I’m not a big stamper, but I have a fine collection of stamps.  This stamp reminds me of pictures of me as little girl. This card uses S4-189 Labels 3 and S4-192 Blossom.

I really enjoy making “altered” art and mini books. Star albums are fun, as well as theme books, its nice to have a beginning, middle and end to a project. I think the most fun I’ve had is in creating this cake to go along with a wedding theme. I like to think I took an item and used it for something other than the obvious. Here are the instructions for the cake.

You can read my bio , and read more about me on my personal blog, Cookies for Breakfast.

Thanks,

Beth

Tags: Beth Pingry

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 6:41 am and is filed under Designer spotlight. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.