Today’s Designer Spotlight is on Sharon Harnist, a member of the 2008 Spellbinder’s Design Team. Welcome Sharon and thanks for sharing your work and thoughts with us!
Tell us how you got started crafting.
I’ve been crafting since I was a little girl, mostly by doing it with my Mom, latchhook rugs, cross-stitch, embroidery, sewing clothes, ceramics, you name it! I discovered scrapbooking shortly after I married 14 years ago and the whole new world of paper crafting opened up to me!
Do you have an art or design background?
No, but I loved the art classes I took all through school.
What is your favorite die? Favorite technique? Favorite Preferred Product?
My favorite dies are the Nestabilities, they fit in so well with all the other paper crafting I do.
My current favorite technique is using the dies to stencil with the Copic Airbrush System. The airbrushing gives such a soft, pretty color (or more vibrant, if you choose) and covers a large area very quickly. I really like the contrast of the uncolored areas of paper to the airbrushed colored embossing.
My favorite Preferred Product is Lockhart Stamp Company’s stamp images, they are sweetly whimsical while still being elegant and there’s a wide variety for every occasion.
Do you prefer to make cards or scrapbooks or altered items?
Really, everything! Cards are easier and quicker for me to design. I love scrapbooking my daughters but pages usually take me a very long time to complete, I guess because I think too much about the longevity of the project! I’m growing to love altered art a lot more and love to make things for my children.
How many hours a week do you craft?
Too many, according to my husband! Probably 20-24 hours a week.
What time of day do you usually craft?
During the day, when my children are in school, and late at night.
Do you craft by yourself or in a group?
I work better alone.
Paper, Hybrid or Digital?
I love paper and all the tactiles that go along with it, but am gradually venturing into the digital world.
Do you shop locally or online?
Mostly online. Believe it or not, even living in a large metropolitan area, I don’t have that many local craft stores.
Describe your style?
Eclectic, maybe? I vary between clean and simple to shabby/chic/distressed.
Where do you find inspiration for something new?
I usually start by browsing through patterned paper - that’s usually my jumping off point on any project.
What do you find most pleasing about crafting?
Taking a pile of paper, ribbon, stamps, dies, scissors and glue and turning it into a card to cheer someone’s day, a keepsake for our home, or an altered project that my girls can either play with or keep to treasure for years to come.
What kind of craft studio do you have?
Since we just moved last year, I’m lucky to have a whole room to myself. I think my husband just wanted to be able to close the door to my messy studio!
What are some tools that you could not live without (aside from Spellbinder’s products)?
1. Copic markers are my go-to coloring medium. They can be used to color rubber stamped images, ribbon, metal, wood - you name it!
2. Paper trimmer - I couldn’t cut a straight line, to save my life!
Share with us some of your favorite art!
I loved this patterned floral paper and how the color really draws attention on my daughter’s eyes. This scrapbook page was created pretty quickly, just by cutting around the pattern in the paper and letting the beautiful paper speak for itself.
I love the new Nested Bird die and how the Pierceabilities framed the roof line.
These are some of my favorite colors, rich and deep, and I liked the softness of the dimensional vellum butterfly.
Thank you, Sharon!
To learn more about Sharon Harnist, check out her bio and her personal blog, PaperFections.
