June 2005 - Ann G.
"Geisha CD"

gerlach_ann@hotmail.com
Perth, Australia

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I have been making cards for a number of years, but seriously stamping with embossing powder and more than black ink; I would say is probably about 3 years now.

What is your favorite technique?
Tough question . . . I love lots of different techniques. Mostly, I stick to the "keep it simple" rule and don't over embellish or complicate things - I am time anemic so simple is good. I love using shrink plastic for embellishments and features to compliment my cards. Cold laminate and gold leaf are always a close second, but my taste changes depending upon what project I am creating at the time (and what I have found stashed away in a drawer).

Favorite stamp company?
Basically, I like anything, as long as it is unmounted. (I do have some mounted stamps as well, but I'd say 90% of my collection is unmounted-- now that I have discovered EZ mount). I love most of the OSA vendors - i.e. About Art Accents dragon images, Stone House geishas, Inka kanji words and dragons, Lasting Impressions with Panache have some lovely pagodas and of course, the funky black rubber from Onyx. I love their horse images. I also like Oxford Impressions' House of Lotus plate. I am trying to wait patiently for my first Beeswax stamps to arrive, as I love their cranes.

Favorite Asian stamps?
I love the Stone House geishas and am using those a lot at the moment, but then I'll switch and want dragons.

Favorite stamping accessory?
My steel ruler and my scalpel are essential, but my total love is eyelets. So. my mini anvil is used frequently. I cannot express enough my personal recommendation that people should acquire one of these (1cm thick circular steel disc about 4cm in diameter).

Favorite colors?
I am very into green at the moment, but also use a lot of blue and red for the Oriental themes. Generally, I use quite a lot of browns and earth tones for other work.

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Charms or eyelets. I stick the charms on with dimensional magic/ papier glass, but sometimes when I am undecided about adding things, I'll ask DH who usually says, "when in doubt, leave it out" and he's usually right!

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
It would probably be my kai scissors for cutting the UM rubber and EZ foam . . . but once the stamps are mounted, I must say I use my guillotine a lot. Of course, I bought the Carl DC200 cutter, which was discontinued-- so now finding blades for it is a challenge . . . but I would use that every time I make a card.

Any helpful tips for the group?
Never ever be afraid to ask questions - as the only silly question is the one that doesn't get asked! The new Thursday tips are a fantastic resource as well, but my two personal tips would have to be: First, scan all the cards that you make to keep an inspirational record of when you tried different techniques. You can look back and think "hmm . . . what would I change" or whatever. The second tip is when you have scanned everything, back up your computer regularly (speaking from someone who last backed up in January and just lost everything since then when computer crashed & burned in a recent storm - the cost of a blank CD is very cheap compared to the time required to redo everything!)
(Editor's note: Excellent piece of advice-so many of us don't think about it.)

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
Geographically, Perth is closer to Asia than our own national capital, Canberra! We are exposed to a lot of diverse Asian cultures all of the time. In high school, we had a lot of Japanese exchange students. Their art styles are so different from our own, which is where I think the fascination comes from.
See more of Ann's stamp art at:
http://www.smudgesintime.com.au/gallery/Ann-Gerlach

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubber stamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
I would love to go to one of the wonderful American stamp conventions one day, as they seem huge and amazing to anything we have 'Down Under'! As for supplies, I would have to say, I would love to visit Vietnam and explore some of the local markets for papers and "bits".

What other stamping lists or local clubs do you belong to?
I belong to several Australian ones, the primary one being Stampgropers--a Western Australian list started by France Chevalier about 18 months ago. It's a terrific resource for local information. From this online group, we started a monthly stamp club that meets at one of the local shops (about half way between where France and I live--so very convenient!)

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
I get our main Australian magazine, Stamping and Papercraft, but love looking at Somerset Studio (don't own any, but like looking!).

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
I have had a few pieces published in the reader's gallery of Stamping and Papercraft, but no articles or anything like that.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
Scuba diving! My husband and I love to dive and generally average 90-120 dives a year each. The dives are a great source of inspiration for colours and textures for cards. I also read when I get time and used to sew, but I haven't seen that box for quite a while now.

What inspires you to be creative?
Our local online groups have lots of monthly challenges that vary in technique/colour/style so that keeps me motivated. Looking through everyone's art galleries is also just wonderful inspiration. The OSA classes are also a fantastic way of learning new techniques or adapting existing ones. I love listening to music and am not fussy on what sort, love everything from instrumental, classical, Latin--to the very funky John Butler or Bond.

Any art background ?
I did art in junior high, but after that none - my Mum always encouraged my brother and I as children to be creative, make a mess, have fun, explore so that was probably better in some ways than the more rigid rules that some have experienced obtaining formal art degrees.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping?
Okay - no laughing, but I wanted to try a water or gel card once and someone said use cheap hair gel in it, but I didn't have any in the house and wanted to do it right then - so thought "hmmmm" . . . ran out to the car, riffled through one of my medical boxes and found amongst the catheters, some lubricating gel - and made my water cards with that!!!!

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
I don't own any books like that, I've looked at a few, but could never justify the expense, I find the magazines have more variety of inspiration so tend to reference those a lot.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
The OSA homepages are fantastic for inspiration and the links in the technique section pretty much cover most of what I look at online!
http://community.webshots.com/album/193633248HfNIJD to see Ann's work

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
I work full time for a medical equipment company, which keeps me very busy. If I have any free time, I am also studying at university to get my graduate diploma in secondary teaching (science).

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I grew up on a dairy farm and moved to Perth to go to university. Since graduating, I've stayed in Perth for work. I met my husband 4 years ago whilst hiking in Peru and we've been married for about 3.5 years now. The stamp bug also bit my sister-in-law--she is the very talented Natalie Briney who also belongs to OSA.

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Geisha CD
By Ann G.

***Editor's Note: American interpretation in parentheses
Materials:
· CD
· CD label
· StoneHouse geisha stamp
· Inka music kanji
· CP1 Sakura Carl punch
· Small gold frinkles (micro beads)
· Tombows - blue, red and brown (markers)
· Aquash pen (refillable watercolor brush)
· Gold gel pen
· Papier glass/ dimensional magic/ clear lacquer
· Gold floral washi paper
· Gold charm
· Double sided tape
· Scissors
· Glue stick
· Red card 29.6cm x 14.8cm (folded in half) (11 ¾" X 5 14/16")
· Gold card 13.4 x13.4 cm (5 ¼" X 5 ¼")
· Black card 13 x 13cm (5 1/8" X 5 1/8")
· Gold & red kindy glitz (glitter glue)
· Black StazOn ink
· Adirondack Butterscotch ink
· Stippling brush
Directions:
1. Stamp geisha image and music kanji onto the CD label with StazOn ink
2. Create a mask of the geisha and stipple over with the Butterscotch ink
3. Color geisha with Tombows and Aquash pen
4. Highlight geisha with gold pen
5. Tear washi paper to cover part of the CD, cut it to form the curve of the CD and adhere to the CD label with glue stick.
6. Stick the label onto the CD
7. Highlight centre of the flowers on the kimono with red kindy glitz
8. Cover the CD label (not the washi paper) with papier glass liquid
9. Punch out 5 sakura flowers from a piece of washi paper and place them into the liquid so they are just floating on it.
10. Sprinkle over the gold frinkles into the liquid, let the CD dry overnight
11. Add gold kindy glitz to the centre of the punched washi flowers
12. Punch three sakura flowers from the corner of the black card; layer it onto the gold card and then onto the red card.
13. Attach the CD to the card, add red kindy glitz to the centre of the punched out sakura on the gold card, and add the charm to the centre of the CD and all done!