Originally from
New Zealand, we moved here in 1988 during Expo and just love Brisbane.
I no longer work, but rely on DH of 43 years for my stamping pocket
money..lol We have adult daughters, but no grandchildren and share
our home with my cockatiel named Blue and dozens of wild birds which
frequent our yard.
Stamping
for how long? Nine years, after I left work due to health problems at 55
and saw a demo using punches and a handful of stamps in a local
mall around Christmas time.
How did you
get started? I thought this was a neat thing and like hundreds of others
no doubt, could see myself making my own greeting cards and saving
money! After looking for a nearby stamp store, I fronted up for
lessons and was amazed by embossing. From then on there was no turning
back. When I was given a very old computer, I joined Stamphappy,
which is our Aussie Yahoo group and have belonged to various other
groups over the years.
At the time
OSA was formed, I was still uncertain as to my style, having just
taken it up, so to speak. I realise now, how much I have missed
out on...lol
Favorite
things about stamping ? Definitely the friendships and generous sharing of art and
resources. The fact it's a versatile art form and can be adapted
to fit most other mediums. My greatest thrill was spending 3 weeks
with a long time stamping e-friend in NC in 2000 and visiting as
many of the stamp stores as possible in the time!
Background? I've always liked writing, but don't have an artistic bone
in my body. My father was an accomplished painter using oils and
my elder daughter has excelled with pastels. I have also dabbled
in altered books, tins, board books, ATCs, mini ATCs, ostrich egg
decoupage and anything that can decorated. Two years ago, I decided
to try Oriental style and just love the simplicity of the art and
the wonderful members in the OSA group.
I have been stamping about 10 years. I like
most kinds of paper arts, but not techniques or projects that require
preciseness.
I am the very proud mother of 2 college students, a 21 year old son
and an 18 year old daughter. I have been married to the same lucky man
for 22 years. I moved from the Seattle area, Redmond to be exact, to
Kenai, Alaska 28 years ago. I have a mini farm in a fairly rural area.
I own 15 chickens, 3 rabbits, 6 dogs, 4 of which are indoor pets and 2
cats. We often have moose in our yard and have had two bear sightings
in the past several years.
I work in a juvenile detention facility that is short term placement
for youths between the ages of 11-19 years old
who have gotten into trouble with the law. I really enjoy working with
this group of kids even though it can be disheartening at times.
My name is Annemiek
and I live in The Netherlands in a very small town in the SW. The
town is called Scherpenisse. I have been stamping for about 2 years;
I have always been busy with Pergamano, art by parchment paper,
but I needed to do something else and I have always loved stamps,
so I changed my hobby.
I was introduced
to OSA by Beppie and I like all the groups, swaps and everything
that is organised here. My other hobby is the computer and my work,
and my favourite holiday country is Sweden.
For my work:
teaching children typewriting so they can use the computer keybord
with 10 fingers and I'm taking care of new teachers and new lessons
and everything that is needed for the children and teachers.
How did you
get started?
My sojourn into stamping began at 6:00 P.M. on October 7, 2001.
I was invited to a Stampin' Up party and saw heat embossing and
was hooked. I began stamping in my spare time. Six months later
I joined OSA because I was enthralled with all of the artwork that
members created. I became a moderator for OSA a few months after
that and then Lizzie Slothouber (OSA Founder) asked me to take over
OSA in 2003. We have continued Lizzie's high standards for OSA.
OSA members are not only talented, they are courteous and helpful
to all Stampers.
Favorite stamping items?
Unmounteds: Anything Oriental, geisha, samurai, dragons, chopsticks,
pandas, zodiac animals, dominoes, mah jongg tiles, bamboo tiles,
fibers, foils, Chinese coins, papercuts... I love papers, Washi
(Japanese papers), tassels, and all kinds of embellishements that
will fit on a card and into an envelope. You name it. If I can glue
it onto my art, I glue it onto my art.
Favorite reasons to stamp?
Stamping and creating relieve stresses of daily life while creating
beauty and forming lasting friendships with unique and talented
Stamp Artists. And being a Stamper gives me a reason to shop. I
enjoy creating stamped art that fits into my daily life: desk sets,
lamp shades, picture frames, clocks, you name it, I'll stamp it.
Day Job/Background?
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
Work with deaf children, supervise teachers
American Sign Language (ASL) Instructor
University Professor and Teacher Trainer
Published Author
Educational Consultant and Keynote Speaker
I am married
and am "Mummy" to one CCD (College Coed Daughter). We
have 2 cats, a dog and a flock of humming birds for pets.
How did you get started? I got started through a group of friends. They knew I made
computer generated cards and thought I would enjoy the art of stamping,
as they called it. Well, as the saying goes, I tried it, loved it,
and am hooked..
What are
your favorite things about stamping? Materials, techniques, emotions,
stress-reducer.... Crafts of most kind have always been a stress reducer for me,
but stamping has been the best stress reducer for me. Favorite thing
about stamping? It has to be learning new techniques and applying
them to give to my friends.
Background? I am a retired office manager/legal secretary and have been
away from the legal field for about 10 years now and I don't think
I could ever go back to that field as it became so very stressful
to me. I loved helping the clients of my attorneys, but it became
a bit much managing the office also. I now am just a very busy housewife,
grandmother to 21, and will become a great grandmother at the end
of July 2006. At the present time we just moved to Arkansas from
Arizona, so I have been very busy getting our home decorated and
put into some kind of order. I also have been doing some research
work of seeing if there are any other stampers from my area, but
alas, so far no luck. I am looking forward to stamping with all
of the members of OSA.
Where to begin
a Bio, never done this before...I will be 59 this month and work
full time nights as a Respiratory Therapist. I'm not sure I like
my job but I love what I do, most of the time. It is often stressful
and though the work is not hard, I seem to work hard. Stamping is
great therapy and I get to do it sitting.
I have been stamping for about 5 years after coming across a rubber
stamp artist's booth at a local craft show. She is the owner of
Stubby Stampers and she and her husband were so helpful that I was
hooked immediately. My artist friend and mentor had taught me about
drawing and watercolor and quilting and I showed her rubber stamping
and paper crafts and she was hooked. We worked together and played
together and then I moved to North Carolina.
The move has been wonderful for us but I no longer have a playmate
or local craft shows but I am finding the stamp stores. Through
the internet I am finding out about stamp and scrapbooking shows
close to Durham and making plans to attend.
When I was out of work with a shin splint I found OSA and that was
that. This is a great group of people, artists, and I am having
the time of my life. I have been more motivated to try new things
and I seem to be stamping more.
I am still more
of an embellisher but more because I still don't have all the stamps
I'd like to have. I'm working on that. I love charms and fibers
and fancy papers. I use clay and shrink plastic and friendly plastic
as well as buttons and ribbon. I love it all. Color, it scares me
a little and I seem to be drawn to the more dramatic look and I
need to work on expanding my horizons.
I hope to be able to participate in some of the classes but working
nights doesn't leave many options. So instead I will just keep asking
for help. You are all so quick to share and I truly appreciate it.
Hi... I am Bonnie
W., and the "Old Lady" of the group. I turned 74 on May
13th this year.
Old on the outside, but still young and foolish on the inside. I
live in beautiful Washington state not far from Heather.
I have stamped
off and on for many years, but didn't really get into it in earnest
until about 7 years ago. I have way more stamps and related things
than anyone should be allowed to have. Some day I may even use most
of it.
I have a large,
extended family. My late husband and I had both been married before
and when we combined our families there were 12 kids. 6 boys and
6 girls. Thankfully not all home at the same time. LOL. I have 44
grandchildren and 19 Great grands at last count. However there are
3 more of those due this year yet. So you see I manage to keep busy
with cards for just the family. I am chairman of an NCOA Aux. Unit
and I try to do greeting cards for the veterans at the V.A. Hospital
over in Portland, Or. for each holiday. We take care of 2 floors
so this usually means about 45 cards to make each time. Worth the
effort as they are so pleased to get them.
I like any kind
of stamping theme, but am really partial to the Oriental. I think
that is mainly because of all the great people on this line who
have been such a help to me. Can't say I have any particular color
preferences, just what happens to strike my fancy at the moment.
I am getting back into Iris Folding, which is something I really
like to do.
I love learning
new things and consider a day wasted if I haven't learned something.
How did you
get started?
I wanted verses to go inside of collage cards
What are your favorite things about stamping? Materials,
techniques, emotions, stress-reducer....
These are a
few of my favorite things:
I greatly
value my web friends.
I'm a sucker
for background techniques.
Stamping
is my "art therapy" to counter my day-job stress.
I enjoy being
published : )
I have a
lot of fun hosting and participating in swaps.
I like the
challenges of using new techniques and products.
Background? I teach in, and am chair of, the Skills Development Department
at a community college in Oregon. I also have an Ed.D. in Developmental
Education.
My name is Carla
van der M.
and I live in the Northern part of the Netherlands called ‘Friesland’.
Married for 30 years now to Hans and we have two sons Friso (25)
and Erwin (22). We own a grandcafé-restaurant in the town
of Drachten. It is settled in a former Major house from 1900.
Mostly I do
office work, used to work and help out in the restaurant taking
care of our guests, but cannot do that anymore due to health problems.
So you see this takes up a large part of my time, but crafting keeps
me alive and kicking and takes the mind of from work…very relaxing!!!!
My favourite
craft is Origami, have been doing this for about 19 years now. I
also like teabagfolding which is actually origami too and I collect
teabagwrappers from all over the word. Must
have about 8000 different ones now…stopped counting a long
time ago.
I have always
had an interest in Oriental, Egyptian and Celtic items and stuff
as long as I can remember. I started stamping a few years back when
I saw some cards made with stamps at the yearly big craft fair in
Amsterdam. They
caught my eye and I was hooked!!! Bought some stamps on wood, but
soon discovered the UM’s and they are it for me now. Love
to make oriental-cards in combination with origami, stamps and punches.
Someone in my
teabaggroup mentioned OSA a few years ago and this is how I joined
this wonderful group of oriental-stampers. Love the swaps that are
always going around and the lots of eye-candy in the member’s
gallery.
Stamping
for how long?
21 years (seriously for 12 years)
How did you
get started?
I had an operation and had to be off work and doing nothing strenuous
for 6 weeks. My daughter who was away in college sent me a few stamps
and supplies to make thank you cards. I got such a positive response
from the recipients that I continued to make simple cards (and let
me tell you they were SIMPLE). A friend of mine just recently sent
me a card that I had made for her in those early days and I could
not believe my eyes! I told her to throw away any cards she had
left and I would make her a new batch. About 12 years or so ago
it became an obsession … you know “the one with the most
stamps win”.
What are
your favorite things about stamping?
First and foremost is the friendships that have developed. Second
I find it very relaxing. Third, there’s ALWAYS something new
to try.
Background?
I use to be a Manpower Management Analyst for the US Army Corps
of Engineers until I retired 9 years ago. Then, I worked part time
at a local rubber stamp store. Never, ever do that…work in
a stamp store. You see everything new that comes in and you want
everything! These days I’m just ‘the Queen’. My priorities
– family (husband, 3 kids, 7 grandkids) and then stamping related
activities with friends. Hmm, I might have gotten that wrong. I’m
my family’s priority – they don’t call me ‘the
Queen’ for nothing!
Carol Q.
How did you
start:
Started stamping about 8 years ago. Always been into some form of
crafting, loved the complicated knitting patterns that were out
in the 80s and then moved onto LARGE cross stitch pics in the 90s.
I just adore colour. I was introduced to stamping by someone in
my antenatal classes. I discovered she lived over the road from
me and it went on from there. I've also got my best friend into
it which is brilliant!
Favorite
stamping items?
My ATG 700 double sided sticky tape machine. Couldn't live without
it. I love matting and layering. Obviously I love Asian stamps although
just getting starting my collection of Asian related ephemera but
really I have no particular style, I like to try all sorts of different
styles and swap around all the time.
Favorite
reasons to stamp?
It's such a release from everyday life. There's nothing like the
satisfying feeling of creating something you' re really pleased
with and its also very relaxing.
Day Job/Background?
Endoscopy Course Coordinator - which basically means organising
courses at our hospital to come from all over the country to learn
endoscopic (gastroenterology!) procedures. Always worked in a hospital
and love the atmosphere.
Am married with
1 smashing boy Jack who is 8. Husband also seriously hooked on his
hobby of radio controlled model aircraft so we understand each other's
needs to go off and "play!"
As a new member
to OSA I’m still a raw beginner with stamping itself; I want
to learn so many techniques and find lots of inspiration here. I
found OSA after reading an article in The Rubber Gazette
by Lizzie Slothouber.
Favourite stamping
items to date are my Japanese-inspired unmounteds from AAA with
geishas, gingko, blossoms, fans, willows, teapots etc. I like the
idea of using the alcohol-ink-based pens for colouring.. though
I haven’t any yet. My heat-gun no doubt will be a favourite
item too as I am likely to do lots of embossing; also chalks and
watercolour pencils.
To try and mimic
Oriental is a challenge that doesn’t happen without making
a determined focus; I want to apply this theme to cards especially.
I’m retired
now from administration within the home construction industry. Married
to Des for 39 years, we’ve 2 daughters and 3 grand-children.
I’ve long enjoyed dabbling in various crafts, gardening, embroidery--------
I like botanical and insect images and nature’s bounty especially.
We live on the mid north coast of N.S.W., at Lake Macquarie –
Australia’s largest salt water lake. Creating digital graphics
with PhotoImpact-XL is another interest and here is where I’ve
dabbled most with “Oriental” at this point.
Looking forward
to making new friends here ----------- I love to write and share
common interests too.
Carolyn S. MOSAS (Monthly Oriental Stamp Art Swap) Coordinator E-mail
Stamping for how long?
5 years
How did you get started?
Signed up for a class to support a new acquaintance that had moved
to Boise who was scheduled to teach a class at one of our local
stamp stores. Because she was new to the area, I didn't want her
to be disappointed if no one signed up for her class. As it turned
out, she invited me to her home to show me her vast collection of
stamps, supplies and generously let me borrow a few to experiment
with. THAT WAS ALL IT TOOK.
I started a search for oriental themed rubber stamps and ran across
Anne at Stonehouse Rubber Stamps. With her encouragement, I continued
on and in 2001 joined the Yahoo Oriental Stamp Art Group. Even though
I belong to other groups, my heart is in oriental design, especially
inspired by the beautiful Japanese paintings and flowers.
What are your favorite things about stamping?
I love a challenge and also like to experiment by tweaking techniques
and experimenting with new products. My inspiration comes from other
artists; they encourage me to improve the quality of my art and
to try new designs and combinations.
What I didn't realize in the beginning was the "friendship
factor." The closeness and camaraderie between artists is a
huge plus and the friends I have met through my new-found hobby
are some of my greatest treasures. I may not recognize them if I
pass them on the street, but I know them intimately and in many
cases could identify the artist by viewing a completed piece. My
collection of their art is a treasure unsurpassed, and I never tire
looking at it.
Materials, techniques, emotions, stress-reducer.... I love to color
-- watercolors, chalk, pencils and also coloring with the use of
different shades of embossing powders within the design. Flowers
are another favorite of mine, and I incorporate them often into
my designs.
Backgrounds -- I experiment a lot. The polished stone effect is
one of my favorites because it never turns out the same.
Charms and fibers add the extra touch and I use them a lot. Clay
is intriguing; however, I have never attempted to incorporate it
into my art style. I relish the pieces given to me by others and
perhaps some day will give it a try on my own.
Background?
My husband and I retired to Eagle, Idaho, from Southern California
in 1997 to escape the hectic lifestyle and a fall that forced my
early retirement. Stamping has filled a void for the days and weeks
I felt isolated because of a hearing problem. It gave me a purpose
with fulfillment and satisfaction. I didn't need to hear or communicate
one on one to work on my art. The computer was my educational tool
for new techniques and contacts with others who shared my love of
creating. I am very fortunate to have computer skills -- my lifeline
to my friends and fellow artists. I am also fortunate to have the
support of my DH who enjoys watching the quality of my work improve
and is my best critic.
My only regret -- our grown children and granddaughter still live
in California so visits with them are extra special celebrations.
These anticipated events provide the excitement and give us something
to look forward to and plan throughout the year.
My art has improved my life and brought me many, many friends.
How did you
get started?
I first started when my son was an infant (1992). My first stamps
were those little foam types...bought a set of Christmas ones to
stamp the envelopes instead of using the Christmas Seals that always
came in the mail. I then graduated to a big Happy birthday stamp
and a set of 4 Clifford stamps. Still not sure why I went with Clifford?
Must have been because my son was little and he could play with
them when he got a bit bigger. I did that type of stamping until
about 5 years ago. I now have over 1000 stamps and way too many
supplies :o) When my collection started growing, I would buy any
type of stamp that struck me...then when I would get them home some
of them would just sit there collecting dust. I wondered why I had
bought it. As time has gone on, I have found my stamping tastes
and styles have changed. I still like simple/simplicity, but have
ventured into many other avenues. I seldom do cute any more. I enjoy
Oriental styles as well as African and Lower European images. To
curb my stamp buying issue 3 years ago, I decided I would not buy
a stamp unless I could think of 4 ways to use it (before I bought
it). This has definitely helped me to focus on different creative
ideas.
Favorite stamping items?
Do I have a favorite? I would have to say that I enjoy working with
different types of papers and colors. I like using all types of
embellishments in my projects, but once in a while I still find
simple is better!
Day Job/Background?
By day, I am a teacher. I am certified to teach K-12 in 3 areas.
Currently I am teaching middle school (grades 6-8) computers and
technology. By afternoon I am the ogre mom and website creator.
By evening, I'm ready for bed! My only instructed art background
would be the 2 classes I had to take in college.
Personal stuff:
I am married with 2 children, I also have 2 step daughters in their
20's. I enjoy hanging out with my kids (although my oldest isn't
much into hanging with mom any more), many types of art and craft
hobbies, working in my flower beds, playing on the computer, and
being outside in the summer. I hate the cold NY winters.
I have been
married to Jim, my soulmate for 33+ years. We live in Northern Indiana,
where there is a lot of corn and lakes. I am 54 years old. No kids...just
the furry kind. Right now 3 cats let us share their house!
I started stamping
12 years ago when I found a few basket stamps to use for my Basket
business. I sold at home parties for a large company. That was my
fun job!
Being Production Manager for a large residential construction company
was my not so fun day job. At the time I found the basket stamps
I didn't know there was any other ink than black or red! Little
did I realize what those few stamps would lead to!!!!! Now I have
60 drawers full plus notebooks of ums!!!! Eeee gads! I now work
only 2 days a week at a Credit Union. I really am thankful that
I can work part time. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
and my RA Dr. wants me to go on disability, but I don't want to.
I want to be able to work as long as I can!
In 1997 I was
invited to join RSVP (Rubber Stampers Victim Protection) Stamp Club.
We have members from all over Northern Indiana. Same drive over
50 miles to come to the club! It is a great learning experience
and I have learned so much. I started Oriental themed stamping just
over a year ago and now I almost only do that. It brings me such
inner peace and I truly love it!
Having free
time during the week is wonderful! I can create anytime...Who does
housework when there is ART to CREATE??!!!!!!
year.
Old on the outside, but still young and foolish on the inside. I
live in beautiful Washington state not far from Heather.
and I live in the Northern part of the Netherlands called ‘Friesland’.
Married for 30 years now to Hans and we have two sons Friso (25)
and Erwin (22). We own a grandcafé-restaurant in the town
of Drachten. It is settled in a former Major house from 1900.
