I live in the
Netherlands. We have been an Air Force family for 20 years and after
our last duty station at Holloman AFB, NM, my husband retired and
we decided to go back to The Netherlands where I come from. We have
4 children ages 32 – 22 and 3 grandchildren 4, 2 ½ and
1.
Mostly every
year I go back to the US to visit my in-laws and friends. About
five years ago while I was there I bought my first stamps and some
stamping magazines. Back home I didn’t know what to do with
them. Then a year later I visited Katies Closet in Glendale, Arizona
and took a stamping class. They taught me the Polished Stone technique
and I bought all the supplies I needed for this. That was the beginning.
Later I took a basic stamping class here in Holland to learn all
the fun about stamping.
My favorites
are Oriental, African and other ethnic styles.
At the moment I’m not working but do a lot of community work:
at the asylum seeker center, library, monthly international dinner
project, African Promotion foundation and teaching Dutch to an illiterate
Moroccan lady. And……. when I find some spare time I like
to stamp, read, walk (volksmarches), dance, music (salsa, soul,
oldies but goodies, world ), e-mail and not to forget spending time
with my (grand)children, who live near.
Stamping
for how long?
6 years - Seems like forever. How did you get started?
I was on a garden group and one of my friends asked if I wanted
to join in the rubber stamping group. I had a loud NO~!! Told her
I had tooo many hobbies already that I didn't have time for. One
of the group from Florida was coming here to CA to a Stamp Convention
so I agreed to go just so I could meet her. Convention?? Well, I
found this to be a great place to get into trouble. I fell in love
with all the art and different things that could be done with the
stamps and have been HOOKED every sense. I find it always has a
never ending challenge for new things so have never tired of this
fun.
What are your favorite things about stamping? Materials, techniques,
emotions, stress-reducer....
The embossing was a thrill to see happen in my beginning days but
now there are so many new things that I can't say what is my favorite.
materials
I love to add the tiny micro beads, fibers and anything to make
that little extra boost. Love the Radiant Pearls paint and use it
a lot for color. techniques When I first began stamping I thought that embossing was magic.
After joining the Stamp Group here in Redding and having a few different
classes I found everything was magic and love it all. Anything new
that comes along for a challenge takes a place for favorite for
a while. I do love the Oriental Arts for stamping so do more of
it than some of the other. Only stamping I don't seen to have a
feel for is the cutsie type. Guess I had enough of that in my younger
years while raising my seven kids. I enjoy doing faces also. emotions
I can never express the emotions that I go through with my stamping
groups. After loosing my DH, and my other best buddy my dog less
than two months after I was lost. The wonderful Oriental group showered
me with loving, caring cards of sympathy. Then another dog loss
due to a fast driver hitting him and then losing my mom I still
had so many cards I can never express my thanks for the uplift I
had when going to my mail box. With so many heart breaks and time
so limited with having to keep up with all the responsibilities
I became overwhelmed with I didn't do any of my crafts or arts for
a very long time. This didn't stop my wonderful cards from coming
from this caring group. My emotions runneth over for this loving
talented group.
stress-reducer....
I don't seem to have much time to sit down and enjoy my stamping
with just trying to keep up with everyday life here on my little
farm. When I can steal some moments to stamp it takes all the problems
and worries right out the window. With winter on its way I am hoping
to have more time for my arts and crafts.
Background?
Born in San Diego, CA in 1931 My mom divorced my dad and remarried
a cowboy when I was four years old. This was why I was raised on
cattle ranches and farms till I went to live with my wonderful grandparents
at 16. I had gone to over 30 schools up till this time.
I live in SW
Washington State, in the US, with my husband Eddie, my 2 year old
son Allen, our 2 llamas (Flood & Mully), our 2 goats (Annie
& Cleo), our dog Oso, and our cats (James & Lilly). I used
to be a French prof, then an in-house graphic artist and secretary
for a construction firm; now I'm a stay-at-home mommy and a self-employed
web designer, graphic artist, and rubber stamp designer. I discovered
stamping about 2 years ago from my friend Brenda
M., who donated a WHOLE BUNCH of really basic stuff that allowed
me to really get going with cards (like: I didn't know how useful
1/4 inch double sided tape was going to be!). So, now I'm hooked.
Please see all the gorgeous cards generous OSA members have sent
me at http://orientalstampart.com/v-web/gallery/HeatherT
!
Inka
Stamping
for how long?
Most of my life but I have only been seriously (obsessed) stamping
for about 7 years
How did you
get started?
My mom bought me a stamping set as a child. Then when I retired
I had more time.
Favorite
stamping items?
Stamps! Stamps! and more Stamps!…oh and ink!
Favorite
reasons to stamp?
Although I love stamping for any reason, I find the most peace when
I am stamping Japanese images. But then if I am feeling silly I
stamp altered stuff. If I am in a romantic mood I love to stamp
Victorian. If I need to calm down or things are hectic (most of
the time) I love Japanese images. So I guess I stamp to complement
my mood.
Day Job/Background?
Self employed most of the time although I did work and as a web
designer as I ran my own antique store with my son. I retired from
both those positions and found myself with a lot of time. I have
been a collector of Antique papers for years and tried my hand at
reproducing antique German valentines with my rubber stamps. This
evolved into designing pop up cards and box patterns. I continually
found myself needing stamps I could not find. Encouraged by friends,
I started my own rubber stamp company 4 years ago and am now working
as owner, operator, web designer, and stamp artist for Inka Stamps.
