Crafting Around the World

Following the ‘Best of British’ edition in June 2018, we came back in July 2018 with an issue all about crafting around the world! Our editor Sally tracked down card makers in different countries from across the planet and asked each of them to create a project exclusively for you! Don’t worry, all the items they’ve used are available for you to get your hands on here in the UK, but alongside their beautiful work, the lovely ladies take a moment to talk about card making where they live. Throughout the magazine we visit Australia, Sweden, Slovenia, Italy and more!

Pick up your July 2018 issue here!

Crafting Around the World

Art by Marlene

I am Marlene Meijer: let me tell you a bit about myself. I was born in South Africa and emigrated to the Netherlands in 2002 after marrying my Dutch husband. We have two lovely teenagers, Charlize nand Fabian. Together we live in a small coastal town in the northern part of The Netherlands. I am a mixed media artist, art journaler and product designer. I am a signature designer
for different craft companies: Studio Light, The Crafters Workshop, Artfoamies and Grafixarts. I just love making designs that people can use in their art!

Art journaling is something I do daily and in my experience, it can brightens up, even the most dreary day. I try to work in several art styles, not limiting myself to man set borders. I believe that it is part of my creative freedom to explore all styles that I like and that it broadens not only my view of art, but the all over experience too. My artistic trademark is probably my use of bright and happy colours, whimsical style and decorative details.

My work is full of layers, movement, vibrant colours and lots of contrast! Having worked exclusively as an acrylic artist for several years before entering The arts and crafts world, my art can be found in private collections in England, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, America, Canada, Germany, Namibie, Kuwait, United Arab Emerites and Holland. In 2016 and 2017 I tutored about 120 art journaling and playful
painting classes on a yearly base. In 2018 it will be slightly less, but teaching remains an important part of my creative journey. I am proud to be a guest tutor in several e-courses and being able to represent gel press as an artist educator."

Oddball Art Co.

I am Lizzy Love! Ontario Canada 1981 was where and when I was born, unbeknownst to anyone with a large malignant tumor on the base of my spine a rare type of cancer called sacrococcygeal-teratoma, it was not discovered until I was 3 at which time doctors gave me a 10% chance of survival. 1 year of Chemo, 28 days of Cobalt radiation and removal of the base of my spine I defied the odds. After many years struggling with my health I found plant based eating 8 years ago which complimented my love of gardening perfectly. Now at age 36, a happy herbivore, I live in Cottam Ontario Canada with my BF and our 4 cats. Weturned the upstairs apt of our duplex into my art studio where I can be found each day doing what I love most; drawing and painting.

My brand Lizzy Love is a perfect combination of sweet and sour that glitters up the grunge! You can easily lose yourself in the artistic realm of sometimes spooky but always delightfully sweet, big eyed waifs and their animals friends. The whimsical, one of a kind dream world range is easily recognisable by my signature style of creepy cute. All the way from the haunting darkness to the rainbowtastic, my original creations are lovingly sprinkled with a heartbreaking sweetness. Illustrating a gothic fantasy land painted in soft pastels and neon colours my stamp collection is filled with big eyed beauties, creepy little cuties and quirky monsters of all shapes and sizes.

France Papillon

I am France (from Belgium!). After discovering scrapbooking in 2001, I became a full time mixed media artist in 2010. The mix of soft grunge, colour and rusted or vintage embellishments are the main ingredients of mytags, altered art and art journaling, whilst playing with inky techniques.

I offer classes and tutorials in which I share techniques based on product knowledge while guiding participants to reveal their own creative self-confidence. My experience as a school
 teacher helping spread the spark of creative enthusiasm!

Sharing is such an important part of art to me that, in November 2011, I started a video series on YouTube called ‘Journal on Monday’ with new videos added on a regular basis. Over the years,
I have become an established traveling instructor and published designer and have also had my work exhibited in art galleries.

Since February 2013, I also have a signature stamp line with Stampotique and in January 2018, myself and Andy Skinner launched Illusionary Artists, a new brand of mixed media stamps

Grab the latest issue of Making Cards and Papercraft magazine now for amazing inspiration, projects and more!