BIG Changes & a Contest!

Months ago, Julie, Jane & I decided to start compiling a list of what changes we could make in 2008 to improve Papertrey.  Over the next few days, many of the items that appeared on the list will be revealed now that they have become a reality.  Today I get to share with you one of the BIGGEST changes we have made.

We are introducing FIVE new stamp designers as part of our team.

Every month we will be featuring TWO stamp sets, along with my regular stamp release, that are each designed by one of our new talents.  Our goal is to offer you stamps with a variety of different looks & styles, but still feature the distinguishing Papertrey characteristics of being innovative & versatile. 

I contacted these women personally to ask them if they would be interested in working with us on this type of project. 

They each have a very distinct style that will be revealed in the coming months. 

Only two have any professional training, the rest have been self-taught just in the last eight months as they have worked on their designs for us. 

I have asked each of them to work under their very own stamp line, which they have named and will be using on all of their packaging and promotions.  I am so PROUD and honored to be able to feature their artwork as a part of our 2008 collection.  Just wait until you see what they have in store!

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Candice Aguilar

Candice Aguilar is someone I was introduced to by my sister (and am I ever glad she did!).  Candice is professionally trained as a graphic designer and recently took the plunge into starting her own independent firm.  She has a very unique style that is all her own within the stamping industry and you will find her point of view very refreshing!  She is dedicated to perfection and I am anxious to see what all of you create with her unbelievable images! 

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1. How would you describe the look & style of your new stamp line?   I would describe the look & style of my stamp line as an eclectic mixture, combining clean lines with whimsical and elegant touches.

2. What inspires you when designing stamps?   I’d say that nature is my biggest inspiration.  It’s endless really!

3.  What is the most exciting part of designing stamps for Papertrey?  The most exciting part is the freedom to design whatever I’m inspired to design; a dream becomes a reality!

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Melissa Bickford

Melissa Bickford has been a very dear friend of mine for just shy of seven years.  She is completely self-taught in her design work with us and has really developed a line that communicates her personality.  Being a stamper first gave her a unique perspective that we are excited to offer up to the industry.  Melissa’s true love is anything floral, and you will find remnants of this in almost all of her designs.  We are just ecstatic to have her talent included in our line-up for this year!

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1. How would you describe the look & style of your stamp line?    Simple & fresh!

2. What inspires you when designing images?   EVERYTHING inspires me! From magazines to clothing to the comforter on my bed. Let’s just say that I don’t look at anything without thinking to myself…..how can I take that and turn it into an image we could all create with. 

3. What is the most exciting part of designing stamps for Papertrey?   So many things! This is such a dream for me. Knowing that other stampers will be creating cards and projects with a stamp that I designed is just unbelievable. I feel truly blessed to be a part of something so big!

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Lisa Johnson

Many of you recognize Lisa Johnson as a member of our Design Team.  I was just thrilled when she also accepted the invitation to work with us on a line of stamps.  She has many different hats that she is able to wear when it comes to designing stamps.  You will surely love them all!  Lisa always has a story or a purpose for each image she creates and you will find a new kind of joy when using them as you reflect on the thought behind them.  Lisa has worked hard to teach herself the necessary programs required for stamp design in a short period of time, while still gracefully balancing the many other commitments in her career & family.  We are completely enamored with her stamp designs, and we know you will be too!   

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1. How would you describe the look & style of your stamp line?   Multifarious, Diverse…. as many styles as Poppies have varieties! Each set incorporates a little bit of the different looks I like.

Alli Miles

I took notice of Alli Miles with her submissions to our Guest Star Stamper Contest.  Her work really spoke to me.  In fact, I was so intrigued, I decided to follow the link to her blog.  I immediately fell in love with her sense of style, her personality & charm.  She has embodied all of these things successfully into her stamp images.  Alli is very aware of the industry and trends, but yet is able to maintain a wonderful connection to what is classic.  She has taught herself all of the basics of graphic design in just a few short months, yet her artwork looks as if she has been doing it for years.  It is an absolute honor to include her as one of our designers.

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1. How would you describe the look & style of your stamp line?  The look & style is urban design, hence the name!  Urban: of, consisting of, or living in a city or town.  Design: 1) to plan and fashion the structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc. 2) the art of designing: a school of design 3) a plan or project: a design for a new process.

2. What inspires you when designing images?   The simplest answer is EVERYTHING!  The Urban Design line is a fresh modern take of my surroundings- the day to day things like curtains, drawer handles, fashion, linens and fabrics, home decor.

3. What is the most exciting part of designing stamps for Papertrey?   Papertrey Ink stamps caught my eye from the onset of the first release.  It is the classic but clean images that keep me coming back.  What I like most about Papertrey is their innovativeness.  I like the fact that Papertrey stamps stick out and are unlike any other stamps out there.  I appreciate the vision, thought and consideration that goes into the creation of each stamp.  All that being said, it was these qualities that not only made me excited about the opportunity to design stamps for Papertrey but also added to my creative inspiration.  And if that isn’t enough, who wouldn’t want to work with a leading lady in the papercraft industry???

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Heather Nichols

Heather Nichols is also a member of our Design Team.  She studied graphic design in college and was excited to utilize her skills in stamp design for us.  I am absolutely in love with the vintage twist she is able to give images, and yet keep them fresh and trendy.  The way she executes her vision with each set is just magical and I am just in awe of the possibilities each image holds.  You will be inspired by the way she uses the images in her own stamping.  We are waiting with baited breath for her first sets to come off the "presses"!

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1. How would you describe the look & style of your stamp line?  My line is a reflection of my design style: clean and rustic with a whimsical feel.

2. What inspires you when designing images?  When I have been working on my stamp designs, I really am designing things that I would love to stamp and scrapbook with.  I love gathering ideas from the things around me that inspire me with my paper crafting in general and I am known to frequently scribble ideas and doodles here and there on whatever paper is available. Sometimes I sit down with one small idea that evolves into a whole set very quickly and sometimes I piece the sets together bit by bit.

3. What is the most exciting part of designing stamps for Papertrey?   This is such a dream come true for me… I have always loved illustration and design and majored in graphic design & printmaking in college. Paper crafting and stamping has always been a passion of mine that I have incorporated into all of my experiences with art & design. To be able to pull all of that together with this opportunity is incredible! I am so excited to share all of this and I cannot wait to see the creations that everyone makes with the images and designs from my line.

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There they all are!  Please be sure to stop by all of their blogs today and congratulate them on all of their hard work!  They have had to work in silence for months, so the opportunity to have public support is so great for them!!!

Because I feel that every stamper has at least a LITTLE stamp designer in them, I thought today’s post would be a wonderful way to kick off our next…

Papertrey Apprentice Contest!

—> The winner will get to assist me in designing a stamp set which will be released during our April 15th, 2008 debut. We will have a concept meeting via phone or email, to discuss what types of things you would like included in the set, the theme of the images, or even any fonts you would like to see used.

—> I will then design the set according to your specifications. You will be the FIRST to see the rough drafts & final copies! You will be involved in every step of the process!

—>Your name will be included in the promotion & packaging of the stamp set!

—>You will receive the first copy of the set, hot off the presses, before anyone else!

Leave a comment on today’s post welcoming the new girls and you will be eligible to win! 

The contest will close at 12pm (EST) on Monday (02/04/08) 

and the winner will be chosen via the Random Number Generator. I will announce the winner here on Monday night.   Best of luck to all!  I am looking forward to collaborating with one of you very soon!