Friday, November 19, 2010

"A Day In The Life With Cassie"

Okay, I remember the first time I heard about this shop.  And I was amazed at what she did.  I mean, I saw her products and thought “how on earth do you do that?”  I had to do a little research, wondering if I could attempt such a thing.  After seeing her work and reading about the process, I decided I would just leave this to pros like her.  Making paper is just way out of my league.  And then, making paper and turning that paper into fun items?  Well, you be the judge.  I just love my weekly journeys and today, the road takes us to …

A Day in the Life of Cassie, owner of
“PoshMishMosh”
Click here to enter shop

Duude:  Hey Cassie, how long have you been making handmade paper?

Cassie:  I have been creating with paper (making cards, scrap booking, gift tags, etc) for many years, but have only been making paper for a little less than a year. 

Mini Cards and Envelopes
Duude:  What inspired you get into this area of crafting?                

Cassie:  I have always loved the look and feel of handmade paper.   I liked the idea that I could be recycling “trash” paper and all the little ends of cardstock from all of my other paper creating projects into “new” fresh happy items.  It seemed like a great way to take my card making up another notch.  It was another form of paper to play with.  I truly am a paper addict! 

Duude:  Tell us a little bit about your process for making paper.  How do you decide what kinds of paper go into your handmade paper?   

Gift Tags Infusedwith Flowers and Leaves
Cassie:  Well, first I start by saving all our paper scraps – cardstock ends, office paper, mail that needs to be shredded, yup tons of paper all over my house!  Then it all gets shredded in the blender with some water.  Depending on what I am making – sheets, tags, formed paper items, I will use different papers as my base, even using cereal boxes at times.  I just use paper, water, some garden items (including seeds for plantable paper) and occasionally some glitter.  I don’t add any dyes to my paper, all the color comes from cardstock.   It’s always neat to see the way each sheet of paper turns out differently even thought I used the same paper pulp base.

Duude:  Where do you typically get your supplies? (handmade, online, craft shops, etc.

Christmas Tree Gift Tags
Cassie:  My basic supplies are found in house – household recycled paper, cardstock scraps and flowers from my garden.  We recently moved into my grandmother’s home, I love the idea that all of her flowers get to be shared with others in the form of my paper items.  I tend to make most of my molds from basic household and craft materials. 

Duude:  Ha, I guess I should have known that one huh!   Okay, next.  Where do you get your ideas for your items?  

Cassie:  I get ideas from anywhere and everywhere.  My kids are always laughing at me when I say, did I tell you my idea about this project or how would this look these colors.

Duude:  Where do you sell your items?

Journal with handmade paper pages
Cassie:  At the moment I am selling primarily on Etsy,  thanks to my crazy, encouraging friend (Hi Jane!) but have sold at some indie craft shows.  Next year, I intend to sell at more local shows.

Duude:  Do you have a blog or any other sites that you are involved in that you would like to share with us?

Cassie:  I like to have a variety of projects going on at one time, so I also have a fabric based shop on Etsy – PoshFabrications.  This shop focuses on upcycling and recycling fabric items into new creations – t-shirt rugs, bowls, purses (still have to list them!), jean trivets and rugs.   

Stay tuned for a new jewelry Etsy shop  – mostly upcycled and recycled items that my daughter creates;  lots of techniques, colors, styles:  something for everyone!

One final note, I had to steal this from Cassie’s profile because I just thought it was too fun not too.

Hi, my name is Cassie and I am a paper addict. You should see my stash. I have even had well-meaning (but non-understanding) friends try to talk me into letting some go! I thought I might have to go down that path (something about taking over my house with paper), but then I found Etsy. Now my stash can stay, and dare I say it, grow  : )

Cassie, thanks for sharing with us.  
Keep up the creative work so you can make room for more paper!  
Now go check out her shop and see the other cool paper items she has.  
See ya next time!
Duuude - over and out

8 comments:

goodgosh said...

Great write up on Cassie! I ordered some of her handmade paper cards and love them!
Fun to see what else she is creating.

Peppercorns said...

Wonderful interview with Cassie. I bought gift tags from her and adore them. She's so very talented.

jj said...

OMG!
I just got home from work (and working with Cassie) and she never said a word that you interviewed her! What a nice surprise!
I love her paper and what she makes out of it!
Nice job both Doodle and Cassie!
(you both are gonna get smacked!...lol)

A Collective Journal said...

It was fun keeping a secret from JJ. (haha)

Making paper ~ what a great way to recycle and reuse.

jcsvisuals said...

It's interesting to learn the process and motivation behind an artist's work.

VintageEmbellishment said...

Good interview Dude, I loved reading about Cassie's techniques for creating one of a kind papers!

10Yen said...

I love making paper! I don't get to do it all the time but I sure love it when others make paper as well. Loved this interview! Love Cassie's stuff, wish her all the best and many more ideas!

earth sky sea said...

We have featured a cassie creation on earth sky sea and wish her well