Interview with a Seller- Cheryl Valadez

Hello and Welcome Back!

Today I get to sit down with one of my favorite crafty goddesses who really sets the bar for all things crafty. I adore her work, so I was uber excited that she agreed to an interview!

1. What’s your name and shop name and what do you do?
Hello, my name is Cheryl Valadez and I have an Etsy shop called EnchantmentInk. I also have a blog called The Ink Trap (http://inktrap.blogspot.com/). I play with paper and love to create handmade cards.

2. Where are you located?
I am very lucky to reside in sunny Albuquerque, NM in the Land of Enchantment.

3. What’s the favorite part of your craft?
I teach card classes and I love to share and exchange information with other folks that are passionate about paper arts.

4. How long have you been crafting?
I have been making cards for roughly 13 years. Prior to that, I really didn't do much crafting and would never have considered myself to be very creative.

5. What’s your favorite thing to make?
I love to make cards. There is nothing more exhilarating than sitting down with a few simple tools and then ending up with a one-of-a-kind card creation a few hours later.

6. What kind of camera do you use to shoot?
I use a Cannon PowerShot SD880 IS

7. Who or what models your items?
I like a crisp white background that sort of disappears behind my cards, so I set them against a folded white project board with a an Ott-Lite highlighting them.

8. What's the most rewarding part of running your own business?
I get to do something I love everyday.

9. What's the most challenging part of running your own business?
Many folks don't recognize what I'm doing as being a legitimate business. It's very frustrating.

10. On average, how many things do you create per week?
It depends on what deadlines are pending, but usually between 3-5.

11. What inspires you?
Everything. Paper crafting has opened my eyes to many things that I might have taken for granted previously. Now I can literally find beauty and inspiration everywhere I look.

12. Take me thru your creative process.
It varies, but usually I'll start with something that strikes my fancy, such as a rubber stamp image, or some beautiful printed papers, or maybe a particularly interesting embellishment. Then I just let the project grow around that item. Whatever happens, happens. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's not.

13. What is your best advice to blossoming crafters?
Don't be afraid to fail. Take a creative leap and just let go. If we only attempted things we knew we were good at, we would never learn anything.

Thanks Cheryl, you are truly a huge inspiration to me, and many others, I'm sure!

Hope you enjoyed this interview!
Cheers,
Xo, Rachael

Comments

  1. What a great and insightful interview. Cheryl has been my favorite card maker for a few years now and everything she makes inspires me like crazy.

    I'm a little embarrased to admit I didn't know she has an Etsy shop - off to check it out.

    Thanks for a great post aboout one of my favorite ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG! Thanks for the fabulous interview, Rachael! This was so much fun and I am honored to make an appearance on your blog ;D

    Nicole, thank you for your kind comment ;D I've missed you, lady!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cheryl is one of my stamping idols. I think she's awesome, so it's wonderful to see her get the recognition she deserves. Great interview!

    ReplyDelete

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