What printer do you use?
I love my Canon i9900. This is great for my design comps since it prints up to 13″x19″. I’ve had this for about 6 years and never had a problem. I also have 2 other printers… an HP Laserjet 5000 and a Canon MP 460.
What paper do you use?
My favorite paper is Red River Paper, they specialize in ink jet papers. The 60lb Polar Matte is awesome, it produces really bright images.
I also really like double sided matte paper for when I print on both sides. Epson and Staples brands are both good. You can always find several packages of sticker paper on my shelves as well.
What were you doing when you decided to create your own business?
I started my career as an Art Director for Fossil in the early ’90s. I was in charge of photography styling and design for the catalog, designed watches, belt buckles, key fobs, and packaging, and even worked on some design for the retail stores. Then the internet boom came, so I moved into a career focused mainly on internet design and marketing materials for large businesses. I eventually started my own business in 1999 and still have several clients that I started out with!
Photo by Keli Hoskins.
How do you do all that you do?
I don’t sleep much! Seriously… I only get about 5 hours of shut eye a night. My husband helps out a lot too:-)
I like your free printables, but can you change something for me?
Sorry, but no. I wish I had time to help, but with my family, several businesses and an email in-box full of unread emails, I just don’t have time.
What is your favorite pastime besides arts and crafts?
I LOVE playing tennis, photography, reading and traveling. Hip Hop dance class is a blast too.
How do you make your printables? Are they original drawings or stock? How can I do what you do myself?
All of my designs are original and usually hand drawn, then scanned and traced in Adobe Illustrator. I have gotten pretty good with drawing directly in Illustrator, so some designs I whip out pretty quickly.
Unless you’re a professional designer, you don’t need Illustrator. I’m on the hunt for affordable drawing programs because I get this question so much. Right now, I have been recommending Photoshop Elements. You can download free trials of Adobe programs at Adobe.com. You can also try these online program, inkscape.org.
After you are done designing, just save as a PDF file and that’s it!
See my equipment and recommended products here.
How do you stay so organized?
I AM NOT an organized person! I just have good ideas for organizing. I have good intentions of staying organized, but never follow through:-) It’s the artist in me that works best in clutter I guess.
