Art Shoppe Interview, Studio Calico.

I am excited to announce this week's art shoppe interviewee: April Foster. April is the founder of Studio Calico, an inspirational website, kit club and most recently manufacturer of their very own line of scrapbook products.

First, here's the gorgeous and very talented April:

I first used the new Studio Calico this January, and instantly fell in love with pretty much everything about their product...from the quality and thickness of the paper, to the colors, to the vintage feel of everything, it's totally relevant and completely universal. I love that so much of her stuff can be interpreted in so many different ways and can appeal to both the traditional and non-traditional artist.

Here's a little eyecandy for you in the form of her newly released line: The Documentary Collection:

Our team will be sharing artwork using thie collection over the next week, but in the meantime, to help you get to know a little more about April and Studio Calico, I asked her to answer a few interview questions and am so excited to share them with you here:

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Hi, I’m April Foster, a native Texan who began my crafting career at an early age selling homemade greeting cards to my dad’s customers at his lumber-yard for $0.25 each.  I’d come home with a handful of quarters in exchange for my drawings and stickerings on typing paper.  It was quite a profitable venture for a 4 year old.  Later, I moved to Tennessee, then to Kentucky, where I continued to craft in the form of scrapbooking and met my husband.  Now he and I live on a farm (never thought I’d be doing that, but that’s a different story for a different day) with our two dogs and have a baby on the way due in November.

Describe your business (and share links as to where we can find it online): Studio Calico is a kit-club, community, shop, and so much more.  Truly, it has surpassed my expectations and continues to every day.  It’s a place you can find inspiration, friendship, and great scrapbooking products for reasonable prices.

What made you decide to open an art business?  The decision to take the plunge with Studio Calico was really my husband’s decision.  I had been working as a manager at a pharmaceutical company for about a year, and was on the road constantly, when the idea came to me via a good friend of mine.  We talked and discussed, but even though I was successful in my career, I was hesitant and unsure if I could be successful enough with Studio Calico to invest in it.  Thankfully my husband was not.  Less than 3 months after the initial discussion, Studio Calico was launched and we’ve never looked back!

When did you start doing art? Oops, I accidentally answered this question in my bio.  My mom was not a creative person, but wanted me to be, so I began fingerpainting, drawing, stickering, you-name-it as soon as my fingers could move.

Where does your inspiration come from? Wow, that’s so hard to pin down.  I’m so inspired by other crafters in the same genre, by products themselves, by color schemes I see in home décor, by just about anything.

 
What are your long term career goals? I love this type of question, because it’s one I used to ask when interviewing potential candidates.  I’m sure they felt like I do now, a little unsure how to answer, but I definitely continue to see myself in the scrapbook industry.  We’ve already made strides to branch out beyond the kit-club into manufacturing and will have our second large release at CHA this summer.  I see that trend continuing to other crafting markets besides scrapbooking most definitely, but before that can happen, we must ensure our customer service and designs stay cutting-edge and reputable.

What kind of music do you enjoy listening to while you create? You’ll think I’m strange, but I need complete silence to create.  My husband can’t think without music, and I can’t think straight with it.

Do you have a motto you live by? I’m not a flowery person by nature, but I do believe in hard work and self-motivation.  Anyone out there who can help me make that sound catchy, I’m all ears.

Any tips and tricks to other artists/business owners? Believe in your ideas and find a way to make them happen.  If you fail, evaluate why it failed (BE HONEST!), ask for advice, and constantly seek feedback, then pick yourself up and try again.

Describe your creative process. Although I’m very regimented in every other area of my life, I don’t really have a creative process.  I think that’s what I so enjoy about crafting is that anything goes.  Usually, I begin with a photo and story to tell and let the supplies on hand take form.

Can you cartwheel? If so, we'd love to see a photo! :) If you’d asked me at age 7, I would have said, “yes” but I just gave the advice to evaluate honestly, so now, I would say “no.”  Truthfully, as a child, I thought I’d be an Olympic gymnast even though I didn’t have a day of training in my life.  What I did have was a good imagination and a banister (aka balance beam) on my back deck growing up.

And here's some inspiration that April sent over:

Aren't they gorgeous? And not only is she sharing inspiration with us, but she has also generously agreed to give-away the entire Documentary Collection to one lucky winner! So be sure to leave a comment here for your chance to win! (Give-away ends at 8:30 p.m. eastern on next Sunday, July 2.)

Be sure to check back for lots more Studio Calico Inspiration from our team this week using the new line!

Peace & Inspiration,

Cheryl

Comments

[Jan]

Studio Calico + April Foster = yumminess :)

[Sandra Consilio]

Just found your blog through a friend and love everything here! Was debating on cleaning otu closets today, but now I'm inspired to scrap inside - what a much better idea :)

[Sherry Cartwright]

The Documnetary line is AWESOME. I was just oogling over it at SC and then here.

[Sherri]

I love the 3 yr old layout :) I was introduced to Studio Calico by a friend. I love the muted colours of this new line, they'd be so easy to work with. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Christine]

I just love Studio Calico! They're the reason I finally signed up for monthly kits and I'm so glad I did. Always something new and fun to play with.

[Kate Anne]

Studio Calico kits are super fun! Waiting for my LSS to bring this in cos I'm itching to play with it!!

[Sara]

Studio Calico always has such great collections. Thanks for the chance to win this one.

[Nicole]

I've been a fan of Studio Calico from the very beginning!:)

[Sabrina L]

Love, love, love Studio Calico! Eagerly waiting for the day I can join their kit club.

[Brenda]

Love her collection, and love her advice on going into her own business...my husband and I are starting one now and I am really nervous but excited!

[Ann]

Love this new line by Studio Calico! Big fan of their kits as well! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Amy Coose]

Love this new line, and their kit club is so fabulous!

[Rachel]

great inspiration and great to know more about Studio Calico. I just got Anthology and love it. Documentary looks awesome, to0!!

[Judy G]

Love April's interview. It's always fun to delve into other people's creative mind & process, so thank you! Would love to win documentary.

[Rachel Schumacher]

I love this beautiful line!! And her layouts are beautiful as well!

[sylv]

Love the article! I have been a SC subscriber for a few months now and love EVERYTHING about it!

[ashley]

Loved reading the interview. SC kits are always amazing! This new line looks so fun! :)

[Staci Taylor]

I totally adore this line, and April seems like such a sweetheart! :-)

[cindy b.]

What a WONDERFUL collection! Thank you so much for the chance to win. And those layouts are gorgeous!!

[jenn h]

i heart studio calico...can't wait to see the release at cha summer...thanks for the chance to win:)

[Geralyn]

Studio Calico is the best, and I really enjoyed April's interview. I cannot wait for their new release at CHA - there's going to be some amazing things, for sure. Thanks for the chance to win :)

[Abbey S.]

Love the documentary line!

[Flo]

thanks for the chance to win! i LOVE everything about sc!!

[Maria L]

I just discovered SC at the beginning of the year and have quickly become a huge fan!

[Gioconda]

I LOVE this line from SC. Perfect for our upcoming road trip. Thanks for the chance to win.