May Wenche from Norway began cardmaking by chance and has been going it for almost 15 years now. Her cards are truly beautiful – as you will see in this interview we did with her.
Who are you? Can you tell us about yourself?
My name is May Wenche Kjensli, 52 years old, partner, mother and grandmother. Not a professional card maker, makes cards mostly for fun for family and friends. But I enjoy myself when I get to work.
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When did you start with paper crafting? Why did you start with paper crafting?
The cardmaking came about by chance. My aunt’s birthday and I wanted to make a personal and homemade greeting. Since then, it has only gotten better. Been going for about 15 years now. Helped a little with my cousin also scrapping. And when my daughter moved out, I got my own room too.
What is the best thing about paper crafting?
The best thing about the paper crafting..? Being able to be creative, put together something unique and forget time and place.
Have you made any mistakes when papercrafting and would you like to tell about it?
Yes, I make mistakes all the time. I fail with measurements and cutting. But once I received an order for a christening card from a grandmother. I made two which I brought to her to choose. She took both, paid and I left. The second card was supposed to be from my aunt. When I was almost home I realized that we had overlooked something, it said “hugs from grandma” in both cards. Thank God we got it fixed.
What kind of paper projects do you make?
I mostly makes cards, folding cards, but have also made albums, atcs, boxes and some mixed media.
How often do you craft?
As often as I can. As I stay at home all day due to a chronic illness, the way into my chamber is short.
Can you describe your style? Have your style changed since you started?
I don’t have a specific style. In the beginning, a lot went into stamping and colouring, but I didn’t quite get the hang of it. Now it’s mostly in design paper, layer upon layer and diecuts that are glued on. Making a lot of folding cards at the moment.
Show us some of your favorite projects.
What inspires you?
What inspires me? Other card makers, a suit, a block of paper.
Is there anything in paper crafting you would like to learn?
I’ve tried a lot in the scrap world, but I’ve never tried alcohol ink and foiling, it could be fun to try.
Can you mention five products/tools you cannot live without?
My embossing/cutting board, diecutting machine, embossing equipment and distress ink. Not to mention paper!
What is on top of your wish list right now?
At the top of the wish list right now is a clear, tidy and organized hobby room.
Who in the paper crafting community would you like to meet «in real life»? Why?
Nuneka, mixed media artist that I follow on YouTube. She is amazingly clever. Being inspired to do more with mixed media.
Can you describe your craftroom?
Messy and chaotic.
Other things you would like to mention in the presentation?
Thank you for the invitation to this interview, my confidence increased a little now. Thank you a lot. And thanks to everyone who has been and is an inspiration, I hope I can be an inspiration to some of you too. Even if life knocks me down I get up with a smile and make cards with style. I am a Cancer survivor.
Where can we find you? (Blog, website, social media etc.)
You can find me on Facebook and Instagram by the name Scrappekammeret.
This post is published by TPC Magazine.