Introducing................

The Clearsnap 2012-2013 Creative Team!!

My name is Megan Aaron. I live outside Philadelphia, PA with my husband, 6-yr-old daughter, Eliana, our dog, Penny, and our lizard, Queen Julia. I work as a software engineer during the day and use pretty much every second of my spare time to scrapbook. When I do get time for other hobbies, I enjoy reading, video games, running, traveling and dining. I have been scrapbooking for about 7 years, although I kept an old-school style scrapbook throughout my whole life. I started scrapbooking after a trip to Europe, when I was home, mostly alone, and pregnant in my apartment while my husband was traveling for work. I had hundreds of photos and tons of stories that I wanted to record. I also needed something to take up my time. HAHA, I never had any idea just how much it was going to do THAT! After that I found the online scrapbooking community and was hooked. I love everything about this art - the people, the inspiration, the creativity, the papers, the embellishments, the changing trends and the new challenge that comes along with each one. 

 My style is mostly clean and simple but I like to include a lot of layers and texture. Most of my pieces include sewing because it's a great way to add texture and interest without adding bulk. I also love color; I just love mixing and matching it and playing with new combinations. Finally, I love challenges and trying new things. Challenges, assignments and contests make me think outside the box and keep things new and fresh. 

I’m a mixed media designer with several years of experience in various degrees of art and design. My book, Altered Art Circus, Quarry Books, is dedicated to my love of recycle, everything we see and own has an endless supply of uses, my job is to navigate one’s thought process into seeing this. One man’s trash is definitely one man’s treasure, a philosophy I engage in every aspect of my life including my store front, Piddlestixs, located in a turn of the century former theater where creating vignettes and displays is done on a budget through finds at thrift stores, rummage sales, curbside, dumpster diving and recycling. I am known as queen of the re-purpose process, and laugh over Sanford and Son.

My works have been published over 100 times worldwide, I am the creator behind the Lisa Kettell Designs Line, the Piddlestixs series of Magazines, and  how to videos.  I teach workshops in various locales from Museums to my store Piddlestixs, located in Lafayette, NJ, where I can create within my enchanted environment.

I'm an artist who believes in serendipity, accidental chances especially when it comes to my works. Some of the best pieces I created were out of a mistake or accident, nothing I do is plain or ordinary, you never know what is going to come out of my imagination when I take on a project, even I don't.I'm a visionary who see's the gold in found objects, if its discarded or forgotten I'm going to love it and treasure it, and give it a new story, every piece I create tells a story based on some fact, some fiction and brought to life for all to enjoy. My approach to art is out of the norm, I pick an unusual theme, and just run with it, I never follow straight lines, I mix colors, patterns and materials. If you want to set your own style never copy another artist's style, be inspired by it, but find your niche which will separate you from the rest and make your work your own!

http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com 

Diana "The Craftaholic"  is a self taught mixed media artist living in Brooklyn, New York. Seeing a lack of community within the artists and crafters that dwell in the New York City area fueled her passion for bringing artists together, for inspiring others to create, and therefore, helped her build up her blog, The Confessions of a Craftaholic, which she started in 2007.

She sells her work both on etsy and on her website.

Hmmm...my art philosophy is....well I don’t know. It’s hard to say, really. I can tell you that I am majorly influenced by Basquiat. A LOT. I love his art so much, and I love that no matter where he was, or how little he had, he was ALWAYS making art. That’s my thing. ALWAYS make art, no matter where you are in life.

my fan page: www.facebook.com/thecraftaholicfanpage

and twitter: www.twitter.com/thecraftaholic

Hi!  My name is Suzanne Austin.  I'm a SAHM of 3 kiddos living on the Gulf Coast in Alabama.  I've been married to my wonderful husband for 15 plus years and feel very blessed to have each and every one of them in my life.  I began scrapping shortly after the birth of my son (5yrs ago) and like most haven't looked back!  It wasn't hard to become completely immersed in scrapbooking, the process, the art, the design-it simply AMAZES me STILL the talent in this industry.  My style is pretty versatile (and still ever evolving), but I tend to lean toward the grungy, "painty," and inky side of scrapping; I've also done some mixed media and incorporate that into scrapping as well.  I love the enrichment (and therapy :D) this hobby has to lend and will likely be sticking with it for some time! 

My philosophy when I create is to just do it!  I love experimentation with new ideas and techniques, and if I get an idea in my head, I can't wait to just "get it down on paper." I tend jump in head first-no regrets.  I'm not a "buy 2 sheets" kind of girl, not afraid to cut a piece of paper that I LOVE, and I throw most of my scraps away when I'm done with a project.  I know, blasphemy!  LOL!   I don't prefer sketches (but will "tackle" one if challenged) because almost always when I scrap, it's unplanned and usually the result of me just playing around or hashing out an idea.  

http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/

I am a crafter, designer and instructor. I am truly a Jill of all Trades, working in everything from paper crafting to mixed media to jewelry design. I love how all of these areas can compliment and enrich each other. One of the best things art has brought me though is an amazing circle of loving supportive and talented friends. So I hope to find a bunch of new talented friends here on the Clearsnap blog. I work a very stressful retail management job and keep busy with my dog and hubby when I am not creating. 

http://www.inmyblueroom.blogspot.com/

Hi! I'm Sabrina Alery and am so excited to be joining the Clearsnap design team for a second term! My family and I live in an old farmhouse in rural Madison County, Iowa. The hubby and I have 3 kids under age 5 with one more on the way in September! I began scrapbooking as a way to create a unique baby album for my daughter over 5 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Stamping is a more recent addiction but seems to slowly be taking over my projects (and scrap space)! Since that time, I have met some really amazing scrappy friends, designed for some wonderful teams and have also had the opportunity to have my work published in Scrapbooks Etc., Scrapbook Trends, Simply Handmade, Cards and Cardmaker as well as taught an online stamping class. When I'm not papercrafting, I love to cook and bake, garden, shop at thrift stores, camp, organize and have lazy mornings. Thanks for having me again! Blog: sabrinaalery.blogspot.com

We are also very excited to welcome back our Creative Blogging Team!!

Please give our designers a warm welcome!!! We are so excited to share the amazing projects, ideas, and techniques they have in store for you :)

And, a big thank you to all of the designers who submitted applications. It is such a challenge to narrow down the selections when we received so many amazing applications!!! We appreciate all of your hard work and your continued love of Clearsnap products--we truly admire all of the creativity you shared with us during this process.  Invitations for guest designers are still going out so please keep checking your inbox :) Thank you again!

The Clearsnap Team