CREATOR'S CORNER - Ceri Griffiths aka Ceri The Crafter

 Good morning, crafty friends!

We've had an awesome month being inspired by Ceri Griffiths. Today we get to learn a bit more about him and take a gander inside his creative space. Let's get started!

Before we get to Ceri's bio, let me share his email signature line with you. The accolades are very impressive:

Artist & Crafter

International Teacher, Demonstrator, Judge, 

Show Host & TV Personality

Freelance Television Demonstrator

ICES 2021 Hall Of Fame inductee

Award Winning Author

Award Winning Silicon Mould Designer

OSSAS Medal of Honor

ICES Approved Tutor

If you don't know, the ICES stands for International Cake Exploration Société

Ceri Griffiths is truly gifted.

Bio:

All through my life creativity has played a major role and when the pandemic took

my cake decorating business away from me and we were all forced to stay at home I turned to my art skills to once again build a career for myself. 

A few years later now finds me with a thriving Youtube channel, occasional appearances on shopping channels demonstrating craft products, I designing stencils and foam stamps for an

American company (P.M. Artist Studio). I’m now far happier than I’ve ever been,

I’ve truly been blessed to find a new home amongst the creative souls and artists of the world. Hard work definitely pays off

Thank you for joining us today, Ceri. This is truly a pleasure.

1 – What got you started on the creative path?

As far back as I can remember I've been creative and inventive. I come from a family

who had very little money when I was growing up so I had to be able to alter found

items and existing items to adapt them to my creative needs. I was also a very sickly

child therefore I spent a lot of time indoors or in bed, the perfect place to enjoy arts

and crafts.

2 – How has your creativity evolved?

I think its better to ask how my style has evolved and that is purely based on the

artists and influencers that have touched my life. I am so glad that the internet has

given us as Artists the ability to reach around the world to inspire, support and

nurture our varying art forms. Style is an ever evolving creature and I'm enjoying that

journey.

3 – What do you enjoy most about your creative path?

Creativity has helped me deal with my demons, my art endeavours have been my safe

place when the rigours for life close in upon me. There are many things I enjoy about

my artistic life but most of all I think its the generous, caring and inspiring members

of the various artistic community’s. A creative life can be a very lonely life and

knowing others are treading the same pathway eases the anxiety when you share your

emotional expression in the form of art with the rest of the world.

4 – What inspires you?

The sheer joy of life and nature, I love to learn and experience new mediums and art

forms. I personally feel if you’re a creative soul then you will view any form of art as

achievable and experimental.

5 – When did you move from hobby to business and what initiated the transition?

For many years my business has been the art of cake decoration and design however

when covid struck the planet it also wiped out that side of my life and my business

failed. I’d alway been creative through arts and crafts, design had also played a major

part of my life so it was a natural progression to reinvent my business to incorporate

my love of artistic creativity. The kind words and support of other artists helped me

boast my confidence to the level where I was willing to expose my artistic soul to the

world. I believe it was the right move at the right time and now I enjoy a life where I

believe I’m the truest version of myself that I've ever been.

6 – What do you love most about your space and would you change anything?

I love my creative space because it is a reflection of myself, it is a space that is my

safe haven away from judgment, I don't go to work I go to play. I think the only thing

I’d like to change about my work space is to have a sink with running water within it,

a minor adaption and defiantly a luxury item. I’m very blessed to be able to have a

dedicated space that I can work in and I never take it for granted.

7 – What 3 things do you feel are important when planning a space?

1. Be willing to allow your space to change, your creative space is a living place

that will adapt to your requirements.

2. Take note of your habits, the tools and supplies you normally reach for and have

them stored close to you.

3. If possible always work with natural light, its better for your eyes and the true

representation of colours will help your creations look the way you imagined

them.

8 – What is your best organization tip?

Know where your supplies are supposed to be stored and return them to that place at

the end of each project so you can find them again.

9 – What is your best tip for anyone wanting to turn their craft into a business?

If you wish to turn your craft into a business be very realistic about the costs

involved, including your time, the impact on your family but most of all a business is

supposed to make a profit, if its not earning you money then it’s still a hobby.

Great information, Ceri! Thank you for the tips and showing us around your studio. 

You can reach Ceri by clicking any of the following links:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   YOUTUBE   ETSY   

#KCDAprJJ23 - #CeriGriffiths Masterboard Inspired Card

 Good morning, friends!

I thought I'd pop in today and show you some of the result of today's craft-a-long video.

In this morning's video I showed the masterboard sample I'd created. I didn't think to take a picture before cutting it up to make the card but you can see the board in the video before I cut out the piece needed for the card. 

Here's the card:

I used a 4.25" x 5.5" card base from Pineapple Punch (retired Stampin' Up!) 

Cut (1) piece of the Masterboard 4" x 5.25"

Cut (1) Pineapple Punch 3-1/8" x 1-3/8" square.

Cut (1) piece of Basic White 4" x 5.25"  and (1) 3/4" x 3.75" and (1) 3" x 3"

Cut (1) length of ribbon 4-1/2" long.  You want the ribbon approx. 1/2" wide 

I used a Close To My Heart image - Quick Cards - Butterfly (A1120) I did not find the stamp available on their website so must be retired.

The sentiment is from a Paper Pumpkin -December 2017)

As a side note - I REALLY love Paper Pumpkin. The stamp sets are unique to the kits and so versatile.

If you're not a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, check with your demonstrator. Don't have a demonstrator? Mine will be happy to help - Rhonda Henkins. Here's her SU website with her contact information:

RhondasCreations.stampinup.net

Glue the large white mat to your card front. 

Next glue your piece of ribbon to the masterboard about 1.5" from the bottom of the card by wrapping the ends around and gluing to the back of the masterboard.

Next, glue the masterboard mat onto the white base.

Set Aside

Stamp the butterfly on the 3" square piece of Basic White.

Glue this piece to the Pineapple Punch square.  

Add dimensionals to the back then adhere to the card front (use the picture above as your placement guide)

Stamp your sentiment on the strip of Basic White. I used the Triple Banner Punch from Stampin' Up! (retired) This Banners Pick A Punch will work nicely, too.

Because you're layering this on the bottom part of the ribbon, you will want two adhesives. 

Add glue or double-sided adhesive to the top edge of the banner where you will glue to the ribbon.

Add Dimensionals (I used the mini's from Stampin' Up!) along the bottom half. This allows the bottom to be even with the depth of the ribbon. 

Place as show in the picture above.

A simple card for any occasion simply by changing the colors in your masterboard and your sentiment. 

Want the walk-through? Here's the video:

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly

WOYWW #723 - I've Been Playing!

 Good morning, everyone!

I apologize for not getting 'round to folks last week. Bob's first week home is always crazy. Of course, I didn't know we'd be spending his first full day home on the road. He needed to check out a new sight for his job. They'll be shutting the lochs down June - September on the upper IL River so he'll be getting a schedule change and working out of Cairo IL - on the Mississippi those four months. He had the option of turning the change down but wanted to look things over before he made the decision. He'll only be about 2.5 hours from home as opposed to the 8 he is now and only 14 days on/ off instead of 21. Change for both of us. LOL

I'll try to do better this week.

Okay... as the title implies, I've been playing. Not a lot but I am working on items for the April journal. 

 I have the pile of tissue/ rice papers I worked with in last week's video plus the bag/ tags from that project. Tomorrow, we'll be making a 12x12 matboard using 6x6 papers.  (Details Video at end of post.)

The project is inspired by Ceri Griffiths. Ceri will be my guest  in the Creator's Corner end of this month. 

I also have a Close To My Heart stamp set I purchased at a flea market booth last week. I've purchased several of her stamp sets and I thought the butterfly/ script stamp was perfect for this project. I'll add the image to the tags/ bag then put them in the done box. 

In the back left you can see my ink pad storage made from wooden crates and pen holders from Dollar Tree. I'd see the idea for a turn style version to store Tim Holtz items in THIS VIDEO. I don't do turn styles very well. Everything gets cluttered on the desk then you can't turn them! LOL. I also only needed a few to store my Staz On and memento ink pads. The pen holder part will come in handy when I'm working with markers. I an put them in the holder out of my way while I'm working. 

The Details video for this week's Ceri Griffiths inspired project -

That's it for my desk (and story) this week. Who's Miss Julia and why am I here?  When you are done visiting me in the Ozarks, please hop on over to Stamping Ground for all the details. Miss Julia has a long list of other studios you can peek into. No standing on an up-turned milk pail to look in the window. We open the doors wide and welcome you.  Please leave your number and you'll be among the first on my list.

 

 Creative Blessings!

~ Kelly

#KCDAprilJJ23 - Week 1- #Bag&Tag

 Good morning, everyone!

We have a Creative Corner guest the end of this month.. Ceri Griffiths.

With that in mind, all of the weekly challenges will be inspired by one of Ceri's videos rather than a stick pull.

This week is all about the #Bag&Tag.  Here's the video:

Come play along!!!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly