Franziska Glaubitz

Hello there crafty friends! Tasnim here bringing you yet another amazing artist!  I met her through the Hero Arts Flickr group and loved her work at first sight! She does incredible work with stamps and water colors. Each of her cards is a piece of art, you will see for yourself.. Please help me welcome:

Franziska Glaubitz

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49018029@N05/

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

I was born in Freiburg (black forest, Germany), but have lived in many other places. For the past year, I have been living in Frankfurt. I still work once a week in Freiburg. I am a classical (opera) singer, so I travel very much.

2. How and when did you start crafting?

My first experience with stamps was in my childhood. I was crazy about every kind of stamp. My journals and letters were all embellished with hello kitty, some animals and other icons. At the same time I loved painting. Later, during my studies in Brussels I found out a shop where they sold stamps from PSK. I was totally fascinated about this discovery. Then I found out that there are many other companies that make stamps. In Germany this hobby is not very popular. But when I first walked into a stamp store I was completely hooked. Since then i have been stamping and developing my style and cards.

3. From where do you draw your inspiration?

One day, I don´t remember why, probably by accident, I came into the flickr Hero Arts group.This has been the beginning of a journey with thousands of ideas and so many nice people. I like the idea that around the world there a many other crazy stampers like me! ;-) I love to see what others create and be inspired with new ideas. My biggest inspiration is life itself with all the Beauty of nature and the seasons. I love the colors of heaven, sunsets and all the greens and colors of the flowers and the rainbow. But even music and poetry can inspire me to make a card.

4. How would you describe your style?

It is difficult to describe my style. I don’t feel restricted to one direction. A big part of my work has a vintage touch. I often stamp on patterned paper, but from my painting background I retained my love for watercolors and drawing. I take different things like music sheet paper and leftovers to start new and unusual projects, and I love grid cards!!

5. Tell us briefly about your design process. 

Most of the cards I make out of my idea and fantasy. I then try to realize it in real. Sometimes I feel very inspired from a card I see and try to case it my own way.

6. What are the 5 top tools in your crafting space?

I love embossing folders!! I could collect so many! And in fact I use the same one often. I use punches quite often and I am a big fan of distress inks. I love kraft card and vellum.

7. What’s your favorite technique?

I have 2 favorite techniques: making backgrounds with watercolors or background stamps and stamping in different layers (see examples) but I love to go outside the box and discover more that I am not used to. I also like distressing with distress inks.

8. What are your go-to colors?

As I am inspired the most by nature, I love nature colors. It depends on the season. Now it is Springtime and it has all these soft and happy colors. I like the pink you see in blossoms together with a shiny green.

9. How much time do you spend crafting every week?

It depends on my work. Sometimes I am on tour with concerts, auditions or teaching, so there is no time to craft. But after such a period I recover and relax with being creative at my desk. It gives me new energy, clears up the mind and just makes me happy. Since I got rid of my TV (3 years now) my creativity takes part whenever there is a free evening ;-)

10. Do you sell your projects?

Most of my cards end up in the letterbox of my friends. I love writing to them, when they are still warm ;-) Sometimes I give them away as a present. Friends like them and keep telling me to sell them. Now and then I visit an artisans market where I sell them. And near Freiburg, there is a little gift shop where they sell some of my projects.

11. What do you do when you are not crafting? Job? Other hobbies and interests?

My job is my biggest hobby. As I said, I am a classical singer, doing opera, musical and concerts. It takes me time to practice and perform. But I like it very much. Last weekend I performed the part of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. I love this character. She has so many colors to show. Being creative is my kind of nature I think. Besides singing I love crafting, writing poems, cooking and (very new) gardening. Very important for me is also sports (swimming) and Mindfulness (Meditation and other practices)

 I thank you for inviting me to this platform to be in contact with so many nice creative people. I appreciate that very much. Have a great and inspirational summer!!!