Spotlight: Einat Kessler 2017 G45 Brand Ambassador

Hello, G45er!

Thanks for joining us again today, as we continue to reveal our brand new Graphic 45 Brand Ambassadors. We are so happy to get to introduce the oh-so-talented Einat Kessler. We will let her tell you a little more about herself in her own words below, and after that, be sure to check out the vibrant Voyage Beneath the Sea tag set she has created. We love her seamless integration of stamped and fussy cut imagery from the collection, and the way the watercolor technique brings it all together. She also includes a SnapGuide tutorial for those of you who want to dive deep into this type of project.

This week's prize package includes two 12×12 Off to the Races Paper pads, design and Patterns & Solids, Die-Cut Banners, Chipboard, Shabby Chic Metal Clock Keys, Black Regular Tag Album, and Celebrate ATC Ivory Tags, a $76 value!  To enter to win this prize package just leave a comment here and/or on our Facebook page.  The winner will be announced, Friday, June 9th.  

Einat Kessler

 

"I’m Einat Kessler, creative professional, mixed media artist, scrapbook and paper designer, altering enthusiast and class instructor from Israel.

As a little girl I remember sitting in my grandparents living room with a huge scrapbook on my knees (I was only 6 years old so the scrapbook seemed larger than it really was), looking through the photos of faraway places my grandparents visited. As a master bookbinder, my grandfather built a new scrapbook from scratch for every trip he and my grandma took. After the book was ready he filled it with photos, postcards, images he cut from magazines, tickets and lots more. I thought it was pure magic.

Years later when my first son was born my grandfather suggested I create a scrapbook for him. This was the first scrapbook I created. In those days there were no scrapbooking supplies in the stores here and I had to be creative and create everything from scratch. One day while online I searched the word scrapbooking and BAM!! A whole new world just gushed into my life! I was completely hooked!

Slowly the new hobby took over my life until I decided to quit my job and open my own business. I started a blog, a Facebook page and a YouTube channel. Today my brand has evolved beyond scrapbooking to include mixed media, DIY projects, altering and recycling. I teach online classes and sell my creations on my Etsy shop.  I’ve recently launched a members-only creative club with exciting video tutorials, tips & techniques, and amazing giveaways. I love sharing what I do with as many people as possible and the more I give the more I receive.

 

Fun Facts

• I can’t create if there is quiet around me. So I always listen to music while I work. I wanted to install a TV in my craft room but my hubby said it would distract me from my work. I think he’s right so I’m sticking to music!
   
• It may come as a shock to you, but I didn’t like Graphic 45 when I started creating. As I developed and grew as an artist I started appreciating the complexity, the beauty and versatility of the G45 papers and completely fell in love with them. My first collection was Mother Goose. I really loved it and created several projects from it. I still save the leftover scraps of papers until today!
   
• When I sit down to create I can forget myself for hours. I don’t eat or drink or even go to the bathroom… That’s why I always have a bottle of water on my desk to remind me to drink. The reason I use a bottle and not a glass or cup is because when I keep dipping my dirty brushes in my cup of water instead of the cleaning water jar!

Voyage Beneath the Sea Tags

By Einat Kessler

In this project I decided to explore water colors with the Graphic 45 stamps. I used water colors before but this time I wanted to see if I could use them to create a background for the tags. I chose to use the Voyage Beneath the Sea papers because they match the sea water look of the water colors on the tags. I have a very modest set of water colors but that didn’t matter because I blended a few colors together to create more colors. After all the sea has so many colors of blue and green in it and the water colors capture that exactly because they blend so well together and they have a transparent effect that looks like water.

The best tip I learned is layering. Yes you can layer water colors and you should if you want to create a water effect. Apply the first layer of water colors and then dry it. Once it’s completely dry you can add a second layer that will not blend with the first one. You can add more layers until you are happy with the result.

Another tip is use the water colors properties to your advantage. Control the fluidity to create dripage or splatters. Mix colors directly on the paper while they’re wet and create gradual change of colors.

Check out the tutorial to create water color tags too." ~Einat Kessler

Graphic 45 Supplies:

• 8 x 8 Voyage Beneath the Sea papers
• Staples – Square Ivory Tag Album
• Voyage Beneath the Sea Cling Stamps

Other Supplies:

• Water Colors and a water brush

Thanks for joining us to celebrate another talented member of the all new Graphic 45 Brand Ambassadors. We are so lucky to have so many talented people creating with our paper, including all you readers out there as well. We hope you enjoyed Einat's story and creative dip into crafting with watercolors. We'd love to hear about some of your other favorite projects she has created in the comments below. See you here tomorrow for more Brand Ambassador introductions and keep an eye out today for a special bonus blog.

Happy Papercrafting!