BethanyCollins

Tell us a little about yourself, your family, your job, your home, etc.
Well, I'm 31, I'm married to an amazingly wonderful man who doesn't get the stamp thing at all unless I stamp cats (he loves cats). We have two babies, f the four-legged, feline variety, the only type we ever plan to have! I am the Managing Director of the Northwest Puppet Center. It's a very impressive title, but as there are only 4 people on staff it means I am responsible for anything and everything administrative, including making the coffee! LOL It's actually a lot of fun working for a children's theater and I've even
done some stamping now and then for work. As far as my home, I am pleased that I have recently won the Battle of the Dining Room. After weeks of snide remarks and little digs from my husband that he missed the dining room I offered him a compromise. A) he could bring all his computer stuff down to the dining room and let me have the extra bedroom, B) he could pack up his computer equipment every other night and I can have the bedroom every other night, or C) he could shut the hell up. He chose C. He has also been much more respectful of my stamping habits lately!
2. How did you first get involved in stamping?
About 6 or 7 years ago I took a stamp class with my mom (our very own Laurel Reiter). I learned to stamp, emboss, and color and thought it was the coolest thing but I got bored very quickly. My interest has waxed and waned over the years because I've never been really excited about greeting cards. I missed the beginning of the art stamp movement because I was out of the loop for a long time. Now that I am back in it, I can see that this is an area that will keep me hooked for a very long time. I love all kinds of non-card stamping;
3. What is your favorite technique?
That's hard to say since I know so few. I've just barely begun dtp. I did do my first serendipity card this weekend and I'm pretty pleased with the results. I am looking forward to doing some more collage work. I enjoy stamping on velvet. I really love making books and boxes, but I'm not sure that qualifies as a technique.
4. What is your favorite card you have ever made: one you are the proudest of?
I don't think I have a favorite card but several years ago I made 4 accordian photo holders for a group of friends with pictures of a special outing we shared. I was really pleased because I did them with minimal
instructions and they came out really nice.
5. What are your favorite stamp companies and why?
No way I can say! I am still discovering new stamp companies every day. I am consistently drawn to Magenta and DeNami Design. Probably half the stamps I pick up off the shelf are DeNami. I'm just really drawn to her images. Those are just retail store lines. I am barely breaking the surface of all the amazing e-stores, catalogs, and unmounted lines. My first stamp convention was only 4 months ago and I am dying for my next!
6. What are your favorite type images you use in stamping?
Well, I love Christmas. I buy tons of Xmas stamps. I also really like art stamps, collage images, and abstracts. I recently realized I have no people whatsoever (wouldn't you know I needed some) and I have almost no words, but I intend to remedy that!
7. What are your favorite colors?
Anything vivid! I think there are colors I don't like but then I see someone on the list do something in that color and I realize it's beautiful.
8. What is one dream you have that you wish could come true?
To find the one thing that I am the best at. I really believe that we all have a special talent but I don't think I've found mine yet.
9. What is your biggest pet peeve?
BAD DRIVERS!!
10. Anything else you would like to share? Like things you collect, things that make you happy, and so on?
I like tea things. I like the whole ritual of afternoon tea. I love cats, books, lattes. I collect cat art, children's books, and latte stand stamp cards! Making things makes me happy.