Spotlight on Sally Traidman

Today’s Wonder is Extra-Special. She’s Extra-Special because her creations are so good she gets paid to make cards. You’ve seen her work, you know her name. She’s a fool for pink and orange and hearts and flowers; her style is clean and classic and oh-so-very-cool.

She’s Sally Traidman, and, dang, she’s good!

Isn't she cute? When was the last time you saw a grandmother look so cute? (She has the kind of hair I've always wanted, too, btw.)

Because she's a Stamping Star, my typical coverage of her accomplishments is rather limited, verging on the terse, I fear! My first question typically is, "Have you been on any Design Teams?" Well...DUH! However, she's got a few accomplishments of which some people may not know.

For instance, did you know that Sally has been published in Somerset Studio, RubberStampMadness, Stamp'n'Scrap, British magazines and Australian magazines. AND... (drumroll, please) she's even got her own book!

Yup! I had somehow never known this, so I had to order it. (I found it to be a very good purchase, and I highly recommend it, btw! Click on the image below to get your own copy!)

Another thing I learned about Sally is that her design talents have been tapped by companies other than Hero Arts: Hanko Design, Design Originals, and Paper Adventures have all been graced by her talent! Did y'all know that? I did not know that.

And just in case any of y'all are not familiar with the Hero Arts blog, (crawl out from your rock, already!) Sally is a regular hostess there and contributes many, many, many fine works of card art.

Because Miss Sally is so prolific and talented, trying to pick just a few favorite cards is, like, impossible. Luckily, you can find a gazillion of her cards (with How-To instructions) at the Hero Arts Card Galleries.

Sally's got a signature style that is unmistakable and irresistible. If you're looking at some accomplished watercolor painting, you've got your first hint that you might be looking at a Sally Traidman original. She loves bright colors, (especially pink and orange) and she's enamored of hearts. One of my very favorite things about Sally's style is that she proves time and again that you don't have to have a lot of layers and/or techniques to make a great card. (I don't know about the rest of you, but I often feel intimidated by the Card Extravaganzas I see other people making and sometimes will not even enter a challenge because it's just too overwhelming. So it's nice to see a spectacular card that didn't require paint and glue and glitter and spritzing and a blow torch.)

Case in point:

Is that classy or what?!

That's Sally, alright! Chic, clean lines every time. So lift your Diet-Cokes to Sally Traidman, the Chanel of Hero Arts!

Sally's Wonder-ful Interview

1. Do you pre-sketch a design or do you just leap out of the gate? How long does it usually take you to make a page? A card?

I LEAP! I sometimes sketch and then can't remember what it means....

Man, am I glad to hear that I'm not the only person who experiences that!  

2. How many, on average, pages per week do you make? Cards?

I only make cards, and I make a LOT of them - for instance, today I made about 30 Christmas cards.

Gulp. I suddenly feel rather small and insignificant....

3. How has your process evolved to make you a leaner, meaner crafting machine? (In other words, what are some lessons you've learned or tips you can share that allow you to make better and faster design choices?

Focus is important, and I use the least amount of stamps I can.

Aaaah... an alumna of Less Is More U.... 

4. What's your stand-by, FAST dinner solution for those times when you really want to get to your scrap space ASAP (or stay ALAP)? 

Soup! I make big pots and freeze small batches. I also rely on bananas and peanut butter. AND dark chocolate - my favorite is Dove Dark.

Eeeeep! That's my favorite, too! I can attribute at least five pounds of my bum to Dove Dark!

5. If you were stranded on an island that had a billion supplies but NO tools, what ten TOOLS would you HAVE to have? (All the stamps in the world are available, so you don't need to list them as one of your tools. EX: we've got all the embroidery floss in the world, but you're going to have to bring your own needle if you want to use any of it!) 

I would need scissors, a black pen, watercolor paints and brush, a black pad, sewing machine and thread, glue, foam tape, and gems.

6. If you were still on that island, what kind of noise would you want (if any) in the background? List as many as five different favorite musical artists.

I would want loud dance music... like Katy Perry, Black-eyed Peas, ABBA, Coldplay, and The Beatles.

Okay, now I have a very clear picture of you bustin' a move to Long Tall Sally as you ink up your stamp.... 

7. If you could have anything you wanted, (concerning scrapping or stamping) what would it be?

I want more punches... I  love those.

Hey, do you know about the curtain rod trick? Mount a curtain rod on the walls (nail into the studs), and "hang" your punches - it works a treat! (See here.)

8. What about your style/artistry are you least satisfied with?

I wish I had the ability to draw better.  

9. What cameras have you tried, which one is your favorite, and why? (You can shorten this to just the one you're using now if you like.)

I would love a new one with better resolution. I currently use an old Sony.

10. What's the word or phrase that comes to your lips when you mess up while creating? ("Unprintable" is definitely an option!)

"Oh, shit!" (And my mess-up is always getting ink on an almost finished card because my hands are dirty.)

Ah, a classic and timeless phrase. As a connoisseur of blue language, I can attest that there really is no substitute for the truly satisfying and cathartic venting experience this phrase produces. I've tried them all, and "Oh, sugar!" just doesn't cut it.

11. What do you find more satisfying - the process or the product?

I find the product most satisfying.

12. If you couldn't do this for a career, what would you do?

I'm an art teacher - I could go back to that....

13. I know you've been with Hero Arts for many years. How did you begin that relationship?

I used to attend trade shows as I had a retail mail order business that sold stamps. Jackie Leventhal called me over 20 years ago to make cards, and the rest is history.

14. Give us a quick description of your pets.

I don't have any currently. I had a Bichon mix, and he was in some of the Hero Arts catalogs.

15. Give us a quick description of your job.

I am a card designer and stamp designer (I have drawn some of the Hero Arts stamps).

SALLY! How can you leave us hanging like that?! Which ones did you draw? Which one(s) are your favorites?

Here's an update, ladies! Since originally posting it, Sally has graciously sent me a picture of some of the stamps she's designed. I recognize some of these pretties!

16. Give us a quick description of your family.

I have two married sons, 2 granddaughters, and a wonderful husband that puts up with all my craft crap.

Sounds like you've reached Nanna-Nirvana!

17. Got a fun or little known fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

I love to dance.

18. What’s your favorite stamping technique?

Simple, simple stamping in black and coloring in with watercolors.

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You can see more of Sally's creations at the Hero Arts website, and I suggest you do.

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Just a reminder that the day after tomorrow is the opening of the January Card Chain Challenge sign-up. Hope to see y'all there!

Comments

[Virginia L.]

What a TREAT to know more about Sally! I love her simple yet so BEAUTIFUL style of stamping! She is also REAL and DOWN TO EARTH in sharing her thoughts and talent with us! Got to love an artist like that!! Thanks for this fabulous interview, Deborah!

[Judy Jung]

I am so happy you did this interview with Sally, Deborah!! It is such a good reminder for me to keep it simple! I, too, become overwhelmed when I try to do too much when creating a card! I love the look of Sally's work!! Thanks, Sally, for peek into your creative life! And, yes, which stamps did you design??

As always, a great Wednesday Wonder!!

[Pia]

Another great interview. So wonderful to know more about Sally. Oh, I would have loved to know which stamps were designed by Sally - but I am guessing some of the hearts :-)

[Jill]

Great interview! SO fun to learn more about the amazingly talented Sally!

[Hannah Nicole F]

I Love that book! I got it as a gift about 2 years ago and had just become a part of the HA flickr group,I was amazed to find that she was one of the bloggers. She is and always has been a inspiration.

[Sally Traidman]

I am blushing...thanks for all the nice compliments!! I will take a picture of a few of the stamps I drew!

[Vanessa Menhorn]

Oh, what a fab interview, Deborah!! I love Sally`s work and it was so interesting to learn more about her! Super Wednesday Wonder!

[Marilyn Valadez]

Wonderful interview, it's so much fun to learn something about the talented people that work for Hero Arts! Loved this Deborah!

[Nancy K]

Another great interview, Deborah! How wonderful to learn more about Sally, her gorgeous and perfectly simple cards always inspire me. I'm so relieved to know that even someone with her talent is prone to the occasional expletive-inducing smudge.

[Deirdre - Irl]

Deborah, great interview... love Sally's work. Thanks for sharing.... she is just amazing.

[Kelly Booth]

LOVE Sally and her Style...thanks for Showcasing her today Deborah...fun to know mpore about Sally.....

[Caroline]

Hi Deb,
Great interview with Sally. I met her at CHA last year and she is just as sweet and talented in person and her cards are always amazing.
Sidenote....I was catching up on blog reading and read your anniversary blog! Hilarious, but we've got that date in common. My DH & I were married on 12/29/84, so we celebrate 25 yrs. this past week. People thought the same thing about us. Complete opposites & the families weren't to sure or thrilled, but just look at us now:-)
thanks for sharing

[Tracey]

FANTASTIC interview Deborah on Sally!!! I just LOVED learning more about her and seeing the stamps she designed...THANKS!!!

[Lin]

Sally is one of my favorite artists at Hero because she loves hearts and flowers! And some of my favorite stamps were her creations - that sketch tulip was THE lightbulb moment for me when I started stamping. Thank you so much, Sally, for sharing your wonderful talents with us and inspiring us, and thanks, Deborah, for this great interview!!

[stampersuzz]

Fabulous interview and Sally is the best! Great idea to highlight her and her wonderful talents!

[Sarah M]

Wonderful interview, Deborah! So great to learn more about Sally!!

[Paula]

What a fantastic interview with Sally :). You do such amazing interviews with people Deborah so thank you so much!!!

[Dawn T]

Super interview with Sally. Love her work. Great to find out about her.

[Anette H]

Great interview, Deborah! Love Sally's clean and crisp style, and it's so much fun to learn a little more about her!

[donna mikasa]

Great interview, Deborah--love Sally's spunk and style! And I remember her "Mostly Hearts" catalog, too. Hero is so lucky to have her on their team...

[charlene]

great interview and I love that book--didn't realize that was our HA Sally! :)

[cathy a]

Fab interview...I have that book, I didn't register that is was by Sally! Fab

[Kathy Racoosin]

Deborah. I always always enjoy your Wednesday Wonders and one day you will make it big time writing..you are so talented. So happy to see SALLY featured..I own her book and I totally admire her style and grace. Hugs to you both,Kathy

[Anne Gaal]

Hi, Deborah! Hi, Sally! Loved the interview! My favorite part was learning that Sally has designed some of the Hero Arts stamps - many of which I actually own! Wooo-hooo! :-)

[Godelieve]

Thank you for another great interview! I love Sally's style, and it's great to know that some of my favorite HA stamps are Sally's designs.

[Diana Foster]

Love your Wed. Wonders. So glad to have time today to catch up on your blog. Love all that you do. Thanks for visiting my blog!!