Spotlight on Krystn Sawyer

Today's Wednesday Wonder is a first because I was unfamiliar with her work until it was recommended to me by Hero Arts veteran artist Sally Traidman. Sally has known Kristyn for several years, and I have to admit, I'm smitten with Krystn's simple style! Krystn is also the first stamp designer and store owner I think I've interviewed, so she's truly unique to this venue.

What I love, love, LOVE about Krystn's cards is their incredible simplicity and the precision of their execution. They are like haiku's - light and weightless and airy. And this minimalism is not easy to master. The less there is on a card, the more glaring the mistakes or design flaws. (After all, if you're going to strip down to your skivvies in public, you'd better be wearing clean undies.)

Krystn's cards are, no doubt, sporting brand-spankin'-new lingerie from Victoria's Secret!!!

How sweet is this? Coming up with a design this simple must have taken forever. And her decision to use such tight color palettes in her work is another gutsy choice. Using less color magnifies the spotlight on the design and execution, so they had better be flawless.

As noted earlier, Krystn designs some of her own stamps, and three of the collections she's most proud of are the mostly heart blooms, pick-a-posy stamps, and simple things. (Caution: you will definitely develop I-want-itus once you see her wares.)

When I asked Krystn how she got into the stamping business, here's what she had to say:

"Doing art/being creative" has always been an important part of my life since I was a little girl. My favorite Christmas present each year was always the box of art stuff my parents would give to me. Doing something - anything - creative is and has always been what I enjoy most.

"I graduated from college with a degree in graphic design and worked as a graphic designer/art director for nearly 15 years. On the side, I also designed and created custom handmade wedding invitations and coordinating pieces, special event invitations, and handmade cards. Occasionally, I purchased supplies for my custom work from a local store, Mostly Hearts, owned by Sally Traidman. When Sally wanted to print a new catalog for the business, she hired me to design it. We worked closely together on the catalog and I learned a lot from her about the business. Later when she decided to scale back and get out of retail, she asked me if I would be interested in taking over Mostly Hearts...."

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Kristin is her own personal design team, and she has submitted her card designs only once, but she made quite the impression! She submitted to one of her favorite publications, Stampington & Company's Take Ten. She was delighted and honored when her 4 cards were published as a small article titled Sweet & Simple in Take Ten 5. (I have that pub, and I loved that little article!)

So with no further ado, lift your Diet-Cokes to Krystn Sawyer, Goddess of the Paper Haiku!

Krystn'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 always jot down ideas and sketch designs. However, I don't necessarily work from a sketch. I am most inspired by thinking of the person that the card is for and by the sentiment that I am trying to convey. Even though I create in a simple style, it sometimes takes a long time for a design to come together.

Oh, sister-girl. Can we talk?
 
2. How many, on average, pages per week do you make? Cards?

I just don't have very much time each week to create, so I'm not able to make as many cards as I'd like to.

 

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?

I've been trying to get my supplies organized. Even though I'm not done - and may never be - having my supplies somewhat organized has helped me to know what I have and to be able to find "just the thing" I need more quickly.

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)?

 My husband ... he does the cooking most of the time anyway ... thankfully.

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 want my punches; rotary trimmer; scissors; x-acto knife; cutting mat; clear ruler; metal ruler; bone folder; craft tweezers; and adhesives.
 
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'd enjoy just listening to the sounds around me.

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

 A new high-end digital camera and someone to teach me how to use it.

Okay, I'm totally with you on that!

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

I'd like to be able to create a card from start to finish more quickly.

You and me both, pal, you and me both....

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.)

Currently, I have a Canon PowerShot SD790 IS. Its not ideal, but it will have to do for now.
 
10. What's the word or phrase that comes to your lips when you mess up while creating? ("Unprintable" is definitely an option!)

I can't really think of one particular word or phrase ... maybe ... dangit!

11. Give us a quick description of your pets.

 Due to allergies, we don't have any pets.

Ah, that's too bad. I understand, though, that poodles and labradoodles are excellent choices for those with allergies.

12. Give us a quick description of your job.

I love being a SAHM. Maintaining mostlyhearts.com keeps me busy and lets me be creative, too.

13. Give us a quick description of you family.

I've been happily married for 20 years and have two happy healthy kids: a 9-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter.

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

We are working on what may be a "life-long renovation" of the 150 year-old barn home we live in.

Now that's cool!

15. What’s your favorite stamping technique?

Stamping plus paper-piecing.

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

I love both the process and the final product.
 

❧

Be sure to check out Krystn's store, mostlyhearts.com, and her blog to see more of her art!

Comments

[Susan McRae]

Krystn's cards are so charming! I just love these simple and delightful masterpieces!

[Judy Jung]

This is the style that drew me into stamping originally! I love the simplicity; yet it is big on wow! Thanks, ladies! I learn a lot every Wednesday!

[Sally Traidman]

My dear sweet Krystn,

Your designs eternally rock!

[Lin]

Where do I sign up for lessons? Love these cards - the understated elegance is so appealing! Thanks, Deborah, for a nice fresh face!

[Fika]

simply elegant with touch of classy and cutie.. that is what i feel when i look into your cards Krystn.. thanks for this great interview Deborah.. i really enjoy it!! :)

[Arlene]

How wonderful! What a lovely simple style... just LOVELY.

[donna mikasa]

It would be my dream to create cards like Krystn! Great interview!

[Vanessa Menhorn]

Wow, love Krystn`s cards! So cute! Thanks for this interview, Debbie!

Hugs,
Vanessa

[Alice W.]

love the simplicity of Krystn's work! thank you for introducing me to yet another amazing artist, Deborah! I just can't stop looking at her simple but effective cards! love love love this one, Deborah! =)

[Deirdre]

Great feature - amazing cards. The details are just stunning, love the colour palette that Krystn uses too..... STUNNING.

[Agata]

Those cards are fantastic! Thanks for another great interview!