Scrap your Socks Off Design Team Profile

How did you first get interested in paper-craft? I have always loved craft, I tried my hand at scrapbooking quite a long time ago and I just couldn't get the right techniques and colours and nothing ever worked out for me. March 2010. My sister came over from Perth to visit family and we scrapped everyday for a week. 

What is your biggest inspiration when creating a new project? The Photo’s. I love the colours and scenery and I try to involve that into my projects.

What is your favourite tool to use? Why? Craftrobo  “ You are really unlimited to the possibilities of cutting with this machine.

What techniques do you commonly use? Distressing with ink and tools " I'm a huge fan of distressed items. I think a page is not complete without a little tear/ink/paint.

Do you plan your project before construction or do they develop as you work? Most develop whilst I work, I tend to pull out everything i have and pick little bits out here and there and then it usually all comes together and then viola! 

What do you find to be the greatest and most fulfilling about your work? The greatest and most fulfilling thing about my projects is the fact that I can reminisce while I work with photos.

Finally do you have any advice or tips for those who are starting out in paper-craft? I believe very strongly in Tim Holtz™ quote "Embrace imperfections" Most mistakes in craft can easily be fixed. Imperfections with everything can bring a whole new point of view to the project.

Aladdin's Cave

I tried my hand at seed beading quite a while ago and never realised I had a talent for sewing these tiny beading into something so unique and interesting to look at.

I joined the beading forum in 2004 originally. I was so inspired and gobsmacked at the talent that was showcased on there.

At the beading forum they had weekly jewellery challenges. This weeks theme was Aladdin's Cave.

Beading Challange & Swap - Inspired by Art

The latest challenge on the Beading Forum was to create a bracelet to swap with a randomly assigned partner and the theme was 'Inspired by Art'.


I instantly thought about Monet, Picasso or someone just as famous but wanted something bright and eye catching as my partner was Belinda, and the talent this lady has was making me nervous that she was my assigned swap! It was such a huge honour for me to design something for her.

I designed my bracelet based on an Australian artist that always fascinated me as much as Belinda's works did.

Pro Hart's Sturt Desert Pea
This picture has been linked from pro harts official website www.prohart.com.au

Did you know that Pro Hart used DNA to authenticate his work? 

"The Pro Hart DNA ArtMark is a comprehensive system in which gene segments of Pro Hart's own DNA is combined with special invisible optical indicators to form a DNA Matrix which is then applied to each and every painting. The optical ingredients are almost impossible to counterfeit and allows instant electronic verification of the presence and authenticity of the artwork." Source again from www.prohart.com.au .

Pro Hart was a great inspiration to be from an early age, I remember watching his carpet commercials, where he'd drop foods, wines and all sorts of foods that would stain on to carpet to create a magical scene of ants chasing or eating a Dragonfly, don't remember it? You can check it out here

As I was mesmerised by his ability to create such beautiful art, I researched all about him. I found out that he painted his own Rolls Royce with a scene from his home town and that he wasn't at all well respected as I had thought throughout the Artisan Community. I thought this was a little outrageous. How could Australia's most known artist be shunned....

When I told other beaders which artist I had chosen a fair few of them had not even considered an Aussie or someone as radical in the art world as Pro Hart.



So I sincerely hope I have done him justice for my art work. I wanted something just that little bit quirky too.

Swarovski Rivoli - Jet bezelled in Delicas & Miyuki Seed Beads. Woven into a Herringbone rope Bracelet.

Pictures Curtousy of Belinda Saville




Thanks for looking.
Carolyn