Ask Around: Betsy Veldman

Meet Betsy Veldman. I had the great privilege of meeting her for the first time myself this past September for our Paper Crafts editorial board meeting. Betsy is one of our six Go-to Gals, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have such an amazingly talented, fun, and gracious woman on our team!

What I love about Betsy is her completely different approach to colors and patterns. Here in the office we've tried to "define" her style, but she doesn't really fit into any of the categories that most card makers fall into. The closest is shabby chic--but the colors she uses are too bright for the "shabby" part of that style. So I've coined the term "funky chic" for Betsy because her work is usually quite layered with distressing and inking, but the palettes she chooses and focal points she incorporates are more funk than shab.

Betsy also creates for Papertrey Ink, Provo Craft, and she's on the Card Positioning Systems design team as well. Let's hear what Betsy has to say about how trends influence her paper crafting. I can't wait for you to get to know her better, for she is a true gem in this card making world of ours!

Hi Betsy! Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions today. Let's start by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a wife and mother of two wonderful children plus a two year old. :-) Just kidding...she's wonderful too, but she sure keeps us on our toes! I live in a small town in northwest Iowa. I began paper crafting about nine years ago and started out as a scrapbooker. A few years ago I began making cards and I was hooked! My style seems to keep evolving, but in general, give me anything with bright colors and a touch of vintage and I'm a gonner! Oh, and stamps...can't forget my stamps -- I can't create without them!

Is trend-watching important to your creativity? Why or why not? If so, how does trend-watching manifest itself in your work?

I have never really thought of myself as a “trendy” person. I tend to find things I like and stick with them. But, I do love to shop! I love to wander around, soaking up inspiration by looking at store displays, taking in all of the color trends and the latest design trends. I am probably most influenced by color trends. The color inspirations I find while shopping and browsing around the Internet quite often end up being the inspiration for a card or two.

Where do you find trends?

Trends are EVERYWHERE! I love to look on the web at home décor sites, children’s clothing, and stationery. But really, trends are all around us, from the mail that lands in our mailbox, to the commercials on television, and even the packaging our food comes in!

What websites, blogs, magazines, ads, etc. are the most inspirational to you in terms of trend-watching? Why do they motivate you?

Etsy: Just going to their home page makes me happy. There is always something fun and trendy to look at. I happened across this sweet little cookie set by nanacompany the other day. How sweet is that?!? It makes me want to get out my needle and thread.

Country Living: There are always so many beautiful, inspiring photographs on their site.

Print and Pattern Blog: They post the latest trends in stationery, fabric, ceramics, etc. It just gets my creative juices flowing! I found this fun notebook on their site by Green Room:

The leaf pattern reminded me of a Papertrey stamp set that I have, and it inspired me to use it on a card.


Name a designer (or two) in the scrapbooking industry that inspires you. What do you like about his/her work?

One of the first people to come to mind is Heather Bailey. Her sense of mixing color and pattern is fabulous. She is a fabric designer (another love of mine!), but has branched out into the paper crafting world. She has the look I love--bright and fun with a little vintage feel.

These little turtles make me HAPPY! So cute! (she sells the pattern on her site:)

What advice can you give to paper crafters who are interested in incorporating more trends into their projects?

Visit the Moxie Fab blog! Cath will keep you up on the trends. :) Oh, and browse through catalogs and magazine--lots of companies offer free catalogs. Get on their mailing lists! Instant inspiration delivered right to your mailbox. If you find a photo that you love, try and incorporate some the things you love from the photo into your next card or project, whether it be the color scheme, a little detail on a dress or pillow, or just the overall feel of the photo.

I loved this living room photo from CountryLiving.com the moment I saw it. I knew I wanted to translate that look into a card.


And here is the result….


In your opinion, what paper crafting techniques are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing?

I think stitching is huge. It’s an easy and very inexpensive way to add a lot of texture and pizazz to your projects. Stamping has also become an invaluable technique for paper crafters. Stamps are one of those items that can be used over and over again in such a variety of ways that make it very cost effective. I also think paper piecing is making a big comeback because it gives that fun folk art feel to projects.

In your opinion, what paper crafting products are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing?

Anything vintage looking is so popular right now--from “found” objects, to products resembling vintage items--if it looks aged and time worn, chances are, we’ll love it. I also think there is a trend towards product lines that have an emphasis on “mix” rather than “match”.

What is your favorite part about your job as a designer and why? What is your least favorite part about your job as a designer and why?

Favorite? Easy! Creating! Just taking a handful of product and making something beautiful (hopefully!) with it is so rewarding. Least favorite? Easy! Paperwork! Ugh.

Name some doors that have opened to you as a result of being connected to the scrapbooking industry and what that has meant to you.

Well, my position here with Paper Crafts, for starters. I told Cath a while back about my “dream job” story. My husband and I were talking about what our dream jobs would be--realistic or not--and I said “A Paper Crafts Pro!" (Or, as the case is now, a Go-to Gal.) A few months after that conversation, I was presented with an opportunity to pursue that dream. Be careful what you wish for, I guess. :) I’ve had the opportunity to meet many wonderful people through this hobby. I am also thankful that it has allowed me to work from home and be here with my little ones.

Which retail stores tend to get your trendy juices flowing?

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to dress my two daughters. Their closets are bursting at the seams, while mine is pretty sad. I love the bright colors and patterns of children’s clothing--many times they inspire my paper crafting projects. Some sites I love are:

Mini Boden for Girls:

I found this adorable and trendy outfit on the Mini Boden site and thought the bright color scheme would be so fun for a card:

The colors instantly reminded me of the June Bug line by Basic Grey, so I took that out and started playing. By having a color scheme in mind, half the work was already done and this card came together quickly.


Gymboree: Their clothing is always full of such fun little details. Their hair accessories alone are a great source for color inspiration!

The Gap:


I also love Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids:

...and Anthropologie, of course:

One last question, Betsy. Do the evolving trends change your paper crafting style, or do you inject the trends into your already established style?

I think it’s important to try to incorporate trends into your own personal style without losing yourself along the way. I think using products just for the sake of trendiness, not because it’s something you love, might leave you with projects you’re not really happy with. But, on the other hand I do think it’s important to keep up with trends, just feel free to be choosy and leave some trends behind if they’re just not your thing.

I'd like to thank Betsy for taking the time to answer our questions today! I don't know about you, but I've loved getting to know Betsy better and to see what makes her tick!

Now friends, as if this interview isn't special in and of itself, I've got an even special-er surprise for you! If you leave Betsy some love by midnight MDT on Sunday, October 25, I will choose one random commenter to win this:

Yep! It's a Gypsy! From Provo Craft. I know! Awesome prize, huh?

...and another random commenter will win this:

Yep! It's the Holiday Button Bits Stamp Set and the Vintage Buttons Holiday Mix from Papertrey Ink. I know! Another awesome prize, huh?

I'll announce the winners on Tuesday of next week!

Grateful for Betsy,

~Cath

PS How are your challenge entries coming along? I've seen some amazing things so far in the Not Your Regular Ruffles challenge--and don't forget! Paper Crafts has a Halloween Challenge going on as well. They both wind up on Monday of next week! I hope you're planning on giving them each a try! :)