Ask Around: Tim Holtz

I know, I know, I know! Tim Holtz is in the house, friends!

Try and get a hold of yourselves, now. No fainting in the wings, there. Wait! Wait! He's almost here...

But first, an introduction. It is my great pleasure to bring you this interview today, friends. As a long-time admirer of Mr. Holtz, I am thrilled that he is able to spend some time with us to talk about trends and how they influence his creative process.

When I think of Tim, the word "inspiring" merely scratches the surface. In the five years that I have been a part of this industry, I have been in utter and complete awe of the creativity and innovation that he has brought to our craft. As a virtuoso in the realm of altered art, Tim writes choruses with stamps and ink, operas with metal and baubles, and symphonies with Grunge Board and embossing folders.

And if that weren't enough, he's just the nicest guy you could ever meet. Join me in welcoming Tim to the Moxie Fab World. Read and be inspired...

Tim Holtz is the Creative Director for Ranger Industries, one of the leading manufacturers of innovative inks, paints and embossing products. Tim plays an integral part in the development and design of cutting-edge papercrafting products. Tim has teamed up with various key companies like Advantus, Tonic Studios, Stampers Anonymous and Sizzix to bring unique products that work hand in hand with Ranger's extensive lines.

As a well-known designer, Tim travels across the country and internationally to educate and introduce people to his world of ink techniques, clever projects, and so much more.

His book, A Compendium of Curiosities is filled with creative and inspiring ideas for beginner paper crafters and beyond. He truly lives his motto that "!n a world where the moments of our lives can be captured and created in art of the everyday, it's important it reflects our own unique personality. Finding just the right objects, accents, and tools to use are most important. Whatever your artistic vision is, exploring the imaginative is a chance for our creativity to escape understanding. Remember life isn't about finding yourself – life is about creating yourself ..."

Take it away, Tim...

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

i definitely think that trends are important to creativity however for me i find them more of a challenge of sorts. i challenge myself to think outside the box - put my spin on things. it can start as a simple item, color, design element, or texture and from there...look out! we are limited only to our imagination...

Where do you find trends?

trends can be found in the obvious of places like magazines, trendy stores, and of course television. they can also be found however, in the most obscure places like out of the way shops, flea markets, random websites, and my favorite - everyday life. basically to me, a trend is what I see, what I’M drawn to, what I are inspired by. at the end of the day WE all determine trends...





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

i confess...i am addicted to etsy. seriously, how can one not be? a place that with the simple click of a button you can browse everything from art, to jewelry, to couture, to enough vintage treasures to recreate history. i love etsy. i also love magazines that inspire with variety like real simple. websites like color-collective and junkcamp are filled with various looks and styles. you can say i’m really inspired by things that are different...

Without giving anything away that you are working on, what trend(s) are you currently watching?

i love this urban trend of shabby vintage meets industrial grunge. the mix of softer/muted colors with a flair of rustic hardware, metals and machinery. the fact that these two very different styles have come together only shows that style has no boundaries...


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

my advice? be inspired by trends, but don’t be afraid to set your own...

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

you’re asking a guy who’s life revolves around ink and distressing. lucky for me the vintage style is still a popular trend - a timeless one i hope. it’s great to see more crafters working with inks and paints to alter their own creations. incorporating more shabby elements is also a popular trend - glass glitter, trims, pearls, and florals are a great addition to the nostalgic trend...

Margie Romney-Aislett

Sally Jean

Studio 490 Art

Rebecca Sower

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

product wise i don’t think inks are a trend, yet many crafters are using inks in their work for the first time. quite possibly it is? like i said, trends are set by us all. collaging seems to be a hot trend right now. sure it’s been around forever, but it’s great to see more and more people abandoning the rules and embracing their artistic imperfections - collage thrives on that...




What is your favorite medium in which to work and why does it appeal to you? Has that changed over time? Why or why not?

ink for sure. simply because it can be adapted to any look, theme, style, or project. the versatility and techniques achieved with inks are unlike any other medium i’ve worked with so i’ve yet to stray from them...


What is your favorite part about your job as… (fill in the blank)…and why? What is your least favorite part about your job as…(fill in the blank)…and why?

that would be a lot of (filling in the blanks) for me since i seem to wear so many hats in my job. i am a full-time employee as creative director for ranger who i started with 8 years ago when i began my creative journey in this industry. i started off as their senior educator where my job was to travel around the world to teach people how to work with ranger’s innovative product lines. within my first year i became a signature designer for ranger with the launch of distress ink followed by several other signature products with them. then as time went on ranger allowed me to design for other companies whose products would compliment theirs. i’ve developed brands with advantus (tim holtz idea-ology), stampers anonymous (tim holtz collection stamps), tonic (tim holtz by tonic), and most recently sizzix (tim holtz alterations). the ability to design and develop products in all of these areas is so incredibly challenging, fulfilling, and inspiring. then of course there is tim holtz the crafter who simply loves time in my studio to play, create, and try new things. now seriously, how could i possibly chose a favorite? i love it all - it makes me...well, me...

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.

opportunities are certainly everywhere. most often in the places you would least expect them. i started out working in my local ben franklin craft store as a merchandiser. true story was i got a job there to get away from “people” can you believe that? after spending 10+ years in the restaurant business i had had my fill. of course working at a craft store is quite different for a guy - we’re almost invisible there. great job! then my manager sent me to a rubber stamp class to learn about “it” to create a department for our store. of course i had no interest but ended up going after all and was hooked ever since. my teacher judy ross (who currently own her own stamp store) was my muse and lit the fire in my creative spirit that was unlike anything i could have ever imagined. i later attended the cha trade shows where i was exposed to so many great companies - ranger included. after 4 years of attending the shows, ranger asked if i would demo at their next trade show which i did of course. two weeks later they offered me a full-time job with them and the rest as they say, is history. so you see sometimes doors can be opened in places where you thought there were no doors...

Which retail stores tend to get your trendy juices flowing?

i like buckle for cool graphics and textures, anthropologie for their ability to mix vintage elements with current styles, urban outfitters for their eclectic mix of everything, but for me - a good old trip to a flea market or my local antique store does it every time...

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I'd like to thank Tim for taking the time to answer my questions today. I'd also like to let all y'all know that you can get even more of Mr. Holtz's moxie fabulousness by turning to page 87 of the September/October issue of Paper Crafts magazine...


...where he's created three astounding tags with the Alterations Texture Fades Embossing Folders from Sizzix. Here's a little taste to whet your whistle:

In fact, Tim has autographed five copies of the September/October issue and I'd love to give them away! Just leave a comment by midnight MDT on Sunday, September 5 saying what inspired you most about today's interview and five lucky winners will be squealing sometime soon!

Grateful for Tim,

~Cath

PS In case you missed it, this week's Moxie Monday features new Tim Holtz Idea-ology products. Click here to comment-to-win!