Moxie Fabber of the Week: Nina Yang

Hang on to your hats, friends, for we've got paper crafter extraordinaire, Nina Yang, in the house! She's one go-getter, I tell you, and her can-do attitude and bright and bold style is not only captivating but it's contagious as well!

Relatively new to the paper crafting world, Nina has been impressing me from the very beginning. From her fresh and unique approaches to her blissful insistence that the design should enhance the sentiment, Nina's card making is striking and lovely. But don't just take my word for it, have a look-see for yourselves!

Take it away, Nina!

What is your full name? What is your screen name? Do you have a blog or an on-line gallery? 

My full name is Nina Yang. I share my paper crafted projects at my blog Waffle Flower, and posts are updated at my Facebook page as well.

Describe yourself in three short, fun sentences.

I’m a very happy person who loves life. (These are my hubby’s words.) I work from home and spend every spare minute I have crafting or learning crafty tricks. My favorite projects to make are cards and party/home decorations.

How long have you been paper crafting? How did you get involved in paper crafting? What is your favorite aspect of paper crafting?

I have been hoarding collecting pretty paper packs, stationery and embellishments since I was a little girl. I was first inspired by a Stamp It! Cards issue I stumbled upon about two years ago and started making my own cards. I was lucky to win a few online challenges, one of which was hosted by Paper Smooches. The amazing illustrator and owner, Kim Hughes, invited me to a crop. I met some super stars in the industry that night (back when I had no idea who they were) and listening to them talk and watching them create was a huge eye opener for me. After that, I joined a few design teams, started submitting to magazines and never looked back.

I find paper crafting to be a great way to explore myself. I’m learning to build my own style and having fun at the same time! Paper crafting also combines two of my other favorite things to do: taking still life photos and playing with my computer (editing photos, tweaking my blog, drawing in Illustrator.) I love to share and make friends. The paper crafting community is the best! Crafters I’ve met both online and in real life are all so talented, sweet and supportive! The friendships I gain through this hobby mean a great deal to me. People who create beautiful works are most likely to have beautiful souls, right? ;)

What do you like most about the Moxie Fab World? What is your favorite feature and why? Do you have a favorite all-time post? If so, list the URL and tell why you like it so much.

Moxie Fab World is the trend leader in the paper crafting industry. I get a daily dose of inspiration here. I am grateful for the shout-out Cath gave me in one of her “Out & About” posts. It gave me hope and confidence to go on in the beginning.

My favorite features in the Moxie Fab World are the challenges that go up with each special issue release. We are able to put what we have learned into use right away. My favorite part is when Cath announces the winners, she also explains why. The “Moxie Fab Alerts” really help me understand what a good design is. My favorite post of all-time is Five (+3) for Friday: 8 Tips on how to Create a Challenge-Winning Project.

We are all moxie fab in our own way. Name one thing that makes you moxie fab.

The only thing I am sure of is that I work very hard. For example, for the Paper Crafts 2012 Gallery Idol challenge, I entered 19 cards, most of which were newly made for the challenge only. I am still a rookie but if I work hard enough I will get lucky – speaking as a Gallery Idol Top 20 Finalist. :)

How would you describe your style? Provide an image of a paper crafted project that illustrates that style best.

I would describe my style as clean & graphic, fun & bold. I like a simple impactful focal point with a fun sentiment. I like to have interactions on a card, i.e. making a zebra talk:

I like to use die cut machines (both manual and electronic) for my cards:

I like sentiments that tell stories. And usually, the rest of my card is designed to support the sentiment:

I also like to draw my own patterns and templates if needed for a specific product, i.e. the rainbow coming out from the airplane wood veneer:

One thing I’ve noticed is that my cards are kinda “cold”. Like what Cath says, noticing the problem is the first step to solve it. I am trying to incorporate more texture and media into my designs:

Who is your favorite manufacturer and why? What is your favorite all-time collection and why? Have you created a paper crafted project using this collection? If so, feel free to attach it.

I have too many favorite paper and stamp companies so I will just name my favorite tool company: Lifestyle Crafts. Their dies and embossing folders are so up in my valley: clean, fresh, trendy and innovative. The Whimsy embossing folders set is my first purchase from them and is still my favorite. I tried a faux letterpress technique with them lately and loved the results:

Paper Crafts magazine has produced a great number of special issues over the years. Which has been the most inspiring to you and why? 

Honestly, I have loved every special issue since 2010. I find Stamp It! Cards to be the most inspiring, though. I cannot draw, but stamping fulfills my artist's dream. There are great compositions, fresh color combos and clever uses of products packed full in every issue.

Attach an image of a paper crafted project of which you are the most proud or that means the most to you. Include a brief statement that explains why.

This is my first party set, my first big win and the win was announced on my birthday! :) This was the Paper Crafts Party Ensembles Week Grand Prize Winner!

Do you consider yourself to be a trend-watcher? Why or why not? Do you feel that trend-watching is important to your creativity? Why or why not?

I am a trend-watcher! For tools (punches and dies), I try to buy only basic and versatile shapes that can be used over and over again. And whatever the trend is, we can always use these basic shapes to create one. For example, the triangle was great for the banner, chevron, and hexagon trends. In fact, it is now trending itself! It also makes arrows, which is another hot trend at the moment.) I could go on and on! LOL) Creativity kicks in when I am trying to make a trend work for what I have in hand. I will throw in a couple of products that can make cool 3D embellishments every now and then, and a scalloped border (like polka dots) never goes out of style!

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Don't you just love Nina's attitude, friends? As I said in the introduction, it's positively captivating and utterly contagious!

I'd like to thank Nina for sharing her thoughts, her lovely designs, and her kind words with all of us today, and invite all y'all to leave her some love before you dash off!

Moxie Fabbers ROCK,

~Cath