Moxie Fabber of the Week: Angi Barrs

Put your hands together for our Moxie Fabber of the Week, Angi Barrs!

To me, Angi is synonymous with her blog title, Cokie Pop. Every time I see those words together, I think, "What a supah fun person Angi must be." Her paper crafted projects are fun, bold, and full of energy, and I've always thought that it would be a complete and total delight to sit down with Angi one-on-one to see what made her tick.

And sure enough, as you'll see in this interview, Angi is just that--a complete and total delight!

But don't just take my word for it! Take it away, Angi!

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

My name is Angi Barrs, and my blog is called the Cokie Pop Paper Boutique.

Describe yourself in three short, fun sentences.

I am a mom to two wonderful daughters, I teach English to a loveable bunch of junior high school students, and I have proudly served my country in the U.S. Marine Corps. I am addicted to cheesecake, the warm sunshine, and the color yellow. I’m a proud Texan that loves her barbecue and sweet tea!

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 paper crafting for over 15 years. A bunch of dance moms introduced me to the hobby when our daughters were in a competitive dance group together. I started out making layouts, but now I am obsessed with altered projects, digital scrapbooking, and card making.

I am currently getting my master’s degree in graphic design. I’d love to incorporate this passion into my paper crafting somehow. I am also a paper addict. I may need help to overcome this addiction soon!

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.

I love the positive vibe that always comes forth in the Moxie Fab World. Cath creates such fun challenges that stretch my imagination. I also really love the Out & About posts. It’s so exciting to know that an editor of a magazine is checking out your blog and leaving such sweet comments. A “shout-out” is always a good thing!

My favorite posts from the Moxie Fab World are from a year ago. That’s when Cath featured Party Ensembles Week. I love to make party décor items so I squealed with excitement when I saw these projects. I hope they have this week once again in 2013. It was so much fun!

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

My motto is, “Make things that will make people SMILE!” If I stay true to that, then I feel “moxie fab” each and every time I sit down and make something special for someone.

Name a paper crafter who inspires you. Why are you drawn to his or her work?

Oh wow, I have a lot of inspiration out there. I am a really big fan of Audrey Pettit. Her projects are so stunning and have rich detail. She also features fun photos of her lovely home decor and her craft retreats. Another fave is Nina Yang. Her style is so fun and fresh. I also love the clean and graphic look of her projects.

How would you describe your style? Provide 3-4 images of a paper crafted project that illustrates that style best.

I would describe my style as “off the page with flair." My specialty is altered projects. I love to make gift ensembles, party favors, and home décor.

Bags and boxes made of natural material are great to dress up with your favorite craft goodies. Here’s a baby gift bag that I made:

I’m addicted to making party favors too. Creating with tubes is so fun!

When I do make a card, I like to add natural elements such as mesh, canvas, or corrugated cardboard.

And I cannot live without a die cutting machine. I love making fun gift containers with it.

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 really love My Mind’s Eye, SRM Stickers, and American Crafts. MME and AC’s paper are both so bright and colorful. And SRM Stickers are so versatile to use on just about anything. Here are some teacher gift card pockets that I made using SRM stickers:

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

I really love Practical Solutions for Paper Crafters. I am such a messy crafter sometimes. The issue provided great ways to organize your tools and supplies.

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.

I am most proud of this “vision tray” that I made for myself. It’s kind of like a vision board. Instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions, I put my goals in each compartment of the tray. I’m also proud that this project was published in a magazine.

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 follow along with trends only if it is a style that I like. Sometimes I arrive late to the party when it comes to following trends. For example, washi tapes have been out for a while. I still have not made a project using them yet. Shocker right? It is on my to-do list of products to try.

I really try to stick to things that motivate me to create. I do want to get better at stamping and embossing this year. Of course, I visit the Moxie Fab World to participate in challenges that push me to try new techniques and trends.

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Bright, bold, and full of energy. Right? It's as though her style is a perfect representation of her personality. And I didn't know before now that Angi and I have so much in common. I was a middle school English teacher in a former life, I also have two daughters, and cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts as well!

One of the things I admire most about Angi, however, is that she has a definite style (I love that she describes it as off the page with flair) that she embraces fully. She knows who she is, she knows why she is the way she is, and she brings it full on to every project she attempts. That kind of confidence is rare and wonderful. I wish I could be more like that myself. :)

I'd like to thank Angi for taking the time to answer my questions today, as well as for the kind words she said about me and the Moxie Fab World. But really and truly, it's paper crafters like Angi--and all of you who are reading this post today--who make the Moxie Fab World the positive, fun, and encouraging place that it is today!

Join me in congratulating Angi on her feature, Moxie Fabber style!

Moxie Fabbers ROCK!

~Cath