Who's Behind NM?

My photo
Nature Manipulated (NM) creates visual, wearable and practical art that reflects upon nature and all of its elements. At NM, we believe that everything is a part of nature, some things are just "nature manipulated."

NM specializes in one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, handmade greeting cards, nature photography and other unique accessories.

To read more about who's behind NM, please click here.
join our mailing list
* indicates required

Some of the people who love NM

Grab my button





NM is a Proud Member of the Following Teams

Photobucket

Photobucket

Square Av


Join Artfire

ArtFire - Buy Handmade - Sell Handmade

Monday, April 14, 2008

Quirky'nBerkeley Solidifies My Love For Handmade Greeting Cards

I'm not sure where my obsession with greeting cards comes from, but I definitely am obsessed. It's hard not to be when there are so many talented card makers on Etsy. When I was eleven years old, I used to make handmade cards for my friends. I was pretty good at it, and really enjoyed designing them. Then ma few months before my Bat Mitzvah, my mom insisted that I hand make invitations for my immediate relatives. At first I liked the idea, but then it turned out the design I came up with was far more complex than I was willing to make. I told my mom I didn't want to make them but she made me do it anyway. I finished them, mailed them out, received the replies, and had a great party. I thought all I had left to do was go through all my gifts and count all my money, but no! My mom told me I had to hand make Thank You cards for EVERYONE. I think I cried. I definitely stomped my feet. Despite my efforts to get out of it, I made the cards. I think that's when I suppressed my love for handmade greeting cards.

A few weeks ago, I started paying close attention to the paper products on Etsy and my feelings started surfacing. I bought a few cards and hearted numerous others. Since then. I've been drawn to more and more card shops. It's becoming ridiculous. Last week, after doing an Etsy search for greeting cards, I came across Quirky'nBerekely's Playdate card. The picture really grabbed my attention because it reminded me of a playground structure I built in Havana a couple of years ago. I clicked on the listing and entered the shop. After two or three "oohs" and "aaahs," I realized... I was obsessed. I quickly remembered why I haven't thought about greeting cards in along time. I tried to remember what it was I liked about making cards but I couldn't remember. so I decided to ask Quirky'nBerkeley what it is about cards that drives her to make more and more. This is what she answered....

"My work is designed to be something that one person gives to another. I'm lucky to have a craft that has a personal role in people's lives, and that can so easily become a part of the story of people's lives together. Gifts are imbued with all sorts of symbolic significance in every culture, and I'm always interested in the stories that people tell me about how they've used my cards -- who it was for, why they picked that particular card, why it touches them in some special way. Giving a handmade card is an act of intimacy since it is touched by very few hands-- the hands of the maker, the sender, the recipient. Being its creator allows me a role in a beautiful ritual."

"It feels good to be the recipient of hand-written correspondence: no matter what the occasion -- there's a strong emotional connection during the moments of anticipation, and when it is held and read; the mystery of what's inside the envelope, wondering what prompted someone to stop everything else in their life and focus for a few minutes on writing this note. Your full attention for a few minutes is a very special kind of gift to another person, in a hand-written note that moment becomes frozen in time."

"A handwritten note and its words can be touched by both sender and receiver and is always intimate; a handcrafted card is one that is created with these things in mind, and it is very likely the only one of its kind. Its maker sculpts the card from paper and other elements into a montage that is simultaneously an act of self-expression awaiting an act of overlaying it with new meaning in the giving from sender to receiver and used for one, specific moment in time."


You can visit Quirky'nBerkeley's shop and blog at:

Website URL: quirkynberkeley.com

Etsy URL: quirkynberkeley.etsy.com

Blog URL: quirkynberkeley.blogspot.com

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love making and giving hand made cards. They are the best! I;ve given them so often that when I give a store bought, I get a scolding! I make my own but I buy plenty too! Some times of the year there are just too many birthdays for me to make them myself.

Waterrose said...

You had a traumatic experience with card making...LOL I love cards too and also seem to rescue quite a few when visiting thrift shops!

Sheikasaurus Rex said...

That's just too funny! My mother would insist I make Christmas cards for every single relative...this lasted 4 years until I threw int he towel. Unlike you, the card-maker in me hasn't been tempted to come out yet.
Enjoy your re-found passion and I'm excited to see what you come up with!

Unknown said...

Hi there!

I just wanted you to know that I added a link from my blog to yours. I found you in a link exchange in the Etsy forums! :) Please do the same when you get a chance! & happy blogging!

Always,
Amy

L. Carol Christopher said...

What a wonderful story you told about card-making. Thank you so much for such a wonderful feature!

hpalleiko said...

I am a return customer of QB and must say her cards are fabulous! Beautiful and personal she does amazing custom work as well.

wzgirl said...

I've bought quirkynberkeley cards and just love them. Love the artist even more. xo

Ocean Avenue Silks said...

This is such a nice feature on Quirly'nBerkeley! I recently purchased 2 of her cards (the Buddha, and the girl baby cards you have pictured) and I loved them! It was wonderful to learn a little bit more about what inspires her!

Anonymous said...

Very good write-up! Love the example cards too -- wonderful work :)

AlliesAdornments said...

Quirky makes lovely cards!
Thanks for the feature!

Anonymous said...

What a great feature! Quirky is one of my favorite card artists!

Sandy said...

How cute is that playdate card!? She expresses so much through her wonderful art greeting cards!

Peggradyart said...

I love Quirky's work. The only problem is that they're hard to part with so you really need to buy two of each...one to send and one to keep.

Teal Chic said...

love the cards, they look fantastic :)

Anonymous said...

Hey nice blog my friend.There is unique web-based system that allows you to send real greeting cards online with a click of your mouse! You choose type message and upload a picture into your card . We print stuff ,stamp and send it!

Related Posts with Thumbnails