Hello! My name is Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and I am a mixed-media artist living in New York City.
I tend to focus integrating my every day life into everything I do. I love art that looks handmade - lots of tearing and inking and handwriting and hand cutting. I'm also a technique and tool junkie, always trying to find a way to push my supplies further and see all the possibilities.
I'm a general craft-a-holic. I've dabbled in everything from polymer clay to cross stitch to paper making. But the great crafty loves of mine are scrapbooking, art quilts and jewelry. And I like to combine all three of my favorite methods of expression into mixed media creations! As for scrapbooking, I'm multi-scraptual; scrapping digi, traditional and hybrid.
All of my work is either one-of-a-kind or from a small run series. Please contact me if you're interested in learning more about any of the artwork on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do you have an e-mail list? Or some way to subscribe to your blog?
A: Absolutely! In the left hand column of my blog, there is a box. Simply enter your e-mail address and hit the "subscribe" button and you will receive my blog in your e-mail every time I post. Or, if you have a Google account, you can subscribe to my blog through Google Reader. Bloglines is another free service.
Q: Can I take a class from you?
A: You can take classes from me at PortraitBug, The City Quilter, and I often travel to teach at places outside of New York City. If you're interested in having me come and teach at your store or convention, please e-mail me. I love to travel!
Q: Do you sell your work?
A: Yes, I do. Everything I sell is by commission. So, if there's something you'd like to own, drop me a line and we can discuss it!
Q: What kind of typewriter do you use?
A: I have a Royal Touch Control from 1935. It's the "Kit Kittredge" typewriter.
Q: What kind of paint and ink do you use?
A: It varies, but generally:
- Gesso: Golden
- Acrylic Paint: Claudine Hellmuth for Ranger, Making Memories
- Watercolor: Koi by Sakura
- Spray Ink: Adirondack Color Wash by Ranger, Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels
- Dye Based Ink: Ranger Distress Ink
- Pigment Ink: Colorbox by Clearsnap
- Solvent Based Ink: Staz On by Tsukineko, Archival Ink by Ranger
Q: Where can I shop for scrapbooking supplies in New York City?
A: Here's a quick list of where I shop:
- Portrait Bug: This is a dedicated scrapbooking store offering lots of the latest and greatest. They also have a portrait studio on the premises, so you can take photos and scrap them right away!
- Lee's Art Shop: Before Portrait Bug opened, this is where I shopped the most. It's probably why I use so many art supplies (like paint) in my work. Totally influenced by the supplies available. They sell fine art supplies, crafty supplies (felt, glue), some scrapbooking stuff, etc.
- The Ink Pad: Packed to the rafters, this tiny gem of a store offers a million different stamps and all the stuff that goes with stamping and papercrafting. They have some scrapbooking supplies, but the focus is definitely on stamping.
- M&J Trimmings: I can get lost for hours in all the wonderful ribbon and buttons and trim at M&J. It's worth a visit if only to stare. Though, I've never managed to leave without something exquisite!
- Tinsel Trading: It's supposedly Martha Stewart's favorite craft shop. I haven't been to the new location, so I can't attest to the layout, but they carry amazing stuff! Lots of vintage trim and beautiful reproduction ephemera. Great stuff and totally unusual!
- Kate's Paperie: This is a big chain of stores. It's mostly cards and stationery with some scrapbooking stuff. But, there are plenty of locations around Manhattan, so it's easy to get to.
Here's the one thing you have to know before you shop at any of these places: they charge NYC prices. So be prepared to pay more then you do at home (although for non-North Americans this may not hold true...).
Anyway, I hope that's helpful! If you have any places to add or any opinions about the places I've mentioned, just leave them in the comments!
Q: Do you have formal art training?
A: Nope. I'd like to go to art school someday. But, everything I know is from reading books and experimenting!
Let me know if you have a question that isn't answered here!
what type of typewriter do you use?
Posted by: Yvonne H. | July 15, 2009 at 12:37 AM
I use a Royal Portable Typewriter!
Posted by: milkcan | July 26, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Hi,
I wanted to know something about your online classes: when we buy them, can we access them anytime or is it limited in time? I'm thinking about the Technique-a-Palooza one. I don't have a lot of time to focus on it in a limited time, so it's important for me to know that.
I really love what you do, it's really inspiring and it totally makes me look at everything around me with different eyes!
Thanks for everything you do, it just rocks!
Posted by: Sabrina | September 29, 2009 at 05:20 AM
Technique-a-Palooza will be available for a full year. So you can
definitely work at your own pace. Also, you will be able to download pdf
instructions for all of the techniques, and those never expire.
Posted by: milkcan | September 29, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Hi Julie,
i'm josie..i'm taking your mixed media class at City Quilter.. what is the name of the spray mist paint we used in class last night? i know you said it's a ranger product.
thanks josie
i really enjoyed last night's class. came home to do more work on the project. i think i will try another one.
Posted by: josephine dakers | November 14, 2009 at 11:38 AM
It's called Adirondack Color Wash.
Posted by: milkcan | November 25, 2009 at 02:10 AM
Greetings from the land of Mt. Everest. Thank you dear. I got a lot of idea from your site
Posted by: Bhaskaran M. V. | December 29, 2009 at 05:09 AM
I've been watching you on Scrapbook Memories. I can't tell you how much you have inspired me and "freed" me from the idea of perfection. I love the design principles and the visual definitions. I also LOVE the doodling. For my small scrapbook world here in Oklahoma, you are revolutionary. Thanks for sharing your amazing creativity with me!
Posted by: Katie Baker | December 30, 2009 at 01:48 PM