ABOUT ME: Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
I am a self-taught mixed media artist and avid scrapbooker. I have been making art for as long as I can remember and love the process of creating. “I believe that mistakes are creative opportunities and hold fast to the notion that enjoyment of the process is just as important as the finished product! I like to think outside of the box — experimenting with paper, paint, and fabric — always trying to find a way to push my supplies further and see all the possibilities.”
My strengths are writing, teaching, and experimenting with new products. I am an excellent public speaker and delight in meeting new people and seeing new places.
I am a graduate of Brown University.
My husband and I live in a tiny apartment with a big art studio in the middle of New York City.
TV/WEB HOST
I am a relaxed TV/web host and guest and understand how to teach to the camera. Jenn Mason, Editor of Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine, had this to say about my on camera teaching style:
"Whoa! Stop the presses…I have just been suitably blown away by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer’s new Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop DVD called 'Collage Fast & Furious.' I love Julie’s approach to art, and we’re even featuring one of her projects in our upcoming CPS Gifts magazine. (Oh, I can be such a tease.) Why do I love this DVD so much? First off, you feel immediately like Julie is speaking directly to you, and she’s funny, too. I love a teacher who can make me relax and have a great time while I’m learning something new."
Scrapbook Soup TV • 2011 - present
This is a new half-hour mixed media and scrapbooking TV show currently airing. I am one of the two co-hosts. It is broadcast on PBS. View the website here.
Scrapbook Memories TV • 2009 - 2011
Scrapbook Memories TV (PBS) is a popular scrapbooking TV show. I was the host of the "Artist-to-Artist" segment. I also represented Sakura of America, creating and demonstrating projects using their products. Episodes are still airing, but the series is no longer being made.
Quilting Arts TV • 2009-2010
I appeared in several segments, over several seasons, as a guest on Quilting Arts TV (PBS). Quilting Arts TV is a popular TV program that focuses on innovative art quilting techniques and projects. I have represented several companies (creating and demonstrating projects) on Quilting Arts TV including Sakura of America, Kaleidescope Collections, and Cedar Canyon Textiles, as well as simply appearing as an artist of interest.
Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop DVD: Collage Fast and Furious • released 2010
Interweave Press released my hour-long DVD, “Collage Fast and Furious,” in July 2010 under the Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop label.
Live with Prima • 2010-2011
I taught bi-weekly live classes online for Prima Marketing Inc through their Live With Prima program.
Quilt Out Loud • Summer 2010
I appeared as a guest in the "Surprise Door Knock" segment of Quilt Out Loud, an internet quilting show hosted by Mark Lipinski and Jodie Davis.
I also record occassional tutorial videos for my blog. You can view my YouTube channel here. And I have recorded several videos for the Sakura of America's website.
PUBLICATIONS: Magazines
I am an excellent writer, able to compose on a tight deadline. I enjoy writing both inspirational pieces and instructional pieces with directions that require technical precision. I also enjoy creating art on assignment and can happily work within any given parameters.
SCRAP ART ZINE (Germany)
I will be featured in the Autumn 2011 issue with a Q&A and several pieces of artwork:
"Dinner with a View" • 12x12 layout
"This is My Backyard" • 12x12 layout
"at the Arc de Triomphe" • 12x12 layout
"UR Here" • 12x12 layout
"true" • 12x12 layout
CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS
Award: I was named as 1 of the 5 finalists in the 2011 Artisan Search in the Mixed Media Stitch category and my quilt "In My Heart" appeared in the January/February 2011 issue: page 33
Article & Artwork: I wrote a technique article in the May/June 2009 issue (pp 58-60), illustrated with two of my mixed media quilts:
"Direction" • 16.25x18.5" canvas quilt
"Same Face" • 16.5x9.75" canvas quilt
Beginning in January 2012 I will have a column in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine.
CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS GIFTS
Article & Artwork: "File It Away" • I wrote a five page technique article in the inaugural issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts (2010-2011 • pp 72-76). I developed the project, wrote the text, and provided all the artwork including step-outs.
CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS STUDIOS
Article: Retreat from the Ordinary • I am quoted and a photo of me appears • Summer 2010: page 26-27
Article & Photos: My studio wass featured in the Fall 2010 issue of the magazine.
QUILTING ARTS GIFTS
Article & Artwork: "Scrappy Leaf Scarf" • 2009-2010 • page 66-67 - technique article featuring a quilted scarf I designed.
Article & Artwork: "Fiber Jewelry" • 2009-2010 • page 68-69 - technique article featuring a necklace, a bracelet, and a pair of earrings I designed.
BHG'S SCRAPBOOKS ETC.
"He's the One" • 12x12 layout (upcoming)
"2009 in travel" • 12x12 layout (upcoming)
"High Line" • 12x12 layout • October 2011: page 63
"Girl Time" • 12x12 layout • August 2011
CREATING KEEPSAKES
"With New Eyes" • 12x12 layout • July/August 2010 • page 41
"Thanksgiving: Take Two" • 12x12 two-page digital layout • November 2009 issue: page 116
"NYC" • 12x12 layout • February 2009 Tips&Tricks: page 116
"A Menorah of My Own" • 12x12 digital layout • December 2008 Readers Gallery: page 102
“Do My Glasses Make Me Look Smarter?” • 12x12 layout • February 2008 Readers Gallery: page 98
SCRAPBOOK TRENDS
"Sethie" • 12x12 layout • Quick & Easy (2011): page 96
"Iron Riv" • 12x12 layout • Quick & Easy (2011): pages 20-21
"Same Brain Different Bodies" • 12x12 digital layout • August 2009: page 116
"Tablemates" • 12x12 layout • April 2009: page 141
SOMERSET MEMORIES MAGAZINE
"Dare to Create" • 12x12 layout (upcoming)
"Band Night" • 12x12 layout (upcoming)
"Cousins" • 12x12 layout (upcoming)
Article & Artwork: My Thousand Words - an article on journaling illustrated with five layouts (Spring 2011, pages 76-79):
(1) "City Life" • 12x12 layout (page 77)
(2) "Our Differences Make Us Stronger" • 12x12 layout (page 78)
(3) "Burger Joint"• 12x12 layout (page 79)
(4) "heART"• 12x12 layout (page 78)
(5) "Never Too Old to Play"• 12x12 layout (page 76)
"Ladies Room Photo Shoot" • 11x8.5 layout • Autumn 2010: page 26 (a portion of the page is featured on page 148 for the technique used)
"Saying Goodbye to My Wedding Shoes" • 12x12 layout • Spring 2010: page 40
"I Am An Artist" • 12x12 layout • Spring 2010: page 44
"Color of Love" • 12x12 layout • April/May 2009: page 26 (a portion of the page is featured on page 92 for the technique used)
“Oh, What A Night” • 12x12 layout • October/November 2008 (Anatomy of a Page feature)
“The Reason” • 12x12 layout • August/September 2008: page 73 (a portion of the page is featured on page 82 for the technique used)
"Aquarius" • 11x8.5 hybrid layout • June/July 2008: page 75 (a portion of the page is featured on page 84 for the technique used)
“The Kitchen Dance Party” • 12x12 layout • April/May 2008: page 79 (portions of the page also featured on pages 82 and 84 for the techniques used)
“Spying On My Brother” • 11x8.5 layout • June/July 2007: page 80-81 (Anatomy of a Page feature)
SIMPLE SCRAPBOOKS
"Family Photos" • 12x12 digital layout • January/February 2009 issue: page 77
"Stuff I Made" • 12x12 layout • September/October 2008: page 95
“Retreat” • 11x8.5 two-page layout • July/August 2007: page 106
MEMORY MAKERS
"Say Goodbye" • 12x12 digital layout • July/August issue • page 63
"Born on the 4th of July" • 12x12 hybrid layout • March/April 2009: page 73
"Things My Mother Taught Me" • 12x12 layout • January/February 2009: page 12
"My Room" • 12x24 digital layout • Winter 2008 Special Issue: Get Organized!: page 69
"Symbol of The Season" • 12x12 digital layout • November/December 2008: page 74
"Love" • 12x12 digital layout • September/October 2008: page 51
"E-mails from Ecuador" • 12x12 layout • July/August 2008: page 46
“Best Friends” • 12x12 layout • Idea Gallery 7 • October 2006: page 28
SOMERSET DIGITAL STUDIO
Article & Artwork: I had an article entitled "Hybrid Scrapping With Microsoft Word" in the Spring 2009 issue (pp 48-51), featuring the following layouts:
"Here on the Street Where I Live" • 12x12 hybrid layout
"Today&Always" • 12x12 hybrid layout
"Home Sweet Home" • 12x12 hybrid layout
SCRAPBOOKING & BEYOND
"She Had Many Talents" • 12x12 layout • Spring 2010: page 69
"Hello Little Me" • 12x12 layout • Winter 2010: page 41
"Art" • 12x12 layout • Winter 2010: page 58
"I Ride the Bus" • 12x12 layout • Winter 2010: page 60
"Objects in the Mirror May Be Closer Than They Appear"• 12x12 layout • Fall 2009: page 50
"I Don't Live in the World..."• 12x12 layout • Fall 2009: page 49
"2006"• 12x12 layout • Fall 2009: page 51
"By The Numbers"• 12x12 layout • Fall 2009: page 48
HISTOIRES DE PAGES (France)
"I Believe" • 12x12 layout • April/May 2008: page 16
"Smile" • 12x12 layout • April/May 2008: page 16
"I Remember This Boy" • 12x12 layout • April/May 2008: page 16
Page 16 includes the three layouts and a profile of me, as part of their "Portraits" section.
SCRAPBOOKING M.M. (Sweden)
"Together" • 12x12 layout • November/December 2010: page 60
"Fly" • 12x12 layout (September/October 2010)
"Halloween Treat Bags" • five treat bags made from non-Halloween themed paper (September/October 2010)
"Travel Companion" • 12x12 layout • July/August 2010: page 11
"An Afternoon of Tennis" • 12x12 layout • July/August 2010: page 14
(small image as part of the table of contents - page 4 - as well)
"There is Nothing Quite Like A Summer Day at the Ballpark" • 12x12 layout • July/August 2010: page 61
"fingerfärg" • 12x12 layout
"All Bundled Up" • 12x12 layout • January/February 2010: cover AND page 19
"Pick Your Nose" • 12x12 layout • March/April 2010: page 24
"Mr. Handsome" • 12x12 layout • March/April 2010: page 53
29 Photographs of CHA • March/April 2010: pages 8-14
SCRAPBOOK DIMENSIONS (ezine)
I wrote articles on using digital templates for hybrid pages in Volume 2 Issues 3 and 4.
"Dream Diary" • Unibind Project • Volume 2 Issue 4 (2008)
"Faces of Me" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 4 (2008)
"Off Center" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 4 (2008)
"The First Step" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 4 (2008)
"Play" • 11x8.5 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 3 (2008)
"Reunion" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 3 (2008)
"Living Out Loud" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 3 (2008)
"MoMA" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 3 (2008)
"Crop" • 12x12 hybrid layout • Volume 2 Issue 3 (2008)
DIGITAL ARTIST MAGAZINE (ezine)
"Girl" • 12x12 hybrid layout • March 2008: page 123
SCRAPBOOK NEWS AND REVIEW (ezine)
"Can't Stop" • 12x12 layout (August issue)
READY SET CREATE (ezine)
“Season’s Greetings Card” • Hybrid Card • December 2007 Holiday Sampler: page 92
“Snowflake Cards” • Card • December 2007 Holiday Sampler: page 86
“Paper Ornaments” • Ornament • December 2007 Holiday Sampler: page 93
SCRAPBOOK ANSWERS
“Hong Kong” • 12x12 layout • August/September 2006 • Answers Disc
“ART” • 12x12 layout • November 2006 • Answers Disc
PUBLICATIONS: Books
QUARRY: Journal It by Jenny Doh (upcoming)
PRIMA: Idea Book 2011 (upcoming)
"Peace Canvas" • 8x10 canvas
"Three Hanging Frames" • paper clay, beads, wire, and paint
"Brooch" • paper clay pin
"Forever and Always" • 12x12 layout
"He & She" • 12x12 layout
"Still" • 12x12 layout
"Mah Jongg Ladies" • 12x12 layout
"This Moment" • 12x12 layout
F&W: Scrapbook Workshop by May Flaum (2011)
The subtitle of this book is "The Best Techniques from your Favorite Scrapbook Bloggers." Each chapter is dedicated to a different scrapbook blogger and a favorite technique of hers.
"Attitude" • 12x12 layout (cover and pages 18 - 19)
"Shutterbug" • 12x12 layout (pages 20 - 21)
PRIMA: Idea Book 201o
more information coming soon
F&W: Fabulous Friendships by Wendy McKeehan & Kitty Foster (2010)
“Trying to Get the Shot” • 12x12 two-page layout • Fall 2008: page 36
F&W: Remember This by Kimber McGray & Summer Fullerton (2010)
"This is Christmas" • 12x12 layout: page 99
"My Bi-Cultural Menorah" • 12x12 digital layout: page 99
LEISURE ARTS BOOKS: Doodling for Papercrafters (2007)
“Crazy Girl” • 11x8.5 layout • page 40
“I Remember” • 12x12 layout • page 45
PRODUCT DESIGN
Stencil Designer • The Crafter's Workshop • 2011 - present
My signature collection of stencils was released Summer 2011 by The Crafter's Workshop.
Paper Designer • InfoCrea • January 2009
My collection Psychedelik was released in January 2009.
Stamp Designer • Scrapbook Takeout • June 2008 - December 2008
I designed rubber stamps for sale at Scrapbook Takeout. The first stamps debuted August 2008.
Stamp Designer • My Kits&Pieces • March 2008 - October 2008
I designed acrylic stamps for sale at My Kits&Pieces. The first stamps debuted June 2008.
TEACHING
I teach scrapbooking, art journaling, mixed media, and quilting classes. My classes are technique based and encourage students to explore without fear. I enjoy teaching and am an enthusiastic instructor.
The Ink Pad • January 2010 - present
I teach various mixed media classes at this local stamp store in New York City.
The City Quilter • Fall 2007 - present
I teach quilting and mixed media classes at The City Quilter in New York City.
Portrait Bug • December 2008 - December 2010
I taught scrapbooking and mixed media classes at this local scrap shop in New York City.
Paper & Co. Show • November 2010
I taught six classes at this scrapbooking and mixed media art retreat in Buthiers, France.
CREATE Mixed Media Art Retreat • August 2010, May 2011, August 2011
I taught several mixed media classes at this Cloth Paper Scissors sponsored mixed media retreat in Rosemont, IL (August 2010) and will teach several more in Costa Mesa, CA (May 2011)
My Kits and Pieces • July 2008 - August 2008
I taught several online scrapbooking classes for this kit club.
My Creative Classroom • September 2007 – August 2008
I taught a variety of online craft classes at My Creative Classroom.
Heart in Hands • September 2007 - March 2008
I offered downloadable scrapbooking classes through Heart in Hands.
I have taught several classes through my blog. You can see a partial listing here. I am a Ranger Certified Instructor.
DESIGN TEAMS: Current
- January 2011 - present: Creative Therapy (art challenge blog)
DESIGN TEAMS: Previous
- February 2009 - May 2011: Prima (manufacturer)
- January 2010 - January 2011: Pencil Lines (sketch challenge blog)
- November 2007 – December 2010: InfoCrea (manufacturer, France)
- February 2010 - April 2010: Kenner Road (kit club)
- October 2008 - October 2009: Label Tulip (kit club)
- January 2009 - July 2009: Right at Home Scrapbooking (local scrapbook store)
- May 2008 - May 2009: A Murder of Crows Creative Team (digital designer)
- January 2009 - May 2009: Sugarplum Paperie (digital designer, hybrid team)
- July 2008 - February 2009: PortraitBug (local scrapbook store)
- January 2008 - January 2009: Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine Dream Team (ezine focused on hybrid scrapbooking)
- January 2007 - December 2008: Just Let Me Scrapbook (online store)
- October 2008 - December 2008: Around the Block (manufacturer)
- August 2007 – October 2008: My Kits and Pieces (kit club)
- March 2008 - August 2008: Amanda Dykan Creative Team (digital designer)
- March 2008 - August 2008: Tara Sroka Designs (digital designer)
- August 2007 – February 2008: Serendipity Scrapbooks (kit club)
- August 2007 – February 2008: 2Daisies Designs (paper manufacturer)
- April 2007 – October 2007: All American Scrapbook Company (online store)
- June 2007 – October 2007: Altered Pencil Lines (challenge blog for altered items inspired by scrapbook sketches)
GUEST DESIGNER
Guest designing is one of my favorite things to do. I am capable of working on a very tight deadline. Feel free to contact me if you would like me to guest design for you!
Guest Designer • JBS Mercantile • July 2011
JBS Mercantile is a vintage styled kit club.
Guest Designer • Jenni Bowlin • March 2011
Jenni Bowlin is a manufacturer of paper and embellishments.
Guest Designer • Hambly • October 2010
Hambly is a manufacturer of silk screened paper, transparencies, rub-ons, and stickers.
Guest Designer • Shimmerz • October 2010
Shimmerz is a paint and colorant manufacturer.
Guest Designer • Scrapideés • October 2010
Scrapideés is a sketch challenge website. I provided the sketch and a layout.
Honary Gutter Girl • Gutter Girlz Challenge Site • May 2010
My work was featured on the Gutter Girlz Challenge Site.
Guest Designer • Cocoa Daisy • February 2010
Cocoa Daisy is a kit club. I designed several projects using their February kit.
Guest Designer • Scor It • November 2009
I created a project and tutorial for the Scor It Project of the Month. Scor It is a tool that helps you to create score lines.
Challenge Designer • Simplicity Quilts • September 2009
I was invited to take part in a Simplicity Quilts designer challenge. Twelve designers were challenged to use their rotary cutter and bias tape machines to create quilts, which traveled around the country for a year.
Guest Designer • The Creative Type • June 2009
I created a layout as the guest designer on this challenge blog, focused on creative use of type.
Guest Designer • Kitchen Sink Stamps • February 2008
I created several layouts for this acrylic stamp manufacturer.
Guest Designer • Effer Dares • December 2007
I created a dare and corresponding artwork for the website.
Featured Artist • Creativity{unbound} • November 2007
My work was featured on the blog all month. I wrote and posted inspirational articles on Saturdays.
MISCELLANEOUS
- I awas one of the five finalists for "Artisan of the Year" 2011 in the Mixed Media Stitch category in a search run by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine.
- I have appeared as a guest on Paperclipping Roundtable, a scrapbooking podcast, multiple times.
- I was chosen as part of the top 20 of "Gallery Idol 2009." It's a card making contest run by Paper Crafts Magazine.
- My quilt "I Think The Universe is Trying to Tell Me Something" won "Best Machine Applique, 2nd place" at the 2009 Urban Inspirations Quilt Show in New York City.
- My quilt "The Sum is Greater Than the Parts" won "Most Innovative" and "Audience Favorite, 3rd place" at the 2007 Urban Inspirations Quilt Show in New York City.
- I won the title of "Last Scrapper Standing" in 2007 through several rounds of intense online competition over several weeks.
