Welcome! I'm so glad that you're here. Here's a quick run down to help you get oriented:
- I blog Monday - Friday and sometimes on Saturday or Sunday.
- Every Friday I host "Art Journal Every Day." Feel free to add your own link if you've art journaled that week!
- You can read more about me here.
- Explore the Tutorial Archive here.
- See a complete listing of all of the stencils I've designed for The Crafter's Workshop here.
- If you're not sure how to leave a comment, follow these instructions.
Here is a list of other Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do you have an e-mail list? Or some way to subscribe to your blog?
A: Yes! Look at the column on the left. There is a yellow box that says "subscribe." Click on that and enter your e-mail and you will receive my blog in your e-mail every time I post.
I also have a monthly newsletter, which is different from my blog. It's updates sent out once a month. You can sign up for that here.
Q: Can I take a class from you?
A: You can find my teaching schedule here. I also have a number of online classes and you can see a list of the online classes I'm currently offering here.
Q: How long will I have access to an online class I purchase from you?
A: Until I die or stop paying for a web account. Essentially, forever. I don't plan on closing the classroom, so don't worry about it.
Q: The password you gave me for the online classroom doesn't make the videos play.
A: True. The password for the classroom is for access to the classroom only. The password for each of the videos is posted directly above each video at the end of the sentence that reads, "The password for the video is...."
Q: Do you sell your work?
A: I just opened an etsy shop. You can also find some prints and aprons and other fun things here (along with instructional DVDs).
Q: If I make something with one of your products should I send you a photo of it?
A: Absolutely! I love seeing what people do with my products! And there's a Balzer Designs flickr pool here, for you to share your images!
Q: What kind of paint and ink do you use? What's your favorite art journal? What spray ink do you recommend?
A: I get asked about my supplies a lot, so here is a visual guide to my most used supplies. Click on any of the images to purchase that supply online.
Q: Where do you live in New York?
A: I live in Manhattan, right in Times Square. You can see some photos of my neighborhood and some information about my city life in this post.
Q: Where can I shop for scrapbooking and art supplies in New York City?
A: Here's a quick list of where I shop:
- Lee's Art Shop: This is where I shop the most because it's in my neighborhood. They sell fine art supplies, crafty supplies (felt, glue), some scrapbooking stuff, furniture, lighting -- secret tip: If you want to find the kids section and a small selection of knitting goods, take the elevator to the 5th floor.
- 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!
- Dick Blick: There is an outpost of the popular online store in NoHo (lower Manhattan). Two floors of every art supply you ever lusted after.
- Utrecht: There are two Utrechts in Manhattan. It's a nice chain with a wide variety of art supplies, recently purchased by Dick Blick.
- Michaels: There is now an outpost of this crafting mega-store in Manhattan! I've heard folks complain that it's smaller than a regular Michaels. True, this is Manhattan after all. But it's great for lots of inexpensive crafty basics!
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: Where should I eat in NYC?
A: Everywhere and often. ;) In all seriousness, here are some of my favorite places in Manhattan:
- For Dim Sum, go to Jing Fong.
- For steak, go to Quality Meats. I especially love the steak tartare and the corn creme brulee. Save room for dessert!
- For expensive, but worth it, fancy, go to Jean Georges.
- Inexpensive and fun atmosphere = Vynl.
- Best pecan roll ever is at Bouchon Bakery (and the rest of the pastries are pretty tasty too)!
- I'll always say yes to ramen and pork buns at Ippudo.
- Love the chocolate chip cookies at City Cakes.
- I like the sushi at Natsumi.
- Korean BBQ at Don Bogam is awesome, but pricey. But, it's in the middle of Korea Town, so you've got lots of options there.
- Best cheese fondue and chocolate fondue is at Artisanal.
- Brunch at Norma's is always delicious or you could sneak off to Burger Joint (in the same building).
- I think the best burger is at Ruby's Cafe.
Q: What does your studio look like?
A: My studio is the second bedroom in my two-bedroom apartment.
I did a pretty in-depth posting in three parts in April 2010:
Q: Do you have formal art training?
A: Nope. I'm a self-taught artist!
Q: What do I need to get started art journaling?
A: A notebook, a waterproof black pen (I highly recommend the Sakura Pigma Micron), and some kind of colorant (paint, markers, colored pencils, etc.). That's it! Also there's lots of good information here.
Q: Can I use your images on my blog?
A: You are welcome to use an image from my blog, as long as you credit me by name, with a link back. If you're at all in doubt about proper usage, feel free to e-mail me. I'm very nice.
Q: How can I find you on TV?
A: Check the Scrapbook Soup TV website to see when the show airs in your area!
Q: What kind of paper you use when doing your regular 12 x 12 layouts? I’m having trouble with my paper warping and not being flat. A lot of the techniques seem to be very wet, and your layouts never seem to look warped.
A: For really wet applications I use watercolor paper. Or sometimes I will take the warped cardstock and stitch it to an dry piece of unwarped cardstock and that seems to flatten everything out.
Q: Just wondering if there is an angel policy on your stencils?
A: If you use my stencils when you create art, you are absolutely welcome to sell that art. However, you cannot license that art without prior written permission from me. If you'd like to obtain permission, send me an e-mail sharing the work and filling me in on the details of the licensing deal.
Let me know if you have a question that isn't answered here!