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The person behind Paper Crazy Studio
Read about Sherri Hagel, the beautiful face behind Paper Crazy Studio!
CAPTURING CREATIVITY
7/27/20247 min read
Sherri, Fiskars is a large brand. Is there a specific cutter you recommend or currently using?
I’m currently using the Fiskars SureCut.
What do you like most about being a craft artist, and what keeps you motivated?
I love being creative! It's like therapy to me. I stay motivated by seeing and enjoying what others create. Different paper patterns also motivate me. Paper is like an artist’s paint palette to me. I love to mix different patterns and textures.
I know what you mean. Apart from crafting, do you have other hobbies you enjoy?
My hobbies are walking, nature photography, riding the 4-wheeler, word games, collecting teapots and teacups, and antique schoolbooks. I also enjoy thrifting, a good mystery (book or movie), watching musicals, historical documentaries, and knitting.
You're an amazing lady! Sherri, thank you so much for this interview! Are there any words of encouragement or wisdom you’d like to share with our readers?
I would encourage every crafter to not overthink things. Go with your gut. Also, do not compare your art and talent with others. When you do that, you risk doubting yourself and your abilities. Remember that we all learn something new from each other. We are a collective of creative inspiration here to encourage and to inspire one another.
Thank you Ruthie for this opportunity. I truly enjoyed it, my friend!
Thank you Sherri.
One of Sherri's many journals, she's created, including the doily cover.
Really? I need to go back and have a look at those! I highly recommend Sherri’s work. I own a few pieces myself and absolutely adore them! Sherri, do you find commission work to be challenging? What are some of those challenges?
commissioned work can be challenging. There’s the issue of will they like the finished product? Is it what they pictured in their mind? That’s why I usually show my progress so I can get feedback.
You’re doing better than I am! I don’t know why I’ve never thought to show my progress to the one who’s commissioned the work. I think in my head, I assumed they wanted to be surprised. Either that or I don’t want to fight too much! LOL! Next question: how do you source materials for your projects?
The materials I use in my work are fairly simple and affordable. I use file folders, paper bags, boxes, magazines, or kits purchased on Etsy. I dye my own paper, and love to go to thrift stores to find old books, music sheets and photos.
Sounds good to me. Sherri, not too long ago, we did a collaboration together. I want to hear more of your thoughts on that. How did you come up with the idea and how did it turn out? Anything you learned and want to share?
I wanted to learn how to use everyday items in my journals. I also wanted to see how a fellow crafter put together their signatures, being that is my weak point. I noticed that you did a fantastic job in using papers that you had on hand to create your signatures and you just knew how many papers to use per signature.
So I asked, and you agreed. I would make the cover and you would do signatures. Voila! A collaboration was born! I learned how to use envelopes in a more creative way, and how to measure my papers to fit my journal better. I truly enjoyed working with you, my fellow crafter!
That’s incredible! How long does the process normally take you?
It usually takes about 4 weeks from concept to finished piece. If it’s a smaller project than usually 2 weeks.
Do you stay up to date with the latest trends and techniques in your craft? Is that something that matters to you?
I do try to stay up to date with the latest trends and techniques. I like to stay informed on what is popular although, I do like to steer away from the latest to see what I can come up with on my own. I like to think outside the box, even if it doesn’t always work out.
You’re going by Paper Crazy Studio on the Gram. How did you come up with that name?
I came up with Paper Crazy Studio in the early 2000’s when scrapbooking was a new thing. I loved walking through all the Scrapbook stores looking at all the wonderful varieties of paper. I was “paper crazy” so I chose that as my crafting name. It seemed to fit my obsession!
LOL! That is fitting indeed and quite clever too. Okay, next question: do you do commission work? If so, how does one go about getting to you?
I do commission work. In fact, a lot of the journals I first posted on my Instagram account were commissioned journals. If one is interested in a handmade journal, they can directly message me on IG (Instagram) or FB (Facebook) under Sherri Hagel. I can also be contacted by email at: hagelsherri@gmail.com.
Hi Neighbors! I thought I'd do something different this month by getting to know my friend Sherri. We met on Instagram and have been picking each other's brains when it comes to crafting. As much as I would like to have sat with her physically, that wasn't possible. So, I did the next best thing! Without further delay, I hope you enjoy the interview!
Sherri, thank you for your time! I’m excited you’ve agreed to an interview for our blog. Will you please introduce yourself?
Thank You, Ruthie! It’s an honor! My name is Sherri Hagel. I am a wife (40 yrs), a mamma of 4 grown children. A Grammy of 5 (soon to be 6), and an avid paper crafter.
Wow, that’s amazing! How did you get into crafting? Is this something that was always there at a young age or something you came into during covid pandemic? (LOL! I’m throwing that out there because a lot of people picked up new hobbies during that boredom season). I have loved arts & crafts since I could hold a crayon. I took every art class in Jr./Sr. high and college. My grandmother was very creative in so many areas and that inspired me to be creative as well.
Goodness! You are an avid crafter indeed! How would you describe your artistic style and the type of work you create?
My artistic style is pretty much vintage and shabby chic. I love to work with florals and ginghams (a clothing fabric usually of yarn-dyed cotton in plain weave {Merriam Webster Dictionary}). I primarily love creating junk journals, but I also enjoy making cards, gift bags, etc. anything that involves paper.
I like that and I also didn’t know you created other things other than journals. Can you walk us through your creative process for the journals, from concept to a finished piece?
I start out with a theme. My favorite themes are usually classical, birds, bees or floral vintage. I then create the journal form, that’s my favorite part. I enjoy creating flaps and pockets. I then decorate the cover. The cover art sets the tone for the inside of the journal. I then gather together the papers for each signature from magazines, kits, old books, paper doilies, music sheets, envelopes etc. Once I have signatures cut to size and sewn in, I can then embellish. I finish my project by covering the binding on the cover with lace or doily.
Aww shucks! It was an honor to work with you. I was surprised you asked me. Thank you for giving me the chance to work with you. I had a lot of fun. It also helped pull me out of my comfort zone of having to talk on camera. Have you collaborated with other artists? If so, who and where do we find those collaborations?
You were my first collaborator. I would enjoy collaborating with other journal makers for sure. It was fun!
Woohoo! I feel like I paved the way a little bit. I do hope you will collaborate with others. It’s always nice to see other crafter’s skills in how they do things. On that note, what’s the best feedback you’ve gotten about your artwork?
The best feedback I ever received was from a fellow crafter who had lost her fiancé. She stated that I inspired her to finish a scrapbook in his honor. She was so thankful! It made me cry!
Aww, that’s sweet. I agree your work is inspiring. What do you think the most challenging thing about crafting is though?
The most challenging thing about crafting for me is coming up with ideas on what to create. Sometimes the ideas just pop into my head; other times I just sit there and stare at the paper until I get an idea.
Haha, that’s absolutely relatable! What’s the best tool you would recommend to crafters or someone looking into getting into crafting?
The best tool that I could recommend to other crafters is my Fiskars paper cutter. It saves me so much time on cutting and ensures that I get straight even lines.
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