Interview with the Paper Flower Girl!

MADAME BUTTERFLY'S CREATIVE CABINET
THE CREATIVE TYPE INTERVIEW

This week's interview is with Jewellery Designer and Artist Isis Sturtewagen, otherwise known as the Paper Flower Girl! We found her through inspiring Blog and fantastic Flickr Photo Album, she tells us in her own words about her creative life ...
1. DESCRIBE yourself, where you work (studio/room or town) and your Artwork /Craft!
I was born on the first day of the year, about 20 years ago. The first five years of my life, my parents and I lived in a flat, in an old house, in Antwerp (Belgium). After that we moved to a little, boring, easy, village, where it seems as if the time is standing still, and you could keep playing in the fields with the all other kids. Now I live and study in Ghent and during the weekends I am in The Netherlands with my boyfriend. I love being in both places, even though, and maybe because, they are so very different to me. I have studied free arts for two years, and after that decided to go to university to study Archaeology.
2. HOW did you get started? WHAT were your influences ?
I have been making things my whole life. From doll's clothes, to birthday presents, to drawings, I have learned a lot of things (including knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidering, drawing) from my mother, who is an artist. When I was eleven years old, my dream was to become a jewelry designer. When going to university, I missed the creating I otherwise did in class so much, I needed to find an alternative. I started making jewelry and accessories on a more regular basis. That is how Paper Flower Girl was born. 3. WHAT do you love about what you make or do?
That through my creations I can tell stories. That to each person a pair of earrings made by me will tell another story. Making jewelry is a very thankful art-form to me. I can fuse my love for poetry and proze, with my love for colour and textures, forms and designs all together.
4. WHO or WHAT is Inspiring you right now?
I am always being inspired by historical jewelry and costume, especially of the medieval period, early to late 19th century, and art nouveau. Apart from that nature is an ever important source of inspiration: colour, fauna, flora, forms, textures, details ...
5. A FEW of Your Favourite things, places, your perfect day?
I have two kinds of favourite days. The first type is the lazy pyjamas day, staying in my warm cozy bed as long as possible, getting up late, eating yoghurt with fresh fruits and hazelnuts and drinking a cup of tea with honey for breakfast. Take a long shower, take the time to make myself up and pick a new pretty clothing combination. Go into town to visit some of my favourite shops, cook dinner together with my boy, and watch a good movie in the evening. The second type of day, which I love equally, is a really productive arty day, with lots of inspiration and being able to finish some projects.
6. If you could Travel through time, where would you go/who would you visit?
Difficult. I'd definetly not go to the future.  I'm too much of a history person. If I really had to make one choice ... Probably I'd go back to the late 14th century, but then, I really LOVE late 15th century too ... 7. Have you any great advice for aspiring artists/designers/craftspeople /small business owners?
Try to find a balance between not wanting too much at the same time and keep dreaming of all the things you want.
You can visit ISIS at her Blog and shop at ...
www.paper-flower-girl.blogspot.com
or her shop www.paperflowergirl.etsy.com
This interview was featured in the Madame Butterfly Gallery in February 2007!
All Images are copyright of the artisit!