Cabin + Cub - feature #17

Name: Valerie Thai from Cabin + Cub
Website links: Etsy Shop, Blog

What do you make?
I make woodburned art panels, collages, art prints, as well as notebooks and cards.



What or who inspires you?
I seem to draw inspiration from all over the place - my husband, my family and friends, the environment, music, art, pop culture, food.... oh this list could get very long indeed!


How did you get started?
My mom was always very much into art and design, so I was always drawn to the artistic side of things.

As soon as I picked up a crayon and scissors, I think the craftiness began and it has snowballed every since.



What are your favourite materials to work with?
My favorite materials are wood and paper.... so I guess I really love trees. I love the way woodburning smells (it smells like a campfire).. and the look of all things wood. Same goes with paper... I can be in a paper store, like Paper-Ya for hours at a time.



What is the hardest and most favourite part of crafting?
Hardest would be finding time to do it, since I also work as a freelance designer for a living.
My favorite part is getting to be creative and working with my hands... its nice to get away from the computer.

List 5 of your favourite links and why you like them

crooked walker: (because it's my husband's site)

poppytalk: (because there are so many beautiful things to look at)

Etsy: (because it has opened the doors for so many crafters around the world to discover one another and there are so many nice things i want to buy on this site too)

barbapapa: (because I love all things barbapapa)

Everybody Loves Sandwiches: (because i want to learn how to cook better)



Do you have any advice for those in the biz?
Create things that you enjoy making... it is no fun making things that become just a chore. And also to be patient and work hard... things will fall into place.



Do you consider yourself an artist or a crafter?
Ah yes, the old age debate. I don't like conflict, so I like having the two co-existing as well as intermingling.... so yes, I do consider myself both an artist and a crafter (oh, as well as a designer)... so that is a third category to throw into the mix.



Congrats to Cabin + Cub with her booth mates, Track and Field Designs and the Beautiful Project for bringing home the 'Best Booth' award at the Vancouver One of a Kind Show in Oct 2009!

(photo images courtesy of Valerie Thai / Cabin + Cub)

If you are interested in being featured, please send us an email at info(at)gotcraft(dot)com.

Check out our past features...

Rachel Hobson - feature #16
Green Couch Designs - feature #15
Tanis Alexis - feature #14
Sweetie Pie Press - feature #13
Fibre Manipulator - feature #12
Sam Made - feature #11
All Things Paper - feature #10
Owl + Pussycat - feature #9
Bliss in a teacup - feature #8
It's Your Life - feature #7
Faythe Levine - feature #6
Coco Cake Cupcakes - feature #5
pomomama design - feature #4
GroovyGlassGirl - feature #3
Bueno Style - feature #2
The Beautiful Project - feature #1