I first discovered
CraftPudding last year only shortly after I started to get into crafting and handmade items. Her cute designs really caught my attention! I even tried to (very unsuccessfully) carve some stamps after being inspired :) Here is a little interview with her.. hope you enjoy!
1. So tell us a little bit about yourself, where you're from and what you do aside from making cute stamps.
My name is Magda Kussel and I live in Winsconsin. I was born and raised in Mexico City and in 2005 I became an American citizen.
Besides making cute stamps and running my little CraftPudding business, I am a mom and a wife, and I make all sorts of other crafts. I love art, illustration and design as well.
2. What got you started making hand carved stamps? Was there a certain event in your life, or was it by accident?
It was sort of an accident. About 4 years ago I was searching the Internet for tutorials about general crafts, a few tutorials about how to make hand carved stamps just popped out during the search. As soon as I finish reading the tutorials I knew I wanted to make my own hand carved stamps and immediately I started my collection of material and tools.
3. What inspires you to come up with new designs?
At first I was inspired by the Japanese carving stamps books, but then I realized that almost everything around was inspiring. My main inspiration though are children and cute animals, my little daughter has been giving me ideas as too so she is a big inspiration for me and most of my designs come from discussing each other about what would be a good stamp design and how well will it go with other stamps together.
4. What is your favorite thing to carve?
I think my favorite things to carve are new designs, no matter what they are. Because I always start with an idea and then a sketch, it is really nice to see the final design carved and stamped on a piece of paper, or fabric or wood. It is almost like unwrapping a piece of candy.
5. Where do you do all of your creating? Do you have a studio, or a little corner of your home? Is it an inspiring place to spend time?
I usually create everywhere around the house. Ideas come to me no matter where I am in the house, I usually do my sketching while watching TV in the living room or in my desk, but for my carving I use a little studio located in a corner of my home, a very quiet and inspiring place where I have everything within my reach.
6. Tell us about a goal or a new skill that you would like to learn in the future, related to your craft or otherwise.
One of my goals is to come up with more designs for my stamps, and use those designs for other products. I always want to learn something new and my goal is just to continue with this love for crafting.
Be sure to check out Magda's
Website and
Etsy Store.
