Disaster Strikes

If you’ve ever wondered why multitasking is a bad idea, here is why…

For those of you that don’t know how a gocco screen printer works…its a complicated process but basically you burn an image onto a screen so you can make multiple copies of the image. Got it so far? This is a great system, works perfectly…when you’re paying attention and REMEMBER TO INSERT THE SCREEN! Yes, I totally burned a silly image of schools of fish directly onto my stage glass. Alas, it cannot be saved but the replacement part is on its way from Japan. The production line at the PaperMichelle factory has been brought to a dramatic, annoying halt. We hope to be up and running in 7-10 days. *frown*

The moral: Pay attention. Always.

The Creative Process

I thought I could take a minute to explain my process. Over the last month or so, I’ve had several people ask me if I use die cuts or precut scrap-booking pieces to make the cut paper cards. The answer is no. Never, ever. Stop telling that nasty little lie.

Ideas for my cards come to me randomly. I find that showering and running are really conducive to creative thought, and many of these cards have been thought up on the Bally’s treadmill. Otherwise, actual events unleash a bit of inspiration. For example, the “Make A Wish” card was designed specifically for my brother’s 25th birthday. Its so much easier to have solid ideas when there is a subject in mind.

Each design is completely original. The drawings are done by hand, because my kind of “design” doesn’t involve the assistance of computer programs…and lets be honest, I don’t know how to use said programs. I cut each individual piece by hand. I use a really old pair of silver scissors from a sewing kit (no, they’re not even meant for paper.) I’ve used these scissors my whole life and I’m yet to find a replacement. When the pieces are cut out, I use a dainty little brush to paint on some fancy glue and actually build the image. I set the cards out to dry for a bit…and voila!

Some of my cards are screen-printed by hand. Anything that is not cut paper (hand drawings, text) has been done by my favorite toy, the RISO Print Gocco. The Gocco was invented in Japan in 1977, intended for color screen-printing in the home. It uses a system of flashbulbs, carbon images and silk screens to create multiple copies of a colored image. Its an amazing contraption, but it is at risk of being discontinued due to failing popularity in Japan. The units are sometimes hard to get and the supplies aren’t much better. I love my Gocco and I’ll use it until there is not a screen left in the land.

Thats kind of how this PaperMichelle thing works, at least on the production end. Its a constructive little project that makes me quite happy. I’ll keep on doing it until I start to get angry about cutting out raccoons and cupcakes. Is that possible? I certainly hope not.