September 2023 Designer Spotlight - Erum Tasneem

Designer Spotlight

Erum Tasneem

SEPTEMBER 2023 EDITION

erum’s top 3 tipS for new & experienced cardmakers!

INSIDE: How to deal with “crafter’s block” & crafting boo-boos

Erum Tasneem

Artist

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am Erum Tasneem and I live in Karachi, Pakistan. I am an animal lover who rescues injured animals, especially cats. I spend my days working for Altenew as the AECP Coordinator, looking after animals, including my cats, and hanging out with my family. Some days, I get to craft too and create video content for the Altenew YouTube channel and blog. You will find me reading a book on my iPad whenever I have free time.

2. What is your crafting story?

I have been coloring for as long as I can remember. My aunts taught me shading and color combinations when I was young. I always loved drawing, but I only thought of making cards once my teacher took one of my sketches and folded the paper in half. I was amazed.

From then onwards, I turned all my art into cards. Fast forward to 2006, I came across an international card magazine and was blown away by the beauty and class of handmade cards included there. I found blogs, challenge blogs, and card designers through that magazine.

Then I found out about dry embossing. The texture of embossing folders is what got me hooked. I started my blog in 2008, and proper cardmaking then. There was no looking back after that point. I loved creating so much that I wanted to do it as a job.

Q & A

with Erum Tasneem

Back then, I was looking to get training in this area, like our Altenew Educator Certification Program. Too bad it wasn’t available back then; I would’ve signed up right away!

So, right after my master’s, I launched my label and set up my business, where I used to sell handmade cards. It started with cards, but it grew immensely in a short period, and after a year or so, I had to hire help. While I was still very much involved with my brand, I joined Altenew. Life got busy after I took on the role of the AECP Coordinator, and I had to wind up my business.

I had a good run for about ten years and am very proud of what I built and how well the business did. I am happy where I am right now as a design team member for Altenew and AECP Coordinator. I feel blessed to work in the same field for years, whether for myself or a company I am a massive fan of.

3. What is your “why”?

I create because it makes my heart happy. What makes creating even better is when I get to share it with everyone and read the comments. I love it when people like what I make. I feel I have done my job, and they like my card enough to be inspired by it.

Plus, creating also eases the buzz in my brain.

4. Which project has been your favorite, or what was the most meaningful to make?

There are too many over the years. Most of my journals, layouts, and album covers with mixed media and 3D floral work is what I hold dear to my heart. I often miss that work.

My favorite would be my very first layout. It was a “One Direction” layout, and I remember I wouldn’t sell it or give it to anyone. I didn’t even send it to the company I created it for. I still have it! It is meaningful because it was my first layout, and I loved 1D.

Plus, I used Altenew’s Basic Borders Stamp Set to add some interest to the background!

Erum Tasneem

5. How would you describe your personal crafting style?

Gosh, that is a difficult question. I can channel my inner Laurie Willison and be clean and straightforward, though I must add splatters. Or I can go crazy! No matter what I do, I will always leave some white space to balance my crafty madness.

6. Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration going through my older work. I have a board on Pinterest with most of my past projects when I used to blog regularly. I check them if I am in a slump. Sometimes, I also go through fantasy architecture or landscape inspiration.

7. What advice would you give newbie cardmakers and paper crafters out there? Please give at least three.

• Please don’t throw away your messes; try to fix them. You will learn more this way and do better next time.

• Keep trying new hobbies; if one doesn’t make you happy, you will eventually find what makes your heart sing.3

• Relax, have fun, and enjoy the process. Do not stress too much about not having the exact ink color or product as the teacher or the other crafter. Change the color; use what you have! You do not have to create replicas. You do you. Create your art and be unique.

Q & A

with Erum Tasneem

8. If you could only do one cardmaking technique for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

It’s probably loose water coloring as it’s easy and relaxing. However, the Layering Stencils make it harder for me to pick up watercolors. I keep reaching for my blending brushes more often than not.

9. How do you deal with “crafter’s block” or being stuck in a rut?

I go through my older work. I would replicate a color combination or a technique from one of my older projects. I have too many cards, so I don’t get stuck a lot unless it’s one of those days when you do not feel like creating anything.

10. How do you deal with crafting mistakes? Do you get rid of the card and work on a new one or try to salvage it?

Oh, I will work on it until I can fix it. I have several videos to prove this.

11. What is your Altenew story? How did you first learn about Altenew, your first Altenew product, blog hop, etc.

I am unsure, but I might have learned about Altenew because of their Ramadan or Eid stamps. My first Altenew product was the Peony Scrolls Stamp. My first hop was in 2016. I was invited to join the Year in Review Blog Hop, and soon after, I was invited to join the Altenew design team.

Q & A

with Erum Tasneem

12. What is your all-time favorite Altenew product? Pick one! Watercolor Brush Markers are fun!

13. Please tell us a fun/quirky/interesting fact about you that most people don’t know about.

I have all of those facts to share! I have a very sharp sense of smell. I will smell if food is about to go bad. I can tell if someone is cooking a couple of houses down the road. But the drawback is I can’t be near strong-smelling things, even amazing perfumes, or crowded spaces; it gives me a migraine.

I love Superman and Spiderman. Whenever I see a figure or mug with their logo, I must stop buying it. And it’s no joke; I mentally make a pros and cons list if the item is worth buying. I usually end up getting it. But I have been good lately.

I am also a massive book reader. I am always reading when I am not working. And since I have had the chance to buy ebooks, it’s one book after the other without any breaks. You will never find me free.

This is a running joke in my family. It may be an animal instinct that animals know who will feed them. I have noticed that mostly cats and some dogs just find me. I will start hearing meowing every few weeks, and a new cat will show up at our house, or they will seek me out if I’m outside, like in an outdoor cafe, etc. I think they gossip, and the word is out that I give out good food.

14. Bonus Question: If you could create your “dream craft room,” what would it look like?

I am more of a studio space person than a craft room person. I have both office and crafting areas, so I am happy with what I have. But, maybe more room so my family could join me as they used to before when I didn’t have three huge tables! So, what I currently have but make it roomier.

Number of cards sent out in card drives

Social Media Accounts

vibgyorkrafts

@glitternswirls

glitternswirls

erumtasneem