Meet Katja & Giveaway

Today I am really excited to introduce Katja from maedchenmitherz to you! I'm sure many of my readers already read her. She is so creative and everything she makes always puts a smile on my face! She is teaching an online class which I am taking called Heavenly Cute Online Class. She is really kind-hearted and I'm very happy to feature her today! I asked her to answer a few questions for me.

1. Introduce yourself and what you do
Hey there! My name is Katja, I am a 25 years old crafty girl from Germany. I studied social work and am now working at a children and youth centre. I live with my boyfriend and our cute little cat, which is great because both of them often make me smile <3

2. How did you get started in crafts?
It's a weird story. I have always been creative. Like, really ALWAYS! I used to make little handmade gifts for friends and family. But noone except my parents really seemed to appriciate it. So I stopped. When I was in my bachelor-thesis writing phase, I needed something to make me happy besides spending hours reading books about psychology and other stuff I needed to read and write. Via deviantart.com, I discovered the beauty of things made from polymer clay. So I decided to order a package of polymer clay in January 2009. When I joined flickr to show off my work, it just had me! :) I discovered so so many great crafts! And I just tried them. I had the time, the will.... and obviously the talent.


3. What is the one thing you are most proud of that you have made so far?
I am really really proud of the iphone case I made. It looks like an oldschool gameboy and was featured on various geek websites and that is one thing that really honored me! And I am also proud of how I've grown through all these years and good (and bad) experiences. I never thought, I could be like this. My life has changed in many positive ways.

4. Where do you find your inspiration?
Well, inspiration is something that just hits me everywhere! Even in my dreams! I LOVE websites like weheartit.com and flickr and of course I also love reading blogs. But sometimes, I also find inspiration in my boyfriend who's a real nerd and knows so much about computers and internet and everything that follows. I can simply find inspiration everywhere. <3

5. What keeps you motivated to keep creating?
To be honest, my blogreaders keep me motivated! They are so cheering and nice, I just don't want to disappoint them. And since all of us need some nice words from time to time, I will keep blogging and crafting and crafting and blogging!

6. Any advice you'd like to give to new artists who are just finding their creative side?
First of all: Stay true! Discover your OWN style, don't just "copy" someones creative ways. I know, this sounds rough, but I don't like to see the same things all over again. :) I can totally understand that sometimes, you like the style of someone really much and honestly want to BE that person. But that's not creativity! Creativity means to create things your way, right? Well, and second: try many different kind of crafts. For example, if you are a true knitter, try journaling or painting. Even if you believe, you can't do it, I am sure, you can! I love discovering new talents, and the more I try, the better I get... And third: start blogging and using flickr. It's the best way to show your work, get compliments and stay motivated.

Katja has kindly made this headband and handprinted & handsewn camera to be given away right here to one of you!

To Enter

To enter is really simple! All you need to do is visit Katja's blog and comment here what you like about her blog. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

I will draw the name of the winner and post the winner here on my blog.

You have until this Friday (January 15) to enter!

Katja has also done a beautiful feature of me and my blog today so be sure to check it out! There is a giveaway as well on there!