Makers of Tar Valon - Arella Mathara
Author: Raevyn Tsornin
Published: December 24 2020 Tar Valon Times Blog
From 3D printing to sewing. From pottery to paper crafts. From woodworking to knit and crochet. We have so many talented people here at Tar Valon and we would love to highlight some of our makers over the next few months.
Our first Maker to be highlighted is Accepted Arella Mathara.
Tar Valon Times: When did you begin card making?
Arella Mathara: I started making cards last summer or so.
TVT: What got you interested in this hobby?
Arella: I have never done anything creative except a bit of writing. I never expected to start doing anything like cardmaking. I can’t draw at all, but I realized a creative hobby might be good for me, so after watching a couple of YouTube videos and talking to my partner I bought supplies and went for it.
TVT: What are your favorite supplies?
Arella: My favorite supplies are my teflon bone folder, scissors, stamping platform, and Copic markers. There are other supplies I need for making each card, but those items have to be of good quality and really make a difference. The paper also needs to be of high quality.
TVT: Do you have one card that was more challenging?
Arella: I often struggle to make things work. This card took a lot of time though, because it has many small details. (This card not only has multiple layers, but also has a center in which some of the elements move freely when shaken.)
TVT: I see you use die cuts for some of the cards. Would you explain the process of making a card with die cuts?
Arella: I use die cutting for all my cards. The process is very simple. I buy a pack of stamps and a matching set of dies. Then I stamp and color the image. The next step is to place the die on the ready image, fasten it with tape and then run it through the die-cutting machine. This is a machine that puts heavy pressure on the dies, which are made of steel, cutting a line around the image. The image is then ready to be placed on the card. I also use independent dies to cut grass borders or to create an interactive card.
TVT: Do you use your cards for personal use only or do you sell them?
Arella: I only give cards to friends and family. Making a card takes anywhere from one to seven hours, so it’s not really something you’d be able to make money from, unless you make YouTube videos.
Check out Arella on Instagram! @kortmania
Stamps highlighted in cards are from Lawn Fawn.
