Introducing a new designer - Clare Curcio

Since launching Chocolate Baroque nearly a year ago, we have had a lot of interest from outside the UK, particularly the USA, so I am delighted to introduce you to our first American Design Team member, Clare Curcio.

Clare doesn't have many of our stamps (yet), so you will have to wait a couple of days before seeing more of her artwork with our latest collection which goes live this week.  In the meantime, you can read more about Clare in the interview below.

* How did you first hear about Chocolate Baroque?

I first heard about Chocolate Baroque from another crafter, who had the link on her blogsite.  The name "Chocolate" enticed me to check it out, and the word "Baroque" lured me in because it's my favorite period.  I clicked on the link, and I've been a "baroquer" ever since!  I would have loved to wear the gowns of this time in history, and the paintings are absolutely gorgeous!  And then Chocolate Baroque's "Baroque" stamps are even gorgeouser!  (is that a word?)

* What is it you like about our stamps?

The rubber that the Chocolate Baroque stamps are made from is extremely nice, very soft, pliable, but holds up very well under stamping and inking pressures, and is easily cut apart to mount and use!  Very good quality and ease of use are the two things that I hold most importantly in a rubber stamp.

* What was the first set you bought?
 

The first set I purchased was the Home Sweet Home set.  Glenda had a tutorial on her website that instructed how to blend and color the suns rays and the little house in this set.  Once I saw the striking card, I knew I had to have the stamp set and try her technique!  I've made many cards with this set, using the same method - I like the results so well that I can't seem to do it any other way!

click for larger view

* Do you have a favourite stamp set?
 

There are many "favorites" that I have!  It's so hard to place that label on just one set, because they are ALL beautiful!  I think the Christmas stamps, and the fancier stamps with the intricate details are my favorites right now.

* Where do you get your inspiration?

I am a crafter at heart, and have been since I was a little girl.  I look at everything for inspiration - nature, babies, people, flowers, insects, landscapes, objects, etc.  The design team members of Chocolate Baroque have beautiful samples posted!  I love perusing through the postings at Splitcoast Stampers where I post some of my cards/projects, and there are tons of tutorials and places to see there that have instructions, tips and photos on how to do different techniques, or really anything you want!

* Do you have a favourite technique?
 

I love to color, but I don't like going out of the lines.  I think I use heat embossing more because of the ridge it creates on the image lines.  When I color the image, the ridges help me stay in the lines!  Is that cheating?  ;)

* Do you have any tips for beginners?
 

Have fun!  Experiment!  Don't be afraid to get inky!  When I get a new stamp, I like to stamp it a few times, then color it in with different colors, or use one color of heat embossing to see which looks better.  Some stamps look better done in monochromatic tones than in color.

* What’s on your Chocolate Baroque wishlist right now?
 

Oh, this is a very easy question to answer!  Glenda has some beautiful Christmas (any and all), Damask, and Kelmscott Bauble stamps on the retired list that I'd love to get before it's too late!  I love the birds, birdcages and butterfly stamps that she has on the regular list!  Anything floral, too!  I could go on and on and on...

click for larger view

I'm very blessed to have been allowed to be a design team member for Chocolate Baroque!  I feel so humbled by Glenda's generosity and friendship!

It's great to have Clare on board and I know you are going to enjoy seeing her approach to working with our stamps.   Please join me in giving her a warm welcome to Chocolate Baroque!

You can see more of Clare's work on her blog Clare's Paper Works or on the Chocolate Baroque community website.