Artist Story: Cheryl of A Paper Life

What inspired the name of your business?

That answer is quite simple … the humble medium of PAPER!! I started out as Cards by Cheryl and although I mostly provide cards & tags to my retailers … I do much much more than cards. I am a paper artist specializing in quilling where I bring objects, ideas and words to life with paper … so ‘a paper life’ just seemed to fit.

What is the story behind why you started your business?

My dad worked in a paper mill while I was growing up so there was never a shortage of paper in our house. It wasn’t until years later that I realized the influence him working there had on me; with us going on mill tours to see pulp being made and having access to reams and reams of paper. I have always been a creative person … knitting, sewing, sculpting, & scrapbooking among a few. I soon realized I loved the tools and medium of scrapbooking better than making scrapbooks so I migrated to card making and stumbled on the technique of quilling. When I first started rolling strips of paper (quilling) it brought me back to those reams of paper I had access to as a kid. Telling stories with paper is what I love to do whether it is on a small card or tag, or a large canvas. I started creating birthday cards & gifts for family and soon people wanted to purchase my art & cards. My business evolved out of my passion for creating with paper.

What is the dream that you wish to fund through your business?

Travel!!! It is one of my favourite things to do other than quilling so I hope to continue to grow my business and see the world at the same time. There are so many places still on my bucket list. When I retire I would love to hop in an RV, with my partner & my quilling tools and travel North America … creating along the way.

What are you most proud of about your business?

What I am most proud of is the joy my art brings to people’s who receive them … things like monograms with their family’s names written with paper, birth announcements and custom cards. The reactions I get are priceless

How have you grown as a person as a result of your business?

I am by nature an extroverted introvert. I love working singularly and I keep my personal life pretty close to my chest but doing markets, chatting with customers and retailers about my craft gets me interacting and connecting with people.

What difference does your art make in your life, and your family’s life?

My art brings colour to my life. It allows me to meet people who I would not have come into contact with otherwise. It makes me happy and therefore I am a better parent & partner.

If you could say one thing to the person that buys and/or enjoys your art, what would it be?

THANK YOU … I am thankful everyday for my customers & retailers. Without them I would not have the vehicle to showcase my art and then it would not have meaning.

Why do you love being a part of Giving Gifts? I love being a vendor at Giving Gifts because it is such a unique store. It is not like any of the other stores that I am in so it gets me to expand my craft and what I make to suit a different market … that and getting to know the staff is what I love most.

Why we love having A Paper Life at Giving Gifts:

Cheryl's work quite literally stands out! It's easy to be drawn to her unique and pretty paper art that 'pops' so beautifully and elegantly. We are so pleased to carry a large selection of her unique cards and some of her amazing, larger quilled paper art pieces as well. Come by the shop and see them for yourself!