BRAND SPOTLIGHT: INTRODUCING LAUREL BEARD

Meet Laurel Beard - crafting queen, Youtuber, mum and so much more! Laurel has helped us design a beautiful new Cherry Blossoms collection with us for the new 'CraftStash X Laurel Beard' collaboration, launching this week for the first ever time!

Before that launches, find out a little bit more about Laurel Beard, what inspires her crafting, and how she got to where she is today in this week's Brand Spotlight.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your crafting background?

LAUREL: I started crafting shortly after my son was born, who is 18 years old now! I was introduced to crafting by a friend who kept talking about stamping. I’m thinking, 'What in the world is all this fuss about postage stamps?' Then I learned about stamps and inks and this funny named little machine called a 'Cuttlebug', and I never looked back.

What made you want to design your own collection?

LAUREL: I have always been a fan of landscape scenes - I love the simplicity of nature. I often take pictures of landscapes and think how pretty it would look on a card.

Where did you get the inspiration for your first collection, "Nature Inspired Scenes - Cherry Blossom"?

LAUREL: When my son was 7, we went to DC and ironically it was the same time that the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Oh my, I could lay down and blanket myself with the blooms! I have never forgotten the beauty of the cherry blossoms, and it was no surprise that I wanted those to be the star of my first collection.

If you could go back in time to when you first started crafting, what advice would you give to your past self?

LAUREL: Don’t run out and buy every supply you see. Start with good cardstock, good inks and a few stamps. Then get some dies and a die cutting machine. You can do so much with just those!

How happy are you with your craft stash and what would you change?

LAUREL: I am pretty happy with my stash! I do an annual purge and donate all my unused craft items. It’s amazing all the things I accumulate during the year, even when I tell myself to stop buying stuff.

CraftStash Rapid Round

What's your favorite theme to work with? Landscapes of course!

Favorite type of project to create? Handmade cards and watercolor landscapes

Most used color palette in your projects? I love color so I tend to use mostly bright colors

What's the most recent craft trend you love? Resin art

Top three essential tools in your craft stash? Paper trimmer, stamping positioner, colored inks

Unexpected talent? Tennis, its the only thing I am naturally good at!

Ideal vacation destination? Iceland to see the Northern Lights

Favorite book or movie? Harry Potter of course!

Dream dinner party guest? Denzel Washington. He is so talented and every time he gives a speech, I am blown away.

What's your go-to comfort food? Chick Fil A, with pizza close second! And just to take it a step further, I love me some cheesecake! Just sayin’.

And that's all for now!

We're so looking forward to Laurel's first collection hitting the site, and we're sure you're going to love it as much as we do - here's a few sneak peeks to get you excited...