Anyone can do this, asserts Diane Wiggins regarding her favorite pastime. It doesn’t require artistic ability, an elaborate art studio, computer software, or even a computer. Yet, upon viewing the greeting cards Wiggins hand-fashions in her Eagle Point home, observers marvel at the results–intricate beauty and professionalism that rivals Hallmark’s finest.
To employ her skill, Wiggins redefines the expression, “rubber stamp.” A simple image—either of rubber or pliable acrylic—glued onto a wooden or solid acrylic block, forms the foundation on which she builds. She applies ink, then stamps the basic design pattern onto card stock. Utilizing individual touches, she may add special or 3-dimensional effects. These might be produced through crimper tools, jewel-simulating metallic brads, colorful paints, and markers.
“I liked this so much, I wanted to get others to enjoy it too,” Wiggins said of the craft she embarked upon circa 1998. “There’s something about creating a card, and having somebody receive and enjoy it, that evokes a person’s ‘inner child.’”
Over a decade ago, at the behest of a craft store proprietor in Southern California, she started teaching card making to their other customers. Wiggins has since provided instruction in central California, Hawaii, and Oregon, as well. An Oregonian for almost four years now, she taught at Scrapbook King, her part-time employer in Medford, from 2007 until they closed in September of 2009.
Currently she teaches hands-on courses of 2½ hours’ duration, either in her local residence, or at Scrappy Crafts in Phoenix., Oregon. Just in time for Holiday card exchanging, her next three classes take place on November 11 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; also Nov. 12 and 13 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. For later shoppers, she’ll offer a class on December 4, called “Quick and Easy Christmas Cards.”
Although Wiggins possesses an impressive art background, including scholastic awards, studies at Chinouard Art Institute, and Cal State Northridge, she remains confident that her instruction content proves surprisingly easy to master. Wiggins supplies materials including card stock, and envelopes. “All I ask them to bring is double-sided tape and scissors, to any of these enjoyable classes priced at just $15 each,” she says. They’re meant for groups of six to eight adults, but she would include participants as young as 13 years.
For more details, or to register, please phone Wiggins at (541) 826-8984.
By F. C. Blake
Of the Independent
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