Let us introduce you to our quillin’ and chillin’ friend Christina of See Lang Design!
Tell us a bit about yourself:
Originally from the magic city of Minot, moved to Upstate NY after high school. That’s where I fell in love with printmaking, paper, and graphic design. After college went into graphic design, but missed the handmade element. When we moved back to ND, I got to focus more on making for myself. I love learning new processes and forms of making art. Outside of art, I love nachos, hip hop (but real like Tribe, Nas, Big) reading self-help books (well let’s be honest listening, audio books are my friend). Hanging with my tiny humans having dance parties.
Describe your handmade business:
I started by making gifts for friends, then they would order gifts for their friends and it kept growing from there. I’ve done a lot of handlettering, papercutting, painting and quilling. My current obsession is definitely quilling. Its only been about a year that I’ve been quilling hardcore (thanks to The Foundry-Rachel Walz) but it’s fun to see how much I’ve changed in just a year. I like to call myself a Rebel Quiller because I don’t use it in the traditional form. Normally Quilling is under glass or on paper (greeting card). I like it on wood mixing the fragile with the strong surface. And I love to fill the surface with lots of details and texture, to me its more like a medium…painting with paper, I like to say. Chillin and Quillin year round.
What is one of your most favorite items you have made?
Hmm, that’s tough…I think my first United States that I made (it won the National Mod Podge Day award, my Mod Podge love runs deep)!
You have a graphic design background – how has this influenced your quilled art?
Graphic Design is a constant form of inspiration for me. It’s also a good reminder for me that sometimes less is more. I tend to over complicate or want to add more and more, graphic design definitely helps me with refinement and editing.
What are your most essential tools?
I love, love, love Sharpie fine tip pens in black only, 5 x 7 Strathmore sketchbook, my slotted tool for quilling, headphones and caffeine.
What is a word that best describes you?
Amusing
What advice would you have given yourself 5 years ago?
Don’t let the internet comparisons crush your dreams, there will always be someone better but there will never be another you!
What would you say to someone who is interested in taking their handmade business more full time?
There will be more failure than success but if you love it just keep pushing. It’s not easy or comfortable to follow your dream. Surround yourself with a supportive community and ask for help!!
What can our community do to support you as a maker and artist?
Social media shout outs, go to each others’ shows, share experiences, processes. Fargo has been amazing, so keep on doing what your doing Fargo!!! (high five to Fargo)
Website/Etsy to catch you on:
@See Lang Design on all social media platforms and gmail
(working on website and etsy store….call me Procrastina)