Teacher Spotlight: Interview with Maggi Zesch

We are starting a new series on the blog with a focus on introducing you to our fabulous teachers. We thought it would be fun to pick their brain about paper crafting, stamping, and life in general! We invite everyone to experience their first class knowledge of crafting, as well as their fabulous personalities, by signing up for a class today!

Teacher Spotlight on Maggi Zesch

When Maggi's crafting took over her kitchen area, her darling husband built a room for her over their garage.  He totally understood the need for her to have a special place where she could escape and get creative.  Plus, it is nice not to have to clean up after every project... just close the door and leave it until later!  Her two grandsons love to go up in "Nana's room" and use all the fun supplies to draw and paint and stamp.

What inspires you?

 Color is probably my greatest inspiration, especially the colors and textures in nature.  Finding new color combinations is a great challenge.

What are some of your "go-to" supplies for crafting?

DIES, DIES DIES...  the more the merrier, and of course the Stardust gel pen.  Just enough bling without being too obvious.

What is your favorite crafting technique?

Using Copic Markers for coloring has been such a fun thing to learn.  You feel like a "real" artist when you complete a project.

How would you describe your crafting style?

Eclectic, I like traditional and also being a little funky.

How long have you been crafting?

Since I was a little girl, I have always had my hands on scissors and paper.  I remember discovering my first hole punch.  Just love the sound and smell of paper, especially when a good pair of scissors cuts through some great paper.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Santa Barbara, California - a very creative place.

What is your favorite snack to munch on while crafting?

No munching, just a huge Diet Coke.  Of course, I have had to re-do many a project because the cup sweat leaked all over the paper and several times I dumped the entire drink on my work table.

Favorite song of the moment?

Adele, Rolling in the Deep

Are you on Pinterest?

But, of course.  I have a S'mores board with over 100 recipes  who would have thought 3 ingredients could create so many variations.

When you aren't teaching classes at Checkered Cottage, how do you spend your time?

Making cards to sell and for the Card Ministry at my church.  And, my greatest joy is helping home school my 8-yr old grandson.

What do you love most about Checkered Cottage?

 I love the creative atmosphere that the store brings out the moment you walk in! The staff is amazing.  The product selection is so good that you will always leave with a hundred ideas.

Thanks Maggi, we are happy to have you as part of the Checkered Cottage Team! 

Maggi has several fantastic classes coming up in the next several weeks.  Check our class schedule HERE to learn more about these amazing projects: Portfolio with 4 Cards, Six Festive Tags, Ornament Class, and Nativity Class.

    

Click on the name below to read past Teacher Spotlights:

Kathi Anderson, Jan Conway, Candice Meyer, Barb Ogden