Find Peace in Creativity with Rhea Freitag
Rhea Freitag has such a stunning sense for altered art. Her configuration trays, boxes, and creations are always so brilliantly detailed and every embellishment looks like it was placed where it was meant to be. Her work is stunning, and today you get to know a little more about her creative process, how she finds it therapeutic, and her crafting forte. The National Craft Month interviews continue!
An Interview with Rhea Freitag
1. Why do you craft?
Crafting and creating for me is therapeutic. I lose track of time when I am making things and I find myself very much at peace when engaged in creative activities. I have learned that I also love the craft of publishing my blog as this allows for photography, composing text and hopefully inspiring others.
2. What do you feel is your crafting forte?
I feel my creative strengths lie in altered art, book making and assemblage. I strive to create pieces that tell a story, invoke memory and engage the observer interactively through movement. Many of the objects in my work have personal meaning to me as I love symbolism.
3. What inspires and motivates you to be creative?
Working on design teams has been a huge motivation and inspiration for me, right along with the stress relief I mentioned earlier. Designing in a creative group, inspiring followers and collaborating with different companies has all really helped me to grow leaps and bounds since I started my creative journey. Having these assignments (sometimes way out of my comfort zone or media!!!) pushes me to try new things and get even more creative.
4. What do you do with your projects once they're complete?
Most of my finished works are stashed around the house. I also often give things away as gifts to family and friends if the subject matter suits them. Since I have so much stuff, I have recently also been dragging more to my office at work. Probably the most fun thing I have done with some of my finished work is abandon them for others to find as a random act of kindness.
5. What is the funniest craft disaster you've ever had?
I cannot recall one that is funny thus far!
We love your altered projects and love your amazing displays! Thanks for sharing with us, Rhea!
Now, Rhea shows you how she makes her altered masterpieces! Learn how she creates this amazing shadowbox.
"For this assignment the team was asked to create a project in their favorite style and create a tutorial. Since I really enjoy assemblage work and shadowboxes, I decided I would show folks how easy it is to create a complex piece. There is a Snapguide to show off all my little secrets to making an assemblage with lots of interest. I used Raining Cats and Dogs as my paper of choice and I adore how whimsical this one turned out! Cheers!" ~Rhea
Supply List
8x8 Raining Cats and Dogs Paper
Raining Cats and Dogs Stickers
Washi Tape Set
7 Gypsies Shadowbox
Artful Dwellings Die
E6000
Metal and Resin Embellishments
Moss
Mushrooms
Here's a great altered printer's tray from the vault for extra inspiration! For our Southern Hemisphere G45ers, this is just perfect for you as you enter into the fall season! This is a gorgeous printer's tray by DT alumni Arlene Cuevas using Steampunk Spells, Petaloo, and Xyron products. Amazing!
It’s March Craftness with Sizzix! Some of your favorite craft brands have come together to celebrate National Craft and Quilt Month. Did you know that studies show that arts and crafts aid in your emotional well-being and can help to reduce stress? Well we're here to celebrate for those very reasons... and because it's just plain fun to make stuff! Sizzix is giving one lucky winner each week the craft tools and materials to be creative and have fun.
From March 1st to March 28th, Sizzix is giving away over $1,000 in prizes—with one winner chosen each week!
This week is GRAND PRIZE WEEK! Fun, Fun, Fun!
So from March 22nd to March 28th, enter for your chance to win:
1) Sizzix: Big Shot Pro Machine & $100 Sizzix.com Gift Card
2) Xyron: 9" Creative Station™
3) Hoffman Fabrics: fabric and thread bundle of the 2015 Hoffman Challenge, featuring all of the Challenge collection and the special thread collection created by Aurifil
4) Therm-O-Web: HeatnBond EZ • Print Sheets & Pressing Paper, Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive, Heat 'n Bond Lite • 35 yd Bolt
5) Graphic 45: assorted items from Raining Cats & Dogs paper collection
Don’t miss it! Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below:
Gorgeous! Thanks so much for joining us this Sunday. We hope you have a fabulous day and enjoy this fabulous inspiration.
Your Pals in Paper,
Graphic 45
Want to try this project out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here
Oh my gosh what gorgeous inspiring projects!!
Posted by: Mary Longberry | March 22, 2015 at 05:46 AM
I love Rhea's project!!! This makes me want to take out my collection and make one myself!!!💞💞💞
Posted by: Nancy Lorenz | March 22, 2015 at 08:56 AM
What really great projects. Love them all.
Posted by: Susan Gould | March 22, 2015 at 09:05 AM
beautiful projects, such talented ladies!
Posted by: Pam B | March 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Absolutely INCREDIBLE!! LOVE the shadowbox and the printers tray is divine!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: barbara macaskill | March 22, 2015 at 10:36 AM
While I'm not interested in creating a project of this type, I did enjoy watching the creative process unfold in the photo tutorial. I'm not sure how this product prize is working this week, but whoever wins it will be in crafting heaven!
Posted by: Martie Rollin | March 22, 2015 at 12:28 PM
Love all the projects....they really inspire! The altered printer's tray is fantastic......
Posted by: Jan Grabowski | March 22, 2015 at 03:10 PM
Rhea is my favorite crafty designer. I have been following her for years. Her projects are always amazing.
Posted by: MaggieM | March 22, 2015 at 04:46 PM
Simply stunning!
Posted by: Yolanda Gonzalez | March 23, 2015 at 08:26 AM
Oh gosh, two wonderful pieces & two of my fave collections. Ty for amazing giveaway chances too.: )
Posted by: Caroline | March 23, 2015 at 12:47 PM
Great gal, great art!
Posted by: Last Minute Lynn | March 23, 2015 at 05:44 PM
Just one more time --- Enough with the Facebook only contests/giveaways.
Posted by: Kathy W | March 23, 2015 at 08:07 PM