Featured Designer: Studio Em-Ka

Getting to know Malgorzata Kaszowska, or you may know her better as Studio Em-Ka!

 

1. What is your real name if different to your design name?

My name is Malgorzata Kaszowska (Malgosia to my friends). I design under the (nick)name Studio Em-ka.

2. Where do you find inspiration?

My children are my inspiration very often, during our walks, shopping trips or short journeys… sometimes I use the ideas of my little daughter, because one can see things through the eyes of a child, which are not usually seen by an adult.

The imagination of a child is not limited by anything! Sometimes it is a little detail I’ll remember after a walk, a souvenir from a trip, a visit to a gallery or a meeting with friends. And this detail becomes the main element of a new kit – sometimes it is a thing, a colour, a pattern… Very often these are my little dreams – or memories….

3. How long does it usually take to complete a kit?

When it comes to time, it depends…there are days when have inspiration, subject and table of elements, so the kit can be created in 2-3 days, but sometimes it can be longer ( 2-3 weeks – when I do it in the evenings after the work).

4. What are your favourite design tools and what computer/software/programs do you use?

I usually work on my PC using Photo shop CS3 and other programs which I use to paint – I love Pixxar Twisted Brush! I use tablet A4 format of course – it’s been my ‘faithful friend’ for years- I cannot imagine working without it: painting, cutting, creating brushes – it’s really easy with the use of this tool! And there’s also one thing that I almost sleep with – it’s my camera: Nikon D90! It’s always with me everywhere! At present I’m thinking of changing it for a better model… Maybe for my next birthday present – in March! I always use my own photos – I never part with my camera – it is always with me… I take photos of everything which catches my eye

Sunny Meadow

“it’s a picture of a really beautiful meadow where our small friends (like butterflies, spiders, frogs, snails) live their lives. It’s a meadow full of flowers, leaves and other treasures. I gave my whole heart to create the papers and elements. I also had  great fun in doing this kit! It’s not only got natural elements but painted as well and that makes the whole of the kit.“

Available HERE

5. Do you have a work method you like to follow?

I start with the papers first which are the base for elements later. I arrange the new elements – and that is how the preview is made.

6. How many hours a day/week do you devote to designing?

Usually evening time is my design time, and if everything goes smooth and I’m on a roll, I can spend 4-5 hours straight designing, but sometimes if I get stuck I may spend the same amount of time but at the end of the day have very little done.

7. Do you do any other design work like for paper companies? Magazines? Etc.

I am an active worker  – so I don’t have much free time, and at the top of that there’s always my family – that is why I take commisions very rarely – as a rule they are the projects of calendars (for sports clubs), postcards or adverts to magazines ( for some companies);

8. Do you also scrap? Or just design?

Just beacuse – I also do some scraps – although I do it less often recently – as I have less time; it’s the scrapping that came first in my adventure of scrapbooking, which later became designing; At present I only create pages which are tests for my kits – before they are placed in the shop.

9. How long have you been designing? And can you tell us about how & why you started designing?

My adventure started during the first months of waiting for my daughter Amela. The first usg photos, the first movements, more photos, her birth… many times I couldn’t find suitable elements for my work – then I started doing my own elements and papers – it’s been over 4 years now; and on 17^th March (my birthday) – it will have been the third anniversary since I am at SBG;

I cooperated with MTD and Scrapbird for a short time – and later I found myself in SBG – and I’ve been here until the present day.

I was given many useful tips and pieces of advice from Mamrotka (Scrapbird.com), Lotta (Ola) and SussieM (Marzenka); Many thanks to you Girls!

10. Married, single, other?

I’m married and have two wonderful children: Mathew and Amelia; I live in Lancut (a small city in the south east Poland); I work in a very big corporation in Poland;

Feelings

“the inspiration of this kit was my little princess. I was doing this with my little daughter in my mind (and other little princesses of course!). The kit is very delicate, gentle and connected with my long-lasting hobby – dancing… Dancing has been with me practically from my first steps in this world – I danced for more than 20 years… These are beautiful memories… I am always moved when I look back… I still happen to dance on the scene, but only during jubilee shows of the groups I was in when I was a child and a student; before, this was my work – now it’s just play;“

Available HERE

11. Height?

I’m not a model – I’m 168cm tall – but I love high-heels, so they give me 178cm as a whole

12. Are you shy or confident?

I have strong personality, so I’m not a shy person;

13. Have you met any other digital scrappers/designers in person?

Of course – sometimes I spend nice moments with Marzenka (SussieM) drinking tasty coffee – she’s a very friendly designer

14. What does your design name mean? How did you come up with it?

For years I have used the nick eM-Ka in many Internet forums. It is created from the initials of my first name and surname – that’s how I became Em-Ka Designs; I’m Em-ka also because many people associate me with this name.

15. Who do you admire?

There are many talented designers in the world of scrapbooking with great ideas and high product quality. I will not be able to give a full list so I will say generally that I appreciate the designers who give a lot of themselves to their works – who care for each detail and whose kits have a soul. However there are many people, not from that world ,who had incredible impact on my life – one of these people is of course John Paul II – Polish Pope, the pope of my generation, and my mum as well.

Country Side

“this time the inspiration was a visit to my friend who raises very rare species of birds like: pigeons, peacocks, Australian birds and unusual species of domestic birds…..I was enchanted. I decided to join it with the beauty of autumn – and that is how this kit was made“

Available HERE

And some just for fun questions!

16. Tell us something that might shock people to learn about you.

I survived two very serious road accidents; I know that God has an important task for me – I haven’t found what task yet – but I know that I’ll find it out someday.

17. If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be?

In the first place: health for myself and my relatives; secondly – I would like to run a huge house for the poor, orphaned and alone children – something like an orphanage; thirdly – I’d like to meet and hug my dad again who’s been dead for a couple of years.

Wishes aren’t just enough……………….

18. What is your favorite drink?

I love semi-sweet red wine and juice – from fresh fruit – I do it by myself mostly.

19. Favourite movie?

Hmmm…- I really like “ Game of Thrones” and I wait impatienly for the next series to come in spring 2012.

20. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

One of my dreams is the journey around the world… I’d like to visit remote corners of Australia and Africa J maybe someday…

 

I took a peek through Małgosia’s store and picked out my 3 favourite products!

Oh Boy!

“I’m such a sucker for boy kits, and this is just perfect! That red fire engine is so cute!!”

Available HERE

Shabby Chic Frames

“These cluster frames are amazing! They really caught my eye. The lace is so detailed”

Available HERE

Lace Bundle

“The quality of Malgosia’s CU lace is just amazing. You can use it to create your own kits or as a personal shopper, use it to add to your own layouts.  ”

Available HERE

 

Can you show us your very first release? Whether it be a kit for sale, or a blog freebie. We’d love to see where you started and how your designs have evolved over time.

 

 

My first kit … hahahaha – I always smile when I think of it.

It was called “ My pearl dream” It was full of flowers, leaves, pearls.

I also remember that I spent a lot of time in preparing the papers.

This kit used to be on sale in my first shop – now it’s not available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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