Coffee Monkey - Mini Challenge

After a lovely few weeks' experience of DSL inconsistency, I am happy to finally send out the much anticipated update to the mini album challenge...and what an album it is! CoffeeMonkey is an amazing visual artist. When I first saw her album all I could think was...I want to see more! With a mind as active as hers, more is exactly what you get. While I am drawn to her collage work, she also has original paintings, lovelies to decorate yourself and home, supplies to inspire your heart and imagination, and an ecclectic mix that appeals to my own monkey mind. Don't forget to take a stroll through the musings of a Coffee Monkey.

Q&A with Coffee Monkey

A Little About You:
What is your favorite morning beverage?

Why coffee, of course! ; )
Do you prefer cats or dogs?

Dogs for sure, but I do love just about any kind of animal (cats, dolphins, monkeys?? hehe)
What is next to your computer right now?

A big big mess...I swear, I just can't keep this studio clean for one second!
Do you like your handwriting?

Most of the time, but not the one that shows up when I am in a hurry! Because I can usually never read it again.
Would you bungee jump?

Not sure, actually. I've been pondering that question for a while. I think I might if I had to to win some kind of reality TV show like Amazing Race or The Mole or something, but otherwise, I don't really think so. I am definitely too much of a scaredy cat when it comes to that stuff. Winning a show like that might be a big enough motivator though, I think.
If you could meet one historical figure, who would it be and what would ask him/her?

Just one? I couldn't name just one. Nor could I come up with just one question! Edgar Allan Poe, Nelson Mandela, Salvador Dali, Princess Di, Joan of Arc. I'd like to know what inspired/inspires them, what gave/gives them strength?

A Little About Your Mini Scrapbook:
What prompted you to join the Mini Scrapbook Challenge?

I love challenging myself to help me "find" and refine my style. And finding out what different artists come up with was an added bonus! I had to be part of it!
When you first saw the album, what did you think you would do with it?

I knew I would want to include it in one of my playing card paper dolls, but wasn't sure how.
What did you end up doing with it?

Created a little "Angel's Pretty Little Encyclopedia of Birds" that my angel could carry with her and use to research all the birds she comes across in her worldly travels.
Is there a theme to your album? Why/why not?

Yes, because a recent customer of mine who wanted a custom order had requested an angel with the theme of birds. I ended up making three so she could choose one. The rest are up for sale in my shop. I had so much fun with the theme that I couldn't help continuing it!
Now that you have worked with one, would you want to do another one?

Absolutely!
What would you do differently next time?

Make 20 of them! I am so inspired by this challenge! I keep several different etsy shops so time is limited for me at the moment (I have a sort of artist's ADD - can't keep to one project/medium/shop at a time) but I keep eyeing your shop periodically wanting to buy a few of them and pining for the time I will be able to use them.

A Little About Your Art/Craft:

When did you first start crafting? Why?

I was probably 2 or 3 yrs old. I used to sit with my grandfather up in his attic where he used to work on his own art. I had a little table next to his with colored pencils, coloring books and scissors. I just loved coloring & cutting out the pictures and making garlands. We would just sit quietly doing our own thing and periodically checking in with each other on our progress. Those were the good old times. (Grandpa up in heaven: Thanks for all those good times & I love you!)
What is your favorite material/technique?

I have many and they vary from one day to the next, but the common thread in my art is definitely paper/fiber (no pun intended)
What are your favorite colors to work with?

Blue, red, black (if you consider it a color).
Are you good with written instructions, or do you need pictures?

Pictures are always best. I am very visual.
If you could learn one new technique, what would it be? Why?

You name it, I want to learn how to do it. Right now, I would love to learn to spin fiber and weave.
If you could give one piece of advice to a young person first starting out, what would it be?

Don't give up. Know that this journey is one of learning. Mistakes will be made. It's what you do with what you've learned that counts. Don't despair. Keep your eyes open. Observe the what, the how, the why, the when and the where and use it in your art. That's a lot of different pieces of advice, sorry. ; )