It's Friday! BTS-day! But before I introduce you to todays manufacturer let's announce last weeks winner!
Congratulations Jackie! You are the lucky winner of those 5 gorgeous TCW stencils! Please e-mail me you address so we can send them out to you! :)
Today I'm happy to present to you an awesome patterend paper manufacturer from Poland! Please meet 7 Dots Studio:
Have you noticed that there are several very talented designers in Poland? Today we're talking to Anna Dabrowska aka Finnabair. Have fun!
My name is Anna Dabrowska-Pekocka, better known in the
industry as Finnabair. I'm a proud DT Coordinator, Educator and Product Manager
of the Polish scrapbooking brand, 7 Dots Studio. I live together with my
husband, Andrew in Warsaw, Poland, but I travel a lot in the last 2 years too.
I’m a woman of many interests: I’m a full-time mixed media artist, scrapbooker, art journaler and teacher who loves new challenges, experiments and developing new techniques and skills. My projects are mostly media-based: I create paper and canvas layouts, collages and altered art, tags, journal pages – and many more. I love paint, texture and believe in power of recycling and upcycling. I just adore flea market supplies but also freestyle, careless creations.
How, when and by who was 7 Dots founded?
7 Dots Studio was born in October 2011 from dreams and for dreams - and it is a baby of a group of scrapbooking friends, who created a perfect team having different experiences and skills connected to scrapbooking industry. From the very beginning we intended to create a scrapbooking brand providing great mixed-media quality papers with a bit alternative look. We wanted to be as versatile as possible - from clean, graphic designs to mixed-media, grungy collage look. I think we achieved our goals and we're happy to see that many crafters and artists are interested in our designs!
7 Dots studio is a paper and paper embellishment manufacturer - we've got great quality paper collections suitable not only for scrapbooking but also all kinds of mixed-media creations - our 250g/mm papers work beautifully with sprays, paint and inks. We also offer stickers, tags and elements coordintating with our paper collections. All of them together are a great start for a scrapbook page or any off the page project and can be easily mixed with other brands.
What is your personal favorite product and why?
Oh, that is not a surprise I guess - I love papers, especially these which I can use as backgrounds for my projects - so as plain as possible, leaving a lot of freedom and space. Most of our collections provide this kind of design - double sided papers usually are more patterned on one side and more plain on the other.
How and where are the products produced.
All our production is printed in Poland, and our headquaters and warehouse are in Warsaw, which helps us to control the printing process and manage the logistics. Thanks to that we can make the production process a bit shorter too. When the designs are finished and approved they are prepared by editors for printing... and in few days we are getting ready to pack, check and send our collections to the shops. Shipping time depends on the option chosen by the customers and the coutry they are located, of course.
How are new products developed. Do you have in-house designers or designers from outside.
On the beginning of the 7DS adventure we decided it will be more beneficial for us to relay on the freelance designers, whose personalities and style will be easily recognisable, so we don't have any in-house designers at the moment, but we've got editorial staff and creative director who support the designers. So far it works really well and I believe it is a perfect solution for us!
What are your thoughts about how scrapbooking/mixed media will evolve in the upcoming year. What will be hot and new, what will be out.
I'm sure mixed-media are strong and they will go up in the coming years - people want to play, design, enjoy the creative process. They will need more tools, mediums and surface to play for sure... I'd say people will get more adventurous,open for the new creative ideas. On the other hand I think there will be also a movement in the opposite direction - going back to the roots of scrapbooking - so art journaling and simple projects saving our everyday lives such as "project life" or 31 Days of December. Diversity - this is the future I think!
Do you have some exciting news, new product releases maybe, that you want to share?
We are very excited about our new release, which is hitting the shops' shelves right now: "Queen's Heart" Collection - soft, beautiful vintage collection by Anna Iwanowska and "Love is in The Air" - colorful, artsy collection by our new designer Agnieszka-Anna Niedżwiedzka. Both are simply delightful and our talented DT is working hard now to make some inspiratinal samples for our fans! Soon our bog will be full of new designs - I simpy can't wait to see and share them with everybody!
Where can we find your company?
Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Here are our DT galleries and some examples from our DT:
Dreamer and Elise Rebel Collection
All I Ever and Wonderland Collection
Domestic Goddess and Hopefully Collection
And last but not least... here is the giveaway for today! Not just 1 but 3 collections to be won by one lucky reader. The 2 newest collections and 1 older one:
How awesome it that?! Would you love a chance of winning these great collections then this is what you have to do:
First visit the 7 Dots Studio Blog, then come back here and tell me which blog post of the last month was the most inspiring to you. Comments close on Thursday, February 7 at midnight (GMT+1). The winner will be announced in the next Behind the Scenes on Friday, February 8.
Next week's manufacturer is My Stamp BOX! Don't miss it! :)
Thank you so much for stopping by! Make sure to check back later today as there will be another post with great giveaways!! Have a great weekend!
Great post!! love 7 dots Studio!!!
Posted by: Limor Webber | February 01, 2013 at 06:14 AM
De post van 10 januari inspireert me het meest. Wat is the queens heart een mooie lijn. Ik kende 7 dots studio nog niet en ook hun blog niet maar wat een mooie projecten staan er op zeg! Ik ga deze blog zeker volgen want alle lay outs die ik zag zijn een bron van inspiratie. Dank je voor deze kennismaking :-) .
Posted by: Anette | February 01, 2013 at 08:58 AM
Choose just one? Are you serious? I loved them all. But I think my favourite may have been "Some Winter And Some Spring By Teeshoom". Her layering is INCREDIBLE!!!!!
Posted by: Jules The Bling Princess | February 01, 2013 at 09:39 AM
I totally agree with Jules the bling Princess. Just one!!! sorry I got it down th three. I totally loved Czekoczyna Art Journal and Layout, all the layers and I loved her way of journal ling. Then Encza 3D Panel of her daughter last Christmas just blew me away! stunning and attention to detail but I really do love Finnabair. I always get lost in her art and could explore for hours. I'm so excited cause in March I get to take two classes with her in New Zealand :-) Right going back now to explore more of the 7 Dots blog.
Posted by: Donna (midnightscrapper) | February 01, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Hi Birgit, hij Anna! Thanks for introducing 7 dots Studio. Beautiful papers: love the new Love is in the air. About the 7 dots blog: I love Louise Nelson, I follow her blog for quite some time now. So I'm gonna pick another artist for now: I love the LO Larissa made (beautiful blues, greens, yellows on a pale intruiging background) for the cold colors challenge on january the 20th (my B-day ;o)
Bye, Diane Bosscher-Struik
Posted by: Diane Bosscher-Struik | February 01, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Love the new lines, the most inspiring post was the one from Irene with her mini album. I can't wait to scrap again and this Domestic Goddess line might just do the trick to get me going again!
Posted by: Mieke Nagtegaal | February 01, 2013 at 11:09 AM
As much as I love all the designers and project over on the 7 dot blog, The one that inspired me the most has to be Finn's projects on the 4th jan.. I just love her style and her ability to compose each layout in a random but organised why, She just has a real ability for perfect composition, and I aspire to make my art look as amazing.
Posted by: Minxy | February 01, 2013 at 11:24 AM
Whatg a rocking post: I know Anna form her classes and love her work a lot. I know you for sure... GREAT POST!
Posted by: IRIT | February 01, 2013 at 11:56 AM
I really love Anna's work and the new range is beautiful. I think I was most inspired by Teeshoom's journal pages which are gorgeous. I am new to art journaling and this has really inspired me to do some more.
Posted by: Anne Rx | February 01, 2013 at 12:08 PM
It's too hard to choose just one! I really love Finnabair's work on January 4th. But maybe my favourite this time is Tanya's second layout from 26th January. At the moment I'm crazy about turquoise, teal and all the blueish colours, so my choice goes there :)
Posted by: Anski | February 01, 2013 at 12:43 PM
Wat een geweldig merk! Prachtig papier met een mooie vintage uitstraling. Het blog staat vol mooie dingen, maar Finn's vorige lay-out vind ik toch wel het allermooist!
Posted by: Romy | February 01, 2013 at 12:52 PM
First of all i added this blog to my blogrol. I'm sorry it wasn't there cause i didn't know 7ds. I was inspired by the posts of the art journals!!
Posted by: Alice | February 01, 2013 at 01:23 PM
It's hard not to be inspired by ALL those lovely blogs. But for me, the one that made me itch to get at my supplies, was the post by Muumka (I hope I spelt that right!). I just loved all the little details, the splodges, the colours and the sense of life the page gave me.
Posted by: Gill Dickinson | February 01, 2013 at 02:02 PM
Thanks for this interview, I loved reading about how 7 Dots Studio works and the fact that they use freelance designers. On their blog, I loved Magda Bolinska's and Louise Nelson's lastest posts - I so admire their distinctive styles! In fact, I'm a fan of several members of the design team!
Posted by: Grace | February 01, 2013 at 02:18 PM
Hi! Wonderfull staff here, I really admire!
I visited 7dotstudio blog and I found Tara's post from 20th January about spot to feed the ducks (http://7dotsstudio.com/en/archives/date/2013/01/page/3. I love that kind of scraps where special moments are "catched" :)
Posted by: Powalla | February 01, 2013 at 04:31 PM
What an amazing talent pool on 7DS's design team. I really enjoyed Tanya's very whimisical Bath Time page, and how she created a scene. There is so much to take in on all the posts, though.
Posted by: Ann Jobes | February 01, 2013 at 04:35 PM
7 Dots lines are so pretty, almost ethereal. Love is in the Air is my favorite of this release, thanks so much for the chance to win!
Posted by: Miriam Prantner | February 01, 2013 at 05:28 PM
I loved them all but there were two that really spoke to me, the guest post by Elena Olinevich and the one right before that by Finn with the Industrial Baroque - love those colors. I favor art journalling and collage so perhaps that is why I choose these two. Thanks for a chance to win.
Posted by: Donna L | February 01, 2013 at 05:46 PM
I absolutely loved the Cold Colours challenge page on 20th January - the inspiration from the whole team was out of this world, and I'm a cold colour fan anyway - just amazing! Love the 7 Dots papers - particularly Finn's papers - the Domestic Goddess is unbelievably cool (yup, I know it's hot colours, but still...). Thanks so much for a chance to win!
Alison x
Posted by: butterfly | February 01, 2013 at 06:34 PM
My absolute favorite is "some winter and some spring". I think it is so colorful! The blog had so many beautiful projects which made it hard to choose. I am definitely going to follow their blog and Facebook to learn about their great products.
Posted by: Renee | February 01, 2013 at 06:40 PM
de post van 4 januari door finn is voor mij de meest inspirerende, ik ben zowiezo fan...
er zijn nog heel mooie en leuke posts, ik ben wild van de domestic goddess papieren alhoewel
het nieuwe love is in the air mij ook kan bekoren
Posted by: Marie-Anne Raeman | February 01, 2013 at 06:58 PM
I adore 7Dots Studio papers and would never miss such a chance :) The inspiring posts- well ALL!!! But
definitely 10th and 11th January when the new collections were presented. My mind's already spinning with ideas:)
Posted by: Zanka (Zaneta Glowa) | February 01, 2013 at 07:07 PM
I was very inspired by Louise Nelson's post on January 30th! I love the depth of the designs and her color choices!
Posted by: Tricia | February 01, 2013 at 07:31 PM
Love the post of January 4th. The lay-outs from Anna are most inspiring. Her use of colour and embellishment is unique.
Posted by: Margriet | February 01, 2013 at 07:55 PM
WOW ... I´ve been very inspired by Marianne´s layout "It´s cold outside" from the cold-colour-challenge from january 20th. The paper matches perfect to the foto ... I can feel the cold colours ;-)
Posted by: Maybe | February 01, 2013 at 08:01 PM
Anna's work is inspirational! I love the 7 dots papers but all I have been able to get is the Domestic Goddess. Dying to get more! It just begs you to play and mix and mist and ink. . .
Posted by: Pam Ellis | February 01, 2013 at 08:12 PM
Loved looking around the 7 Dots blog today, I think (since Im a new mom) that the most inspiring creation was the Bath Time layout by DTM Tanya. I got so many ideas from seeing it. thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Kim H | February 01, 2013 at 08:53 PM
I love the simplicity of Louise's layouts Cool and Hello 2013. This must be very difficult to achieve.
Posted by: Annette Goodey | February 01, 2013 at 08:56 PM
Only one! Ok On the cold colour challenge, the Winter Wonderland layout. Just so beautiful
Posted by: ionabunny | February 01, 2013 at 09:16 PM
There is so much inspiration over there that it makes it hard to only choose one....but I'm going with Lou's post - I always love her work & the amazing detail, texture & artiness she comes up with!
Posted by: Linda Eggleton | February 01, 2013 at 09:19 PM
It was hard to choose just one, because 7 Dots Studio has such a great DT! But what appealed to me the most was the post of January 12th, by Chekoczyna with the amazing art journal and the running, subtle colors layout.
Posted by: Riikka | February 01, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Far too difficult but Taras later post was my favourite.
Posted by: ruth m | February 02, 2013 at 08:15 AM
Wow! I have just looked around 7 dots studio blog & agree with the other bloggers. The design team is so super talented that it was hard to pick one entry. However, I am going with Louise's layouts for her use of cotton thread. I have never seen thread used in this way & will be giving it a go myself.
Posted by: Theresa.H | February 02, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Thanks for introducing us to 7 dots studio. their paper packs are stunning & their samples amazing. I just love the Journey album, from Irene's day, with its fuzzy cutting detail & brown tones. It is so me!
Posted by: Crafty Newbie | February 02, 2013 at 01:34 PM
There were many inspiring blog posts, but if I have to pick up one, it'll be January the 1st, Mirrior, Mirroir. I loved allso the layout winter Wonderland.
Posted by: Leenamummi | February 02, 2013 at 06:48 PM
From the very beginning I have enjoyed 7 dots studio papers, they are breathtaking! From the January posts I have to say the one that really got my juices going was from jan 11 showing off the papers in the new Love is in the air -collection. I just looooove those papers!
I want to thank all the 7 dots studio designers as they are truly talented!! I enjoy going to the blog and have never been disappointed by their work. Please keep them coming : )
Posted by: taru76 | February 02, 2013 at 08:06 PM
I love Louise Nelson layouts I was recently inspired to make something inspired by her creations though a card not a scrapbook page. But I have to say
Mumkaa and her daughters first layout is fab I love the mixed media & the texture. I love how it all came together.
Posted by: Maz | February 03, 2013 at 02:02 AM
It's so hard to choose -- so many great ideas in every post. One that stood out for me was Jan. 20th's post: Cold Colours -- especially Tara's layout using vintage book pages & Czekoczyna's art journal pages -- fabulous!
Posted by: Lisa Campion | February 03, 2013 at 03:33 AM
très difficile de choisir ! tout m'inspire .... ET J'ESSAYE DE PARTICIPER AUX CHALLENGES ^^
Mais j'aime beaucoup Louise le poste du 30 janvier, le poste du 20 janvier "les couleurs froides" le poste du 7 janvier et bien sur le poste du 4 janvier :-)
Posted by: corinne de france MARCH | February 03, 2013 at 10:16 AM
I love Tanya layouts http://7dotsstudio.com/en/archives/8867 just so beautiful
Thank you so much for inspiration 7 Dots studio! Thanks so much for a chance to win!
Posted by: latyana | February 03, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Wat een heerlijk merk met super lijnen is dit toch! De post die ik het leukst vond is die van Teeshome; ik vind de laatste AJ spread echt helemaal geweldig! Leuk dat je weer wat weg mag geven; ik doe graag mee! Fijn weekend, Gerrina
Posted by: Gerrina | February 03, 2013 at 12:07 PM
oh wat een mooi merk, moet heel eerlijk bekennen dat ik het nog niet kende...wel het werk van Finnabair; wat ik echt geweldig vind !!
ik vind de LO van 27 januari, van moeder en dochter, erg mooi, vanwege de mooie heldere kleuren ;-)
Ik heb het blogadres direct opgeslagen bij mijn favourieten zodat ik heel makkelijk vaker een kijkje kan nemen.
Dank je wel, voor het, voor mij, bekend maken van dit merk
Posted by: bea | February 03, 2013 at 03:42 PM
The 7 dots designs are all so good and the designers have done amazing things with them. I think my favourite is Finnabair's pages on 4th January. I love this style but haven't tried it as i think i'll make a mess of it. But this year it's Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway as my motto so next page will be this style.
Posted by: carole | February 03, 2013 at 05:51 PM
Difficult choice! If I have to narrow it down to 1 post, it surely must be Finn's projects on the 4th of January.....She amazes me every time I see one of her projects!
Posted by: Ellie Knol | February 04, 2013 at 11:31 PM
Well i did look around al lot on the page and there is so much beautiful artwork on it. But what i did love the most actually was a post from december 22 a december daily from Tanya.
Posted by: Jessica | February 05, 2013 at 03:42 PM
I loved the layouts by Louise. Her designs have a very special and recognizable style. Love the feeling of lightness and the clever use of free space. Hoever, the threads are the most inspiring elements - I need to try something like that soon!!
Posted by: Elina | February 05, 2013 at 11:37 PM
I don't know how I can choose just one... I mean, Louise's layouts, Irene's masterpieces... How can I pick one?
However, the post that really started some kind of process in my mind was the one with Teeshoom's craft paper journal. I have a whole pack of brown paper bags in the closet, provided for free by the city council for composting. I doubt they would be happy knowing what I intend to do with some of them, but I think they would be perfect for such a journal. Now I just need to sneek them by my ever watching hubby, who is in the recycling business and undoubtedly will be the one who has to bring home new ones after I've cut these up and made journals from them... tee hee.
Posted by: Jenny Svensson | February 06, 2013 at 07:22 PM
I love all the lines. Most inspiring for me is mumkaa's journal of 2013
Posted by: Marjolijn Stas | February 07, 2013 at 05:43 AM
7 dots is an amazing company and it is very hard to pick a favorite out of so much talent. I find myself drawn to mumkaas journal probably because I do a lot of art journaling. she did a beautiful job and I am in awe. I also liked the lady that did a layout without using any flowers, it was nice to see something done with no flowers at all. thank you so much for the chance to win some of your incredibly awesome products, it sure would inspire me to have them to use. xox
lurabrown@gmail.com
Posted by: lura brown | February 07, 2013 at 05:08 PM
I love the wonderland it kinda grungy and thats my style. lol
Posted by: Jeanette Munson | February 11, 2013 at 01:38 PM