Home The interior At home with

At home with


The charismatic designer puts her artistic flair to beautiful use - creating gracious greetings and whimsical art.
Q As creator and owner of a successful stationery company since 2000, did you ever expect such a future in greeting cards?
A I have to give my mother all the credit. Thanks to her I was able to stay at home and
work on my designs while she handled the sales and customers. My father also played a huge role in the business aspect by handling all the finances.
Q So did you always want to be an artist?
A Ive always loved being creative. From flower arranging to papier - mache - there was always a "project" going on when I was growing up.
Q What sparked your interest in greeting cards?
A I always loved to draw and when the holidays came around I would really enjoy doing the family Christmas card. It wasnt until 96 though that I started to sell my designs. I wanted to surprise my husband with a watch for Christmas so to earn the money I rented a booth at the Memphis Junior League Holiday Show. The plan was a success - I had so much fun selling calling cards and watercolor prints for childrens rooms. This was also the first year I started selling Christmas cards.
Q When did you decide to pursue your creative hobby as a serious business venture?
A It was my dad who suggested I go into business. At first, I wasnt too keen on the idea; as far as I was concerned I was already living the dream - being a wife and a mother was everything I had ever wanted to be. In 2000 my parents moved to Memphis to be closer to the grandchildren and they helped me run the business; in 2000 we started Julia D. Azar Designs.
Q Are there any illustrators, artists, designers, etc. in or outside the card business who inspire you or whom you particularly admire? Are there any other sources of inspiration that influence your work?
A: I have always loved Tasha Tudor and Norman Rockwell. I guess it is their attention to detail and how they tell a story with paint that I love. For inspiration I also look to vintage childrens books and photographs from my travels, particularly photographs of architecture, iron gates, fences and fabrics.
Q The attention to detail is one apparent influence reflected in your drawing. Is it easy coming up with new designs?
A: Whenever I start drawing, I try to imagine Im creating something for someone I know personally. When I can make something relate to a real person the inspiration just flows.

At home withy


Q Does your family ever offer their input?
A: Yes, even when I dont ask! Im kidding though; I actually love their input. I live with very creative people and sometimes they see things in a way that I do not.
Q Do you have a favorite greeting card youve designed?
A: I think it would be a card I drew during those early years. It was a card with a dump trunk on the front. My son Nicholas was really into toy trucks at the time and I remember staying up late trying to get it just right. Finally, pleased with the result, I crawled into bed around 2:30 a.m. and I just recall thinking "wow, this is really fun."
Q You recently sold Julia D. Azar Designs to Inviting Company. Are you sad to be letting go of your company?
A Change is always bittersweet. As my mother would say, it might be the end of a chapter but we have many more chapters to write. I will definitely miss working with her every day but I look forward to designing for Inviting Company and seeing the new line of products they will introduce with my artwork.
Q You must have hundreds of greeting cards around your house, especially during the holidays. Do you have any creative ways to display cards you receive?
A I would love to say my family and I string them up with popcorn and cranberries and hang them over the fireplace while singing carols, but in reality, I usually have four to seven projects going on at the same time so holiday cards most often land in a basket.
Q What do you do with them all after December?
A Once I can sit down and relax with my family Ill put out all the cards we received and look at them. It always amazes me to see my friends children grow up each year. Where does the time go? Eventually, Ill put every greeting card in a large bag and label it with the year.
Q Any memorable holiday experiences that stand out?
A My oldest child, Isabel, was born in 96, nearly four months early. It was a scary time but the support we received from those around us was amazing. We were on peoples prayer lists we didnt even know. That Christmas I sent out probably 500 greeting cards to express our gratefulness. The card included a picture of Isabel when she arrived home from the hospital and a picture of Isabel that December.
< Prev   Next >
 

Last read