Hi! I’m Laurie Cinotto and I’m artist/crafter/DIY writer living in the lovely and lush Pacific Northwest.

My area of specialty is paper flower crafting, and I make and sell paper flower creations – mostly corsages, boutonnières and bouquets - on Etsy and at arts and craft fairs. 



I also write DIY projects for craft and wedding websites and magazines. In March of 2011, my very first book/craft kit, Making Paper Flowers, was published.

Currently, I’m on the Hambly Screen Prints and Fiskars design teams.

I experiment with a lot of materials, but I find myself always coming back to paper. I love the versatility of paper. It’s so exciting to see how the craft industry has boomed, making the most lovely and amazing papers and paper-crafting tools available.

Besides making things, and writing about how to make things, I foster kittens. Truth be told, one of the main reasons why I turned into a full time, work from home crafter/writer was so I could stay at home and take care of the kitties. 



Crafts, cats, repeat. I feel lucky living the life I do. 


 
 To see more of the things I make, visit http://www.lalalaurie.com
 
 To see the kittens I foster, visit http://www.theittybittykittycommittee.com

1. How long have you been crafting?

As far back as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed making things. Art was always my favorite subject in school, and my favorite after-school activity too. I loved trying craft kits and toys - like paint-by-numbers and latch-hook rugs. Shrinky-Dinks, Spirograph, Spin-Art, Fashion Plates, and my Holly Hobby Sewing Machine were favorites, too.

As I grew up, my interest in crafting grew stronger, and now I’m quite lucky to call it my career.
 
2. Why did you start crafting?

I think I started crafting because I always loved being creative. There are many ways, shapes and forms to express yourself creatively, and crafting is something that felt right, and came most naturally to me, so I explored it.

3. How long have you been on the Fiskars design team?

I joined the team in May of 2011.

4. What are your favorite craft activities?

More than anything, I love exploring the possibilities of paper – both two and three dimensionally

5. How do you define your crafting style/aesthetic?

I would describe my style as vintage inspired, but with a clean, modern spin.

6. What is your favorite time of day to craft?

I do love crafting in the wee hours of the night. I feel like that’s the time when I am most productive.

7. What motivates/inspires you?

I take inspiration from vintage, handcrafted things– like embroidered pillowcases and dishtowels, quilts, and crocheted doilies. I appreciate the time and skills it took to create these works, and the thought that went into making something both practical and beautiful.

Also, I love looking through vintage craft books and magazines and placing a new spin on an old idea.

Even though I mostly look back in time for inspiration, I’m equally excited and inspired by all the new craft products on the market today. I’m so happy that the craft industry has flourished and made so many amazing papers and paper-crafting tools available.

8. If you could only have one Fiskars^® tool, what would it be and why?

I guess if I had to pick just one, it would be the Original Craft Rotary Paper Trimmer (12"). Out of the Fiskars products I use, that’s my go-to gadget. I’ve had it for years, and have put more millage on it than any other tool in the craft room. It never fails me, and cuts as precisely as it did the day I took it out of the box. A very close first runner-up prize goes to the No. 5 Micro-tip Easy Action Scissors.