Handmade in Israel

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Handmade in Israel is a wonderful card shop! Handmade cards are my favorite. Lisa has really lovely ones and a great variety to choose from and has been on Etsy since October 2007. She also has a BLOG. This is what Lisa says about her blog: I love blogging and try to update my blog at least twice a week. I find that it encourages me to make and create more and more because I want to have something new and exciting to show. I also blog a little about my life here in Israel. Israel is such a tiny country but it never fails to amaze me how varied the landscape is here and so I occasionally drop in a few photos from the various hikes, outings and days out that I have enjoyed with my husband and two boys .

How did you decide on your shop name?
The name 'Handmade in Israel' came around quite by accident. I started making cards long before I thought of opening an online store, and used to put 'Handmade in Israel' on the back of all my cards. I am originally from England and am very proud to be now living here in Israel, so really wanted to accentuate the fact that the cards were made here and nowhere else in the world! When it came to setting up my Etsy shop, 'Handmade in Israel' was the first title that came to mind. I am still very proud to be making my cards and pictures here.

When did you start crafting/card making?
For as long as I can remember I have been busy with my hands, crafting and making things. As a youngster I knew that I wanted to be an artist for a career. There was never a question in my mind of anything else. Before kids came along I worked as a graphic designer and art director, and often made cards to send to family and friends. When my last 'office job' came to an end in 1998 my husband looked at some of my cards and suggested that other people might buy them. I approached a local store who immediately took them on, and from then onwards my days have been spent cutting, sticking and making my papercut cards and pictures!

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I would love to be able to sew, and am sure that I could do it with a little tuition! As a youngster I used to embroider and do needlepoint with my Mum, and I have made a few stuffed toys along the way, but have never mastered a sewing machine or made my own clothes.

What or who inspires you?
I am inspired by things I see around me, by images I see in books and magazines, and by the beautiful and inspirational work of others that I see these days on the web. It encourages me to go one step further and come up with something new and that little bit different.

Do you have a day job?
I am very lucky to be able to say that this is my day job, well, aside from looking after my two boys and taking them to their many after school activities. School finishes very early in Israel, at 1:30pm, so I am very precious about the few hours I have in the morning to create. My 'day' job is really only from 8am till 1pm, but I do feel very privileged to be able to create my cards and pictures at home, rather than go out to work.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I have two favourites. I love creating the New Baby cards. I have mentioned it several times on my blog. Those little round faces always bring a smile to my face as I create them. I also love the Little Penguin Papercut Picture. I have re-made it a few times, in different colours and using different papers, so that each picture is always very individual and unique. I dare say that other pictures of penguins have been created by some great artists, but there is only one 'Handmade in Israel' penguin! Each piece that I create has my style all over it.