This week we welcome card-maker and artist Kara LaFrance, from Vive LaFrance Design!
Where do you live?
Costal North Carolina
Where do you do your work?
My home studio.
What’s your favourite place in the world, and why?
I love to travel. So anywhere new is exciting… Paris, Rome, Amsertdam, Australia. But lately we travel around the Carolinas. There are so many new places surrounding me. My husband, Paul and I love Charleston, SC. The art galleries, the restaruants, wandering or taking a tour and learning so much history. We love trying new things in new places!
Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your “day job” or business, family, hobbies:
I received my BA in Graphic Design from Rochester Institute of Technology and worked on Newbury Street in Boston at a small design firm that worked for non-profits and socially responsible businesses. It was an amazing job and I never thought that I would do something else. My body had other plans and a growing illness took over. A rare pituitary disease sucked the life right out of me but what choice did I have but to persevere. What I knew as my life changed, but the desire to create doesn’t go anywhere and it waits for you. These days I keep my hand in design with freelance work and create whatever inspires me – cards or paintings or both. I’m sure the 2 intertwine but they are different and have a different process. Either way, creating things make me joyful from the inside.
What did you want to be “when you grew up”?
I always wanted to be a doctor. People always find that funny since art is so far from medicine but I have been painting since I was seven so it never felt like a huge jump to me. I just tell people I decided to be a patient instead of a doctor.
How did you first get into your craft/art?
I have been painting since I was 7. My art teacher at school called my parents to tell them she thought I had real talent. After that, I started going to private lessons. I think I’ve always made cards. I would make them for my mom and leave them under her pillow. She still has many of them. My shop is just a continuation of things that have always been a part of my life.
What do you make?
Currently I paint in oils and design cards.
What are you most proud of making?
My painting, “Dreaming Tree”
What do you like the most/least about selling your wares online?
I love having a place to show my pieces. I don’t like the constant need for promoting. It takes away time from creating and I haven’t yet found a balance.
I Love…
Pilates!
What’s your favourite word?
I don’t know. I usually have one but not sure about right now.
If you could sum yourself up in one sentence, it would say:
Tenacity and perseverance with a dose of humor just about sums me up.
Find Kara Online!
Shop: Vive LaFrance Design
Website: www.vivelafrancedesign.etsy.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/vivelafrancedesign
Kara is giving away a set of 8 notecards this week! It will include: 2 “Dreaming Tree”; 2 “Untitled Tree 1” Â ; 2 “Posted” 2 “Yellow Tulips”. And she’s happy to ship anywhere in the world – so get commenting 😀
To Enter:
1. Visit Vive LaFrance and come back here leaving a comment about your favourite piece from the store.
2. For additional entries, leave a comment saying that you: followed or subscribed to Epheriell Designs (or already do); have twittered about the givewaway; have shared the giveaway with friends on Facebook, or; you have written a blog post about it.
3. Entries close next Friday, the 4th of June, at midday Australian EST.
The winner will be chosen via Random.org
Remember to leave me a way of contacting you.. and Good Luck!
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The winner of last week’s giveaway is Lubica K (please get in touch!!) – congrats!
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Want more Epheriell-y goodness? Subscribe to Epheriell Designs! Also, you can follow me on Twitter!
I love all of the tree paintings! I would love to have one of the originals hanging on my way someday.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Aquamarine & Silver Chaotic Knot Bead Necklace =-.
I love the animal print cards, especially this one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/37221653/wild-about-you-leopard
nvlasky@gmail.com
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Graduated Pearls and Crystals Earrings =-.
Just retweeted your post, do I have to choose just one, they are all great.
Ok if I have to it’s this one http://www.etsy.com/listing/37440111/owl-always-love-you-ii-card
X Kerri
I love the Give Me A Kiss card… it’d make the perfect anniversary card for my husband!!
Oh, already following your blog!
The Plum Blossom notecards are beautiful!
Have tweeted & I follow your blog 🙂
i think that the wish card is lovely!
The Untitled Trees painting is just GORGEOUS!
.-= Deb D´s last blog ..Ring, Rose Garden, Filigree, Rose Cabochon, Jewellery by Two Cheeky Monkeys on Etsy =-.
I follow via Google and subscribe to your blog.
.-= Deb D´s last blog ..Feature Friday – Julie’s Silk ‘N Style Shop =-.
I am loving the Fine Art Note Card – White Tulips – Set of 6, they are just gorgeous!
I’ve subscribed to Epheriell Designs through Google Blogger/Google Friend Connect as Dianne Childs
djchilds@hotmail.com
Just tweeted this giveaway on Twitter using the share on Twitter button above – heres the link to my tweet:
http://twitter.com/ShinyGlitterBug/status/14965927390
djchilds@hotmail.com
I think my favorite thing of hers is the Oil painting- Posted. I love the old building. Although she’s got several things that are really great. It was hard to decide.
.-= Kay´s last blog ..Ladybug Stained Glass Plant Stake =-.
I follow your blog. I found your post on Etsy and came to check it out. It’s great. Thanks.
.-= Kay´s last blog ..Ladybug Stained Glass Plant Stake =-.
I just tweeted about your giveaway. http://twitter.com/KayzKretionz
kaythomerson(at)hotmail.com
.-= Kay´s last blog ..Ladybug Stained Glass Plant Stake =-.
i love the 10 Fairy Princess Handmade Invitations.
follower and subscriber
I’m loving this ‘Infatuated’ card: http://www.etsy.com/listing/37964018/infatuated-love-note
And, I’m following this site 🙂
My favorite piece from the store is the Owl Always Love You II Card!
I already follow your blog with google friend connect!
I like the Give Me A Kiss card.
Is this open to the US? If so, I love this one: http://www.etsy.com/listing/37440111/owl-always-love-you-ii-card-item-of-the
ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(dot)com
.-= very married´s last blog ..Some Spice in my Life =-.
My favorite piece is the “God is..” card. ^_^
Thanks so much for this giveaway!
vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com
My favorite item is the yellow tulip art print! Lovely!
I love notecards! The Happy Birthday card is cute too!
I love the red wagon baby card! I’m expecting and that would be so cute!
I love the Father Means Love Card!
samyrocks92 at msn dot com
.-= Samy´s last blog ..Le Neko Noir [Review + Choice of Sleep Mask Giveaway] =-.
I follow Epheriell Designs 🙂
fave is definitely
http://www.etsy.com/listing/24775533/fine-art-note-card-dreaming-tree
sarahj.mack at gmail.com
I’ve bought a few of these cards and — let me tell you — they’re more awesome in person. The construction is solid and the art/design is fun! A sweet combination of creativity and targeted design.
Happy Birthday is my fave! Love the design
I am digging the 5 Cheery Thank You’s
Thanks for the chance!
I like Youth is a gift… yellow and black card. Very cute, something I would definitely use!!!!
I follow your blog!
.-= Erin H´s last blog ..My First Giveaway! Digital photo keychain and Betty Crocker Warm Delights! =-.
I like the Torrid love note 🙂 Scandelous!
The owl always love you card is so cute – I think the love notes are great too!
.-= Jenny B´s last blog ..Dustbunnies put the "fun" in functional! =-.
And I’m following Epheriel Designs!
.-= Jenny B´s last blog ..Dustbunnies put the "fun" in functional! =-.
I love the paintings best, but I recently purchased some butterfly thank you, some “tweets” for baby boy & baby girls, as well as some other notecards and I absolutely love them. Great to stock up on for use or quick gifts!
I love the God is cards!
mrsannieshaw@yahoo.com
I follow you on Google friend
mrsannieshaw@yahoo.com
I really like the Fine Art Note Card – White Tulips – Set of 6
I follow Epheriell Designs
I subscribe to you!
tweeted
http://twitter.com/cmumpy/status/15387257703
I like the infatuation card!
I follow this blog.
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Plush Playstation Controller Keychain =-.
I tweeted (kiddo47).
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Plush Playstation Controller Keychain =-.