Thursday, December 3

An Interview with Amy Ryan

by Karen Robert

You may have noticed a few cards which have been posted her in the gallery of cards section by Amy Ryan. Her cards are really wonderful. Here is one. I decided to ask her a few questions about the card making process. This is what she said:

What inspired you to start making fun, original Christmas cards?

I started making original Christmas cards the year I got married.  People had been asking to see a wedding picture (this was way before Facebook and even before digital photos were common) but I felt funny sending out just a picture of us.  So, to make it less formal, I took our wedding picture, photoshopped Santa hats on our heads and stuck us popping out of a wreath.  It was very basic but got a good response.   Then, when I was pregnant with our first child, I wanted to announce the pregnancy to some family and friends that didn’t know yet.  So, again, I photoshopped a Santa hat – this time on the ultrasound picture.  This got an even bigger response.  After that, I knew I had to keep the cards coming.
What do your friends say when they get yours every year?

Friends and family are always telling me that they look forward to the cards every year.  They also say I should start a business doing this.  So far I’ve just been making cards for a few family and friends.

Do you feel pressure to better yourself every year?

I feel a lot of pressure to top myself each year.  People start to ask what I’m doing for my Christmas cards around Halloween.  That really puts the pressure on.
Do you run out of ideas?

I haven’t run out of ideas yet.  I still have a bunch of cards I want to do, but may have to wait until my children become more cooperative (hopefully that day will come).

What software program do you use?

Adobe Photoshop CS3

Did you have formal training as a designer?

No.  No training at all.  I started playing around with Photoshop when my husband (to be) had it in college.  After we got married, I used Photoshop to create pictures/text/etc that I printed out and used in my scrapbooks.  I have learned a lot from on-line tutorials, books, magazines, digital scrapbooking sites and a great deal of trial and error.

How can the average person do what you do?

I consider myself the average person since I have no formal training.  I think the best source is on-line tutorials!  There are tutorials for just about anything you can imagine in Photoshop.  Also, check out digital scrapbooking sites like DesignerDigitals.com and TwoPeasInABucket.com.  They have great tutorials and also have digital supplies that you can purchase that will help you easily put together a beautiful and/or fun card.

Do you know exactly what your idea will look like before you take your kids’
pictures?

Usually.  I normally have a good idea of what I want.  Sometimes the kids don’t cooperate and I have to change some things around.  Once I have the pictures, the actual design can take on a life of it’s own, but the original idea is still there.

How long does it take you to make one of your cards from start to finish?

Start to finish my cards take about a month or 2.  It starts with the idea and shopping for props, clothes, etc.  One year I even learned how to sew just so I could have an angel costume for my daughter for this card:My card takes a couple of photoshoots,  then the design, ordering, addressing and stamping.  It’s a long process, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Do you plan to always make such original cards?

I plan to make original cards for as long as my children cooperate.  Or as long as my family and friends have children that will cooperate.

Do you save them? if so how? Scrapbook for your kids or do you hang them up?

I do save my cards.  I, of course, save them digitally and save the printed copy.  I also make part of each card into a Christmas tree ornament through an on-line photo processing site.

Will you design cards for others? if so how can they contact you?

I would love to design cards for other people.  They can go to my website: www.ARGreetings.com.  Or e-mail me at amyryan77@comcast.net .

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