Welcome back to Designer Details! Today we have Janna Werner here to share with us the story her career development in the scrapbooking industry. She has accomplished a lot in a short period of time!
Known for thoughtful and introspective projects as well as a layered & soft yet clean style, Janna is currently on the design teams for Crate Paper, Chic Tags, Prima Marketing, Pink Paislee, I Love to Scrap and Color Conspiracy. She is also the c0-owner of 2frollein.
Janna Werner: My Scrap Story
Everything started when I was talking to a friend of mine, Katrine, in 2010. She lives in Denmark and we chat from time to time. She told me about her hobby, something called “scrapbooking”. I had never heard that word before nor did I have an idea of what someone would create if they were a “scrapbooker”. Curious as I am, I started Googling and found quite a lot of entries regarding this theme.
One of the first videos I saw was from Marion Smith. I was impressed by all the flowers and techniques she used, but was pretty sure that wouldn’t be a hobby for me (I wasn’t a glitter loving girl yet!) I don’t know why, but some weeks later I once again googled “scrapbooking“ and all of a sudden I was totally infected.
I started creating cards and ATCs, started a blog and participated in challenges. (I wasn’t yet making layouts, though.) Every free minute I had was dedicated to paper and glue. I even won some challenges, more by lot than talent, but it was still very satisfying 
In December 2010 Allison Spelman from Free Digital Stamps started a Design Team search for her new challenge blog called Do You Stack Up (DYSU). I got chosen (big happy dance) and was in my first Design Team!
After 3 weeks or so, the DT coordinator of DYSU resigned and I was asked if I was interested in that position. I said yes – with no idea of what to do. But if you know me, you know that I love a good challenge 
I started contacting sponsors, got deeper into html coding and organizing. The DT was amazing, they helped when needed and supported me a lot in that time. After a 6 month term I left DYSU and started a new adventure…
Then I made the Design Team of a German shop called Scrapbook Werkstatt, where I met many German scrapbookers.
It was then that I finally started creating layouts, even started sewing on paper (which now I cannot live without!) and adding glitter…
My first “big” team came in the Spring of 2011. In May, Kaisercraft announced their Design Team search and I was brave enough to join the race (uh that was a big one!).
The Call ended 9 days after I saw the announcement and I had to re-order lots of supplies. Back then, you had to send in 8 different projects created with Kaisercraft supplies. I got my package just one day before the call ended, so I got up at 6am, crafted the entire day without any breaks and submitted my application just 20 minutes before the deadline. I was totally exhausted but proud to have made it in time. I managed to get into the second round with 25 finalists and from that into the final Design Team. Amazing!
Since then, I have also had the pleasure to work for Hambly Screen Prints. Sadly it was only a 6 month term, as the company recently closed. A huge loss, their prints are amazing! Currently I am designing for Stampavie (only Mixed Media), Pink Paislee, Color Conspiracy, ILS, Prima Marketing, Chic Tags and Crate Paper.
I love being a Design Team member!
I like working with an international bunch of people, with great companies and other artists. I have made so many wonderful contacts and friends since I started my journey in 2010.
My Approach
I work on my style, my organization and skills continuously. I always keep my blog, flickr and facebook up to date and don´t miss a deadline. I think it is very important to do so, if you choose to be a professional crafter. The companies should be able to rely on you and the other way round.
By the way, I am also writing my final exams at University, so I really have a tight time table. Like mentioned above…. I love being challenged
Online Classes & A Magazine!
Besides my Design Team “career,” I also started writing for a German scrapbooking magazine in 2011 and started a project called „2frollein“, together with a friend of mine. We teach German scrapbooking and Mixed Media online classes. We also took over an Austrian scrapbooking magazine in January 2012.
Since then, we began publishing „Die Scrapperin“ (“die” is a German article ) and work together with international designers. Our scrapbooking and Mixed Media magazine is being sold worldwide.
As you can see, the “thing” called scrapbooking, in which I wasn’t too interested when I first heard about it, has become my life!
Thank you for your interest in me & my career. From here, I welcome the chance to answer more questions, provide advice however possible, and continue our discussion. I am thrilled to be the first DesignTeamCalls.com “Guest Adviser” this month. Meet me over on the Ask Janna Werner: Guest Adviser Forum and let me know how I can help you reach your career goals!
Janna
