Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Magarian White
Hi Michelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been creating arts and crafts as long as I can remember. I was always coloring, painting, making thing and practicing calligraphy. I majored in Graphic Design at SDSU. I started a business creating wedding invitations during the years my husband was in the Navy. After he retired, I opened Paper Tales, a paper art and craft shop in the Midway Towne Center. I was in business from 2008-2018. I loved running the shop, creating and being surrounded by creative people. I discovered a passion for teaching art while working in my shop. I decided that after 10 years in business it was time to explore different art ventures. I first started teaching art to children at a homeschool campus. I really enjoyed it and continued to find other opportunities to teach. I teach at Point Loma Arts Academy each summer, I teach private lessons and am currently participating in a program teaching art at both Coronado Unified elementary schools. I have an ETSY shop where I sell a variety of arts and crafts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was challenging to find creative jobs which is why I started my own businesses. Having the internet has definitely opened up many opportunities for connections. I find that many businesses hiring creatives don’t necessarily want to pay them what they’re worth.
I learned so much running my shop Paper Tales. Being the boss isn’t always fun. I learned that I had to remove my emotions when making decisions and even occasionally dealing with employees. That was difficult for me initially. Art is such a fun activity that I think it makes it hard to be business-like about it, but when you’re providing a service or a product you need to be professional and organized.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
i love working with paper. When I had my shop I created books and scrapbooks. Not what you would typically think of as scrapbooking though; these are modern and whimsical. I am currently doing paper cutting to create art images. Paper cut collage. I also enjoy watercolor, paper mache, ceramics and book binding. I sometimes think I should narrow my focus but I truly love all the different mediums!
In the classroom I hope by creating a positive attitude towards art for children that they grow up feeling their art is great. I start every class telling them that art is unique to each individual and that no person’s art should be the same. Many times kids will say “I can’t draw or I can’t paint.” My goal is to change their mind. Art should be fun.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I entered a coloring contest at a local department store and won a bike! I remember taking home the Santa’s Village coloring sheet they gave out and spending hours coloring it with my markers.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @papertales
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papertalessandiego/
- Twitter: @papertales
- Other: https://papertalesartstudio.etsy.com
