Introducing Irit

... Irit Shalom

My name is IRIT and I am from sunny ISRAEL. In my "real life" I am a dentist, but for the last 5-6 years I do it as a part time job, because I need some extra time for my scrapping and crafting addiction and I have a lot of fun doing something else after 25 years of dentistry. I have been married for 29 years to a retired high police officer, who is the full time family cook these days. I am a mom to 4 grown ups: 2 sons and twin daughters. The empty nest is probably the main reason for my obsession for crafting - finally I have some time for myself. My oldest son is an army officer, married and a Dad of my first grandson Omer. The second one is " a world traveler" - for the last 6 years after his army service he is out of Israel for at least 9 months a year- lives and works in Spain. My twins are in their last year of college and my major scrapbooking inspiration. I need to say that I have been totally addicted to crafting since I was a little girl. For many years it was a polymer clay and jewelry making, but after I saw a scrapbook layout for the first time in my life (only 5 years ago during my visit to USA), I finally understood that I am in love with paper. Today I mostly scrap and do altered art and less card making. My style is mostly shabby and vintage, but sometimes I move to other styles too, all, but clean and simple one. I have been a design team member in about 9-10 challenge blogs and was a guest designer on lots of others during the last years, but since a last 2 years I design for manufacturers only. Right now I am a permanent designer for UK chipboard company named Tando creative,Robin's Nest and Pretty Little Studio paper companies, Creative Inspirations Paint, Epiphany Crafts Tool company,embossing powders company and Inspired by Stamping stamp company. I was a DT member for Best Creation paper and Cherry Lynn Designs die company for a year term and a Guest Designer for several USA companies in the past. I was published in print in Israel several times and was published in every possible web magazine during the last years. Last, but not least- my other addiction is..... folk dancing. So if I am not in my crafting room- I am probably dancing. I am totally thrilled to be a member of this team.