About the artist
Hello friends!
My name is Nadia, and I am the artist and founder of Cottage Décor Handcrafted.
I am the third generation of hand-crafted artists. I focus on abstract collage art and 3D wooden puzzle builds. I am inspired by steampunk, fantasy, floral, and vintage themes. Each piece I create is made by hand and takes me about 2-8 weeks to complete.
My grandmother started my creative journey as a child by teaching me different art styles. We would spend hours together creating cards, decoupaging, and playing with paper. Please read my "How it All Started" section to learn more.
After my grandmother's health declined, I tried different forms of art and recently found a passion for 3D wooden puzzles and collage art. I am self-taught and find that working with my hands is very therapeutic.
Thank you so much for supporting my small business! Please like and follow my Facebook page at Cottage Décor Handcrafted for weekly updates.
Handcrafted:
-Nadia
How it all started
My creativity derives from a lineage of handcrafted artists. My great-grandmother, Beulah Markus (photo below), was a handmade doll maker who traveled around the United States to sell her dolls.
Her home was a "doll-making factory". She had kilns in the basement for the porcelain, yards of fabric for doll clothes, and more doll molds than you could count. Her dolls were very intricate and popular within the doll-making community. She passed her talents to my grandmother Pat Cabibi (photo below).
My grandmother was a photographer, elegant card designer, painter, and doll maker. Every time I visited her home, we would do something creative, whether card-making, cooking, or crafting. She had the tools for everything.
She had two rules - "never get hurt" and "You can make as big of a mess as you want, as long as you clean it up."
She was a wonderful mentor and I miss her dearly.
My grandmother is the reason I created Cottage Décor Handcrafted. For years, my family and I encouraged her to start selling her art. However, she unexpectedly had a major stroke, which caused her to become non-verbal and paralyzed on one side.
After her stroke, I tried different types of art but never really found something that inspired me. Then, I remembered a school project she helped me with in high school. She taught me how to decoupage for this project. I did my best to find the materials she taught me to use. After I made my first college as an adult, I found my passion.
Cottage Décor Handcrafted is dedicated to her and a reminder to me that you are never promised tomorrow. Dedicate your time to the things you love because you never know what tomorrow could bring..
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my About page!
Handcrafted with love:
-Nadia
Materials
Both the collage art and the 3D wooden puzzles are all made from a wood base. I use acrylic paint on all items. The designs are made with stickers, glue, glitter glue, superglue, craft paper, and different Mod Podge sealers.
Stores and Websites
All art supplies purchased for the original collage art were purchased from one of these stores:
Amazon, Shein, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Rokr, Robotime or, Dollar Tree
About the Art
Special Thank You
Thank you to my significant other, who has supported my art and business endeavors. Without you, this would never have been possible.
Thank you for always being my "number one fan!"
Handcrafted with love:
-Nadia