
Jowilna Nolte
377 posts
I have been in the industry for 15 plus years now and have loved the more than interesting journey it has taken me on so far.
I started off my career in retail working in a paper shop importing handmade speciality papers from japan, Canada, India and America. We also imported a range of rubber stamps (PSX), along with Ranger Products, and Tsukineko to mention a few. This was all back in 2000. I moved to the wholesale part of the business and got involved in window dressing and opening a second flagship store for the company while the owners were overseas. I have travelled extensively to America visiting CHA and Frankfurt Germany to their biggest paper trade show “Paperworld” where I gained valuable knowledge regarding the industry.
After a whirlwind love affair with the business I headed off into the sunset to fulfil my second dream by working in publishing. I started off as Technical Editor on a scrapbooking magazine and worked on several other craft publications in the company as well. But this was not enough – after a long journey I started my own scrapbooking magazine, which transformed into writing a real book book as opposed to a magazine book, and the rest is history.
I am currently a best-selling author in the craft industry with my book “Scrap-Boek” being the fourth best seller in South Africa and currently in second print. I am a freelance artist doing work for various companies such as Caxton Magazines that includes Rooi Rose and Bona Magazine to mention a few. I travel regularly to various shows teaching and presenting lectures on scrapbooking, card-making and creativity. I have been published several times in American publications such as Taken Ten Magazine, Catch Up Issue – both Somerset Publications. I was also asked to be a guest artist by Taken Ten Magazine for one of their issues in which an entire article was dedicated to my work. In December 2011, I made my television debut by presenting Christmas Crafts on 3 Talk with Noeleen.
After a bit of a sabbatical with my on-line classroom website Scrapcouture, we are busy revamping it with a fresh new approach to bringing creativity and new techniques to people all over the world. Other than that I spend lots of time scrapbooking and making cards and teaching classes weekly in Gauteng as well as throughout South Africa.
I am passionate about what I do and I have had many amazing experiences and met so many famous people throughout my creative journey. I am truly blessed with a gift from God!