Who is behind Sam and Hailey Designs?

I guess I should start by introducing myself. My name is Jan Bryson, and first and foremost you'll notice that I'm a wife and mother of 5 awesome kids. We have three grown boys from my husband's first marriage, and two little girls together. Oh and over the past few years we've added two daughters-in-law and two grand-daughters... which is both really cool and really surreal at the same time.

The second thing you'll notice about me is that I'm a graphic designer for the paper crafting industry.  My little graphic arts label is called "Sam & Hailey Designs" which is named after my two daughters, Samantha & Hailey. I figured since they're stuck like glue to me all day, why not go into business with them!  I primarily design artwork for digital die-cut machines with the occasional digital stamp or other digital scrapbooking artwork thrown in on the side.

How did I end up here? I got into scrapbooking and cardmaking after our girls were born, and became obsessed with anything made from paper. I had a traditional pressure die-cut machine but it was just too limiting for artistic expression. For Christmas my wonderful husband bought me a Wishblade. I don't think he had any idea what he was getting us all into when he made that sweet purchase. I started designing files for my Wishblade and never looked back. In May of 2007 I started creating die-cut designs for sale, which has been one of the most amazing opportunities in my life. In the fall of 2007 I upgraded to a 13" Klic-N-Kut (KNK) machine and loved every minute I've owned it.  Since then, I upgraded again to the 15" KNK Maxx machine.  I adore this machine it's just perfect for me!

We have lived in very sunny Tucson, Arizona since the summer of 2007. Before that we lived in Connecticut for a very long time! We still miss all our friends back there. I grew up in the SF Bay Area of California, which was a great place to grow up, I have to say! I went to Brigham Young University and have a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design. After college I ended up, through a series of strange circumstances {long story}, in a career in IT and Project Management at an enormous Information Technology which I sort-of enjoyed for 10 years. After we moved to Arizona, I was privileged to be able to stay home with my kids, for which I am so grateful. Now I get to concentrate on my first love... art and design {sorry, Honey}!

I hope you will enjoy hearing about our adventures as a family and my adventures in paper arts!

You are welcome to contact me at samhailey.designs@gmail.com.  I take requests!

Time to get crafty, people!

Jan