Claudia is a creative Postcrosser from Italy, she even illustrates her own postcards. Read more about her in the following Spotlight interview!
- How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?
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I discovered Postcrossing reading a newspaper – I immediately thought that it would be a great chance for me to experience the world outside my window in Naples in a brand new way: not just by seeing pictures of new places but also by discovering aspects of people’s lives and cultures through senders’ words. I also loved the idea of establishing random contacts, as this allows the whole Postcrossing adventure to be free from any boundaries of age, color, culture or religion.
- Do you have any other interesting hobbies?
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I have many hobbies, but I should admit that I am not dedicated to all of them. I am dedicated in playing with my pets, reading books, watching movies and TV series, drawing, sun tanning and eating chocolate [I’m definitely too active in that :)] Then I sometimes love creative activities such as decoupage, scrapbooking, making beaded jewelry, and sewing bags for my niece or Halloween costumes for my pets. I would love to learn more about cooking and baking, especially foreign recipes.
- Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your postoffice or the place where you post or keep your postcards!
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My youngest cat Pepe hidden in the mailbox, ready to scare the mailman to death :)
- Show and tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.
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I have received many beautiful postcards and I love them all for different reasons, but I do actually have my top three:
I generally love picturesque street view postcards, as they let me dream about how great it would be to walk those different corners of the earth.
This postcard litterally left me breathless, because when I was 4 or 5 years old my dad built a wooden model of this same ship for me! Now I know it’s the “Endevour”, the vessel in which Captain Cook first sighted New Zeland in 1769.
With this third postcard I want to thank every single postcrosser who accepted my invitation to swap one or more of my favourite postcards with me. It’s amazing to discover that there are people around the world ready to do their utmost to find a postcard you like, just to make you happy.
- What is it your favorite part of the Postcrossing process?
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Receiving a postcard is always a big joy for me, but what I love most is to make my own postcards. Ever since I joined Postcrossing, I created my handmade postcards, because I wanted to share more of myself than just the few lines you can write on a postcard…to give them a “personal touch”. So, inspired by my beloved pets (1 mini-pinscher dog, 4 cats and 4 parrots), sketch by sketch, my handdrawn characters – the “Nextlola’s Zoo” – materialized in front of me… hoping to bring a smile to the receivers’ faces. I was hugely surprised by the extent of appreciation from other postcrossers, and because of the enthusiastic support of some of them (very special to me), I decided to try to turn my hobby into a job by printing my own postcards and selling them on my website.
34 comments so far
I was lucky enough to receive one of Nextola's charming postcards, http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/IT-98841, and it is one of my favorites. I just last night came upon it as I sorted out 8 months of postcards, and this one was put in my "Somehow Special" collection.
That Gisbourne card is stunning! Thank you Claudia for sharing with us! :)
I can't wait to receive a postcard from her! How amazing! :)
I am a big fan of Nextlola! Her watercolor artwork is original, unique and they make me smile. I've been sending some of her postcards out, too. I think it's great that today you featured a postcrosser that I know.
I must be one of your biggest fans in the Netherlands, I love your postcards and wish you a nice design career and a Happy and blessed New Year!!!!
che belle le tue cartoline! how nice your cards!
Beautiful cards and the beauty comes also from the message they show!
I am going to buy some, cause I would love getting one!
really congratulations.
You are a very talented artist! I would also love to receive one of your cards :-D I think we have lots in common- I love spending time with my pets (a cat and 3 tortoises), watching TV and films and eating too much chocolate!!
P.S. I also sell (and buy) on Etsy! :-)
Wonderful interview. It is pleasing to see someone who makes their postcards. Truly beautiful.
I also received a wonderful postcard from Claudia! My compliments for your artwork!!
Hey, you are amazing Claudia! I'm your one of the biggest fans of all time :))) I always remember your beautiful postcard with The Beatles for me ^^ Thank you and good luck at 2011! :)
Congratulations Claudia! Very nice work.
Hey Claudia :-) What a great interview! That´s my card from a swap, isn´t it? ;-) I love our private swaps and this special handmade card:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41067865@N07/4292907701/in/set-72157624780920360/
is still one of my "all time favourites" and has a special place on my desk.. Good luck and furthermore new ideas.
Thank you to evreyone for your kind words...from me and from Arturo the cat that is now purring on my lap :)
Hurray! It's GREAT to see nextlola - Claudia - shine in the spotlight! I too have received one of her cards (actually TWO because she sent me one of the ones she's had made up for sale). They are charming and delightful, just like she is!
GOOD WORK! CONGRATULATIONS!
I want to be Arturo...
:-)))
How exciting it is that you have been able to go beyond the exchange of postcards and peoples words and feeling to being creative. I think it is wonderful. Keep up the wonderful work and enjoying the great postcrossers.
Such talent!
great art work. Have to look closer for the ones you sell. Keep up the good work !
Wow! Your cards are just great! Hope to receive one in the future!!
Have fun creating more wonderful cards! :-)
Hello Claudia! I am so happy that we swap postcards early this year..and i can't wait swap again!
I wish to you and your lovely pets a Happy New Year!!
Many kisses!
Dear Claudia, I am so happy to read about you. I love your creative cards and will look for them on your website. I admire your dedication to sharing more of yourself on your cards. You are an inspiration!
You are all so kind that I'll be glad to swap a card with anyone of you will be interested to...just tell me your favourite and your address.
Happy 2011 to everyone!
Yesterday I received a wonderful postcard from Claudia, and I just want to say that she is a very smart, creative and charming girl, who love pets and people...
I am also a big fan of Nextlola!It's nice to meet you at postcrossing!Hope you have a happy new year in 2011!
I too have been lucky enough to receive one of Claudia's cards, a Halloween one that my kids and me loved! She is a truly amazing artist and also comes across as a lovely person.
I'm so excited to see you featured here! I've so enjoyed corresponding with you--isn't it amazing how a friendship can start all because of a post-card?!?! And I love your work: I've been sending your cards to postcrossers as well as other friends, and receive so many compliments on them--especially your newest Christmas cards this month! Thanks for sharing your talent with so many of us! :-)
What a wonderful postcrosser - making our world a more amazing place. Thank you!
Hi Claudia, your postcards are great - you are a very talented artist! Greetings from Pretoria in Southa Africa, Liesel, Meghan & Nicole
Oh Claudia! I also really love your works:))
Beautiful artwork, would love to receive one of these cards!~~
Hey, Gal! Great to see you highlighted! I've been lucky to receive cards from you, but next time? Remember that I LOVE handmade cards! Wonderful article!!
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