In all her creations, Tatiana finds inspiration all around her, in the sea, the farm, and nature. She has always been fascinated by the forest, a magical land of pure imagination and fun that she brings into her creations. She makes her shadow box frames like how a child would view the world, it’s a small but beautiful world. They are little scenes of happiness, as she would describe them, that will put a smile on your face. And that’s what makes her work so joyful and special.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and La Boom. How do you get the name?
My name is Tatiana and I live in a small cycladic island, Antiparos. I moved here almost 2 years ago, in an effort to achieve a better level of everyday life and regain the connection with nature. I happen to love the sea and I feel fantastic living in a place surrounded by it. The name “La Boom” occurred through the years actually. I always loved to connect any words I liked with the word “boom”. I find it spontaneous, fresh and playful. After “psyboom” I started using “La boom” while thinking of opening a small artistic place here in the island that will pop things up a little bit by keeping an old touch at the same time. Of course I love the french movie “La boom” too 
2. How did you get started in doing what you do? How long have you been creating?
I belong to a crafty family where there was always painting or crocheting or any kind of craft on the table. I loved to craft as a hobby but taking it up to the next level was something that started two years ago when I decided to make my wedding invitations by myself. Although I am a graphic designer and I could think of something clever and have them printed, I wanted to do it the old way. Stamps, chalk colors, cut shapes and all assembled by me and family. It was a difficult project but the result made me so happy Since then I never stopped making things.
3. What is your source of inspiration?
I am inspired by the place I live, the nature, the sea, the journey, the farm, the animals and also I love the forest and the secrets that is hiding inside. I like to imagine that animals live in a world of their own and like our world, there are a lot of stories for someone to tell there too. I also believe that they live happier than we do Then, I am inspired by circus and carnival, especially back then when everything was new, the atmosphere was spectacular and the aesthetic was unique. Finally, I find myself interested very much in the way children observe the world and translate it into something beautiful. Old nursery rhymes, toys, innocent games are some of the pictures I keep in my mind.
4. What was your first creation? Do you have a favorite?
Concerning my boxes, my first attempt was a little scenery inside an IKEA black frame, mostly with fabric and buttons, way too far from what I am creating now. Then came an idea of upcycling cigar boxes and after that I felt like going with smaller sizes. “Eugene the bunny” was the first important attempt and then after that, a small canvas with a fawn and a mushroom called “wonderland”. Which is my favorite of all times till now
5. How do you find balance between your creative life and your family?
Since I decided to go professionally with what I do, last November, I had already thought that this would occupy most of my time until I will be able to gain a stable profit of it monthly. You see, I had already left my day job when I moved to Antiparos and besides my etsy shop I haven’t stopped to work as a freelancer designer. I am keeping my blogs, my facebook fan page and my shop. Not to mention all the work I have to do to be prepared, when I participate on craft fairs. My husband is totally supporting me on what I do, giving me as much time as I need and always being there for me to help me with anything I need. Until now I haven’t put a time limit on what I do, but I think, this winter, I will try and keep a schedule that allows me to keep up with my home too.
6. What is the story behind your beautiful shadow box frame creations?
I always loved the idea of the third dimension, to be able to give the feeling of something real. I like to name my boxes “little scenes of happiness” that put a smile on someone’s face. I think that the 3D scenery I tried to make on my wedding invitations was the main influence to what I do today. I loved the feeling of things popping up and the boxes were my “one step further” attempt. I feel fantastic when people are telling me how they find my work unique, because is something that I love to do.
7. Apart from paper crafting, what do you do?
Not much I thinks as all my creations have something to do with paper, but I also like to paint sea pebbles (believe me there are a lot of them where I live) and decorate them in my home, collecting sea shells and small toys from the past. In general, I love reading whenever I am not in front of my iMac, cycling, swimming and sometimes cooking (this is my husband’s area since last year as I am quite busy). I am also enjoying long walks in the island
8. What have you made recently?
Summer here in Antiparos (and in Cyclades in general) is our high season. Tourists from all over the world are visiting and that means that everyone is busy here, so am I Apart from creating my boxes for my etsy shop orders, I was also running an exhibition for a month and a half and at the same time I was dealing with design projects. So I am in the middle of a transition period, where I am trying to clear my mind, get some rest and prepare my xmas boxes to fill my etsy shop with But, my recent creation was a special box for a friend’s birthday. She is an architect and her favorite designer is Le Corbusier, so I tried to combine the light with his famous buildings, giving a vintage touch at the same time. All of these in a big cigar box. I am really pleased with the result
More of Tatiana’s creations:
Luulla store: http://www.luulla.com/store/LaBoom
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/la.boom.arts.crafts
