1.jpg)
by Karin K. Tellier
631.589.4425
Framed and customized personal beach messages
The perfect gift for a wedding, anniversary, birthday, engagement, new baby, new home or any occasion where you want to say something special.
See below for the recent article that was posted on the newsday.com website...
Do-It-Yourselfer of the Week (5/15/08): Karin Kessler-Tellier, Sandscripts
This week's featured artist is a busy mother of two kids, with one on the way, and a lover of the beach. She creates personalized sayings in the sand and photographs them for a unique, yet memorable gift. Let's meet Karin!
Name: Karin Kessler-Tellier, 31
Hometown: Sayville, NY
Occupation: Elementary School Teacher
Craft: Sandscript
What is sandscript?
It's means writing in the sand. My very creative mother came up with this name a few years back and I thought it was perfect!
How did you get into sand photography?
My family loves to vacation, especially on all different islands. Whenever my husband, Dave, and I would travel to a new beach, I'd make sure to write our vacation spot and the year in the sand. I would then wait until the perfect wave washed up and then snap a picture. This way I'd always know which pictures were from what getaway and it was a beautiful way to remember the sandy beaches.
As time went on, I started writing names in the sand, sayings, phrases and eventually our childrens' names as they arrived. People would comment on my work and then inquire about having something of their own personalized and "sandscripted." It's all history from there ...
What's your best photography tip?
Patience! In order to get just the right shot, the sun has to be at the perfect angle and the texture of the sand plays a big role. Also, the tide determines whether or not you'll have enough time to take the picture without it getting washed away.
Where do you find inspiration?
My sister, Kristen, inspires me. We lost her to leukemia in March of 1993 and she was an avid lover of the ocean. We would constantly go to the local beaches to sit back, relax, talk or just enjoy all that surrounded us. Her goal in life was to become a marine biologist and work closely with ocean animals, especially dolphins. I feel very connected to my sister when I'm by the water and I couldn't be in a more perfect place doing what I enjoy so very much. She inspires me in so many ways and I look up to her for the strength and courage she endured each and every day.
What craft would you like to try next? Maybe sand sculptures!
Where do you get your supplies? I get most of my supplies from Michaels Craft Store and some from A.C. Moore as well.
What's your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge is finding the time to get down to the beach on some days. With two little ones at home and a constantly growing belly (Karin's pregnant), balancing time can be difficult. Thankfully, my husband encourages me to go whenever he's home and the sun is shining bright. We also live across the street from my parents and brother, Craig, so they help me out as well when I need to get some Sandscript orders done.
Do you have any advice for beginners?
Photography is my passion. I encourage you to love what you do and do what you love. Be particular and unique and your ability will always shine through. Everybody has to start somewhere and everybody has an eye for that certain something. Even my little girl, Kristen Summer, is creating her own "Sandscripts" now. I may have competition!
Why do you love making sandscripts?
I love creating my sandscripts because I'm at one of my favorite places -- the beach. The sun is shining, the waves are crashing and the smell of the ocean is like summer all-year-round. When I'm able to take somebody's special saying and create it in the sand and make it a permanent fixture for their home, it's a good feeling. When I get the positive response from my customers and see the reactions on their faces, it's worth all of the hard work and time that go into creating my work. Not only do I create the sandscript, I also mat and frame them to make it complete.