1- WWKA: What inspired you to start Papier Mache?
Beck: I had been working for years in the children’s wear industry here in Australia – in both design and freelance on a few different publications....I was constantly finding amazing things from all around the world and thinking: "Wow my friends would love this – these people are AMAZING ...EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THEM....and its so simple to buy online.."
So I guess really it just became the next step for me - to start something of my own where I could share all my these wonderful people and products....
I initially started with a blog back in 2007 – posting funny little things / my lovelists while I played around on the concept of Papier Mache..
We played around with just beginning as a print publication..but the immediate joy of internet and the ability to link everything seemed more revelant to the idea.....
2- WWKA: What was the most challenging thing about starting an online mag?
Beck: Well it was so exciting I don’t remember feeling challenged...
I felt anxious and unsure of how people would respond to it...We would spend days and days on just one page... Trying to get the concept and look right... As we have evolved we are faced with more challenges...
3- WWKA: Papier Mache has its 2nd print issue out now. After having published so many beautiful issues online since 2009, how satisfying was it to finally hold your first print issue in your hand?
Beck: Pretty satisfying....It was the hardest few months of my life- the lead up to sending the first file to the printers.. It is truly such a mammoth task with only 2 people , 4 kids... And a million freelance jobs that were backing up....
But when the first pre-released copy arrived we were pretty damn stoked!
4- WWKA: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Beck: It is weird but I can’t remember wanting to be just one thing.. I was a pretty mad child according to my mum!Always strong headed....I remember when I was 11 and I wanted to be sing ballads I would write strange poems and turn them into songs – I thought I was so cool...I shaved off my hair and wore beatnik sweaters for months...
Funny in the tiny country town I grew up in...
Ultimately I think I was convinced I would be an actress – or a playwright...
Mmm... Seems I was pretty far off!
I am so shy now I can’t imagine I was once brave enough to act on stage!
5- WWKA: If you were a character in a fairytale, who would you be?
Beck: Tricky...maybe Elrond from the Hobbit or Gandalf..depending on my mood!
6- WWKA: Who would you like to be stuck with in an elevator?
Beck: So..so hard...before he died Allen Ginsberg....so considering he is dead it would be Leonard Cohen....
THANK YOU SO MUCH BECK FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS!!
www.papier-mache.com.au/
