Featured Mom - Meredith of TilleyJewels incl a Giveaway!

Today's Featured Mom is also offering a giveaway so make sure you read all the way to the end for the scoop on how to win!

Meredith has a knack for using color where you typically see plain old white - like in her line of bridal jewelry. She's been working with beads for over 25 years so she knows what she can get away with and how to make traditional pieces pop.

H: Tell me about what you make Meredith?

M: I primarily create jewelry and hair accessories from beads and wire, specializing in wedding jewels and headpieces. My favorite materials to work with are freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and Czech glass floral beads. I tend to use bold, rich colors and lots of sparkle. I love to use color even in my wedding pieces.

H: How did you get started?

M: I spent many weekends growing up traveling to art festivals with my basket weaver mother. I met so many interesting people throughout the years that were making a living being creative, and I just always knew that was what I wanted to do. My mom let me sell whatever I was making at the time in her show booths, and eventually it just came time to branch out on my own.

When I first started out, I had this mindset that art/craft shows were the only selling outlet I had. I now sell through several online sites and in boutiques. I'm currently working to expand my wholesale sales by setting up an online wholesale gallery to make it easier for shops to purchase.

H: Are you finding success?

M: Yes, I do feel that I'm finding success, but I'm also approaching it cautiously. I was accepted as a member of the Illinois Artisan Program this past spring. Not only is it an honor to become a part of this juried organization, but it also opens up several new selling/exhibiting venues to me throughout the state.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

M: I was raised in arts and crafts. The house I grew up in was only about a half mile down the road from the local artists' guild, so I hung out there most days after school and during the summer. When I was a teen I even taught childrens pottery classes there (that was where I learned I didn't have what it takes to be a full-time teacher and changed my career ambitions). I've dabbled in just about every arts and crafts medium you can think of, but it always came back to the beads.

H: Have your methods changed?

M: My work has taken on a more light-hearted whimsical feel that is inspired by my kids. The biggest impact they have had on the business is the fairytale theme we began using in 2006.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

M: I'm a night owl, so I work mostly after the kids go to bed.

Do your kids show any creative spirit?

M: Most definitely! Our 16 year old daughter, Audrey, lives for art. I run an Etsy shop http://auddities.etsy.com to sell her fantasy artwork. She's taking every art class available in high school and plans to continue that path in college. One of her proudest moments so far was being accepted into her first juried art festival last fall, set up in the booth next to mine.

Our middle daughter, Emily, is 14 and discovered digital photography at camp last summer. The only thing she asked for last Christmas was a camera which has become a permanent attachment. She's also obsessed with cooking and wants to be a pastry chef.

The youngest, Katelyn, 7, is a storyteller extraordinaire. I really need to start putting a tape recorder in the bathroom when she's in the tub, because that's when the best tales seem to come out--mermaids and aliens and fairies that have to deliver presents because Santa got sick... We never know what she'll come up with next.

H: What have you learned after having your kids (in relation to your art)

M: It became more important to me to do whatever I have to do to follow this dream of making a living off my creativity. I don't want my kids to feel that their only way in life is to suffer in a 9-5 job that they hate. They can see that it's hard and sometimes we have to sacrifice, but in the long run I can't help but think that it's the best thing for all of us.

Thanks Meredith! You can visit her myriad of online shopping venues below. If you do, come back here and leave a comment to let us know what your fav piece is from her collection - that will enter you to win this whimsical grape freshwater pearl cluster necklace! That's all there is to it. Make sure you enter before Oct 10th and leave your email address so we have a way to contact you if you're the lucky winner.

http://tilleyjewels.etsy.com

http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/tilleyjewels
http://www.lizzywishes.com/
http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/tilleyjewels.aspx
http://lov.li/users/tilleyjewels