Featured Creative Mom - Victoria Hurley

Today's creative mom, Victoria, is an accomplished PR and Marketing professional who has built her consultancy through a lot of hard work.

While she uses creative problem solving everyday for her clients, she channels a different kind of energy at home with her two little boys, ages 3 and 5.

She writes:

My boys, being typical little boys, love superheroes. Over the summer they started asking for a superhero mural or giant superhero pictures for their rooms.

I looked around and found that the few that were available were very, very expensive. So I thought about it and decided that I might try my hand at painting some superhero portraits myself. I figured, how hard could it be? Well, it was somewhat harder than I thought, but they turned out great and my kids were beside themselves with excitement. First that we now had our own “hall of justice” in the hallway between their rooms, and second, that their mommy had made them.

I’ve since painted rocking chairs, other kids art and small tables. I’ve sold some – the ones that do not contain copyrighted images – and kept some for the boys’ rooms.

I have completed: Superman, Batman, the Flash and the Green Lantern. I’m currently working on Wonder Woman and the Martian Manhunter.

I’m certainly not going to give up my day job, but I’ve had so much fun painting and making it a project with my children. I’m hoping that this will instill in them a love of art, creating and just giving something a try.

Huge thanks to Victoria for writing me about her creative spark. Celebrating moms like her who channel their creativity for their kids as well as themselves is what this site is all about!


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Featured Creative Mom - Karina of Soap that Makes Scents

Today's Creative mom has been running her own soap business since 2001. Her 100% vegetarian handmade soaps are made in New York city using only the best quality oils and butters Karina can get her hands on.



H: How did you get started? Are you finding success?

K: I got the chance to go to England with my husband on a business trip. In between conventions and banquet dinners, the wives were starting to get bored hanging around the hotel so we found out about a soapmaking class and gave it a try. After that, I never looked back...Soap is something everyone uses and everyone needs. I sell worldwide online, and meet many many customers at shows. I truly believe that once you try handmade soap, you'll NEVER go back to store-bought soap again.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

K: It was just in me. I know that sounds cliche but there's really no other explanation for it. I just started creating things with my own two hands.

H: Have your methods changed?

K: Having a two year old around definitely mixes things up a little. My creating has to be done around her schedule, and obviously time spent with her comes first. I make my soap when she's napping, and do my packaging and labeling when she's awake. After her bedtime, I can go on the computer, do my paperwork, etc. Oh..and everyone knows her at the Post Office now.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

K: I'm fortunate to be able to stay at home and run my own business. Even when I'm busy, I'm always thinking up new ideas in my head and getting inspiration for new scent blends. The creative process never stops.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

K: Well, Isabella Rose is only two years old, so there's still a bit of time for that to progress. She does love to color though!

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

K: That it's ok to not get everything done *that night*...things can wait until tomorrow. One of the television shows she watches, Yo Gabba Gabba, has a song in it that's frequently stuck in my head about not giving up, and to keep on trying..I replay that over and over in my head for courage sometimes.

You can find all of Karina's skin-loving products at www.SoapThatMakesScents.com,

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit us at Maternal Spark Karina, it was a pleasure to have you!


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Featured Creative Mom - Debbie Davis

Today's Featured mom has stepped outside the standard interview format as we had a nice, casual email exchange instead. I asked her only one question and I thought her response was natural and conveyed a lot of truth so here she is, Featured mom Debbie Davis:

While I always enjoyed being creative, I have found that my projects take on special meaning when they are done for my family. No, I don't have as much time to work on things, but it fills my heart with pride when I see my sons curled up in the quilts I made for them. Yes, the 14 year old waited years for his to get done (I stopped to make several baby quilts as nieces and nephews came along).... but it is still a big deal to him.

While my family ultimately gets most of the material creations, I gain a lot from the process. Designing the quilts, sewing and then seeing the person enjoy my creation. Quilting or needle crafts are also stress relievers for me and it gives me a chance to release some creative juices which I might not otherwise do.

Quilting is also a way to channel my emotions. When I was concerned my twin nieces would be born early, I made preemie quilts for them -- so that they would have something from me while in the hospital. Fortunately, they weren't --- and now they use those quilts for their dolls while they themselves use larger ones I also made for them.

Another recent example is a quilt I made for my step-father. This summer he was told that his cancer had returned and he needed to undergo more treatment. I felt helpless being two hours away from my mom and step-father -- so I turned to quilting. I made him a special quilt with all of his favorite things in it (dog, sports teams, etc.) and gave it to him before his treatment started. While I can't be there to give him a hug and physically check in on him, I know he has a warm quilt to curl under when he comes home from his treatments. A little bit of me is there with him all of the time and I feel a little less helpless.

I do projects that are also for myself -- in fact -- I just finished one, but ultimately I get the same benefits out of creating something for others.

**********************

I decided to do this Jeopardy style and put the question second to the answer so that you could read her response without context - but here it is, just in case you were curious :)

H: Does the very act of creating support your individuality as a person - even though you often put yourself second? Do you sew for yourself, even though the end product is not for you?

Thanks for your thoughts on being a Creative Mom Debbie. I enjoyed having you! See some more of her quilt work here .

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Featured Creative Mom - Robin Spielberg (warning, you might need a tissue)

Robin Spielberg is a celebrated pianist and composer throughout the United States and Asia, making her living as a recording and performing artist for the past 25 years. As a solo artist who is known for her expressive style and heartfelt melodies, fan letters from around the world are frequent reminders how Robin’s music has affected very personal moments in people’s lives. From marriage proposals to exchanging wedding vows; using her music to practice yoga or listening while enduring chemo therapy, Robin’s music is more than just enjoyment and entertainment - it’s an essential element during some of life’s most imperative moments.

But it wasn't until Robin became a mother that she discovered the true transformative power of music.

In 1998, Robin was pregnant with twin girls when something went terribly wrong. An infection invaded the placenta of one of the fetuses causing Robin to go into pre-term labor at just 21.5 weeks. Viability is not sustained until the 25th week, and clearly Robin and both babies were in danger. The doctors placed her on hospital bed rest, delaying the labor as long as they could. At 23 weeks, 5 days, Robin delivered her babies by emergency Caesarian section. One baby did not survive. The second little girl, weighing just 1 lb, 1 ounce had very little chance of surviving but miraculously she lived through the first night. Robin and her husband, Larry Kosson, named their daughter Valerie, for strength and valor.

Because Robin was infected as well, she could not see her newborn for two weeks. Larry was the liaison between mother and child, and Robin begged him to bring her prior recordings into the neo-natal intensive care unit. Larry brought two of Robin’s CDs into the NICU and asked the nurses to play the music softly for Valerie as a way for mother and daughter to have a crucial bond. In utero Valerie had heard her mother’s music since conception. The baby had not yet been placed in an incubator, as the NICU staff didn’t believe she would live, but the nurses played the music to pacify the parents who were understandably grief stricken.

Nurses began noticing that when Robin's music was playing near Valerie's station, her vital signs improved. This happened on a consistent basis over a four-month period. And it wasn’t only Valerie who benefited from the music, other NICU infants responded as well.

Perplexed as to how music could have such a powerful effect on such a small vulnerable being, Robin did some research and discovered the American Music Therapy Association. AMTA's web site led her to discover the work of Dr. Jane Standley, a researcher and physician who has spent over 20 years researching the effects of music on premature infants.

Robin now serves as Celebrity Artist Spokesperson for AMTA and gives workshops and seminars around the country on the transformative power of music. She also introduces students to the potential of becoming music therapists as a career. Robin's CD, Beautiful Dreamer: Lullabies For the Parent & Child
is the result of Valerie's stay in the NICU, and is used in hospitals across the country to calm babies. Robin donates $1 from each sale of the CD to AMTA research.

Valerie is an active ten-year old, who loves reading Harry Potter novels, and while she suffers from epilepsy and some minor learning delays, music has been an integral part of her recovery and every day life. As a mainstreamed fourth grader in public school, Valerie takes percussion and piano lessons, and uses music therapy services to help her retain information that might otherwise be a nearly impossible achievement.

In fact Valerie is the first student to receive music therapy as part of her individual education plan (IEP) in a public school in York County, a rural part of Pennsylvania. Robin and Valerie's public school music teacher have been setting Valerie's science and social studies material to music. Melody, rhythm, and percussive elements are keys to helping Valerie remember details. The results have been nothing less than astounding.

Valerie has progressed from getting D's on tests to receiving A's, through remediation and repetition. Making music with her mom is a seemingly normal way to connect for a child who could only respond to her mothers’ music, not her touch in the most critical moments of her life.

This was a guest post from Robin Spielberg and Brio Public Relations
photo by Larry Kosson

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Update on a Past Featured Creative Mom - Ana of the Pretty Peacock

Past Featured Creative Mom, Ana of The Pretty Peacock, dropped by the other day to tell me about a really interesting and eco-friendly material she's been working with. Precious Metal Clay.

Ana tells me that:

Fine silver begins in clay form (also known as
precious metal clay). Millions of silver particles are suspended in an organic binder and when fired at high temperatures, the organic
binders burn away and all that is left is 99.9% pure silver (vs. sterling's 92.5%). The minuscule silver particles are actually reclaimed silver from the tech industry. If you are put off by the
idea of "reclaimed silver" - don't be: Fine silver is high grade
silver that is heirloom quality. It is also one of the most
environmentally conscious jewelry materials available. No mining is needed to procure it, which saves the planet from surface scars, loss of depleting elements, and acidic by-products that leach out into the water table and soil.

Ana's "Good Karma Collection" is going to be the featured line on her new website, scheduled to launch in mid-February. Her idea is that you are beautifying yourself and
the Earth by choosing the Good Karma Collection!

I had no idea that this type of material existed and I think it's great that she's discovered something that allows her to make such gorgeous jewelry that is eco-friendly as well! You'll be amazed at what Ana can achieve with this clay.

Yes, the piece shown is up for grabs! Ana has graciously offered this Fine Silver heart necklace (including chain) and here's what you can do to enter.

1) Surf over and pick your favorite piece from her Precious Metal Clay Good Karma Collection.

2) Come back here and leave a comment letting us know what it is. Make sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you're the winner.

That's it! Bloggers can gain an extra entry by posting about this...leave an extra comment with your link for it to count.

Oh and Ana is also my first participating donor in the Bloggers Give program! I'm so happy that she's decided to send some of her Karma to such a great cause. It's sure to come back to her :) Thanks to Ana and The Pretty Peacock!

Contest will run until Feb 14th.

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