Featured Mom - Karley of KZM Facial Care plus Giveaway!

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

K: I have been in the skin care field for over a decade. I opened KZM Facial Care Boutique in August 2007 after closing a busy bath and body shop I owned until June 2007.

H: What do you like to create?

K: Oh I love creating in general. I am not a logical, numbers oriented person, not one to color in the lines because that is how you're supposed to do it. I see art and creating in everything--from designing greeting cards, decorating, and with what I do. I used to be a makeup artist and that was the ultimate outlet for my creativity. I love creating everything from recipes in the kitchen to new recipes for facial creams.

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

K: I actually started out a long time ago. I made soaps and lotions for friends back before I got married. I used my knowledge and background in aesthetics/skincare to create my products. I have found success, and my business continues to grow online and locally each day. My Goat's Milk Facial Cream is featured in the October 2008 issue of Martha Stewart's BODY + SOUL magazine.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

K: Absolutely. I have always been very creative, starting at a very early age.

H: Have your methods changed?

K: Some have had to change. I used to make cold-processed soaps, which involve using lye in the soapmaking process. I cannot do this any longer because my husband works from home now and his home office is my former soaping workshop. I have nowhere else in the home completely closed off where I can safely work with this ingredient. Something else that has changed since I first started off is that I do not use parabens, artificial fragrances, sulfates, silicons or anything else questionable in what I make.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

K: I make time. Tapping into my creativity is a part of who I am.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

K: Absolutely! Nicholas is my 5 year old and he loves music. He sings, dances, plays a harmonica...he is also very dramatic. I could see him acting or performing on stage on Broadway. Benjamin is 3 and is also creative, but in a more dare-devilish way.

H: What have you learned after having your kids?

K: I learned that if you have dreams, you need to use your creativity and go after them--show your kids that you're never too old to have a dream to chase after!

H: Anything else to add?

K: Another creative outlet for me is the blog I edit, CHIC & GREEN.


Giveaway!!

Karley is generously giving away a Goat's Milk Facial Cream, as seen in Body + Soul magazine, as well as a Goat's Milk Eye Treatment Cream. The value is $28.50 for these. To enter, visit her website or her shop on Lollishops and then come back here and leave a comment. Tell us which product you would be most interested in smelling.

Make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're the winner.

Get extra entries -

Bloggers, write a post about this giveaway linking both to Maternal Spark and the KZM website.

Twitter users, send out a tweet about this giveaway.

For extra entries to count, make sure to leave an additional comment linking to your posts.

Best of luck!

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Featured Mom - Valarie of Fodeo

Today's featured Mom has her hand in many pots. She's a true creative spirit and her skills have only grown since the birth of her children.

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

V: With the pregnancy of my first child ( I now have 3 -- ages 5, 6 and 8), I stitched together my first baby quilt and began sewing window treatments for the house we moved into at 7 months pregnant. I created photo and video montages of my kids ever since my son was born almost 9 years ago. I've been in business for over 4 years and our goal is to help people easily get their photos out of their camera or computer in a format that's fun to share.

H: What do you like to create?

V: I love the emotion attached to setting photos and video to music that matches the mood I'm trying to create. My creativity comes in choosing the photos, creating fun title pages (that's the text that sets the tone before a chapter of a video), and choosing the right music.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

V: I've always been the one to do a craft. I can't sit and watch a football game with my husband, so I always make quilts during football season. Since my Fodeo business is growing, I can focus on relaxing with a fabric cutter, my sewing machine and some fabric. There's something calming about the repetition of cutting or stitching together the fabrics. And I love working right off the kitchen table, which is also right next to our family room. This way, I'm able to create while still being surrounded by my family. My children are actually the ones to spark the creativity. I had never edited a video or made a quilt until I was pregnant!

H: Have your methods changed?

V: In terms of the video production - yes! It's so nice to have professionals complete the final product, but I get to direct the creativity for my personal projects. I like picking the photos, title pages and music, without the confusion of figuring out which buttons to push on the computer.

This freedom also allows me to come up with new products to add to our selection. We're now working on a DVD time capsule to re-cap top news events of any given year. This time capsule makes a great gift for newborns to graduates to octogenarians!

H: How do you balance creativity and kids?

V: I involve them in the process. They each picked their quilt theme, as well as the fabrics, and I sew at our kitchen table where I'm still involved in their comings and goings in the neighborhood. My son has informed me that he is now too old for Spiderman, so we've begun working on a White Sox quilt for him. He collected T-shirts of all of the 2008 team players, and I will begin cutting them into a quilt after he outgrows them.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

V: Yes, they all regularly create crafts. Whether it's ideas we find online or in books, or things they just make up themselves, it's fun to see their creativity "sparked." My two oldest, ages 8 and 6, have both started writing books. Actually, now that I think about it, they've made books since they were able to hold crayons!

My 5-year-old daughter could sit completely still for hours just working on a project. It's amazing that this active little person could focus so diligently on one item for such a long time. And boy, is she proud when she's finished!

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

V: I've learned that they have a tremendous impact on choices I make. If you would have told me 10 years ago I'd be making a quilt out of little boys' White Sox T-shirts, I would never have believed you! By watching my kids, I get ideas about other products that might be useful, as well as ways to improve products we already create.

Check out Valarie's Fodeo and discover how to make your family photos into a custom DVD.

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Featured Mom - Britt of StinkyKids

This weeks featured creative mom has taken her child's request to be painted as a ballerina and turned the resulting doodles into a brand. The brand has been growing since October 2005.

H: What do you like to create?

B: I have always been a doodler and enjoyed arts and crafts. When I was a little girl, I wanted to grow up to be an art teacher. I have always been one who doodles while talking on the phone and I am thank for this simple talent as it lead me to my current career. My business started as paintings which I still enjoy doing, but now my creative passion is growing StinkyKids into the hottest brand and household name in character driven companies.

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

B: I got started in my entrepreneurial journey from the simple request of my daughter to paint her as a ballerina. This request led to sales of custom paintings, to a retailer wanting to buy the rights of my characters for tee shirts, to starting a tee shirt line myself featuring the characters I created to now an animated series, books series and much more featuring the 10 divers StinkyKids characters. It has been a blast!!

H: Were you creative before you had children?

B: Yes, but in an arts and crafts fort of way. I never considered myself an artist before StinkyKids but simple art can make people smile and in a world that is so complicated, when people get happy from simple they gravitate towards it. So, my simple creative characters have made me and others very happy.

H: Have your methods changed?

B: Thanks to technology, once I created the 10 StinkyKids characters, I do not have to recreate them over and over for other uses. I can use the original drawings in many ways without having to pick up a paint brush.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

B: Long nights, early mornings and luckily kids who love to draw and be creative too. When I am painting, my daughter paints next to me. When I am writing, my son is writing too. We are a creative family and without my kids, StinkyKids would not have been as successful as it is!!

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

B: YES YES YES. My daughter wants to be a wedding dress designer when she grows up and at age 5, she has a portfolio of all of her designs. She loves to color and draw. My son loves to draw monsters and has always loved to make comic books. When they were little, at night we would make up our own stories and adventures before going to bed.

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

B: My kids brought out the artist in me that has been hiding inside for so many years. I may not be the art teacher I wanted to be when I grew up, but I am teaching kids to save their best art work now, because you never know if one of those doodles will lead to a successful business.

Have a browse through the StinkyKids collection an see some of Britt's doodles turned brand for yourself - they are awefully cute! Thanks for joining me here on Maternal Spark, it was a pleasure having you as the featured mom this week. www.stinkykids.com

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From the Creative Moms

There's been a little issue with this weeks Featured Mom - nothing big, just a wee postponement. Not to worry though, because I've received many, many responses to my call for submissions. So many incredible moms have contacted me to share their stories and there are just too many to be able to post them all in detail. I thought I would pick and choose some snippets so I can share as much as possible - they are all inspiring and I hope you enjoy these pearls of creative wisdom:


"I always tell my now-teenage daughters, "If you try something and it terrifies you, that means you're growing because you're being stretched to the limit." I"ve been stretched a lot by life experiences - both good and bad - and so far, I haven't broken."

~ Linda Lowen, writer, guide to woman's issues for About.com

"I think in this day when computer games rule, it is so important to give children the opportunity to create, to make a mess, to try something new and even if it doesn't come out well, to make the effort."

~Kristen Weaver, Mom and Dance Teacher

“I am always inspired by the creativity of my children, the freedom they allow themselves to invent and willingness to be foolish. I remind myself to be playful, and try to bring fun into the workplace, to promote the happiness of our staff and to help keep us all inspired.”

~ Olivia Teter, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Vetrazzo®

"Some things we make stink, but we don't care. We just make something else... I just love to make stuff and it's not really important that I'm any good at it, it's the joy I get from the process. "

~ Sherri Arnaiz, mom, speaking about time spent with her daughter, Deziree, being creative.

"I can't think of any mom I know who isn't creative -- there are the ones who knit Afghans in one sitting or make table centerpieces out of cereal boxes, or the ones who invent countless ways to get their kids to eat their vegetables. And when our kids are small and we're pulling our hair out, crying in the bathroom, we come up with all kinds of things to get us through the day."

~Dina Santorelli, Editor and Publisher of www.workhomeyou.com


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Call for Submissions - Want to be a Featured Mom?

I'm looking for Creative Moms to showcase on Maternal Spark! You are one aren't you? Or maybe you know of someone who is so fantastic that you think she should be featured here...tell her to email me. I love browsing so feel free to send me links, pictures or anything else you think will give me a sense of who you are and what you do. Please email all submissions to heddy.e @ gmail dot com. Use the subject line "Submission".

At this time, I can only respond to those who are chosen to be Featured Moms although, I'd like to thank you all in advance for your time in contacting me! And thank you to all the past Featured Moms for making Maternal Spark, well, Sparky :)

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Featured Mom - Michelle of Namesakes

Michelle has dedicated herself to a pursuit of all things creative and has also taken it upon herself to create a non-profit organization. Have a read of what this mom has dedicated her time and her arts towards.

H: What do you like to create?

M: One-of-a-kind personalized artwork using a child’s name as the focal point. Hand-drawn and hand-colored imagery can be catered to match bedding, nursery themes or hobbies of each child celebrating their unique personality.

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

M: I started the NAMESAKES (as I call them) while trying to come up with inexpensive baby gifts for friends. I do a lot of these throughout the year and have found that people are always looking for something unique and fresh!

H: Were you creative before you had children?

M: I have been an artist my whole life and an art teacher from part of that time as well.

H: Have your methods changed?

M: A bit. I used to just draw and design out of my head. Lately though I have been doing layouts on the computer using various computer images as a starting point. It is very helpful to see the idea laid out before starting all the work.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

M: NAP TIME is my creative time! My brain never shuts off so no matter what I am doing I am creating…it’s sometimes a curse!

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

M: All three of them are very creative. With an art teacher for a mom, how could they not be?!

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

M: My quick-paced style works well. I am not one of those artists who can work a little and leave it for a couple days…I feel uneasy if I don’t start and finish something all in the same sitting.

50% of all of my NAMESAKES profits go to it’s 4 the kids (its4thekids.blogspot.com) a non-profit I started this year that raises money for families struck by childhood cancer. Some families struggle with finances, some children have a wish that can’t be granted by the big wish foundations, etc. I also have a network of artists who share their profits to benefit these kids and their families!

http://michellekemperbrownlowwrites4kids.blogspot.com

michellebrownlow@yahoo.com

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Featured Mom - Gretchen of Chichiboulie

I've written before how moms are often inspired by the funny things their kids say. Today's featured mom, Gretchen of Chichiboulie, has taken her inspiration to her illustrations. She's also written her own post today, outside of the normal interview format (oh, how I LOVE when my featured moms mix it up!) So have a read!

Welcome Gretchen of Chichiboulie!

There are days when I just want to lock the door and shut them out. Unfortunately my studio doesn’t currently have a door so that’s not physically possible. Besides, I suspect they would find a way in. They always seem to. The fact that they outnumber me doesn’t help me in my defense. Where one fails, another most certainly will succeed.

And who are they? “They” are my children. Three in all. Ranging in age from 2 years to almost 9. And “they” have a way of keeping me on my toes. From adding extra touches to my (in my mind at least) finished paintings when I’m not looking to rummaging rather messily through my freshly organized ribbon box oohing and ahhing at the colours, there is very little chance that I will, even for a minute, forget they are about.

But as much as their innocent antics can on off-days be a bother to me, they also have the benefit of being a huge bonus. Lacking in inspiration? All I have to do is sit back and watch them for a few minutes and something is bound to strike. But my favourite part? Not just watching, but listening. Because there are some truly brilliant thoughts that come out of children’s mouths.

I’ll admit that the 2 year old hasn’t had that much to offer just yet in terms of quotes. He’s still trying to figure out the difference between “Maman” and “Papa.” But my 6 year old definitely makes up for it. From telling people she’ll be there “in a jippy” to sleeping in “junkbeds” (and I hate to admit that she may be on to something there…we didn’t pay very much for them and it shows), my 6 year old is a treasure trove of silliness and I love every minute of it. She originally named our solid black fish Spot and Spotty, but has recently decided they need a name change.

“But Mummy, it’s okay if we change the names of our fish.”

“Oh really? Why’s that?”

“Because fish don’t have collars.”

The logic is fabulous and really makes me giggle. I generally don’t argue with her or offer up examples such as, in this case, people not having collars. It would ruin it and take away the magic.

My 8 year old has been known to have her moments as well. Like when she was shocked that her baby brother “was born with that thing!” I’ll leave it to you to figure out what “that thing” is.

I just love the thought process. I love the freshness of their ideas and the innocence with which they are spoken.

And it’s a whole lot of fun illustrating such thoughts.

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Featured Mom - Allisa of quiltish

Today's Featured Mom has taken her love of simple things to a soft, familiar place. Allisa, the mom behind quiltish, sews because she loves to - and it shows.

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

A: I’ve been creating forever. As a first grader, I was queen of the popsicle dollhouse furniture and the easy bake oven. I moved on to wood engraving, jewelry making, woodworking, painting, and eventually what I love most, sewing

H: What do you like to create?

A: I design women’s handbags & accessories and have added baby bibs, burp cloths, blankets, and onesies to my line. Often, I have the urge to quilt, one of my first sewing passions, and include them in my line. With each item I strive to combine color and design to make something useful and fresh. While my patterns are simple, I believe it’s the focus I place on quality that makes them unique.

H: How did you get started?

My line, “quiltish,” began through the encouragement of two amazing friends who trusted me enough to teach them to quilt. During one of our stitching parties they urged me create a bag that we could use out and about. I took it as a dare, went home, gave my hand a making my own pattern, and whipped something up. I took it to the school where we taught the following day. By the end of the school day I had orders for three more. And so it began.

H: Are you finding success?

A: Success? Motherhood gives that word a whole new meaning. Waking up each morning to see Jack’s face is probably the most successful I will ever feel. But I do find joy in the process of choosing colors, combing for new fabric, dreaming up new designs, and assembling them all together with as much care as when I make something for one of my own friends, family members…or baby. Each time I hear praise for my quiltish line I know I’m on the right track. I do hope that enough people enjoy my quiltish items so that I can continue to stay home with Jack in the coming years.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

A: Yes, I’ve always loved making things…but being a mother somehow brings it out even more.

H: Have your methods changed?

A: As far as the technical aspect of pattern making & sewing I still do everything the same. It’s the when & how that’s changed!

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

A: Ummm, I just hope that Jack takes his naps.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

A: He’s still a little guy, just 7 months old, but he seems to love fabric stores- but I think maybe it’s all the attention he gets from the other frenzied women shoppers.

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

A: I’ve learned to stay true to myself & my designs. Being a mother is the biggest confidence boost and I no longer worry what others think. I just create & hope someone loves it enough to purchase…..if not, Jack could always use another bib & I love toting around my own handbags.

You can find Allisa's work at www.quiltish.com and she also blogs at www.quiltish.blogspot.com. Visit her and show some love. If you buy anything from her shop, use the code "Maternal Spark" in the notes to seller feild and enjoy free shipping (in North America) until Dec 5th.

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Featured Creative Mom - Melissa of MJennings Designs

Today's Featured Mom has been working on her craft and her business for three years now. She is constantly working to improve her technique and has left her job to be a mom and pursue her love of beaded jewelry.

H: What do you like to create?

M: I love to create all types of jewelry! I started out designing personalized name bracelets and that is my specialty. I also love to create necklaces because they add so much style to your wardrobe. I love using natural gemstones and quartz slabs as pendants.

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

M: I got started beading as a hobby waiting for my son to come home from Guatemala. I turned my hobby into a business after I left my teaching career to stay home with my son. Yes, I am really busy and I love it! I also keep busy with my website and blog.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

M: Yes, but I used my creativity in a different way. I taught high school for 11 year's so I suppose I used my creativity in my classroom. Now I use it to design my jewelry!

H: Have your methods changed?

M: Yes. I continue to take classes and experiment with new techniques and methods. I love a challenge!

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

M: I use naptime as my planning period. As soon as my son goes down for his nap I begin beading like a crazy woman! I also bead late at night after he has gone to bed.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

M: Yes, my son loves art. He loves to paint and do craft projects. He also has a beading box and he plays with beads while I bead.

H: What have you learned after having your kids

M: I have learned that I really enjoy having my beading to call my own. Now that my son is three there is very little I can call my "own". It is a great creative outlet for me.

Melissa has generously offered as 10% off discount for Maternal Spark readers with the code MS10 - this offer is valid until Dec 21st. She has also offered up a custom bracelet for one lucky winner. It's easy to enter.

#1) go to her website and come back here to leave a comment on what piece is your favorite.

#2) Go to her blog and sign up for her email updates. Come back here and comment that you signed up. You must leave a separate comment for this to count as a second entry.

She also has a personal blog if you're interested in checking that out.-http://peytonsmamasita.blogspot.com

Thanks Melissa, it was a pleasure to have you!

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Featured Mom - Clarissa of The Posh Parent

Today's featured mom, Clarissa from The Posh Parent, has an unique outlook on turning a creative passion into a business venture. I really should interview her for the other blog too so we can get into the nitty gritty of running a home business with her. There are some tidbits here that wander down that vein but mostly, we will hear about her creative side...it's where it all began!

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

C: Since I was 5 years old! Haha I have always been a crafty person. I used to sneak away with my Grandma’s doilies and yarn and cloth napkins and fiddle with her sewing machine and make dresses and such for my Barbie dolls. I remember being about 7 or 8 and using my Grandpa’s Crown Royale purple bag that I added inside pockets to as a “diaper bag” for my baby dolls (how bad did I make my Grandpa look?!?)

H: What do you like to create?

C: I like to be alone…in my studio that is attached to my house. I just kind of go with what I feel at the time…if I feel like making a blanket, I do that…if I feel like playing around with an existing pattern to make changes, I do that. I am really all about how something makes me FEEL…I like to create things that make me feel girly & fabulous!

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

C: I started my actual online business after a church project we had that involved making something with a small amount of money and finding ways to multiply that money to donate to charity. Not only was the motivation there for the charity cause, but also this was my chance to “try it out” and see what the response would be without taking a loss. Needless to say, the project went very very well! I had customers before I could even launch the site! I have found great success in this business and I think it comes from honouring the starting motivation…doing it to help others! Tres Couture regularly donates to charities in Orange County as well as my new home of New York!

H: Were you creative before you had children?

C: Yes, I was always the friend who MADE you your present and card! And they always knew it wasn’t because I was cheap, it was because I cared enough to make something special for them!

H: Have your methods changed?

C:Yes, I used to use a needle and thread or that fabric glue stuff which I quickly noticed did not last nearly as long! I made a lot of prom and homecoming purses for friends so those didn’t necessarily need to last more than a night but, as I became more serious about starting a business, I went out and bought my 1^st sewing machine!

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

C: I can not stay still for a very long time. I always find ways to be creative! Being a stay at home mom, you learn quickly how to use your imagination to entertain your kids and that is most of the time where my inspiration for new items/colors/designs comes from.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

C: My 6 year old daughter is a dancing machine! She also loves to go to the fabric store with me and pick out fabrics for her doll clothes and doll blankets. She shows a lot of interest in learning to sew but, we haven’t got that far yet.

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

C: I have learned that clothing, blankets, accessories for kids really need to be affordable and last a long time. As I had mentioned, you really do need to use a sewing machine and not fabric glue! As a mom to 2 children, I have also learned that using more neutral colors and better fabrics can mean that a blanket can last from child to child and still look amazing.

I would also like to add that as a one time “Newbie” to the WAHM world I have learned how overwhelming it can be to start your own boutique. I have created The Posh Parent & Co. (which includes Tres Couture) to be a platform for WAHM and Women small business owners. We are offering Celebrity Gifting Opportunities at very reasonable rates for participation. We also have advertising for low rates.

Clarissa can be found at her retail site Tres Couture,

Her blog, and her own social network - The Posh Parent

Go visit her -I mean just LOOK at that sweet little bootie up there!!

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Featured Mom - Rachel of Sparks (I like her already)

This weeks Featured Mom is Rachel Azulie. I felt an instant connection to her unique jewelry - maybe because she operates under the business name of Sparks. Maybe because her work is just so organic in feel or maybe it's because she is, like most of us, a creative mom.

H: How long have you been doing what you do?

R: I've been making jewellery and crafts since I was a child – my beading obsession developed at age six, when an amazing craft shop opened around the corner (they got all my pocket money!). Early last year, I found my day job – working with digital imagery and colour correction – just wasn't satisfying my creativity. This led to a more serious focus on making jewellery/decorative arts to sell.

H: What do you like to create?

R: Mostly jewellery, though I also love to work with mixed media and create decorative objects and art. For my jewellery, I love to work with semi-precious stones, and my recent discovery of Precious Metal Clay (PMC) has kicked off a whole new obsession!

I particularly love designing and making chokers. I think this feeds the romantic in me! I remember my mother wearing chokers when I was a child (during the 60's/70's) and always thought they looked so beautiful. I use all sorts of ribbons, lace and trims, combined with gemstones and silver – some incorporate antique and vintage textiles that I have been collecting for some time. There are so many ideas still on the drawing board, enough to keep me busy for years!

H: How did you get started?

R: When I started making jewellery last year, I began by sorting through all the beads, findings and other materials I have carried around with me all my life. My first pieces were made from these materials but since then, I have been slowly building up my stock of beads and supplies.

My first sales were to family and friends, some of whom have become my best customers! I sell from home as well as at local craft fairs and hope to begin selling at some craft markets next year when my son starts primary school. That said, I have had some good sales via my Ruby Lane store and I've recently set up an Etsy store to sell the pieces that don't fit Ruby Lane's guidelines. I've found Ruby Lane and Etsy to be very useful as online galleries.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

R: I've always been creative – it's how I relax. Strangely enough, now that I'm a mother, I find that I'm more active about making my ideas and inspirations into reality. Before Rio was born, I would think up all sorts of designs, maybe sketch then out, but quite often would never get around to making them.

H: Have your methods changed?

R: Constantly changing! I love to learn new techniques, work with new materials and most of all, challenge myself. A good example of this is my recent discovery of Precious Metal Clay. I feel like an alchemist when working with this stuff. You start off with what looks like a soft piece of putty – mold, carve and model it, let it air dry and then finally fire it – hey presto, you have a piece of pure silver! Just magic!

Many years ago, I learnt the basics of silversmithing but could never begin to attempt the ideas I had, which were always too complex - with PMC, the possibilities are endless!

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

R: I am extremely lucky to have a very supportive partner, but I always feel there are not enough hours in the day. I've found that getting up earlier in the morning works well, much better than trying to stay up late. I also don't do quite as much housework as I used to!

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

R: My son, Rio, is just bursting with creative sparks! He has always had very good fine motor skills and is currently amazing us with his Lego creations. He seems to have inherited all the various creative talents from both sides of the family, as he also possesses incredible rhythm, can sing an album's worth of Beatles songs and takes wonderful photographs with my digital camera – all at age 4!

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

Patience is essential, as is the necessity of not spreading my half-finished creations around the house. I've also learned to let go – my son is incredibly detached from his work which is such a wonderful gift.

Visit Rachel in her Ruby Lane shop or her Etsy shop. You'll be glad you did!

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Featured Mom - Bee of Witchetty

Today's featured mom is an incredible artist who, believe it or not, has only been painting for just over a year. Not only has she found her voice as an artist, but she's also finding her way as a business owner.

H: What do you like to create?

B: I create acrylic and mixed media artwork but to me they are so much more then mere paintings. I love to create whimsical characters, strange big eyed girls that live in the world of make-believe. They each have a name and a story that needs to be told and it is so rewarding to see them brought to life in my art.

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

B: It seems as though I have always been on this journey because I feel I am becoming who I was always meant to be. However, the journey began through my scrapbooking. Scrapbooking was something that I began after I became a mother and I found it to be such a lovely way to preserve my family’s special memories and it kept me creative. As time wore on I found that I was putting a lot of artwork and doodles into my layouts and I found I was looking for a way to express myself. This led to me rediscovering drawing and then finally to taking a leap of faith and attempting to paint in acrylics. I was quite surprised when my first attempt looked like a painting.

It really was love at first brush stroke and I was hooked. I set about recording my journey through my blog and created my art store through Etsy. To date I have sold 13 paintings, both locally and internationally and I hope one day to be a full-time painter.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

B: I have always been creative. As a child I was always drawing little characters and I would write stories about magical worlds. When I left school I worked in the child care industry and my favorite part of the job was sharing my creativity with the children.

I have tried everything from jewellery making and cross stitch to scrapbooking and card making. None of this has been wasted though as I use a lot of these techniques and supplies in my artwork today. Just yesterday I cross stitched onto a canvas to embellish my latest painting.

H: Have your methods changed?

B: My artwork is constantly evolving and I don’t think I will ever stop learning new techniques or experimenting with my style.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

B: When my daughter was young I found it hard to even wash my hair, let alone have time to be creative. When she was about 12 months old I arranged with some friends to meet up one night a week at a different house and work on our craft projects. Each person would bring their latest work and we would drink coffee and catch up without the kids. It kept me sane for those few years when she was really young.

By the time Jade was 3 she had her own art box and I had learned to share my creative time with her. Whenever Jade wanted to get creative, she could pull out her box and it contained papers, magazines to cut, child safe scissors, colouring pencils and crayons, glue etc. One thing I learned from years of working with children was how important it was to allow them to get creative every day.

Now that Jade is ten and at school I have a lot of time to be creative (around school activities, sports, housework, work LOL). We also have an art studio set up in our house that Jade and I share. It really does help if you have an area that you can just shut away and come back to later. When I used to work on my kitchen table, I found that the thought of packing away and setting up again would sometimes stop me doing art.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

B: My daughter is the most creative person I know. She is always building a sculpture, writing a story, painting or drawing some wonderful artwork. She leaves me in awe sometimes and I am so proud that I have helped to nurture her creative side.

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

B: To never be afraid to make a mess or a mistake. I think sometimes as adults we hold ourselves back for fear of not being good enough. I have never heard a small child tell me that they cannot draw or paint, but I know very few adults that will even try. So I keep reminding myself to push through the doubt and get messy.

H: Anything else to add?

B:The internet has changed my life and the way that I look at art. Before discovering the thousands of talented artist out there on the net, my biggest regret was not going to art school. Now I realize that I can create the artistic life I want right now and live it. It has been through the many generous and talented women around the world who gave encouragement and support to me through the net, that I am where I am now.

Visit Bee in her Etsy Shop : http://witchetty.etsy.com. She also has a fantastic blog, go on and check it out - don't forget to subscribe !: http://witchetty.typepad.com

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Featured Mom - Jen of BabyCheeks

Today's featured Mom is Jen from BabyCheeks. She designs and creates practical, fun fashion accessories and clothing for babies and toddlers. With a balanced family of one boy and one girl, she finds inspiration for a well rounded outlook.

H: Tell me about what you do.

J: My product line consists of reversible bibs, burp clothes, binky clips, blankies, onesies and toddler T's and recently added--embellished baby and toddler jeans. Since I'm lucky enough to have a boy and a girl of my own, they serve as the inspiration for my boys, girls and unisex collections.

H: Tell me about how you got started.

J: I’m not one of those I’ve-been-sewing-since-my-

grandma/mom-taught-me-when-I-was-six people. In fact, I hadn’t sewn a thing since home ec in the 6th grade until last February. I needed a dress for my daughter for a family event and I found a cute little retro pinafore dress with birds on it on-line. Money was tight since I had just left my full time job in consumer products marketing so I was forced to think of alternatives.

I’ve always been creative and crafty, so I said to myself, “how hard can it be to make?” I was determined to do it. I used all of my Christmas gift cards I had and bought a pattern, a sewing machine, a book on sewing, some buttons, interfacing and fabric and the rest was history. It wasn’t easy at first and my husband and friends thought I was crazy, but my mom said it was “in the blood.” She was right.

H: Are you finding success?

J: I surpassed my goals for my first month in business and am pleased with my progress so far. Now the challenge is to exceed that!

H: Were you creative before you had children?

J: Yes. I've done everything from writing, painting murals, drawing cartoons and creating custom greeting cards. All of it was always on the side though. Other than my job developing and designing baby products for a big, national baby products company, I've always been in the corporate marketing world and have needed some sort of creative outlet to supplement it.

H: Have your methods changed?

J: Yes. Occasionally I still paint a mural or two (for friends and family), but most of my creative time is dedicated to sewing.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

J: I work part time in my husband's law practice, have two small children under 4 and a house to take care of. I have to get creative about getting creative! Most of my creative time is after 10:00 at night, when everyone is in bed. Sometimes I get the chance to do a few things during nap time as well.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

J: My four year old son loves "arts and crafts" as he calls it. He makes these stick monsters with big googly eyes that are just hysterical. My daughter is only one, so time will tell. She certainly finds creative ways to get into things she shouldn't!

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

J: I have learned that it's never too late to pick up a new craft and with patience and persistence, you can teach yourself just about anything. If it weren't for my daughter, I never would have even thought of learning to sew. She was my inspiration!

Take a browse through all the cute things Jen has been working on. I'm sure you'll find something t to tickle your sense of whimsy! http://www.babycheeks.etsy.com Thanks so much for joining me at Maternal Spark, I've really enjoyed having you!

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Featured Mom - Melissa of Shezarealgem Designs - incl Giveaway!

Today's featured mom has taken her craft and hobby of four years to a more professional level. Her jewelry business has been up and running for nearly a year now and Melissa takes many of her inspirations from nature.

H: Tell me about your craft.

M: My jewelry consists of a lot of re-purposed vintage pieces, copper and silver work, natural stones, and bold, bright color. I love to make colorful, chunky pieces as well as some more subdued, feminine things.

My creative process is pretty unorganized and haphazard to be honest! I always carry a journal in my purse to scribble designs or ideas. Sometimes I wake up during the middle of the night with a vision for a piece and must get up and sketch it out for fear that I'll forget it come morning!

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

M: I started when I was pregnant with my daughter. I wasn't working at the time and was so bored. I needed to find a hobby to keep myself busy. I love jewelry so it was a simple decision.

I am more successful than I had imagined at that time but less than I wish! Actually, I am quite pleased with my success and I have never felt so validated as I do making money doing something that I love.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

M: Yes, I have always been a creative being. I used to love to design the homecoming floats in highschool and revamp vintage clothes. I was the head of the arts and crafts division of our town's summer camp for 5 years while I was going to school. I'm always thinking of something to make!

H: Have your methods changed?

M: YES! I am older and wiser now! I work with more expensive materials and I use proper tools. I am teaching myself beginning metalsmithing and making many of my own findings for my designs instead of purchasing them.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

M: I'm not sure, most days are a blur! I'm a mommy of two small children. My daughter Audrey just turned 4 in May and my son Dane is 20 months. I am married to a great guy that works nights so we are like two ships passing in the night. I work part time for the local court system 20 hours a week. I have basically cut out all housework in order to design. My husband loves that....

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

M: My 4 year old loves to design jewelry and has made some really cool, wearable pieces! My son is very musical and loves to play daddy's guitar and make music with anything that he can get his grubby little hands on.

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

M: Having children has taught me to take chances in my creative life. Children are such great artists because they are not afraid of failure, they don't care that ducks aren't blue. If they want to make a blue duck they do, and they think it is great. I try to be true to myself like that, I design what I love and just won't compromise to sell more or appeal to a larger audience.

Melissa has generously offered this pair of lovely earrings up as a giveaway item! To win, go to her Etsy shop and pick out your favorite item. Come back here and leave a comment to let us know what it was. Be sure to leave your email address too so we can contact you should you be the lucky winner.

On top of that, anything you purchase between now and Oct 24th will be available with FREE SHIPPING. Just leave a comment in the note to seller box that reads "Maternal Spark". She'll send you a revised invoice for the sale amount.

Thanks for joining me Melissa, it was a pleasure having you at Maternal Spark!

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Featured Mom - Ana of The Pretty Peacock - with Giveaway!

Today's creative mom has written her own post and I just love when my featured mamas do that. So grab a cup of coffee (or your cozy drink of choice) and settle in for a treat. Not only is she a talented jeweler but she's also a successful businesswoman and a super fine writer too. Enjoy this post from Ana of The Pretty Peacock and read all the way through for directions on how to win one of her lovely pieces.

***

I grew up in an East Indian household where your only two career choices were Engineer or Doctor. Expectations in our household were high, because even though the hard sciences and advanced math classes were expected, stretching our creative wings was, too. I have always loved expressing myself creatively, especially writing and working
with clay. However, after high school, my focus was on college and having a "real job" and my creative endeavors were somewhat pushed aside. Years later, I married, bought a house, had our first and second child – I used the new found time at home (became a stay at
home mother) to simmer some of those creative juices. Kids are wonderful for inspiration and, of course, for allowing yourself to let go and remember why Play Doh is so darn fun and why finger painting feeds your soul.

Now that my oldest is five and my youngest is two, the house is decorated just the way I want it (until the next wave hits me for new color –I can hear the husband's groans now!), I have brought the focus back to my creative needs. My children flit in and out of my studio
on a constant basis, which can be frustrating, but expected. However, I am beyond thrilled that they are learning how important being a creative person is – kids are creative naturally as they are so in tune with their imagination (when is it, exactly, that we lose that?), I learn and grow more artistically from watching how they approach things then I have ever learned from any class. They just go with it – and me, being the constant planner, it's difficult for me to let go of the control. But, as all mothers know, having children in your life allows you, no demands, that you just let go and just let it be.

And we are all the better for it.

***

Win this sweet little necklace strung with a custom pendant and heart charm. This piece celebrates self-esteem and confidence. Win it and wear it with pride!

To enter: Visit the Pretty Peacock and pick out your favorite item. Come back here and leave a comment letting us all know about your fav piece. Contest runs till Oct 17th. Make sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're the lucky winner!

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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