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 .

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

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.

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

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!!

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Featured Mom - Melody of Sew Melody

Today's featured mom has written her own post. She's done a fantastic job of discussing how creativity and motherhood go hand in hand. I hope you are touched by her words.

written by Melody of Sew Melody.

Motherhood demands that a woman have the eye of an artist so she might see through the chaos to the beauty that lies within the heart of her family.

I learned to sew when I was in my early 20’s and just had my 2^nd child. I wanted to make beautiful things for my children and couldn’t find exactly what I wanted at the mall. I began to fall in love with fabric. I bought yards of it before I even knew what to do with it! And that is what ultimately led me to make baby blankets.

I set out one day to make the softest blanket possible for a friend of mine who was expecting. I ended up with an amazing combination of satin and the softest minky. I was so eager to give it to her that I wrapped it up two months early and tracked her down at church.

Her baby boy died a day before he was due to be born. She laboured for hours in extreme physical and emotional pain. She delivered her stillborn baby, wrapped him in my blanket, and spent the next couple hours holding him and saying goodbye. Then they buried him in it. She told me how soft it was and how perfect it was for her beautiful baby.

Three babies have been buried in my blankies. Others have traveled to the hospital for surgeries and across the country on vacations with them. Envious cousins have demanded their own and adults have even purchased them for themselves. It is for those reasons that I find I cannot stop sewing. I can’t stay away from the fabric and the lives touched by it.

Being a mother has made me a more creative person that I was before. I have more purpose to my life and because of that I believe my creative spirit has greater capacity for joy and adventure. When I had my first baby, I was astounded by the transformation going on in my heart. I was no less astounded the day I had my 5th child.

Sewing time is my “down time”. It’s the time I get to spend with the fabrics I love to touch and transform. It revitalizes my weary spirit before I jump back into the ring!

The kids are naturally inquisitive and creative. As the older ones grow, I am constantly surprised by their instinctive attraction to beauty. They find it more easily in their innocence and are always trying to capture it in their art and play.

I love being a mother more than I love being an artist. In many ways, the two vocations are inseparable. Motherhood requires that a woman recognize the beauty among the dishes and laundry. It requires fruitfulness even after a sleepless night. It requires a reserve of passion to move forward through the tears and the long days. It is an adventure worth having!

You can find some of my work at www.sewmelody.etsy.com.

Recognizing your influences - Part 1 of 2

Novelist and Blogger Charles Gramlich of Razored Zen (which I read religiously) has recently posted on how our influences can affect how we create. He writes

Being “unconscious” of one's sources has potential risks and potential benefits. On the risk side, it’s possible to stay so close to the original that you are simply writing pastiche. On the benefit side, being unconscious of influences allows a seamless mix and match of many influences into the blend that makes up true creativity.

It's got me thinking about how this carries over to other mediums besides the written word. Singer/Songwriters often speak about their influences and often those artists were the ones their parents listened to. I remember my Dad listening to Elvis, Alice Cooper and some other band with a song called "Chicken Train" on our 8 track stereo. And my mother had a large country music collection including Alabama, Kenny Rogers and Waylon Jennings. These influences have a large part in what I listen to today and I love that I can trace it all back to those memories.

We all know the rich history behind painters and the huge influence they had on visual artists. Many visual artists will rattle off their favorites -Mattise, Picasso, and Cezanne. If you look closely, you can see those influences in their work and they are happy to speak of them. Same goes for photographers.

What about scrapbookers, knitters and crocheters or sewers or jewelers? Where do they find their influences? I would imagine the mothers and grandmothers who taught them their craft had most of that influence when it comes to technique but what about style? Influence can come from many places. What has influenced you and how does that play out in your work? Take a moment to think back to your childhood. What was around you then? Who was around you then? What were your passions, your interests? It is important that we understand what influences us so that we can harness or ignore it - which is what I'll write about in part 2 of this series. Comment about your own work. I'd love to hear about who you see in your craft.

by H.E.Eigler of Maternal Spark

image via wikipedia

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Featured Mom - Louise Felice

Today's featured mom is Louise Felice from the online boutique of the same name. She's been sewing for ages and loves to create clothing for children. Not only are her designs beautifully crafted from vintage and recycled fabrics but she keeps her prices super reasonable. Louise's business philosophy revolves around allowing moms to buy cute and fun clothing for their kids without breaking the bank.

Her business was originally based in the Island of Malta but now that she's stateside, she's in the process of building up again. Her years of experience are helping her out with this task as she's been sewing since she was four! It seems her creativity has been a part of her since she was able to hold a needle and thread.

Recently, she's been pointing her talents in the direction of finding new techniques. Louise has been dabbling in vegetable dyes and attempting to alter her recycled fabrics.

Her key to finding time to create lies in her doggy induced early wake up time of 5am. She usually gets a couple hours into her arts before beginning the rest of her day.

Her children are following in her creative footsteps. With a daughter who crochets and a son who cooks she is in great company when it comes to being a free flowing creative spirit.

When I asked her what she's learned about balancing a creative life with a mommy life she laughed and said "Patience!".

Louise has generously provided Maternal Spark readers with a 25% off promo until August 30th (not including shipping costs). Just mention Maternal Spark in the note to seller field when purchasing.

You can find Louise in her Etsy shop or via email. Go pay her a visit and say hi!

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Featured Mom - Caroline of Pink Lemonade Bags

Today's Creative Mom is Caroline Ritzer, who owns and manages a mini online empire. She uses this network of websites to sell her fantastic diaper bags and totes all of which she makes herself by hand. Pink Lemonade Boutique Bags is now over three years old but her desire to create is much older than that.

H: Tell me about what you make.

C: I love creating beautiful bags. I love fabric and am addicted to color. I also love creating handmade items to give as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, as well as things for my home, etc.

H: Describe your creative process.

C: My inspirations come from a variety of places and needs. Sometimes it starts with a gorgeous new line of fabric that is just begging to become a tote bag, other times it could be that I need a present for a friend or someone in my family. Once I decide what I want to make, then I look for the perfect fabric/materials to use and go from there. I love reading the blogs of all the fabulous indie designers and browsing the online market places to see what everyone else is creating right now.

H: Were you creative before you had children?

C: I have always loved crafting and creating, I was really into beading when I was younger. I love floral design, interior design, landscaping, and fashion. I worked in retail sales management for two of the top retailers in the country for 15 years. I have always been responsible for visual merchandising presentation and standards in some capacity in my career.

H: Have your methods changed?

C: I definitely aspire to continue to refine my sewing techniques and proficiencies since I started my business a couple of years ago. I have become a fast seamstress, so my methods for making bags have changed to reflect that.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

C: Staying creative is part of my daily routine. I start sewing at 8am and end at 8pm, with lunches, potty time, naps, playtime, getting ready for the school & the bus, and everyday activities taking up the majority of the time in between. When I have a special project or inspiration that is consuming me, everything else just seems to fit around my crafting time.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

C: Both of my kids love doing art projects, each in their own special way. My 5yr old daughter has Down Syndrome, so her artistic expressions and endeavors are special in their own way. My 3yr old son loves painting, coloring, Playdoh, you name it! He has been in a MDO (mother's day out) program this year and has come home with some truly fabulous artwork (although I am not counting the chocolate pudding finger painting he did today!)

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

C: I am a perfectionist in regards to the quality standards for my bags and in all of my crafting endeavors, so I am still learning to not be such a perfectionist when it comes to my expectations for what my children are creating.

H: What do you feel makes you successful and are you finding success?

C: I feel the most successful when I receive compliments and positive feedback from my customers who love their new bags. I feel that God has truly blessed me with wonderful sales since I made the decision to be a Work-At-Home-Mom. I really feel blessed that my business continues to be so successful and grows exponentially each year.

Caroline and her lovely bags can be found at these places around the web, go visit her. Thanks so much for sharing your story, it's an inspiring one.

Website...http://www.pinklemonadebags.com/

Etsy...http://pinklemonadebags.etsy.com/
Blog...http://pinklemonadeboutiquebags.blogspot.com/
Flickr...http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinklemonadebags/

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

So what are you into?

I've been working on developing a weekly "Energizer" post. The idea being, I would post exercises or fun projects or ways to jump start your creative projects and you would get so inspired you would rush away to work into the wee hours and come out with a masterpiece. That's the idea anyhow. Then it occurred to me that it would be a whole lot easier if I knew what my readers enjoyed most. Are sewing tutorials going to fall on uninterested ears? Who cares about writing prompts? Punch your answer into the poll below and give me a little direction wont'cha? After all, this blog is for you.

15 Time Saving, Organization and Inspirational tips from my readers

During the Super Giveaway I asked my readers to comment with a creative tip in order to get an entry. There were a few gems in the group - here they are.

Organization

1) Use egg cartons for organizing craft supplies like buttons and beads.
2) Pour left over paint into pill bottles, label and store.


Time Savers

1) Keep the wrappers from your butter sticks in the fridge for quickly greasing a cookie sheet.
2) Set up your crock pot in the morning for a fuss free dinnertime (this is something I'm thinking of doing, any one with tips on crock potting is welcome to share!)
3) If you suffer from insomnia, get something done! Don't just watch tv.
4) When spraying your cooking pans with non-stick spray, place the pan on the door of your dishwasher. Any over spray will be cleaned during the next cleaning cycle. Geez, I think I'll start all my prep work on the door of the dishwasher!
5) Store any leftover broth in ice cube trays and freeze. They will be easily accessible next time you cook!

Inspiration

1) Look to nature for interesting patterns.
2) When making home made play dough - add Koolaid for color and scent.
3) Encourage your kids to make easy picture books with stickers.
4) Make bean or rice bags with left over fabric scraps.
5) If your kids are in sports, save all their jerseys and make a memory blanket they can take to university.
6) Save all those outgrown onesies and make a sweet memory quilt for yourself!
7) Save your plastic grocery bags, cut into 1" strips and crochet with them.
8) Carry your camera in your purse to capture inspirational moments or pieces of art in your travels throughout the day.

image from freefoto.com

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Featured Mom - Dani of Loopdiloops Baby Gear

Today's featured mom has been sewing since she was 8 years old. In July of last year she had her first daughter and her desire to design and create exploded. Now she makes the most incredible haute couture dresses I've ever seen! She also has a practical side and is big into babywearing - so much so that she's producing fanciful pouch slings in custom fabrics.
H: Tell me about what you make.

D: My favourite things to create are formal dresses. I love the design process, letting the fabric create itself, just draping fabric over a model and going from there. I also enjoy creating useful things, for myself and others, that’s why I got into babywearing. There are so many baby products out there, but not many that compliment individual style!
H: How did you get started on Etsy?

D: I kept getting the “you should sell those” from all kinds of people, so I thought, what the heck it’s worth a try! Maybe I won’t have to go back to work after maternity leave if it goes well enough!!

H: Are you finding success?

D: That depends on how you define success. I am quite a ways off from becoming a millionaire if that’s what it takes. But I would say I’m successful if success means having a balance in life where I can spend time with my beautiful daughter and supportive husband, while doing the things I love to do!

H: Were you creative before you had children?

D: Yes, but having a child definitely changes any perspective thoughts or beliefs you had before having one! You look at life from a completely different perspective, and that I think adds to your creativity. Being a mother is a crash course at ‘thinking outside the box’ in my opinion.

H: Have your methods changed?

D: I am constantly trying to improve on the products I’ve got. There are a lot of factors to consider, and there are always ways to improve. Comfort is a big one, style definitely counts, and versatility. I love to find better ways to do things.

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

D: Time? What’s that! I’m just constantly on my toes, it keeps life exciting, and in turn helps me create things that make my life easier!

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

D: I’ve learned to put my daughter first, she needs to spend time with me, and after that is fulfilled, then it’s time to create. She loves to “help”! She gets to play with all kinds of fabric and ribbons while I’m sewing so she feels included in the process.

Thanks so much for joining me at Maternal Spark Dani. Everyone go check out Dani's incredible designs, they are some serious eye candy. She can be found on Etsy at http://loopdiloops.etsy.com and her blog is http://loopdiloops.blogspot.com.

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Featured Mom - Andrea of Quirky Bags

Today's Featured Mom has written her own post - enjoy!

Dream Big, Create Small

by Andrea

I became a mother over 14 years ago. During my first pregnancy, my creative expression morphed from teenage angst to things directly related to becoming a mother. My virtually unlimited time and exploration of artistic mediums gave way to working self-expression into my day-to-day life. With my limited income and space, basic scrapbooking and embellished photo albums became myprimary focus, as well as crocheted baby blankets.

My work was never as beautiful as I planned it to be, but it fulfilled my desire to create and provided the outlet I needed. As my daughter grew, my projects were limited by space constraints, but more importantly by time. As a single parent and engineering student, I had little energy for artistic endeavors. At night, when I was too exhausted to do anything else, I would weave amazing dreams of the paintings, novels and quilts I would someday create. By day, I found my outlets in crayon drawings and play-doh sculptures.

I used my creativity to nourish that of my daughter. After college, I received a sewing machine as a gift. Once again, I found myself making plans much larger than I could ever execute, but the process of sewing for my daughter's dolls proved relaxing. I still have patterns and fabrics from that time waiting to be sewn! I started sewing tote bags and working on a design for carrying groceries. Much of my creative time was spent thinking and analyzing, as I could do both during my commute, shower or while at the office. Relatively few of my creations were actually tangible, but dreaming provided the necessary fuel for coping with the challenges of my life.

The past seven years have seen the addition of an amazing husband and three beautiful children to my life. The ideas are always there, bubbling below the surface, but my responsibilities as an at-home mother of four limit their expression. I now choose between free time and sleep! I've developed a love of photography and I almost always have a camera in hand to chronicle the lives of my children. Trying new recipes and creating my own dishes is also an invaluable outlet.

My oldest jokes that I never cook the same thing twice!

These days, I do most of my creating late at night or on the weekends when my husband is home. I have yet to create a full-size quilt, write a chapter in a novel or finish the full-size afghan I started three years ago, but I've started my own business and regularly sew to get my creative "fix." As my children grow, I'm teaching them to sew and encouraging their art. One wall of my office is devoted to their handiwork. Gazing at it from time to time encourages me to keep imagining the magnificent creations I will make when they are older, while I diligently work on the small projects that keep me grounded in the here and now.

Copyright 2008 by Andrea Quenneville. All rights reserved.http://thoughtsfrommsq.blogspot.com/ or http://icraft.ca/msq

Like this post? Subscribe and never miss a spark!

Featured Mom - Alayna of Zadyball

Alayna Slinker became inspired to make her son a special toy after she noticed he favoured the knotted string tail on his stuffed giraffe. The first Zadyball was made more than three years ago. He was six months old. “He loved that ball SO much” Alayna says.

Now almost four years old he still refuses to sleep without it.

H: How did you get started ?

A: We got comments on that homemade toy all the time, usually to the effect of “what is that thing?” After I explained it, many people said “hey, my kid would like that too!” So, I decided to start making them for my friends and giving them as gifts at baby showers. Other shower guests started offering to buy them from me, and it has just snowballed from there!

H: Tell me more about the Zadyballs, they are so unique.

A: A Zadyball is designed first of all with babies in mind. They are soft to hold and cuddle, and have lots of strings to grab and rub. I love coming up with new ideas. My latest is the Zadybug – a plush butterfly with Zady strings (of course) and crinkle wings.

H: Where are you marketing your products now?

A: I had a good friend of mine tell me about Etsy.com. She suggested that it would be the perfect place for my Zadyballs. I checked it out, and I think she was right! When I first opened my shop, I didn’t realize how important it was to have a great shop name. I originally opened under the name “alaynacreations.etsy.com”. I had 109 sales in that shop before I “officially” opened Zadyball on Feb 1.


H: Were you creative before you had children?

A: I think I’ve always been a pretty creative person. My mother taught me to sew when I was 8 or 9. I also learned to crochet, knit, cross-stitch and more! I’m the type of person that when I see something in a store and think “I could totally make that,” I often do.

H: Have your methods changed since?

A: I’ve had to be a little more creative about WHEN I can create, and WHERE I can store my stuff. I used to have an entire bedroom devoted to my crafts. I would just leave a work in progress and close the door when I wasn’t working on it. That’s just not possible with children, especially after my second child was born and I had to give up my room. I had to move all my “stuff” into a single closet.


H: How do you find time to stay creative?

A: I take whatever time I can get. I use naptime and bedtime to do most of my work. I’m constantly thinking of new ideas, and sometimes it will keep me up most of the night, because I can’t sleep until I try out my idea to see if it will work.


H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

A: YES! They both LOVE to color (as the walls can attest). They always want to “help” with what ever I’m working on. I try to give them a little task if possible, even if it is just folding up fabric scraps.

H: Ok, so what’s with the name?

A: I’ve been asked several times how I came up with the name “Zadyball”. Zady is a combination of my kid’s names – Zander and Ady. It rhymes with “laddie” not “lady”. (Not that it really matters!)

Alayna and her Zadyball toys can be found online at http://zadyball.etsy.com/
You can keep up to date via her blog at http://alaynacreations.blogspot.com/ And email her for more information anytime at zadyball@hotmail.com/


Like this post? Subscribe and get them via email!

Featured Moms - Babyhoot

Jessica and Christina are two sisters who began searching for high quality baby gear. They never did find what they wanted and searching eventually led them to start making their own stuff. Babyhoot was born. After researching everything from fabrics to sizing they began listing their products for sale on Etsy.com in September of 2007.

Like typical sisters, they have conflicting tastes with Jessica leaning towards modern patterns and Christina favoring pinks, polka dots and ruffles.

H: Describe your work.

J: I like creating products that are fun and functional- as a mom of three kids; I only have time for things that are practical! I think every baby should get to have a wonderfully made, sturdy, super soft special blankie- the blankets that moms put in the child’s keepsake boxes as they get older.


H: How did you get started with Etsy?

J: My friend was selling jewellery on Etsy and while checking it out, I was amazed at how many creative people were selling their wares. I told my sister, “I’ve always wanted to do this, and Etsy is a great venue to start!”

H: Are you finding success?

J: Our definition of success changes as our business grows. First, we just wanted people to look at our items, and we’d get excited if our view counts went up. Then, if people “hearted” us. We said we’d be “official” if somebody that we didn’t know actually bought something from us. We’re still pretty new, and we’re starting to dive into the wholesale world. There are so many Etsy sellers with baby products, I know it will take a while to set ourselves apart from the others.


H: Were you creative before you had children?

J: I’ve always been creative, when I was a child I hated coloring books because I wanted to make my own picture, not just color in what somebody else had drawn. For a while after my first child was born, I didn’t really have time to “be creative” and kinda lost the desire to do anything creative. But, baby, it’s back!

H: How have your methods evolved?

J: For sewing methods, I’ve gotten better at fine-tuning techniques and have a system down now. I have always been a night owl, and get my best work done after midnight- be it a thesis paper for school, coming up with ideas for logos, or designing a new babyhoot. product. I don’t sleep much

H: How do you find time to stay creative?

J: I have a wonderful mother in law that watches the kids on days I need to sew. I stopped being so hard on myself for achieving my daily goals- if I set out to sew ten bibs in one setting, but things weren’t flowing for me that day; I just try again the next time instead of finishing my goal, even though it made me crabby and miserable in the meantime.

H: Do your kids show any creative spirit?

J: My six year old son is extremely creative. You should see how his eyes light up when he “finds” something he can use to create something within the recycle box. The kids have an art table that they sit at for at least an hour a day, just making whatever comes to them. We’re planning my daughter’s fourth birthday for April, she just requested a Harry Potter party and wants “a chocolate chip cake with cherry frosting with big taper candlesticks for candles, with Harry Potter glasses attached to each candle”. One Halloween she wanted to be a Handy Dandy Notebook (the Golden one, from Blues Clues) which was a pretty creative request for a two year old!

H: What have your children taught you about your art?

J: If making babyhoot successful means I’m always working and not spending time with the kids, then it’s not worth it. My kids mean the world to me and I’d rather have a happy family than a business raking in a ton of money.



While the girls at babyhoot make great everyday baby items I have to say that it was their superhero capes and costumes that really caught my eye. What kid wouldn’t feel special running around wearing one? Jessica and Christina can be found selling their stuff through Etsy.com at www.babyhoot.etsy.com. They also have an independent website www.babyhoot.com and a blog at http://babyhoot.blogspot.com. Of course you can also get in touch with them through email Jessica@babyhoot.com


Like this post? Subscribe and get them via email!

Featured Moms - Pixie Mist

Kristen and Julie are two moms behind PixieMist, a new store on Etsy.com which has seen higher than average sales in their first month. As accomplished seamstresses with over 14 years sewing experience between them, this duo creates a multitude of baby things like burp cloths and blankets. What caught my eye though was their fabulous children’s clothing.

H: Tell me about the things you make

K&J: We love making fun, comfy, and unique clothes for girls. We range from simple lounge sets and shirred tops to elaborate sets with appliqué and ruffles galore. We also make pom-pom bows, tooth fairy pillows, burp cloths, blankies, and bunk bed curtains—among other things!

H: How did you get started on Etsy?

K&J: A friend told us about Etsy and we were intrigued. We opened an account, but didn’t actually start selling for almost six months. We’ve been open for 3 weeks and we’ve had 11 sales. We were jumping up and down when we got that first sale—people had told us it took weeks or months, not just a couple of days!

H: Do you sell anywhere else?

K&J: Yes, we often sell through word of mouth locally.

H: Were you creative before you had kids?

K&J: We did things like stamping, scrap booking, stained glass, crochet, and jewellery making. We also liked cooking elaborate meals that weren’t dictated by young taste buds!


H: Since you’ve had your children, what has changed about how you create?

K&J: We’ve both focused more on sewing since having kids. What we sew has gotten more complex as the kids have gotten older. Of course, that’s probably due in part to not having to change diapers, chase toddlers, and wash 46 loads of laundry a day! It’s hard to sew anything remotely elaborate in five-minute increments.

H: When do you find the time to sew?

K&J: We tie our kids up and lock them in a closet. Nah, not really. Our older kids are in elementary school, and the two youngest are in mother’s-day-out programs two mornings a week. So we each have a couple of days on our own. Plus, our two little ones are the best of friends so we can get together and sew while the girlies go crazy with the Polly Pockets.

H: Are your children creative?

K&J: We each have one or two who love drawing and crafts—sometimes to the exclusion of everything else! Sofie (Julie’s oldest) is starting to sew a little bit.

H: What kind of creative growth have you experienced since having kids?

K&J: We sew to please ourselves. If we like it, we sew it. If others like it—great! If not, that’s okay. We try to teach our kids that what matters is how they feel about themselves, so we try to follow that rule for us, too. We’ve also learned that using brown or heavily patterned fabrics hides a multitude of stains!

Visit the ladies of PixieMist at www.pixiemist.etsy.com and see what they’re sewing up these days. You’ll smile, I’m sure of it. Feel free to contact them throught their store for custom order requests.

Thanks for joining me at Maternal Spark Julie and Kristen. I hope you have continued success with your business.