Artsy Mamas

I met Amy through the Mama of the Year Contest! Her story was so inspirational to me that I just HAD to share it with all of you!
Hobbies & Interests: I love to sew and I make most of my own clothes. I am a big supporter of breastfeeding and I make free nursing pillows for any pregnant lady that wants one. Over the past eight years I estimate that I have made over 200 pillows and sent them all over the United States.

I love historical preservation. I photograph cemeteries in hopes of preservation because so many stones are destroyed due to weather and vandalism. I also work with Oaklands Mansion and dress up as Louisiana Collier in the cemetery tour every October at Evergreen.

My husband and I have a non-profit organization called Born Again Technologies. We take no longer wanted computers (working or not, any age or condition) and recycle or refurbish them. Volunteers can help out to earn a free computer while learning how to repair and rebuild computers. We also give computers to churches, single Moms, Veterans, the elderly, and other non-profit organizations. Equipment is accepted free except for monitors which have a $15 hazardous recycling fee. Our website is www.bornagaintechnologies.org
All donations are tax deductible and we are a 501 c 3 charitable organization.

I'm very involved in Pro-Life. I know this is a touchy subject for some, especially in an election year, but I'm not afraid to say my stance on this issue. I'm a member of Rutherford County Right To Life as well as Bound4Life. I'm hoping to start a Bound4Life chapter for Murfreesboro and hold a Silent Siege in front of the clinic in Nashville with prayer and fasting. Anyone interested, please visit my page and message me: www.myspace.com/g33kchik

My family: My husband Shawn and I met at work, Swanson Christian Products, which is the company owned by our church, Victory Christian Center. He taught me everything I know about computers and we love serving Christ and helping out in the community. We have 4 daughters: Alaina and Caitlyn are from his previous marriage, and Seraphim and Eva are from my previous marriage and live with us.

He is an amazing husband and father and throughout my surgeries has taken good care of me and the girls. My girls are so strong for being so young! It has not been fair for them to have to deal with so much at their age (currently 8 and 4), but they have happy outlooks and strong faith.

We found out last year that Seraphim has the same clotting disorder that has led to my stroke and brain surgeries. We claim in Jesus' name that she will never suffer as I have and she will be healed.

We are very active in church. The girls enjoy church activities and Sunday School. Shawn plays bass guitar in the Praise Team and I sing. My church family is just as close to me as my own family.

My health: I have a genetic clotting disorder that I was born with. I did not know about it until 2003. I inherited it from my Mom, she got it from her Father, and I have passed it to my oldest daughter (don't know about the youngest).

I started having blood clots when I was 16 and then had very difficult pregnancies due to clots and uncontrollable weight loss. I had a minor stroke in 2003 right after Eva's birth, but refused blood thinners because I was breastfeeding. I nursed her for 2 years. In 2005, I had a major stroke that left me blind in my left eye and deaf in my left ear. I was vomiting blood and went in and out of a coma state.

I was told I had 12 clots in the right side of my brain and that I needed a shunt immediately. A spinal tap registered 900. normal pressure is 100. I stayed at St. Thomas for 4 months and in that time had many taps, 4 spinal surgeries, my right ovary removed due to a clotted cyst, and brain surgery. My daughters were in Memphis with my Mom and my youngest was quite distraught from having to be separated and stop nursing. I missed my children so much and this was the absolute lowest point in my life. I felt abandoned by God.

If it had not been for the prayers of my church family, I know I would have died because I had no will to live. I was in so much pain.

The next 2 years were very tough. I got my vision back and some of my hearing, but I still have 20% blindness and I cannot work. I miss working for my church and I still take care of the Swanson website, but I do it on my own time from home. Then in September 2007 my shunt failed and my ventricle collapsed and I have had 7 more brain surgeries, 2 staph infections, meningitis, and pneumonia since then.

My husband at the time (2005) and I just couldn't work things out and we split. Shawn and I had been working on starting up the charity through work and we grew close after my divorce(2006) and then fell in love. We got married in 2007. He is my best friend.

My faith: WOW! Where would I be without Jesus? On a bullet train to hell, that's where. I am so thankful for the love of God and that Jesus has paid the price so I can be with Him in glory someday. I strive to show others that same love and to live pure as I possibly can. And if I fail, to quickly set it right and seek forgiveness, repent, and get back up and on my way. God is so good and there are so many that think he is just a guy in the sky and they don't have the fear, respect, or wisdom to know just how AWESOME and POWERFUL He truly is and that prayers are really heard.

I have had people say to me that my illness is proof that prayers do not get answered. Well, I say it's proof that they DO. I am alive when so many doctors have said I should be dead. I have had 8 brain surgeries and I'm on my 10th shunt! the devil keeps trying to kill me and the prayers of my friends and family won't let him!

Born Again Technologies: This endeavor is such an awesome blessing to the community. We have recycled about 3 tons of equipment so far and sent refurbished computers to schools in South Africa, missionaries in Mexico, youth groups in Nashville, and various churches, hospitals, volunteers, etc.

We always need more volunteers and equipment. We take ANY computers, no matter how old, doesn't even have to be whole because we take parts as well. If it can't be refurbished, it will be recycled safely. Nothing we receive EVER goes into a landfill. All hard drives are wiped. monitors have a $15 hazardous recycling fee, but everything else is taken free of charge. All is tax deductible and we do supply a letter for tax purposes.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can go to www.bornagaintechnologies.org We will be in the ministry tent at Uncle Dave Macon Days on July 13th! Come out and say hello!

For Mamapalooza Murfreesboro, Artsy Mamas held a contest for Mamas to have a chance to be honored for using their talents to benefit their community! We have many entries but could only pick one grand prize winner. We chose Darcel Martinez and we are soooo glad that we did!! She's going to be a great addition to our organization and she's a lot of fun to be around. Please take a moment to read about her and leave her some love congratulating her on this honor!


When you called to notify me that I was chosen as Mama of the Year, I didn't believe you. I mean, here I was in the middle of hiding some laundry in my closet because I was hosting a play date and didn't want my imperfection to show. I could barely pay attention to our conversation, as moms were pulling open my drawers to note that I didn't have adequate cutlery to accommodate the group. So, I really thought you were tricking me. I would never even try for a title like that.

At the celebration I realized this was a perfect opportunity to bring light to one of my special passions - the Veteran's Nursing Home. So I accept the title since it may benefit "my guys."

I am no Ghandi, that's for sure. I simply visit the Veteran's home on Compton and Memorial and hang out with my guys. I used to go several times a week doing pedicures, feeding ice cream, and just having a cup of coffee. The primary need is on Sunday mornings, pushing the wheelchairs to their church service. Since nurses are committed to caring for them medically, there is no one to help them get to church, which is a good distance on the other side of the building. The Chaplain needs volunteers desperately. Please call him at 867-6125 to sign up.

I have taken neighborhood kids to visit my guys and they love it - it really, really, makes them happy since maybe only 10% get any visitors. My family took one guy out to Ryan's one night. Wheelchair and all. He actually cried at the table because he was so happy to be out with a family again.

Again, I'm no hero, it's just too easy to do.

Visiting my guys helps me keep things into perspective. Now come my tears. The other day I was taking my 10 yr old son to a birthday party and late as usual I decided to swing by the VA and see some of my friends. I gaily made my rounds, fed Mr. Haines some ice cream, popped in on Gaby, and I turned the corner to almost run smack into Clarke. See, Clarke is part of the "crew." The "crew" is a group of three disabled veterans who have motorized wheelchairs. They spend most of their time getting things for their bedridden friends and running errands for them. I enjoy sipping coffee with them-they always have to get me coffee, to kinda show off. They are all like in their 70s with various medical issues but so cool and well dressed. So, again, I see Clarke and I'm like "Hey what's up, whatcha know good? Where's my boy Griffin?" He responded that Griffin passed away! Here I am stressed because my son is squirming because he is missing his friend's party and Griffin is gone forever. I told my son and myself that people are important not all the other stuff we put importance on.

I am a mom of four intense children and a very spoiled husband. He is wonderful but he knows he's spoiled. I was a career-driven, networking, committee-creating employee of State Farm for nearly 5 years when God led me to quit and stay home with my children. I don't claim to have all the answers, but it's what I have to do for these little ones. I have a Bachelor's in Communications and Spanish, although my communication has been reduced to "Potty?" "Outside?" "Where's your cup?"


Late last year I found the perfect endeavor to sink my teeth into. I had been praying for a way to make some money, challenge myself, and make things a little more interesting. So I signed up to become a Pure Romance Consultant. In just a few months, I have expanded my team to four and exceeded my income goals. Being recognized in the national magazine and winning trips and prizes has really helped fill the gap as far as the "atta-girls" I used to receive in the corporate world. Most exciting, is how the products have given hubby and I a "new-ness" about our intimate relationship. Things are, well, interesting again. So, as I slowly bless one bed at a time, I look forward to watching my business grow as I get to watch my babies grow. Feel free to check out my website at Darcelmartinez.pureromance.com.

1. Who is Kim Smith?
I design and create mostly one of a kind items that focus on items for women and children. I am mother to three beautiful girls Jennifer, Jessica and Jordan, wife to the most wonderful man in the world. Besides mother, wife, creator my other roles include staff and servant to our three dogs Gracie, Dixie Belle, and Boris as well as a very fat cat named Sir Thomas. After 20+ years in the fashion retail industry as a District Manager with stores in five states I am now pursuing my dream career of a stay at home wife and creator of beautiful things for beautiful people.

2. What should we know about White Cottage Design?

3. You have recently begun to collaborate with The Creative Jar to create something called "arm art". Can you tell us a little about that?

My name is Jennifer Adams and I am the owner and photographer for Jennifer Adams Reflections in Springfield,TN. I serve Nashville, TN and surrounding areas in Northern Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. I specialize in natural lighting on location photography for maternity, birth, newborns, babies, children, teens, seniors, adults, couples and families.

I love to be different, bold, colorful, moody, simple, fresh, urban with a little bit of funkiness on the side. As a mother of three children myself, I know how hard it is to get a beautiful photograph of your child, that doesn't have this fake cheesy smile and or weird faces. So I go for natural environment where a child is more comfortable. Let them play and have fun and then thats the best time to capture those beautiful moments in a photograph! So real and unique and something that you can cherish even more!

Tell us a little bit about Deirdre Styles.
Deirdre Styles began obviously from the love of sewing. Actually, my first company was called Sew What? Wear. I love making things like one of a kind items including costumes and my purses and accessories. I had a competitive Dance Team a few years back and did not like the costumes offered in the catalogs, so was inspired to create my own for all the girls. A mom on one of the teams I had got Victoria Secret Catalogs and would always bring them in to practice to look at and pass the time. She commented once on a dress she wanted, but it was too expensive. I looked at the picture and the price and a few days later, brought the dress that I had made in to practice. It was identical and her size, and when I told her all she had to do was pay me for the materials, which was about $12, she died! The dress in the catalog was $72! She said she even liked this fabric better. Anyway, after that, she encouraged me to copy more and she said I should do some Trunk Shows, and she would hold the first one. I agreed. A few weeks later, and several pieces of different sized clothing later, we had a Trunk Show in her home. Every last piece sold and I made a whopping amount of money! I was hooked! It kept going from there and evolved in to the hand bags and purses I do today!

Now, tell us about Deirdre.
Hmmm....I'm not a complicated person. My kids all say I am the coolest mom, so that is a huge compliment right there! I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. My mom was a local, who met a sailor in the Navy, stationed there, and well, the rest is history. I'm the youngest of 3 children. All of my family is still there. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio with my husband (who I met playing in a Rock Band in Honolulu) and 5 of my 6 children. My oldest will be 24 and is out on his own. My 2 oldest daughters 20 and 21, keep leaving and making their way back home....can't seem to get rid of them...LOL!! In school we have Matthew, 18, who is following in his Artsy Mama's footsteps. He loves to design and create costumes to wear to the Anime Conventions he goes to. Then Gina, is 15 and I home school my youngest Dylan, who is 12.

From reading your myspace page, it sounds like you are an Artsy Mama who came from another Artsy Mama. Can you tell us about your mother? Well, my mom was also a seamstress and worked for a lot of people in show business as their wardrobe mistress. She never taught me how to sew, she was always to busy, and I wasn't allowed to speak to her while she was working, so I would quietly stand behind her and watch while she was sewing. So, basically, I am self taught. When I was 6, one day I waited for her to leave and go to work. I snuck behind that machine and was ready! I made my very first project,and it was ironically, a purse! A little square with a long strap, but I was so pleased with myself! I can remember it like it was yesterday!

How do you find time to fit in your craft while caring for six children? How do you balance your family life and your craft business? My family members are each talented in all different ways. They appreciate fine arts and know when to leave someone who is working alone. Don't want that to come out wrong, but basically they either sing, dance, sew or play instruments, so the house is always very lively and they are all pretty content. I guess what I am trying to say is, it all just falls in to line!

Do you have any advice for mamas who are wanting to learn to sew or who would like to make some extra cash to help supplement her family's income by creating art and selling it? Go for it! You don't need to invest any money in to lessons, if you got it, then you got it! Just give it a shot. You will never know if you have it or not, if you have never tried! Handcrafted items are in high demand. Choose your craft, study it, practice it and above all love it! Sewing is a dying art form and I teach it to whoever wants to learn, free of charge!

How could we contact you or purchase one of your bags? My website is www.Deirdrestyles.com. You can also find me on myspace.com/deirdrestyles. My email is deirdre_styles@hotmail.com . I have hard time keeping bags on my site, they all seem to disappear as soon as I list them. I won't hire anyone to sew for me, I am too picky and want to make sure every bag that comes from my site is made by me! I wholesale as well (actually prefer this) With a minimum of 10 bags, you can take 50% off and add $1 each for shipping. The resell is great for those wanting to make an extra buck to help out their families financial situation. All I ask is that my hang tags and bag tags are intact and not removed. There are a lot of companies that sell bags similar to mine, but I feel they are overpriced, and I also have not found one company whose bags can be machine washed!
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