Artsy Mamas

Holiday Restore and Relax Yoga Event

2009-11-17T02:26:00.000-08:00

Come and relax and restore your mind before the chaos of the holidays takes over your life! Enjoy yoga, meditation, and raw chocolate as your cares melt away.

Ladies' Night Out Holiday Relax and Restore led by Amanda Hardaway

Thursday, December 10th

from 7:30-9:00pm

@ Yoga on the Square

116 N Walnut Street

Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Cost is $12 at the door

No registration required but RSVP is encouraged!!

Attendees are entered into a drawing for:

Yoga Therapy Session $100 value ( 2 to be given)

November Art Date: One page personalized/family zine

2009-11-17T02:24:00.000-08:00

Who: Mothers and children of any and all ages
What: Artsy Mamas Art Date: Making a one page personalized and/or family zine (attendees are encouraged to bring small photos of their families)
Where: Children's Dept Linebaugh Library
When: Monday, Nov 30th, 10:00 am

We will create one page zines that are perfect for sending out instead of Christmas cards. They are personal, creative, fun, and inexpensive.

Green Gift Workshop

2009-11-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

Here are some the creatives and their creators from yesterday's Arsty Mamas Green Gift Workshop.

artsy mama green gift workshop

If you captured any of the creations or of course your own email them in to jodi. If you were not able to attend the workshop or would like to create some on your own goto the creative JAR and see the links to tutorials on the right hand side.

Craft Potluck

2009-11-14T06:03:00.000-08:00

Craft Potluck!

Who: Artsy Mamas, Friends, and Family

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2-4pm

Where: Basement of Central Christian Church - 404 East Main Street, Murfreesboro

We are gathering ideas for our November craft event! Do you have a super cool craft you would like to teach others? Do you have lots of wire and beads and don't know what to do with it all? Do you need some new jewelry or hair accessories? Do you need some special time to make cool gifts for the holidays? If so - let us know.

Below are some links to projects we are considering. You are welcome to bring your own materials from home or we can select which crafts we would like to do and then determine a very small and reasonable cost. It will be so much fun! Please respond to let us know if you would like to come, if you would like to bring anything, or if you would like to lead a craft.

wire star ornament
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/wired-star-661396/

flower hair ornament
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/hard-flower-barrettes

ribbon jewelry
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/beaded-jewelry

butterfly hair ornaments
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/beaded-hair-ornaments

Update Green Gift Worshop

2009-11-08T12:12:00.001-08:00

If in Nashville come join the fun and make "Green" things with me. See details below.

Artsy Mamas "Green Gifts workshop"
Taught by Jodi Reeves from the creative JAR

What is Artsy Mamas?
Artsy Mamas is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, a blog/website, a network, the facilitator of programming that educates and empowers mothers and their children in the arts, and a movement that encourages mothers to get their art on while developing meaningful relationships with their children, other mothers and their community. As our mission statement says, Artsy Mamas provides moms with encouragement, education, and empowerment through the arts, improving their self-esteem and quality of life and positively affecting their children and everyone around them. When you empower a mother, you benefit her child.

When and Where? Nashville Library, Edmundson Pike Branch, Saturday, November 14th, 1 - 5 PM

How much does it cost? Free (donations welcomed to help support this future events of the Artsy Mamas)

What will I learn? You will learn how to create recycled arts and crafts that make great gifts for friends and family! Create a "shemic" piece of art, free standing tree and ornament all out of recycled materials. Also see examples and learn tips on other recycled creations that you can make by recycling everyday household items.

What is a shemic you ask? A shemic is a comic style, mixed media piece of art based on the thoughts, philosophies and attitudes of women.

Do I need to bring anything?

Yes! Please bring the following materials, if possible.

* at least 2 cereal boxes for each person - or packaging similar in size
* meat trays or egg cartons - works great for paint trays - 1 for each person
* recycled papers - any scrap papers, recycle magazine papers with cool colors or patterns, cool packaging, old telephone books, newspapers, paint chips etc.

For more information on Jodi Reeves goto www.thecreativejar.com or email her at jodi@thecreativejar.com

For additional information on the workshop and Artsy Mamas please email Mandy Jones at shebrakes4rainbows@gmail.com

Please RSVP my emailing shebrakes4rainbows@gmail.com

Founder and Executive Director - Mandy Ray-Jones

2009-10-15T05:57:00.001-07:00

Mandy Ray-Jones is a Christian unschool mom of three. She has a BA in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University where she also studied theatre, English, women’s studies, and education. Her passions include blogging/writing, life long learning, breastfeeding, alternative medicine, serving her community, reading, performing, exercise, whole raw foods, the 80’s, bright colors, The B-52’s and creating stuff. In the spring of 2007, she created a non-profit organization called Artsy Mamas which has the mission of bringing arts to moms in order to empower them and improve their self-esteem. The organization has done just that and more for Mandy. Together with her family, she lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She and her husband also run two small businesses, Ridiculous Chocolate and Dragon’s Guard School of Fencing and Swordfighting. You can read more about her and her adventures in living with authenticity at Bona Fide Mama.

Susan Striker in the Spotlight

2008-11-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Susan, tell us a little about yourself.

I have been an art teacher forever. It is how I think of myself. I love my job working with young children (kindergarten through grade 5) They come to me once a week and it is always their favorite hour of the week. I read them a story that sets the mood for the project I am introducing and then we go to work. I always save their art work throughout the year. Lots of volunteer moms come in to help me keep track of the art work, file the pictures and then bind them in books at the end of the year. The art is appreciated much more when it is a whole collection bound in a book than it would be folded up in a backpack and brought the day it was done. Seeing the whole body of work helps the parents see the development that was made from September through June. Parents who always threw away pictures NEVER throw away the books. On weekends I seem to work on my lessons and preparing my "legacy", which will be a curriculum for elementary at that I have been working on since I started teaching. I am compelled to do it; I can't seem to stop.

When you were a young mother, what inspired you most as an artist?

I was never a young mother. I was 37 when my son was born! I had been married for 14 years, taught art for 15 and published my first book by the time he came along. I took a maternity leave fully intending to go back after two years, but couldn't leave him. He became my muse. He was always very adventurous and free. I had him finger painting with apple sauce in his high chair when he was 6 or 7 months old. I was telling my agent about the work I was doing with him and how friends thought I was crazy. She suggested that I write a book about my ideas on how to stimulate creativity. I began photographing Jason as he worked on art projects all through his first five years, and two of my books are about that period. PLEASE TOUCH (Simeon & Schuster) and YOUNG AT ART® (Henry Holt) Soon, parents in our neighborhood started asking me to give their children the art experiences that they didn't feel they could give them. We always had a house full of kids painting on the windows, drawing, making craft projects and the like. I gave Jason a birthday party where I had the children decorate the birthday cake and make their own party bags and favors. All the moms liked it so much they wanted me to go into business. After Jason went to Kindergarten, I opened YOUNG AT ART® (the school) in New York City, where we lived. I gave art classes and art birthday parties. His dad left when he was six and some hard times followed. I wound up going back to teaching in a public school, where my paycheck and health insurance were more predictable. I still give classes and birthday parties for people, and have teachers that I train to go into schools to teach the Young at Art® way. Jason is 27 now, and still incredibly creative and adventurous

but is not going into art as a profession. His love is the environment and he is an environmental specialist in Colorado.

He has had a one man show in a gallery, and my home is filled with his paintings. For my last birthday he gave me the best gift I had ever received in my life. A photo of the vase he made is attached.

Can you describe the process of turning your ideas and experiences into published books? Do you have any advice for moms who might like to become published but who don't really know where to start?

To be published, you have to write! That sounds simplistic, but I can't tell you how many people come to me and tell me they have "great" ideas for a book and ask what they should do. I offer to look at their books and they almost always have not even written a word. You have to write, re-write, then start again. When you have shown it to friends and family and think it is ready, write a short proposal, include a few sample pages, and contact publishers. Don't ever send a proposal to anyone without including stamped, self addressed envelopes and don't ever send your only copy. Don't be discouraged by rejection. My very best work is a series I have been writing for the last few years. It has been rejected by about 40 publishers. I keep trying. If I never can find a publisher I will publish it myself, with a vanity publisher. It is very discouraging, but I won't give up.

All art teachers learn in college how stifling and damaging coloring books are for children, but classroom teachers and parents never get the message. I was back at graduate school after many years of teaching. The professor suggested that instead of doing the assignments he had given the younger people in the class, we come up with something that reflected my teaching experience. I kept asking him what he wanted me to do and he kept saying "we'll see". The semester went on and all the students in the class kept handing in their assignments and I had nothing to do. I was al ittle worried about how I would get a good grade. One day, when the professor started his lecture on the subject of how bad coloring books are I raised my hand and said "Art teachers hear this all the time, but we never give coloring books to children. Why doesn't someone do something to reach the parents with this information.They don't buy their children coloring books because they are bad parents, they just don't ever hear the lecture we hear all the time." "That" he said, pointing at me, "is your assignment for the term". I put together all of the tried and true art lessons I was doing with my students and presented them, in a coloring book format, to the whole class. At the end of my presentation I was shocked when everyone clapped. The professor loved it and suggested that I try to get it published. My (now ex) brother in law had a book published by Henry Holt and at the next time I saw him I proudly told him the story and what the professor had said. He offered to show the book to his editor, who loved it and sent it to the children's department which rejected it immediately. She liked it so much she went to the publisher and asked for permission to publish it herself, even though children's books were not her department. Since then, I have published 21 books, most with Henry Holt.

Where can our readers go to learn more about your work and how they

can change the ways in which their children are learning art?

I have a web site ... Parents of children under the age of five should read my books PLEASE TOUCH® and YOUNG AT ART®. They are filled with photos of Jason, his friends and my students and of me doing art and talk about how important scribbling is to prepare children to read. Parents of children over the age of 6 will want THE ANTI-COLORING BOOKS®. They include suggestions and motivation to encourage children who have outgrown scribbling to draw pictures.

Park Avenue Photography In the Spotlight

2008-10-08T05:18:00.000-07:00

1. Tell us about Park Avenue Photography.

After the birth of my first son, my love of photography became a more serious pursuit, capturing my own child on film as well as the children of friends and family. Taking photographs of children quickly turned into my home-based studio, Park Avenue Photography where I specialize in fine art portraits of babies, children, families, and pregnancy.

2. You published a book in 2006 of your photography. Can you tell us about that? Do you have any advice for other artist moms who might like to also publish their work?

Pure Innocence came to me after doing my first photography show. While thinking about the show, I wanted to create a theme to connect all of my work...so that I was essentially telling a story with my photographs. Pure Innocence was born as I connected all of the photos as emotions in childhood: titling each of the 15 photographs "pure ______" for the emotion that it evoked. After the show, my mind kept thinking in terms of "pure this" and "pure that" and I realized that I wanted to expand on it and create a coffee table book. It took about 2 years from conception to completion but it is something that I am very proud of. I ended up self-publishing and would highly recommend the company that I used and would be happy to talk to anyone who was looking into going through this process.

3. How do you balance being a mother and a wife with being a professional?

I am mom, first and foremost! That is extremely important to me. I have 3 sons who are 8, 5, and 1. I certainly could not do what I do without the tremendous love and support of my fantastic husband and the utilization of technology. The technology is a huge factor in making it possible to work around my families' schedule and work from home. Outside of the actual photoshoot, I am able to do all of my other work from editing and post production, to communicating with clients, sending out newsletters, booking shoots, maintaining my website, and accepting payments all on my laptop (in my bed, if I like!) while my children are asleep! It truly amazes me and I am thankful everyday to be doing what I'm doing!

4. What inspires you the most in your adventures as an Artsy Mama?

I absolutely love what I do! It definitely nurtures my creative passion. I think I am lucky because my art is so visual that everything I see is inspiring to me in some way...from my children's faces, to beautiful landscapes, magazine ads, just about anything! I think I am constantly taking inventory of the things around me, and not to sound cliche but I noticed that a lot of times recently, I 'see in pictures'. I think that just happens to you as an artist...the longer you do what you do.

5. If we wanted to see some more of your work or contact you, how would we go about doing so?

You can check me out at

http://www.parkavenuephotography.com/

or email me at
samantha@parkavenuephotography.com

I just recently combined my website with my blog to create a 'blogsite' and I am loving it. Everything is all in one place, my galleries, my blogposts etc. so it's great!

MommysClub.com In the Spotlight

2008-09-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

Cathy, tell us about MommysClub.

MommysClub.com was started to help parents who are seeking resources or information about parenting. It has grown to include not only parenting information and parenting resources, but to offer fun crafts for kids, quick recipes for the busy parent and much more. MommysClub.com offers personalized holiday letters for kids. In keeping the holiday spirit alive we provide letters from Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and a Birthday letter from Santa (these are not form letters). The customer feedback on these letters has been outstanding.

We recently introduced a giveaway section to the site. This will be two fold, one to provide business owners the opportunity to get their product(s) in front of parents for free and secondly the chance for parents to become familiar with new products provided by parents.

Finally, MommysClub.com offers a wide range of advertising opportunities for other business owners ranging from free to inexpensive pricing.

2. What inspired you to create a website for mothers?

After leaving my job to raise my little girl, I started searching the internet for various resources and information on parenting. What I found was a lot of information in several places. I wanted to create a site that parents would utilize as a parenting resource. Providing parenting tips, information, fun crafts, quick recipes, personalized holiday letters and most recently giveaways. The giveaway section was added to provide parents the opportunity to get their products in front of other parents for free.

MommysClub has grown since I first started in November 2007.

3. Has MommysClub become a full time job for you? If so, how did you turn it into a profitable endeavor?

At this time MommysClub is a full-time job, but does not make a profit yet. I also work as a Virtual Assistant / Project Manager / Human Resources Consultant to support MommysClub and help my family.

4. What is the most fulfilling thing about networking with other mothers?

Since starting MommysClub, I have joined several networking sites and have made some lasting friendships. MommysClub.com has allowed me to partner with some exceptional parenting sites and the opportunity to meet exciting new people. I believe networking and relationship building are keys to becoming successful.

Courtney Rayburn of Dos Amigas In the Spotlight!

2008-08-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Dos Amigas is a business that a friend and I started in May of this year. We teach Spanish to all ages of learners. We offer classes to home schoolers, church groups, Mommy and Me classes, Adult Education classes, Private tutoring, and even translation services. We are Spanish teachers for hire, and will do practically anything to satisfy any Spanish education needs.

Jennifer and I have both worked as public high school teachers for 5 years or so, and then decided to transition to staying home more with our own children. The flexible schedule that our business offers allows us time to raise our own children. We spend a lot of time answering questions about our business and marketing ourselves. Getting the word out inexpensively has been one of the biggest challenges. Maybe one day, when we are rich and famous, we can hire a professional to take on that aspect. I love teaching, but marketing has never been my strong point.

For me, leaving a secure 9-5er was a huge leap of faith that took (and still takes) many, many prayers. I feel sometimes like I have jumped off a cliff and asked God to catch me, literally. But, it is also exhilarating and rewarding. The sky's the limit when you own your own business. If you have ever considered owning your own business, go for it! Have a great product or service that you wholeheartedly love and believe in. Don't try to do something that you are not passionate about. And, of course surround yourself with positive, encouraging people that you can bounce ideas off of and that can help you spread the word. My partner Jennifer, has been instrumental in making contacts, coming up with lesson plans, and most importantly, encouraging me to give it try!

Check us out on the web: www.dosamigasteach.com
In the paper: http://www.murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=12273
Email: info@dosamigasteach.com

Tamara Cosby In the Spotlight

2008-08-14T04:03:00.000-07:00

Who is Tamara Cosby?
I am a Christ Follower who wants to be IN LOVE with her Savior. I am a wife to one amazing (and sometimes frustrating) husband and mother to my 4 (yes, you read correctly) FOUR amazing children!

What inspired you to start making the shirts?
I LOVE Mini Boden clothing. I want to purchase my entire children's wardrobe from this company but realize how completely ridiculous that is...we live on one income so I can stay home with our children...so I started looking at the shirts and decided there was no way I couldn't figure out how to do them...so I started on one. It was cute. It wasn't REALLY cute (looking back) but it was cute...little by little I am gaining knowledge and figuring out what works and what doesn't. I am reaching an inner creativity I had NO IDEA I possessed and that is inspiring for me!

Part of the proceeds go to the Rescue Mission. What is that and why is it your charity of choice?
I chose the Rescue Center in Cazale, Haiti for a few of reasons...two of the most important reasons are Amos & Story...my sweet friends Jamie & Aaron's children who are currently living in Cazale. The Rescue Center is AMAZING. There are two women that work there tirelessly with a BUNCH of other people...they have over 50 children on a daily basis and they take care of them. They feed them protein (that is one thing missing TERRIBLY in Haiti) they change a gazillion diapers (I thought I had it bad with twins!) and they love on these sweet babies. This group amazes me EVERYDAY! I love reading their blog and I love their mission so I can't help but provide a little part of what I make to them...it's not enough...I wish I could give them our entire paycheck...
Any advice to others moms about how they might balance being mommies and pursuing and artistic endeavor at the same time?
Do something your kids will enjoy or benefit from. Seriously! I love making these shirts because my kids love to help with the designs or the color of the shirts...or anything! They have each drawn their own drawing for their favorite shirts...it's precious! I say just get the whole family involved! My hubby designed one of my favorite shirts for me! It's an old school police car and it turned out AWESOME!!! First and foremost, put your family before your endeavor...that goes a long way in your success!!!

For more information or to Contact Tamara, check our her shirt blog here.

Pretty Piece of Cake In the Spotlight

2008-07-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Erica, I am 30 years old and married to Todd for 8 years. We have 3 WONDERFUL boys: Matthew age 6, Jaden age 4, and Elijah age 2. I an elementary teacher at Ruby Major Elementary where I teach k-4 music class. I play flute and a little piano. I love food- cooking and baking it, and of course my favorite thing- EATING IT!!

What is Pretty Piece of Cake?
Pretty Piece of Cake is a home based bakery business I started 3 years ago after my sons birthday party. Everyone was asking for a cake like his, we made them for family at first and things grew by word of mouth. Due to lots of prayers and GOD'S blessings -we are now a husband and wife team that make cakes as a second job. We our still based out of our home but we are GROWING more and more everyday! We specialize in unique cake designs- such as 3D! We LOVE to take your ideas and turn them into something you can eat. The best part is they taste as good as they look. We only use the finest ingredients: butter, eggs (now using farm fresh!), milk, sugar, flour, etc. Our icing does NOT use shortening or oils, we are KNOWN for our tasty blend of swiss meringue icing.

What inspires you when you are making your cakes?
I am inspired by almost anything: I like to find out about the personality of the person, as well as hobbies, items of interest, or colors they like. We take clothes, cartoons, books, musical items, almost anything and turn it into cake!

How can we learn more about you and your business?
You can find more info, pictures, prices, flavors,ingredients and testimonials at our website.

Angelique St. Clair of Bravo Ninos In the Spotlight

2008-07-20T16:31:00.000-07:00

Angelique, Can you please tell us about Bravo Ninos?

Bravo Niño’s is a Spring Hill Tennessee based business offering Spanish classes to children during the most crucial years of language development (2-5 years) through preschools, community centers and various other outlets. Our goal is to not only teach children Spanish but to instill in them a love for learning another language by focusing on fun interactive activities such as stories, songs, puppets, games and more.

Other than running your business, what keeps you busy?

My 5 yr. old daughter Karmen. She is a jewel. My husband travels a good bit so we get a lot of mother-daughter time in. I try hard to keep things balanced for her at home by limiting her tv time and involving her in activities like dance and piano. We also get artsy as much as possible by painting and attending locally produced plays. Last Friday we went to see a High School production of Beauty & the Beast and had such a good time.

What motivated you to create this educational program and what affect has it had on your life and the lives of your students?

The idea of such a program entered my head just as I was about to finish college. I went on to work for a performing rights organization instead. Four years later my little one came along and I was asked if I could teach a class at her preschool. I had a wonderful boss at the time that really believed in self enrichment and he helped me work out a schedule to accommodate this new venture. I kept this up for the next four years, along the way pondering a new career in teaching. It was clear to me that as my daughter got older, she needed more of my time and attention. It was also clear to me that I loved teaching Spanish to children! I took the leap of faith that my heart said was right and things fell into place. It has made a tremendously positive impact on me and my family. I now feel that I have a healthy balance of work and family in my life. It is also very gratifying to know that you are changing the lives of children by connecting them to the global world we live in through another language. I hope as they grow they will remember the excitement in my voice as I told them that “Spanish is a different and FUN way to talk”.

Where can we go to learn more about this program and how can people contact you?

You can learn more by visiting the website at www.bravoninos.com or by reading the newsletter at www.bravoninos.blogspot.com (here there is a list currently schedule open enrollment classes). If any preschools or other facilities would like to receive an information packet they can contact me via email at Angelique@bravoninos.com or call me at 615.479.5077.

Jessica Leigh Photography In the Spotlight

2008-07-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

Can you tell us about why you became a photographer?

Goodness. . .I think I've always been a photographer. Honestly, for as long as I can remember, I've had a camera in my hand. I started getting more interested in making sure my pictures were better than the normal snapshots when I was pregnant with my first son. I read several books, joined a few online photography forums, and started a blog with my pictures. My friends saw the pictures I had done of my son, and asked if I would take pictures of their little ones. . .from there it just began to spiral. . . and that's how it began.

What inspires you?
My two precious boys. They are both in bed right now, but just thinking about them makes me grin from ear to ear. I love being a mommy!

What makes you especially unique?

I think there are several things.
First, before I became a mom and a photographer, I taught third and fourth grade. To be a good teacher, you must connect with each one of your students. They must trust you, have fun with you while learning, etc. So, I know that I must implement that with each of my clients, especially the kids! Some of the children's parents I photograph probably think I'm crazy. . .especially when I'm barking like a dog or singing silly songs, etc., but the kids love it!

Second, I strive to make each shoot better than the last. I try to find out what my client's love. If that means going and buying something good to eat during the shoot, purchasing a huge handful of balloons, or packing my van to the tip top with props, such as a table and chairs for a tea party, I'm going to do it!!! I also love to drive around with my boys and find new shooting locations. I like to have backgrounds in my photos that many of the photographers in my area don't. What one person may see as an ugly junk spot, I see it as a potentially cool location for an upcoming shoot!!!

Finally, I take on a limited number of sessions per month to give each of my clients individual attention and quality service. I pay attention to every detail and give each picture 100% in my digital darkroom. A client never sees an unedited piece of my art.

How do fit being a professional photographer around all of the other demands of being a mother and a wife?

Being a mommy and a wife comes first. That's why it is so great that I only take on a limited number of clients per month. My family is SO important to me, as is each of the clients I photograph. I will tell you that if you drop by my house unannounced, expect it to be dirty! Although, I love a clean house, it seems housework definitely goes by the way side. During my boys' naps, I edit. I love to go to bed at the same time as my husband, so alot of times we will go to bed at the same time. We'll talk about our day, etc. Many times, he will get in his "sleep spot", and I'll get up and finish editing a session, answer emails, etc. That's what is so wonderful about this hobby. I'm not calling it a job, because it's so fun, so it's my hobby! I can do it late at night or early in the morning, or during naps! That's just too cool!!! I'm just so thankful that God has given me a talent that I can share with others, and especially one that I enjoy so much! He is so awesome!

How can we get in touch with you and where can we see your work?

My website is: www.jessicaleighphotography.com

My blog is www.jessicaleighblog.blogspot.com

Angela Crutcher Photography

2008-07-03T04:01:00.000-07:00

I am a 22 year old photographer and mother to two children. I have been a professional photographer for 6 years now and have an Associate of Arts degree majoring in Photography. I specialize in capturing artistic and
modern portraits of expecting mothers, childbirth, newborns, babies, young children and their families. I serve Nashville, TN and surrounding Middle TN areas.

I am very active in my community and volunteer my time quite often for adoptive families in the Middle TN area, through the amazing organization Celebrating Adoption. I also have recently started up my own non-profit organization called Jonathan's Gift. Jonathan's Gift is a special program that celebrates the amazing beauty of cleft lip/palate babies/children and their families, through beautiful portraits they can forever cherish. The inspiration behind starting Jonathan's Gift is my 3 year old son, Jonathan. Jonathan was born with a severe cleft palate and now has several other special needs. I want to show the world the amazing beauty and strength of cleft babies and their parents.

How are you able to find balance between being a mom and being a professional photographer?

Finding a balance between being a mom and a professional photographer came as second nature to me, really. First and foremost, I am a wife and a mother. My husband and children's needs come first. Then I am a photographer. My husband and I work around each others schedules. I try my
best to schedule my clients for when I know my husband will be home. Sometimes, life is not that easy though. Sometimes I do need a baby-sitter. Luckily, we have a wonderful, trustworthy, baby- sitter my kids love! I do the bulk of my editing of photographs while the kids are napping, so that I am not taking precious time away from them while they are awake.

Do you have any advice for other moms who might be pondering the start of
their own photography business?

Being a professional photographer does not happen over night. It takes years of practice, education, time, money and hard work to be at the top
of your game. Education is never ending. Also, don't jump into business right away. What's the rush? Saying you are in business after only owning a camera for a few weeks is like shooting yourself in the foot. Learn the craft. I mean really learn the craft. Build your knowledge of not only the technical and business aspects of photography but also the ethical aspects. Also, be passionate in what you do. Immerse yourself in the art of
photography and pour your heart and soul into it. The results will be worth the wait!

You can view my blog at: findingtheartinlife.com
http://www.angelacrutcherphotography.com
615-643-8275

In the Spotlight: Carolyn Sledge

2008-06-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

Dear readers, it is such an honor to introduce to you my friend and fellow Artsy Mama... Carolyn Sledge! If you live in the Murfreesboro area and would like to see THE GARDEN PARTY play live... you will get your chance on Thursday, June 26th. Everyone is invited to my home (I'm Mandy, Artsy Mamas founder and Exec. Dir) for a vegetarian pot luck and night of wonderful music! Please email me at shebrakes4rainbows@gmail.com for more details!! Everyone is welcome! This is an event for the whole family!!

Tell us a bit about Carolyn Sledge the Artist

As a child I played a Wurlitzer spinet piano I kept in my bedroom. It had belonged to my Great Grandmother Vie who used to play for her church. She gave it to me after moving into a retirement home when I was about ten. I also received another piano soon after, a grand piano, from my mother’s dad, grandpa Roland Robinson, who was great grandma Vie’s step son. Grandpa Robinson could never remember my name and referred to me as Peggy Sue or Sue Ellen or something like that, but after asking what instrument I was most interested in, he sent me his grand piano. Grandpa Roland was always sending us instruments such as guitars and harps and my mother would paint the harps he made in his harp shop as she was a professional free lance artist.

Early on I would sit alone for hours picking apart sheet music from church or classical books that my grandparents had given me with the pianos. Taking lessons was challenging, I found it difficult to grasp music theory being right brained. Still I enjoyed playing the beautiful classical melodies and practicing scales. I would also pass time in the bathtub composing musical pieces in my mind.

I also wanted to be a singer like Julie Andrews. I consistently performed and sang solos in elementary through high school. Later I began forming bands, singing and playing instruments as well as writing and performing my own songs. Becoming a songwriter was truly exciting and fulfilling. As I crafted my skills I learned how to record the music I was making. I was drawn to recording. The first time I recorded myself was with a friend in the elementary school bathroom. We created a silly scenario about an alien invasion. I can remember thinking how Cool! We were creating a whole new reality we could add to and listen to over and over. My passion for recording would lead me to recording my own songs and the music and compositions of other writers and speakers.

In 1998 while visiting briefly in Virginia Beach Florida, my writing took on a new focus. While staying in a rented cottage block from the, I began composing a song called “Within You.” At the time I was going through personal spiritual awakening. The song “Within You” was one of my first songs that I felt wrote itself through me, in a matter minutes. The song is about God within us and the power to create according to our thoughts and actions. Previously, unconscious to this idea, I now realized the importance of the lyrics I wrote and sang and how they impact my life and the world around me. With this new take on things, my writing took on new direction and remains on course.

Carolyn Bolich Sledge THE WOMAN.

I used to wonder when I would actually become a woman. I had been married, divorced and had many experiences as an adult but I can say I actually felt like a woman when I gave birth to my first child Eve in 2000. The Pregnancy was an unexpected event like most everything else that has happened to me in Tennessee. I moved to Nashville Tennessee, Music City USA to make it big, and boy did I! Within the four months I met my soul mate Richard Bolich. From the first moment we met we were inseparable and remain so.Rich took an immediate interest in my music and songwriting and hired me to write music for $1,000 dollars a month. He began learning the music recording equipment and came with me to shows to run the sound. Later he picked up the bass guitar and began to learn how to play. Before long we began playing, writing and recording together in our studio in Franklin Tennessee, Stu Stu Studio’s.

I have long had a strong desire to tour the world and share my music positively effecting change. I’ve been told I’m from the Pleiades and I am here to hold the light. I can say that may be true but as far as being a woman I have learned to appreciate the process, something you have to do when you have three children a husband a house a recording studio and you want to share your music with the world. It has taken me years to gain all this wisdom and especially patience (after all I am an Aries). This year Rich and I formed a band called THE GARDEN PARTY. We got the idea for the name of the band after a conversation with our neighbor who said she could not find a political affiliation. Since we are both gardeners she said “hey, why don’t we just call our self’s The Garden Party?” It stuck. But THE GARDEN PARTY is not political. It’s about a state of mind and a way of being in the world, in the GARDEN. The music is fun, positive and meaningful. I love being on stage with Rich. I love being with him always, so having him perform with me is great too! We just have a blast.

In 2008 as we began putting the pieces together for our GARDEN PARTY HOUSE CONCERT TOUR, we began to ponder the gas prices we would incur traveling around in HARVEY THE RV “GARDEN PARTY HOUSE CONCERT TOUR BUS”. This led to thoughts on alternative fuels and possibly converting HARVEY over to bio-diesel. Rich is a graduated engineer and holds three patents for his inventions. To make a long story short, he and a partner came across some technology that will allow most cars to run on hydrogen in a safe manner ( effectively one ¼ cup of reusable water every two hundred miles)No gasoline, no more dependence. This technology has been well researched and tested. Just in the last few months there has become are an ever increasing amount of people on the internet using this technology. You can go to U-Tube and type in Hydrogen Tap for more information on this freeing concept. This is not new technology it is just new to the people technology.

Being a homeschooling mommy musician comes about as natural as breathing. Life is a stage. We are all on stage.

I enjoy homeschooling my children. Life is the teacher, silence is also the teacher. I enjoy being with my family and I spend as much time with them as they can stand! The children have been my greatest teachers, reminding me of limitless possibilities. I could never express my total gratitude for the gifts they share.

You can keep up with Carolyn Sledge and THE GARDEN PARTY music with these links

www.myspace/carolynsledge

www.myspace/thegardenpartyband

In the Spotlight: Beth Rose Art

2008-06-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, Beth Rose?

I just became a mom for the first time last October. My son's name is Ezekiel and he has of course become the main subject of my photography for the past 8 months. I have an amazing husband named Josh who encourages me in everything that I do. It is because of him that I don't feel too self-concious to call myself a photographer instead of passing it off as some hobby that I'm not very good at.

I have been shooting since high school, where I was the one and only member of the photography club. I used to spend 12 or more hours some days when I was in college in the dark room. Those days often resulted in only one or two actual prints, but it was the process that I loved so much.

Since college I have done various work from thrilling adventure races to still architectural photography.

What inspires you as a photographer?

I have this attachment to every photograph that I have ever had. I am so fascinated by the fact that even though moments of time have past and can never actually exist again, except in memory, that we can hold on to a tangible image of them. That moment in time will never die. People and relationships are always changing and growing. It’s so important to me to be able to go back and look at how the past is a part of the present.

Why did you decide to pursue photography and what do you see for yourself as an artist down the road?

I took a break for a few years from photography because I was spending time starting over. I moved to Nashville with two suitcases and lived out of my car for awhile. I started playing bass guitar and put the camera on hold. When I tried to take it back up again, I realized that I was behind the times. It's hard to work with film because of the cost. So I am recreating myself as a digital photographer. I spent last summer while I was too large with child to do much else, sitting on the couch teaching myself photoshop. In college they made us take a drawing class where I discovered that I had a knack for it. So while I shunned the digital medium for ahile, I now see it as a way to integrate my two talents.

My future plans have little to do with photography. I plan to have at least one more child and adopt a few as well. I hope to serve the Lord to the best of my abilities and to be a great wife and mother. If I have time, I would love to keep shooting pictures too.

How can we contact you and where on the web can we see some of your work?

My website www.bethroseart.com should be up soon. In the meantime my email address is bethroseart@yahoo.com and my phone number is 615-668-1014.

In the Spotlight: Amy Campell

2008-05-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

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!

In the Spotlight: Darcel Martinez, Our Mama of the Year!

2008-05-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

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.

White Cottage Design: In the Spotlight!

2008-05-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

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?

White Cottage Design is in it's infancy and was started Fall 2007. At White Cottage Design you will find an eclectic and funky mix of fabrics with a classic style. Attention to detail and use of quality materials provide a unique product. With fabric, needle and thread I design and create mostly one of a kind handbags, aprons and accessories that include book covers,kids notebooks, scarves, bottle carriers, office sets, boo boo bags and such. All items are created one at a time in my home and rarely will you see the same thing twice.

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?

Par Deux Meres is a new venture and collaboration between myself and the extremely talented Jodi Reeves. Par Deux Meres translates to "by two mothers" as we both are mothers to three girls. Wielding paint, brushes and imagination Jodi hand paints her inspiration onto fabric, Jodi's pieces almost always include women, nature or words. I add additional fabric choices and with needle and thread make the art into my own design. Right now we are using the Nashville Bag design for the handbag, it is my most popular handbag style. The pieces are one of a kind and feature a hand stamped interior pocket that includes the name of the piece, signed by the artists and then numbered. These handbags are truly art that you wear, therefore we call it "arm art".

4. How has being a mom of three girls influenced your art?

My creativity really kicked into gear after I became a mom. I really think being a mother flips some sort of internal switch that we feel "we must create".

Sewing was a way to make the beautiful things I wanted for my children on a budget and in my own unique style. I would go into the high end children's boutiques and think I can make that. I signed up for smocking and French hand sewing classes and was hooked, not long after I was teaching the classes. When they outgrew the frilly dresses, the next big thing was appliquéd jumpers now I'm making curtains, throws, handbags and accessories for them. As my girls grew and evolved so did my creations. When I made the decision to leave the corporate world I began making handbags for them and soon their friends were making requests. So White Cottage Design was born. My girls are my biggest supporters and fans.

5. What do you hope to accomplish through your business in the future?
I would like to continue pursuing other types of mediums through paints and fiber arts. I want to stretch out and participate in some bigger shows and events out of the area. Currently I do the monthly CRAFT event and have scheduled another event at least every other month. I would like to see White Cottage Design available in some local shops, which may be happening very soon. I hope to improve and introduce more designs, keep moving forward.

6. Any advice for moms who are starting their own handmade business?

The turning point for me was CRAFT a creative community and having the ability to participate in an event. I recommend finding groups like Artsy Mamas, Mamamade, CRAFT a creative community to share ideas and draw inspiration. Get a myspace, flickr and blogspot account to get yourself out there (they are all free). Find an art/craft partner that you can bounce ideas off of and use as a sounding board. Find time for yourself- not just creating time but time to go out and make a play date with your friends. Some of my best ideas come when I'm around other creators. Stay true to yourself and do what you enjoy doing. You never know until you try.

7. Links, contact, etc?

You can find more of me at

www.whitecottagedesign.blogspot.com

www.flickr.com/photos/whitecottagedesign

www.whitecottagedesign.etsy.com

www.myspace.com/whitecottagedesign

Jennifer Adams Reflections: In the Spotlight

2008-05-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

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!

I am also a proud member of several photographer charities for children and families that are in need of photography. Like with a critically ill child, or an adoption or a deployment.

My family comes first and I make sure my kids are attended to and taken care of, with the help of my wonderful supporting husband I've been able to manage both my photography business and my personal life very well. I work around his job and he works around mine, that way one of us is always with our children, (of course every once in awhile we get grandparents, but thats very rare) My kids are very understanding about it all too, which surprised me a little, but I think its great!

As for advice for Mamas interested in starting a photography business:
First you have to want to want to do this. You have to have the passion and feel for the art of photography. Always remember a good artist is always evolving! It doesn't happen over night, takes lots of time and practice and work. But in the end just have fun and remember the true reason you started it all in the first place: because you wanted to and had a passion to!

To make yourself stand out from the others- go out into your community, connect with the people and your clients. Learn their story and then photograph them. Find out what it is about them and then show it in your photographs, their story and their truth. That right there is all you need. As a side note: have fun with them, make this an experience that they will always remember and look back on, and a good experience too.

In the end be yourself and just show who you are as an artist and have confidence and that will show through in your work!

http://jenniferadamsreflections.com
http://reflectionsblog.blogsome.com
adamsreflections@bellsouth.net

Deirdre Styles in the Spotlight!

2008-05-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

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!
(include links, email, etc)

Wicked Moxie in the Spotlight!

2008-04-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Tell us a little about Wicked Moxie.
By choosing materials that are re-used and recycled, Wicked MoXie creates unique, whimsical and eco-friendly items. The bold colors and kitschy accents make her creations a welcome break from the seriousness of our modern world - little "stop-and-smell-the-roses" moments for your ears, neck and fingers. We specialize in bead collage jewelry, altered vinyl records, and hand-and-machine-stitched cloth accessories. We also creates novelty buttons, mirrors, magnets, key chains and jewelry from custom images.

Now tell us a little about Michelle Frank
I have never thought "inside-the-box" I have 2 beautiful daughters who are as different as night and day. I have a teenager who will be driving in 7 months. I have a 6-year-old who creates love. (and magic). I have a husband who puts up with me. I have 2 cats that only like me. I have a dog that is a zombie. I have BFA in Studio Art with a focus on sculpture, printmaking, bookarts, jewelry and sociology. I have not "used" that degree yet. I have a love for Harry Potter, Chuck Pahluniuk, Joan Didion and Dr. Seuss. I have lots of movies that I watch all the time. I have a crush on Dr. House. I have happiness.

How do you balance being a wife, the mother of two daughters, and a successful artisan?
Basically I have a husband who is amazing. He basically runs the house, the pets, the kids, the laundry... Most of what I do creatively is done when the children (and my husband) are asleep or at work/ school. I try to arrange my projects so that I have time to just be with my kids. It is important to me that they become themselves. I learn so much about myself from observing them and having conversations. I am not afraid to admit they are smarter than me.

How is your self-esteem affected by your ability to create?
I would say my self-esteem affects my ability to create. When I am feeling unworthy, I can't make anything. Even simple designs are difficult. But I have reached a point with myself and my product that makes me feel proud. I know that I am a good mother, wife, and artist. I know that Wicked MoXie is a valid brand and worth my time. I am. And that makes me happy.

What do you see for the future of Wicked Moxie?
We have a new product line we are coming out with that I am super happy about. MoXie's Tee-Bags are recycled, re-purposed bags crafted out of gently used post-consumer t-shirts. They are designed in the style of retail plastic bags and we hope to encourage consumers to just say NO to plastic or paper.
With the launch of bags, I expect Wicked MoXie to move to the next level of business. I would like to work on promoting recycling & upcycling as craft mainstream craft and build awareness for the entire handmade movement. I would like to use Wicked MoXie as tool to educate people about buying local (and American) to stimulate ecomonic growth. I would love to see Wicked MoXie in the lights at Times Square!!

Do you have any advice for moms who want to pursue their art but don't quite know where to start?
Making money off your art is about 15% making-stuff-time and 85% marketing the heck out of it. If you are wanting to sell your craft/ art, Etsy.com is probably the best place to start. It's easy-to-use format and $.20 per listing fee is just about the best deal around. It is also a wealth of knowledge for every aspect of the business.
Locally there are many organizations of crafters and artist, including Nashville Craft Mafia, CRAFT:a creative community, and Untitled (to name a few) who are always full of advise .

The best advise I can give is start slow and enjoy every minute of it. :)

How can we find Wicked Moxie products and how can we contact you?
Links to everything can be found at my site:
www.wickedmoxie.com
But you can also find me here:
www.wickedmoxie.etsy.com
www.myspace.com/wickedmoxie
Email me at
wickedmoxie@gmail.com

*See Wicked Moxie and other great vendors at Mamapalooza Murfreesboro, May 18th. **
http://www.myspace.com/mamapalooza_mboro

In the spotlight: Lisa, Close to my Heart Consultant

2008-04-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

Tell us about yourself, Lisa.
I am a Close To My Heart Consultant, mother of 2 grown girls, and I have been married 28 years and have been a daycare provider for 24. Being a consultant for Close To My Heart is the greatest job ( besides being a daycare provider)....who wouldn't love to get paid for doing something FUN and CREATIVE? And the friends you make along the way are an incredible BONUS!
Tell us about Close to my Heart. S.T.A.M.P.S.(Stamping Together and Making People Smile).
Nothing beats our clear stamps and our color coordinating papers, inks and embellishments! I would love to show you our complete line of color coordinating, quality scrapbooking and stamping products. We truly have something for everyone, from our faster, simpler, and easier My Reflections® scrapbooking kits to our revolutionary My Acrylix® stamp sets. The new My Acrylix stamps are removable images on clear acrylic blocks and stored in a plastic 6" X 6" envelope and require 80% less storage space that the wood stamps. Checkout my webpage you will be glad you did.

What about this particular job do you find fulfilling?
Being able to share my creativity with my customers.

How do you find balance between caring for your family and running your own business? I use scrap booking as part of my business. The children make items all the time for their parents. My daughter loves to scrapbook and we get together every Sunday .

Jodi Reeves: In the Spotlight

2008-04-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

Being creative, but especially painting, has been part of my life since childhood. I get the creative gene mostly from my mother's side. I am a self-taught creator. Though I have always made creative things I did not began creating commissioned paintings until 2003, and did not bring my work to the public until November 2005 at the TN Fair Grounds Flea Market. In the spring of 2006, I began showing with Nashville's Untitled Artists' Group www.untitlednashville.org . I was invited to be on the board of Untitled in 2007. Also in 2007 I co-created CRAFT - a creative community www.craftacreativecommunity.com which I also coordinate. I am involved in other creative groups in Nashville such as Plowhaus Artists' Cooperative www.plowhaus.org , Nashville Craft Mafia www.nashvillecraftmafia.com and Artsy Mamas www.theartsymamas.com when I can. I created my company The Creative JAR www.thecreativejar.blogspot.com but am also involved in many other business ventures such as Par Deux Meres www.pardeuxmeres.blogspot.com a collaborative project with Kim Smith of White Cottage Design www.whitecottagedesign.com , JAM in a JAR Apparel as the designer with my friends from JAM graphics www.jamgraphics.com, Artsi Moments as the co-owner and creative director of Clint the Black Cat www.clinttheblackcat.com.

I was born and raised in International Falls, MN. It is a remote town in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border. My family moved to my husband's home state of Tennessee in 1994. I have worked in Nashville's printing industry since 1995 and worked my way up the ranks as an Advertising Account Manager of many nationally known magazines. Besides being heavily involved with the growing art scene in Nashville, I also do freelance graphic arts and design mostly for print production. I reside with my husband and three girls near J. Percy Priest Lake, where they enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing and swimming.

Creating is an important part of my "me" time. It is a way for me to experience a creative life and a tool for maintaining my sanity. Acrylic is my favorite medium on wood or canvas. My favorite tool besides my paintbrush is sandpaper. I like to paint in many styles and have enjoyed experimenting with a wide range of art and craft media. I use a lot of natural elements, found materials and text in my work. My pieces are mostly fun and whimsical, but some of my works have a more serious side. I continue to try new styles and medias, and learn more every day. My current work explores the themes of the roles and emotions of woman, nature and words. A new project of mine is The Land of Neevin which is a story told via softies, they have their own blog www.landofneevin.blogspot.com. I have been working a lot with recycled goods making fused plastic bags.

How do you find balance as a mother, wife, and a Creative Superhero?
It is challenging sometimes to find balance between everything I am doing; Mother, wife, job, CRAFT: a creative community and The Creative JAR , sometimes it gets overwhelming. I try to keep my children involved with my creativity when I can by having them do the simplest things, such as priming a piece of wood so that it can be painted. It can be difficult though because they don't quite do it the way you want them to, but it is nice to see their smiling face when they say "how is this mom". And then you say "that looks great" even though you know after they are gone you are going to have to go back over it. But it makes them a part of you and what you are doing. Mostly now my youngest, Madison, is my little apprentice. This year she has learned to thread the machine, make a bobbin and sew. A friend of mine jokes that I run a sweat shop, but I don't make them do anything that they don't want to do. There is also time that I am working on something that I they cannot help with. We used to have issues with them coming in and out of my room, bumping me, etc. With my mother's help we now have a solution, a little sign that hangs on my door when I need to not be bothered that says "MOM's TIME". It works but I don't abuse it.

Any Advice for Finding your inner "crafter"?

Be creative in everything you do whether life, love or ART and never be afraid to get your hands dirty

How can we contact you, Jodi?
jodi@jodireeves.net

Blog = www.thecreativejar.blogspot.com
flickr = www.flickr.com/jodireeves/sets
etsy = www.thecreativejar.etsy.com
web = www.jodireeves.net

Restoring Memories: In the Spotlight

2008-04-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Tell us a little about Restoring Memories.

Restoring Memories is my home-based business for restoring worn, faded, torn, old or what most people would refer to as "irretrievably damaged" photographs. I work out of my home and, utilizing several different programs, techniques and computer systems, I am able to restore most pictures and in some cases even enhance them to a better state than the originals.

Now tell us about Tawni!
I'm a married ( 21 years ) mother of four and a full-time mom. I'm 39 and live in Mesa Arizona. I love to scrapbook, restore photos, cook and sew. I'm self taught in many, many things and, I can fix a vacuum. :) I LOVE Disneyland and anything Disney.
Why did you start this type of business and how does it make you feel to help people restore pieces of their past and their history?

I started restoring photos basically by mistake and as a way to help my mom and aunt. They had this wonderful picture of my Grandpa that was damaged and asked a professional how much to fix it. They were quoted over $75.00. I was stunned! I started playing around with a program and found out I was pretty good at restoring photos. I stayed up for days fixing and restoring pictures. I was hooked!! I have lost several pictures due to neglect and damage and have been devastated. To be able to help someone preserve their past makes me very happy. There is no better feeling to me than when I am able to fix something that is very important to someone. Sometimes it is the only picture they have of that person, and it may be lost forever. Pictures are the markers of our past - of who and where we came from, and of another time. It is a trip into the past, and to find out where someone came from, you have to see their past, their beginning.

Do you have any tips for other mamas who are trying to start their own business?

Just keep trying. It has been a slow start but I'm not giving up yet. Make as many people aware of your services as possible. Marketing opportunities are almost endless. Especially with the Internet. Do your research. Learn as much as possible and be as flexible as possible.

How would we contact you if we'd like to take advantage of your services?

www.myspace.com/restoringmemories

Tawnidilly@qwest.net

The Soap Lounge: In the Spotlight!

2008-03-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Doesn't every one of us love to feel pampered? I do! I don't know how much time and money I would spend at specialty bath & body shops splurging on "pamper me" products. I love soaking in a bath and conditioning my skin w/ wonderful oils and scents.

Unfortunately, I could never find products that would really hydrate my skin and keep it hydrated. So, I started reading and learning about the ingredients. Then came the books, recipes, and more books. Already at home w/ my two girls (at the time) and my in-home daycare, I got creative! I started playing around making different recipes. Many people told me that I should sell my products, I thought they were crazy.

But what do you know, I started handing out samples and I had people asking to buy my products from there. That's how THE SOAP LOUNGE was born. We started selling products in April of 2003, in Savannah & St. Joseph, Missouri.

We've been keeping our customers glowing with our bath & body products made only of the finest - purest ingredients we can find. Our products are free of the harsh chemicals and preservatives that our competitors use to mass produce their products.

All our products are made fresh to order by hand, so sometimes everything isn't colored perfectly or a label is on crooked. We assure you that your skin will thank you when you pamper it the all natural way.

We specialize in home spa parties, offering an array of themed parties: Trunk Shows, Mother-daugther parties, Bingo, Girls Night Out, Pamper the expecting mother, Pamper the bride to be, and our new Princess Party geared toward young girls. They have all been a hit and definitely keep us busy in the Soap Lounge kitchen. They say you need to give a new business five years before you start making money on it. We're in our fifth year right now and are doing great thanks to all our loyal customers! I was able to close my daycare at the end of 2005, and now count on the Soap Lounge for my income. I have learned that anything is possible. So if you have a dream and a desire, go for it. You might just find yourself selling it some day!!!!

Being a WAHM has allowed me to schedule my work around my children. I make products when play time is over, when they are napping, while they are eating lunch. It's a joy being able to work around their schedule and not missing a beat with them! Plus with my older two, 5 & 8, they often get to help mommy label products and bag orders. They get to feel like big girls and I get a little extra help. It's a great bonding time. In the "spa" world, I also do many of my daughters birthday parties and girl scout events. Which just makes me that much more involved in their lives. I couldn't imagine working outside the home and missing out on all of them growing!

"Intoxicate your body with Moisture!"
Davina Fansher
http://www.thesoaplounge.com
http://www.myspace.com/thesoaplounge
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&Mytoken=84E9D44C-8770-4241-ACE09359C554A03827899313

http://www.hotmomsclub.com/SoapLounge