Meet Creative Mother: Peta of Sapling

November 16, 20151 Comment

Each creative mother I interview for the blog inspires me in some way, whether it’s how they’ve pursued a dream, crafted a creative life for their family, are living close to nature or are a role model in some other way. Peta Stinson is a lovely business woman I met through Instagram a few years ago, she was always very kind, sincere and open. Who wouldn’t like that?! Despite the fact that my children didn’t fit into any of her clothing I decided to follow her shop on Instagram because I loved how open and honest she was about herself and her business, and she seemed like a good person. I also loved how fearlessly creative and experimental she was.

Recently, Peta collaborated with actress Jaime King on a collection, including this Be Brave shirt

About a year ago, while her number of followers grew past 20,000 or more (I wasn’t keeping track, so I’m not sure of the number) she decided to unfollow everyone she had in her feed, and just see what would happen. Who would she miss seeing pop up in her feed? Who would stop following her because she had let them go? Who was a fair weather friend and who would stick around? I’m someone who doesn’t bother tracking who follows me or not, it’s information I don’t care to know, so I didn’t notice that Peta had stopped following me. When she mentioned on her Instagram account that she had conducted an Instagram experiment I was intrigued and impressed, I wrote her to say so and that little gesture turned into a dialogue and ongoing rapport. It seems that aside from figuring out who was really interested in her and her line, it actually strengthened some bonds.

Peta continues to intrigue and inspire me, so a few weeks ago I asked if she’d agree to an interview for the blog. Despite her busy days, she gladly agreed. Yay! If you are looking for adorable baby clothing or a businesswoman role model, or just a plain old-fashioned nice person, Peta is someone you’ll want to connect with. Her line, Sapling Child, goes above and beyond in terms of organics, and is pioneering into new areas of sustainable products. She’s one to watch and for very good reason. Without further ado, I present to you: Peta Stinson.

Dear, Peta, please tell me a little bit about yourself.

I’m a mother of 3, a wife, a designer and an entrepreneur. I’m highly strung, I do too much, I don’t know how to relax, and I love what I do.

What part of the world do you live in?

At the moment we are super blessed to be able to travel and wander. We are taking the opportunity over the next few years to travel around the world with the kids, at the moment we are in Canada, and enjoying every moment.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

We have 3 kids, all boys, and I swear they are all insane! It’s also AMAZING how different all 3 of them are (like three points on a triangle), although they are all FULL ON – jumping off the beds, climbing up the walls, crashing and banging through life kind of kids – they are all so, SO different.

What are your core family values?

Showing kindness, using manners, helping others, and treading gently. Although, mind you, those values are kind of a rough plan….our babes certainly have a very long way to go. It amazes me that although every day of their lives they are asked: “What do you say…” (when they ask for something), they still don’t always say it! When they do remember these things, I definitely do a happy dance in my head (and say to myself “yeah we got this parenting thing NAILED”).

How do you spend most of your days?

The mornings are pretty much always the same, now that all the boys are at school. I get woken up by my 5 year old, way too early, who still climbs into my bed and covers my face with kisses (I’m trying to enjoy these moments as I know they won’t last forever, but 4 am? Seriously?). We get up, get breakfast organised, wake up the big boys and get them off to school.

Then it’s a day of work, emails, design, more emails, a bit of pretending that I know what I’m doing, a bit of doing stuff that I have no idea how to do (PR, advertising, at the moment designing packaging, measuring samples), and then before I know it it’s school pick up time.

We’re lucky enough that we live only a short walk from school, and it’s so lovely all walking home together.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

Sunday morning pancake breakfasts have got to be my fave. We sleep in, make pancakes and sit around the table together eating, giggling (mostly), and planning out our lazy Sunday.

What are you passionate about?

Chocolate? Can I say chocolate? Hmmmm….

What are some words you live by?

“Breathe it all in. Love it all out.”

Can you tell me a bit about Sapling Child?

Sapling is an organic baby wear company. We use organic cotton, and GOTS certified water based and vegetable based dyes. More than that though, we are a company trying to do what we can to improve the manufacturing industry as a whole, to provide the environmentally conscious alternatives that our community wants, and to show that having corporate ethics doesn’t mean that design has to take a back seat.

We are also fair trade, we pay our workers well above industry standard, we think carefully about our impact on the environment at every step of the manufacturing process. We have an orphanage in India that we also support, and our community contributes to the running, upkeep and items that the orphanage needs when they purchase our clothing.

How would you describe the ethos of Sapling Child in a few words?

Ethically Made. Exclusively Designed.

Why did you decide to start a business?

We were living in Fiji at the time for my partner’s work. My spouse visa was quite restrictive and it meant I was unable to work. I was at home with the kids, I was restless, bored and I wanted to do something. It wasn’t until I had my third child, Oliver, that I knew what it was I wanted to do.

Oliver had meningitis as a newborn. We almost lost him and he spent many weeks in NICU after we were medivaced back to Australia. At the time, there were limited organic baby clothing choices. The organic clothes that I could find had been dyed with toxic bleaches and dyes. When babies are so sick their skin is so thin and their lungs are so delicate, it was important to me to find something that was truly ALL organic. When I was unable to find anything, that led me to start Sapling.

Do have any projects or collaborations coming up?

YES! We have some super exciting collaborations coming up, but I can’t tell you what they are or who they’re with!!! It’s KILLING me!

Did you life goals and career aspirations change once you had a child?

Definitely. Flexibility wasn’t important to me before kids. Now it’s the most important factor for me in career choice. Having the flexibility to walk the kids to school, and to pick them up. Having the flexibility to stay at home if one of them is sick. Having the flexibility to take time off when I need it is the most incredible thing.

What are your dreams for your professional work?

I have so many. I’d like to expand beyond babies….we are also researching ways to make diapers and wipes more environmentally friendly.

What are your dreams for your family?

Unrealistically, for my littles to stay little forever. Realistically, it’s all about happiness.

***

Thank you Peta! Friends and readers you can find Peta’s line Sapling Child online here, and on Instagram @saplingchild and Peta’s personal account @petastinson.

This interview is part of my Creative Mother series, find the rest here.

Creative Mother Rebecca: On how children inspire design

November 14, 20151 Comment

I had another intro written for this piece…but in the wake of the Paris attacks yesterday, I keep asking myself what should I be doing differently, if anything, to raise my children to be open and loving, to be peaceful especially, in the face of what seems like perpetual conflict across the globe. The values we instil in our children are what they take to school and into the future. The core of what they experience at home is what they will come back to in times of struggle. Feeling at one with peace, peace in our hearts, peace in our thoughts, peace toward others, peace toward ourselves, this becomes their home base. The more peace we experience, the more it radiates from us, the more people it touches. I think these small gestures can be huge. Thinking peaceful thoughts won’t solve clashes between abstract ideas, but their energy and intention will not go unfelt.

I want to introduce you to Rebecca. Rebecca is a mother, artist and social entrepreneur and the creative woman behind Children Inspire Design. I first met Rebecca when we worked together to raise funds for Free2Luv, an anti-bullying organization. Rebecca has combined her artistic passions into a socially responsible business that supports charities, all while creating educational art for children.In addition, all of her products are made sustainably, including using eco inks and biodegradable packaging. Rebecca aims to develop a sense of compassion for the earth and all its inhabitants and diverse cultures through her art for children.

It seems eerily fitting that I had this post planned for today. Peace and love start at home, cultivating compassion for the earth, all its people, cultures, and ways of life. Whether this happens through conversation, play, storytelling, or modelling, we are raising the next generation. Let’s raise one that has mutual respect and peace at its core.

Thank you, Rebecca, for making such thoughtful art that can help us have critically important conversations with our children.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your background?

I am a nomadic artist at heart. I’ve been living back in the [United] States with my family for 10 years now, but we are always on our way to a new place to discover. I’m married to a lovely Italian, we have two children and currently call Southern California home. I created Children Inspire Design while living in Mexico with my very young family. I saw a need for global inspired nursery decor, specifically art that supports multi-cultural families. So I started designing alphabet and number prints in different languages and things just grew from there. Children Inspire Design is now 10 years old (yikes)!

What part of the world do you live in?

We’re currently in Southern California, but have kept our nomadic roots. While at home we have a lovely charter school our children belong to that allows us to homeschool while on the road. We’re currently packing our bags for a visit to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We’ve worked hard to find a community to belong to that also supports our desire to travel and after a long road we’re grateful we’ve found it.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

We have two boys, now 12 and 9. In a blink is an understatement. My kids are my muses, the whole reason for my business. I have this deep seeded need to show them the world, all the beautiful parts, the scenes, the colors, smells, tastes. The diversity and similarities. I want them to discover for themselves and get a sense of where they belong in this big, beautiful world. And they are eager. They’re at such a ripe spongy stage. The world is still a gorgeous mystery to them and they are optimistic and eager. It’s my job to do my best to maintain that for them. And to be able to create art for like minded global families who see the importance of this type of education.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

Travel. Of course

What are you passionate about?

Experiencing new places as a family.

What are some words you live by?

“It comes and it goes. As it should.”

“A smile does wonders.”

Can you tell me a bit about Children Inspired Design? What are your products and how are they produced?

I’m the artist behind Children Inspire Design (CID). I create the majority of the art designs in collage form using recycled papers. Simple cut and paste. Even my method is childlike and I like that.

CID shares profits with charities, how does that work?

Yes, in two ways. We donate 10% of proceeds from our sales on ChildrenInspireDesign.com to women and children-focused initiatives. We also partner with non-profits by designing exclusive art and donating 100% proceeds for a designated period of time. In the past we worked with global foundations such as Gain Health and raised enough money from our world map design to provide nutrition for 8,000 Rwandan mothers and children for an entire month. That was an amazing project to be a part of. I would do that forever if I could!

Who designs your graphics?

I do 90% of the designs. Every now and again I pull someone in to finish up an idea I just can’t put together on my own.

What is the ethos of Children Inspired Design?

Inspire Children. Change The World. If we can teach children how to care for the earth now, carrying that responsibility into the future will be second nature for them. Teach the littles compassion for the Earth and all who inhabit it. I think that’s our best hope to get them out of the mess we created.

Why did you decide to start a business?

Before Children Inspire Design, we were living in Isla Mujeres, Mexico and I owned a little coffee shop. From that experience I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I loved the feeling of my baby on my hip while running a business. I knew I could do it.

Do have any projects or collaborations coming up?

YES! I haven’t made the official announcement yet, but I’m partnering with travel blog Global Munchkins as a contributing family travel blogger, so there will be lots of traveling in our near future. Together we’re launching the Global Guardian Project, which is a resource blog for global minded parents looking for educational projects/deep travel tips/videos on how kids can help care for the earth in everyday life. Each place we travel, I’ll be partnering with environmental organizations and my kids will be interviewing them and creating videos for kids teaching how you can help in everyday life. It’s a HUGE educational opportunity for my family and for Children Inspire Design. My hope is to be able to grow as a global resource for parents and inspire adults and kids alike to create change.

What are your dreams for your professional work and your family?

I just want my family to keep traveling and learning and to make art that help parents educate their littles. That would be a true gift. If my family is proud of me, there’s nothing else I need.

***

Thank you Rebecca! Friends: you can find Children Inspire Design online shop here and on Instagram @childreninspiredesign. Her other shop is Kindred Sol Collective.

I will be hosting a one-day sale on my Instagram account on Sunday, November 15, 2015, where you’ll be able to purchase our favourite piece from Rebecca’s collection: the Our Earth interactive map, with reusable stickers.

***

The Ro Dress: Raising Funds for the Jane Goodall Institute

Interview with a Minimalist: Amanda

Garbage Free: How to Make Cashew Milk

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Meet Creative Mother: Alana of Tafari Designs

October 18, 2015September 14, 20163 Comments

This summer we travelled to Nantucket, a beautiful island about 25 miles out to sea off the coast of Massachusetts, in the United States. We were staying on the coast with my parents at a beach house they had rented in Cape Cod. Knowing I was so close to the island where some of my favourite creative families lived, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to visit. I’d known Kaity (of Fareisle) and Michelle (of Dancey Pants Disco) for a while and was getting to know Alana (of Tafari Designs). The visit did not disappoint. I was completely inspired by their way of life, crafted in such a way that their passions support their families, feeding their creative interests and their tummies too. I asked Alana and Michelle if they would share their stories on the blog, so others could be inspired. They humbly agreed. (I’ve already posted about Kaity here — she is equally inspiring, especially for food creatives). So, first, Alana.

Alana is a mother, gardener, jewellery and textile designer, who understood from a young age what truly made her happy, what filled her heart and inspired her mind, and proceeded to fashion a life after these. She’s an inspiration to me, I’ve followed a more conventional path of dividing career, home and interests. I only wish I had the insights and confidence Alana did sooner. Please read on to hear from Alana, herself.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your background?

I’m a island girl, born and raised on Nantucket’s sister island, Martha’s Vineyard. I’ve always loved island life and felt a strong connection with the ocean for as long as I can remember. My parents moved to the New Hampshire countryside when I was 9 and while I loved running through the fields and forests, picking apples and laying in meadow grass I longed for our summers on the Vineyard and I always knew I would dwell seaside.

What part of the world do you live in?

Nantucket Island, 26 miles off the mainland of Massachusetts.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

Marcus and I have two sons. David is 7 years old and he’s spirited and soulful, and very creative –He keeps us on our toes, and continues to amaze us with his wisdom and wit! Hue is 8 months old and he’s bright-eyed and joyful, and very sweet –loves laughing and screeching!

What are your core family values?

Our core family values are honesty and kindness. Two very different, difficult things to balance but it’s what we strive for. To be honest and kind to each other, the earth and ourselves.

How do you spend most of your days?

We spend our days cooking and making, our days are full but we’re so thankful to be living our dreams.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

We love to go to the beach together. Swimming and bodysurfing, walking the shore, collecting shells and watching the sunset.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about sustainability, about resourcefulness, about enjoying and loving nature, about my family, and about cultivating a meaningful life.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by nature, travel, the sea, the stars, my husband and our children.

Can you tell me a bit about Tafari Designs?

Tafari means inspiration in Aramaic. Tafari Designs is a culmination of our inspirations — it will always be evolving, as we are. For now we’re happily making what we love –reclaimed woodwork and art, naturally dyed textiles and wampum jewelry.

Why did you decide to start a business?

Starting our business felt like something we just had to do. Marcus and I both have always worked for ourselves since we were teenagers and when we joined together we really wanted to do work that felt meaningful and allowed us the lifestyle we desired –for Marcus that meant freedom to take a swim in the middle of the day or cook a meal when he felt hungry, for me it meant staying closer to home, working with my hands and being with my kids.

Did your career aspirations change once you had a child?

Definitely. I had originally wanted to be a travel writer but when I was pregnant with David I had an overwhelming desire to make with my hands.

What are your dreams for your business?

I have so many dreams for my business but I really try to take it slow. I’d love to start incorporating some women’s wear pieces into my textile line and experiment using different shells for my jewelry designs. I’d love to teach workshops and expand my business enough to employ my very talented quilter and seamstress mother –whose talents put mine to shame.

Thank you, Alana, for sharing pieces of your life. Readers you can find Alana on Instagram @alanadorothy. You can also find her and her husband’s online store and blog here: www.tafarinantucket.com

***

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Creative Mother: Sophia Smeekens

September 25, 2015January 10, 20174 Comments

Growing up my mother was always sewing up one project or another. She spent many years working in the evenings, after her day job, and after taking care of us three kids, hand sewing dolls, first for friends and family, and then later trying her hand at making a business of it. Because of this experience I feel very nostalgic when it comes to handmade dolls. I love most handmade things, heirloom quality products, that can be passed through generations: a hand knit sweater, a hand sewn quilt, a hand carved wooden spoon — they are time travellers of sorts, since their aging is not in step with the human passing of time.

When it comes to handmade toys and dolls, these are extra special. Unlike clothing, home goods or tools, which can be very useful, handmade dolls often become objects of love. Children adopt dolls into the family, taking them on family trips, carrying them from place to place, dressing them, feeding them, sleeping with them. Over time they become deeply invested with emotions. There is something very special about being a dollmaker, knowing and wanting to make something that will become an integral part of the child’s life story.

Sophia Smeekens is the owner, designer and one-woman-show behind studio-escargot, and I also happen to think she is a very special woman. In her signature style, she handcrafts whimsical dolls of all sorts that are not only beautiful but ignite the imagination. While Sophia makes beautiful dolls, it is her energy and story, that make her a person who inspires. Sophia has taken her life experience and channelled it to craft an intentional, slow, creative life, and through this shows us one way to find purpose, overcome obstacles, and live a fuller life. Because of this, I think there is a little something extra special in her dolls. I can’t wait to add one to our story.

Please read on to hear from Sophia, herself.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your background?

Coming from a normal Dutch family with two brothers and parents who both worked as teachers in primary school I had a simple and carefree youth until my mother was diagnosed with cancer and died 1.5 years later. I was 14, a critical age for a girl to lose her mother. Looking back it felt like an earthquake had taken everything away from me. I was rootless, lost. It took me 20 years to get back to who I really am: a mother and creative, but above all a human being, trying to let go of fear and all rules society has taught us. I feel very connected to nature (even though I am not living in a deserted reservate) and living in simplicity and am slowly peeling off all extra baggage I have, to eventually live with only what I essentially need.

What part of the world do you live in?

I live in the Netherlands in a suburb attached to Amsterdam.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

I have two children, age 12 and 3. Mike and Isa. Mike is a sensitive loving soul, Isa is a little rebel, takes over and knows shes gets away with a lot of her behaviour because she is the youngest…

Isa wears a charming corduroy jacket by another creative mother, Katie, the woman behind Red Creek Handmade, and her skirt is from Yellow Pelota

What are your core family values?

Live conscious with an open mind and a warm heart.

How do you spend most of your days?

My days are spent creating (dolls) and making (mostly raw) food. Isa is not going to school yet so we still spend a lot of time together. We love wandering outside, picking flowers, gathering nature’s treasures, picnicking and visiting playgrounds. On rainy days we snuggle up to read or watch a movie.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

Really just being together, talking, laughing and cuddling.

What are you passionate about?

Creating

What inspires you?

Nature, simplicity, wholehearted living.

What is studio-escargot? And what does the name mean?

Studio-escargot is the name of the label I set up 3 years ago. Escargot is french for snail. As I feel related to snails: I move forward slowly 🙂 Also the work I make takes time, I put love and attention into it. I hope my dolls are there to last a lifetime.

Can you tell me a bit about your work as an artist and doll maker? How did you get started making dolls?

I have been creating things all my life and can not imagine my life without. I studied artisan classic upholstery and interior styling. After my studies I worked as a visual merchandiser for 10 years. When figures and profit started to pass the creative goal I resigned from work and went back to school where I enhanced my styling skills. But the urge to create never stopped. When pregnant with Isa I started to make things like blankets and pillows as well as a doll… A friend of mine liked it, as did others and I started to make some for friends. A friend of mine told me to try and attend a Christmas fair, there a doll was bought for Reva, Madelon’s daughter (the famous @madebylon) who posted it on Instagram…the rest is history, as they say.

Did your life goals or career aspirations change once you had a child?

Yes, Isa inspires me so much. Her stories and her imagination, her books get me to make new stuff! But she also made me realise that working at home with a child takes good planning, patience and discipline!

What are your dreams for your work as an artist and as a mother?

I am working on some ceramic doll heads and would love to complete them with a body, maybe make some more sculpture like dolls… I would love to make dolls for theatre as well and write that children’s book….if only I had more time! As a mother I hope I will be able to see the profound needs they have and that I will be able to assist them to get healthy, conscious, open minded and loving adults.

You can find Sophia on Instagram @studioescargot or on her website www.studio-escargot.com. Follow her! I promise you will be inspired by the intentional life she leads and your eyes will thank you for all the beauty she shares.

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Swan by Kellie Diguanco Interview with a Minimalist

Interview with a Minimalist: Kellie

July 1, 2015July 10, 20167 Comments

The visual artists I know personally tend to be obsessive collectors, with studios and homes filled with supplies, found objects and inspiration. I don’t consider myself an artist, but I do like to make pretty things, arrange dried flowers, and sketch. Keeping in check the amount of supplies I have around the house is an ongoing battle for me. Whether we are minimalists or not, we all have objects, stuff, things, paraphernalia, gadgets and gizmos that accumulate. They may be very practical items, they may be sentimental items, or somewhere in between.

What I have found interesting in much of the writing about de-cluttering and minimalism is that people struggle most when it comes to parting with sentimental items such as souvenirs, diaries, and family gifts. While I do understand this perspective, what I have found I struggle with most is parting with practical items, like the four extra bath towels, the second muffin tin and the wall clock, that I definitely don’t need, but know are very useful items. I suppose this is when my environmental consciousness really kicks in, because each time I am ready to part with an item, I need to know that it is going to someone who will use it well. I can’t simply de-clutter my house by putting things in the waste bin. Finding the time to donate items to the best places, like bicycle parts to Bicycles for Humanity, running shoes to the Soles4Souls or the Running Room, kitchen tools through the Freecycle network can be a challenge, when all I want to do is say goodbye to my stuff and hello to clear space. It takes patience and time to do it right. And so, I am constantly reminding myself of this, when it would be really easy for me to put things in the trash or donate them to a generic charity bin that may not be able to make good use of the items. All this to say, I think that the environmental impacts of de-cluttering need a bit more air time and consideration, and so I was very pleased when Kellie (interviewed below) mentioned this to me in her interview.

Kellie is a minimalist, mother of four, artist and book lover. I was excited to talk with Kellie and hear how she lives minimally because, well, four kids, art and books usually make for a very cluttered existence! Kellie shares how having less stuff allowed her to have a more open mind, free of mental clutter. She also talks about how her boys are thriving having less stuff and more experiences. I hope you enjoy the read.

Let’s start with a little bit about you. Who are you? What are you passionate about? How do you like to spend your time?

I am a Texas transplant to Vancouver, British Columbia [Canada]. I’m passionate about children, the creative mind, and inspiring others. I spend my time reading LOTS of books to my children and students and getting outside to explore nature with my four boys because Vancouver is a beautiful place to explore.

You are an artist, what inspires your work?

Children are the biggest inspiration for almost anything I create. They have a raw, uninhibited imagination. I like to create things that will inspire imaginative play or thoughts. I also keep in mind the lasting effects, how it impacts the environment. The state of the world has everything to do with what we teach our children now. Having less, but something with good quality. Everything I make has a person in mind, and I put so much passion into it, that it must be something so beautiful and worthwhile that I would keep if for myself.

How many children do you have and what are they like?

I have 4 little boys and they are so different. My oldest is the introvert, passionate, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He gave a TEDTalk in November. My second son is very gentle and cheerful, you can always find him skipping or singing. My 5 year old is a cuddle bug and 3 year old has quite a Batman obsession. My house is full of noise and energy but also a large amount of curiosity and we are all relentless about reading.

Do you have a favourite quote or words that inspire you?

I have many, I love a good quote but this one always fits me:

“You have more to do than be weighed down by ‘pretty’ or ‘beautiful.’ You are a fiery heart and a wicked brain. Do not let your soul be defined by its shell.” ~Michelle K.

I believe there are many ways to be a minimalist and many forms of minimalism. What does minimalism mean to you?

Living in Vancouver as a family of 6, minimalism is a way of life. If you want a tidy house with a big family, you need fewer items. Minimalism, to me, means owning fewer things.

Why do you identify as a minimalist? In what ways are you a minimalist?

We have always purged and kept our house full of fewer things for space reasons, but it started to make a big difference in the way we felt. We felt better, happier with fewer items. I have always been passionate about caring for the environment and fewer, better things makes less of an impact on the world. I am always hoping the world will be a better place for my children.

What is your story? How did you get started on a minimalist path? What drew you to minimalism or what motivated you to become a minimalist?

We have always purged and donated our things, but our biggest change came when we had to stage our home for putting it on the market. We became minimal very quickly, and we all actually enjoyed it better. The kids even talked about how clean their room felt and how they liked the feeling of it. We found ourselves outdoors more, it’s hard to explain it, but that’s how it impacted us. We always loved camping and going outdoors but we began exploring more spaces and our lives were focused much more on experiences.

Are there people you look to as minimalist role models?

I really enjoy Alison from 600sqftandababy. I love her hashtag #fewerthings. I have learned so much, like recycling your running shoes at Running Room. I love reading your journey and all the interviews you have. I think everyone has a different journey and we can all learn from each others experiences.

Are there any books, websites or other resources that have inspired your minimalism?

I read The Life Changing Art Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, I enjoyed it but it didn’t talk a lot about recycling, which is also an important issue to me.

In what ways/areas do you struggle with maintaining your minimalist goals/values? What is your weakness?

My weakness is children’s picture books. I am very choosy about the books I actually buy for my home, they must have exquisite illustrations and I prefer they have teachable moments. That being said, they can add up because there are lots of wonderful books. It’s my struggle.

Does your household abide by minimalism or is this more a focus for yourself?

We all abide by minimalism. We store our kids toys away and they alternate them in and out every now and then. It’s like getting a new toy but it’s actually ones they have already had and forgotten about. We have only kept the ones that have a lasting life either by quality or by fad. If they won’t love it in a week, it can’t stay.

Have there been any struggles with the other people you live with about living in a minimal way?

My husband likes clothes, but I can see the impact in his choices now.

Have you had any positive or constructive experiences with friends or family related to minimalism?

It has had a positive influence. When I started to minimize my art supplies, I realized I had more than I needed. I was able to find great homes for what I didn’t need. I decided to only make something for someone specific or for the shops that sell my items by their request. I want to make special things, that someone can treasure and that will have a lasting impact. I started making wood dolls for people that inspired me. At first people thought that it was strange. I think because most people that give you something want something in return. For me, it was a way of creating something unique and beautiful for someone that sends beauty out into the world. It’s been a fun and interesting art process.

In what ways has minimalism improved your life?

Having fewer things leaves your mind open to less clutter in life. You focus more on the essentials, which for us is health, family and experiences.

What have been some unexpected experiences you’ve had with minimalism?

I didn’t not expect my children to flow with it so well, they enjoy less clutter, that was surprising to me.

What advice can you offer to people interested in living a minimalist lifestyle?

Start now, for some it’s one big purge and others it takes longer to let go.

Do you have any goals for this year or the next few that you want to share?

I have some big dreams, focused around children and literacy. The current project I have just finished, is a line of cards for kids that promote creativity and handwriting , called Lisky and Lulu, and I will continue to share my love of books over @thekaleidoscopeca.

Readers: You can also find Kellie on Instagram @kelliedigs and on her website The Kaleidoscope. She’s a busy woman!

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Malas and Human Connection

June 25, 20155 Comments

Before I launched this blog I thought about what I wanted to use my teeny tiny platform for. I knew I wanted to have a space where I could share what the children and I were up to, mostly our city adventures and our art projects. I knew I wanted to share my passion for sustainable living and the arts. But I also knew that I wanted to make it a space that celebrated other mothers, other creatives and entrepreneurs, and so I started a series of interviews with inspiring and creative mothers.

I am excited to share my second interview in my Creative Mothers series. Through this series I am hearing from women who have been able to translate their passions into meaningful work. Today, you will hear from Heather Mudry, owner and designer of Mama Malas. I first met Heather through Instagram, a little while later I got one of her malas and was astounded by the energy it brought into our household. I felt so strongly about its positive impact that I asked Heather if she would share more about her malas through my blog. In talking with her over email, I got to know much more about her and her lifestyle and how it all fits together in a holistic way. It was music to my ears! I hope Heather’s story will inspire you too.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your background?

My name is Heather Mudry and I’m a mom to one squishy, energetic almost three year old, and wife to a funny, handsome man named Mike. I love bonfires, coffee and the mountains.

What part of the world do you live in?

I’m originally from the Canadian Prairies, but am very happy to call Calgary, Alberta, my home. I love being nestled into the foothills of the Rockies and being able to take day trips to the most beautiful places in the world.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

I have one son, Owen, who turns three in June (2015). He is the funniest, most thoughtful and pure soul I know. I can’t believe how in tune and observational he is, he blows me away daily.

What are your core family values?

Be nice, live in the moment, and make time to play.

How do you spend most of your days?

Every day without fail, I am woken up at 6:00am by my son Owen (I swear his internal clock is unstoppable). We laze in bed together for a bit and then head downstairs for some breakfast and coffee. Most days we will do a quick 5 minute yoga session which he loves to direct, and then I fit in a quick meditation when he plays. Twice a week when I drop him off at his toddler yoga class, I head to a coffee shop and work for a few hours, otherwise we head to the forest and go for a walk or just hang out and play at home. After lunch Owen goes down for his nap and I work for a few hours. After nap time I put my work away and we play outside, and prep dinner. We always try to have dinner together as a family when my husband gets home from work, and then all three of us head upstairs for a bath and bedtime stories (probably my favourite time of the day). After Owen is in bed I do some yoga, and spend some time with Mike talking or catching up on our shows.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

My absolute favourite family activity is to take a day trip to the mountains. I always feel so at peace there, and once we are there it feels as though we are in our own little world. It’s like a mini vacation and we always come back refreshed and connected.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about staying present and keeping healthy boundaries with technology. I think it’s so amazing that we live in this age where we have so many advantages, and technology that should allow us more time to connect with those we love, but it’s amazing how easy it is to jump at every beep and ping from your phone or iPad, and forget about the people right in front of you. I’m passionate about being engaged with those around me when I am with them, especially my family.

What inspires you?

My son, my husband, my friends and community, the forest, the mountains. Whenever I feel uninspired I go within and sit in meditation. Works every time.

What are malas and when did you start making them?

The thing I love about mala beads is that they can represent whatever you want them to. They are traditionally used in mantra meditation to keep track of the number of times you repeat a mantra, which traditionally is 108 which is why the malas have 108 beads. They represent your intentions in life and are a tangible reminder of the person you want to be. I made my first mala when I realized how easy it was to be distracted from the mother I wanted to be for my son by the unimportant things in life. I needed to create something to bring me back to my core intentions and desires, and since I’m such a tactile person a mala was the perfect solution. Every day when I would put it on I was reminded to meditate for a moment on my intentions and then it served as a reminder throughout the day whenever I felt it tap against me.

Why are malas important to you? And for mothers?

My malas are important to me because I find it so easy to be distracted by the unimportant things in life, especially as a mother. With digital devices taking over our lives, it can be hard to put everything aside to just play with our kids, take some time for ourself, and to remember that we are a spiritual beings. As a society, we feel the need to fill every moment with distractions, and for me my mala beads bring me back to the moment and remind me that I want to be able to sit with my son without checking Facebook, or compulsively researching something online. It helps me disconnect, go inwards and live in the moment.

Why did you decide to start your own business?

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to have my own business, although throughout the years none of the plans stuck. I achieved some level of success with some of my previous ventures, but lost interest and felt like something was missing. I had actually decided after closing my previous business that I wouldn’t open another. It was almost a little embarrassing telling everyone that, yet again, I was starting something new, but I had such a strong belief in how much the malas could help other mothers that I couldn’t not do it. I had finally found a business that I felt could make a huge difference in the world, and in turn it has become successful because it comes from the heart.

Did you career aspirations change once you had a child?

Absolutely. The biggest change was that I had this powerful need to do something that would make the world a better place for him to live in, money was no longer important. I have learned that success comes when you set out to be of service to others, not yourself.

What are your dreams for your business?

I would love for Mama Malas to reach as many mothers as possible, and to create a supportive community of women that celebrate and encourage each other to live a life that is authentic, intentional and fully present.

What has made you the most proud of what you’re doing?

By far the most rewarding part of this adventure has been the emails I receive from women telling me how much of a difference their Mama Malas have made in their lives. I’m so touched by the number of women who take the time to thank me for giving them back time they would have otherwise missed, or to let me know that their Mama Mala has helped them become more engaged and present with their kids, or served as a reminder to be still and take some time for themselves. I’m so grateful that Mama Malas can play a small part in these women’s lives.

You can find Heather on Instagram @mamamalas and to learn more about her malas or to purchase one visit her website Mama Malas and make sure to check out her BLOG page, there are some lovely posts over there.

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Hey Mama: A community for creative mothers

May 21, 20153 Comments

Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a Linked In for creatives (but, maybe one with better aesthetics)? A community of creative mothers who share your interests but also share your experience of balancing motherhood while pursuing a creative career? A space where you can find friends and potential collaborators, but also be discovered yourself? Well, wish no more. Hey Mama, a curated community of creative mothers, where people can discover and be discovered, launched today. Hey Mama’s goal is to help connect incredible women to collaborate, inspire and work together. Doesn’t that sound amazing?! And overdue!

Over the past few months, I’ve had the honour of working with Katya and Amri, the two lovely women behind Hey Mama, helping them in little ways with navigating the world of IG moms and brainstorming ideas for their website. These two have such energy and big ideas it is hard to contain. As much as they wanted to learn from me, I wanted to learn from them. In just a few months of chatting and exchanging ideas we really tested and proved the value of making these creative connections and what they can bring to life.

With their busy schedules and big dreams, and each raising a toddler, Katya and Amri found the time to answer a few questions for me about how they became friends, how Hey Mama got started and what their hopes are for the future. I hope you enjoy reading what they had to say.

First off, how did you two meet?

Amri: We met through our daughters when they were babies. I was working full time and Katya was working from home. A babysitter had left my daughter’s favorite blanket over at Katya’s house on a play date, so I posted a “Desperately looking for Katya” message on the local mom’s board. Luckily Katya spotted the message and invited me over for playdate. We had a total mama crush moment and that playdate turned into a glass of wine and so many more adventures. We come from totally different social circles and career paths and probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. I’m always really grateful for that blanket.

Katya: What started over bonding over a pair of shared JBrand jeans became our realization that we both were craving a friend that we felt was truly close. Amri and I definitely hit a period after about a year or two of being friends that we got really close, and ever since Heymama she’s like my work wife. I don’t know what I would do without her!

Tell me a little bit about yourselves: children, hobbies, background.

Amri: We both have girls the same age 3.5. Mari is my daughter. I’m originally from Florida and nothing makes me happier than a day at the beach or the pool just any kind of water! I’m into all kinds of design. My husband and I are about to start on a gut renovation project of our new home in Brooklyn. I love making things, sewing, crafts, and cooking. We have a pretty great garden and I’m into whipping things up from the garden and having friends over for a feast. This past season I started jarring tomatoes and giving them as gifts. I also love yoga and just being outside with my family.

Katya: My little wild is Liliana Rae. I’m a single mama and was born in St. Petersburgh, Russia. I came her as a little one with some very courageous and brave parents! They moved to Brooklyn, and the story goes that my mom would go into grocery stores asking for blowjobs (she needed a blow dryer). Growing up in New York City I was had access to some incredible cultural and fun social experiences. Thanks to my tiger Russian mama, I studied at School of American Ballet at Julliard, played piano, painted and much to my mom’s dismay went clubbing like a NYC kid does! Now I love to introduce Lili to as many museums, music, dancing and travel as I can. I’m just moving to Brooklyn Heights and looking forward to getting back to my Brooklyn roots.

What sort of work did you do before you had children?

Amri: I spent a decade curating cool fashion and products for major magazines like Glamour and Cosmopolitan. I’m a stylist and a fashion editor.

Katya: I come from a sales, social and digital marketing background. I’ve worked with some incredible startups helping them grow and scale.

How has having children changed your perspective on life and career?

Amri: Before I had my daughter my life was all work, then drinks and dinners after work every night. Once Mari came along my priorities totally changed. I had this tug in my heart that I needed to get home to her, to be more available, to experience things with her. I now understand it is important to slow down and appreciate what we have right now. Things are just flying by, she gets bigger everyday and I can’t go back and make up things, it’s just right now. Being a mom has taught me patience, which I still struggle with. Before I was all deadlines and rush, but no one rushes a toddler putting on their shoes. Anyone who tries to learns it take twice as long. This has been my most important lesson from Mari to sit back and wait and enjoy it. I wanted to find work-life balance and a career that catered to my important role as a mama, this is the place where Heymama came from. Unless you have a child, it’s hard to understand the importance of connection to other women who face these same challenges and who struggle to be great parents and have something outside of that too.

Katya: Having Liliana completely changed the course of my life. I was in my mid-twenties when I decided to take the plunge to motherhood and was the only one of my friends to do so. It’s one of the reasons meeting Amri meant so much to me. Liliana is my true north. When I’m with her, I feel whole and complete. Like my other leg is there and I’m not sure how I walked without it. She’s taught me to just let things be, a little messy, not so perfect, enjoy the small moments and most importantly to be silly. She’s a natural comedian and I laugh most with her. Working full time I feel as though I miss a lot, so I’m looking forward to creating a better work-life balance that allows me to have work I’m really passionate about and be present when my daughter needs me.

What is Hey Mama all about? And how did you come up with the idea?

Amri: Heymama is a social and professional network for cool and creative mamas. Our goal is to curate a community of inspired and imaginative moms and give them a space to share their worlds, discover new people and opportunities, and collaborate. We’ve found that unlike so many other communities, moms are really supportive and want to lift each other up. There is plenty of room for all of us to be successful we can only benefit from helping others.

Initially Katya and I started this project to connect moms purely for friendship. As we met with so many women to talk about our vision, we found a common thread that everyone we fell in love with had a creative venture, project, career, or brand that they were passionate about. We started wanting to connect all these women and that’s how Heymama started.

Katya: What we’ve found along this road is that the more mamas we meet who have started projects of their own, the more invigorated we are. If we can get these women together, we have a feeling that something magical will happen.

Who do you expect to be active users of the Hey Mama website?

Amri: Moms who want to collaborate on creative projects with other moms, those who want a place to display their creative work and to be contacted for work/projects. Moms who want to easily communicate with other creative moms. Moms who are really into Instagram but don’t blog and want a space to publish content, those who want to discover cool brands. It’s great for women who want to get in touch with creatives on the other side of the world. So far we’ve been hearing from stylists, photographers, bloggers, Instagram influencers, creative directors, shop owners, designers, Etsy moms, interior designers, artists, the list is really endless.

Katya: That about sums it up!

What are you hoping to achieve with this new platform for creative mamas?

Amri: We want to become an essential resource for these women to put themselves out there, be discovered and discover new talent. Our dream is to bring together a global community of women and build beautiful things for ourselves, each other, and the rest of the world. We aim to inspire and enable these awesome mamas to be successful in their endeavors and connect them with brands that match their lifestyle. We’ll be featuring inspiring success stories and opening up chats with these women to encourage women to take risks and launch their own projects.

Katya: We hope to create a passionate community in the digital world but also allow those women to connect in real life. So we’d love the day to come when you’re anywhere in the world and you can you meet a heymama for a glass of wine or a coffee, and next thing you know you’re working on a project with someone in Paris or London or Jaipur!

What are people going to love about Hey Mama?

Amri: We think that moms are going to love our community.That they will be able to learn some things from women who have faced similar challenges to what they are facing. We want Heymama to be a place to get inspired.

Katya: We hope mamas love that you can get a bit more in depth and learn more about a person’s story behind their brand. How they started, challenges they faced and tips they’d like to share with others. Most of all, they can see who wants to connect and for what so it might feel a bit more inviting to reach out.

What do you see as the next big step for Hey Mama?

Amri: We’ve been taking this one small step at a time. Right now we’re excited that our Beta site is up so we can get feedback from our mamas. The next step is to see what the community wants more of go with that. We’re excited to have some IRL (in real life) events and get people together as well.

Katya: The next big step for us is to continue to build awareness amongst our users and members, and also create really good partnerships. We’d love to work with brands as well as social and digital and events.

When you dream about where Hey Mama is in a year’s time, what does that look like?

Katya: In a year’s time I imagine we’ll have a proper office, with a bigger team of incredible women and thousands of members who are making it happen daily. Get up, be awesome, repeat. Let’s see how that does in 365 days.

Amri: I hope we’ll have connected thousands of women to each other and to great brands. I’m excited to see what kind of collaborations come about. Yes, a real office would be great and a few more people on our team, but if we can help just a few people then this is all worth it.

Find Hey Mama online here or on Instagram @heymama. And find me on Hey Mama right here.

You might also like my post:

Creative Mother: Kaity Ferrell

Find all my Creative Mother Interviews here

Social Media Minimalism: How to Balance Family Life and Instagram

How to Do Minimalism with Children

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Creative Mother Kaity Ferrell

April 6, 201511 Comments

Today I am launching a new series of interviews with creative mothers. Mothers who have started their own business, mothers who are artists, mothers who live a creative lifestyle. These are women whose passions line up with the work they do each day. The thing about passions is the you have that feeling that the energy you are putting into them is contributing something valuable to the world and to the lives of others.

Like a cliché come to life, once I had children my priorities completely changed. No longer did my passions lie in a career pursued outside the home, my passions were right there in front of me, making messes, asking questions, and giving endless snuggles. Living in Canada, I am fortunate to have been able to stay home with each child for a year. But if it had been financially viable, I wouldn’t have gone back to work. I would have stayed home with them until they were in school full days or maybe longer. Who knows, maybe I would have homeschooled them?! I still hold out hope that I might be able to craft a life where I spend my work hours doing something I enjoy and feel passionate about, and so I am drawn especially to women who have been able to do this for themselves.

I am excited to have Kaity Ferrell as my first first creative mother feature. Kaity is the owner of Fare Isle, a small business that focuses on farm to table foods, skin care and wellness products. All Fare Isle products are made by hand from her organic garden and wild harvesting. I met Kaity through Instagram and was first drawn to her because she posted the most beautiful and scrumptious vegan food dishes. She is more than a chef though, everything Kaity touches becomes beautiful. To me Kaity is an artist who plays with plays with food, flowers, colour and texture to create a feast for the senses.

As I got to know Kaity, I was also inspired by her as a mother and as a person. She seems to have curated a balanced life for herself, filled with family, friends, creativity and passion. Her life is not about the things she has accumulated, but about the experiences she fosters for family and friends. As a mother she is giving her son many gifts: her presence, her love and the foundation of a life cultivating and cherishing moments.

Enough of me talking, read on to hear from Kaity, herself.

What part of the world do you live in?

Nantucket, a magical faraway island situated 26 miles off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I feel so blessed to call this place home.

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?

My partner and I have one son, Iley, who turns 4 this summer. Iley is a bright-eyed curious playful boy. He loves food and will eat almost anything we make, and loves to help with the cooking. I would say his favorite activities are riding his balance bicycle, building with legos, and treasure hunting in the forest. He has a contagious belly laugh and those hazel eyes of his are always full of mischief.

What are your core family values?

Honesty is important to us. My partner and I try to instill in Iley to be truthful always. This quote always sticks with me, “Truth is an offense but not a sin”, not to say that speaking the truth is always an offense, but that it is better to speak the truth and risk offense than to lie. Togetherness, family time is so important to us. Kindness is equally as important; kindness to all beings and to the earth.

How do you spend most of your days?

I work from home on a flexible schedule, thankfully. My partner and I rise and make a cup of tea before Iley wakes up. Then we make breakfast and work while Iley plays. Iley and I run our daily errands midday and then try to sneak in an afternoon adventure outdoors, weather permitting. We make and eat dinner early. We head out to watch the sunset from the beach when we can and then return home and have quiet time in the evening. I usually work some more at night after Iley falls asleep.

What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

We love family walks to the beach from our house and also family bike rides in the summer.

What are you passionate about?

I’m a passionate foodie at heart. I love developing recipes and styling and photographing them for my blog.

What inspires you?

The sea – whenever I am feeling stuck I head straight to the ocean and the salty sea air, the sound of the surf and the sand between my toes always clears my mind. I will forever be in awe of a fiery sunset and a rainbow after the rain. The incredible work of honey bees amazes me-since becoming a hobby beekeeper and watching them work around the garden I just cannot believe what they accomplish. The scent of my son’s head gives me tingles all over and I hope that never changes-what magic is this!? The beauty of a just picked tree-ripened peach, its juice running from my mouth after the first bite is pure heaven. Basically everything in nature inspires me and i am grateful to live in a place surrounded by natural beauty. I’m not sure I could make it as a city dweller.

Did your career aspirations change once you had a child?

I wouldn’t say they changed, but rather I gained the confidence to go after them and make them reality.

What is Fare Isle and why did you decide to start your own business?

Fare Isle is a culmination of what I love: sustainable living, growing food, herbs and flowers, making small batch foods and body products by hand, and sharing our recipes and stories on the blog. I’m doing what I’ve always wanted and am happy. And to be able to share this all with our customers, followers and friends is more than I could ever have dreamed.

What are your dreams for your business?

I am focusing more energy on developing recipes and writing in hopes to move my business more toward freelance work and writing a cookbook. That’s what I really love to do the most. I would also love to host destination workshops on the island; an idea that has been floating around in my brain for some time now, and I would love to make it happen this summer. We’ll see!