All about Mom!

Good morning!

Today is going to be all about Mom! You have one and you just might be one. Moms are everywhere.... You can't go anywhere without bumping into one. Today, is my daughter birthday. She is 29! Holy Smokes... it sure went by fast! Anyway, it got me thinking....

The Mom on a good day:
She smiles at you. She asks nicely that you put away your stuff. She might even start the sentence off with the word "honey'. She goes and puts your undies in the laundry and finds matches to all your socks and sticks them in your dresser. She comes back to notice that her "honey" hasn't moved off the couch yet. So, she asks again. This time she might smile and say " Hey, sweetheart don't forget to clean up your stuff". She goes and makes "sweetheart" lunch and sets it on the table. Now, "sweetheart" is called for lunch and "sweetheart" doesn't move an inch. So, "sweetheart" hasn't put away the stuff and is taking forever to come to the table. Now, MOM is starting to twitch and steam is coming out her ears and she still has the battle of getting sweet pie to do homework later!

Let us take a minute here and think. Hmmm.... if you are the kid. You have put your mom through Hell (pick any day kids and think about... you know I am right) and she deserves a gift on Mother's Day. If you are the Mom, you deserve a gift on Mother's Day for not killing your child on any given day over the years! Moms.. you know I am right on this one.. stop day dreaming about what you thought motherhood was going to be like and get real!

Well, guess what! I have some Outstanding Stuff you can get for Mom! And, Mom if you think you need to buy yourself a little something (cuz, dad forgot to tell self absorbed "sweetheart" to get you something) I have the perfect something just for you! (slip it into dad's hand and tell him to give it to the kid to give to you... oh, you might want to wrap it yourself for a good presentation!)

Where can you find said Outstanding Stuff... let me tell ya! Head over to my shops on Etsy!

 

Click on any image below and it will take you where you want to go!

 

Here is a sampling of what each shop has to offer!

 

Pieces of Home Mosaics:

 

Mosaic Windows

 

Mosaic flower garden vintage window

 

Home Accents

 

Mosaic Pitcher and Basin Wall Hanging

 

Boxes and Mirror

 

Mosaic Mirror

 

Pendants and Bracelets

 

Mosaic Pendant

 

Rings, Barrettes and Earrings

 

silverware ring fused glass

 

Magnets and Key Chains

 

Blue Rose Mosaic Tumbled Glass Keychain

 

Kitchen

 

Mosaic Vinegar Bottle Stained Glass

 

Make Up Mirrors and Pill Boxes

 

Mosaic Owl Make Up Compact Mirror

 

 

 

Fancy That Fusion

 

Compact Mirrors

 

Double Sided Make Up Mirror Compact

 

Key Chains

 

Fused Glass Blue Key Chain

 

Bracelets and Cuffs

 

Copper Cuff

 

Jewelry Boxes and Pill Boxes

 

Mosaic Fused Glass Box

 

Home Décor

 

Candy Dish

 

Earrings

 

Brown Fused Glass Stud Earrings

 

I would feel bad about plugging my Shops on my Own Blog... But, well... I think Motherhood has left me with no Shame!

 

*** Disclaimer

If you aren't a Mommy yet. It is truly a blessing (even on a bad day!). Being a Mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Children are gifts from God. No matter how or when they come to you!

 

Happy Birthday Jacqaulyn! Mommy Loves you! Now get me a gift!!!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Kate 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Shop Owner Nan Curtis

Today you are in for a treat! All Handcrafted Items!

Today's Featured Shop Owner is Nan Curtis!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/bynani?page=2

She is the Owner of  Bynani. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126632804/extra-large-totepursecarryall-orangerust?ref=shop_home_active

Sit back and relax! I know you will find something to love in Nan's shop! She makes everything by hand and her items are truly made with love and care.

Let's learn a bit about Nan!

What do you sell?

I sell a variety of sewn items:  women’s and girl’s apparel and accessories; purses/handbags/totes/lunchbags; home décor; “kid stuff,” and toddler/baby clothing and accessories.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128549502/customizable-a-line-skirt-grey-white-and?ref=shop_home_active

How did you get started with Etsy?

I started with Etsy a few years ago when my house began to bulge from all of the things I was making.  I was practically giving things away to strangers and a few of my friends told me I should sell on Etsy.  I started a shop there, but had to take a break because of an illness.  I started my new shop in October.

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

I’ve always “made stuff” (my mother said to me the other day, “is there any craft you don’t do?”) My great-grandmother was an artist and I remember saying when I was young, “I’m going to be an artist and live in Paris!”  That led me to fine art BA in photography and an MA in Art History and I ended up working through the ranks of art museums to become a museum director.  Over that whole period, and throughout all of my life and academic studies, I always sewed. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126430587/flannel-cloth-baby-rattle-kitty-cat-with?ref=shop_home_active

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

My mother sews, her sister sews, their mother sewed, her mother sewed, and I absorbed all of the lessons anyone would give me.  I began making Holly Hobby (does anyone remember Holly Hobby?) doll clothes when I was 7.  My mother gave me her sewing machine when I moved out of the house (that machine was older than me!) and then gave me another a few years after that when she bought another newer model for herself.  I was able to have that one replaced when my mom came to visit.  We were going to sew together on my machine (which had been her machine earlier).  She took about 10 stitches and said, “how can you sew on this!  I’m buying you a new machine today!”  Shout out to Mom!  THANK YOU!!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125820990/beaded-reversible-table-runner-in?ref=shop_home_active

Where does your inspiration come from?

I’m inspired by so many things.  Art and design history, nature, architecture and whimsy.  I don’t have any children, so sewing whimsical things for kids is a way for me to get my “baby fix” and it fulfills the child in me.  Architecture fuels my eye for geometric forms and contrasts in color and texture.  As an art historian, I’m constantly thinking of forms that are historical.  And, I’ve always been a “nature girl.”  I live on a large tract of land and am always watching and walking outside.  Birds, animals, plant life, texture, color all make an impact on me.  The combination of all these forms of inspiration goes into my head, mixes around with the other stuff in my subconscious, and then comes out as a design and a sewn good.  I’m thankful for this diversity in inspiration.  It allows me to constantly change up what I’m doing and allows me to make a variety of items.  Hopefully, something for everyone. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/127780519/aromatherapy-scented-neck-and-eye-pillow?ref=shop_home_active

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

My vision for the future of my shop is a really good question, because as a super smart business woman I . . . . have not made a business plan!  That’s exactly the way to conquer the world and be proprietor of Nanny-poo’s Princess Bynani Empire!  Haarrrr!  OK, in all seriousness, there is a Sunday Artisans Market in Ann Arbor, Michigan, about 15 miles from my home.  I would like to have a regular stall there, and perhaps do medium- sized craft/art fairs (the larger craft fairs seem to me to attract craftspeople that crank out the same version of a product over and over and over, I’m not interested in that), and to build business on my website.  I also like being on Etsy teams and sometimes fantasize about what it would be like to work for Etsy and coordinate/teach labs and events.

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

Right now I’m taking a break from my career and am pursuing an MBA.  Why?  Why not!  Actually, I hope the MBA will give me the business skills I need to run my own business.   I am also trying to start a professional organizer business (that’s where the experience of running a museum and having been a  collections manager come in, as well as my experience organizing fabric and my studio!).  So, right now, work is not a conflict for me.  Studying, on the other hand . . . well, it sure does get in the way of my sewing!  Work will become an issue soon, though.  I need to find a part-time job to keep the school gig (oh, yeah, and the eating/being warm/having gasoline gig) going. 

Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

Right now the Bynani is a hobby,  a major hobby, that I am attempting to turn into a part-time job.  I really want to reach a point where I can outsource photographing my products.  It takes up so much time.  I hope I can find someone that is skilled enough to photograph well and who will also barter with me. 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

I only make things that I love.  I believe that if you make something that you wouldn’t use/wear/own then you won’t make a quality, or desired, good.  I recently moved back to Michigan after having been in Texas for four years.  Texas is where I started the previous Etsy shop (Green Onions Textiles).  Because of moving expenses I had to purge most of my items.  It made me really anxious!  Everything I make is like a baby to me.  I ended up giving everything to my next door neighbors.  They had been so patient with me while I lived there.  Almost every night I would run over to their house with the latest “show and tell,” and they would always oooh and aaah over everything.  I knew that they would find good homes for my creations.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125094078/retro-yet-modern-angular-shaped-purse?ref=shop_home_active

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126570248/reversible-childs-arts-and-crafts-apron?ref=shop_home_active

Where else can we find you online?

In addition to the Bynani Etsy shop, I also have a website.  You can visit me and shop there at www.bynani.com.  I write a blog there and post about every four days.  My blog posts are very diverse and range from tutorials, art history, and thoughts of the day.  And I am always open to suggestions for blog post topics.  Please stop in and leave a comment.

 

I also have many Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/nanibynani/ and a Facebook business page at https://www.facebook.com/nanibynani.  I use the Facebook Page a lot to announce new items and sales.  Please stop by there and give me a Like if you . . . should I say it? . . . If you like!

Did you always want to have your own business?

I have always wanted to run my own business.  My mother started her own business when I was a baby.  She typed dissertations (yep, typed, that’s the way it was waaaay back then, typewriter times!), then turned that into a very prosperous typesetting business.  Mom is my greatest source of encouragement and hope, and is the best role model I know.  She’s my greatest cheerleader and has taught me the ins and outs of starting up a business and . . . sigh . . . patience.

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

I have two final thoughts.

 

First, buy artisan.  It’s worth it for you, for the economy and for artists.   As major big-block stores keep growing and growing, they are driving out business for Mom and Pop stores and reducing the American GNP.  That’s an economic point of view that is indeed very important.  But there’s an additional reasons to buy handcrafted.  When you buy an artisan product you are buying something made just for you.  It’s unique, it’s a work of art and craft, and you are ultimately supporting the arts, which is so important for human beings.   You deserve to have some art in your life! And, you can be sure that you’ll never be wearing the same scarf/handbag/dress/etc., as anyone else at work or play. 

 Second, I want to say that everyone has creativity inside of themselves.  It’s true that some people are more talented, and perhaps skilled, than others.  But everyone has a creative element; it’s simply a matter of being still, looking inside oneself, and letting it out.  Throughout my career(s) as an artist, art history instructor, and museum professional I have heard so many times, “I’m not creative, I could never . . . . “ But the truth is that as human beings we are inherently creative.  So, give it a try!  See what happens (by the way, that’s what my grandfather always said).

 Best wishes to all and come take a look at Bynani!

 Nan

Thank you Nan for being my guest today!

I hope you enjoyed learning about Nan and her Fabulous Shop! I know I did! Make sure and stop by Bynani. Mother's Day is coming up!! hint hint! I know I will be popping over to buy some baby goodies.... I am going to be a Nana in October! I now know where to find just right items to spoil that Grand Baby when he or she comes!!!

Pop on over to my shop and see what is new!

 



featuring Amy Letendre

 

Today's Featured Etsy Shop Owner is......

Drum Roll Please.....

 

Amy Letendre

 

She is the owner of

a.ren.le Designs

www.etsy.com/shop/arenledesigns

 

 I asked Amy if I could feature her shop. I am so happy she said YES! 

(I am now addicted to shops that carry wonderful items for Mom & Baby)

 

 

Diaper Wipe Case "April in Paris"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100103942/diaper-wipe-case-april-in-paris-paris?

 

Let us get all get settled in with our coffee or tea and learn about Amy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

What do you sell?

 

 I sell handmade travel diaper wipe cases and jewelry. I will be adding a wedding section very soon!

 

 

Swarovski Bronze and Champagne Wire Wrapped Earrings

https://www.etsy.com/listing/100499126/swarovski-bronze-and-champagne-wire?

 

 

Handmade Bridal Wedding Clutch White Ivory Flowers

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124382169/handmade-bridal-wedding-clutch-white?

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

A little over a year ago I sold some cases to a shop in downtown Chicago, and they loved my designs more than other cases they had seen. I was flattered! I had heard about Etsy and just fell in love with it once I took a look. I signed up soon after and started selling my cases from there.

 

 

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

 

I have been making things by hand for years and years. I just love creating something out of raw materials. It is very satisfying, and even more so when someone else can use and enjoys your product. I started making the wipe cases after my daughter was born. I found something similar online and recreated one for myself. Friends loved them, so I made more, entered craft fairs, and eventually opened my Etsy store front!

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

I get my inspiration from popular trends and patterns, as well as things I just plain love about life. Be they places or things that inspire me, they always mean something to me.

 

 

 Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

I have decided to learn to make as many things as I can, myself. Sometimes I learn from others online via tutorials, but I generally love to figure things out myself.

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

 In five years I would love for my shop to have lots more followers and a steadier stream of sales. I would also like to have a wider variety of handmade items available to customers, of course still incorporating the love and care I put into my work now.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

 I am fortunate enough to be able to be a stay at home mom. When my daughter is napping or working on puzzles I get as much work done as I can.

 

 

Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

 

For now it is a hobby, but my goal is to be able to make a job or career out of creating lovely things that other people will use and love, too!

 

 

 Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

 I stock items that I love! I believe that the wipe cases are functional, but oh so cute. It's kind of a nice thing for mommies to be able to pull out a fancy wipe case while having to change a dirty diaper. Just a little bit of fun during a dirty job :)

 

 

Diaper Wipe Case "Polka Dots"

https://www.etsy.com/listing/107528194/diaper-wipe-case-polka-dots-fun-black?

 

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

I am only on Etsy presently, but enjoy it very much!

 

www.etsy.com/shop/arenledesigns

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

 When I was younger making jewelry out of Christmas lights, or Barbie clothes out of old skirt fabric I knew I wanted to work with my hands and mind creating new, interesting things. It had only been in the past few years that having my own business had become something I am very interested in!

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

Just want to say thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed on your blog! It is a very nice blog :)

 

 

I just Love Amy's Shop!

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/91560057/diaper-wipe-case-little-bird-houses-for?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124983508/diaper-wipe-case-beyond-the-sea-nautical?

 

I am so glad she took the time to Share with Us!

 

Thank you Amy!

 

 

 

Come on over to Pieces of Home Mosaics