B.Inspired by... Sons

My "baby" boy celebrated his very first Birthday today! I didn't realize just how emotional I would be. Sawyer had a rocky start, with a short stay in the NICU and immediate enrollment in Early Intervention. So his first Birthday has got me rethinking, reliving, all of those bittersweet moments. Sunday, I broke down crying at church during the sermon about gratitude. I keep coming back to just how grateful I am to have such a blessing, a wonderfully healthy son, in my life! So here are some beautiful creations from Etsy honoring the relationship between a mother and her son.

Mothers of Sons Altered Art Collage Pendant by Whimsy Under Glass

Mother and Son by Lisa Hurwitz

Love my Children Bracelet by Yael Frankel

B.Inspired by... Motherhood

She Has FAITH In Her Little Girl Art Magnet by Allison Shrine Designs

The Joy of Motherhood by Heidi Miracle-McMahill

New Motherhood Key Ring by Joo Sweetie

Designing Swanky Mom: Andrea Baker

Here's another wonderfully SWANKY mom!

Name: Handmade by Andrea BakerEtsy
Store URL: http://andreabaker.etsy.com/
Blog URL: http://andreabakerdesigns.com/
My Photos: http://www.flickr.com/people/momma_of_two_girls/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/handmade_by_andrea

Q: What or who inspires you?
A: Color is a big inspiration as well as the world around me.

Q: What powerful/creative woman do you love?
A: My mom. She taught me to sew. She's such a big cheerleader for me.

Q: Any tips on juggling motherhood and a business?
A: Goodness I'm the one who need the tips! My 1st floor is wide open. We have a half wall that separates the kitchen/dinning room from our living room/great room. I have my sewing machine on our dinning room table (its easily moved when we have company) and I also work from my ironing board which is in the living room. Its easy this way so I can keep and eye on my littlest one and get my work done. I also work while she naps.

Check out other Designing Swanky Moms and Etsymoms in my Etsy "Sinfully..." Treasury!

Designing Swanky Mom: Cozy Moments

Designing Swanky Moms is a group (support group per se) of moms who share one simple thing: the love of all things crafts! Just plug "DSM" into your Etsy search and you'll see their amazing creativity. For more info or to join to group, visit them at http://swankymoms.ning.com/. Now, let me get back into my weekly routine (after a short hiatus) of featuring just one of those hard-working, swanky mammas.

Name: Michelle

Etsy Shop: Cozy Moments

Blog: http://cozymomentsblog.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.cozymoments.com/

Q: Tell us about your shop.

A: We make products that will pamper you and soothe your senses - moisture-rich bars of Soap, creamy, pampering Bath & Body Products, and richly scented Natural Soy Wax Candles/Tarts.

Q: What or who inspires you?

A: People who feel the fear and do it anyway.

Q: What powerful/creative woman do you love?

A: Helen Keller. She always inspired me even as a child. She was so amazingly strong to be both deaf and blind yet become the inspiration to many that she was. Helen's own approach to life can be summed up by her advice to a five-year-old blind child in 1932: "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face."

Q: Any tips on juggling motherhood and a business?

A: Remember what is most important. Prioritize. Try to involve your children in your craft (age permitting of course).

Thanks, Michelle! In appreciation, you are welcome to take 10% off anything in my shop, even my new line of personalized notecards!

A New Kind of Home Jewelry Party...

I've always been a big fan of those Tupperware-style home parties. Back "home," my mother would just roll her eyes when I told her of the next home party she was to attend at my house or hers! However, I was never really fan of the traditional home decor parties (you know which ones I'm talking about); all of the items seemed to look the same: too "country," formal, and overpriced. But I was a fan of a good jewelry party. After hosting two Lia Sophia Jewelry parties, I was even talked into becoming a consultant. However my pregnancy, along with heart palpitations and water retention, put the brakes on that! So I was really intrigued when a family friend from back "home," Heather Chapel, passed along information regarding her new business venture, Touchstone Crystal. It's not just another home jewelry party! Touchstone Crystal parties allow the guests to purchase kits to make their own glamorous jewelry creations!!! Be still my heart! If I hadn't just opened B.Inspired Boutique, It'd probably be quite easy for me to be roped into this jewelry company as well! Now, learn more about Heather, her business venture, and what inspires her.

Name: Heather Chapel
Company Name: Touchstone Crystal
URL: http://www.touchstonecrystal.com/
Email: burkgarage@npacc.net


Q: Tell us a bit about Touchstone Crystal.

A: I have recently joined Touchstone Crystal as an Independent Sales Consultant. I love jewelry and this has been an extremely positive experience as I can introduce women like myself to "CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL" while maintaining a job and family. Touchstone Crystal offers great growth potential and career opportunities! Unlike other direct sales companies Touchstone Crystal offers the opportunity for individuals to "create" their own jewelry therefore making it unique to any other offered on the market. Being a new company the opportunities are endless!


Q: What or who inspires you?

A: I am inspired by my family to continually improve and focus on becoming a success! My husband owns his own business and I now have the opportunity to become a success too!


Q. How do you juggle motherhood and running a business?

A: My family always comes first! Second I am a substitute teacher, Touchstone Crystal Independent Sales Consultant, office manager for my husbands business, PENNDOT Regional Representative and notary. I am a woman who wears MANY hats. I am not afraid to work hard and my girls are learning that the value of working hard pays off.

Designing Swanky Mom: Hearts Desire Beading Company

As promised, meet this week's featured Designing Swanky Mom...

Store name: Heart's Desire Beading Company

Name: DebraEtsy

URL: http://heartsdesirebeads.etsy.com/

Blog URL: http://heartsdesirebeads.blogspot.com/

Q: What or who inspires you?

A: I have two: Eni Oken, Sharilyn MillerCreative

Q: What powerful, creative woman do you love?

A: My mom, she is a very creative person too! As a child, she gave me simple things like paper, crayons, watercolors and glue and let me make all kinds of fun things, and always with lots of encouragement. When it came to elementary school and Girl Scout projects, she would get right in there and help me. Because of her example, I do that very same thing with my own two children!

Q: Any tips on juggling motherhood and a business?

A: God - first, Family - second, Business - third.

Everything always seems to fall right into place when I follow this rule! I won't say it is an easy rule to follow, because that third thing seems to takes on a life of it's own! So to remind myself of these important priorities, I've put a post-it note on the bottom of the computer screen so I can see it every time I sit down! That way I can't forget! :)

Thanks, Debra! In appreciation for your words of wisdom, you are welcome to take 10% off of any one item in my shop (http://www.binspiredboutique.etsy.com/), even my newly listed Custom Happy Birhday Name Banner (pictured below)! Check back next week for another Designing Swanky Mom!

A Support Group of Creative, Swanky Mammas

Over the weekend I was fortunate to be accepted into a group of exceptionally talented women, Designing Swanky Moms. The group is open to any creative mamma, but also has a great Street Team presence on Etsy. To see a wonderful sampling from this fabulous group of women, check out my "DSM Color Theory" treasury on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=10346. Learn a bit more about just one of these great ladies here:

Name: Leah
Store: Michon
Etsy URL: http://michon.etsy.com
Blog URL: http://www.michondesign.com/jewelry-blog/
Website URL: http://www.michondesign.com

Q: What or who inspires you?
A: So many things inspire me - a lot of my designs are inspired by things I see in nature, like the ocean or a really beautiful plant.

Q: What powerful, creative woman do you love?
A: My mom. :)

Q: Any tips on juggling motherhood and a business?
A: I'm expecting my first child in February, so I can't speak from personal experience yet. I imagine being good at multitasking is a plus, and having lots of emotional support from family.

Thanks, Leah. In appreciation for your participation, you're welcome to take 10% off of any one item in my Etsy shop, http://www.binspiredboutique.etsy.com! Check back next Tuesday for another Designing Swanky Mom!