Savage Seeds - July 2014 - Portraits of Home Made

Welcome to the 14th edition of Portraits of Home Made! I have to say that I am very excited about this month's feature and it has been tough to keep it under wraps until now! 

July is a month where we celebrate Canada Day on July 1st and our neighbours to the south celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July. So I thought that for this July feature, it would be fun to do something a little bit different and celebrate... an American creative entrepreneurial Mom!!

Although this series was initially developed to feature all of the handmade Canadian entrepreneurial Moms, we (this unique group) are all in this creative community together. We support and are inspired by one another as we work to grow our creative businesses from our home based studios while raising our little ones. Some days are easier than others; some days we play, some days we get a lot of work done & others not so much. But we love what we do and we love our kids so really, we have the best jobs around! 

So onto this month`s Portrait of Home Made already! Trust me, you will fall in love with the cutest handmade products produced by this amazing artist and her business Savage Seeds - enjoy!

C.V. Savage is a fiber artist and children`s clothing/costume designer who creates handmade & earth friendly clothing, toys and decor through her business Savage Seeds. She lives in the Sonoran Desert, USA with her husband, a little one and another one on the way! 

Savage Seeds original creations aim to nurture imagination, encourage creativity and are also a positive contribution to the planet by using earth friendly materials and packaging.

Q: In 3 words, describe your business.

A: Modern, Eco-Friendly, Kids.

Q: Did you start your business before or after becoming a Mom?

A: I have always been a maker of some sort. My daughter inspired me to design for children. I started sewing and creating toys and nursery decor for her while I was pregnant. My first Forest Critter (a Wolf) was made for her and the first Owl Costume I made was for Halloween when she was 3. She won 1st place at a local costume contest and the compliments from other parents helped me realize I could make more and turn this into a business. And with that, Savage Seeds was born.  My daughter continues to inspire my work and even sews her own projects along side me. Many of her requests have become some of my best sellers.

Beautiful Owl Costumes.

Perfect for Halloween and Imaginative Play.

Q: Mixing business & motherhood can be a balancing act! What is your approach to making it through the day accomplishing growth in your business alongside nurturing your little one?

A: My five year old has her own space within my studio for her to play or work on her art projects. That way we can both get something done together. 

I get the bulk of my work done in the evenings, after she has gone to bed or on the weekend. I save cutting, emails and packaging for the daytime and balance these tasks around play dates, trips to the Children's museum, lunch, swimming, gymnastics and whatever else we have planned for our day.

It's really great that I get to be flexible with my schedule most of the year. I've had to hire people to help me cut and also child sitters at Halloween - Christmas season and also when I've had magazine tutorial deadlines but over all I think she has a unique opportunity being at my side through the process and the daily business errands. She enjoys our trips to the post office and watching materials come to life for another child to play with.  She also gets to learn that her creativity and hard work can earn a ethical and rewarding living.

Then it's time to play.   

A glimpse at the workspace. 

Neatly folded felt.

Playtime looks fun with all these Forest Critters!

Q: What do you consider the biggest perk to having your business at home? What is the biggest challenge?

A: I feel blessed to be able to raise my family while working from home. It can be a lot of work to balance but it is all worth it and, at the end of the day, really gratifying. I love that I get to spend everyday with my little one and to watch her grow. I wouldn't trade this time for anything. 

I think for any stay at home Mom its difficult to find time for yourself. When you are taking care of your family, your home and your business, where do fit yourself in? I feel a bit guilty just relaxing when I know I could be sketching that new idea or reading to my daughter or even cleaning the kitchen. I need to remember that it's OK to put myself first sometimes - especially now, when I am expecting baby #2. If I don't get something done today, there is always tomorrow. 

Just a few of the cuddly Forest Critters.

Q: What is your favourite social media platform to share and connect with your customers and why?

A: I'm spending a lot of time on Instagram lately. There is a large community of Mom run, small businesses that are thriving with the help of photo sharing and promoting each other with giveaways. It's really great.

Hard to choose a favourite...!

Q: If you were able to add another element/extension to your business, what would it be? 

A: We recently bought a screen printing press and added my hand drawn designs to the shop. We are printing baby onesies, kids Tees and tote bags. This is really exciting for me. I have always wanted to print clothing!

A portion of each Save Some Bees For Me Please shirt sale will go towards bee conservation. 

This is just perfect!

Q: Please name an inspirational artisan you would like to collaborate with on a product/project if anything was possible! 

A: I really love A Beautiful Mess blog. Their DIY section is so fun and always great style. I'd love to contribute or collaborate with those ladies. Or just have lunch with them! 

(I totally agree! Their posts are always adding to my ever-growing DIY wish list) 

Messenger Raccoon Bag - not just for the kids!

Q: If you had an unexpected afternoon of free time, how would you

spend it?

A: In bed. Alone. I wish I was joking. 

Sleepy Black & Grey Foxes from the Forest Critters collection.

Q: Is there a creative skill you wish you had?

A: I would love to learn to weld one day. I want a yard full of metal sculptures and fabricated, industrial looking furniture. I have a creative side that making plushies doesn't really fill. 

Woodland Pillows - such a cute addition to a little ones space.

Quick 3:

1. Coffee or Tea?

Tea but sometimes coffee.

2. Music, Movies or Podcasts while you work?

Music. Mostly Pandora stations but Project Runway is my guilty pleasure. 

3. Imagine your Forest Critters are the featured characters in a children's picture book. What would be the title of their story?

Mischief Makers

A monochromatic grouping - Forest Critters fox, raccoon & squirrel.

Those who love to support small business will appreciate the attention to detail in design and execution of Savage Seeds creations. And for all US (not available internationally) orders, a little wild flower seed pack that has been hand stamped with a wax seal is included in your package. It is these little touches that make shopping from independent artisans a special experience. 

Thank you so much C.V. for taking the time to share your creativity and insight into Savage Seeds and for being the 1st American Portrait of Home Made! I think my favourite responses from your interview reflect your thoughtful approach to a creative handmade business and the honest and happy reality of work from home Moms. Congratulations on all of your success thus far and more to come!

You can keep in touch with Savage Seeds online:

shop      instagram       facebook

blog          twitter

 Check out the new plush Sea Critters - a Whale & a Narwhal!

To my readers; thank you for following along with this monthly blog series - your comments are always appreciated! Feel free to share this post with your friends! 

As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with other creative entreprenuerial Moms and share their stories and insights behind developing and maintaining their small business from a work from home environment with kids! Thank you for taking the time to participate - I really appreciate it and look forward to meeting more of us!

See you again in August for the next Portrait of Home Made! 

Don't forget to sign up to follow the blog by email  - just enter your email address in the follow by email box at the top right of the page.

Are you or someone you know a work from home Mom creating an amazing product or offering an awesome service? I want to meet you - contact me and you just might be featured! wendy [at] tinybrushstrokes [dot] ca

pops of colour and updates

1. I am using July to work on some new products to add to my offerings which I am excited about! One is mostly for the little ones but my holiday versions can be adapted to anyone really.

pops of colour

2. I have also been playing with adding screen-printing along side my painting which is proving to be a bit more of trial and error than I initially thought! Perhaps I chose a more difficult task for a newbie screen printer - after 2 unsuccessful tries, I reverted back to the comfort of hand painted lettering (for now). I will try again - once I get some screen cleaner!! 

1st round of the drawing fluid - this I have no issue with when preparing the screen.

Its the #&*ing screen filler I can't seem to get right!  



3. Recently I was inspired to create an info-graphic of sorts that represented Tiny Brushstrokes. The info-graphic example that I saw was really great but I didn't feel that it's layout represented my type of creative business. The type that is run by one person, out of a small studio room in my house, whose hours are evenings & weekends, and whose product is handmade and custom. 

There are so many things I wanted to include in it so I feel that another one will have to be created! Here is what I put together, a little snapshot of my creative business to share a bit about Tiny Brushstrokes for my current and customers-to-be.

 

4. Yesterday, I announced on my facebook page that I am having a little promotion until the end of this month on my popular Nostalgic Magnet Sets.

 

Many Tiny Brushstrokes customers like to purchase (on-line and in-person) 2 sets of my Nostalgic Magnets together - 1 for them & 1 to gift to a friend! They are useful, fun & definite conversation starters!

 

So from today until July 31/2014 - when you purchase any 2 sets of Nostalgic Magnets from my Etsy shop - they will ship for FREE! CAN & US orders only, while supplies last, standard ground shipping.

 

Once the 2 magnets sets are in your shopping cart, enter the coupon code: 1FORME1FORYOU and the shipping is FREE!

 

 

Feel free to share the promotion and coupon code with anyone you think may be interested in getting some cool, nostalgic magnets!!

Marmalade Designs - June 2014 - Portraits of Home Made

Welcome to the 13th edition of Portraits of Home Made & Hello Summer! I am really looking forward to sharing the next couple of Portraits with you as they feature some really creative women! 

To introduce this month's feature, I would like to share 2 quotes from her interview which I think other creative Mom entrepreneurs will truly relate to and be inspired by!

"I like to tell myself that I'm being a good role model for my kids by showing them that I work hard, accomplish tasks, and have something cool to show for it - a business I am proud of."

  

"I want to make my kids proud, and that inspires me!" 

Please read on to meet Kate and her jewellery company Marmalade Designs!

Kate Singer is the maker/owner of Marmalade Designs; collections of hand drawn fabric and silver jewellery created in her 10' x 10' backyard studio in Toronto, Ontario. She is Mom to 4.5 year old Amelia and 9 month old Ari. 

Kate & her cute kids! 

Q: In 3 words, describe your business.

A: Fabric, Silver and Jewellery. Or my third child!

Q:Did you start your business before or after becoming a Mom? If before, how did having children affect your business?

A: I started my business long before becoming a Mom. Having children has affected my business in so many ways.  It’s been a very different experience with each child.  When Amelia was born, I was craving a break from my business.  I wanted to cocoon with my baby, and just soak up every second of being a mom.  

I didn’t abandon Marmalade, but I just put it into neutral for a while, and this proved to be a very good thing.  I think I had been running (sort of on a treadmill) for a while, and needed to reboot.  Rocking Amelia to sleep gave me so much time to think, and to reflect on ideas, and what I wanted to make and to accomplish.  I began to spend time drawing, and gave myself the time (while she napped!) to experiment with drawing on the computer, and eventually began to draw the fabrics that are now the focal point of my line.  Amelia’s birth really provided me with the space and time to pause, think, grow and change.  

Now…fast forward 3.5 years to the birth of my son Ari.  I felt completely different about his arrival, and where my business fit into our growing family.  This time around, I wasn’t craving a break.  Instead I felt excited about the growth of my business and was desperate to keep it going.  This became very difficult when my husband booked a job that required him to be in California for a couple of months right after Ari’s birth.  I needed to think fast, and thankfully my mother-in-law was able to come in and help out so that I could get some work done before the upcoming One of a Kind Show.  

Its funny, somehow my priorities had just changed.  Of course I love my children equally, but I think I just trust that Ari’s going to be ok, because I’ve seen it happen once already.   So, although I’m home with him, I admit, I’m often multi-tasking – packing orders while he’s on the play mat – that type of thing.  I don’t think he’s going to suffer for it!

Leather Wrap Bracelet with charms

      Q:  Mixing motherhood and business can be a balancing act! What is your approach to making it through the day accomplishing growth in your business alongside nurturing your little ones?

A:Well, I like to tell myself that I'm being a good role model for my kids by showing them that I work hard, accomplish tasks, and have something cool to show for it - a business I am proud of.  

I actually think its pretty neat for them – more so my daughter.  I routinely bring her with me on all of my errands:  buying findings, pick ups at my casting house, the print shop, the post office.  She meets so many people, and gets to interact in the adult world, and I think that this has helped to mold her in so many positive ways.  She also really understands what it is I do, and is genuinely helpful.  She often comes up with business ideas of her own – burrito shop, terrarium maker (we recently discovered the airplant!) – and wants me to help her implement them.  I keep asking her "whose going to make the burritos"??

I want to make my kids proud, and that inspires me! The day to day is obviously a major juggling act.  Something like this – Me: “I need to get to the post office by 5, please go to the bathroom NOW, so that we’re not late”.  Amelia: “I want you to commme with me.” Me: “O.K. fine,” GRAB ARI, RUN UPSTAIRS.  RUN DOWNSTAIRS. Finish printing labels and stick them on envelopes. Amelia: “I need a snack please”. Me: Put yogurt in a bowl “eat fast we really need to go.”  Get Ari dressed and in the stroller, search for Amelia’s scooter helmet, apply sunscreen, grab the orders…out the door!  - Keep putting one foot in front of the other – that’s my general approach to tackling the day to day.

Rainbow Necklace

Q: What do you consider the biggest perk to having your business at home? What is the biggest challenge?

A: Flexibility is the biggest perk.  I have been fortunate to be able to be home with my kids.  Even if they don’t have my undivided attention 100% of the time, I am there, and I think that that has been an amazing blessing for my family.  

The biggest challenge is – as Louis CK says – every single minute that you’re with your kids (I’m a huge fan!) - because you love them and you want to be your best self around them.  You want every minute to be amazing, you want to always have a smile on your face, and to talk in a lovely sing song voice, and to just laugh the day away while they finger paint, and eat homemade banana bread.  And, although I generally manage the smile, and even the singsong voice, it takes hard work, and is exhausting when you’re trying to build a business at the same time – and I’m often left with a sort of guilty feeling at the end of the day.

Leather Wrap Bracelet with charms

Q: What is your favourite social media platform to share and connect

with your customers and why? 

A: I like Facebook.  I’m not hugely active but I try and post regularly.  I find people’s comments to be so kind and inspiring. 

Family Tree Necklace

Q: If you were able to add another element/extension to your business,

what would it be?  

A: I’m working on adding engraved pendants to my line.  The words will be handwritten by me, and the charms will compliment my existing collection. 

Detail showing a combination of charms

Q: Please name an inspirational artisan you would like to collaborate

with on a product/project if anything was possible! 

A: Hmm…I guess I’d like to work with someone who makes really nice handbags.  I like the idea of taking my linen prints and combining them with leather to make clutches and the like.  I don’t have a name offhand.  There are so many awesome handbag makers whom I admire.

Adorable deer necklace

Q: If you had an unexpected afternoon of free time, how would you

spend it? 

A: I think I’d walk to head to a neighbourhood in the city not dominated by strollers, have lunch with a friend at one of those restaurants I see people eating at on Instagram, and enjoy the feeling of not having to split my focus in 5 different directions!

Just some of the cute designs available!

Q: Is there a creative skill you wish you had?  

A: Too many to narrow down:  Of course I always wished I could sing, and be on Broadway, but seriously, I’d love to really be able to draw…like REALLY draw!

Little Penguin earrings!

Quick 3:

1. Coffee or Tea?

COFFEE…I honestly don’t know how people start the day without it.

2. Music, Movies or Podcasts while you work?

Podcasts, radio: I like CBC a lot or This American Life in the studio.  In the house/office we listen to music on Songza or Slacker – “I heart the 90s” generally puts me in a good mood – nostalgia I guess.

3. Name a book that has inspired/informed your business?

I read the book “Emyth” a while back, in a desperate attempt to understand how people grow businesses.  It’s basically about getting yourself out of the way of your business, so that it can grow.  It’s been my toughest challenge, but little by little I have handed over many of the making tasks, so that I’ve been able to get to the business of designing, growing and caring for my kids.  This has mainly happened out of time constraints, and I have come to realize that there are wonderfully talented people (like my awesome assistant Kecily!) who can help bring my designs to life while I tackle other tasks…or, just take my kids to the park!

Letter Rings

What's new with Marmalade Designs? 

>I recently updated my website with leather wrap bracelets – great for summer! 

>New colours have been added to my letter line. 

>My husband crafts these little boxes, which I now use to package online orders! 

>Marmalade Designs will be participating in Circle Craft Summer Show in Vancouver from July 24-27th.

Thank you Kate for your refreshingly honest and entertaining interview - I think that your creativity and dedication to your business shines through! And I'm certain your kids will be inspired by you & definitely proud of their entrepreneurial Mom! 

I love the element of personalization and sense of collection in Kate's silver jewellery, the variety of charms available can be combined to reflect your personal styles -  I have 3 letter charms (for my husband and son) & 1 four leaf clover charm that are looking forward to their new home on a chocolate wrap leather bracelet! 

Marmalade Designs jewellery can be for anyone really; a daughter, a mom, a grandmother, a friend and even a husband with her cool new cuff links! (love these!) 

Keep in touch with Kate & Marmalade Designs online:

shop         facebook      instagram

Thanks again to all the readers who follow the blog and especially these monthly features! Your likes, comments and shares are always appreciated! 

See you again soon for the next Portrait of Home Made! 

Don't forget to sign up to follow the blog by email  - just enter your email address in the follow by email box at the top right of the page.

Are you or someone you know a work from home Mom creating an amazing product or offering an awesome service? I want to meet you - contact me to find out how you could be featured! wendy [at] tinybrushstrokes [dot] ca

PARTY ANIMAL PINS!

You're invited for birthday cake, ice cream, party games & fun with friends! Let's get this party started with PARTY ANIMAL PINS - a collection of cute & colourful pin back buttons! 

My Party Animal Pins are now available in my Etsy shop! Check them out here!

When I first showed the pin back buttons made from my Celebration Card Peekaboo Animals, customers were really drawn to them, they're cute, colourful and fun! So I think that customers will enjoy these sets especially to give out at kid's birthday parties.

There are 2 sets to choose from and each set of 6 pins comes in a 3" x 4" 100% cotton pouch with hand-painted lettering and includes 6 different animals. Coming soon will be the option to add a personalized pouch (with their name hand-painted) to accompany their pin to hold little treats/toys in afterwards.

   

These Party Animal Pins are a cute and affordable alternative to birthday party loot bags. Whether you are for or against giving out loot bags at kids parties, a little something fun and affordable is a nice memory of a fun party and a simple way to say thanks for coming! 

I had fun shooting these product shots - so colourful and who doesn't love confetti?! Or leftover hole punch remnants in this case!