Bathroom Makeover

Obviously, being pregnant and subsequently having a new baby slows down the renovation process. But here are the results of our completed bathroom renovation (pending painting the window frame, once we work out how to get the sliding part out of the window frame...).

Before...

... and after!

Catch up on the history of our move and house renovations.

Materials and Techniques - 'Clayful Impressions'

Finding out about different ways to craft is interesting. Each fortnight I have a chat with another crafter about the materials and techniques that they use. Today's guest is Debbie, who works with ceramics in her store, Clayful Impressions. Debbie is another EtsyKids member and is based in Murrieta, CA, United States.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I started out wanting to be home with my children and still be able to work. I have worked as an Early Childhood Educator for many years with my degree in Art and Education. I always had my hands in art with work in murals, glass and gourds. I now have a ceramic shop specialising in personalised handprints for families to keep and cherish forever. I wanted there to be away to hold on to memories and when I discovered hand and footprints in ceramic clay, I just had to share with everyone else.

What materials and techniques do you like to use?

I started with imprints and then played with techniques to be able to offer the imprints to others all over the world. I have now perfected my technique and I am able to send these precious keepsakes to anyone who would like without stepping into my studio. I send out a mould kit for parents to print hand and foot in mould. I believe the best results are the pop out hand and footprints where the prints are raised above the plaque. The print is easier that you think and when it dries the mould is sent back to me where I create the magic. I transfer it to ceramic in a way that allows it to keep its detail. After the initial kiln bisque firing, glaze of your choice is painted and the plaque is kiln fired again. There is some shrinkage. Customers need to know that this is a timely process and takes up to eight weeks to return the item. I have many customers wanting a piece of work done just weeks before a holiday! Much time is due to transferring, etching, detailing, drying, cleaning, kiln firing twice, glaze painting and finishing with writing baby information on back, adding sheer white ribbon and securely packaging up to be sent out.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

Challenges I face are the same all working mothers deal with. Trying to be all to everyone and everything that comes my way. Recently I began taking care of my aging mother and it has been a challenge to accommodate her needs, my family and work, but my mother is such a blessing and I will always be there for her

What drives you to create?

My children are my inspiration for Clayful Impressions.

What is coming up next?

What I love from working in my shop is all the new creative ways to promote, create new photo images, advertise. I also love finding in my every day environment new ideas and solutions to bring to my shop. I never want to limit myself. I always have new ideas to try out.

Clayful Impressions

Clayful Impressions Etsy shop

Clayful Impressions Blog

Clayful Impressions Facebook

All images provided by Debbie from Clayful Impressions.

More materials and techniques interviews are available for you to read. If you'd like to share your creative story, please let me know.

And Now We Are Four...

Two months ago, we became a family of four when we welcomed a new baby and since then I have been fairly busy doing the whole feed-nappy-settle routine. There hasn't been a great deal of time for crafting, or coming up with fun preschool activities, or being active on social media.

However, I can't (and don't want to) put aside my first-born whilst I concentrate on the little one. Miss 3 can entertain herself, but like all children she enjoys playing with her parents and adores it when I say to the baby "I'm sorry, you'll just have to wait a minute whilst I finish what I'm doing with your sister." Reading is perhaps our favourite activity at the moment, especially as I can read to Miss 3 whilst feeding the baby.

Other things that I have been doing with Miss 3 while the baby is asleep are simple activities around the house that don't require a lot of setting up or pack up. Things like playdough, stamping and painting...

... pretend play...

... puzzles and games...

... walks to the park...

... and imaginary trips to the beach.

There may have also been a couple of actual trips to the beach with all four of us over the last two months. It has been summer in Australia, after all!

Materials and Techniques - 'Felt Like Sweets'

There are many types of craft. Each fortnight, I chat with someone new about the materials and techniques that they use in their craft. This time around, I'm talking to C.M. Cameron. C.M. Cameron has a great passion for craft and is a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry as well - a kindred spirit! His store, Felt Like Sweets, sells felt foods for tea parties. Miss 3, looking over my shoulder as I put this post together has just announced that she likes the felt cupcakes very lots! C.M. Cameron is based in Souderton, PA, United States and is a fellow member of EtsyKids.
 

 
Please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm C.M. Cameron, husband, and father of two little girls, Charlotte and Alice, and am overjoyed and inspired by the way my girls learn and play. I love seeing the world through their eyes, experiencing things for the first time with them.

My ambitions to start an Etsy shop started about a year ago when my wife and I bought my oldest daughter, Charlotte, a children's tea set for Christmas (you know... the cups and plates and spoons). To go along with it, I made her a set of felt cupcakes, cookies, tea bags and strawberries. She LOVED IT SO MUCH!! Her friends LOVED IT SO MUCH!!

So, I started making small sets for Charlotte to give to her playmates for their birthdays, and boy oh boy, did their mommies LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! So I started making more and more and more, and the rest is sweet history. 

Felt Like Sweets isn't my day job. By day, I'm a Chemical Engineer working in the pharmaceutical industry making vaccines (a job that I truly enjoy!). I've found though that I need a channel for my artistic and creative energies, so I make these felt cookies, cupcakes, and tea sets to wind down at night, after the girls are asleep.

What materials and techniques do you like to use? 

I've worked in may materials in the past: watercolor, clay, handmade paper, photography... Like children, it's much to difficult to select a favorite. They all have their own endearing qualities (and challenges that may drive one crazy!!).

Recently I've taken a liking to felt. I find it to be quite forgiving; I love the texture, the warmth. I sew most of my felt pieces by hand, which I think gives them a one-of-a-kind look. The tiny imperfections are part of their charm.

Many of my pieces also include beading. I love the seeming endless variety of beads that are on the market today, the vast majority of which are quite inexpensive and readily available in most craft stores (or amongst the pages of the Etsy supply shops!!). So many colors, shapes, sizes, sparkle-y-ness (is that a word?). They're just as versatile as any paint or fabric.

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

Aside from TIME, which I anticipate is the challenge that I share with so many, I also find that my biggest challenge is focusing on what to work on... setting all the other millions of "great ideas" or "I-could-do-that" notions aside. As I stroll the isles of the craft store, I find myself seeing a hundred things that inspire a "great idea." The next reaction I have is to buy said items for as-soon-as-I'm-done-with-what-I'm-working-on-at-the-current-moment. You know this feeling!!

Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation is saying 'No' to 1000 things.

I take this to heart... I really try to set aside the really great ideas that aren't aligned with my immediate goals and vision for what I'm trying to create. Sure, I could make felt sushi, or chicken wings, or pancakes or corn-on-the cob (or paint all those things in water colors, or sculpt them out of clay or photograph them), but I'm choosing to refine and perfect the felt cupcakes and cookies... exploring those for a while, editing and re-editing and refining to make them more unique, more superb, more exciting, more fun.

I'll know what it's time to move onto the next "great idea!'

 
What drives you to create?

For me, creating comes easy. Not because I have some special gift or talent, but rather that it's natural to me... it's obvious, it's what I think about when I'm driving home from work, or taking a quiet walk around the block. It's how I see things...

I do find that I'm easily inspired by materials. Just having paint or fabric, some ribbon or thread in front of me is enough to come up with a few ideas for their use. I'm also not afraid of failure. I've painted many a picture that look terrible, thrown many a clay pots the fell or were lopsided. Failure doesn't scare me; it isn't bad. It's a lesson for how to improve upon the next go-round.

What is coming up next?

Like I said above, I'm into felt right now... cupcakes and cookies. I've been experimenting with scents and fragrances. Wouldn't you love a strawberry shortcake-scented felt cupcake? Mmmmm...

Once I get through the cupcakes and cookies, I'm going to stick with the tea party theme for a bit... perhaps some candies or chocolates, maybe some tea party games? I don't know. Any suggestions. Of course, like I said above, one trip through the craft store, and I may find myself quilting or candle making.

 

Felt Like Sweets Etsy store

Felt Like Sweets Facebook

All images provided by C.M. Cameron of Felt Like Sweets.

Find out about more crafts through the entire materials and techniques series. I'm always looking for new people to talk to, so if you'd like to share what you do, please get in contact.

Materials and Techniques - 'It's My Room!'

Back on the Blog after a pleasant summer maternity break. I'm kicking things off with a Materials and Techniques interview. This is a fortnightly series of posts with other creative types, who talk about how they make their creations.

This week I am chatting to Michelle from Melbourne. Michelle makes wooden children's decor, which she sells in her store It's My Room! She is a fellow member of Handmade Cooperative.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a mum of two (a boy and a girl) and founded It's My Room! After struggling to find a quality name set for my firstborn, so I proceeded to make one myself. I currently live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and have a background in real estate but a bloodline in craft. I have a very supportive husband and family who never once suggested I return to my ‘day’ job and because of that I am progressively building my network and business.

What materials and techniques do you like to use?

My main materials are timber, paper and paint. It’s a tough choice, but I have to say working with paper may be my favourite material. The timber is generally a bare and the base piece so it’s also satisfying seeing it all come together. I own a linisher cutter/belt, jigsaw cutter and various cutting tools that help me get the smooth edges and finishes I need.

 

What challenges have you faced in the creative process?

Apart from the usual challenges of having to work around a family, I would say just getting the pieces to work and ensure they of great quality. When I first started making the name sets, I hand painted them which was time consuming and left them with a rougher, not so professional finish. I also found that although purchased direct from the wholesaler, the letters varied in size and I needed to file them down so that they were even. After a bit of experimenting, I purchased a hobby spray gun and found the finish to be smooth and even and now as my items have expanded, I also own a larger scale spray gun as well as other tools. I’ve also had to experiment with glues, varnish finishes and tape and have learned to stick with what works best.

 

What drives you to create? 

I think the drive is within and the constant positive feedback helps too. There are moments where I am overwhelmed and think - ‘What am I doing?  What should I do with all this stock?’ but they are short lived. My mind is in constant creating form and I just have to follow my instinct. I know what works and what doesn’t, so as much as I may love creating a particular item, I need to step back and concentrate on what works and making that better. My children are also a source of inspiration and are the testers as such. I’ve also found of late, that customers and fellow sellers have also been wonderful in suggesting items for me to make.

 

What is coming up next?

I have three new items that I’m in the midst of putting together before I test them out with the general market. I’m also trying to branch out a little more by adding another store and my own website. All in all though, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing so long as it continues to be enjoyable.

It's My Room! Madeit Store

It's My Room! Etsy Store

It's My Room! Facebook

All images have been provided by Michelle of It's My Room.

I'm really interested in learning about the different skills that people use in their crafts. Visit the entire Materials and Techniques series. If you'd like to share your techniques, please do let me know.

Toddler to Preschooler Upgrade: Misses 3 and 3.5

Today my daughter is three years old!

So, new nomenclature again - my children are Miss 3 and Master 0, and Miss 3's best friend is Miss 3.5.

The Reason For Maternity Leave

Introducing Master 0.