PN: How long have you had your Etsy shop?
NI: I opened my Etsy Shoppe (http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamaiwawaki) 1 year ago, which is why my etsy shoppe name is not my blog name...it kinda bothers me, but that is a story for another day.
PN: What inspires you?
NI: Inspiration comes in all forms, shapes and sizes for me. From the blogs of fellow crafters, from a quote in a book, from a magazine, from my children, from a hike on the ridge, really the inspiration sources are endless.
NI: I struggle with finding time to craft and create. I have so many ideas to try out but so little time and space. Currently my "craft room" is the closet in Jude's bedroom and my "craft/sewing table" is the kitchen table. I do have a creative-ish part time job at a certain Paper Store with the catch phrase " Do something Creative Everyday". I guess I just try to squeeze it in whenever I can, although I do like start and finish a project in one go so sometimes I put off the crafting until I have a chunk of time. My daughter, Delia, likes to craft too so you can always find projects in various states in many areas of our home.
NI: The garland of the month club mostly because I love the idea of someone getting a surprise in the mail every month along with 0% credit offers, catalogs, bills and such. A fun surprise to hang up, wrap a gift with, share with a friend or what not. I love making the garlands, love packaging them up all the while thinking about the recipients. They truly are the perfect gift to send someone.
PN: Where do you find your vintage sewing notions?
NI: Most of my notions come from a great thrift store near my folks home in Canada and other thrift stores. Sometimes I am fortunate because people give me their stash. I always have more than I can ever use.
NI: The kids do craft with me...Delia more than Jude but Delia has an "art" area in her room and greats drawings, paintings, and stories every day. Sometimes I want to craft alone because I want to do my own thing at my own pace (selfish I know) and sometimes I want to create with the kids. I think it is important for the kids to have access to good supplies (something I read in Amanda Soule's first book) and I think it is important for the kids to see me create. I also believe that the Creator has made me in His image and therefore I can and do create. Sometimes in the form of a paper craft, sometimes sewing and sometimes in the kitchen with food.
PN: What's their favorite thing to work on?
NI: Jude likes to carve his own stamps and Delia likes to make lip balm, sew little blankets and well, that girl loves any kind of craft available to her.
NI: I really enjoy coming up with an idea for holiday cards/family photo and then implementing said idea...often with the help of the kids. Although, this year I am way behind and the ideas are awkward yet plentiful. Hopefully this week we will get it together as the month is marching onward. We did have a fun photo-shoot on Saturday so hopefully the cards will fall into place.
PN: Do you have any special holiday traditions?
NI: Oh, we have so many traditions, from making peppermint bark to decorating a tree to reading Luke before we open gifts on Christmas Day. I think the most important tradition, if you can call it that, is to attempt to have a Christ centered Christmas...not to lose that focus when wrapped up in the whirlwind of holiday activity. I love Christmas...the music, the food, the festivities, friends and the traditions and so on.
Well, there you have it peeps - go shop till you drop! Many thanks to Nicole for this little interview and peek into her crafting world. Nicole, I adore your shop, your blog and YOU most of all. xo
Great to read about this crafty and creative lady and to discover a new Etsy store! x
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