Friday, April 10, 2009

Featuring Mama's Little Monkeys (and a Giveaway)






I love, LOVE this handmade maven Amy, the owner of two wonderful shops called Mamas Little Monkeys. (Etsy and Artfire ) and Fleur De Ink. I am truly honored to be able to have interviewed her, and learn more about her amazing products that she creates.


Amy is the full time mama of two little boys ages 3 and 14 months, so you can imagine how she must have her hands full. I am baffled at how she is able to find time to run not one but two shops...and create amazing things...from bibs to flower pens....bodyscrubs and soaps...to crayon rolls...this chica does it ALL.






Here is a little of what Amy has to say.


PM: When did you start crafting and why?




A: I have always dabbled in some type of creativity, whether writing, small crafts, etc. But I really started last year when I began making cloth wipes for my son as I could not find any cute cloth wipes for him! (This was before I learned of all the great selling venues!



PM: What do you love most about your craft?


A: That as a busy mom of two, I can take something, be it fabric, soap or flowers, and make something new, creative and all mine. Even when you follow a pattern you are pulling together YOUR skills and creativity. Give ten women the same pattern and you'll get ten different versions, all unique! And I love the commradarie of the handmade community!



PM: What is your favorite item that you have available right now?


A: Oh wow. I'm still perfecting my soaps, but I dig my Saints inspired black and gold soap. It's not perfected yet but the gold coloring was SO much fun to work with!For sewn items it is definately my Michael Miller Green Minky Blanket. I love designer prints, as do many, but this bird print and green minky are perfect together. And I love all my flower pens, but this is my fave, the fuzzy flowers are just fun!:




PM: Do you have any exciting plans for your shop in the near future?


A: I am actually focusing more on my Artfire Shop as well as local wholesale ventures. Business is slow for everyone but I have confidence it will bounce back. I am also cautious with the CPSIA law and working on more items for adults. I basically just love to create and won't stop until they pry my sewing machine or soap from my cold dead hands! I am really enjoying the soap, and can't wait to get into Cold Process (CP) soap!



PM: You have two children...what do you find most exciting and rewarding about being a mom?


A: Phew! It's busy!! Personally, I just love to see them growing! They are very similar, being two boys, and yet so unique in their own ways even at their young ages of 3 and 14 mos! There is NOTHING better than a baby's giggle, I swear they should bottle it. Professionally, even if I never make a plum cent from my selling handmade I feel proud to show them that you can do something for you, something you enjoy, and if you play your cards right, you can make money off it! Best of all, I love making things for them!



A: What advice would you give to other moms who may be thinking of getting into crafting and perhaps wanting to sell online?


A: Take your time. Build a support system with other moms either through networking sites like http://www.cafemom.com/, www.byhand.me, or through the community sections of the venue you sell on. Also do not put your eggs in one basket. No venue is perfect, but they all have their various pros and cons. Pick the one(s) that fit you best! It can't hurt to try new things, but know your limit also! And always be prepared to take constructive criticism and GROW from it. Don't ask for a critique if you really don't want to hear the answers!!


Amy is so Fabulous....she has provided Something Special for one awesome GIVEAWAY. One lucky reader will win a scrumptous bar of her SLS Free Chai Tea Soap. It is so new...It's not even offered to the public yet. You will be the first to have....(makes ya feel like a celebrity doesn't it)





To Enter, Just go to Mamas Little Monkeys ,then come back here and tell me what your Favorite Item is. It is THAT easy!!!



Blog about this Giveaway, or Tweet about this Giveaway and get yourself 5 extra entries. (Please leave a comment with links)



Contest Runs from Friday April, 10 (12:00 AM EST) and ends Wednesday April, 15 (11:59 PM PST)


Winner has 48 hours to email me after being announced before new winner is chosen.

45 comments:

Evolving Mommy Catherine said...

I like the swirled square and star crayons. He stuff is so cute. Thanks for the chance!

Julie said...

Well I love drinking chai tea so I'm sure I'd love bathing in it. I like the twisty towels for hair, I've always wanted one.

Chelsey - The Paper Mama said...

One of my favorites is actually the bib you already have in this posting! It would be a cute gift for one of my friends!

-chelsey

Sandy said...

I like the Think Pink with Breast Cancer Support Ducky Soap! Everything is so nice:0)

Thank you!

Tiffany said...

Wow! She's creative! Loved all the flannel pants and that chalk cloth was cool too. But my fav was the different bath salts.

CC said...

I think the Mad Scientist Rubber Duckie is a hoot and a half!!! Love it!

CC said...

I Tweeted! http://twitter.com/speech_hero/status/1490273561

Green said...

click..
I the Green Cloth Sherpa Wipes. What a great idea, why can't I think of these things :)

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

I love the chalk mats! What a fantastic idea!

And the bib in your post is just stinkin' cute!

Bethany said...

very neat. I'll check it out!

Robin@creations-anew.com said...

I wonderful interview...and what a diverse talent!
We just remodled our bathroom with a sunken jacuzzi tub...I'm into bath salts...My fave: Almond
Robin
robinrhall@msn.com

Claremont First Ward said...

I love that we got to know more about the crafter with your questions and answers!

Crazee Juls said...

I'm loving the custom made teddy bears... Awesome. What could be 'funner' than snuggling with one of those cute things!

tammy said...

I LOVE the Spring Minky Blanket and burp cloths! (LOVE it!!)

We're having pouring rain here, too....but our church Easter Egg Hunt went on as scheduled. (yes, we got WET!) I have a picture of my wet daughter on my blog already!LOL She had fun, even though it's C.O.L.D. out there!

When Pigs Fly said...

Great site. I love how you highlighted someone trying to make it selling her own crafts. I tried selling my own quilts for a while and it's tough.
Thanks for stopping by my site. So appreciate it.
www.whenpigsfly.squarespace.com

Unknown said...

Oh I love the cute little crayon rolls. And I love Chai Tea ;)

Unknown said...

Love the OATMEAL MILK HONEY 6 OZ LARGE Handmade Soap Bar Made with FRESH GROUND OATMEAL MILK and HONEY. Thank you for stopping by and commenting on Just Another New Blog!!

Unknown said...

Tweeting to spread the word! http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/1499743489 1

Unknown said...

tweet http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/1499743489 2

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/1499743489 3

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/1499743489 4

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/1499743489 5

Krissy said...

Love the crayon rolls!

Krissy said...

http://twitter.com/thinkingofblue/status/1501697412

Margarita Bloom said...

Cute blog....that little onesie with pairs is sooo cute. If I had a baby I'd totally get that. That little polka dot pink flower hat is cute too... Upcycled Toddler Girl Flower Sunhat.

C.G. the Foodie said...

I love the oatmeal milk honey soap bar! What a great interview!

Stopping by from SITS!

Rikki said...

ooooo - the mango salts sound fabulous!

Rikki said...

tweet ... er ... twittered about you.

http://twitter.com/rikkifish

Rikki said...

tweet ... er ... twittered about you.

http://twitter.com/rikkifish

Rikki said...

tweet ... er ... twittered about you.

http://twitter.com/rikkifish

Rikki said...

tweet ... er ... twittered about you.

http://twitter.com/rikkifish

Rikki said...

tweet ... er ... twittered about you.

http://twitter.com/rikkifish

rozzissweetpeas said...

Love the Mom's Nite Gift BAsket...THat would be great for me or as a gift...or me...yea me. thanks for the giveaway...rozzi

Rachel Lundy said...

Love the Deluxe Gift Mom's Night In Gift Basket!!!

The crayon rolls are great too.

glenna said...

I like the mini chalk board mats, so many wonderful items in the shop!

Carma Sez said...

I like the embedded bug soap - funny!!

janetfaye said...

I like the Sweet Pea Bath Sea Salts, with wooden scoop.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Rachel Ann said...

OH I like the pink ladybug girls romper..tres chic!

Donnetta said...

The animal shaped crayons are too cute!!

I always wanted to be a celebrity!

Donnetta said...

Here's my Tweet!
http://twitter.com/dj0811/status/1509323645

Michelle said...

Oh how cool. I used to make soaps, and I really miss it. Someday....

I was really tempted by the soaps, but then I saw the mango papaya bath salts and... I was hooked. yum!

Ooh Baby! said...

the skull bibs, definitely the skull bibs are my favorite.

The Majors said...

i love the oops pink toddler bib...super cute!

afrye.major@gmail.com

thanks for the comment love too!

McBee said...

Arrgh! I can only choose one thing? I'm not even a mom, but I LOVE the watermelon bib-too cute!

www.AForestFrolic.typepad.com said...

The Squirrel attack emergency kit is hilarious!

Jamie :-)