A Creative Life: Beautiful Bellies

by Designing Mom Jenn

Pregnancy is tough. Who would debate that! You feel uncomfortable, swollen, dare I say it... F-A-T ! The days crawl by and you get bigger and bigger and your clothes get smaller and smaller. And while you have a glow about you, it's hard not to feel somewhat challenged in the beauty department.

I know, I know... I hear some of you moms screaming at me about "pregnancy being the most beautiful thing in the world" but I'm a realist... and acne, vomiting and gas just don't fall into that category for me!

A few years back, long before these complaints were on my list, I was invited to an Indian wedding. It was by far and away the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The colors of the clothes and saris, the gems, the flowers, the detail that went into every last component of the wedding. The four full days of celebrating included a henna party for the ladies, the night before the wedding. While the bride received her traditional full hand, arm and feet henna, all the guests were also invited to partake and we got smaller, but no less amazing, tattoos of swirly flowers and paisleys... every last inch of our hands were covered with rich, painstakingly detailed designs that left a temporary tan-like tattoo for a few weeks.

This event made me hungry for more, and later that year when I turned 30, I decided to have an Indian-inspired birthday celebration - allowing all of us to dress the part with colorful Indian saris and, of course, henna tattoos.

I searched long and hard, and found a truly incredible local henna artist named Darcy to decorate my hands, and all of my friends too. We went to her loft before the party to get our henna in advance, but I also hired her to attend the party so that all of our guests could enjoy her work as well. There was no one left without her markings... men and women alike all were excited to adorn their body with this colorful, and temporary art!

This was the invite I designed for the party:

Here are a few pics taken that night (me with my dad + some of our henna):

I was on Darcy's site this morning, taking a peek at her latest creations (which I often do for inspiration!) and I saw a new category in her portfolio; Pregnant Bellies! I was floored - and so excited - and it made me want to get pregnant again immediately, just so I could have a new canvas for her work. Darcy's work is so incredible and rich and celebrates all the beauty of your pregnant belly. No matter how uncomfortable you're feeling this is sure to go a long way to making you feel better on the inside and out!

Darcy Vasudev Henna Lounge
www.hennalounge.com
tel: 415.215.6901

Here are some of Darcy's incredible works of henna art:

Shop: Sidewalk Sale

Aya wanted to add from last week's post (about fab children's interiors) that Lotus Bleu is having a Summer Sidewalk sale every Friday in the month of June to the tune of 60-80% off.
If you're in the Bay Area be sure to stop by!

Shop: Apak Studio

I love the work of Austrailian husband and wife team Aaron and Ayumi of Apak Studio. If you want a change of pace from the safari elephant-giraffe-lion scene, then you'll love their illustrations that come in form of goccos and notecards. I cannot get over how great that sloth print is! Click here to get these in notecard form.

Decorate: Lotus Bleu

By Designing Mom Aya

One of my very favorite stores in San Francisco, Lotus Bleu, just gave its website an update. I love this store for their wonderful collection of home accessories including a French company Robert Le Héros whom textile designs are to die for! But what I wanted to share is their Interior Design service section. Look how cute these baby and kid rooms are! So colorful and playful. Lots of great ideas for decorating rooms for little ones.
Baby Boy room from Liberty Hill




Baby Girl room by Liberty Hill



Boy's Bedroom by Richmond Modern Edwardian



Girl's Bedroom by Richmond Modern Edwardian

Shop: Bumbleknees

It's always great to hear about readers being enthused about independent designers. Kim wrote to me about illustrator Holly and Bumbleknees. All of the pieces adorably illustrated "waist down." To read about more about it, please click here to go to Kim's blog.

Make: Cupcake Crayons

By Designing Mom Liberty


We recently had a new magazine come to our house called Parent & Child magazine. In the back of the issue were a number of great crafts to do with kids that focused on re-using - which is a big thing around our house. This was an easy and fun craft to do - it took only a few minutes, and we re-used those broken crayons that are so frustrating for kids. quick synopsis: take a cupcake pan (I used one that I had bought at the dollar store, in case the wax didn't come off too well... MOST of it did, though) fill the cups 3/4 full with broken crayons heat in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 - basically, until melted stick the muffin pan with the melted crayons immediately into the freezer for 30 minutes the new muffin-shaped crayons will shrink just enough to fall out of the muffin pan draw happily!

A Creative Life: Marijke Bongers

I am so inspired by today's featured artist, Marijke Bongers because of the wonderful collaboration between mother and daughter. Marijke, a former wedding dress designer, is from the Netherlands and sent me a link to her intricate work as current multi-media artist and museum educator.



It's easy to see creativity runs in the genes as her talented 11 year-old daughter Caitlin has teamed up with her mom to write a blog about her love for making cupcakes and "plushie dolls." They will also have a soon-to-be Etsy shop that will feature some of Caitlin's "plushie doll" work (hmmm...I think I see the makings of a future designer here!).

above: some of Caitlin's creations. What a talented daughter!

Thanks for sharing with us Marikje!

Shop: Giddyup Stool by Tom Wigmore

Since Liberty mentioned introducing green products to her household, I thought I would throw in Tom Wigmore's eco-friendly Giddyup Stool (as seen on Atelier 29's blog) which utilizes the concept of "upcycling" waste materials like old saddles. They're so chic and rustic and I could easily see these becoming heirloom rockers for many generations.

Shop: Fabkins

by Designing Mom Liberty

We've been starting to talk to our kids about "being green" - which Zane describes as "being a frog", even though Mimi gets the concept a little better... One of the things we do around here is to always use cloth napkins. Cloth napkins can be really appealing to kids, if it's made into something fun. Since I'm a sew-aholic, I buy whimsical fabrics and make my own for each kid - Z has flames and sock monkeys, while Mimi has flowers and Hello Kitty. I cut the napkins about 10-12 inches square and serge the edges. If you don't have a serger, just fold over the edges for a simple hemmed edge. And if you don't sew at all... try buying them some of these cute FABKINS.

Thank You Mommas!

Just wanted to give a BIG, heartfelt thank you to my fellow Designing Moms who pitched in to guest blog for me these past weeks. I loved reading each and every post and am constantly inspired by all of you.

As some of you know, I gave birth a few weeks ago to a baby boy! And I'm not the only one...BIG congratulations also go out to fellow Moms Shinmin and Aya who had beautiful, healthy babies just recently.

above: these gorgeous flowers are by one of my
favorite floral designers, Natalie Bowen.

Needless to say, as a new rookie mom I have been so thankful for the wonderful support I've received from my fellow Designing Moms and all of you readers. When I first started this blog I wanted to get with all of the creative moms out there and it has well exceeded that.

Keep on sending your inspirational posts (hmmm...and maybe some advice for fussy babies :)?)!

xoxo,
Cat

Our Booklist: The Incredible Book Eating Boy

by Designing Mom Lori

Being a designer, I love books that not only have a great story, but are also beautiful, inspiring and interesting to look at! the boys got a book this past Christmas from Santa that really fits all those criteria.
It’s called The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers.


The story is about a little boy named Henry who, by accident, starts eating books. he starts out slow by eating pages, but then ends up eating multiple books at a time. (red ones being his favorite)


He found that the more books he ate, the smarter he got!


He began eating multiple books in one sitting!


He was learning so much that he quickly became smarter than his teachers!


Then, one day, things started to get all jumbled up. Henry was eating too many books, too quickly. He couldn’t digest the information quick enough. Henry was feeling very sick.


Henry decided it was time to stop eating books. He thought about it and wondered if he started reading books if he would become just as smart. Henry picked up his books, read, and learned that he loved to read!


Now henry reads all the time! although every now and then......

Shop: Flashcards

In a Flash
by Designing Mom Lotta


These whimsical flash cards by Libby Ryan can do much more than practice the abcs. You can use them to teach your child animals, objects and colors, or play a memory game. The front of each card has an animal or object and the back has a corresponding pattern inspired by front design. The 26 cards covers the alphabet from A-Z. The ink and watercolor illustrations are printed on post-consumer recycled paper with matte laminate for durability. The cards come with a custom hand sewn organic cotton pouch.

A Creative Life: Tyler Stallings

Designing Mom Lotta is coming in as a "mini" guest blogger for this week with two posts and you'll delight in her inspirational interview with children's clothing designer Tyler Stallings as well as her favorite picks for little ones.


by Designing Mom Lotta

I first discovered Tyler Stallings through her blog and was immediately attracted to her thoughtful writing, beautiful images, and the talented artists she featured. When she launched her children’s clothing line Periwinklebloom, I was equally smitten, even though my boys are way to old for her beautiful garments.



Tyler’s clothes are made with care and consideration, both for the child who will wear it and the environment we live in. She exclusively uses natural, organic, or reclaimed materials. The sizes are generous and adjustable to ensure long ware, and the impeccable quality and craftsmanship means that these garments will be ready to be handed down long after your child has outgrown them.

How did Periwinkle bloom come to be and what is your background?

Periwinklebloom was born about a year after my daughter. I had worked as a graphic designer, an educator and art history-lover for many years. I studied 'visual communications' at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and art history in graduate school in St. Louis. I have always had a passion for textiles but my understanding of form, texture and palette is really rooted in graphic design. My small labor of love seemed to develop out of the need/wish to merge these roles with motherhood. I wanted to continue designing with parenting in mind and a new appreciation of how design might contribute to something worth handing down.


How do you balance motherhood, family life, creativity, and running a business?

Ha! Not always so gracefully I'm afraid. I'm one of those people who are most productive when things feel close to panic. That said, I have tried to listen to my own mother's advice of tackling only one thing at a time and keeping things in perspective. I do try to carve out time for each part of my life rather than multitask. I'm a list-maker. The days I'm home with my daughter I really try to be fully present. This sounds good, right?! I tend to work most evenings and maintain my mantra of 'small and slow business'. I also teach in the art department at a local university. I am constantly learning from my students (and daughter). The reciprocity really feeds the balance. And I covet our weekends, very dedicated to play. When all else fails, I laugh...or lose it.



Did having your daughter make you more aware of environmental issues and how is that affecting the way you work and create?

Absolutely. I considered myself fairly aware before, coming from a family who recycled before we realized it had a name and ate so healthily nobody wanted to have slumber parties at my house. I grew up on hand-me-downs and often buy my daughter's clothes at resale shops. I became most aware of environmental issues as they relate to what we put on and in our bodies when I became pregnant. My inquiries then grew as my family has. And my professional life has become an extension of that. I began my business paying careful attention to all my practices; where and how organic cotton is grown and certified, who I collaborate with for creating and sewing, confirming fair wages, reclaiming vintage fabric when possible, designing a generous fit and timeless form for the longevity of my garments, and using eco-minded solvents and inks for my letterpress correspondence (still getting off the ground). Generally I became more aware of our family footprint both in terms of environment and the ideals we leave behind.


Do you have any advice to other artistic mom's, who are trying to launch a creative business?

I suppose everyone should dig deep and recognize how they are wired, question what they'd like their business to do for themselves and others. Be resourceful, do your homework, ask questions, practice patience and flexibility, set small goals. I belong to a women's business group, five of us in various creative fields who provide invaluable support to each other. The exchange is perfectly nurturing and professionally fruitful. I consider them dear friends and I highly recommend connecting with other women. Oh, and if you're like most creatives I know, hire an accountant.


For more information about the clothes featured here visit Periwinklebloom and for more about Tyler Stallings visit her blog.

Photography © Greg Rannells