Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Natural Kids Team. In their words:
"We are a group of artisans from around the world who share a love for handcrafting eco friendly & all-natural toys, clothing, decor and more for kids, and kids at heart."
"We are a group of artisans from around the world who share a love for handcrafting eco friendly & all-natural toys, clothing, decor and more for kids, and kids at heart."
You can follow Natural Kids Team on their Blog, Facebook and Twitter.
- See more at: http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2012/10/soulemama-sponsor-natural-kids-team-.html#sthash.e3FXp9a5.dpufSouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?
Andrea Gommans, ziezo Designs: My life has basically come full circle over the past 20 years. I grew up in a home where I was introduced to sewing and knitting early on as my mother created the majority of the clothes for my siblings and me. In high school, I took the creative track and focused on fashion and design. Following that, I attended the Academy of Art, but then my other passion, volleyball, gave me an opportunity to study and play in the USA. What was supposed to be a one-year commitment, turned into playing volleyball for four years and ending up with three university degrees, neither of which has any relation to art.
What it did lead me to is meeting my husband, living in three different countries, and having one child born in each of them. Our move to Kenya, five years ago, allowed me to stay at home full-time. It was here that I had a chance to re-connect with my creative side. Helping for the creativity to be fostered and appreciated was our choice to educate our children in a Waldorf School. Out of all that, the magic combination of ‘Waldorf-inspired crafting and living’ arose. An entrepreneurial friend of mine encouraged me to create a label and sell my goods. The ziezo label was the next step and it became my new passion, which I can combine in wonderful ways with being a mum.
SouleMama: What does a typical day at work look like for you?
Ulla, German Dolls: I get up and 4 am in the morning. When I tell this to people their response is usually: Wow, how can you do it? That is crazy early!" Well, my husband happens to be an early riser. I used to wake up when he started moving about the house. It was no use asking him to keep it down. I am very light sleeper. So really that's how I came to be an early early riser.
Now I love it. The world is such peaceful place during those morning hours. I get all my computer stuff done while the kids are still snoozing. Six o'clock is when everyone is up. But in those two hours I get so much work done - it is truly mindboggling. I recommend it to anyone! Of course, the drawback is that I fall asleep on the sofa come 7pm...
SouleMama: What inspires you?
Becca Thornton, Mama West Wind: My inspiration comes from my children, nature and Waldorf storytelling and aesthetic. I began crafting toys when my eldest son was three. It was at the same time I found and fell in love with the Waldorf method of schooling. I loved the idea of making simple, imaginative natural toys. I began working with felt, then peg dolls and grew addicted to the light of excitement in my son’s eyes when I would gift him a new creation. When I couldn’t stop sewing gnomes, my Mama West Wind shop was born. Mama West Wind has become my alter ego, my friend, my creative outlet.
Nature and the seasons are a constant source of inspiration. My customers & their little ones inspire me too. While I work I love thinking about the child who will be gifted my toy. What stories will they come up with in their play? Children are so naturally imaginative. I want to make dolls that will uplift, inspire and ignite the natural storyteller and child in all of us.
SouleMama: What's the most challenging part of your job?
Stephinie Miner, Gypsy Forest: Balance. We are a homeschooling family and my husband travels often for work. Working in the home can sometimes be challenging with so much going on. I try to remind myself on days where not as much work gets done as I wanted that even a little is good. Knowing my children see their mama work in a creative way to contribute to the family is such a gift. As they have grown, the time I have to spend on my business has too. I'm slowly seeing and trusting in this creative path we're on. One day at a time.
SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?
Rebecca DeCarle, Handmaiden Canada / Luvkin: My children have always wanted to be included in whatever I am doing. Naturally, when I started my little handmade business, they wanted to be a part of that, too. Having nine children definitely has it perks when it comes to photo shoots...there is basically someone to represent every age and stage from 3 years old, up to 19 years old. Product testing? We can do that, too. If something survives our family, it must be well made! New product ideas? Children have a limitless supply of these...and the older one's have no problem keeping me up to date on what's "hip". Looking for an honest critique? Nothing more honest than a child. Too much to do, in too little time? My older kids have been known to, in a crunch, "burn the midnight oil" with me, and help with stuffing the Waldorf dolls and crocheting hair for them. My children are my inspiration for starting this business...staying home with them was a priority, but I also needed to find a way to contribute to the family's finances. I am so grateful for the opportunity to try and do both.
For today's giveaway, Natural Kids Team is generously offering the following gifts to ONE winner:
~ one amazing giveaway, shown above!
We have a collection of items from 14 different kids shops for kids of all ages! Follow this link to check out a page showing each item that will be given away, along with links to the shops and links to other team websites.~ one huge giveaway, shown above!
(We have a collection of items from 30 different kids shops for kids of all ages! Follow this link to check out a page showing each item that will be given away, along with links to the shops and links to other team websites. ) - See more at: http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2012/10/soulemama-sponsor-natural-kids-team-.html#sthash.e3FXp9a5.dpuf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:30am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winner is...
The toys are just wonderful, but also, what an incredibly inspiring collection of crafty mamas! I loved hearing each story!
Posted by: PamJWM
Thank you, Natural Kids Team !
