Shezarealgem Designs

This week I would like to introduce you to yet another one of my EM friends Mel of Shezarealgem Designs!  She creates awesome, unique & affordable jewelry.  She is offering to AWESOME deals with this interview… for the month of Oct. purchase items in her store & mention Kymy’s blog Everything Your Mama Made & More & you will receive FREE shipping.  Through this blog post she is giving away a $20 gift certificate for her store!!!!

How to enter?  There are 2 ways to enter & each person may enter via each method one time (maximum of 2 entries)

The 1st way to enter is to leave a comment to this post about what you like about my blog or patterns or something you would love to see me do!  Make sure that you have your email included in the email box when filling out the comment form if you don’t have a blog or website that I can contact you at.  Your email will not be shared, but should NOT be put in the general text where everyone can read it.

The 2nd way to enter is to post about my blog on your blog!  It doesn’t have to be about the give away, it can be about any of the tutorials or articles on my blog.  But wordpress will show me the trackbacks & incoming links.

The entry period starts now 10/3 & ends 10/10 at 6PM PST.

Now for a little bit about Mel!!!

Hi! My name is Melissa Kapuszcak and I am the crazy mind behind Shezarealgem Designs. I am a 30 year old mommy and wife, born and raised in New York. I make funky and eclectic jewelry for the modern, hip gal! About 4 years ago I began making jewelry and finally starting selling online a year ago.

I have always had an eye for design and love to adorn just about anything that I can get my hands on. Jewelry has become my main focus and I love to design funky, one of a kind pieces. When I quit working full time to begin a family I needed something to keep me busy and designing jewelry had always been a dream of mine so I figured why not. I cannot believe the success I have had and how many pieces and custom designs that I have sold in the past few years, it is so validating and exciting.

Even before I had children I have always been creative and have always tried to make things myself instead of buying them commercially. I am entirely self-taught so my methods are constantly evolving and improving. Though I work 5 days a week in an office and am a mommy of a 2 and 4 year old as well as a wife to a super cool and creative guy…I have no idea how I find time to breathe yet alone create but I manage somehow! With that my creativity has really worn off on my kids, my 4 year old daughter is extremely creative and loves to make jewelry and design. My 2 year old son is very musical and already makes up his own songs. We are a pretty creative and kooky family!

After starting a family I learned that perfection doesn’t always equal beauty. After giving birth and breastfeeding two babies in 3 years my body underwent some drastic changes and I began to see that even though I was far from what society deemed “perfect” that I was still beautiful. My designs are often eclectic and asymmetrical in nature and I love to find the beauty in these “imperfect” design ideas.

I love to create custom designs. I would be honored to work with you to create your dream piece just contact me!

WWW.SHEZAREALGEM.ETSY.COM
SHEZAREALGEM@AOL.COM

Here are some pictures of her recent work, simply click the link to visit that item in her etsy store.  Don’t forget to check out her store often because she is constantly adding new inventory!

26lbs down, 12 to go!

Well this morning I got on the Wii Fit & got a big surprise… 137!!!  As of date I am 26lbs down & have 12lbs to go to reach my goal of 125!  Right now I weight the same as I did when I got prego with the twins, and I  only have 3lbs to go until I am at my 2 week post twins weight :).

I think whats helping most is that I have gotten to the point where my diet is maintaining itself… I have been doing it long enough know I don’t have to think about it because I’m not hungry all the time & I get full faster.  I also still indulge once in a while but keep it in check.  If I can keep up the 1lb a week it is very possible to reach my goal by Christmas, that would be the most priceless gift of all & I have earned it!!!  The best part?  In the last 3 weeks I have started fitting nicely back into all my size 8 jeans!!!  I can finally fit into all my cute clothes again after living in sloppy clothes for the last 9 months.

Want to know my secret?  You can read the post from this summer that explained what I was doing to loose weight & the free links to join me! http://everythingyourmamamade.com/2008/06/24/my-weightloss/

I lost my Grandma 1 week ago.

Irene Louise Thomas

I have been wanting to write about this since last Sunday when I got the call from my mom… my grandmother had finally lost her year long battle with small cell lung cancer on Sept 21st around 11AM in the morning.  At first I was okay, after I got off the phone with my mom I instantly started to bawl.  I went & found Brian and told him what happened.  I sobbed in his arms for about 10 minutes & then tried to continue on with my day as best as I could.  Until this last year I have been blessed, I have lost very few loved ones and I have always managed to be the strong one who was there for the rest of the family.  For the first few days I managed this very well.  Then Thursday came around & I stopped by my grandmas house with my mom to get a copy of the will (she was left as the executor of the estate which is a whole ‘nother story) and we walked through the house with my uncle (he lives there) & talked what grandma had wanted done with certain things.  Later we went to the Oak Harbor Farmer’s Market (one of the farmers markets that my grandma sold at until she lost her sight last fall; the first real sign something was wrong) it was hard but I was okay until I got home that night & it all hit me.

I grew up helping my grandma with the Coupeville Farmers Market at all 3 of the locations it has had over the 19 years I have lived on the island (though my sister helped her the most at its current location cause I had kiddos).  From time to time I would stay the night at her house helping roll out her pie crusts & making tarts with the left over scraps & filling that would also be sold at the market.  I helped her selling the crafts that she & my mom made at holiday bazaars earning a couple of bucks for helping out.  In the summers we would go help in the green house washing pots for .05 & helping & learning about plants.  She is the only one who taught me to knit, bead earrings, and to do needle point.  I learned to bake & garden thanks to her.  She is the one that taught me that you can make anything you want & if you work at it you can sell it too!  Between the skills my mom taught me (many my grandma taught her) & the drive I got from my grandma when it comes to crafting, she is the main reason why I can do what I do today.

Life did not come easy for her evening a very young age when she had to be splint up from her sisters for adoption.  She was adopted by amazing people & was raised well.  Though after getting married and starting a family she didn’t have money and my mom and her 6 brothers & sisters did not have it easy.  But my grandma worked hard and did what she had to do.  When my great grandmother passed away in the early 90’s my grandma took what she got & re-invested it into greenhouse & her crafts… she did what she enjoyed doing to make money to support herself.  When she wasn’t sewing, beading, doing needle point, knitting, gardening or publishing a bead book to try and make money she was helping local low-income families get school shoes & supplies in the fall & with Christmas presents during the holidays through the Farmers Market originally & later through the Island Gift Foundation.  She may not have had any money to leave behind, but the knowledge that she left me is priceless and will be cherished for the rest of my life!

I think this is why I am having a hard time, I love & miss my grandma, nearly all my hobbies remind me of her because she is connected to them in some way.  I still have to make some of her pies with her berries for her celebration of life this coming Saturday and though I am looking forward to getting to make them for her, I am sure there will be more tears to come.  I just try to remember all of the great things that she taught me & think about how I get to pass them down to my kids!

Rings ‘n Things MBDesigns

This week I would like to introduce you to yet another EM mama, my friend Melissa from Rings ‘n Things on Etsy & MBDesigns Blog.  Over the past 3 years we have became very good friend who help each other out all the time.  I’m the one she knows to ask if she needs computer help & I have helped her design & set up her blog.  And even if I insist that its for a friend & not to worry about it she always ends up sending me some sort of treat! In swaps, trades & purchases I have recieve both a birds nest ring & pendent which I have fallen IN LOVE with!  She has also made me & my kiddos lots of great vinyl decor stickers from her other crafty business Say It Sticky.

Not only is her jewelry amazingly beautiful, but it is well made & AFFORDABLE!  What more can you ask for?  Also she includes great (also handmade by her) anti-tarnish pouches to store it in when its not being worn.  Perfect made in the USA gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.

Below is the interview from Melissa as well as some pictures of her great work & lots of links!

Hi, my name is Melissa Brooks and I am the owner & designer of Rings ‘n Things on Etsy & the MBDesigns Blog.  I’ve been twisting and manipulating metal into jewelry since I was a little girl but only in the last three years have I started getting more serious about it. I have taken a few jewelry making classes but most of my techniques are self taught. I love wire wrapping jewelry of any kind but rings have become my passion. I use high quality sterling silver and the best gems and crystals I can find. I find inspiration for my designs in nature, I love bird nests, flowers and earthy tones.

I have always been very artistic, so getting into jewelry making seemed only natural. I have found success mostly in the satisfaction I feel when a piece is completed. Knowing that someone is completely satisfied in their purchase is the best part of what I do.  Even as a child my creative side was obvious. I would make rings and bracelets out of scraps of wood, metal and anything else I could find. I took every art class available during school and excelled. Drawing, painting, ceramics, I love it all.  As I have become more confident in my skills my metal choices have changed, I now use sterling silver or gold filled metal for all of my rings. I want my jewelry to be worn often and last.

I have a busy life, so I do have to be “creative” with my time. I only get my beads out while my two year old son is down for a nap or asleep for the night. My girls are old enough that they enjoy watching me and sometimes they even get to make a few things for themselves. My girls both have an amazing creative talent! My oldest (8 years old) loves origami and painting while my younger daughter (5 years old) loves to draw and cut paper into pretty shapes. My youngest is still so young but I’m sure in time he’ll start to show us his creative side. I’ve learned that my children are my greatest creation yet. They inspire me every single day. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I didn’t have them in my life.

If you would like to see more of my work check out my etsy shop! Rings ‘n Things or my blog MBDesigns.

I love to do custom work so if you have an idea let me know, I’d love to create something original just for you!  Thanks so much!

-Melissa Brooks

Here are some of my favorites peices by Melissa… if you are interested in them simply click & it will take you to ther etsy shop for more details on the product!  All these items are $22 or less!!!

The Tutu Closet

My very first EM mama to be featured is Kristi Whitener, she is the owner & designer at The Tutu Closet. She makes great affordable tutus perfect for any little princess!  This is one of those crafts that I know who to do but for the price & time Kristi’s tutu’s are such a good deal that I rather buy them!  She offers TONS of extras to customize your tutus & also takes custom/special orders.  Below is some pictures of Kristi’s work, some info from our interview and links of course :).  Click on any of the pictures & it will take you to that part of her store.

Hi, my name is Kristi Whitener, owner of The Tutu Closet and have been making tutu’s for almost 2 years. I love to create tutus of all shapes, sizes & colors. I’m really into layered looks right now and can’t get enough of them! I love every single order that I get, from the simple & classic to the most blinged out creative mix you can imagine. I also love making pillowcase dresses & headscarves but I haven’t had time to work on those in several months.

I bet your probably wondering how I got started?  A very nice lady from China contacted me through ebay and asked me if I had ever considered making tutus. I was only selling the dresses at that time. It was almost like a light bulb went off above my head. I practiced making them and my girls reaped the benefits of my mistakes. They loved every minute of it. They’re so used to seeing them now that they barely give them a second look. Occasionally they will see one that really catches their eye. It makes me feel so good to hear them “OOUUU and AAHHH” over them. As I have gained experience I have learned to adapt . I’ve made hundreds of tutus and modify my methods with each order. They are all so individual that it would be impossible for me to make a complete duplicate of any of them. I love that they are all “one of a kind”.

The tutu business is extremely seasonal and has its ups and downs. This is my second year in the “tutu season” and have noticed a huge trend month to month. From November to June, I will average about 5-8 a month and then when July comes BAM, tutu season begins. I anticipated that it was going to be the same this year as last and thank the good Lord it has been. I am averaging 1-3 orders daily and have a waiting period of 2 weeks until the middle of October. The orders will slow down at that time but hopefully I will still have some last minute Halloween orders.

It isn’t easy sometimes to find the time to be creative, motivated & productive. My husband re-did our flooring downstairs recently and it threw me for a major loop. He gutted my work space! So, needless to say, it’s challenging at times. I work when the girls sleep or if I know they won’t need me for a bit.

One thing I can say is that my girls have picked up a lot from me.  They are always pretending to shop for tulle! It’s hilarious really. It makes me stop and think about how much they are paying attention to my every move. They love art stuff and color or paint daily. Its kind neat to know that I inspire them.  That being said if I had boys instead of girls, I never would have given the little dresses or tutus a second thought. They are my ultimate inspiration.

Looking for a deal?  each month I post a ‘Tutu of the Month’ special in my store.  Its generally a % discount off a seasonal tutu special for that month sometimes including shipping discounts, so please make sure to check in often!  Septembers Tutu of the Month is WITCHY You choose the color(s) you would like mixed with black!  Perfect for Halloween.. which is gonna be here before you know it.  Click on the picture below to go directly to the Witchy Witch Tutu in The Tutu Closet.  Discounts have already been applied, no need to find a code!

If anyone has questions, comments or any tutu needs please contact me anytime. My business email is: Kristi@thetutucloset.com and my store url is: http://www.thetutucloset.com Browse around and please let me know if you have any questions. My motto is: “There is a Princess in EVERY girl!” and I believe there is ALWAYS an occasion for a tutu, young or old, big or small!

Here are some others specially tutu’s Kristi has made, simply click the picture to be directed to that part of the store.  There are a lot more offered as well as special orders, so make sure to check out her store!