Introduction- Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a SAHM to two boys, age 5 and 3. I am a former teacher, so much of what I make is inspired by my children or day to day needs! I've lived in La my whole life and although I complain about hurricanes, taxes and house insurance....I can't imagine living anywhere else!
How did you get started making handmade items?
Ironically, I started in the summer of 08 because I was cloth diapering my youngest son and I could NOT find cute cloth wipes (I had yet to discover Etsy at that point). Somehow, I don't remember how, through cafemom.com I think, I found Etsy and discovered this world of handmade!! My original goal was to make cloth diapers for my son and to sell...ironically...I've yet to make any!! LOL I got sidetracked by just the art of sewing and how much I could do with it. I've learned A LOT the past 2.5 years and I wouldn't change a thing!
Well, it will soon change when my youngest starts school NEXT WEEK, even only 1/2 day but I am looking forward to it. (he has Autism and will be starting a preschool early intervention program.) So once he starts that, my day will be, get the kids up and off to school, head home for breakfast and a QUICK check of the internet (that's the hard part...QUICKLY checking in), and to commence with work. I've already created myself a schedule, some days will be creating, some will be the business/online side of things, some will be working on things for my teams, this one and several others I help with. THen of course there's the day to day routine of chores, groceries (I'm a coupon freak), and just sitting quietly NOT watching Nickelodeon....
If you could tell someone anything about Louisiana, what would you tell them?
We're not all drunks who eat weird things. Of course, I love my drive through daiquiri shops! Louisiana is a wide range of art, history, music and food....if you're going to come visit...try to bring a local friend! You'll see so much more!
What is your favorite item to make?
I think my fabric buttons. They are my little self therapy. I can make a ton of them in one sitting, either for my badge reels, button ponytails, and more. I think it's the act of pushing the button in the mold...it sort of gets any frustrations out! :) I also love to make my stuffed rocketships and the Super Mario Hats...anything my kids love, I love to make because I love to see the smiles on their faces when I make something they love!
What is your favorite food from Louisiana?
Well, I actually do NOT eat most seafood and I am gluten free so that DRASTICALLY limits my choices of food. If I am going to cheat and eat gluten, I will hurt myself on beignets from Cafe Du Monde. I don't get down there often at ALL, so if I'm going there...I'm going to enjoy it! I did figure out how to make gluten free chicken and dumplings and that is awesome because it's such a walk down memory lane for me...my families good ol' country cooking :)
Any other information you'd like us to know?
Any other information you'd like us to know?
I'm an open book, if you're curious about something, ask away :) Oh and I do goofy tutorials sometimes on my YouTube channel, youtube.com/mamaslittlemonkeys if you are so inclined. Most are linked on my blog also.
www.mamaslittlemonkeys.etsy.com and www.mamaslittlemonkeys.artfire.com
www.badgereels.etsy.com and www.badgereels.artfire.com
www.destashcity.etsy.com and www.destashcity.artfire.com
www.micromops.etsy.com and www.micromops.artfire.com
Blog? blog.mamaslittlemonkeys.com
Facebook? www.facebook.com/shopmamaslittlemonkeys and www.facebook.com/handmadelouisiana and www.facebook.com/MicroMops
Email? Concerning Handmade Louisiana: amy@handmadelouisiana.com for overall other communication, mamaslittlemonkeys@yahoo.com
Amy founded Handmade Louisiana in April 2009 with two friends she met through Etsy and she's very glad to see how everyone has grown and how our members can work together!! :) Thank you Amy for everything that you do!!
Amy is giving away a badgereel to one of HandmadeLouisiana.com's readers!! Your choice from www.badgereels.artfire.com! In order to enter you must be a follower of her blog! Leave a comment below telling us your favorite shop since she has more than one! You an also become a fan on facebook! Don't forget to leave your email in case you are the winner! (Winner will be announced on next Wednesday's post!)
Winner for last week is Jhitomi.
Luv my gal Amy, she's AWESOME...I just admire how she juggles so much in life and still is such a positive person! She's like a second daughter!!
ReplyDeleteI second that awesome! Amy is so high energy and her great attitude rubs off on everyone she meets. Did I mention generous with her time and talents? Amy promotes handmade and artisans everyday.
ReplyDeleteI love her "Who's Your Monkey" shop! I also am following her blog and yours!
ReplyDeletelindsayfields at live dot com
I'm a blog follower, and I love her Micro Mops shop :) 2pmishere(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSo nice to Know about Amy… Thank you Amy for everything that you do!
ReplyDeleteSorry guys, I had to put most of my shops on vacation while I tended to my family having a flu bug! I will reopen badgereels.artfire.com so ya'll can look around for which reel you'd like if you win! :) Thanks for the support everyone! :)
ReplyDeletefollowing Amy's blog and I really like her mamas little monkeys etsy shop
ReplyDeleteejxd95@gmail.com
I like http://www.artfire.com/users/badgereels
ReplyDeleteI have to use a badge reel every day at work, and the ones issued to us are boring gray!
puffpastryshop(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow via gfc, and I love the one with the birdcage! this would be great for work. suelee1998 @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI follow via GFC and destashcity.etsy.com is my second favorite, but ameliaamos is my favorite!I love handmade soaps. :)
ReplyDeleteCerena Leigh
Luckycldh(at)aol(dot)com
GFC follow her blog
ReplyDeleteJessica Sage
Unfortunately I couldn't check out her shops since they are temporarily shut down so I guess my favorite is badgereels.artfire.com!
jesage@asu.edu