One Good Thing

Ohhh... don't you just love this wonderful A Walk in The Woods collection by Rosanna, Inc.?!!  Perfect for the Holidays or any time of year for that matter!

In Good Company: Sparkle Power

Today I'm thrilled to share a tiny interview with you all that I recently had with the lovely Candace of Sparkle Power.

Candace is a busy mom to two little ones (with one on the way) and she somehow still manages to find the time to create beautiful handcrafted wares for her etsy shop Sparkle Power.  I love everything she makes... in fact I've been pining away for just about every single thing in her shop for ages.  Looks like it's time to go x-mas shopping for myself!

If you're a fan like me, then you're in luck... because from now through Nov. 25th you can have 15% off of any purchase.  Just mention CREATURE COMFORTS in the "message to seller" section at checkout and then wait for a revised invoice!

{Q + A with Candace}

Q: How long have you been crafting for, and what made you decide to open your lovely etsy shop almost a year ago?

I've been crafting for as long as I can remember.  My mom is a really crafty & creative person.  She always seemed to have some project in the works, whether it was a cross-stitch piece, a quilt to tie or a prom dress to sew.  I watched my mom take on anything & she seemed to do it with such ease.  The crafty gene was definitely passed on to her children.  Growing up with her example, I never seemed to be afraid to try anything.  I can remember as a teenager gluing pressed flowers to my wooden cassette tape holder & rolling up magazine pages to glue in rows around a picture frame.  I subscribed to Martha Stewart Living magazine when I was a junior in high school.  I just had a need to make things & that need has never gone away.  I opened up my etsy shop as a way to help bring some income to our family  while my husband was finishing up college.  It took some time to get rolling but has really been a great blessing in our lives.

Q: It can be tricky balancing work and family life (you have 2 little girls, and a baby on the way), how do you do it?  Do you have any special tricks up your sleeve that you can share with us?

I've learned to do all of my crafting at night once my kids have gone to bed.  During the day I can find 10 minutes here and there to pull fabrics, jot down some notes, or cut fabrics.  All my sewing is reserved for when they are asleep.  Although I would love to work while they are around, it just never works out.  My kids are so interested in the sewing machine & the scissors & it's too hard for me to focus on just one thing.  So I tend to save my work for times when I am alone.  My 4 year old daughter, Sadie, especially loves to be involved in crafts & I love nurturing that interest in her.  So we like to do kid appropriate crafts every now & then.  I look forward to when they get older & can work more independently & side by side with me.

Q: What does a typical day in your life look like?

My morning is full of household chores.  This is usually the time when I will pack up any orders from my shop, pay bills, clean the house, etc.  After lunch Sadie goes to preschool & my 1-1/2 year old daughter, Claire, goes down for a nap.  Lately, because of my new pregnancy, I have been taking a nap with her.  Under normal conditions, this is a nice, quiet alone time for me which I usually use for focusing on my shop work.  Washing, ironing & cutting fabrics and getting everything arranged and ready for the sewing machine once night hits.  I usually have some one on one play time with Claire before we go pick up her sister from school.  Once we're all back together again, we have an afternoon snack & catch up with what Sadie did at school.  We then go out & run errands which is something different every day....post office, fabric store, grocery store, thrift store.  On days when we have no errands to run, we either play at home or go to the park.  Then it's time to think about dinner.  My husband gets home from work & we eat & have some family time before the kids get ready for bed.  After the kids are down I will either do some sewing, clean up the house or watch a movie with my husband.

Q: I love how you utilize vintage materials in your designs.  How does your creative process work, and what is your favorite thing to make?

I love vintage materials.  Finding the materials that I use for my projects is almost as exciting as the actual making!  Often I will come across a fabric & know exactly what to make with it.  Searching for materials totally spurs my creativity & I love having a large stash of fabrics that I can go to at any time.  I wish I had a more solid creative process, but I really just seem to catch wind of something & it takes off.  Usually when I'm in the groove, ideas for the next project will come to mind before I can even finish up the one I'm currently working on.  I don't have one particular item that is my favorite to make because I have a hard time making the same things over & over.  I think I am happiest when I am trying out new things.  I do however love to make items that are practical.  Items that can easily be worked into a person's everyday life.

Q: What is your favorite quote or words of wisdom that inspire you?

I am constantly reminding myself to just be me!  It is so easy to get swayed especially when you are making items that you want others to buy.  I have to keep telling myself that sticking to my original vision will ultimately make me the happiest, despite whether or not the item sells very quickly.

Thank you so much Candace!  You and your creations are such a delight!

{SHOP} . {BLOG}

Inspiration Daily: 11 .12 .08

All The Spaces by Sarah Gardner {ETSY SHOP}

One Good Thing

Are these not the cutest ever... Toadstool Nightlights from Pomme Shop (as seen on Nesting Blog).  I want these next to my bed!

Inspired Artist: Aran of Cannelle et Vanille

Hello lovelies!  Today I'm thrilled to introduce you to one of the most inspirational food photographers and stylist I've ever come across... Aran of Cannelle et Vanille.  I first discovered Aran's work on her flickr and have been following her with rapt attention ever since.  Her passion for food truly comes through in her photographs (can you believe she is a self-taught photographer and has only been taking photographs for less than a year)!  I had the delightful opportunity to ask Aran a few questions about her work and I hope you will find her answers as inspiring as I do.

You are an extraordinary food photographer... when and how did you get your start and what are a few of the challenges you face when styling your beautiful shots?

I am flattered!  To be honest, I didn’t know anything about photography until I started my blog less than a year ago. My focus was food but I quickly realized that my images had to be as good as the food I was creating, so my focus shifted towards becoming a better photographer.
I only shoot in natural light, so my main challenge is finding the perfect light during the day. I have really developed a new eye for it. Also, some desserts like ice cream or soufflé are very temperature and time sensitive so capturing a perfect shot is always a challenge.

You not only take gorgeous photos of food, but you create the recipes for them as well!  What is your favorite recipe of all time and why?

I come from a family of pastry chefs and have worked in professional kitchens for years so my first love is recipe development. I have a thing for laminated doughs and I recently tried Pierre Herme’s chocolate pâte feuilletée and it was out of this world.

 Where does your inspiration come from when you create a new recipe or compose a shot?

I get that question a lot and the truth is from many places. Everyday life. I have to say that ingredients really inspire me. Going to a market and finding excellent produce is my main inspiration but I find inspiration in music, art, a mood, the light, a photo… Also vessels really inspire me. If I find an antique bowl or an old cup, I will be able to create a dessert around that.

What advice would you give to those interested in finding a career in food photography?

I think natural works best with food. Natural light, natural props, nothing should be overdone. Stick to your style and what comes natural to you. Develop your style. I really love when I can see a photo and identify the photographer.
It’s also very important to “feel” the food that you are photographing and know how it was prepared because the method itself can really inspire a shot.

What is your favorite quote or words of wisdom that you live by?

“Everything comes to you when you are ready” and “to receive, you must give first.”

Find more from Aran {BLOG} . {FLICKR}