Conscious Family Giveaway #2

As stated in a previous post, this month is dedicated to the Conscious Family. And, as I stated prior, we will be having some fun giveaways during April.

Giveaway #1 can be seen here

Deb, from Mudd Puppy Pottery, is our second business owner who exemplifies Conscious Family values. I learned about Deb and her awesome ocarinas about a year or two ago and we have sent emails back and forth from time to time. I wish I were as skilled with my hands as this lovely lady is. I am happy to give you the opportunity to get to know her a little better! :)

THE INTERVIEW
Can you tell me a little about you, as a person, and then a little about how you, the business owner, came to create Mudd Puppy Pottery?
I'm a 33 year old mother of four, born in a small town in Ohio, and currently living in a small town in North Western PA. I've always enjoyed working with my hands, making things, and doing something "different."

Starting Mudd Puppy Pottery came in spurts and sputters. I started out making some sculptures in polymer clay, but do to my lack of getting the material to work for me, I decided to purchase a used kiln about 5 years ago. I started off with little scenes I'd sculpt, and eventually I discovered how to make whistles out of clay. This eventually led to making pregnant belly whistles, which then led to birth art, and directly due to the encouragement from my own doula and midwife, I decided to try selling my pieces, and here I am today!

What were you like as a child?
A goody-two-shoes, which is probably good, but also a tad boring, LOL! I was picked on a lot by my classmates, so I never felt like I fit in, a quality which has actually worked in my favor as an adult because now I enjoy feeling "unique"! I was your typical nerd - nose in a book, was a color guard for the marching band for two years, and the only "sport" I participated in was Bible quizzing.


If you had to pinpoint one turning point in your life/career, what would you consider that defining moment/event?
I know it sounds like a cliché, but the birth of my oldest child truly has divided my world into the "before" and "after." Not just in the typical "now my life revolves around this little one" kind of way, but my entire world view and my perception of other people has changed. I questioned a lot of the beliefs I was raised with because I was parenting differently than any one else I knew, and that led to an entire life-changing process that is still on-going. I am now more understanding and respectful of other people; more compassionate that I used to be.

Ironically enough, her birth also birthed my interest in crafting the types of things I do. A year after she was born, I made some corn husk dolls - mothers holding babies, which I gave to the midwives and doula present at her birth. That same year, I made my husband a foot and hand print for Father's day...out of polymer clay. Which is what sparked my later interest in the material.


You offer mama and family loving products, so tell me why these things are important to you both personally and professionally.
The pieces I make definitely reflect my belief that childbirth and child rearing are so very NATURAL, and also very extraordinary. To think that women are given the awesome experience of growing a new life within them, and then giving birth, and then taking care of this new person who is totally whole right from the get-go...it's just amazing.

I especially love the new pieces I'm working on which feature figures - a mother and father in labor, or standing holding their pregnant belly...a mother and child embracing. These things are MY experiences, my memories, and I hope that part of me comes through in these captured moments, that I can connect with my customers as they recognized themselves, too.

What do you hope your clients get from your products?
I hope that they receive a piece of art that is both aesthetically pleasing, as well as something that inspires them, makes them smile (or maybe even cry!), and helps them hold on to memories and moments that might last just a minute, but at the same time live on forever. I also strive to ensure that they receive quality items - it often takes me hours to complete a piece, which is worth it to me to create something special vs. something quick and easy and meaningless.
Can you share some personal 'favorites' with my readers?
In case you haven't them, yet, this husband and wife team makes very cool glass mamas & babies: www.etsy.com/shop/familytreeglass?ref=seller_info

And this is the blog of a lovely woman I am fortunate enough to know in "real life", Justine Julian: www.stateoftheheart.net/


THE GIVEAWAY
Ok, so what is Deb giving away?! She is offering an awesome Family Tree Mama Sculpture from her amazing etsy store.

 

This beautiful sculpture is very much like this one. Only especially made for the Conscious Family Series here.


Now, do you want to know how to make this beautiful mama your own? If so, read below CAREFULLY for the rules to enter!


RULES FOR ENTERING:
To enter, you MUST complete #1 on the list. After that, feel free to enter as many additional times as you would like (#2-#5). You must leave an additional comment for each entry for it to be valid. Please don't forget to leave me some way to get in contact with you if you are the winner.

1. Like Deb's Facebook page, leave a comment on her wall saying that I sent you, and come back/comment here to let me know you did. :)
   
2. Like my Facebook Page, then come back and let me know you have. If you are already a liker, let me know. :)
   
3. Share this giveaway on your own blog, then come back here and comment, sharing the link to that post in the body of your comment.
4. Share this giveaway on your own Facebook wall, tagging my or Deb's FB pages, then come back here and comment, letting me know you did. 
   
5. Go to Deb's etsy shop and browse around, come back here and let me know what item you like the most.

Entries must be received by April 30th at midnight. Drawing will occur in the first week of May. Good luck!!!