This is why you need to have kids when you are young...

I think nature intended for us to have children early in our reproductive years. That is why teens and young adults in their 20s are so into reproductive-type activities. When you have children at 25, by the time you hit menopause and all the craziness that goes along with it, your kids will be out of the house and on their own (hopefully!).

When you have kids when you are older (like I did...), you run the risk of them still being at home (and always WANTING things from you!) when you become menopausal.

When you are having hot flashes and feeling stressed out and it is 103 outside and you are trying to do 6 things at once, you do not take kindly to two teenagers sitting on their butts in front of the TV and asking you what's for dinner!

And when the hummus falls out of the refrigerator (because one of them did a sloppy job of putting it away) and spills all over that floor and onto your shoe, you just might explode at them!

That could cause irreparable damage to the relationship.

So have kids when you are young. :-/

This Week's Featured Artist: Aki of Oktak!

Today we are honored to have Aki of Oktak. She makes the most beautiful things from vintage fabrics!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

My name is Aki, and I'm from Japan.


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I make bags & pouches of all shapes & sizes as well as baby items such as bibs and smocks. I think I'm best known for my frame pouches though.

I had always been interested in arts & crafts, but it wasn't until I had my first child that I decided to pursue handbag making.

I took a course in handbag design and construction at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY from 2003 to 2004, and started creating my own line in 2005.


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

My main source of income is my Etsy shop at the moment. However, I do sell wholesale as well, and am in the process of reopening my own shop. (I had my own shop, which I temporarily closed in early 2009.) I've been selling my work since 2005.


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

I started this business with the hope of making a living out of it. In 2008, I reached a point where I could probably live on my income if I weren't in NYC, but in an expensive city like this, I still can't say I make a living with my craft.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

(1) I try to come up with designs that no one else is making. When I started selling on Etsy in 2006, there was only one other frame purse maker, and it was easy to be 'unique'. Since then, the number of people selling the same types of purses has increased exponentially, but I constantly try to be the trailblazer. Before I produce a new design, I do a thorough search to check that no one else is making the same style. So I came up with frame purses with frills, with corsages, with hand embroidery, with patchwork etc. - but new designs quickly become old and ubiquitous, so I feel like it's a rat race, but I do try to be original. I make it a point not to copy other people's ideas/designs.

(2) I only use high-quality frames made in Japan. I know I could get much cheaper frames manufactured in China, and I did try a few of them when I started out - but I wasn't happy with the quality, and I decided only to use those made in Japan.

(3) Even when I am making plain bags/pouches, my choice of materials will always be different from other people's choices. I only use materials that I love.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

I love working with medium to heavy-weight cotton, especially vintage fabrics from the 1960s to 1970s which have bold designs & colors.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

The favorite part is thinking of new designs. I have a book full of sketches.
The least favorite is packing. I wish someone did that for me!


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

My husband has always supported my business. In fact, he was the one who encouraged me to dive into the world of design & craft! My kids, ages 10 and 5, are equally supportive. They are my cheerleaders and I am extremely grateful!

You can see more of Aki's work at her website, her Etsy shop or her shop for kids' items, oktakmini.

5 Easy Ways to Look Younger

Most of us would like to look and feel younger - at least on some days! Here are five no-nonsense tips for looking and feeling your best all the time:

1. Water: Water is required by every cell in our bodies. When you keep your body hydrated it functions better in every way! You may be surprised at the number of headaches and sleepy afternoon slumps that can be cured simply by drinking a large glass of water!
   
   Sufficient water will also insure that your kidneys and digestive system work efficiently to clear toxins from your body regularly.



2. Sleep: Everyone's sleep needs vary, but most of us need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to look and feel our best. Many nights of too little sleep will take it's toll on your energy level and leave you feeling and looking dull and slow. Getting enough sleep gives your body the opportunity to repair itself and maintain good health.



3. Vegetables: Experts agree that it is important to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day; eight or nine is better. Fresh fruits and vegetables have lots of vitamins and minerals plus healthy natural fiber for digestive health and good carbohydrates for lasting energy.



4. Omega 3: Taking an Omega 3 supplement and/or eating a diet rich in the healthy fats found in salmon, mackerel, and sardines will help keep oxygen free-radical molecules from damaging your cells. You will be able to see the difference in your skin tone, too.



5. Posture: You can take years off of your appearance instantly by standing up straight! Pull your shoulders back, suck in your tummy and hold your head high. You will feel better, too!

Now go out and tackle the world feeling your best every day!!

This Week's Featured Artist: Christina of Natural Indulgence

Welcome to our weekly series on Holly&Sage. Each week we feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Today we are talking with Christina of Natural Indulgence Bath & Body.


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

- Christina, from California


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

- I'm not sure it counts as an art. :-) I create handcrafted, all natural, vegan, spa quality bath and body products, under the label "Natural Indulgence".


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

- I sell my products on HyenaCart, and through a local spa. I also trade them on SwapMamas!


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

- At the moment, it's more of a hobby, but I'd like to work from home and have it be a supplemental income for my family.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

- My products are always all natural, vegan, and organic where possible. They don't contain any ingredients known to be harmful (many spa products do - check your labels, folks!). I only use essential oils, not fragrance oils, so there are always added benefits - emotional and physical!


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

- Right now I'm working on creating both a body butter and an aftershave... so I guess you could say whatever I'm developing is my favorite!


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

- Developing and testing something new is my favorite part. Least?... Hm. Labeling. Ensuring that my labels meet federal guidelines, actually printing and cutting and applying... I have to deal with it, but it's just a chore.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

- My husband and I have one child, who is just over a year. My husband's take on it is, "Just make sure you make as much as you spend." He likes to try the new products, though :-) My son loves to smell the new scents, and he tries out baby bath products for me!

Christina, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Christina, visit her shop, Natural Indulgence or her Facebook page.

A Unique Baby Shower Gift Idea

A really unique idea for a baby shower gift is a nursing necklace. Whether the new mom is planning on nursing or not, she will be holding the baby a lot, and babies like to grab things! A nursing necklace is made stronger than a regular necklace with no little parts that can easily pull off or break - perfect for a mom or anyone that holds a baby a lot!

I have an extensive selection for sale at my Etsy shop (all under $20.) There is also going to be one given away on Girly Girl Giveaways later this week! Be sure to watch for it and enter to win this reversible turquoise and lavender one:




Or visit Holly&Sage to see many more!

This Week's Featured Artist: Amanda of Amanda Sews!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Amanda, AZ


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I sew. My business mostly started by accident. My mom liked sewing things for me when I was a child, and I learned to sew from her and some of her friends and family members.

As an adult, I’ve often sewn things for myself and even made a few things for friends. After I had my daughter, I started making things for her. I had people approach me about some of the things I’d made for her, so I decided to open an Etsy shop selling some of my creations.

Through local boutiques, I’ve had the opportunity to make some custom adult things too. There are always more projects than there is time for and I always seem to have at least half a dozen projects in various stages of completion (not counting the list of ideas I haven’t even started yet).


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

I’ve been a seller on Etsy for just over 2 years. I also have shops on CosaVerde, Artfire, and ShopHandmade, as well as participating in local boutiques.



4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

At the moment, it is mainly a hobby and I would love for it to grow to being a greater source of income.


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

I often design my own patterns, so you will not find the exact same item anywhere else. I work hard to make beautiful, well-crafted things, but also keep them affordable for the average person.



6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

I’ve really gotten to love eco-friendly fabrics over the last few years. I especially love bamboo
fabrics. I just love the way they feel, as well as knowing that they’re from a sustainable source.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

I love seeing the finished product (especially when it’s something new that I’m trying for the first time). I also really love seeing my things in action - I love it when my customers send me photos.

My least favorite part is when I run into problems – whether it’s problems with my machine or problems with my pattern, they can really make me grumpy. I also not fond of the shoulder/neck aches that I sometimes get when I’ve been working too hard.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

My husband has always been very supportive. He never complains about my sewing area slowly taking over our master bedroom or when I order or come home with yet more fabric to add to my stash.

My mother has also been a great support – she’s always willing to help me brainstorm, give me feedback, and listen to me rant or gush about my projects.

I am a wife and mother first and a seamstress second, so I do most of my sewing while my daughter takes her daily nap (along with everything else we moms have to do during naps). When I get really busy, I also end up sewing at night after she’s gone to bed or on Saturdays when my husband is home.


You can find Amanda and her work at:

Etsy shop: http://www.amandasews.etsy.com

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-Sews/120165531334304

Online portfolio: http://picasaweb.google.com/amandasews



THANK YOU AMANDA!

This Week's Featured Artist: Caroline of Creations for Amalie!

This is the first of a new weekly series on Holly&Sage. Each week we will feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Our first featured artisan is Caroline of Creations for Amalie!


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Hello, my name is Caroline, and I am from Northern California!

2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

I love to sew, and I am currently making "Pillowcase" Dresses, shopping cart covers, and Mei Tai wraps. I got started with this when my husband and I ran up on hard times, and having a little one in diapers was tough! So, I decided to save some money, and make her cloth diapers! Now I am making her everything. It is a great way to be green, and save money for my family. :)

3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

I have tried to sell my work on Facebook, Craigslist, and even an ad in my local paper. The only one I got a few hits from, was Craigslist. I have sooo many mamas interested in my work on Swap Mamas as well, but as we all know the rules there, you cannot sell. But it is an amazing site to get my name out there! ;-)

4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

I would like to make some money from this, but it's not something that is a must. My dream for this, is that I can help mamas save some money, and make their daughters be different from their friends, because they have something unique.

5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

My items are different because I put love into every stitch, and I pay attention to detail. Most others just whip out their products, and don't sit back and think, "how would this look on me/my child?" I want everyone to be happy and satified with their orders.

6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

My absolute favorite item I make would be my Pillowcase Dresses. When I first got a request to make one, I wasn't looking forward to making it. I thought it was going to look frumpy or not so cute. So I practiced making a few before I made her order, and when I tried them on my daughter, I fell in love! She looked so cute in it, and she got so many compliments when I took her to the store later that day. So I have been hooked on them ever since. I have since then modified and improved my dresses to make them even more precious than my original design.

7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

My favorite part about creating/selling my designs is knowing that I am going to make other little Princesses happy, and I am keeping them safe and healthy (shopping cart covers). Also, that I can help families save money instead of buying boutique items at high boutique prices. The part I like least about my work, is when I am finished working on them, and have to send them to the customer. But, then I think about how cute they are going to look, or how many compliments they are going to get, and that makes me happy again! :)

8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

My family is VERY supportive of my work! My grandmother is the one who taught me how to sew, so I have to give a bunch of credit to her. My husband loves that I am saving us money by making our daughter her clothes, diapers, blankets, and some toys on my own. We do save a lot of money, so we can go have some family adventures together. My whole family tries to promote my name, and help my business grow. Everytime they see a little one, they tell the parents about me and my work, and send them to my site.

Caroline, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Caroline, visit her blog, Creations For Amalie!