Creative Women Interview: Belinda Nest Design Studio

Today I am interviewing Belinda of Nest Design Studio!

Belinda is a VERY talented interior designer and since becoming a Mum, she has set up an online E-decorating design service called Nest Design Studio. Check out her son Hugh's nursery tour - I LOVE his room!

  Belinda with her gorgeous sons Hugh and Charlie

How did you get into Interior Design? (with some background into why you got into it, where you studied and where you worked).

Since I was in year 8, I had intentions to study architecture….I would ride past a house that was being renovated and be completely intrigued by what was happening.   After that I did work experience with an Interior Designer and I quite liked it.  Once I got to year 12, I was enjoying studying photography and the more arty subjects and given maths isn’t my strong point, decided not to include Physics in my VCE (which was a requirement to studying architecture).  From there I studied and obtained a Diploma of Arts – Interior Decoration and Design and have worked within the industry ever since.  I spent a few years working as a Colour Consultant with a tile company but mostly I’ve worked with large building companies assisting clients selecting colours and finishes for their new houses! 

I’ve had my own business, Inside Colour Style Design, for 8 years (which is my main business providing general interior design advice) but after having my son Hugh, I loved the process of doing a nursery that I decided to start Nest as a way of providing easy access design ideas for people all over the world (Nest is an e-design service based on line, so I’ve been able to work with clients everywhere from the USA to QLD).  My work doesn’t really feel like work, I love doing it!

What part of Interior Design do you enjoy the most?

My favourite aspect of design is actually seeing a clients response!  I find it easy to read clients (in most cases!) and once we get talking I can pretty much guess what their likes and dislikes are and it is absolutely thrilling when they say that it (a design board or colour suggestions etc) is perfect!

Where do you find your inspiration?

I spend a lot of time searching the net (my husband would say way too much time!), I like to find different and unique items that can be used in a child’s room.  Blogs & pintrest are fantastic!

 

 

How do you juggled your two gorgeous boys and blogging and working from home?

Hugh turned 2 last week and Charlie is nearly 5 months old now and we are still finding our routine so I work whenever I can!  I’m really looking forward to when I have childcare available (Hugh has been on the waiting list since October 09!!!), he just loves playing with other kids now and having him in childcare will help to dedicate a day a week to my work. 

Sometimes it does all get far too busy and I might not blog for a week or so!  I do see clients on weekends though, which is usually handy for them and it’s even better for me because then Matt is able to look after the boys!

Having Nest as an E-Design business is fantastic for me time wise…..it means that I can work when the boys are asleep day or night!

Can you share your top 'can't live without' items:

Beauty: Moisturiser.  My grandma has lovely skin and she uses good old Oil of Olay, so I figure if it works for her, it will work for me!  I also buy great big tubs of sorbolene and slather that on after a shower (not very exciting or high end but it works for me!)
Work:  My laptop.  It gets far too much of a work out.
Baby:  Strider Plus Silver Pram.  Having the boys close in age, it’s been a fantastic pram so far!
Fashion:  Accessories, mostly necklaces.  My shopping habits have completely changed since having the boys…..I really don’t shop for me anymore.

Where do you see Nest Design Studio in the next year and onwards?

I’m really hoping to have the time to dedicate Nest deserves.  Primarily I would just love to have lots and lots of clients and be providing them with beautiful rooms!

 

Here is a Design Board that Belinda has put together for a customer. (I think I like number 5 the best ;)

You can visit Belinda at her blog here!

Thanks for sharing about yourself and your work Belinda, it was really great to learn more about you!

Have a great day everyone,

Creative Women Interview: Nicole of Bubby Makes Three *SPECIAL GIVEAWAY*

Nicole and I have been bloggy friends for AGES now and so it was really exciting to actually meet in 'real life' two weekends ago.

We were staying up the coast in Nicole's neck of the woods and so she came over with her gorgeous little kiddies Fern and Elliott whom Will had lots of fun playing with.

So today I'm featuring Nicole in my Creative Women Interview Series! 

You can find out more about her via her blog, etsy shop and facebook page.

 

Where do you find your inspiration?

I have always loved handmade and am inspired by everything around me... magazines, blogs, websites, parties I go to, children I am surrounded by... I have been known to sit at the playground with paper and a pencil, jotting down ideas I get from watching children play! I love re purposing discarded and unwanted bits and pieces to create something unique and lovely... but I am equally inspired by modern prints, shapes and fabrics! Somehow it all comes together to become 'Bubby Makes Three'.

What motivated you to start your blog and now your gorgeous etsy shop?

In my previous life, I worked in Government communications and spent my days writing for other people. In my spare time I read blogs and fantasised about creating a cyber-nook of my very own but I really didn't have the time or creative energy. When I left my job to have my daughter Fern, I realised now was my chance! I started Bubby Makes Three the blog in 2009 as the diary of a 'first-time-mum'. At first it seemed I was talking only to myself but over time the blog evolved and grew along with my confidence! My long-suppressed dream of starting my own business became a reality early this year when I launched a little clothing and then accessories and artwork range for babies and young children. I saw a market for gorgeous but affordable handmade items and it was a way of feeding the ideas that were pouring out of me after my son was born and I couldn't find anything for him to wear! I couldn't have done it without the support and encouragement of my readers and am so grateful for them!

How do you juggle your business as well as your little munchkins?

Well, I do tend to drop a lot of balls from time to time! It certainly isn't easy, and something has got to give (in my case - reading magazines, watching TV and cleaning my house properly!) Thank goodness for nap times... I run a fairly tight ship on the routine front and generally manage to put both children down at the same time; giving mummy a tiny window each day in which to sew, process orders, answer emails, dream up ideas and - oh - sometimes eat lunch too! It is not unusual to find my little 9 month-old son playing amongst tangled rolls of cotton or my daughter 'colouring in' with my expensive fabric marker... it is often difficult finding the right balance, but somehow it seems to work! I believe that anybody can find the time to do anything they want to do if they set their mind to it; I'm testament of that!

 

Two year old Fern

10mth old Elliott

What is your great advice to Mums with little ones?

Many people ask me how I manage to have both a little business, a blog AND have kids -- I think its about prioritising what is important to you and staying true what makes you happy. I love my kids and I love being a stay-at-home mum, but I also need a creative outlet for my own sanity! Don't be afraid to follow your dreams just because you are a mum. Oh, and involve your little ones where you can; my daughter loves craft and often sits painting, drawing or gluing next to me while I work. I am looking forward to passing on to her some of my (meagre!) skills and fostering her growing love for being creative. 

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Nicole has been so generous in offering two great opportunities for My Sweet Prints readers!!!

The first one is a 15% discount...

 

The second is a fantastic giveaway...

To Enter:

• Simply visit Nicole's store: www.etsy.com/shop/nicolecleary  
• 'Like' her Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/BubbyMakesThree1 
• And leave a comment on the wall about your favourite item from her store for one entry
•  For a second entry 'follow' Nicole's blog at www.bubbymakesthree.blogspot.com and leave a comment introducing yourself and why you want to win!

Winner will be announced on Wednesday 13 June, 2011

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All images via Nicole's Blog & etsy shop

Thanks so much Nicole for your generous offers and for sharing a bit about yourself! 

I'll be keeping the details of the two offers on my sidebar so get in and enter!

Have a great day everyone,

Creative Women Interview: Urban Road founder Suzie Atkin

I'm really excited to introduce a new series I'm starting on the blog called the Creative Women Interviews!

And to start off the series I have interviewed my gorgeous and very creative friend from church, Suzie Atkin.


Suzie is the designer and owner of a fabulous online store called Urban Road which sells her beautiful canvas art prints. Suzie is a self taught artist, mother of 3 gorgeous kids and wife to Greg.

Urban Road is Suzie's creative outlet and the vibrant and dynamic style of her art really reflects her personality. And I love the Albert Einstein quote in her store Bio which says "I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious!"

Where do you find your inspiration?
Everywhere...what I mean to say is I am always looking for my next idea. So because it is always on my mind it's like a filter, everything I look at seems to sift through my brain that way. I do love reading blogs and mags too and Pinterest is a new favourite...I could spend hours there!

Oh Deer - Giclee print on stretched canvas

What motivated you to start Urban Road?
Well, when I originally started doing illustrations I focused on custom portraits and called myself "Pop Me". But I decided to move away from portraits and focus on my original illustrations (it's more fun), so I thought a new name & look was in order. I called it Urban Road because to me art is a journey, and my style and inspirations are constantly changing. And the Urban part is simply my surroundings, plus I thought it sounded catchy...and the domain name was available LOL. All of my work is printed on canvas ready to hang, I love prints on canvas (even though paper seems to be the current trend) my goal with Urban Road is to make LARGE canvas prints gorgeous and affordable because often they are neither :)

Stocking Girl - Giclee print on canvas

How do you juggle your business as well as three kids etc?
Juggle is the right way of describing it that's for sure! My oldest 2 Mia & Ava are in school (Kindy & year 2) and my youngest Thomas (3 yrs old) is in day care 2 days a week. So I get 2 days to work from home (as well as do all my running around of never ending chores) and I work at night, that's when I'm most creative for some reason. I'm looking at the clock now...11:22pm...almost my bed time.

Mantel Flowers - Giclee print on canvas

Where do you see Urban Road this time next year?
Hmmm...I have never considered myself a forecaster, maybe that's because I don't want to be disappointed. Hopefully I will still be in business LOL, I am considering going into the wholesale market and I am also considering producing some new complimentary products but no definite plans yet. The additional time all of that will take has me hesitating...we'll have to wait & see.

Mexican Otomi - Giclee print on canvas

You can take a look at her shops here and her etsy shop here. (She offers an amazing deal of 40% off your second canvas print)!

And Suzie has just started a blog - yay! So pop on over and hit the follow button!

I hope you found the Q&A interesting and inspiring - I know I love hearing about other women's creative journeys.

Have a great day,