Calling all hot mamas: It’s still scorching hot outside, but what a better way to dream of cooler days than by picking up a few essential items for your own wardrobe for fall?

Maybe you’ve had your eye on a cropped jacket, a flattering wrap top or dress, a pair of skinny pants or a fun and flirty skirt and haven’t had time to do any shopping for yourself. It’s time.

A couple of years ago a girlfriend of mine turned me on to Etcetera – a women’s clothing line that offers a good mix of casually elegant mix and match pieces that you can dress up or down – that really does make it easy to look great.

I generally pick up a few pieces each season by shopping a home show by appointment. The clothing doesn’t come cheap, so I usually go for items that I think stand out — a fun print skirt, a beautiful jacket, an elegant suit — and pick up the basics elsewhere. The only bummer? The Etcetera website is pretty limited and I never get a true sense of the line until I see the clothes first hand.

My faves this season include a beautiful winter white cropped coat, a fun green and black zig-zag striped skirt and a casual dark grey / brown jacket with fabulous buttons that’s perfect for throwing on with a pair of jeans for an instant style update.

If you’re in Raleigh, NC the show is going on now through Tuesday (September 4). Contact Etcetera rep Lee-Ashley Bonfield at lash (at) nc (dot) rr (dot) com to set up an appointment. Not in Raleigh, but you’d like to check it out? Visit www.etceteranyc.com and click Contact Etcetera to view the current collection with a consultant near you.

No time to shop this week, but you’d like to learn more? Get on the mailing list and you’ll be the first in line for the next show – the holiday line is available for order in a few short weeks.

If you are in or near Raleigh, NC, don’t miss the annual Patsy Aiken Outlet tent sale from Thursday, July 26th through Saturday, August 4th. Thousands of past season Spring and Fall items marked $5-$15. Also, the newest Spring ’07 line will be on sale at 35% off and Fall ’06 will be on sale at 50% off.

Hours are 9am – 5pm Monday – Saturday. 4812 Hargrove Road, Raleigh, NC 27616

Directions: From I-440, take Capital Blvd. Exit, go north about 4 miles. Turn Left on Spring Forest Rd. Left on Hargrove Rd. Patsy Aiken Designs is the 2nd driveway on the left.

Learn more on the Patsy Aiken website.

Harsh winds and cold spells can wreak havoc on the most resilient skin. Winter’s low humidity can sap moisture from the skin, leaving it feeling dry, itchy and cracked. In humid conditions, the skin can replenish lost moisture by soaking up moisture from the air. When the humidity drops in the winter, however, your skin loses the opportunity to moisturize itself. Couple that with the low humidity resulting from indoor heating, and your skin can become tight and dry. What’s a busy clever parent to do?

Not to worry! Now is the perfect time of year to adjust your skincare routine. A few simple steps can help you combat the effects of winter skin and make all the difference between a dull winter complexion and glowing radiance!

Wash with lukewarm, not hot, water and use a moisturizing cleanser.
Your skin contains thousands of oil glands that prevent the skin from losing moisture and help keep it supple and soft. When you wash your skin, however, you strip away oil, letting moisture evaporate and drying the skin. Hot water and harsh cleansers further strip the skin, so be sure to turn down the water temperature and avoid alcohol-based cleansers.

Don’t forget your sunblock.
Just because the sun isn’t shining as often doesn’t mean you should abandon sun protection. The sun’s UVA rays are present year round, are not diminished by cloud cover, and can be extra harsh when reflecting off snow. Apply a heavy layer of moisturizing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or higher to the face, hands, and any other exposed skin. This will act as a barrier to help protect against the harsh elements and prevent photoaging.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Daily moisturizing with a face cream and body oil goes a long way to keeping skin feeling and looking healthy. Apply body oil to skin immediately after a bath or shower while your skin is still wet. This will help trap the water in the upper layers of the skin and decreases dryness and itching.

Moisturize from the inside out.
Cold weather muffles your body’s thirst signals in winter, so it’s easy to become dehydrated. Drinking lots of water will help keep your skin moist from the inside out. And what you eat can also help your skin look and feel better. Walnuts, wild salmon, canola oil and ground flaxseed are all rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which have a lubricating effect on skin over time.

Drag out that humidifier.
Counteract the drying effects of central heating with a humidifier, which puts water back into the air and helps your skin stay moisturized. Most clever parents own at least one of these handy devices to soothe little ones’ colds and runny noses. Placing two or three humidifiers around your home will help to humidify the dry air and can keep skin from drying. Just be sure to keep humidifiers out of reach of little hands!

Treat your skin, treat yourself!
Why not beat the winter doldrums with a relaxing, therapeutic facial? A hydrating facial can help your skin regain lost moisture. The steam from the facial will increase the skin’s water level, which is then locked in with a deeply replenishing cream. And best of all, this special treat will leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to face Jack Frost head on!

Season Moore has had an interest in photography for about as long as she can remember. That interest was piqued with her role as high school yearbook editor and again when a studio hired her as a photographer soon after graduation. “I worked closely with their experienced photographers and was just in awe of them. I traveled to schools all over the state of Georgia and would spend all day shooting cheesy, posed yearbook pictures. When I got lucky, I would get to go to a sporting event or dance and shoot candids. At that point I already knew where my real interest lay; not in posed or forced pictures, but in capturing real expression and moments as they happen.”

Season went on to work as a technical editor and web designer, but her two children renewed her interest in photography. “I would take my kids to chain studios only to have an stressful experience that usually resulted in crying kids (and sometimes parents!) and I realized that there had to be a better way.” And with that Season Moore Photography was born.

Season’s style – natural light, natural settings, casual and fun environment – helps make the photography session enjoyable for everyone. “A “natural setting” doesn’t limit you to outdoors, it can be in your home where you spend the majority of your time as a family. While outdoor sessions are always beautiful, there is something about a family shot on the parents bed that I just love,” says Season. “The memory of chilly Saturday mornings, when the kids pile in your bed and and you watch cartoons together; those are the moments that are real and honest, memories you never want to forget. That is what I love about what I do, taking moments from this fleeting time in your child’s life, little things like the way that they crinkle their nose when they smile or the look they get when Mommy gives them a snuggle. Natural, everyday moments captured forever.”

Season shoots in digital format and doesn’t limit herself to color or black and white. “Every family is unique and your photos will reflect that. As a custom photographer I get to know my clients and cater my sessions to suit their personalities. I usually end up with a mix of color and black and white, but it depends on the child and the feel of the session. No two sessions will ever look the same, even if they take place at the same location.” And if you’re having a group photo session, the clothing you select will set the tone of your pictures. Season recommends thinking about what best represents your family. “You can’t go wrong with classics like khakis, denim or white. But maybe khaki just doesn’t really describe you – so go for the color! The main thing to watch for is that the colors are in the same tone, and coordinate. You also don’t want competing patterns, or logos on clothing. Keep in mind classic lines, you’re going to be looking at these portraits for years to come and we all remember our 1980’s family photos – yikes. And Mom’s, while the lines of v-necks do look nice, keep in mind that you may be leaning or bending to play with your child in some of the photos. Do a quick mirror check before leaving to make sure no more is showing than you intend!”

“Shooting natural light is challenging, and that is part of the reason I enjoy it. There is never a constant, you are constantly watching and working with the light you have at any given moment. And of course ready to try something different when it changes the next minute. It also means shooting at the prime times of day, morning and evening, and of course being limited by the weather. Indoors you do need some available light to have a successful session, even if it is only one room with large windows. The beauty of natural light makes it worth any inconvenience.”

Her first memory of taking pictures? “I remember my first 110 format camera when I was a little girl. It was pink, I believe, and it took the absolute worst pictures you can imagine, but I loved it. I would package my completed rolls of film up in the mailer bags and send (them) off, and excitedly check the mail every day in anticipation of my pictures. It was mostly pictures of our cat or plants from around the yard, occasionally a neighbor or two. I still have most of those pictures boxed up somewhere!”

Photographing children can be challenging and if parents are stressed about getting the perfect shot, your children are going to pick up on that stress and react to it. Season’s solution? “My number one request of parents at a session is to be relaxed! I am a mom so I know this can be tough when it doesn’t seem like your child is cooperating, and most people have had stressful experiences in the past when having their child photographed. But kids are going to pick up on your stress and it effects their behavior and mood. The better spirits you’re in, the happier your child will be. Usually just stepping back and letting me get to know and play with your child opens them up quickly. I try to avoid telling them where to go or what to do at a session but instead let them explore and play. After all, my goal is to capture them just being them!”

And Season is all about having a fun photo shoot and it sounds like there’s never a dull moment. One little boy found a three legged frog and scooped it up another time the sprinklers turned on in the middle of a session. “Having a sense of humor is key. I love what I am doing and I love being with children. I am having fun, and it shows!”

Visit Season’s website at www.seasonmoorephotography.com or visit her blog here.

In Raleigh? Stock up on Chez Ami & Chez Belle goodies from Patsy Aiken during their outlet sale now through November 9th. Save 35-75% off childrenswear, including hundreds of new styles. Girls can choose from an assortment of bright, colorful leggings, shirts and dresses. Colors of fuchsia, aqua, pink and lime in solids and prints, fill the racks. For the boys, choose from bright coordinates for the chilly fall days that are approaching and overalls and turtlenecks, corduroys and polos.

Outlet styles are designed just for our outlet customers and aren’t sold through Patsy Aiken home parties. Learn more on the Patsy Aiken site.

Are you planning on attending A Shopping SPREE! at the RBC Center in Raleigh this week (October 18-22)? If so, be sure to stop by Queen Bee Designs and check out Allison’s beautiful jewelry. Mention Clever Parents for a 10% discount off of your purchase.

See more of Allison’s beautiful designs at www.queenbeedesigns.com.

Read the Clever Parents parentrepreneur feature on Queen Bee here.

Read more about A Shopping SPREE! including hours, directions and tickets.

When Patsy Aiken’s daughter, Holly, was young, Patsy made her clothes. When people started asking her to sew for their children, Patsy began a class to teach moms how to sew. Quickly realizing that she was accumulating more clothing than daughter Holly could wear, she started selling the clothes she made to a local children’s store and Patsy Aiken – the business – was born. As the business evolved, Patsy’s clothing made its way to nearly 1,500 retail boutiques and upscale department stores. “We had independent sales reps in the major markets –Dallas, Atlanta, L.A., Chicago and New York and Neiman’s, Saks, and Nordstrom were big customers of ours for many years,” says Patsy. Then, Patsy and her husband and business partner, Joel, made a radical change in their business model.

“We were fortunate to work with the top sales organizations because we had really nice products, but they were independent salespeople and they would often represent twenty lines. And as much as we loved the exposure we got with big stores, and the pride of being selected by them season after season, it was becoming more difficult to deal with them,” says Patsy. With a changing climate and new stores like Baby Gap, Gymboree and Talbot’s Kids popping up everywhere, “everyone was competing and competing with a vengeance.” In 2000, frustrated due to lack of control over the growth of their company and after much agonizing and evaluation, the Aikens switched to a home-party business model. “We wanted to see if our sales would grow if people could see a larger selection of our products and we had control of the marketing.”

The answer? A resounding yes. “The Home Party method of marketing is harder, more intense, requires greater up-front inventory commitment, monumental sample budgets and more employees, but we were able to realize the advantages almost immediately. We were pleased from the start.”

When it comes to the design process, Patsy is involved in almost every aspect – most specifically in formulating the collections and fabrics and trims. “I have an incredible senior designer, Wendy May, that I have worked together with for 14 years. She is an expert pattern-maker as well as a designer, which is rare,” says Patsy. “Together with her assistant Shelly and our production team, we create more than 500 new styles each year. Fortunately now, I am able to meet with them and evaluate and review and brainstorm – and they are masterful at carrying out the plan for our company, with regards to design and production.”

Patsy Aiken also launched a line for the tween (8-12) market, Chez Belle, in 2004 that is offered in sizes 4-16 and features styling aimed at pleasing both young ladies and their moms. “The styles are ever-evolving and fashioned with the older girls in mind, and there are different types of fabrics, less embroidery and trim, and more flair to the styling,” says Patsy. “We introduced it in Spring of 2004, and we are currently designing our Spring 2007 line, which will be introduced in January of 2007. We have been thrilled with the response!”

Patsy Aiken has about 500 home party sales consultants located in 40 different states (most of whom are stay-at-home moms) and they add to that number each season. What does being a consultant entail? “We provide a full array of garment samples (often more than 200 pieces per season) for customers to touch and try on, and an eager, concerned support staff to assist consultants and their customers with all issues,” says Patsy. “The Consultant contacts her friends and acquaintenances about hosting Chez Ami parties, arranges for the event and delivers catalogs and invitations for the Host to send out to her circle of friends, family and often co-workers. By doing this, a mother can be involved in a fun and lucrative career twice a year and will earn cash commissions for sales written at parties arranged with her Hosts, as well as large discounts on all personal orders for her children. Our Sales Consultants average 7 parties per season, with 2 seasons each year. Many of our Consultants, however, hold a larger number of parties, some as many as 40 or more a season!”

Patsy’s favorite part about running her own company? “My greatest pleasure is having my husband of 37 years as my business partner, knowing that we’re working together to create something of our own, and realizing it’s impossible for us to do it alone. I’m sure there are many times Joel wishes he could tell people that he makes fishing gear or golf clubs instead of baby clothes, but being involved in a business that is about children makes everyone happy. Second, I love being an entrepreneur – I just can’t stop thinking about what we can sell next!” And that same entrepreneurial spirit definitely runs in the Aiken blood. Daughter Holly, who once wore the clothes mom handmade for her, is now a successful businesswoman herself with an eponymous line of hip diaper bags, totes, messenger bags and accessories.

Visit Patsy Aiken and the Chez Ami & Chez Belle lines at www.chezami.com

If you are lucky enough to live in or near Raleigh, you can take advantage of the Patsy Aiken Outlet sales where items are marked 35%-75% off the retail price. To be notified of the monthly sales, sign up for the Patsy Aiken mailing list.

Growing up, Katherine Hodges favorite thing was to play “store” using her toy cash register. Her first job was working for a family owned specialty toy store when she was 15 years old. Katherine liked the store and the work so much she continued to work there through college and beyond. And in 2001, Katherine and her husband, John, bought the toy store and renamed it Tookie’s Toys after a nickname given to Katherine from her nephews. Clever Parents caught up with Katherine to learn more about how she selects the toys she sells, customer service and tips for non-parents who want to buy a toy for a child.

Clever Parents: How do you select the toys that you sell?

Katherine Hodges: The primary criteria I use in selecting toys are Quality and Play Value. Quality is pretty easy – is this a well made toy from a manufacturer that will stand behind their product?

Play Value is a little harder to measure – is the toy a good fit as a developmental tool for the child? We search for toys that encourage different types of play. These can be categorized by at least one of the following: active play, cooperative play, creative play, dramatic play, manipulative play and quiet play.

People often come into our store and ask for an “educational toy”. We believe all toys are educational! Every child learns through play. We know that play provides the foundation for basic life skills such as building relationships, cooperation, negotiation and compromise as well as providing opportunities for children to find out who they are and what they enjoy doing. Play offers an emotional outlet, develops the imagination and creativity, and cultivates problem-solving skills. And of course and above all, we pick toys that are FUN!

Clever Parents: Do you think parents ever waste money on toys? How can that be avoided?

Katherine Hodges: We often see customers who are seeking out the products with the most “bells and whistles” or the products they have seen on television and in magazines. Sometimes these products are good toys but other times – these products are simply the ones with the largest advertising budget or toys that have paid for an award or endorsement. However, when parents are making an investment in a toy that they will use to help their child develop important life skills, a bit of research and a trusted resource that knows and understands play can help make wise spending choices.

At Tookie’s Toys, we know and understand play and its importance in the development of children. We are here to help make those investments pay off for families. Many people shy away from specialty toy stores because they perceive them to be too expensive. In reality, when you factor in the quality of the products, their usefulness as a tool in the development of the child, and the resources available to help make the best selections, the toys sold at stores like ours are often better investments. On top of that, you get a level of customer service that you just can’t get in the big stores!

Clever Parents: What tips do you have for non-parents who are purchasing toys for children?

Katherine Hodges: Ask for help. Many non-parents (and parents) don’t realize that there are people who can help them select toys for the children in their lives. Also, the more information they know about the child – age, likes/dislikes, etc – the better we can help them.

Clever Parents: What tips do you have for grandparents when picking out toys for their grandchildren?

Katherine Hodges: Again, ask for help and know basic information about the children. Talk to the parents about types of things the children enjoy and any things that are off-limits (such as characters seen in television and videos, etc.) in their households. It is not uncommon for us to get the parents on the phone while the grandparents are shopping to get additional information and to make sure our selections will fit with their plans.

Visit Tookie’s Toys online at www.tookiestoys.com

Penney Lettie has always loved to sew. The first beneficiaries of her talents were her Barbie dolls who enjoyed everything from custom wedding dresses to life jackets (you shouldn’t have to sacrifice fashion for safety’s sake). The birth of her daughter Emma turned Penney’s talent and interest towards creating children’s clothing. And that’s a lucky thing for you and your children.

According to Penney, the original plan was “to take a love of toile and classic styling to create my first collection, which consisted of completely custom designs for girls- mostly, dresses.” This was a big success but customers clamored for more. Based on the response from her initial collection and “a demand for boy’s clothing [plus the] realization that children also need fun, casual clothing” led to an additional focus on casual clothes as well. Today, Gigi and Jack specializes in custom play and casual wear for boys and girls.

Unlike off-the-rack clothes, Gigi and Jack clothes are made to customer requests. “Customers pick their fabrics and trims to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look for their child. All items are available for one and three-letter monogramming (or a name)”, says Penney. The Gigi and Jack Fall Collection features “a hip and stylish line of classic clothing. As always, we will have our signature toile jumpers, pants, bloomers, capris and more…as well as beautiful colors of corduroy, cotton and twill.” Sizes range from 3/6 mo to 12/14 and all the clothes are made in the USA in North Carolina where Gigi and Jack is located. You can see and buy a limited selection of clothes online at www.gigiandjack.com, but most clothes are sold through home shows. We talked to Penney about the home shows and how you can become a home show host.

Clever Parents: Tell us about your home shows.
Penney Lettie: Gigi and Jack offers clothing in a social setting that allows parents and children to relax and make their selections in a more personal way. A select group of creative hostesses present our clothing in their homes at private showings. Because they love children and children‘s clothes, they’ve learned how to effectively assist our customers in making the choices and selecting the fashions that best fit their children. And, they make sure our clothing is ordered with the same care and attention that goes into making our garments.

Clever Parents: If someone is interested in hosting a home show, what do they need to do? How does it work?
Penney Lettie: Trunk shows featuring the Gigi and Jack clothing line are held each spring and fall in private homes. We have hostesses in several states that assist their customers with their selections. In return for hosting a show, the hostess receives a clothing credit based on a percentage of sales. Gigi and Jack will be taking additional hostesses for the Spring/Summer 2007 season, which begins in January 2007.

We welcome hostesses to our program throughout each year. We provide the training and instruction necessary to ensure successful showings. Our hostesses invite family and friends to view and select from an outstanding line of samples, all displayed in the home. (The average number of invitations sent is 100.) They place the orders and we handcraft the garments. And, we’re always available by phone if they need us. Our hostesses also provide valuable input and often inspire changes in our fashions. We take pride in listening carefully and working with them and their inventive ideas in every way possible. Each season our hostesses receive a sample trunk of garments, containing a selection of sizes, styles, and fabrics. During a show, their customers choose to order garments as sampled, or they can “design” each outfit by choosing from our variety of styles, fabrics, monograms, buttons, and trims.

Shows for our Spring/Summer collection begin in early January and run through mid-March. The Fall/Winter Shows begin in mid-July and run through mid-October. We work closely with our hostesses to schedule their show dates and supply pertinent product information and show materials, including invitations. Show times are flexible, but typically are held in the morning (10am-2pm) and evening (5-8pm). Providing the option of open house hours and/or scheduled appointments is also helpful. If someone is interested in hosting a show, they can contact me at penney@gigiandjack.com or by phone at 919-268-0223.

Ava Rose, 10 months, and big sister Emma, 4, are Clever Parent Penney’s inspiration for Gigi and Jack. Visit Gigi and Jack at www.gigiandjack.com.

From a very young age, Mary Michele Little knew that she wanted to pursue a career in fashion. Inspired by her mother, Michele started sewing when she was seven years old. “Since I was old enough to play with dolls, I used to dress them up, fix their hair, make-up, etc. I would make outfits for my Barbies more than I would actually play with them,” says Michele.

Barbie was not the only thing from her childhood that influenced Michele’s professional designing. The need for high-quality, yet everyday wearable items stuck with her. “When I was a kid, there was always a clear distinction between the luxurious “nice things” that were brought out only for special occasions and the everyday stuff we could actually touch! Sometimes it was the special dress that was hidden away until the holidays or your birthday, other times it was when we would sneak into mommy’s closet and try on something fanciful,” says Michele. “Most of my designs for the body or the home can be machine-washed, yet never lose their appeal. I scour the fabric shops from the Garment District in NYC to exotic locales to find the perfect mix of style and affordability. Because what good are nice things if you can’t have fun with them?”

Clever Parents caught up with Michele to talk about fabrics, home parties and working on design projects with her two year old daughter.

Clever Parents: Tell us about Mary Michele.
Mary Michele Little: I started designing clothing more than 10 years ago. I first worked from a home-based studio to create custom women’s apparel. I then moved into women’s ready-to-wear, and opened my first shop in July 1997. From there I grew my women’s wholesale apparel business and sold to boutiques across the country. When the economy slowed down in 2001, we scaled the business down a bit. In 2002, I became pregnant with my first child and decided to try my hand at designing children’s clothing. I also moved my studio back to my home to accomodate our newest addition. Strong interest and sales at a few shows I did led me to pursue designing children’s clothing and, after the birth of my daughter in 2003, I became inspired to design a complete line twice a year and to sell it through home parties. We just added an e-commerce option to our website so that clothing can be purchased on-line at www.mary-michele.com.

Clever Parents: What inspires your new designs?
Mary Michele Little: I find inspiration in many things, colors, images, fairy tales, fabrics, nature! Whatever moves me.

CP: What do you look for in fabrics?
MML: The fabrics I use for my children’s clothing are fashion fabrics and not necessarily “children’s” fabrics. When I meet with fabric vendors and tell them I design children’s apparel, they want to show my the really cute-sy prints with dogs or babies on them. I tell them that’s not me, show me what you’d show me if I told you I designed women’s apparel. Then I put my own combinations together to create a unique and fun look.

CP: What are your top-selling items?
MML: My top selling items for this season have been my “Ruffle Skirts” (these are always big sellers!), my “Louise Halter Dress” and the “Little Havana” boys’ camp shirt. Also, the “Mirabelle Dress” was a big seller for Easter.Kids’ seem to really enjoy wearing my designs, and I always enjoy hearing that someone’s child wanted to wear their new “Ruffle Skirt” for the past 3 days.

CP: What’s your favorite piece from the current line?
MML: My favorite piece has to be the Mirabelle Dress. It’s such a frothy, fun party dress, and with the little jacket it’s just too cute.

CP: Tell us about your home parties.
MML: To host a home show, I ask that people contact me and we can discuss their interest. Typically, the host/hostess should have children who can wear my clothes because they’ll earn credit towards clothing based on party sales. Then I ask them to compile a guest list of as many people as they can think of who are parents or grandparents, or who would be shopping for children’s clothing (as a gift). I print up invitations and have the hostess send them out. Then I just ask the hostess to spread the word and get as many folks as possible to come to the show. It’s worked well to have a party in the morning, just after the kids are off to school. But we’ve done parties that have been successful during the weekends, and evenings too. I really just depends on what works for the hostess’ schedule. Then we just have a casual party, with some light refreshments, and a low-key presentation of the clothing. I’ll have my sample set there and will take orders for the clothing. Items are usually delivered in 3-4 weeks. It’s a lot of fun to shop with friends while socializing, and is a fun way to have a moms’ morning or evening out.

CP: Do you have any suggestions for Clever Parents about balancing work and family?
MML: My suggestions for balancing work and family are to try to create time for each. I try to focus on work when I’m “at work” and when I’m not, I focus on my family. It’s taken me a while to get to this point, but it makes a big difference. I like to be present in what I’m doing at the moment, and not be worrying about what’s not getting done.

I realize that working from home, and sometimes having to work late, can be a challenge to family time. Fortunately, my husband is supportive and he can entertain our daughter if I’m really pressed to complete something. I also have some toys in my studio for my daughter, and she loves to play in my fabrics and to come down and use child-friendly scissors to cut paper. So if I need to work when she’s with me, I’ll give her a “project” to work on as well, and try to include her.

CP: Anything else you’d like to share?
MML: When my daughter first started going to preschool, and I would have my work time, it made me a little sad and I missed her. But when I realized that we are both getting what we need – she gets to learn and to play with other children and I get uninterrupted time to be creative and help support our family – it helped me to see that we are both being fulfilled and have more to give back to each other when we’re together. Plus, by being apart, it makes it more special when we’re together and she’s always excited when I pick her up from school. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Visit Mary Michele online at www.mary-michele.com and read Michele’s style picks on her blog, One Chic Mama – www.onechicmama.com

See the CleverParents-tv Vidcast #3 featuring an interview with Mary Michele Little.

Looking for the perfect baby gift? Want to create a special treasure for your child? These days, baby gifts and children’s clothes are all about the extras. Choose your own monogram, ribbon, thread color and type style for anything from bibs, clothing, towels and blankets to stationery and invitations, and Mandy Vick, owner of Mini Monograms, will do the rest.”I provide products that are original and unique that cannot be found in dozens of stores,” says Mandy. “We carry a variety of specialty items with one criteria… each gift is personalized.”

The idea for Mini Monograms has been alive for quite some time. “I have always dreamed of owning my own business and being able to create things that interest and inspire me,” said Mandy. “It was the birth of my son that brought me back to my dream. With the support of my family and friends I am making my dream a reality.”

Clever Parents caught up with Mandy Vick to learn more about burp cloths, bath sets and personalized cookies for birthday parties:

Clever Parents: What is your background? How did you come up with the idea to start Mini Monograms? Mandy Vick: I have always appreciated and enjoyed art. As a child I always took art lessens and enjoyed creating things. Art was always my choice activity for entertainment and expression. Upon graduating from college I worked at Taylors of Raleigh as the print shop manager. I designed and printed wedding invitations, programs, invitations, stationery and much more. I had many very talented co-workers that taught me so much about the art of personalization!

Eventually my love for children led me to pursue my teaching degree and Master’s in Education at North Carolina State University. After teaching for four and a half years, I became pregnant and gave birth to my first son, Andrew. Anything and everything baby- related became my new passion. With my background in personalization and my love for children it became very clear what needed to be done … it was then that Mini Monograms was created!

Clever Parents: Tell us about your products.
Mandy Vick: Currently we offer personalized bibs, burp cloths, clothes, towels, blankets, invitations, stationery, announcements and other specialty items. Basically I am in the personalization business… any goes!!! I have a lot of fun finding items to carry. I think that personalized gifts are the most fun to receive. Especially when you blessed with a new life. There is nothing more exciting than receiving something with his or her name on it. Each gift that we customize is handled with love and care. As a new mom, I try to include items that I think are aesthetically pleasing yet at the same time useful.

We also offer gift sets including bath-time, bedtime, mealtime and college sports related themes. Mini Monograms works closely with Hugh’s Room, its sister business, to create one-of-a-kind gift sets. Owner, Ashley Peay-Bettini creates hand-painted accents that match my embroidered products. Ashley is a very talented artist and her hand-painted touch adds the finishing touch to my line of gift sets. I also have a “For the Grown-ups” line that has proven to be popular as well. Coming soon…we are getting ready to add a line exclusively for Grandmothers!!!

CP: What are your biggest sellers?
MV: So far my biggest sellers have been bibs, burp cloths and towels. Gifts sets including a combination of bibs and burp cloths are a big hit! Each gift set can be accented with ribbons and/or embroidery. I try to change my ribbon selection often so that each customer can have a unique creation.

Another big seller in the “For the Grown-Ups” line has been bath towel sets. Bath towels and pillow cases make great wedding and graduation gifts. I find that people love seeing there initials or name on just about anything. One interesting part of my job is all the millions of possibilities!!!

CP: How do you outfit the a baby on the beach?
MV: With summer just around the corner, I just had to create a summer line. My summer line is called Beach Baby. My newest addition is monogrammed bathing suits–they are adorable. Customers are also getting a lot of beach towels monogrammed for gifts. You may also add a personalized sand bucket to your “Beach Baby” gift set.

CP: Tell us about your personalized cookies for birthday parties.
MV: My friend and local baker, Hunter Rion, is the creator of these adorable cookies. Together we decided that personalized cookies would be a creative idea to include at birthday parties and baby showers. Hunter actually made a batch of cookies for my baby shower. It was so much fun to see Andrew’s name and the cookies were delicious!!! To top it off each guest took a cookie home for a party favor.

CP: How can people place orders?
MV: Mini Monogram orders can be placed by telephone or on-line. The website is created with Pay Pal capabilities. To order on-line you simply need to submit an order on the Contact us page. To create the order I need information regarding the item, the monogram or type-style and if you will be adding any accents or embroidery. I will review the order and send a confirmation email. I also include a proof with each order. On the website you may choose from type-styles, monograms, ribbons and embroidery to create your own unique gift. I really want the customer to have a hand in the creation process. Together we can work to invent the perfect gift. In June, my work studio/ consultation office will be open and ready for business. It will be located on Glen Eden Drive in Raleigh, NC. This location will be open to display samples of my work and meet with customers to discuss printing and monogramming details. Mini Monograms offers delivery to customers in the Raleigh area and we ship to customers everywhere.

Visit Mini Monograms at www.minimonograms.com.

Wooden frame with dragonfly applique – $34.

Wooden frame with plane applique – $34.
Gator night light with initial. Inspired by Lands End Towel Set. $15.
Ladybug wall art. Ashley’s artwork is generally inspired by another source. For your own designs, show her your favorite wallpaper, sheets, child’s artwork, stuffed animal, children’s book, and she’ll create custom-paintings for your child’s special space.

Clever Parents loves Hugh’s Room for one-of-a-kind, hand-painted pieces and custom room design. Owner, artist and art teacher, Ashley Peay-Bettini delivers on her promise, ‘If you can dream it, we can create it!’While driving home from work one day from an unsatisfying job, Ashley asked herself, “What are you passionate about?” The answer was immediately clear — children and art — and the next day she was on the phone with the Meredith College art department enrolling in classes. “Two and a half years and 72 credit hours later, I received my degree in Art Education and have been teaching ever since.”

After the birth of Ashley’s son, Hugh in 2004, she combined her love of children, painting and design to create her own business designing children’s rooms and nurseries. The result, beautiful and one-of-a-kind pieces ranging from nightlights and painted frames to shelves, tables, rocking chairs, keepsake stools and custom paintings to match your child’s room décor.

One of the unique things about Ashley’s services is that she encourages customers to be a part of the design process. Would you like to ‘immortalize’ your child’s first piece of artwork in a personalized step-stool? Perhaps you already have a theme for your room, but would like to add original and fun accessories to finish the look? Maybe you already have a piece of furniture you’d like to have personalized and spruced-up? Consult with Hugh’s Room on colors, theme and your inspirations, and watch the creativity process embark right before your eyes.

Clever Parents caught up with Ashley to talk about inspirations, do-it-yourself painting parties, involving young children in art projects and the shoebox Barbie dream house.

Clever Parents: What is your background? Have you always been creative?
Ashley Peay-Bettini: I received an English degree, with a minor in art (concentration in graphic design) and concentration in professional communications from Meredith College in Raleigh and an Art Education degree – certification K-12 – also from Meredith.

Yes, I have always been creative and have always loved working with my hands. As a child I spent more time creating Barbie furniture from shoeboxes and other household items than I did actually “playing” with the dolls. I played the flute in the band in school, so I never got the chance to participate in art classes after elementary school, but loved taking afterschool workshops and some community art classes here and there.

CP: What are your favorite mediums?
APB: As an art teacher, I must admit that I like to “dabble” in all mediums, but probably if I had to choose one or two, I would choose painting. I also enjoy creating small clay pieces and working with stained glass.

CP: Tell us about Hugh’s Room.
APB: Hugh’s Room is my small business that specializes in personalized décor for children’s rooms and nurseries. All of my services involve paint! I offer services as small as painted photo frames, wall letters, night lights, and lightswitch plates, but also paint small furniture, canvas chair covers, cornice boards, headboards, and large canvases. I am glad to paint on previously owned pieces or supply the piece myself. I love to help parents design wall art or entire nursery or kids’ room themes around inexpensive bedding or pieces that they already have on hand.

Another service that I am REALLY looking forward to is “Do-it-Yourself” painting parties. These parties will be for baby showers and mom & tot play dates or birthday parties. I bring all supplies, creative juices, and clean up all of the mess! I will consult with expectant moms ahead of time to discuss nursery colors and themes and then prepare all of the decor items that she is interested in for painting. Guest will simply show up and be prepared to paint on a “paint-by-number” designed my the new mom and myself. This way, they can be a part of helping their friend out with preparing for the new little one, but in a relaxed environment and with no pressure to be creative themselves.

CP: How did you come up with the idea for Hugh’s Room?
APB: I came up with the idea in an effort to make some extra spending money while staying at home with my son Hugh and soon-to-be new addition, Alex. I enjoyed designing Hugh’s nursery and his “big boy room” so much and have had several friends ask for my help since. A good friend of mine, Mandy Vick, was in the process of starting her own monogramming business, Mini Monograms, and she inspired me to move forward with all of my ideas. I probably owe “Hugh’s Room” to her as she has been such a huge support in this endeavor. My ideas for products are coming faster than my paintbrush can paint…So, “Hugh’s Room” was born and will hopefully grow as my boys do.

CP: Tell us about recreating a child’s artwork on a piece of furniture.
APB: I am an extremely sentimental person and love to hold onto everything of any sentimental value. This is where the idea for “Keepsake Stools” was born as I was trying to think of a way to keep, preserve, and DISPLAY Hugh’s very first painting. I thought that it would be neat to incorporate it into a piece of furniture that was “lasting” in terms of style – one that I could use for many, many years and was not necessarily “kid oriented.” So, I worked to figure out how to scan and reproduce the artwork (while preserving the original) and then incorporated the monogram in as an accent – using Hugh’s first brushstrokes as a back drop. I look forward to being able to create a stool for someone that has a “family portrait” painted by a child on it…how much fun would that be?

CP: What’s next for Hugh’s Room?
APB: I hope to eventually develop a “brother store” called Alex’s Attic that will be consignment for old nursery and children’s bedding in an effort to build up inventory in a “warehouse” that can help with the design of rooms for Hugh’s Room Designs.

CP: What are some creative ways you involve your preschooler in art projects?
APB: Preschoolers love to explore and, of course, this is how they learn. I feel that a lot of parents are “afraid” to involve their little ones in art projects too soon, probably a little bit because of the mess. I don’t think that it’s ever too soon and Hugh loves to paint! He created his first painting at 16 months. I think that the best way to involve him in art projects is to simply get out the materials, prepare myself for a mess, and let him have fun getting to know the materials. Also, if I am involved in a “craft” project and he seems interested, well, then I always allow him to join in by giving him some of the “same” items and letting him work along beside me. For example, stickers are a favorite for him when I am working on his scrapbook. By letting him work beside me, I hope to teach him that creativity is definitely contagious!

To see more of Hugh’s Room projects and furniture, visit www.hughsroom.biz.

Bettini family picture (top right) courtesy of Robin Cotten Photography, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

Children are creative little things and before they reach the sixth grade they’ll have a Louvre sized collection of art for you – attics and closets overflowing with priceless portraits of Fido, finger painted abstracts, cut-out picture collages, Thanksgiving turkey drawings, self-portraits and other memorable pieces. So, how can you save your little Picasso’s works for decades to come and de-clutter the house in the process? The answer: Save My Kid’s Art.

One day, while cleaning and organizing her home, Aimée Bickers, a professional photographer, happened upon a box of her husband’s old things and found moldy, rotting, ruined artwork from his childhood. That prompted Aimée to check her son’s things and found his items torn, showing signs of wear and well on the way to ruin. Then she had a Thomas Edison moment. ‘I thought there would be no better way to keep those pieces than to have them saved digitally,’ says Aimée. ‘So, I archived about 50 of his pieces from kindergarten through 3rd grade.’

Aimée’s MBA training kicked in and she decided to turn her idea into a business. ‘When an opportunity stares you in the face, it must be addressed! So, I jumped on it and used the rest of my vacation time to develop the concept, the plan, the website and started marketing it for launch on January 1st, 2006.’

How does it work?

1. Mail. Mail your artwork to Aimée. Start by stacking the pieces you want to archive (biggest piece on the bottom, smallest piece on top), roll them so that the biggest piece is on the outside of the roll, put them in a wrapping paper tube, cover it with a garbage bag (to prevent moisture from seeping through) and mail it. Easy, convenient, economical.

2. Archive. In the studio, Aimée will take a high-resolution digital photograph of each piece under perfect lighting conditions. You can even request wrinkles, scratches, rips, folds, creases, be removed. When archival is complete, Aimée returns the originals and sends a CD with the graphic files (mailed separately).

3. Get Creative. Once your child’s artwork is archived, the possibilities are endless. Add the image to your blog to show the grandparents what your child has created, email it to friends and family, print the artwork on calendars, mugs, t-shirts, mousepads – even photo handbags are easy to do through the Save My Kid’s Art partner site – http://www.savemykidsart.com/art_gifts.html.

Get Your Child’s School Involved. Aimée’s art archiving is available to schools and PTA groups as a fundraiser. This is similar to programs run by schools where you can purchase a magnet or mug with a school selected piece of art from your child. Aimée’s twist is that she’ll let you pick the art you’d like on your mug and then give the school 20% of the proceeds. So it’s a fundraiser for the school, but Mom and Dad get to pick the art they’ll see every morning when they have coffee.

So what are Aimée’s favorite art projects for her own children? “I love my son’s artwork. I have two pieces framed and hanging in my office that I must digitize as the fluorescent lights are sadly fading the colors. I love when he picks up any piece of paper and takes out his paints and just paints. It’s magical.

As for my little munchkins… we’re just now getting into finger paints, so that will be interesting.”

To learn more about Save My Kid’s Art, visit www.savemykidsart.com.

- Aimee Bickers, Clever Parent to an 8 year old son and identical twin 20 month old girls, lives in Apex, North Carolina and also owns Pure Expressions Photography – www.pureexpressionsphotography.com.

1. What made you want to start your own business? I was tired of the corporate world and my fiancé and I knew we wanted to start a family as soon as we were married. I felt strongly about being home with my child for the first five years. I have always believed those are the critical years for developing who they will be as adults. Also financially we didn’t want our lifestyles to drastically change.2. What got you interested in photography? My grandfather, who was a submarine captain and a photographer by hobby, did hand-tinting to black and white portraits when he was in the Navy. I loved the old photographs and always seemed to have the bug. You never caught me without my camera. But the bug really set in when I took a photo safari to Africa. That was it!

3. Tell us about Diane McKinney Photography. I started the business about 3 1/2 years ago. At first I ran the gamut of photography: corporate, family and children, weddings, you name it! However, since the birth of my daughter I’ve chosen to do only weddings. In the first six months of starting my business I bought equipment, built a marketing plan and created a website among other things. I launched my advertising six months later and within three months I had 17 weddings booked. Fortunately for me, I have a sales background from my corporate days. This combined with a good portfolio set me ahead of the pack. I have two photographers that work with me now who are fabulous. One who is branching off to start her own business and two part-time employees who assemble wedding albums.
4. Where are you located? In Raleigh, North Carolina. I work out of my home. That was the point to be home with my daughter. But I am currently looking for some small studio space to do consults and possibly some minor shooting.

5. What is the best part about having your own business? Being home with my daughter!!! And not dealing with corporate politics!

6. What is the hardest part about having your own business? I work ALL the time. I work when Katie naps, I work when my husband comes home and takes over watching Katie and any stolen moments in between… The days of sitting by the TV at night and enjoying a show are pretty much over. But I still wouldn’t have it any other way….

7. What advice do you have for other would-be entrepreneurs? CONTROL YOUR COSTS! There will always be something they can make your job easier, faster or better but if you don’t NEED it, don’t buy it!

8. How do you balance work and family? Any tips for other Clever Parents? I am still working on this one. Katie gets plenty of time as I only work when she is napping in the daytime, but my husband and I don’t get enough US time. My new rule is to quit at 8pm at least three nights a week. We’ll see! So far I have broken my rule twice. : (
9. What are your current hiring needs? I am looking for two more photographers. They don’t need a lot of experience but they most be able to seriously multitask and learn quickly. Weddings are crazy. You have to manage a lot at one time. You basically end up being photographer and wedding coordinator. (Assuming they don’t have one.) And you have to problem-solve on the fly. There are no cookie cutter answers. You must have a great personality and a lot of patience. Weddings can be stressful and you need to make it a fun experience for the bride and family. I am happy to train new possible photographers but I don’t pay for training. If you really want to do it, look at it as a free education. I do let you use my camera so you don’t have to make an investment until we really know if you have what it takes… Also, I recommend some classes that can be very helpful. They aren’t too expensive. Roughly $70-$100 per class. The timing really depends on the person but you will need least 3 months of consistent shooting experience.
10. Interested in joining Diane McKinney Photography? Email diane@dianemckinney.com.