Balancing Art and Motherhood at the Makers Arcade Holiday Fair

Artist moms share their history, inspiration, and thoughts on balancing art and motherhood.

San Diego’s annual Makers Arcade Holiday Fair features more than 100 local artists and craftspeople, as well as food and drink, interactive art and games, and live music. Shop original art, fashion-forward jewelry, hand-dyed fabrics, natural skin-care, live flowers and houseplants, handmade stationery, and craft beer and cocktails.

Among the makers, you’ll find some kindred spirits: the artist mothers! These busy, creative, inspirational moms manage to carve out time to create art while raising kids. Some of these artistic women have agreed to share with us their thoughts on balancing art and motherhood.

Artist: Kelsey Overstreet

Business: Giusta Jewelry, Kelsey Overstreet (abstract art)

“Choosing hope and sharing that hope with a stranger
is a courageous act.”

What I create:

Giusta Jewelry is everyday meaningful dainty jewelry for the active lifestyle. My multi-media abstract paintings are blueprints: a visual reference for the structure of the human experience.

My history as an artist:

I started making jewelry in fifth grade. I fell in love with painting as a teenager, and by age 17 I was crystal clear that my calling is to be an artist. I learned how to do metalsmith work in college. I have made many sacrifices and worked countless odd jobs to pursue this dream.

Something that inspires me:

Giusta Jewelry is known for the Hope Necklace. I contact each person who orders a necklace and learn the ‘hope intention’ they have for it. This makes the work meaningful for myself and impactful for the customers because they have a tangible, wearable item that reminds them of their hope. Choosing hope and sharing that hope with a stranger is a courageous act. I am amazed with all the brave women I get to work with.

On art and motherhood:

The main shift when I became a mother was time. I became very clear and efficient with my time. When I would paint I would have limited hours. It was very intensive because I would have been thinking the entire week about what I would do when I got to the studio. I brought my daughter to all my shows. I would nap her under the table and nurse her while working. It was just what I had to do and I didn’t think of it at the time as too much, but in hindsight, I was living in pure survival mode.

These days, I work when my husband is off and I watch the kids when he is working.

Final thoughts

I have grown as a person tremendously since becoming a mother, which directly translates to tremendous growth as an artist. I count my blessings daily for the gift of being an artist.

Artist: Frenses Perey Rule

Business Fiori by Frenses, also on Shop My Porch and Instagram

“I work from scrap leather so that adds more excitement, uniqueness, and sustainability to each piece.”

What I create:

I use up-cycled leather to make jewelry and accessories. It’s designed for modern women and men interested in unique fashion statements. I cut leather and hammer rivets, which makes me feel like a blacksmith from medieval times. I love it.

My history as an artist:

I first aspired to become a fashion designer but was told it’s very competitive. So I tried studying interior design, but ended up getting a degree in Studio Fine Arts instead. In college, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where I was immersed in top-notch fashion designers, historical art, and rich culture. I started my business sewing layers of fabric to create a modern flower headband — ‘fiori’ means flowers in Italian. One year, I met a leather shop owner in Italy who loved my work. She gave me a bag of leather scraps and through much experimentation, I taught myself how to work with it. Eventually, I discontinued my flower headbands line and focused more on my leatherwork.

Something that inspires me:

I find inspiration everywhere! From nature, the city, the women walking past me. Other artists inspire me. My eye is always searching for inspiration.

On art and motherhood:

I make my kids my priority and the time left is reserved for art. I owned a boutique and gallery before I had my first child. I decided to close it so I could focus all my energy on my daughter. When I had my son I continued to put my art on the back burner. Five years later, I’m finally finding more opportunities to create. And it feels GREAT! I feel like myself again. 
Having kids has definitely slowed my process because they’re still young and they demand more of my time. And that’s fine; they deserve my time.

Final thoughts:

I strive to provide original designs with great craftsmanship. Check out my booth to see how leather can be so versatile! It’s very lightweight and easy to wear. I love designs that push boundaries, and I work from scrap leather so that adds more excitement, uniqueness, and sustainability to each piece. 

Artist: Janine Schoonover

Business: The Studio Coop and on Instagram 

“I feel so rewarded that my craft makes people feel happy, beautiful and confident, and allows me to spend time with my children.”

What I create:

I make both polymer clay and acrylic jewelry and accessories. I like to think that I make earrings for every lobe, that anyone could enjoy.  My earrings range from small and delicate to big and bold and fun (my acrylic earrings tend to be on the more fun side). I think that most of my earrings can be dressed up or down depending on your outfit.

My history as an artist:

My creativity truly blossomed when I had my first child. Previous to children, I don’t think I really felt a passion about crafting. I dabbled in slinging vintage and refinishing vintage furniture.  When I had my kids, I realized that I wanted nothing more than to be home with them and I thought hard about how I could become my own boss. Making jewelry started out of necessity, but quickly became a hobby, passion and then small business. Something I truly love doing.

Creating earrings and accessories bring me so much joy. I love seeing what people pick out for themselves, as well as gifts for others. I feel so rewarded that my craft makes people feel happy, beautiful and confident, and allows me to spend time with my children.

Something that inspires me:

I love vintage. I find that I love to make vintage-inspired styles, 70’s retro, in colors that make me happy.

On art and motherhood:

Balancing can be so hard! Even though I am a stay-at-home working mom, there is still that guilt I have when I’m working in the studio that I should be spending every moment with them. I just remind myself that at least I am still home with them all the time aside from market days. 

There are some days where I can’t work at all, and my kids need me all day, and that’s okay. Other times I work late at night, or on weekends when my husband is home.  My 3-year-old son loves to “work” like mom at his desk with his play-doh (I love seeing that creativity). I am fortunate to have a big family that can help me from time to time, package earrings or prep for markets.

Final thoughts:

My selection of earrings for Makers Arcade will include at least 100 new designs that have not been seen on my Instagram or website before. I will also have a market special of buy two dangles and get a stud for free!

Makers Arcade Holiday Fair at the Port of San Diego 
Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. 
Sunday, Dec. 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
Admission: $6 online, includes make & take holiday wreath 

• 100+ makers
  
• 100 complimentary gift bags to the first 100 attendees  
• Free make & take holiday wreath 
• Free holiday photo backdrops 
• Live music  
• Craft cocktails and beer 
• Food trucks