Mommaprenuer: Ellie Jacobson, My Little Chickadee Creations

Tell us about yourself: I’m a 36-year-old woman who is the proud mama of my 2 little boys (my little chickadees!) Sean and Alex. My husband and I live in Farmington, Minnesota which is just south of the Twin Cities. By day, I work at home as a medical transcriptionist but my true passion is rubber stamping and just being creative.

How did you start creating your artwork? I started rubber stamping about 10 years ago and my work has evolved over the years.  hat’s one thing I really like about rubber stamping is you can stamp on so many different textures. I go through different phases where a lot of my work was on canvas (like tote bags), of course paper is always one medium I always love to work with and lately I’ve been working with travertine tile to make coasters and magnets.

How did you make the decision to pursue your art career and work from home? I already work from home as a medical transcriptionist so I’m very blessed to be able to earn a regular income but also do my craft business at home. Hopefully with time, I can do my craft business full time but I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished so far.

How do you balance work and family? It’s tough with 2 little boys under the age of 4. I have to do my crafting during nap time and in the evenings when they are sleeping. But I know as they get older and head off to school then I can have more of “regular” hours but I cherish my time with them right now at home, even though I end up crafting late into the night.

If you could go back in time to the beginning stages of your venture, what advice would you give yourself? I had started a craft business about 10 years ago and had that for about 4-5 years but let it go because I went through a divorce and moved to a new city. I wish I would not have let it go, just took a break instead. I wish I could have gone back and told myself it’s a roller coaster and you will have ups and downs but never let go of your dreams. Just keeping going, no matter what. And also budget your supply purchase, you don’t have to have everything!

Tell us about your average day: I get up at 8am…my little boys are my alarm clock. After I get the coffee brewing and the boys fed, I check emails and answer whatever I can at that time. Luckily my boys are quiet when they first get up so I have a little time to devote at the computer while they “wake” up. I quickly (everything I do while they are up is very quickly and efficiently!) look over what orders I need to start working on and also get packages ready for the post office. Most of the morning is spent playing with my kids and a run to the post office. If the weather is nice we stop at a park so they can play. We come home, have lunch and then it’s nap time and/or quiet time. I take that time to work on orders, answer emails and also a little chunk for myself to read a book (the only me time I get). After nap time I spend the afternoon with my boys and get dinner ready and dad is home by 5pm or so.  Then I have time to actually do my craft, fill orders and come up with new designs.  Then I call it a day for me around midnight.  Repeat each day!

What do you love most about owning and operating your own creative business? I really love being creative and there is something I just love about running my own business. It’s exciting each and every time I get an order and develop my ideas into a new product or design.

Besides your work and family, what else do you enjoy doing? I love baking and reading a good book, as my way to escape. My guiltiest pleasure is reality TV…I hate to admit it but it’s another form of escape!

Why do you think consumers should shop handmade? I’m a consumer of handmade because I really like to support other artists and their small business owners. I try to buy all my gifts from other handmade artists if it’s something I can’t make myself (which of course is a lot of things!). There is something unique and special about items made by hand and designed by an artist.