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I don’t normally write about jewellery. And I guess it’s because I don’t wear much fancy accessories myself these days.

It doesn’t mean I don’t like cute and pretty stuff though. It’s just that I now wear practical ones that don’t require much ‘changing’ (getting my two small kids ready to go out in time generally means minimal time is left for me to get ready. Hmm. A rather lame excuse, you think?).

Anyway. Today I want to introduce you to Lady Nic’s.

It’s an online store selling hand-made jewellery. Necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Pretty stuff!

What I find motivating is how the owner, the jewellery maker, my good old friend Nichol, is driven to pursue her love for crafting though she herself is busy being a mom to her 17-month-old son, Will.

I asked her a few questions to find out more about her crafts and how she struggles to juggle everything.

And here they are.

Leonny: When and why did you start making hand-made jewellery?

Nic: Started making about 6 years ago. Couldn’t find what I like and when I did find, they’re too expensive to buy. So…

Leonny: Now that you’re a busy Mom of one with no helper at home, why do you want to start the business again?

Nic: After 17 months of focusing on how to be a mother and a housewife, I feel it’s time that I can afford to shift a little attention back to ME - to do what I enjoy and to earn my keeps!

Leonny: How do you juggle the time between creating your masterpieces, caring for your son, spending time with hubby, housework and everything else?

Nic: Frankly, my hands are really full juggling so many things! I spend my days with son, playing and doing activities with him. In between his TV and short nap time, I’ll do little chores here and there (they are never-ending anyway!). Near dinner time is my busiest - cooking for the family, feeding and bathing son etc.

Hubby and I will sometimes put son at my mother’s house so that we can catch a movie or just go chill out. On most nights, we’ll have a quick chat to update our days.

When I breastfeed my son, I will think of designs and transform them into creations at night when everybody is asleep. At times I need a few nights to complete a piece as my son may disrupt my work by waking up a few times!

Leonny: Any ’sacrifices’ you can tell and share?

Nic: Sacrifices? SLEEP, of course! Have been clocking in like 4-5 hours of shut-eye per night…and it’s a cumulative number, for goodness sake!

Leonny: Last one, what makes your jewellery ‘unique’?

Nic: As long as the creator does not copy, her creations are ‘unique’!

My jewellery are essentially inspired by imagination, music, scenery, a novel I had read, my own life experiences…and anything that tugs at my heartstring. Every piece has a theme/tale. And I make them with lots of sincerity!

PS: Nic adds to her collection periodically, so do check her e-store once in a while for great new stuff you may want to bring home and wear! Online payment and orders are available too!

Anyone who pays a quick visit to my blog will easily find lots of photos of Vai, carried by me, in a blue ‘Moms in Mind‘ sling.

And so I thought if I were to feature someone for my very first ‘Interviewed!’ post, then I guess it should be Sam, the founder of Moms in Mind.

[As I mentioned last month, once in a while I'll be interviewing someone and posting it here on my blog. A great way to find out other parents' views and ideas on certain parenting topics, I think!]

She’s a Mom and a businesswoman who’s also very into music (she plays the violin and performs at concerts too).

She started her business some eight years ago from home and she’s since been featured in the media, and won awards, the latest being the ‘Spirit of Enterprise’ Award last year.

And oh, she has a blog too!

To read more about the business and its humble beginning, click here.

1) When did you start your business and how did you juggle your time between work and family?

I started this business when our littlest was born. I worked around the family’s schedule, managing by having a plan of what I wanted to achieve each day. Little goals.

The children sat on my lap in front of the computer, went with me to select fabric and other accessories and also to factories for discussions. They also helped with packing and unpacking, learning about tabling, quantity, colours along the way.

They were all so young then: newborn, 2.5 years old and 5 years old.

2) How long did you breastfeed your kids and what ‘visible’ benefits do you think your children get from it?

Sarah - 1 month
Daniel- 2.5 years
Timothy- 3.5 years

The most visible benefit is their tolerance to allergies.

Daniel only had his very first case of nappy rash at 2 years when his breastfeeding was reduced significantly due to me being pregnant with my third one. Sarah who was breastfed for such a short time battles with eczema unlike her 2 younger brothers.

The two boys have perfectly aligned teeth from breastfeeding directly for an extended period. Breastfeeding directly helps form the oral capacity and allows adult teeth to grow in in their right places. No crowding (unless perhaps the child has been a pacifier-sucker or a thumb-sucker, which does tend to interfere with the natural process of oral development).

3) Any practical tips you can share when it comes to spending ‘quality time’ with your kids?

I don’t quite believe in quality time. Nothing beats quantity in understanding your children.

As I send them to school, as I go through schoolwork with them and their music practices, I am working with them and that sort of co-ordination cannot beat cramming all your mothering into a set space of time each day. It may not always be fun but it gels. Of course, when work is done, we do chill out in our own way. Rollerblading’s a fave, so is going to the movies!

I’m a left-brained person, so organisation is very very crucial to me. That, and lots of prayer and an understanding and supportive husband!

…

You know, sometimes when I feel like I have so much on my plate and am struggling to juggle and balance everything, I think of other people whose plate seems to be even fuller than mine. And somehow I feel better *smile*

I guess knowing that there are others who are in similar situations (who perhaps are even busier!) somehow … helps.

It keeps us going and motivated.

PS: You’re most welcome to share your views on this post (or my blog in general) and drop me an email.