Our newest Stick Of The Week! is Laura Clauson. Laura is in the NOW as owner and designer of Mama Bleu Designs, personalized bridesmaids gifts, clutches and decor that have a bit of whimsy, a touch of vintage and loads of inspiration from the garden.
Laura Clauson
Laura Clauson is an artist, wife, mom and grandmother. She is also the face behind Mama Bleu Designs and has an unquenchable thirst for creating with her hands. Laura grew up and still resides in Sierra Madre, a small town in Southern California at the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains. She was a stay-at-home mom while her children were growing up and created handmade goods to sell for some extra income. Now that her children are grown, she's watching her grandchildren several times a week and learning how to keep a work schedule with young ones around again.
Creativity has always been a part of my life, so it was only natural for me to turn it into a business. I love the colors, shapes and sounds of nature so the idea of Mama Bleu was actually born from times when birds would visit me while working in my vegetable garden. My stitched illustrations are a combination of my love for painting, drawing and stitching. Turning them into functional art on personalized clutches is one of the favorite parts of my business!
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On The Wall).
My current NOW is a growing and evolving business that focuses mostly on creating personalized gifts and home decor. My primary market is to brides who are looking for a unique gift for their bridesmaids, but the whimsical details of my clutches and stitches illustrations are created to inspire and uplift everyone!
My current NOW is a growing and evolving business that focuses mostly on creating personalized gifts and home decor. My primary market is to brides who are looking for a unique gift for their bridesmaids, but the whimsical details of my clutches and stitches illustrations are created to inspire and uplift everyone!
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
Mama Bleu Designs is still cooking and will probably always be a work in progress. Last year, I was working my growing hobby as a business and realized in January that it was time to make it official. I can’t tell you exactly when I crossed that line, but I know that getting published in several magazines and being featured on Huffington Post as one of etsy’s best wedding vendors had a lot to do with the branding of my business and launching it to the next level.
Mama Bleu Designs is still cooking and will probably always be a work in progress. Last year, I was working my growing hobby as a business and realized in January that it was time to make it official. I can’t tell you exactly when I crossed that line, but I know that getting published in several magazines and being featured on Huffington Post as one of etsy’s best wedding vendors had a lot to do with the branding of my business and launching it to the next level.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative
A valuable lesson I’m learning this time around is how to delegate. I have hired someone to help me clean my house and I’ve found a great accountant to help me with my business. Gathering a community of people around you is so important. Even if they aren’t doing physical work for you they can be a source of encouragement and support when you need it.
A valuable lesson I’m learning this time around is how to delegate. I have hired someone to help me clean my house and I’ve found a great accountant to help me with my business. Gathering a community of people around you is so important. Even if they aren’t doing physical work for you they can be a source of encouragement and support when you need it.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I think what motivates me the most is seeing how the handmade movement is being embraced and is growing and thriving. I love that I can stay at home and be creative and make a good living. I also love that my grandkids can be a part of that with me. My studio is set up in a room that we added onto our home about 25 years ago. I often invite my 2-year-old granddaughter and 4-year-old grandson into my workspace so we can create together. While I’m painting they can paint too. While I’m sewing they are playing with my fabrics and building patchwork designs on the floor or sitting on my lap to watch.
I think what motivates me the most is seeing how the handmade movement is being embraced and is growing and thriving. I love that I can stay at home and be creative and make a good living. I also love that my grandkids can be a part of that with me. My studio is set up in a room that we added onto our home about 25 years ago. I often invite my 2-year-old granddaughter and 4-year-old grandson into my workspace so we can create together. While I’m painting they can paint too. While I’m sewing they are playing with my fabrics and building patchwork designs on the floor or sitting on my lap to watch.
What inspires you as a Mom as a creative person?
My grandkids keep me balanced. They see things so much differently than I do. They are constantly discovering with color and art materials which is teaching me to explore more in my art. They are often my inspiration!
My grandkids keep me balanced. They see things so much differently than I do. They are constantly discovering with color and art materials which is teaching me to explore more in my art. They are often my inspiration!
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How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I would rather plan my work and then work my plan but when kids are involved it doesn’t always work that way. There are two days a week that I can schedule as full work days because the grandkids are not here. Since my business requires more time than that, I’ve had to prioritize my time and tasks wisely. Sifting out the things that are easier to do when the kids are around has made a huge difference in the productivity of my heavy work days. I also have learned the value of the nooks and crannies of time in my day.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
One of the first dreams I had for my business was to grow to a point where I could hire women from our church who need financial help. I am started to see that dream unfold and I can’t wait to see what more will happen!
I am constantly being inspired by those who have gone before me in establishing successful creative businesses. So many who are leading the way are also sharing the way they have done it. My hope is that my journey will also be an inspiration to others.
I would rather plan my work and then work my plan but when kids are involved it doesn’t always work that way. There are two days a week that I can schedule as full work days because the grandkids are not here. Since my business requires more time than that, I’ve had to prioritize my time and tasks wisely. Sifting out the things that are easier to do when the kids are around has made a huge difference in the productivity of my heavy work days. I also have learned the value of the nooks and crannies of time in my day.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
One of the first dreams I had for my business was to grow to a point where I could hire women from our church who need financial help. I am started to see that dream unfold and I can’t wait to see what more will happen!
I am constantly being inspired by those who have gone before me in establishing successful creative businesses. So many who are leading the way are also sharing the way they have done it. My hope is that my journey will also be an inspiration to others.
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