Our newest Stick Of The Week! is Jessica DeMaio. Jessica is in the NOW as founder and artist of Etsy Shop, Lucy + James, original and hand painted art.
Jessica DeMaio
Not only is Jessica DeMaio a wife and a mama, but also a blogger. Her blog called, A Simple Kind of Life, shares DIY projects and her love for home décor. And if that isn't enough, Jessica also works full time for a wine and spirit distributor.
While I’ve been blogging for almost three years, my Etsy shop is still pretty new, but I'm just as proud.
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall).
Lucy + James is named after my 18 month old daughter. Before opening my Etsy Shop is mid November, I had created an abstract painting for our house and shared it on Instagram and on my blog. I was a little blown away by all the feedback I received from both friends and people I didn’t know telling me how much they loved the art. I even had a few people reach out to me asking if I’d be willing to make a custom painting for them. After a few months, I decided to take a chance and open my own shop so I could share my paintings with others.
Lucy + James is named after my 18 month old daughter. Before opening my Etsy Shop is mid November, I had created an abstract painting for our house and shared it on Instagram and on my blog. I was a little blown away by all the feedback I received from both friends and people I didn’t know telling me how much they loved the art. I even had a few people reach out to me asking if I’d be willing to make a custom painting for them. After a few months, I decided to take a chance and open my own shop so I could share my paintings with others.
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
I just opened my shop less than two months ago so I would definitely say I’m still in the beginning stages. I’ve only sold a few pieces to date (both premade from my shop and custom for close friends) but have plans to add a few more pieces in the near future.
I just opened my shop less than two months ago so I would definitely say I’m still in the beginning stages. I’ve only sold a few pieces to date (both premade from my shop and custom for close friends) but have plans to add a few more pieces in the near future.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Take a chance. It’s that simple. Being a mom makes you focus on everyone but yourself. Every mom needs her own outlet. There are so many creative moms out there with amazing talents and ideas that hold back on trying something because they are afraid of failure or don’t think they can juggle it all. I truly believe in the saying, "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life." I’m striving for that balance in my own life.
Take a chance. It’s that simple. Being a mom makes you focus on everyone but yourself. Every mom needs her own outlet. There are so many creative moms out there with amazing talents and ideas that hold back on trying something because they are afraid of failure or don’t think they can juggle it all. I truly believe in the saying, "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life." I’m striving for that balance in my own life.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
My biggest cheerleader is definitely my husband, Jordan. For the first entire year of my blog, I didn’t share it with anyone except him and my mom. He was constantly encouraging me over and over again to share it with others. When I finally did, the response from our friends was amazing. The same goes for my Etsy shop. He watched me create these paintings at night week after week and kept telling me how great he thought they were and that I should just open my own shop. So I did.
My biggest cheerleader is definitely my husband, Jordan. For the first entire year of my blog, I didn’t share it with anyone except him and my mom. He was constantly encouraging me over and over again to share it with others. When I finally did, the response from our friends was amazing. The same goes for my Etsy shop. He watched me create these paintings at night week after week and kept telling me how great he thought they were and that I should just open my own shop. So I did.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
My daughter Lucy is my inspiration. I want her to remember me as a fun mom who always did something new and creative with her. I hope she enjoys crafts as much as I do, but even outside of crafts, I want her to remember that we were always having a good time. I have fun, silly memories of my mom doing things like making green eggs and ham for Dr. Seuss’ birthday, making us homemade ‘happy meals’ and doing miscellaneous crafts with us. My dream is that Lucy remembers her childhood as a happy one.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I’m not sure if I do! All kidding aside, I will admit it’s definitely a challenge for me. Motherhood and family of course come first, but I also work full time, have a blog on the side and this shop. I have had my moments where I’ve questioned if I can do it all. I try really hard not to do any paintings, projects or blogging when I’m home spending time with Lucy. Most of my work gets done after she goes to bed or I’ll sneak it in while she’s eating or taking a nap. That being said, it never feels like work, so even if I'm working on a project at 11:30 at night, I'm doing it because I want to, not because I feel obligated. The day it stops being fun, is the day I stop.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Ultimately, if my family is happy and healthy, I have done my job as a mother and wife. As much as I love painting and other creative crafts, I would never let me family take a back seat. I’ve said that if I ever feel like I need a "break" from my kids to work on my crafts or paint, then my priorities are skewed. Creatively, I just hope others want to share my paintings and enjoy them in their homes.
My daughter Lucy is my inspiration. I want her to remember me as a fun mom who always did something new and creative with her. I hope she enjoys crafts as much as I do, but even outside of crafts, I want her to remember that we were always having a good time. I have fun, silly memories of my mom doing things like making green eggs and ham for Dr. Seuss’ birthday, making us homemade ‘happy meals’ and doing miscellaneous crafts with us. My dream is that Lucy remembers her childhood as a happy one.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I’m not sure if I do! All kidding aside, I will admit it’s definitely a challenge for me. Motherhood and family of course come first, but I also work full time, have a blog on the side and this shop. I have had my moments where I’ve questioned if I can do it all. I try really hard not to do any paintings, projects or blogging when I’m home spending time with Lucy. Most of my work gets done after she goes to bed or I’ll sneak it in while she’s eating or taking a nap. That being said, it never feels like work, so even if I'm working on a project at 11:30 at night, I'm doing it because I want to, not because I feel obligated. The day it stops being fun, is the day I stop.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Ultimately, if my family is happy and healthy, I have done my job as a mother and wife. As much as I love painting and other creative crafts, I would never let me family take a back seat. I’ve said that if I ever feel like I need a "break" from my kids to work on my crafts or paint, then my priorities are skewed. Creatively, I just hope others want to share my paintings and enjoy them in their homes.
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