Happy almost Mother’s Day, UK! It seems many of us were inspired by our mums from an early age. Mine spent literally hour upon hour making party costumes. I do recall being dressed as a knickerbocker glory with miles of ruched pink toilet paper painstakingly sewn onto a (handmade) bodysuit and hat. It rained and I melted somewhat. We missed the fancy dress contest!
I’ll never forget the birthday cakes — in particular the excruciatingly detailed fairy castle, complete with ice cream cone turrets and chocolate finger drawbridge, which she stayed up all night to finish.
Several of our UK sellers have offered a little piece of their crafty family history along with some fab now and then photos (don’t you just love looking through old photo albums?). Here’s to our mums, whether they’re crafty goddesses or have two left sewing machine feet.
PaisleyChainsaw and TurnedandTwisted (pictured above)
“Glue guns at dawn” is a great way to describe our crafting habits. If it’s not me stealing mum’s goodies then it’s the other way around. We do seem to have a tendency of taking on each other’s crafts. (Not that I can knit or crochet, so mum’s safe with those.) We both fell in love with jewellery making, and, although our styles are different, we both like each other’s designs. I always love seeing and photographing my mum’s jewellery.
When looking back over old photos, and when I visit my parents on the weekends, I remember how daft we are and how much fun we have when we’re all together. I really appreciate everything that my mum and dad have done for me, and through their humour and my mum’s obsession with crafting I have developed a career out of something I love. My mum made many things when my brother and I were small, like snowmen that had candy in them and lots of clothes for me. Remembering her learning to knit with a machine brings back many memories of pretty scary jumpers (ha — sorry, mum). These things have really created who I am and my mum has always been there to give me encouragement and remind me that being different is good. I’d like to take this opportunity to tell my mum how good she is because I don’t think she knows it.
ValSainsbury and AmandaSainsbury
My mum and I go way back: 28 and a bit years in fact, with the craft-obsession gene travelling even further back down the generations. My gran and great-gran both used to take in sewing from their neighbours to earn a bob or two, while my mum would make clothes for herself and others nearby. This is something I’ve yet to accomplish but it is on the list along with:
- Cook a Sunday roast with all the trimmings
- Develop at least one green finger
I can remember my mum always doing a craft of some type from an early age and encouraging me to do the same. From drawing pictures for me to colour in (I was clearly too lazy to draw them myself!) to teaching me to knit for a reluctant Sindy. She even loaned me her sacred garden shed, which was transformed into a studio. Mum dispelled any lingering creepy-crawlies while I retreated to a safe distance — I’m also a wimp, mum’s the brave one!
Having grown up in an oldish house of 250 years, a love and appreciation of everything antique was perhaps inevitable in both of us. In recent years this has manifested itself in an almost religious compulsion to trawl various flea markets and charity shops. We can watch such TV gems as Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadshow and Time Team, and put it down to “research” for my vintage shop. Alas, I cannot claim expenses on this.
Mother’s Day has an uncanny habit of falling within a few days of my mum’s birthday. I have a feeling this is to compensate for my birthday falling so close to Christmas. But I may be wrong.
Val and Amanda have recently suffered the loss of their grandson and nephew and now support WaterAid in his memory. Click here to donate.
joyfeltcreations and feltmeupdesigns
Mel: My mum has been making polymer clay bears for twenty years now. I spent my childhood being dragged around craft fairs: getting up really early, lugging boxes, eating squashed cheese sandwiches and getting muddy and cold in tents in big fields. It was fab and I loved every second of it! Growing up in a crafty household was a great experience, and my mum always encouraged me to be creative. The very first thing I remember making for her was a little purple heart, which I coloured in with crayon. I know she still has it somewhere.
I’m really proud of my mother. She recently started art classes, began submitting work for exhibitions and sold a felt seascape in Hull, at Ferens Gallery Open Exhibition. She went all giddy when she saw the red “sold” dot next to it. I try to encourage her: she doesn’t think she’s good enough, but she just needs to have faith in herself. Looking at her work I know where I get my crafty, creative side. My mum is a real inspiration to me.
Joy: Melanie and I took a community course in felting together in 2006 and we both really enjoyed it. It’s nice that we started this journey together as the little felt class has opened so many doors for both of us. We both love felting but have gone in completely different directions: I prefer wet felting and making pictures and Melanie prefers needle-felt (because she can watch telly while she works!).
Inspired by my daughter, who had great faith in me and more confidence than I did, I followed on from that by taking art classes. There has been a bit of a role reversal for us recently: I always encouraged her to be creative and study art at university, but now I am asking for her advice and even borrowing her materials and art equipment. Melanie bought me some acrylic paints for Christmas and has promised to teach me how to use her Gocco printer as a Mother’s Day present. I’m very excited about it!
Many thanks to these Etsy ladies for sharing their stories for UK Mothering Sunday (March 14) — check out their fabulous wares in the Related Items below.
Did you inherit your crafty gene? Let us know in the comments section!
123 comments
Sign in to add your ownlovelygifts says:
Great article and cute finds!
2 years ago
antiquegrrl says:
Special :) Thanks.
2 years ago
MsPremiseConclusion says:
What a really lovely article! My mom has made some works of art for me over the years, particularly in the way of birthday cakes and Halloween costumes!
2 years ago
sarahknightdesign says:
Awww! This is such a cute post:) Brings back fond memories of making a mess doing crafts with my mother! Thanks!
2 years ago
julessabjewelry says:
I love this article! I have several 2nd and 3rd and 4th moms that love crafty things and I'm wonderfully blessed to have them in my life. It's very heartwarming to hear of all these wonderfully crafty moms and daughters. Thank you to the UK for sharing these! I love the Chuck the Evil Eye! I think I'm gonna get him!
2 years ago
delectabledenim says:
great to see what the mums of my etsy friends look like! and new shops to heart!
2 years ago
julessabjewelry says:
I love this article and especially Chuck the Evil Eye. Thank you so much for sharing! As one with several moms this touched me and I thank the UK for sharing.
2 years ago
Storeyshop says:
Aw, lovely article. My Mum's not creative in the slightest (haha) but she's always really encouraged me to draw/paint/cut/sew. She's the best :)
2 years ago
SilkstoneDesigns says:
This is a really sweet article. Brings back some lovely craft making memories with my mum :)
2 years ago
SilkstoneDesigns says:
This is a really sweet article. Brings back some lovely memories of craft making with my mum :)
2 years ago
AmandaSainsbury says:
Thank you Amity!
2 years ago
Sunsetgirl says:
This is a super mother's day edition!
2 years ago
creamrose says:
This is just fab! Lovely to see these three fab Etsians and their super talented Etsian mums!
2 years ago
moaningminnie says:
what a fab article! I have definately inherited the creative gene, my mum is a wizz on the sewing machine and taught me everything she knows. My father is a fantastic artist. My brothers are also artistic as are my sons.
2 years ago
niftyknits says:
This is LOVELY, I feel all warm and snuggly now! Fabulous article, Happy Mother's Day to all UK mums!
2 years ago
Tumus says:
Aww what fun stories :) I can recall all the fun craftiness I've done with my mum over the years.
2 years ago
breadandroses2 says:
So sweet. Thanks for sharing these stories, Amity!
2 years ago
thearthermit says:
Aww lovely article!!
2 years ago
ErikaPrice says:
Fantastic feature - great to see the faces of all these talented Etsians and their mums!
2 years ago
PaisleyChainsaw says:
aww thank you amity and etsy! I cannot wait for my mum to see this :-D Its great that I could say thanks to her! Great to read the other stories too so nice to see the people behind the shops :-)
2 years ago
bigbluebed says:
How lovely to read this. What fantastic mums and daughters. It makes me even more inspired to share crafting with my little girl. Who knows in 15 years we might feature here!
2 years ago
Stemellina says:
I can't explain it but this article brought tears in my eyes .Maybe because my mother was an artist when I was young and now I am following her steps.
2 years ago
MagicMarkingsArt says:
What an inspirational piece on mums and their crafty offspring - cheers to all the mums, mothers, mommies etc who are passing on their passion - and to my mom who says she has no artistic bone in her body, but whose cooking everyone raves about!
2 years ago
LHogan says:
Such a great article! Love it! My mother encouraged all forms of craftiness. She taught me how to sew. I taught her how to knit and I got her new sock yarn for Mother's Day off a seller on Etsy- JunoFibreArts.
2 years ago
AMIdesigns says:
Lovely article! Felt - you were such a cute baby :)
2 years ago
FamaraDesigns says:
Love mom and daughter Stories. I have a similar one in my home :). I love my Mom ♥
2 years ago
urbanfusions says:
Such a great read! My ma is not really creative or crafty, but she's the best at telling everyone how creative I am! Keep up all the fun ladies! xo
2 years ago
boojewels says:
Fabulous and timely article Amity, thank you. I too learnt many things creative from both parents - and grandparents too - I think everyone on both sides was good with their hands - I still use some of both grandfathers' tools. Happy Mother's Day!
2 years ago
Laurasbox says:
Great Article. My daughter and I werk together :)
2 years ago
clairepayne says:
Lovely article! I hope my little girl grows up loving crafts :)
2 years ago
thecrochetloft says:
Nice to have a famiy be involoved
2 years ago
beautifulbridget says:
My daughter Missindie and I are the same way...crafting is what we do :)
2 years ago
LustreBeads says:
A lovely read! The opening picture made me laugh. My mum is just about as interested in crafts as I am which is wonderful, she enjoys painting and creating textile pieces and I love jewellery making/metalsmithing. Happy mothers day to all the wonderful mums out there! :D
2 years ago
Floreal says:
I simmply love the collections.... beautiful article too... Such a great tribute to all the moms..:)
2 years ago
dragonhouseofyuen says:
ooh what a delight to read!! I inherited my mum's art gene :) actually my mum is a very talented silver smith and botanical illustrator - I love her bold, flamboyant clean style! I've been on at her to join etsy for .... years...!!
2 years ago
VelveteenHabbit says:
Lovely Lovely Lovely How sweet to enjoy your parent's company-I applaud you all for having fun together!!!
2 years ago
RAGGEDedgeGear says:
I like to tell people that I am every bit my mother's daughter. I even wrote my BFA Thesis paper about that... To my professor's dismay- she didn't think my mother was a legitimate artistic influence!
2 years ago
ialbert says:
great stories...
2 years ago
BetaBoutique says:
This is very sweet!
2 years ago
ScarlettRose says:
A really enjoyable read. It's nice to see that our Mother's crafts have been passed down to their daughters and that the daughters are inspired to create ideas of their own. My Mum knits and crochets and paints and all sorts of other things, me, I'm just grateful that I have been able to share my crafty creations with my Mum.
2 years ago
FluteTeacher says:
I'm really enjoying reading this series! Thanks!
2 years ago
EvenAndy says:
Nice and sweet article. I love my Mom:)
2 years ago
pancakeandlulu says:
this is wonderful--I love this!
2 years ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
Great article! My mom is responsible for getting me into making things as well.
2 years ago
ffflowers says:
What a lovely article! No more moaning now when my kids pinch my art stuff...
2 years ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Tremendous article. Thanks for all the Mums and daughters for sharing. And happy Mother's Day!
2 years ago
KittyCityCreations says:
Mothers are great. Where would we be without them?
2 years ago
kirstenfrancis says:
Great article! My mom taught me to use the sewing machine when I was way little (my first power tool) and I'm so thankful.
2 years ago
candacejean says:
CUTE cute stories! I love my mom. Happy mum's day!
2 years ago
RoyalPrincess says:
Lovely Article !!
2 years ago
baconsquarefarm says:
What a great article, thanks for sharing all the pictures and memories of mums and daughters. My mind was flooded with fond memories of my mom who was very creative and thought outside the box. Mothers are awesome~! Happy Mum's Day~!~!
2 years ago
PattiTrostle says:
Lets hear it for the Moms!!!
2 years ago
CalisArtStudio says:
Yay! What a fun story to read. I love crafting and chatting with Mom and my sisters, which happens often. Hooray for moms!
2 years ago
SkunkandIndigo says:
Mom was the one who taught me how to sew. Our first project together? A pillowcase of coarse....
2 years ago
joyfeltcreations says:
Thank you for a lovely article
2 years ago
Angharad says:
Love the article and photos. I also grew up in handmade clothes and my mum taught me to knit and sew when I was tiny. I still ring her up regularly for advice and opinions. I'm now enjoying seeing my daughter's (aged 6) delight at rummaging through a remnants bin in a haberdashery shop - that's my girl!
2 years ago
HandmadeByAlison says:
My Mum is still at it! Sewing, knitting, cooking, wallpapering and decorating (at 72!)...and encouraging me. She's great...and she's a great hoarder/collector/magpie, a gene that I have definately inherited!
2 years ago
YouAreYou says:
This is adorable!! 3 cheers for great moms!!
2 years ago
Betterthanbest says:
I love this article. My mom put the crafting bug in me AND my 2 sisters, taught me to sew at 5. She can't craft anymore and I sure do miss her. Happy Mother Day, Mom.
2 years ago
FerntreeStudio says:
Another great article. Especially nice to see the face behind those adorable needle felted birdies! :) angie
2 years ago
battysbath says:
What a great feature! Crafty mom and daughter teams rock!
2 years ago
MaaPstudio says:
Great Article. My 3 ears old daughter love playing with clay. She is making best ever monsters;)
2 years ago
MaaPstudio says:
Happy Mother Day!!
2 years ago
sleepymoondesign says:
Great article! I also have inherited the craft gene from my mom and my father as well. My mom is an artist and got her degree at Concordia university in MOntreal. I remember going their after school and being able to play with all of the equipment! So much fun! She is now a graphic designer and helps me with all of my Etsy and business branding! Yay
2 years ago
RuthBleakley says:
very sweet! Mother's day isn't till may 9th (I think) here in the US - but it was very inspiring to read about in the UK! I remember my mom used to sew all my clothes when I was in elementary school - I got to pick out the fabric, and boy I had some wild taste! (neon daisies anyone?)
2 years ago
handjstarcreations says:
having just recently visited London with my two kids, I so appreciate this bit of England and motherhood all rolled up together!
2 years ago
saintesmariesjewelry says:
great article! I have a team with my grandma, she got me started when I was like 3.. on making stuff!
2 years ago
1AEON says:
Hey UK crafty Mums! It's pretty rad!
2 years ago
TurnedandTwisted says:
This is lovely, oh my at my second picture!!! Its a nice surprise for mothers day, thank you Esme
2 years ago
GeorginaKay says:
What a sweet article. I run my etsyy shop with my mum, I love that we can craft together.
2 years ago
lifeofcolors says:
My mom passed her creative genes to all five of us kids, all of us in very different ways! :-)
2 years ago
CallMeCaptain says:
My mom is the best! She made the cutest dresses for me as a little girl and taught me how to use a sewing machine. Now it's me making dresses! Thanks mom! PS- There seems to be a theme of the moms not knowing how talented they are- my mom's the same! I wonder why??
2 years ago
polkadotsandblooms says:
Two great and lovely stories. If my daughters would only feel a little bit like Mel and Amanda when they are grown up I would be the happiest person in the world!
2 years ago
maggiemaevintage says:
My moms' very crafty, thrifty and very green. Happy mothers' day moms!
2 years ago
SchoolyardGames says:
What a lovely read
2 years ago
odiliafu says:
What a lovely article!! So sweet! Oh, I miss my mom who lives on the other side of the globe.
2 years ago
TreeHuggerStudio says:
Great article. It's so awesome that the artsy fartsy gene gets passed down.I too inherited from my mom,she so talented. Big hugs to all moms.
2 years ago
jdfootloose says:
Loved these lil storys! I learned crafting from grandmother. and fondly remember early mornings toting boxes for her! Loved it!
2 years ago
SoapandBodyInfusions says:
heartwarming my grandmother gave me my craft skills a very nice story
2 years ago
jedugoddess1228 says:
What a great article!
2 years ago
pinestreetphoto says:
sweet!
2 years ago
frenchtoastfriday says:
Reading this makes me miss my mom. My mom is truly talented. She can work on anything from handling a jigsaw and build a playhouse in the attic, to quilting a bed comforter. She's the best! Thanks for the article!
2 years ago
GallusTreeCreations says:
Mums rock,,, great article,
2 years ago
seaofbees says:
what a cute article, real sweet.
2 years ago
BlueForestJewellery says:
Great article! My inspiration came mainly from my grandmother - she was always making clothes for dolls or children. Very creative. She had made her own 'flapper' style wedding dress in the '20s with thousands of beads - I used to play dressing up in as a child... Happy Mother's Day everyone :-)
2 years ago
Whimsywares says:
neat article! We think the blue tit tweet birdie is super cute with his lil angry face.
2 years ago
AudreyGardenLady says:
My Motherr raised 4 children very close in age. She was always the neighborhood Mom too. While she is an artists and crafter herself, she was always coming up with cool stuff for us to do too. She was and still is a huge inspiration for me! Love you Mom!
2 years ago
lilycobweb says:
Wonderful article! Such talented mothers and daughters..such great relationships. A real pleasure to read:)
2 years ago
nowonder says:
beautiful lovely story. Keep it in the family!
2 years ago
ArtisticIntentions says:
Great article! Really nice items.
2 years ago
rainpeople says:
love the photo-booth photo! i started my business by raiding my mom's vintage fabric stash...thanks mom!!!
2 years ago
evihan says:
greatttt...thank you for sharinggg
2 years ago
CricketCreekDesigns says:
Great article. It brought back a lot of wonderful memories of my mother and my grandmother. They were both very creative. Always making something beautiful.
2 years ago
oliveliDesign says:
Why not father and doughters??? I have a new shop with my daughter. and I am a father! you can vist our shop..... I think it is beautiful...
2 years ago
CarolineUnderwood says:
Happy Mothers' Day today!
2 years ago
CarlaValverde says:
This is a lovely article, in fact my dolls are made by me and my mom. At beginning my mom couldn`t do them very well, the legs were very big or very small the way she used to do them, and I had to ask for a professional seamstress to make them. With time my mom became the best seamstress for making the dolls, now we are more close than ever because of our dolls business!
2 years ago
MissHildebrandt says:
What I would do to do crafts with my mother!
2 years ago
salvagedmutiny says:
My mum definitely inspired me to craft.. I can't remember a time when I wasn't encouraged to make stuff and play with arty things.... nowadays we ever consult each other on how to make stuff ;-) Yay mums!
2 years ago
grandmamarievintage says:
very nice article! happy mothers day!
2 years ago
gemheaven says:
Happy mothers Day ~ think my 8 yr old is determined to follow in her mums footsteps ~ she hammered and manipulates wire so well ;)
2 years ago
BalmBox says:
The Evil Eye is so cute!
2 years ago
MysticalRaindrops says:
I have 3 teen boys (mothers and sons who craft?) and hope to get them interested in selling crafts. So far, one likes video games and drawing, one likes electric guitar and one likes music cd's. Oh well...
2 years ago
earlybirdcreations says:
Oh what a fabulous article! Fantastic stories and the pics are just lovely :) Happy Mothers Day!
2 years ago
GreenTrunkDesigns says:
Love Moms!
2 years ago
svetoks says:
Cute designs...
2 years ago
ScarletandtheSea says:
What heartwarming stories!
2 years ago
thedoghouse says:
Aw, what a sweet post! On the McEtsy team we have our own mother & daughter duo: Pamela of BenMcfuzzylugs.etsy.com & her Mum Marie of beaulyben.etsy.com ;-)
2 years ago
lilabelledesign says:
Lovely article, lovely to see the faces behind the designs
2 years ago
BenMcfuzzylugs says:
Lovely! My mum always praised our art adventures but said she wasnt arty herself But they she set up her own knitwear buisness and started crafting in a big way. I discovered Etsy and pushed her to open her shop too http://beaulyben.etsy.com although I dont know if it has helped or just fed her craft addiction :D Oh just noticed thedoghouse posted about us too - thankyou!
2 years ago
pasin says:
Really lovely picks....
2 years ago
theenchantedcupboard says:
Love all the Mum and Daughter stories!
2 years ago
QuiteContrary2 says:
Aw, what a lovely article! The arty genes seem to have skipped my Mum, bless her – I remember being extremely impressed with a silhouette cat she drew me once which beat the stick men! But she’s always been really supportive about my creative ideas and I love her to bits. Yey for our mums!
2 years ago
auntcarriesattic says:
When I was eight, my grandmother gave all my great Aunt Carrie's wonderful victorian hats, linens, laces, to the "junk man," despite my impassioned protests. Ever since then I've been rescuing anything vintage, restoring them and making them useful. So I guess that's my inheritance... I love these stories, let's hear more.
2 years ago
VeraidaGifts says:
I have 2 daughters, the story realy touched me, very nice!
2 years ago
EllieThouret says:
Lovely article and it's great to see a presence for the UK here!
2 years ago
feltmeupdesigns says:
this is such a lovely article, thankyou for letting me be involved with me mum! i was such a cute baby... what went wrong? lol
2 years ago
CardsAndCraft says:
Fabulous article. My mum used to craft for England when I was little - clothes, toys, household items, art and not just for us for every school event going. It eventually rubbed off on me but many, many years later.
2 years ago
snapdragonbeads says:
great article I grew up surrounded by my mum's ever growing horde of fabric - she embroiders and quilts and was responsible for me starting to bead and going to craft fairs from early on. I've now a 2 year old daughter of my own who is already showing some interest in the beads ;-)
2 years ago
pouch says:
this is such a nice article, I learnt all my sewing skills from my mum and I still contact her regularly for advice. I'm hoping to pass on a love of creating things to my daughter when she is a bit older :) I'm also really sorry to hear about Amanda Sainsbury's and her Mum's loss, Wateraid is a fantastic charity xx
2 years ago
byae says:
Ahh this is so sweet, I am hoping to create some fond memories for my little girl too!
2 years ago
PaperFairie says:
My mum made snowmen jars for sweets at Christmas too, and they still come out of the box every year! And my birthday cakes I owe her a lot for the fact that she has inspired me to make things. good old mums eh?
2 years ago
marbled says:
lovely article!!
2 years ago
NervousWardrobe says:
Great article!!We are also mum and a daughter!!!
1 year ago