Etsy's Handmade Blog
Crafty Genes: A Mother-Daughter Etsy Story
Story by sofiamasri
Published on May 4, 2009 in This Handmade Life 		Photo by

sofiamasri
I owe so much to my mother, Raquel: my freckles, an undying love of stinky cheese, and an affinity for Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco objects. Most important, though, is the creativity that can be traced through her family tree — no generation has been spared! Both of my mom's grandfathers were successful jewelers in Mexico City. One of them took up photography as a full time hobby when he retired. Grandma Victoria taught me how to knit, crochet, and sew. She also used to paint tiny beautiful flowers on china. Mom studied graphic design and has, at one point or another, mastered a large number of artistic media. Inheriting this propensity, I've also worked with many different materials and have loved all of them. Our DNA's nucleotides hold the code for some pretty strong artistic inclinations. 

On Mom's lap, 1979.

Mom encouraged and nurtured my artistic leanings from a very early age. She signed me up for art camp when we lived in Mexico, drove me to after school oil painting classes when I was 15, and accompanied me to my art school interview. Our creative endeavors have strengthened an already incredible bond and provided us with common interests for as long as I can remember. We took fused glass classes when I was a teen, and she was an invaluable help when I had to make displays for my very first craft show a couple of years ago. (Who else would pull an all-nighter with me, paintbrush and power drill in hand?)

So it comes as no surprise that thirty years, two countries, nine homes and countless hairstyles later, I still see my mom almost every day. I work out of my parents' house in the Chicago suburbs, where my mom also has her studio. Despite our similar aesthetic and shared medium, we have opposite viewpoints when it comes to our creative space. Mom can't work unless everything is neat, orderly and in its place. I, on the other hand, find it impossible to create without at least a little chaos around me. Out of necessity, we work in separate rooms.
 

Organized - 1 - Mini art feeling
This piece is one of Raquel's favorite Etsy items because it "combines two of my favorite things, porcelain and organization!" By ArtMind, $100.

But our passion didn't always lie in cold, mushy porcelain clay. Just five years ago, Mom was in the middle of a mosaic frenzy and I was making beaded jewelry. We were both teaching art classes and workshops and looking for something different to make our work stand out. Mom found a porcelain tile making class that she was sure would give her mosaic pieces an edge. I signed up for the class as well so that we could spend time together. Soon after, her mosaics were replaced by bowls and dishes, and gemstones became the secondary components in my jewelry designs.  

 

in the tall grass - rich embroidery dangle earrings
Mom is my best customer (or looter, depending on how you look at it). For a little variety in her jewelry wardrobe, I gave her a pair of earrings from the gracious and talented Jennifer Morris for her birthday last year. By jennifermorrisbeads, $137.

Etsy has become another shared interest, another common bond. As any Etsy seller can tell you, it takes a certain amount of confidence to release your creations into the world. We put so much of ourselves into our work that acceptance and rejection can feel intensely personal. With Mom's encouragement I transitioned from timid shopper to full-fledged seller, finally listing items in my first shop, sofiamasri, over a year after I had registered. After a very helpful Virtual Labs critique a month later, I opened poopsie to house my more youthful pieces. 
 

thera necklace, cappuccino
Raquel: This is my favorite necklace from Sofia's shop. I love it because it looks like a little antique treasure and it's my favorite color! By sofiamasri , $32.

Now it was my turn to be the motivator! A little support and a quick orientation is all it took. Mom opened raquelmasri for housewares, and TheMosaicShop for porcelain tiles and buttons. We do our best to cheer each other on, give constructive advice, and lend a helping hand whenever needed. Mom really is my best friend and I'm so glad we've found yet another activity to share: selling on Etsy.


Alphabet Porcelain Dish
Mom's shops are full of gorgeous things. This one reminds me of antique penmanship books from the late 19th century. By raquelmasri, $30.

We hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into our lives and would like to wish all of the moms out there a happy and healthy Mother's Day!

Walking_with_mom.jpg
A day at the park, Mexico City, 1981.

Lupus research is important to both of us. Please visit the following sites to learn more:
Lupus Foundation of America 
Alliance for Lupus Research 
Lupus Research Institute 

More Mother-Daughter Stories | Classic Gifts for Mom


Tags art, ceramics and pottery, Chicago, crafts, creativity, daughters, DNA, family, genes, genetics, jewelry, love, Mexico, Mexico City, mother daughter, mothers, Mother's Day, poopsie, porcelain, raquelmasri, sofiamasri, TheMosaicShop, This Handmade Life, THIS HANDMADE LIFE
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85 comments     Login to add your own!

May 4, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. LaveMeSoapCo

awwww
now i miss my mom

May 4, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. KeneishaS

So sweet! You are quite the talented, lovely duo. Moms are the best <3

May 4, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. adoreneko

What a touching article!
After reading this, I called Mom just to hear her voice.
Beautiful finds.

May 4, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. DeNovoStyle

Cute! My mom is awesome! Now that I'm a mom, I often wonder how she did it!

May 4, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. qwynwyn

Awwww... What a lovely mother-daughter story!

May 4, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. poppyshop

So sweet to read this Sophia - you and your mother are so beautiful!

May 4, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. EJPcreations

That is the sweetest story!!!

May 4, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. aimeesarmoire

Mother-daughter artists and crafters share quite a bond, and they have irresistible stories, too.

I thank my lucky stars for my crafty mom, who raised 2 daughters as a full-time craftsperson. I wish she were here to Etsy with me (thanks, mom. i miss you)

May 4, 2009 at 3:57 p.m. aymujer

This is inspiring to me to work more with my little girl-- She is my greatest creation!

May 4, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. missindie

Awww how sweet! :]
I love being on Etsy with my mom, we have so much fun!

my mom - http://beautifulbridget.etsy.com
me - http://missindie.etsy.com

May 4, 2009 at 4 p.m. CwButcher

yeah thats what i'm talk'in about

May 4, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. redyellowandblueink

Wow, wow, wow! Wonderful!-keeping art and craft alive and thriving though the generations. Great story.

May 4, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. bylynnkrestel

my daughter http://trashbaggs.etsy.com (a teenager!)
and me http://bylynnkrestel.etsy.com (not telling!!)
love getting started together on etsy!!

May 4, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. cutiepiecompany

How wonderful, I love the Masri's work. I helped my own crafty mom open up her own etsy shop too!

May 4, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. FashionTouch

Beatiful story! I owe a lot to my mom, including freckles :))

May 4, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. HAREandDRUM

Fantastic, I love your family photos here! I am very lucky, too, to be working closely with my Mom on our embroidery art. Grandma, her mom, was a highly skilled knitter, and Grandpa a handyman the whole neighborhood went to in need. It must be in the genes :)

May 4, 2009 at 4:43 p.m. anakim

Wonderful! Your work is beautiful Sofia!

May 4, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. phydeaux

Yay! I love both of your work so much - what a delight to read about you both. Lovely article! :)

May 4, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. baconsquarefarm

Lovely work and great story, enjoyed my read. My mom would have enjoyed Etsy with all the creative minds. Wish you continued success.

May 4, 2009 at 5:18 p.m. DalkullanJewelry

Wonderful story. Best wishes for your continued success!

May 4, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. themefragrance

can hardly wait to create something with the tiles for my garden in brooklyn! wonderful!

May 4, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. Mattamorphis

beautiful pieces.

-M

May 4, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. HibouCards

That's great story. The earrings "in the tall grass" are sooo pretty. I'll definitely keep your store in mind. Good luck!

May 4, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. workingforpeanuts

Thank-you for such a nice story. You two are very lucky to have each other. Happy Mother's Day everyone!

May 4, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. FrucciDesign

Sweet article!!
the photos are amazing!!!!

May 4, 2009 at 6:11 p.m. satellitedaisy

What a lovely story! I miss my mother.

May 4, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. definitionofself

This whole article is heartwarming, and nostalgic. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

May 4, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. BetaBoutique

so lovely!
After moving to other city where are my studies I miss my mom very much, but now we are able to be side by side not only in family contest but also sharing common passion and hobby because we run our etsy shop together!

May 4, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. jennifermorrisbeads

how beautiful you and your mom are sophia!
thank you for including my earrings along with all of this other gorgeous work and of course, with your lovely words.
you are so very inspiring!
xox

May 4, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. ThreeFive18

this is so amazing! i hope to someday have a daughter that i can share crafting with! lovely lovely article!

May 4, 2009 at 8:21 p.m. monkeyandsquirrel

thank goodness for moms! what a great story.

my mom isn't a crafty one, but she always told me that i could do whatever i tried. her support made me the individual i am today.

thanks mom!

May 4, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. SquaresOfFlair

What a wonderful article! I love doing my crafts with my daughter too.

May 4, 2009 at 10:11 p.m. odiliafuart

So sweet!! Wonderful article. Love their shops!!

May 4, 2009 at 10:43 p.m. RomanceCatsAndWhimsy

Inspiring article -- you're so lucky to have such a close relationship. Thank you for sharing! :)

May 4, 2009 at 10:44 p.m. MustLoveTiaras

Thank you for sharing your story!! I hope my three children grow up to love art as much as I do!!

May 4, 2009 at 11:06 p.m. RivasStudios

Love it, reminds me of my dad =)

May 4, 2009 at 11:40 p.m. soule

That is such a sweet story! I miss my mom now!

May 5, 2009 at 12:02 a.m. GlamRockEmporium

Too cute!

May 5, 2009 at 12:21 a.m. SnappyChic

Lovely!! Thank you for including my Paris Carousel print!! =)

May 5, 2009 at 12:55 a.m. littlepinkpebble

this article is so so sweet~!!

May 5, 2009 at 1:08 a.m. flapperdoodle

this is soo sweet!! :D

me and my mom share etsy too
me: flapperdoodle.etsy.com
mom: baublesbanglesbeans.etsy.com

May 5, 2009 at 3:17 a.m. Iammie

Nice stuffs.

May 5, 2009 at 3:23 a.m. sandali

AWESOME article -- it's amazing to see how these mother-and-daughter teams pull it off with style -- only if I was closer to my mother it would most definitely be an option -- missing her terribly!! Great selected items -- happy days ;)

May 5, 2009 at 3:59 a.m. amyrwyatt

Two of my favourite sellers, This is such a lovely article.

May 5, 2009 at 4:06 a.m. sofiamasri

Thanks for all the great feedback! Mom & I really appreciate it :)

May 5, 2009 at 4:40 a.m. anakim

I looked into all your shops, and your work is so beautiful and stylish. I wish you both continued success!

May 5, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. ModernMetalJewelry

I just love the Mother Daughter stories! The work is just beautiful!

May 5, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. BeadsInTheBelfry

oooh!!! How wonderful!!!

May 5, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. allthingswhite

I love every part of this!!!

May 5, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. TreeHuggerStudio

Great story! I too get my creative gene from my mom,it is crazy what gets past on to your offspring! I hope my kids appreciate art.!

May 5, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. lovelygifts

Lovely story!

May 5, 2009 at 11 a.m. rlevenkron

I love this Mother/Daughter pieces. My own mom and I share crafty genes (her mother/my grandmother was so creative - hats, paitings, you name it!) and she and I are working on collaborating knitting/felting/sewing pieces. We hope to open our own shop this summer. Thanks for such a nice story!

May 5, 2009 at 11:26 a.m. waisze

Great story. And such lovely items.

May 5, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. ExoticFlavour

Wonderful !

May 5, 2009 at 1:49 p.m. michon

Great story, you both make beautiful things!

May 5, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. ArtMind

Aww, such a sweet story! Must be fantastic to work together like you both do! Super - thanks for sharing & for loving 'organised' ;)

May 5, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. timesandchimes

Such a lovely story - and such beautiful work! From one mother/daughter creative team to another - Happy Mother's Day!

May 5, 2009 at 8:16 p.m. yosemitevintage

Thanks for sharing your story and the beautiful pictures. You are very lucky to have this with your Mom. Cherish it and take care of it forever. It is a gift from above. I love the 1979 picture of your mom and you as a baby. She is so full of joy. Its obvious you were and are the love of her life. Happy Mothers Day!

May 5, 2009 at 8:34 p.m. photographybyjenna

your relationship reminds me of my relationship with my mom. we've spent hours crafting together and i cherish the memories I have. great story!

May 5, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. CollectionObsession

Beautiful story. You are so fortunate to share your craft.

May 5, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. MichelleStudio

Such a sweet story. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there.

May 6, 2009 at 7:49 a.m. theduskyjewel

My daughter and I work together and it is so much fun. We are so blessed to do so. My four year old granddaughter Willow is right beside us most of the time. Happy Mothers Day to all!

May 6, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. SimpleTraditions

Thanks so much for sharing!

May 6, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. ZABRINAS

What a lovely article. Love your items, they are beautiful! Have a Happy Mother's Day,Zabrina

May 6, 2009 at 1:02 p.m. CutieDynamite

Love it! Thanks for sharing!

May 6, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ireneagh

So lovely! :) wonderful article!

May 7, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. daniellexo

Too sweet! Happy Mothers Day Raquel!

May 7, 2009 at 12:24 p.m. raquelmasri

Thanks for all the lovely comments, Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

May 7, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. CityChicCountryMouse

Thank you for sharing your lovely story with us! We love reading about other mother-daughter shops! So much fun!

May 7, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. fray

What a sweet story! Thank you so much for sharing!

May 8, 2009 at 3:16 a.m. raghousenternational

Absolutely wonderful! It's great to pass the artistic skills along, just like grandmother!

Ren

May 8, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. eliwill

so sweet.

May 8, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. jiorji

cute story

May 8, 2009 at 4:18 p.m. TianaCHE

So lovely picks and story! Just beautiful!

May 12, 2009 at 1:41 a.m. theaxx

GOSH! It's crazy how much mum & daughter look alike, and what completely beautiful stuff they make.
Crazy inspiring. Moms rock! :)

thea.
xx

www.forthevisionaries.tumblr.com

May 12, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. santosleather

Beautiful ! A beautiful pair and great stuff in this room ! Very inspiring indeed !

May 12, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. artwithallie

What a fantastic relationship you both have!!

May 13, 2009 at 2:11 a.m. BaysideBoutique

I inherited my creative genes from my mom too, a very touching story and your pieces are lovely.

May 14, 2009 at 5:19 a.m. OpusMuse

I love this article! It touches my heart & evokes sentimental feeling looking at those old photos of you & your mom. I hope to share this kind of bond with my daughter when she grows up. xx nicole

May 14, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. urbanbead

This is the best! I am so glad I called my mom back last night!

June 4, 2009 at 11:50 p.m. SimplyQuilting

Wow... talent, love, and dreams... I am proud to be a part of my daughters dreams with SimplyQuilting... your story is beautiful!
Thank you.

June 8, 2009 at 1:30 a.m. honeypielove

What a lovely story- truly inspirational and heartfelt!
Cheers to you both!

June 8, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. VenniCaprice

I still work out of my parents house and I love having them around every day. Its nice to know Im not the only one who appreciates being around loved ones :)

June 10, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. pj2009

i like black and white)

Aug. 18, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. batches

One of the nicest stories I've heard in a long long while. It is beautiful when a mother and daughter finish each other's sentences, so to speak. Both of you do gorgeous work. I'll be back.

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