Together, Marianne and her daughter Adrianne run Bellebeads (also known as Family Flame Artisan Beads). Carole Brender of brenderart is mother to Marianne and grandmother to Adrianne — three generations on Etsy! Carole says that she heard about Etsy through her daughter and granddaughter. "My daughter has been helping me learn to list items, and even participate in forums, etc. If I have a question, both my daughter and grandaughter are there to help." It's a true family affair!

Do you have a job or do you Etsy full-time or are you at home with the kids? Do you try to "do it all"?
Adrianne says: I do lampwork beads and jewelry design part time and am a full time mother / housekeeper. In September I will be returning to school part time to further my talents and knowledge in photography and glass as an art and career.

Marianne says: I am a full-time housewife and glass artist.

Carole says: I am a full time artist (screenprints, watercolor, drawing, sublimation) and piano teacher.


[Five generation portrait 2008. Left to right back row: Marianne, Carole, Carole's mom. Front: Adrianne, daughter Audry, niece Lexi]

How has your mother influenced you or passed down the creative gene? Or has it, as some say, skipped a generation? Did you learn from your grandmother?
Adrianne says: My mother, grandmother, and great grandmothers have influenced me my whole life. Growing up I was always taught the importance of individuality and putting my best into everything I do. I was and still am a daydreamer. I think that is the creative gene in me from them. My mother pretty much taught me everything I know in beadwork and jewelry design, and eventually got me into lampworking. I seem to always follow in my mom's footsteps. My grandparents took me to Europe when I was 14. In Venice, Italy, we watched the glass blowers, and learned about how the different colors were made. Little did I know that experience would have a huge impact on what I am doing today.

Marianne says: My mother, Carole Brender, has always been my inspiration. She has been a professional artist most of my life. I helped her at art shows, and we were members of a local cooperative gallery for many years.

Carole says: My mother, grandmother, and I took china painting classes together. Mother was always creating something, and still is at 95!

Please let us know if you're a Mother/Daughter-Son creative duo in the comments below or in this forum thread!