Mosaic Melted Bead Bowl

Interview with the designer of the Melted Bead Bowl

We asked the talented Jodi Durr to answer some questions about blogging and crafting.
 

Q. Who taught you to craft and how old were you?

A. I think crafting was just part of my make-up, stemming from my dad's side. My mom says she doesn't have an artistic bone in her body. What she did have was a great desire to support her children's interests. She would buy me craft books and art supplies so that I could self-direct the activities that inspired me. I started really young, and it's been a part of me ever since.
 

Q. What skill/technique/project/recipe is on your "bucket list?"

A. It is on my bucket list to be more proficient in the kitchen. In my adult years I have enjoyed cooking, but it's only been recently that I have put the recipe aside and started to create. I'd love to be one of those home cooks that doesn't need a recipe and yet always creates amazing meals that family and friends can enjoy together. Each time I create a winning recipe, it's super rewarding.
 

Q. What does crafting mean to you?

A. Crafting has been an amazing outlet for me since I have become a mom. Parenting isn't easy, and in those first years I felt like I was losing myself a bit. Having a creative vice to pour into has helped me be a better mom while reclaiming time to take care of me and my talents.
 

Q. What are the crafting tools that you cannot live without?

A. I love glue dots. It is a newer craft invention, but I love that they are easy, mess-free and make things adhere quickly. You do not need to wait for a project to dry, which makes them great for working with kids or doing craft projects with lots of layers.
 

Q. How long have you been blogging? Why did you start?

A. I have been blogging for three years. Parenting didn't come easily for me. I was surviving rather than thriving, and I wanted motivation to change. The blog became accountability for me to do the things I wanted to be doing in parenting - engaging with my kids, teaching character development skills, and parenting well. I have a passion for coming along other parents who want to be more intentional in parenting and more creative in life. It is rewarding when I see others inspired by something I've written or an idea I've created. My heart is to make a positive difference in this world by promoting healthy families.
 

Q. How would you describe your style?

A. Style can be expressed in so many ways. My house has a mix of reclaimed elements combined with a more industrial feel. I like to add pops of colors and maintain a fairly clean design. My personal style is fairly casual. I love me some yoga pants and cute sweatshirts. Leggings, tall boots, and a longer cute shirt would best describe my out-of-the-house outfits. I don't look forward to dressing up for fancy occasions. My artistic or crafty style is probably more clean in design. I like things that are graphic in nature.
 

Q. Are there any crafters/artists/designers that you particularly look up to?

A. I have always been in love with M.C. Escher's work because I appreciate his out-of-the-box, intelligent artwork. His designs make me think and challenge reality. I also like the Spanish architect, Gaudi. I appreciate his desire to stray from the usual shapes of a building. He pushes the boundaries and isn't afraid to try new things in his creations.
 

Q. Describe your work space/craft room.

A. Craft room? Wouldn't that be dreamy? We have a small home with no extra space for a craft room. I work at the dining room table, often with kids crawling over my lap to help or work with me. Crafting for me right now is not a thing I do alone, but it is a way for me to engage with my kids in a way we all enjoy. I never push it either. If they don't want to do it, we find another activity or I work with the child that does want to engage in that way.
 

Q. Where do you get your inspiration?

A. I am often inspired when I see other people's ideas. It pushes my thinking, and I start to imagine an adaptation. I also try to look for things in shapes. I might take an empty water bottle and imagine it as a rocket or turn it on its side to become a car. I also might start with the things I would want to create for a holiday, Bible craft, or just for fun, and then think about what materials will support the idea.
 

Q. When do you feel the most creative?

A. My creativity comes unannounced and in spurts. I might feel uninspired for a bit and then suddenly have 10 ideas all at once. I try to keep a running list for the times where my creativity isn't at a peak.

Find this craft and so much more in 100 Craft Ideas for Kids: Art Project Ideas, Recycled Crafts for Kids, and More Fun Crafts!