The More Than A Mama group are made up of a group of Berkhamsted mums and a daddy.
We all met through toddler groups or on school playgrounds and realised we had something else in common too, our own small businesses. Many of us had decided not to go back to our pre-baby jobs but still wanted to earn some money and flex some creativeness and brain power whilst still being there for assembly or
the school play.
the school play.
Our first meeting, in early 2009, was certainly an informal one, with babies, toddlers and a doggie too. It was noisy and hectic but there was coffee, tea, cake, a lot of laughter and a huge common interest in showcasing the many talented local mums and dads by way of organising regular fayres with a difference. More of an exhibition than a village fair, we wanted to bring a variety of local artists and contemporary products to our customers all under one roof, and all within a couple of hours too. We open after the school drop off in the morning and are done by noon, in time for pre-school/nursery pick up and lunch, it's perfect timing!
Our first event, Bumps, Babes & Beyond, was nerve-racking, how would the people of Berkhamsted respond? will they come? will they love our handmade, hand baked and carefully sourced wares and services? We needn't have worried as we were overwhelmed with the support we received from the Berkhamsted community as well as from further afield. It encouraged us to continue and we even ventured into new territory and threw an event in Harpenden too.
As a group we organise our fairs as a way of bringing the products and services of local talented mums and dads to the community, every penny from our stall fees gets ploughed back into the venue costs, marketing and advertising of our fairs. We volunteer our own time to design the artwork, promote, post fliers through letter boxes, tweet, blog and facebook about it and generally spread the word everywhere we go! We have approx. 5000 fliers printed for each event, delivered through letterboxes, handed to you at the nursery or school playground or on the High Street, posters around town and promoted online. We are proud of our events and the variety and quality of our sellers and want you to be too.
So, who exactly are we and what exactly do we do?
Firstly meet Natasha, from Nevie-Pie Cakes, mummy to 2 little ladies, an amazing baker and cake decorator with a difference. Once a textile designer, with her obvious artistic talents she hand paints designs onto many of her cookies and cakes with awe-inspiring results. Her creativity is amazing and not only that, everything tastes just as good as it looks, although it does seem a shame to eat them!
Emma, is our baby and children's clothes designer and mummy of 2, one of each.
Rockabye Baby is inspired by music and pop culture and is fashion with attitude for your own little rocker, babies were 'born to rock' in Emma's gorgeously made clothing. With superb quality materials and such funky designs, her clothing is made to last, which is just as well as it will no doubt become a wardrobe favourite!
Meet Richard, contemporary photographer and daddy of 3 little lovelies, with his own studio, he provides the perfect venue for some seriously stylish shoots with a relaxed and informal approach.
Richard is flexible too and can happily arrange a location shoot, be it amongst a sea of bluebells or poppies, Richard can expertly advise you on the very best location with a wonderful result.
Becky is the mastermind behind Isla B Baby and mummy of 3, always with the practical needs of mums in mind along with such fun and imagination, a sewing expert with a great eye for gorgeous colours and fabrics.
With so many products, it's hard to choose a favourite, from quality bedlinen to baby changing mats, bags, bibs, swim bags, hair scarves, Princess (and Prince) and the pea beds, bunnies in beds, greeting cards.....the list is endless, as is her talents.
Sharon is our resident beauty expert and mummy of 2, accomplished Beauty Therapist and Vie at Home Consultant, Sharon is an award winning consultant! As well as throwing Vie Home Parties she offers all kinds of beauty treatments from her home salon. If you are lucky enough to enjoy a mini facial at one of our fairs then you will be the lucky recipient of some expert advice, techniques and of course Sharon's warmth and friendliness.
Katy Leigh is a local talented ceramic artist and illustrator. Mum of 2, Katy has a huge love of drawing. After completing a BA and MA in Illustration, she Picture Edited and Illustrated for various Magazines but found a new love. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, the home of pottery, Katy's drawing has taken her back to her roots and she now illustrates onto ceramics.
Finally meet Marie, mummy of 2 and founder of Heartfelt Handmade, a hobby turned business in 2007.
Marie hand cuts and hand stitches all her cute wares using her own hand drawn designs and templates, and offers practical yet super fun items, such as personalised name banners, tooth fairy monsters and birdies, hair clip holders, hair accessories, brooches, big and squishy stuffed letters and much more. You are guaranteed a riot of colour and smile-inducing fun, who wouldn't laugh at a fake moustache on the end of a pencil?
So now you've met us, what's next? We are looking forward to our Christmas Fair, more details will be coming soon, look out for our fliers and posters...
Posts
