Misty started Makey Mamas for pregnant ladies, mothers and their babies, nine months ago. She has seen an enthusiastic response in the city, as families embrace and nurture their creativity with bootie making, natural skincare workshops and photography – just some of the classes Misty runs.

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your business
My name is Misty and I live in Easton with my tiny girl, my partner, our bees and allotment. I set up Makey Mamas about nine months ago. I offer creative workshops for mums of young babies and pregnant women, where they can learn new skills, relax and socialise with other mums and make lovely things for their bumps and babies. From bootie making, to baby photography and a whole load of things in between.

You have just completed (in the midst?) of your Mini Bootie Trail – how has this gone/going? Have you managed to shield yourself from the rain?!
Just the thought of the Mini Bootie trail makes me smile! Lots of mini (1.5” long) wool and sheepskin booties have been strung up around select locations in Bristol for local folk to find. On 14th February the Mini Booties in good condition will be given to the NICU at Southmead hospital to keep the toes of premature babies warm. I’ve been overwhelmed by the response of people participating in the trail. A few pairs of the booties have gone wandering but there have been some kind souls helping them back to their proper positions too. It was a soggy mission to set them all up, but it was a creative pilgrimage to some of the makey places I love most in Bristol.

What do you enjoy about life in Bristol with kids?
Bristol attracts such creative people and this is prominent in the activities for kids. From baby Tibetan chanting, felt puppet shows to local parks and city farms. We do have it all. So many families with young kids have been participating in the Mini Bootie trail as well- even my little girl gets excited when she sees a pair. She thinks they are for her dolly!

And have you always been interested in craft?
I have a lifelong relationship with all things makey. It started with card making a long time ago, now it’s knitting, photography, home remedies, hampering, glass cutting – and many more, some of which don’t have names and that I classify just as ‘makey things’. I try (and fail, at times) to be self-sufficent (ish) and being crafty goes hand in hand with that! What I’m most interested in though is sharing the skills with others!

What do you do for pregnant ladies?
My workshops allow pregnant women to slow down and take a break from the preparation that often dominates pregnancy, and take some time for themselves on their own or with their partner. I offer workshops on how to make natural skincare products, toys, booties, how to photograph a pregnant bump and how to cast a pregnant bump. I also offer workshops for mums and younger babies.

How has it been launching an independent business in Bristol?
Hard work, but fun! Bristol has so many innovative small businesses that it’s really hard to stand out from the crowd. But I think rather than being a small business in isolation I try and reach out to others, to collaborate and share ideas. None of us are truly ‘independent’ – we’re all part of a community.

Have you received support from the Bristol community, including online?
Absolutely, the pregnancy and baby professional community have been second to none with their support- from advice to promoting to being a shoulder to cry on. Local family and news bloggers, 24/7 included, have gone out of their way to help me. And my Facebook followers constantly give me feedback and keep me on track. I’m so grateful for everyone’s support. I’m a firm believer in ‘what goes around comes around’ so in turn, I try to support others.

How can creativity help mums and mums-to-be? And their kids? 
A study at University of Richmond in Virginia found that the hormones during pregnancy and labour rewire a mother’s brain; so they might not remember everyday information but they uncover creative pathways and becomes more ‘right-brained’. The workshops we offer support women to nurture this creative instinct that many experience. Also, women can often be vulnerable during this stage of their life and creativity can give a focus, an outlet, ignite new passions and enterprise. Two women have gone on to start their own business after attending my creative workshops. As for the children, a happy mama makes for a happy child (especially if they have a new felt toy to play with that mama made for them at a workshop)!

Have you always lived in Bristol? What did you do before MM?
I’m Australian but for the past 12 years I’ve worked for arts and sustainability organisations in Bristol’s third sector. I’m a trained adult teacher with a degree and professional qualification in Photography and Media. I come from a long line of self-employed people, so this felt like a natural progression to me.

What’s the future for Makey Mamas?
My pipe dream is that Makey Mamas becomes a household name amongst mamas and mamas-to-be in Bristol. I’d love for a pregnant woman to think my creative workshops as important as her antenatal classes. 

Ultimately, I’d like it to evolve into a creative collective where other creative mamas share their skills, strengthening the diversity of what Makey Mamas offers.

www.makeymamas.co.uk