In a world where creativity and motherhood often collide, Plaid Creators Marilyn Shawe, Jenn Talis, and Natalie Shaw have found a beautiful balance as being both a passionate artist and an mom. With a heart full of love for their craft, their journeys are a testament to the power of art in both their personal and professional lives. This Mother's Day, we are diving into their inspiring worlds of art, parenting, and how they continue to foster creativity while nurturing their family.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what type of crafts you love to create?
Marilyn: I consider myself as a mixed media artist who enjoys creating in my free time, and by day, I’m an educator. I’m passionate about crafting memory keepsakes and working with papier-mâché. As a teacher, I love guiding my students through traditional art techniques while incorporating modern twists to keep them relevant. It's incredibly rewarding to see them discover the joy of creating art.
Marilyn Shawe
How has your crafting style changed since becoming a mom?
Jenn: Since becoming a mom, my crafting style has completely evolved. I had to learn to relinquish control—something that was incredibly difficult for me—but I knew I had to let my kids create and process in their own way. It wasn’t about achieving a perfect final product; it was about the experience, the exploration, and letting them take ownership of their creativity.
Having young kids (5 and 7), I also had to become much more mindful of the materials I left lying around or the projects I started in front of them. Nine times out of ten, if I start something, they’re going to want to jump in. So I had to be okay with them taking over, even if it was something I originally planned to do on my own.
Projects that once took me a couple of hours now might take days—or even weeks—because I’ve had to slow down, adapt, and be more flexible. But in return, I’ve learned to embrace the beauty of the process over perfection, and I love seeing my kids find their own creative voices along the way.
Do you have any go-to strategies for squeezing in crafting time, even on busy days?
Marilyn: I always carry art supplies (glitter pens, color pencils, notebook) with me—yes, even in my purse! Waiting can be tough, so I like to have a small stash of supplies on hand for quick creative moments whenever I find myself with a few free minutes. It’s a great way to make the most of those waiting times and squeeze in some crafting.
Also crafting together. One of my go-to strategies is crafting alongside my little one. She loves to create, when she was 2 years old she would paint our walls and furniture, so I set up a dedicated ART space for both of us. This way, we can make our own art and even collaborate when she’s inspired to. By working side by side, she can ask for help, and I make sure to emphasize that art is a process—there are no mistakes, just opportunities to adjust and rework things. Most materials are flexible, especially when you can always repaint a canvas.
What are some great ways to get your kids involved in your crafting?
Natalie: It was easy to involve my children in crafting, because it became part of their daily schooling too. We decorated for parties, painted rocks, added Arch-Reactor's to hoodies and much more.
As a young mom, my focus was just to involve my children at every step of the process. I taught them to sew with a machine and by hand young. I let them paint. I let them make a mess, which surprisingly wasn't that messy. We simply had so much fun together.
Natalie Shaw
What’s your favorite quick and easy craft project busy moms can do? Jenn: One of my favorite quick and easy crafts for busy moms is upcycling berry containers or plastic toy packaging into colorful suncatchers. We cut the plastic into fun shapes and decorate them with acrylic gem stickers. It’s an easy, mess-free project that results in a beautiful decoration to hang in the window!
Jenn Talis
What’s a special handmade gift that holds a special place in your heart?
Natalie: My kiddos surprised me one year for mother's day with a painted heart frame, adorned with jewels. I had no idea they were planning such a fun gift surprise, and they had a little help from a neighbor to take and print the perfect picture for it.
I love that my children were raised creating and crafting...and I love to see their crafting skills come out in their adult lives now as they move away from home.
For everyone out there looking to celebrate a mom in their life this holiday, remember—there’s always time to craft, connect, and create memories that will last a lifetime. For some Mother's Day inspiration, check out these projects.
Happy Crafting!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and what type of crafts you love to create?
Marilyn: I consider myself as a mixed media artist who enjoys creating in my free time, and by day, I’m an educator. I’m passionate about crafting memory keepsakes and working with papier-mâché. As a teacher, I love guiding my students through traditional art techniques while incorporating modern twists to keep them relevant. It's incredibly rewarding to see them discover the joy of creating art.
Marilyn Shawe
How has your crafting style changed since becoming a mom?
Jenn: Since becoming a mom, my crafting style has completely evolved. I had to learn to relinquish control—something that was incredibly difficult for me—but I knew I had to let my kids create and process in their own way. It wasn’t about achieving a perfect final product; it was about the experience, the exploration, and letting them take ownership of their creativity.
Having young kids (5 and 7), I also had to become much more mindful of the materials I left lying around or the projects I started in front of them. Nine times out of ten, if I start something, they’re going to want to jump in. So I had to be okay with them taking over, even if it was something I originally planned to do on my own.
Projects that once took me a couple of hours now might take days—or even weeks—because I’ve had to slow down, adapt, and be more flexible. But in return, I’ve learned to embrace the beauty of the process over perfection, and I love seeing my kids find their own creative voices along the way.
Do you have any go-to strategies for squeezing in crafting time, even on busy days?
Marilyn: I always carry art supplies (glitter pens, color pencils, notebook) with me—yes, even in my purse! Waiting can be tough, so I like to have a small stash of supplies on hand for quick creative moments whenever I find myself with a few free minutes. It’s a great way to make the most of those waiting times and squeeze in some crafting.
Also crafting together. One of my go-to strategies is crafting alongside my little one. She loves to create, when she was 2 years old she would paint our walls and furniture, so I set up a dedicated ART space for both of us. This way, we can make our own art and even collaborate when she’s inspired to. By working side by side, she can ask for help, and I make sure to emphasize that art is a process—there are no mistakes, just opportunities to adjust and rework things. Most materials are flexible, especially when you can always repaint a canvas.
What are some great ways to get your kids involved in your crafting?
Natalie: It was easy to involve my children in crafting, because it became part of their daily schooling too. We decorated for parties, painted rocks, added Arch-Reactor's to hoodies and much more.
As a young mom, my focus was just to involve my children at every step of the process. I taught them to sew with a machine and by hand young. I let them paint. I let them make a mess, which surprisingly wasn't that messy. We simply had so much fun together.
Natalie Shaw
What’s your favorite quick and easy craft project busy moms can do? Jenn: One of my favorite quick and easy crafts for busy moms is upcycling berry containers or plastic toy packaging into colorful suncatchers. We cut the plastic into fun shapes and decorate them with acrylic gem stickers. It’s an easy, mess-free project that results in a beautiful decoration to hang in the window!
Jenn Talis
What’s a special handmade gift that holds a special place in your heart?
Natalie: My kiddos surprised me one year for mother's day with a painted heart frame, adorned with jewels. I had no idea they were planning such a fun gift surprise, and they had a little help from a neighbor to take and print the perfect picture for it.
I love that my children were raised creating and crafting...and I love to see their crafting skills come out in their adult lives now as they move away from home.
Happy Mother's Day!
These stories beautifully illustrate how motherhood and art are not separate worlds, but interconnected pieces of a greater picture. Their journey of creating keepsakes, fostering creativity, and embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood are an inspiring reminder that art has the power to bring us closer, express emotions, and create lasting memories. No matter if it's crafting side by side with their family or on their own, their approach to art is as loving and thoughtful as the keepsakes they create.For everyone out there looking to celebrate a mom in their life this holiday, remember—there’s always time to craft, connect, and create memories that will last a lifetime. For some Mother's Day inspiration, check out these projects.
Happy Crafting!
