Baby Bee Hummingbirds Keepsakes

Time is such an interesting concept, especially for young parents. Pregnancy drags on day after day, and slows down more and more the closer you get to the birth of your baby. You have all the time in the world to get the nursery set up, select a name, and otherwise prepare for the arrival of your baby, until you suddenly realize that baby could come any day, and then there just isn’t enough time to get everything done! And once your baby arrives, those first few moments, days, and sometimes weeks, are both deliciously slow and gone so fast. Then, as you establish a new day to day routine, before you know it, your baby turns into a toddler and you wonder how on earth time could have passed so quickly! Time is far from a constant friend. How do you hold on to those precious moments with your little one?

That is the question that Amy, from Baby Bee Hummingbirds, helps moms answer all over the world, by offering to eternalize certain moments in time by crafting them into gems: your baby’s birth with a Placenta Gem, your breastfeeding relationship with a Breastmilk Gem, your little one’s first hair trim with a First Curl Gem, and more. In the short interview below, Amy tells us a bit about herself and her gems, and she is excited to offer you a chance to win a breastmilk gem in a very special giveaway.

Mumma & Babies

Amy with her babies!

TLB: What would you like the Leaky Boob community to know about Baby Bee Hummingbirds (BBH)?

Amy: BBH was born from my desire to capture and preserve life’s most precious memories.  As a midwife and breastfeeding mumma (six years continuous breastfeeding and counting), I have a deep passion and drive to create gems that represent and honour a mother’s role as life giver and nurturer.  I basically turned my “ hobby”  into a world wide business. I am honoured and proud to craft my unique collection of gems, which has naturally expanded from Breastmilk Gems, to Placenta Gems, First Curl Gems, Ashes Gems, and Pet Memorial Gems.

TLB: What a neat opportunity. It’s easy to see how this would appeal to many many moms. But the idea of preserving bodily fluids or tissue could also make some people squeamish. Is there any danger to anyone’s health in producing these keepsakes?

Amy: There is absolutely no danger to anyone’s health.  However I do recognize that every day I deal with individuals’ unique DNA, and I acknowledge that by ensuring all my supplies are single use only, and my preservation methods are 100% safe and risk free.

TLB: How long does the creation of these unique pieces of jewelry take?

A: All my gems are crafted in steps. The very first step is to start the unique preservation method, which takes a few days to complete. After this the gems are set, coated in a protective resin, sanded, and polished to perfection.  Each gem takes an average of three hours to create over several days.

TLB: What is your favorite Breastfeeding tip?

Amy: Especially during the early (newborn months), enjoy your ability to nourish and nurture your child. Take the time to sit or lay down quietly with your nursling. It’s Mother Nature’s way of ensuring you rest often (yes even if its every 2 hours).  Breathe in that baby scent and let the oxytocin (love hormone) flow, fall deeper in love with your little one, and recharge.

Full Term Breastfeeding

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Amy is offering three different prizes to 3 lucky Leakies!
(one prize per winner)
Retail Value: $62 each

Amythest BreastMilk Gem

First Prize: A Breastmilk Gem Bead

Pure Heart Gem

Second Prize: A Pure Breastmilk Gem Heart

BreastMilk Gem with First Curl

Third Prize: A Breastmilk Gem Bead with Baby’s First Curl

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 Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from February 26, 2015 through March 6, 2015.  A big thanks to Amy and Baby Bee Hummingbirds for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page or follow them on twitter and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.  Check them out on Instagram too, username @babybeehummingbirds

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Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy Giveaway

Becoming a parent is an event that changes you, and life as you know it, in many expected and surprising ways – most everyone recognizes this.  Perhaps less recognized, is that having your second child is often just as, if not even more, full of surprises and changes than with your first.  You think you have this parenting thing figured out with one, and then realize that what worked for them isn’t going to cut it for the second.  There’s beauty in the reality that as your family grows and changes, you all change and grow together.  This is something that Jeemaa, jewelry maker and TLB sponsor, is experiencing right now!  She shares some of her thoughts in a brief interview below, and shares some of the creations that her new baby boy have inspired with The Leaky Boob community through a giveaway further down the page.  



TLB:  First of all, congratulations Jeemaa, on the arrival of your new baby!  How is everyone adjusting to this cute new family member?

Jeemaa:  Thank you so very much!  We are overjoyed to welcome our son Oliver.  He is adorable and we are all slowly adjusting to our new hectic life!  The first couple of weeks were rough for our two year old Zachary, but he has quickly turned into a loving and caring big brother.  It melts my heart when I see him bond with his little brother!

TLB:  Have you been able to enjoy some quality down time since the birth?

Jeemaa:  At the moment, it is hard to find time for myself, but my husband and I try to save Friday nights for DVR date night.  We really look forward to it!  Once we establish a good routine that works for everyone, I am sure I will be able to have some quality time for myself.

TLB:  Have you noticed anything different with your breastfeeding experience this time around, and has it changed any of your views on breastfeeding?

Jeemaa:  Breastfeeding did not come easy to me with my first.  The first few months were a blur and all I remember is a lot of pain, problems with latching, mastitis more than a few times and the list goes on.  I was pretty close to giving up but kept telling myself one more week.  I think Zachary was about five months when I could finally say “OK, I think I can do it!”   The second time around, it has been a lot easier!  Oliver latched on like a seasoned pro!  I still had a few of the same issues (e.g., mastitis, oversupply) that I had with my first, but I knew where to look for answers.  I think my views on breastfeeding are evolving and I am definitely more respectful and understanding of others’ decisions – whatever that might be.

TLB:  What is your favorite breastfeeding tip?

Jeemaa:  I have two. Have contact information for a good lactation consultant handy!  My life saver is Chris Harter in Columbus, Ohio.  She is an amazing woman full of knowledge and life time experience!  Also, take advantage of the breastfeeding help lines!

TLB:  How has your new baby affected your jewelry making business, and do you have any special plans for 2013?

Jeemaa:  A new baby means less time and I have to use my limited time wiser.  It also means new inspirations and new ideas!  Just starting from last week, Oliver started grabbing my necklace with his tiny hands.  I noticed that he loves grabbing the chunky textured wooden beads more and I thought I don’t have enough of those in my shop.  I love colors … especially the colors I find in semi precious stones.  Combining his favorite textured beads with my favorite semi precious stone beads, I created more Teething Ring Statement Necklaces.  I love the way they look and feel and would like to offer two of them for the TLB readers. I hope you will like them as much as Oliver and I do!

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Jeemaa  is giving away two (2) different prizes to two (2) lucky Leakies – one prize each.  The prizes are:

  1. A Teething Ring Statement Necklace with Rose Quartz: Made of all natural maple ring, wooden beads and a coin shaped flat Rose Quartz stone. It is simple yet pretty! The textured beads and the movable wooden ring will keep the lil ones’ hands busy.  Retail Value: $16.00
  2. A Teething Ring Statement Necklace with Turquoise: Made of all natural maple ring,  wooden beads and a coin shaped flat Turquoise stone. It is simple yet pretty! The textured beads and the movable wooden ring will keep the lil ones’ hands busy.  Retail Value: $16.00

 

Currently Leakies can find these necklaces (and others!) in Jeemaa’s Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/109554099/nursing-necklace-teething-ring-statement
https://www.etsy.com/listing/122924417/nursing-necklace-teething-ring-statement

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from March 5, 2013 through March 11, 2013.  A big thanks to Jeemaa and Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway open to international entries. 

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Wild Mother Arts Holiday Giveaway

As a mother of three and as a doula & breastfeeding counsellor, Jacquelyn has a special understanding and love for pregnancy, birth, babies and breastfeeding.  Her jewelry shop, Wild Mother Arts, is the result of over 12 years of passion for birth combined with a love of making jewelry.  One of The Leaky Boob’s early sponsors, Jacquelyn happily shares some inspiring thoughts about her business, her passion, and her personal breastfeeding journey, and she is offering a Holiday-inspired giveaway to The Leaky Boob community.  Read on to find out more!

TLB:  What should TLB readers know about you Wild Mother Arts?

Jacquelyn:  My name is Jacquelyn and I’m a mama of three, a doula & breastfeeding counselor, a jewelry artisan, and my life’s work is supporting, honoring & celebrating the sacred journey of motherhood. I make fertility and birth jewelry and nursing necklaces with semi-precious gemstones and I love what I do, especially as it allows me to be a WAHM.

TLB:  What is the significance of your company name?  What’s the story behind it?

Jacquelyn:  I’ve always loved the LLL book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, which is built on the idea that pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are all Wild Mother Arts! Eventually I plan on expanding my business to include other things, and I wanted a name that could be expressive of what I do now and beyond.

TLB:  Where do you find inspiration for your craft?

Jacquelyn:  I find inspiration every time I read a birth story, chat with a pregnant mama, see a mother nursing their child and even just talking to my girlfriends. I love to make meaningful (and many times – practical) jewelry that celebrates the different phases of women’s lives.

TLB:  How is your family involved in your business? How do you juggle it all?

Jacquelyn:  My whole family helps support me. My youngest often names new necklaces, my older two pick up more chores around the house during busier times and help take care of their little brother. My husband assists with shipping, and right now he’s making a lot of our meals and doing most of the laundry, too – this is our very busy season. I’m not sure if I juggle it all! I try and prioritize, figure out what absolutely needs to be done first, and work down the checklist. When I have a spare few minutes, I try and get to something on the list. As well, my crock pot gets almost daily use, and podcasts are a jewelry-maker’s best friend!

TLB:  I know you share regular birth and breastfeeding affirmations on your Facebook page, which 3 have the most significance for you personally and why?

Jacquelyn:  Affirmations are special to me – I’ve used them for as long as I can remember, and I believe that positive self-talk is really valuable. Write them down, put them where you see them everyday, and say them daily.

“I remember to enjoy this phase of motherhood.”

This is the one affirmation I use on a daily basis! Though my pregnancy and breastfeeding days are now behind me, and I still miss them, there is always another tidbit of mothering joy just a minute or two away.

“I trust my inner voice; she is a worthy ally.”

I believe that we need to embrace our intuition and trust our instincts more and more in an ever-increasing technological world. Some things just can’t be replicated – not breastmilk, nor our intuition.

“My milk has no expiry date.”

My children each nursed well past toddlerhood, and I fully support full-term breastfeeding and child-led weaning. But it was hard with my first when family and friends kept asking when I was going to wean. So I’d answer, “My milk has no expiry date.” By our third, no one asked anymore.

Jacquelyn is giving away four different prizes to four lucky Leakies (one per winner).  The prizes are:

1) A $50 Gift Certificate to the Wild Mother Arts Etsy shop – choose your favorites for gifts or for yourself.  Retail value $50.00

2) Angel Pregnancy & Nursing Necklace – a guardian angel to watch over your pregnancy & birth, this sweet necklace is carved from turquoise howlite and can later be used as a nursing necklace.  Retail value $24.00

3) Gingerbread Nursing Necklace – with all the richness of gingerbread, this nursing necklace is made with a  large picasso jasper & pyrite composite donut with a copper accent.  Retail value $22.00

4) Sugar Plum Nursing Necklace – a holiday favorite! Beautiful purple grass flower jasper is mixed with shiny pyrite and a touch of silver – perfect for nursing your little sugarplum.  Retail value $22.00

Currently Leakies can find these and other jewelry celebrating fertility, birth and motherhood in the Wild Mother Arts Etsy shop.  Also, go check out the Wild Mother Arts blog, where Jacquie shares daily birth affirmations, fertility & pregnancy affirmations, quotes, ideas & activities for celebrating childbearing & early parenting.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from November 20, 2012 through November 27, 2012.  A big thanks to Jacquelyn and Wild Mother Arts for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page  or follow them on twitter  (@wildmotherarts on Twitter) and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to international entries.

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Special Black Friday/Cyber Monday announcement

Jacquelyn will be having a 12 Days of Holiday Specials from November 23 – December 4th, and the first four days (Black Friday through Cyber Monday) will be buy any two items, and get a nursing necklace for free! For all the details, see the announcement in her shop

Mother’s Day Wishes- Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy Nursing Necklace giveaway

Want something pretty for mommy?  Need something to help your distracted little one at the breast?  Take care of both with a beautiful, handmade nursing necklace.  Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy, a TLB sponsor (and fellow Leaky) has a whole shop full of such creations.  Jeemaa, the Leaky behind the shop, is offering up two of her hand crafted necklaces and a Mother’s Day wish for all moms.  I had the chance to interview Jeemaa and am excited to share more about this woman that I’ve come to know as beautiful both inside and out and her craftsmanship (I have 5 of her necklaces and they are all among my favorite pieces to wear) to be stunning quality.

Jeemaa with her son Zachary

TLB:  What should TLB readers know about Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy?

Jeemaa:  My name is Jeemaa and I am a stay at home mom to a busy two year old boy. All my nursing and teething ring necklaces are hand-made by me. My goal is to create unique, natural and beautiful pieces that can be enjoyed by both mommy and baby.

 

TLB:  How did Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy come to be?

Jeemaa:  I have always enjoyed beading and mostly made bridal jewelry and nature inspired whimsical jewelry in the past. My mama necklace idea started with one of my best friend’s custom necklace request and my own experience with my baby boy. When my son was about four months old, my friend asked me to make a nursing necklace for her. I got some pretty beads with different shapes and textures and made one for her and one for myself. I wanted the necklace to be durable and functional – interesting enough to grab babies’ attention but pretty enough that it can be worn as everyday jewelry. My friend loved it and so did my son! He used to get very easily distracted during nursing, especially in public. And with the necklace he was more focused. He loved the natural donut stone and really enjoyed exploring the beads. He fiddled with it while I waited in a checkout line or changed his diaper. He tugged on it instead of pulling my hair. I was so excited that I posted the necklace pictures on Facebook and it didn’t take long before another mommy wanted one.

 

TLB:  What was your favorite mother’s day present to receive?

Jeemaa:  I love opening a card from my husband! He is a man of a few words but always says the sweetest things. And of course, the cards with my son’s cute scribbled notes that I adore! They are without a doubt the best presents! I also love herb plants even if they seem to get eaten by rabbits every year!

 

TLB:  What do you wish for all mothers this mother’s day?

Jeemaa:  Mamas, I wish you all to have the most wonderful Mother’s Day! Life can get so hectic at times and it is hard to find time to just relax. Busy or not so busy, I wish you all a day pampered with the love of your families and kiddos!

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Jeemaa has made 2 beautiful necklaces she’s giving away.

Necklace 1: http://www.etsy.com/listing/87486307/hip-mama-nursing-necklace-with-orange

Value: $14.50 US; Free shipping USA and Canada; International shipping fee will be paid by the winner.

The lovely 35 mm Orange Magnesite pendant is complimented by vibrant Fire Agate, dark green Russian Serpentine and green Dragon Vein Agate beads. The beads are secured by knots, and will not spill if they break. The small wooden bead is finished with Certified Organic Flaxseed oil and is movable. Your necklace will come packaged beautifully.

 

Necklace 2: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78309667/happy-baby-all-wood-nursing-teething

Value: $ 11.50 US; Free shipping USA and Canada; International shipping fee will be paid by the winner.

This all natural maple ring measures 2 1/2 inches. The textured wooden bead is about 3/4 inch. The teething ring and the wooden beads are all finished with Certified Organic Flaxseed oil. It is safe for your little one to chomp on while you are wearing it. The necklace is adjustable up to 28 inches with a Sliding Knot.

I create my jewelry in my loving home with baby’s laughter, fun music and family conversations, so when you receive your necklace, it will be infused with love and happiness. Wear it when nursing, wear it short or long. Your necklace will come packaged beautifully.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered and be sure to visit Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy in My lil’ Market to see more of Jeemaa’s work and get to know this company that makes it a priority to support breastfeeding moms through their sponsorship of TLB.  This giveaway is open from May 10, 2012 through May 17, 2012.  Jeemaa has offered incredible support of TLB and all breastfeeding women, please be sure to visit the Mommy Jewelry Sturdy and Purdy Facebook page and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is open to international entries though international entrants may be required to pay shipping.

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