Hello! My name is Rina and I am a mom to two beautiful and energetic boys and proud wife to an incredibly hard-working successful entrepreneur husband. My husband and I are both born and raised Calgarians though we have spent most of our post-University lives living in Ontario. We have always called Calgary home and are happy to have made the move back home last summer.
In my professional life I am a Registered Nurse and have spent my entire career working in the area of mental health. As a family we love travelling, spending time outdoors (as a boy-mom I am learning to embrace all things outdoorsy!) and eating ice cream. When I’m not working at the hospital you will find me at a hot yoga class or spending time on the loom. Through my own craft I have been inspired by the talent of other makers and love to spend time shopping at local craft shows and on Etsy. My weakness is definitely necklaces that are simple and unique!
What is your business and what inspired you to start your business?
Avelane Wall Art represents the merging of my passions for creating woven wall art and promoting mental health awareness. The little green heart sewn into the corner of all my weaves represents mental health awareness and my cause. A portion of all my sales will to back to not-for-profit organizations that work to fight the stigma that so many face in their journey to recovery from mental illness.
I was inspired to start Avelane Wall Art as I myself have lived experience with anxiety and I wanted a way to use my art to spread awareness and to help stop the stigma associated with mental illness. Spending time on the loom also provides me with the opportunity to share my journey and story on social media (Instagram).
What is your proudest moment with your business?
One of the proudest moments with my business is that I have been able to represent my passions through my art and that through them I can give back to initiatives that will help others. I am excited to have opened my Etsy shop in April (some fine tuning is still in progress) and I am currently exploring some other exciting ways to promote my business so stay tuned!
How do you stay motivated and inspired?
I keep motivated to move forward because my craft is my self-care and how I take time for myself. Spending time on the loom soothes my soul and helps me stay balanced and present in all the other areas of my life. I also follow a lot of makers on Instagram and can’t help but be inspired by all the beautiful things I see being created by incredibly talented makers. I’m also lucky to know a few amazing working momboss’s that have successful creative businesses in addition to being awesome moms and this inspires me to keep going, knowing that it is possible to pursue your passions while still maintaining a work-life balance.
How do you maintain a work-life balance?
It’s tough! Just when I think I’ve caught up on everything and feel that I’ve got things together I realize there is still so much to do and get done! My goal right now is to try to get one thing done each day, whether it be spending time on the loom, taking photos of my work or doing some ‘on paper’ planning. I also try to fit in a yoga class at least twice a week. Incorporating physical fitness, I’m learning, is essential for my overall productivity, be it in work or life. When I carve out time for myself I am able to be more present with my family and feel more balanced overall.
What is your proudest mom moment?
Is there an accomplishment that doesn’t make me a proud mom? I have to say that one of my proudest, or happiest, moments as a mom of two boys is when I hear them talking at night after lights out. The companionship they share and the giggles and stories I hear them sharing with each other (when they think no one else is listening) truly warms my heart. My wish for them is to have a strong friendship and when I see this happening it makes me very proud.
What is your best parenting advice?
Wow, this is a tough question! I feel like every day I feel lost and am in need of advice! I will say though that one of the greatest things I've learned thus far in the journey of parenthood is: to be flexible. I’ve always been a planner and organizer but I’ve learned (and am still learning) that as a parent I need to practice flexibility. I’ve had many days where I’ve had to change my plans or adjust things because of a sick child, unexpected changes in plans or just life that day and I’ve learned that it is not the end of the world. For me it is about perspective and how I look at the unexpected. Flexibility has been a learning for me that has been helpful in how I manage both my time and my kids.
Where can you be reached?
Where can you be reached?
Website: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AvelaneWallArt
Email: avelanewallart@gmail.com
Instagram: @unravelandreboot
GIVEAWAY:
Rina has generously provided one of her hand woven hanging wall art as a giveaway to one lucky winner. You can enter for the draw by liking us on Facebook and tagging a friend on the post. Giveaway closed.
