Kindness Matters. That’s something that my Mother always told me. And, after having my first child, I too, adopted the mantra.

I decided to stay at home with my daughter and gave up a career in Retail Marketing. No more planning for a special event, blowout sale or big public relations campaign. After just a few months home with my daughter, I came to the conclusion that I was going to be a better, kinder mother if I took some time for myself and my interests. I had lost myself in that motherhood quagmire of burp cloths, feeding time schedules, diapers and such. And to be truthful, as much as I absolutely adore my daughter, I was starting to resent the two words I loved to hear: Mommy and Wife. Where was my time?

Fate stepped in. I had been creating and crafting handmade and custom gifts for birthday presents since we were now a single-income household. A girlfriend approached me and wondered if I would do some custom work for her and get PAID. That was all I needed to hear – stay-at-home, love my daughter and my husband – while working towards a dream of my own. I grabbed a journal and started an outline for my very own business. I believe that day, like the Grinch, my heart grew. It made a special place just for me.

Not to say that running a business didn’t throw kinks into my already fast-paced schedule. There have been extreme moments – holiday seasons especially. But thanks to a supportive husband (who endearingly refers to my computer as my boyfriend) Kind Living Designs has thrived for the past 3 ½ years. Our second child was born only a few months ago and I’m once again finding myself juggling a bottle, the burp cloth and my laptop. Do I think that I’m cheating my kids of time with Mommy? Certainly not – they get the Mommy who feels fulfilled because I’ve been kind to myself- following my own passion and dreams. I can only hope that they both get the very same opportunity.

After several years of working with local customers and marketing by word-of-mouth, Kind Living Designs is moving into its second phase – life on the Web. This is both a joyous and frightening occasion. I can now take my business to a whole new level.

I’ve always wanted to find my own way to keep kindness alive and allow it to grow - by donating a percentage of sales to designated charities (check out Living Kindly for more info) I hope to make that dream come true.

We recycle a lot in our house. Just about everything gets put to the ‘second-use-test’ before we have to throw it away. I was thrilled that people were sending my designs in the mail to brighten someone else’s day – to share their own bit of kindness. But what about the trees? What about the three R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle? Perhaps it is all the time I spent hiking as a college student in North Carolina, in awe of the sheer beauty found in a single rock or the way the roots of a 100+ year-old tree twist and turn…it that makes me want to be kinder to our Earth. Perhaps it is to keep what little respect we have for our planet alive and prosperous in my own children…I’ve made it a personal goal to use all recycled material for my stationery goods. 100% Recycled!! Only the cleanest, highest quality postconsumer waste fibers are used in our paper. However, an occasional, minute particle may be visible which will not affect the paper’s performance. Our recycled paper contains at least 30% postconsumer waste recycled fiber, are certified by Green Seal, and meets the EPA guidelines for recycled papers. I’ve even gone a step further – the manufacturer creates the paper with Green-E certified renewable wind-generated electricity. I’m all about living green these days. Next on my list – 'green' ink. Is there such a thing? I’m not sure, but I’ll find out…

I hope that you enjoy your considerate art from Kind Living Designs. And most importantly, Live Kindly!