Tell us a little about Mariposa Forest
The short version: we send snail mail to kids. Yes, old fashioned snail mail.
Mariposa Forest is a subscription based service in which your child receives stories from our world twice a month by mail. The stories are written by the inhabitants of the forest, some furry, some feathered, some magical, and come with beautiful photographs of the forest to give you a glimpse into the world from which the stories come. There is no media, no advertising, no batteries; all which is needed for this is your imagination. The stories are seasonally based and help children take notice of the world around them.
What was your inspiration for this project?
This project is a multi-inspiration sort of project - I think we could discuss this for hours on end! We both pull a lot of inspiration from the forest and we believe in sharing it with our kids -- and others. It was a little bit of a light bulb moment when we realized we could take Jennifer’s fabulous storytelling set in a forest that we know so well and share them along with Annie’s forest photographs. Add to that the fact that all of our children love getting their own mail -- we wanted to create inspired mailings for them and knew others would also love it.
What has been the best part about creating and working on this project? The most challenging?
The best part by far has been being able to have a creative outlet again. As Mothers we tend to get lost in our children, which is wonderful, but we also have to nurture ourselves. Both of us are artists and to be able to express that side again is exciting. It is a product we are both very proud of and very excited about.
The most challenging part has been finding dedicated hours to work on it. We both know that starting a small business is very time consuming and challenging -- and our undivided attention is not endless at this moment in our lives. It’s a balancing act, that’s for sure.
You are both busy moms, how did you find time to work on Mariposa Forest?
[Jennifer] I squeeze it in where I can, mostly working at night when the boys go to bed. Sometimes it is hard not to work during the day, but I am trying to be present with them, making notes of things to do at night.
[Annie] I try to accomplish the most focus-needed tasks during my little one's nap time on days my older two attend preschool. Otherwise, it’s after bedtime or a few stolen hours during weekends while my husband is home. The photography tends to happen in early morning or early evening when the light is most inspiring.
We also spend lots of time together with our children, usually in the forest, so we can talk and play and work on things then. So much of this venture has been dreamed up in conversation while our five children played nearby.
Inspired
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us Jennifer and Annie, it was wonderful getting to know you both a bit better and really exciting to hear about Mariposa Forest.
Their lovely website
Dark Blue Dragon where Jennifer blogs
Imagination in Parenting where Annie blogs
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Jennifer and Annie have generously offered up
Mothering with Mindfulness reader.
To enter today's giveaway, leave a comment below.
leave another comment telling me you did so.
Giveaway is open until Thursday May 24, 2012 at 7pm.
I will draw a winner after this time and announce it in this post.
Thanks so much Jennifer and Annie!
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And the winner is:
Comment #12 from Melissa B
"Lovely concept. My 4 & 6 yo would really enjoy receiving this through the mail.
They love stories; what kids don't?"
Congratulations Melissa!
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And the winner is:
Comment #12 from Melissa B
"Lovely concept. My 4 & 6 yo would really enjoy receiving this through the mail.
They love stories; what kids don't?"
Congratulations Melissa!
I think this is a such a sweet idea. And children absolutely love getting mail. Any child would be delighted to have letters like this arrive just for them!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway and what a wonderful business to run! Thanks for the chance :-)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like something my little girls would love! Thanks for introducing this to us here!
ReplyDeleteLiked on FB!
ReplyDeleteI liked MP on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an exciting project! My kids are going to love this.
ReplyDeletewhat a sweet idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and would love to see the stories up close. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute!
ReplyDeleteHialissa@gmail.com
What a great idea. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely concept. My 4 & 6 yo would really enjoy receiving this through the mail. They love stories; what kids don't?
ReplyDeleteI like Mariposa Forest on Facebook:)
ReplyDeleteI like MP on fb :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea! Thank you for such a magical gift idea!
ReplyDelete