Meet the MHC Team: Julie

mhc:  Tell us about yourself.

julie:  These days, I have become a master burper. That is to say, I have a 6-week old newborn and I have become a master at helping her handle her tender tummy. Between snuggling with her in one hand and helping my 2 year-old son scoop and dump puff balls with his dump truck, I have been pretty busy in Mom-land. Other than the joy of being with my kids, I live in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, love rocking out with my husband when he plays his rockin' handmade cigar box guitars (www.hartmancbg.com), and sewing styley baby onesies (www.petitefish.etsy.com). I also enjoy being a child and family psychologist.

mhc:  What made you decide to become involved with MHC?

julie:  I've had the idea of "The Crafty Shrink" for several years now, and just needed the right venue to bring it to life. The Crafty Shrink is me, as author, writing articles that provide tips to caregivers on ways of using crafts/activities to teach important child development skills. When I first saw MHC, I became inspired - it's so well-designed, it just grabs you and makes you, as the reader, fall even more in love with handmade. So, I feel blessed to have MHC's support in channeling this special part of my creativity. Hopefully, I'll have the opporutnity to write a book in this light someday.

mhc:  What is your job with MHC, and what do you hope to give MHC's readers?  What do you get out of it?

julie:  I am the Grow editor, which I see as a responsibility to provide helpful, easy-to-execute instructions on ways for parents to facilitate their child's growth, using crafting, specialized activities, and highlighting the value of handmade. I hope it comes across as fun, light, do-able, and inspiring. Ever since I was a child, I've had the desire to help kids feel supported and good about themselves. I find that when a child experiences an adult as having interest in their development, the child becomes more engaged and animated in the ups and downs of their child development challenges. A big way for an adult to show interest is through crafting or related hands-on activities... it's a way for an adult to enter the child's world and make a positive impact. I feel a sense of reward assisting in that vital process, via my Crafty Shrink offerings.

mhc:  What is your favorite section of MHC?

julie:  I love, love, love the kid's quote section "Oh, The Things Kids Say". Hilarious! I also really enjoy the Dwell section, which was very inspiring for my baby girl's room. I have to admit, I frequently look back at the magazine to look at the beautiful pictures. 



mhc:  What is your favorite season, and why?

julie:  Spring - it's like coming out of hibernation for me. I'm a big couch potato all winter, then come April, I can't seem to get enough activity... and I'm big into gardening.

mhc:  And lastly, what is your earliest memory?

julie:  My earliest memory is when, according to my parents, I was 1 year-old. I remember desperately wanting to get to a single gold key that was on top of our glass dining room table. I stood underneath it, focused and determined to get that key. I remember grabbing at it, but just bumping up against something and just really, really wanting it. The feeling of want was so strong. I keep this in mind with my 2 year-old when he gets that squealing insistent whine... and that it's likely there's something just out of reach that he wants.