While at WeeStock back in May, I was able to meet Amanda, the wonderfully talented mom from Love My Bump. She specializes in belly casting - making a "cast" of a pregnant belly. I thought this was a great idea and wanted to know more about the process so I asked her a few questions. Read on to know more about this great idea for moms - to -be and to get a special discount offered to readers of la la ladybug blog.
-Can you give me a bit of background information about yourself?
I am a mother of two, Ailee is four and Aidan will be one this July, and they are by far the best thing I have ever done with my life and my biggest joy and inspiration! I have been married 6 years and my husband and I are both lucky enough to be teachers and have the luxury of having summers off together. I currently teach junior high French Immersion math and science but dream one day of teaching high school biology. I would love to continue my love of travel that once brought me to teach for a year in Mexico where I learnt to speak Spanish and salsa dance. My love of nature started young with many camping and fishing trips with my family and I continue this passion with my own children.
-How did "Love My Bump" get started?
My first casting was done with a doula friend for a cousin of mine and it was such a special day spent together as women capturing the beauty of a mother and the child to come. I was hooked! After that I did a few castings for family members and then my own castings with the help of my mother and family and friends as a pre-birth celebration. While on maternity leave with my second child I decided to start my own company doing belly castings and selling casting kits. I expanded into making soother clips, both with ribbons and with eco friendly wooden beads and hemp cord, and finally to making relaxing bath salts for moms. Next I think I will be making matching nursing necklaces and soother clips for mom and baby!
-What exactly is belly casting?
Belly casting is simply making a cast form of a baby bump! You wet medical grade casting material and lay it over a prepared belly, either coated with petroleum jelly or on top of an old shirt. You can cast just the belly or the entire torso. You can also cast on the hands of the parents or older siblings and more! Once it has dried for 15 minutes you peel it away and let it harden over night. After that you can pick the level of finishing you want. You can have it reinforced and plastered smooth, painted, and even do artwork and embellishments to match the nursery or any theme you pick!
-How long does it take?
The casting itself can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half or more depending on what you want and the level of difficulty.
-How pregnant should you be to get your belly cast?
We recommend you be in your third trimester with a nice round belly for you. Around 34 to 37 weeks. Anytime after that can work to but you run the risk of not making it!
-What are some past examples of how people have used their belly casting?
It can be hung from the roof and can display toys, made into a time capsule, or displayed in a case.
-I see from your website that you do parties too, how does that work?
For a belly casting party I come and do the casting and you have a family member or friend help organize the party. Family and friends are invited to come and watch or even participate in making the casting. A little tip I love to tell mommies-to-be is to have guests bring casseroles for the freezer for after baby is born. It is a wonderful way to get daddy and siblings involved with the pregnancy and a great bonding experience for everyone.
And, is there anything else you'd like people to know about Love My Bump?
Visit us at www.lovemybump.ca for regular contests and sale updates including our Canada Day contest where you can win a free eco friendly soother clip!! You can also find us on facebook and twitter and by our products on ETSY. These links and more are all on our website. We try to support local and green mompreneurs and have many businesses, like La La Ladybug on the LINKS section of our site that are worth taking a look at. Enjoy!
As a special offer to readers of la la ladybug blog, Love My Bump would like to offer a discount:
Anyone who reads this blog and emails lovemybump@hotmail.com and mentions La La Ladybug will get 15% off a belly casting booked before the end of September 2010!! I will also throw in a free Love My Baby ribbon soother clip and Love My Mommy bath salts with any belly casting booked by then too! (Offer not valid in addition with any other promotion or offer.). Love My Bump is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Thank you so much Amanda for taking the time to answer my questions. It has been fantastic getting to know you and I will definitely be booking a belly casting party for my next pregnancy (how much fun is that?!).
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