A Mother’s hand, a hand for beauty: a conversation with Renah

Alright! I’ve been gone a long time. But I really have valid reason for that and it will reflect on my succeeding posts why I was M.I.A. Although, I am not yet ready to divulge it as I’m saving it for rainy days aka: severe writer’s block days! Nevertheless, I am writing to feature an interesting topic and also, an interesting and a marvelous person. As I told you in my first interview, I lead a “pretty boring life compared to my housewife friends” here in Australia. So my next guest is as intricate as her creations. Renah Flote was a high school classmate of mine, and I’ve known her to be delighted with art and expression. She was one of the best lead actors in our Arts and Drama club then so her artistic side has always been flowing through her veins. But her creative juices became more palpable when she became a mum. Her hands get really full like if she’s not in her kitchen baking delicious and gorgeous desserts, she’s doing her art with such great thoroughness and attention to detail, or she’s a mum, a wife and a nurse all at the same time. Those things are what make her incredible.

As a newbie here in Australia, I’ve come to admire how much she had grown as a person, as a mother, a wife and a career woman. Everyone says that it is a challenging feat to leave one’s comfort zone, in this case: our home country, and starting a family with such huge difference in culture and perspective. But she triumphed from it anyway, and she’s at the moment where she’s reaping the beauty of the pain and the hardships she surpassed. She’s such an inspiration so I am sharing this friend and hoping she could shine a light to you my dears.

1. Tell me a little something about yourself.

Hi I’m Renah, a crafty mama, a fast-walking nurse and a side-hustler born and bred in the Philippines enjoying Aussie life with a torpedo toddler, a wacky hubby and two Burmese cats. I manage Felting Moments AU on Instagram (IG) and Facebook (FB), creating floral creations and making memories, one bloom at a time.

2. How did you discover your hobbies despite your busy mum life and work life?

I discovered this hobby-slash-side-hustle when I had Mia. I was suffering from post-natal depression and anxiety. I clearly remember the days I would cut felt sheets on the floor while crying after I put her to bed. I was angry, bitter and was not coping well- but too prideful to admit I was suffering. During one of those midnight wakefulness, I grabbed some felt sheets and scissors then started cutting- turning them into little flowers. For some reason, every snipping and cutting sound provided some relief to my anxiety and stress- as if I was cutting away the bitterness and toxicity that I was harbouring. Then I started venturing into preserving flowers for display, I kept experimenting on my crafts so I decided to create an IG account that only I, my hubby and my best friend knew that time. I started posting my little floral projects there, like it was a journal for me. From then on, I decided to continue this little craft and my IG journal. Eventually, I started getting positive support from other crafty moms and women to continue what I was doing because it encourages them as well. I would push myself to make one flower project a day even when I did not have the capacity to do so after work, or after I put my bub to bed- simply because it was therapeutic. I had to hold onto something that helps my mental/emotional state. I wanted to heal- for my little family who needs me.

3. What inspired your art?

To be honest, I am a pinch-penny, freebie mongrel… all I wanted was a floral crown for Mia but I did not want to spend some $ for it so I decided to make them instead. That’s when I discovered I have a knack for this craft and ventured on! I am mostly inspired by obviously flowers and nature, bright colors and anything dreamy-like creations.

4. It gets really busy having to juggle motherhood and career. How are you able to balance it and squeeze in your passion for your art?

Balancing motherhood, career and my passion for art? Girl, I have no idea what this word “balancing” means!! 😀 Seriously speaking, I am thankful because I have a little village supporting me- I have a great husband who would always encourage my ideas- crazy or crazier!! He got me my sassy cutting machine, makes impromptu Bunnings run to get me a Dremel drill and carries my craft supplies from Spotlight. I am also forever grateful to my parents who has provided us with their assistance and presence during those times when we needed it the most.

 At the end of my day, I make a mental check list:

For my career: “Are all my patients still alive at the end of my shift??? Yes?? Okay, good.”
For my biz/art: “Have I made a happy customer this week? Have I made one sale? Yes? Okay, cool!”
For the motherhood hustle: “Is my little family healthy, happy and feels loved by me? Yes?? Perfect.”

Surely, it can be tough juggling everything but I believe that when you envision a goal and make relevant sacrifices – you attract bits and bobs of little wins!!

5. As an immigrant, what advise can you give to women who’s starting out in a different place with the hope of finding and/or not forgetting about their passion?

One, prioritize what is best for you at that particular time.

When I came to Australia a decade ago, I had to painstakingly wait to get registered as a nurse. While I was waiting, I opened my online shop in 2012 selling some hand made sun catchers, trinket boxes and re-selling costume jewelries in the markets while working at a discount shop. My priority that time was to HUSTLE. I did not care if it was out of nursing. I was doing some form of craft and was happy about it, I was making some money.

Two, it is okay to give your passion a “pause”!

When I finally got registered as an RN in Australia, I had to give my creative hustle a halt and give way to my other love- nursing. So whatever is your main focus now, and you decided to push your passion aside- that is absolutely OKAY. Life can be unpredictable and busy, it is what it is!

Three, and when you are in that “pause” write down all the things you want to accomplish before you are ready to re-ignite that creative spirit. -Plan ahead!

For me even if it means, yes girl.. go to Spotlight, Bunnings, Kmart why not! (Hey, if you are not there for art/innovation/crafts it is OK too! Retail therapy still makes those creative juices flow!) —> me, rationalizing shopping Lastly, when you finally re-ignite that passion to create- whatever circumstances you are in (as for me, I was at my lowest) embrace it! By the time you know it, your creativity/passion will shoot out of you like glittered fireworks. Naturally, it will become part of your self-care and routine. You will effortlessly project the progress of your imaginative energy to the right people, to your village and to the same like-minded artists.

So for you lovely lady reading this, you know you have always been passionate about something but maybe you don’t know what it is and what you are capable of doing yet. Maybe you are still watching videos on how to ice a cupcake, attending pottery lessons, buying your first paint brush, trying color-combo of different make-up palettes, writing a blog draft or merely browsing on IG all day admiring those craft pages and artistic women. Who cares! just making that first step is already telling yourself “I might create something that I would love and be proud of one day”. You will get there, that artistic heart will always beat for the owner who tends to it. Good luck on your journey!

Renah xo

She also makes this amazing Blossom Name Hoops:

If you’d like to get a hold of her and her products, please check out her Facebook account in this link: Felting Moments AU and her Instagram account, Felting Moments. Please support self- owned, small enterprise and a fellow housewife 🙂

P.S.: Photos are original and from Renah Flote.