Nurturing That Nesting Instinct:

Personalizing Your Nest at Kansas City-Area Businesses

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Whether you are a mom-to-be, a new mother or seasoned mom, grandma or aunt, there is just something about new babies and young children that can bring out the nesting instinct in the best of us. Pinterest boards, parenting magazines and baby catalogs display dream-like homes, nurseries and memory making celebrations as families enjoy homemade and hand-crafted lives. If you’ve always wanted to be a little more Martha Stewart, but you’re not quite sure where to begin, check out these inspiring Kansas City options. Thankfully, Kansas City’s creativity overflows at area boutiques and shops where you can find an assortment of quality materials, tools and classes to take on a new project.

For the Days Ahead:

Make Ahead Freezer Meals

One of the greatest stresses for new parents can be meeting the needs of the new baby while meeting their own need for a nice nutritious dinner. At Dream Dinners (6517 W. 119th St, Overland Park, KS, 913.491.6733), customers make and prepare simple and nutritious freezer meals to take home and enjoy later. Each freezer meal comes with easy-to-follow instructions so you can enjoy delicious and healthy meals as a family in the days ahead.

For the Nursery:

A Custom Work of Art

Have you always dreamed of creating your own artwork for your home, but you simply don’t know where to begin? Now it’s easier than ever at Kansas City’s create-your-own-painting shops! There are several new BYOB paint shops around the Metro, each offering classes you may sign up for individually or with a friend. Each shop offers a calendar of pieces ranging from artwork you might display in a living room or kitchen to pieces for a child’s room.

Kansas City-Area Creative Canvas Shops

A Memento, a Piggy Bank, Their Handprints

Let your creative juices flow at a paint-your-own-pottery shop. With a vast inventory of piggy banks, ceramics and collectibles, this is the perfect place to make something personal for the new baby. Once Baby arrives, bring him in to paint a tile or plate with handprints or footprints. Stumped for design ideas? Team members at the shops are always willing to help you plan and design your own custom piece.

Kansas City-Area Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Shops

For the New Baby:

A Handmade Blanket

Baby blankets are childhood treasures. Many of us cherish blankets handmade by grandmothers, aunts and mothers, and the tradition of a handmade blanket is passed from generation to generation. To craft your tradition, you can learn to knit, crochet or quilt at area shops.

Each of the shops below is a true mecca for inspiration. Selling quality materials and tools for each project, and offering classes and workshops for all skill levels, these establishments are perfect places for you to create a treasure for your child.

Kansas City-Area Yarn Shops

Kansas City-Area Quilt Shops

For the New Mother:

Jewelry and Fashion

Urban Arts and Crafts is a creative shop offering offbeat art materials and unique courses ranging from jewelry making to crochet. You can learn to make a metal stamped mother’s necklace or a new ring. Take up knitting or crocheting and make a new blanket for Baby or scarf for Mom. Delight in the high quality materials at this top-of-the-line creative inspiration store.

Beaded Jewelry:

Across the Metro, you’ll find shops specializing in beaded jewelry and classes. Ranging from basic beading to more advanced silversmithing, classes are available for every interest and skill level. Whether you’re interested in starting a new hobby or would like to make one piece of mother’s jewelry, you’ll find what intrigues you.

Kansas City-Area Bead Shops:

  • Bead Boutique KC 508 NW Englewood Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.455.0090
  • The Bead Shop 9009 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS, 913.642.3131
  • Beadazzler 7315 W. 80th St., Overland Park, KS, 913.642.3237
  • Beadz Galore 200 E. 135th St., Kansas City, MO, 816.942.5115

For Future Celebrations:

Cake Decorating

The oft repeated phrase, “The days are long, but the years are short,” is especially true for new mothers. Before you know it, you’ll be celebrating birthdays and special occasions. Anyone can learn to decorate cakes at area Michaels or Jo-ann stores, where Wilton cake decorating classes are offered for every skill level.

Kristina Light took up cake decorating and jewelry making when she was expecting her first daughter. Now with four little girls she has never ending opportunities to put those skills to good use.

 

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