Behind the Blog: Fireflies and Jellybeans

Hi Friends!  I am thrilled about today's Behind the Blog subject.  She is one of the sweethearts of the Blog World.  This gal is creative, fun, and full of thrifty crafting ideas– who else would have thought of using cardboard for homemade fabric bolts?

 
Fawnda from Fireflies and Jellybeans of course!  I had A LOT to ask Miss Fawnda so let's dive in.

Fawnda

I have to ask you about your beautiful name.  Is there a story behind it?

My mom made it up.  She liked the name "Fawn" but wanted to make it longer so that "Fawn" would be the nick-name, so she added the "da" and came up with Fawnda.  My family and close friends do call me Fawn for short.  I have always enjoyed having a unique name, I never had to worry about there being more than one "Fawnda" in my class.  I do often get asked if I am related to Jane Fonda… but as Fawnda is my first name and Fonda is Jane's last name I think it is funny that would even ask so most times I just say "yes, my name is Fawnda Fonda" :)  

Speaking of names.. how did Fireflies and Jellybeans start?  Where did the name come from?  Tell us all about it!

Fireflies and Jellybeans started about a year and half ago.  I have a family blog and I was just getting into the blogging world and I thought it would be cool to share some of my craft obsession with the rest of the web.  I called my Best friend Jeannine and asked if she would join me in this new adventure and she said yes!

Fireflies and Jellybeans is representative of our Names: Fawnda and Jeannine… F&J… We wanted it to be whimsical and fun!

Chalkboard Mug Project

You and Jeannine are the gals behind F&J– were you friends before the blog?  How do you divide the blog stuff?  Any advice for people thinking about blogging with a partner?

Jeannine and I have know each other since kindergarten and have been best friends for most of our lives. We have been through almost everything together. We live several states away but we talk often on the phone and we just pick up right where we left off.

As to the blogging stuff… I mostly run the blog.  Jeannine is the behind the scenes support and encourager.  I call her all the time with ideas to run by her and asking her opinion on things.  She has 5 children and I knew when we started that it would be harder for her to post much. 

I would say that if  you are going to go into a blog with another person  that you should know and trust them.  Talk about what is expected… like how often you are going to post, who is going to be in charge of the look of the blog etc.  There are many other blogs out there that are a collaborative effort and I am always glad to have someone to talk to that has my best interests in mind.

A Card in a Can

Will you share your crafty history?

My mom was always making something growing up.  My grandmother used to make us clothes  for us and our barbie dolls.  I have always loved art and being crafty. I LOVE to draw…mostly cartoons… When I was younger I dreamed of being a Disney animator.   But I was also good a math and I became a math teacher (Which I love!)  But I still love to draw and create.  I once got to go to Disney World as a chaperon for the Art Club field trip and we learned to draw Disney Characters from a Disney artist.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever done. 

When I started the Fireflies and Jellybeans it was not only to showcase some of my crafts but also to challenge myself to make more things homemade.  I had also become a stay-at-home mom and was trying to find ways to save money. DIYing seemed to make sense.

Leg Warmers Project

How do you balance family life etc with blogging?  Any tips?

I have a hard time doing this to be honest.  I find myself in front of my computer too much some days.  It is so easy to get sucked into the blogger world and suddenly look up and find that 2 hours has gone by, and my house is trashed because my 2-year-old has been running wild!  I try to do most of my blogging during nap time and after my son goes to bed.  I LOVE the schedule option on blogger and I use it almost everyday.   I have also taken a "computer fast"  when I find my self becoming too addicted, where I did not use the computer for a week.  It was hard but it was good! 

My hubby is very supportive so he understands when I tell him "I have a post to write"  I am very lucky. 

Mostly, I have to put FAMILY first.  The blogging will happen when it happens. Most of my readers are mothers and/or are busy. 

What's Fawnda's perfect day?

SLEEPING IN!  Reading by the beach on a warm sunny day, with my hubby and son.  Going out for ice cream on the way home.  Putting my son down to bed (and having him stay there) and watching a movie with my hubby. 

Travel First Aid Kit Project

What has been the most rewarding thing about F&J?

The readers and the commenter's… honestly!  I am always thrilled when I receive a comment!  The F&J readers and the best readers ever and I am always so impressed with how encouraging and supportive they are. 

Have you been surprised by the popularity of your blog?

YES!  I feel like Sally Field's "You like me!  You REALLY like me!"  I still feel like a "little" blogger.  I am nervous when I post new things "Will anyone like this idea?" or " I hope that someone will link up to my linky party."

When I reached 1000 followers I could not believe it… I really never knew that, that many people would find me worth reading! 

I am TRULY thankful for our readers!  They are a great group of people!

Reusable Snack Bag Project

What's your take on building a blog community?

I think that the good blogs are the ones who build a good community.  I like to be interactive on our blog.  We have the weekly linky party- Show Off Your Stuff- on Thursdays and also the Iron Crafter Competition.   This gives me a chance to visit and showcase other people's blogs.  I also like to comment on other's blog and respond back to questions that commenters leave.

If you don't have a E-mail attached to your blogger profile… you should.  I will often times respond back to a comment through e-mail.  I have met some WONDERFUL people this way!

I think that the people who blog for community are much more successful than the ones who just want to make money. 

Funky Joy Etsy Shop

Can you share a little about your etsy shop?  What can we find there?

I have an etsy shop called Funky Joy.  It is mostly to help support my craft habit!  :)  I sell reusable snack bags, reusable trash bags (for you car), make-up rolls, and other crafty things that strike my fancy.   I have found that my favorite sales are the custom orders that people have asked me to do!

How has blogging changed your life?

I cannot go a day with out thinking "I am so going to blog about this" 

I always have my camera so that I can take pictures for the blog.  

I have met some wonderful and inspirational women. 

I am always thinking of the next thing to make for the blog… This is a good challlange for me. 

I make almost all of the gifts that I give now. 

I know a some HTML code… just enough to be dangorous!

I am on the computer way too much… : )

Any advice for someone contemplating starting a blog?

Just do it! :)   It is not as hard as you think!

Did you have a purpose in mind when you started F & J?

I just wanted to share my craft projects and join in the crafting community!  It has grown into more than that over the year but the original purpose still stands… to share and connect!

How much time do you devote to F & J on a daily/weekly basis?

I probably spend about an hour of time working on my blog.  {Posting, reading e-mails, and commenting back.}  But I probably spend another hour or 2 through out the day looking at other blogs. 

I also try to do a weekly craft to put up on the blog and I usually spend a couple hours a week on that.

Can you give us a sneak peek into whats happening at F & J over the next few months?

We will continue to have the Iron Crafter Competition.  I am so excited that The Iron Carfter has taken off! It has been really fun for us to see everyone creativity!

I hope to add an article once a week to have a guest poster showcase one of their tutorials.  I was grateful when others allowed me to guest post on their blogs and I would love to give other bloggers the opportunity on my blog!  Just e-mail me if you are interested!  I will still be posting my crafts weekly… this would be in addition to that! 

All about Fawnda

Favorite Color/Color Combo: Brown and Teal, or Brown and green, Brown and orange

Craft: I am really into sewing right now

Project: The one I am working on at the time

Snack: Something salty… popcorn, or a big warm soft pretzel

 

Movie: SO MANY… The Princess Bride, Mr and Mrs Smith, The Last of the Mohicans, Pride and Prejudice…

Outfit: I love clothes… I cannot just pick one! 

Non-Crafty Pass time: Reading a good book

Quality in a friend: Honesty and loyalty

Books (Fiction) The Harry Potter Series (Nonfiction) The Bible

Finding Fawnda

Blog: firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com

Email: [email protected]

fb: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fireflies-and-Jellybeans/271025202105?v=wall

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/funkyjoy

 

 Thanks Fawnda!  See you tomorrow for…

Big Hug!  Malia