Welcome
Greetings,
I am so glad you are here! My name is Carolyn (she/her) I was born and raised in Kennebunk/ Kennebunkport Maine (Abenaki and Wabanaki lands) where woodlands meet the ocean. I have always been a barefoot soul. I am a mixture of "granola and science" being raised by two licensed holsitic pracitioners: my fatehr an accupuncturist, tai-chi master, and historic carpenter and my mother an aesthetician, textile artisan, and traditional lover of herbs. I spent 13 years (from age 19-32) in Tucson, Arizona ( O'odham, Tohono O'odham (Papago) Sobaipuri and Hohokym lands) appreciating the outdoors and connecting to my art. Much of life there has lead me to my work today. I completed my BFA at the University of Arizona in art education and spend several years teaching elementary and middle school art in the public school system as a certified k-12 art teacher. I met a man I fell in love with (Thank you adult kickball team.) We go married (on my parents 13 acre bee farm in Kennebunk) We had our first child - an awakening. Crossing the threshold of motherhood drew my awareness to aspects of my life which had become dormant. I was re-ignited. I felt the need to listen to an inner voice to change direction. I reconnected to my holistic childhood upbringing and became a certified Aromatherapist, Postpartum Doula, Infant-Adolescent family yoga instructor, Master Belly Binding Instructor, and Postpartum corrective exercise specialist. I deepened my connection and dedication to nature, ceremony, and herbal medicine. Im 2015 I began a business. Knowing I need more support, I asked my mother to become my business partner. Together we cofounded Nest and Nurture organics LLC. I separated my "The Barefoot Momma" business of my personal services from the manufacturing myself and mother create for our eco small business. We center GOTS certified organic cotton, and ecological respect for the planets resources in a solar powered studio. Love and life happened...and another baby! With our second child my husband and I felt the deep desire to change out urban lifestyle and center more extended family. We moved to a homestead in Springvale, Maine (Abenaki and Wabanaki lands.) I am focusing on homestead and homeschool our two children and have launched my visionary project of Doula Tea Talks. I adore coffee and tea. I am not big on candy by I cannot resist a baked good! I am an empath, early to rise and early to bed, introvert who gets messy with art and crafting, blasts music to dace it out, and adores smashing textiles together in a "bohemian" style. THANK YOU for being here. Withe heart-swelling-gratitude, Carolyn |
Im honored you are here and I look forward to getting to know one another.
I walk my path through life barefoot as much as possible. The barefoot lifestyle has great meaning to me. I look forward to journeying together. What Barefoot Living Means to me...
Earth-conscious living with
Ceremony Authenticity Honoring of your elders/teachers Creativity Adventure Presence Being Outdoors Appreciating ALL Receiving & Giving I overflow with gratitude and excitement in meeting and learning from incredible individuals whom join me to walk a small portion of this path or continue as a life-long barefoot friends and mentors. 
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Building a small organic business and amplifying VOICE
I entered the adventure of starting my own business of Natural Momma in 2015 with basic knowledge of creating sustainable earth-conscious products for new parents and babies.
I am a seeker of knowledge...
as my parents are and have guided me to becoming.
as my parents are and have guided me to becoming.
After having a morning conversation over coffee (one of our favorite shared loves) with my mother, it was evident I needed to change the name of my business to The Barefoot Momma to be more inline with my philosophies.
in 2017 we decided to become a 50/50 partnership: launching our new business together as mother and daughter.
The Barefoot Momma LLC: our mother/daughter adventure
Since we are both seekers - we continue to deepen our knowledge on what it means to build a green business.
What we create is what we want to give.
What we give is a hug to the recipient and to our earth.
What we create is what we want to give.
What we give is a hug to the recipient and to our earth.
Finding the dirty truth about the textile/agriculture industry and how to truly source responsibly
This has been an incredible journey of taking the deep dive into research, communication, and building partnerships.
We use about 4000 yards of cotton, lots of spools of thread, a couple hundred pounds of herbs, recycled packaging, shipping labels, and 100+ colors of eco fabric dye. Our level of consumption got us thinking, evaluating, and sparked our seeker souls to learn more about exactly what we were consuming. Further - what our consumption/purchasing of these raw materials was supporting.
We use about 4000 yards of cotton, lots of spools of thread, a couple hundred pounds of herbs, recycled packaging, shipping labels, and 100+ colors of eco fabric dye. Our level of consumption got us thinking, evaluating, and sparked our seeker souls to learn more about exactly what we were consuming. Further - what our consumption/purchasing of these raw materials was supporting.
We were shocked and heart broken when learning what our "premium grade, natural, unbleached cotton" really had in it and the type of work environments it supported.
We felt as if we had been "stooped" by marketing and fancy words alluding to natural, safe, ethical work environments, and eco-conscious living.
This is called GREENWASHING.
This is called GREENWASHING.
We were overwhelmed with the knowledge we were learning about cotton planting, growing, harvesting, processing, refining, manufacturing, international transporting, further processing/chemical refining into a woven fabric and the work ethics/environments accosciated with each of those procedures. Needless to say it was illuminating. We began working with and seeking deeper knowledge from organizations such as Green America, GOTS (global organic textile standards), Textile Exchange, and OTA (Organic Trade Association).
We continue to learn and grow with the guidance and oversight of what truly is a green business.
We journey onward with new found awareness and happiness: honestly know what/who we are are supporting when purchasing the materials we use for our business. The creation of our solar powered eco-dye studio fills me with pride.
The space we have created and continue to grow is one of beautiful, honest sustainability.
The space we have created and continue to grow is one of beautiful, honest sustainability.
