Hey guys! If you’re stopping by from Haneen’s Haven, welcome! We’re so thrilled to announce that we’ve teamed up with this fun group of writers, bloggers and influencers for Haven Conference this year, as mentors. And today, we’re sharing a little bit about what on earth that means, and who we are!
If you’re not familiar with the Haven Conference, it’s a DIY blogging conference, for bloggers of all spectrums from designers to woodworkers, and everything in between. When it comes to websites if you’re ready to get your feet wet or diving in head first on your eleventh year… there’s something for everyone. From enriching classes to inspiring keynotes and awesome sessions with mentors… It’s a great chance to network, make some honest to goodness friends, and learn in ways you never imagined.
It’s time to be inspired, y’all.
Haven Conference 2018
This is still our fave photo. Sometimes, our lives after sixteen years of marriage, three kids, two dogs, a total relocation and building your own business… can feel an awful lot like this. Sorry not sorry.
Haven conference – what we will be doing
This year, we’re honored to announce that we’ll be mentors, Jamin will be teaching again and we’ll both be there representing our friends from Jeffrey Court. As part of the Haven Conference we’re excited to team up to have a little Q + A for a bit of a blog hop. And in honor of all things blog hop, we’re answering a few questions on the list. Here we go!
Haven conference – Introduce yourself and show off your “haven”!
If you’re just stopping by, please allow us to introduce ourselves – We are Jamin and Ashley Mills of The Handmade Home!
It’s here in the middle of Everest-proportioned piles of laundry, that third cup of coffee, an affinity for before and afters with our own complete rehab, that you’ll find our little corner of the internet with the fun stories that make life what it is.
The Handmade Home was honestly a website I started up on the side, a little over a decade ago. I was staying at home with our first baby, and longed for connection. So, I started by dusting off that life-long love of writing, and projects in our home where I was able to use my design degree. And the rest is what they call a marathon. ;}
{See what I did there? Marathon. Not history. Because this is no Cinderella Story. Well, kind of more like a good Cinderella story immersed in reality with a good dash of humor.}
Photo courtesy of Country Living via Brian Woodcock
Soon, our little business grew so that Jamin was able to join the ranks, and The Handmade Home now feels like our fourth child- it has definitely taken on a life of its own.
We work with national brands, and clients in our design and rehab business, all based in Franklin, just outside of Nashville, Tn.
You can read more about us here, and see our portfolio here {if it’s not on the fritz – ahhh the joys of running a multifaceted business yourself.} And more about our rehab journey room by room, here.
Haven Conference • What is your best advice for a blogger?
Creating a business – something from nothing – takes a lot of guts.
But more than anything, it takes stamina. It’s not a sprint, but after doing this for more than a decade and evolving as needed, we’ve realized it’s a marathon. Yes, I just used that word again. No, I won’t calm down with the metaphors.
If I could tell myself one thing, starting out, it would be this: In our world with what we do, it can be oh so easy to get sucked into comparing yourself, wondering why you aren’t “enough”. Don’t buy that lie, because it’s a game that cheapens so many.
Be genuine and work hard.
And from there, just be you.
Keep your nose to the proverbial grindstone and don’t waste your time distracted or fretting. I truly believe we’re all on our own paths. So don’t get caught up in being down on yourself, because it’s wasted energy. We believe in a world of instagram with highlight reels, it can be easy to go down that spiral of negative thoughts. You do you, as only you can. Follow your own passions, and the rest {truly will} fall into place – it’s a cliché because it’s true.
Haven Conference • What is your best advice for a new Haven Maven attendee?
Conferences, like Haven conference, especially if it’s your first time… can be intimidating.
Don’t stress.
You may hear a lot of side chatter about what a big event this is. About what to wear, and about who’s who. And at said event, you’ll hear a lot more side chatter about what you may or may not be doing right or wrong. Humans will be human. We tend to come into these situations with really high expectations and a whole lot of nervous energy. And sometimes, that side chatter can be just enough to be dangerous.
As a wise friend once said to me at another event {when I kind of lost my head about feeling under-dressed, because human}: “In the grand scheme of things, this is like, 2.5 seconds of your entire life.”
In other words, chill. Enjoy it. And don’t be nervous. Because you’re absolutely amazing.
Soak it up for what it is, and enjoy the moment of learning what you can. Meet as many people as you can, and just be you. And most importantly?! Have fun. It certainly comes first, but I had to mention all the other stuff, anyway. Because the rest of it can be a little intimidating if you let all that background noise in. It’s the stuff we don’t talk about, which is why I’m oh so awkwardly bringing it up here. ;}
It’s important to be honest and real, and I hope that helps anyone who feels like a ball of nerves.
Confession: I usually do.
Haven Conference • Who are YOU most excited to see/meet at Haven this year?
Uh, you. DUH. That’s why we’re going.
If you’re attending Haven Conference this year, please come say hi. We can’t wait to meet you. If you don’t have anyone to sit next to, come sit next to us! We would love to meet you and connect. I think that life is too short to miss out on so many amazing people!
We’d love to hear what you’re all about, and be inspired by you!
We can’t wait to meet you.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our little segment today. A little dose of real with a little encouraging.
If you’re attending Haven confernce, please drop us a line! We love hearing from you and making connections and learning your sweet names and faces! And if I can offer anything else, or help you with any questions, please let us know.
We look forward to hearing from you!
And don’t forget… throughout the week, all the Haven conference mentors will be sharing a little Q+A so be sure to check them out! – We’ll be updating here as the week goes.
Monday:
Southern Hospitality
At Charlotte’s House
Sheila- Maison De Clinq
Liz Marie Blog
Place of My Taste
Tuesday:
Just a Girl
Haneen’s Haven
The Handmade Home {you are here}
Wednesday:
Beneath My Heart
Erin Spain
French Country Cottage
Thursday:
Duke Manor Farm
Thrifty Decor Chick
Not Just A Housewife
Friday:
Pretty Handy Girl
In My Own Style
Home Stories A to Z
Bless’er House
Bower Power
Have an inspired day!
Anna says
Brilliant! I absolutely love your perspective. Thank you for always being so refreshingly honest! Wish I were going to haven this year – but alas I’m not a blogger! 😂😫
Janet says
Your spaces are absolutely gorgeous!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much, Janet! ;} We have fun when we can.
Sonya says
Thank you for your honesty and motivation. I am a new blogger and this will be my very first Haven Conference. Nervous and excited does not even begin to describe how I feel about the whole thing, but ready to soak it up and learn all I can. So excited to meet you both there.
ashley @ the handmade home says
It’s going to be so much fun! We can’t wait to meet you, Sonya! ;} Thank you so very much for dropping by, and I can’t wait to check out your site!
Traci says
We are so glad to have you at Haven again this year! Can’t wait to see you!
Julie Briones says
Congrats on being mentors! I appreciate your advice and post! Looking forward to attending my first Haven this summer, and I hope we are able to meet!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Awe Thank you Julie! Definitely hope we can meet! Please look for me and I’ll do the same! It’s not that big so we’ll definitely run into each other ;}