We had the good fortune of connecting with Becky Engram and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Becky, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Over time, my work life balance has shifted due to several factors. As I near retirement as teacher in a couple years, I thought about what l’ve loved doing creatively. Although teaching was my main career, I started to shift my mindset to what brings me the most peace in this chapter of life. Creating things does just that for me. I love being able to have some quiet time to explore and make new items whether for friends, family, gifts or for my websites, this definitely resets me. My children have always been at the same school where I’ve taught and as this changes I’ve had to think (in between carpooling & teaching) what I love to do as I navigate their teen years. This is a creative outlet and brings me joy to have something of my own as they get older. I have shifted from doing less of the work that takes more time away from my family (teaching), to being able to create my jewelry or print on demand items within my home while teaching will be in the rear view mirror the next few years. This has provided a great balance to be able to be here for them more often and create fun jewelry!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When creating Market On Maple Ave, I was actually living on that street in Marietta, GA. Recently, I have moved to a nearby street but have kept the name that started it all for me. I never knew that I would even have an interest in making jewelry until I spotted some interesting things online in 2018 and thought about how I would like to try!
After researching, I taught myself with the help of some YouTube + trial and error, a special friend taught me how to actually make jewelry and where to find unique beads. I started traveling to different shows & cities to curate beads and treasures along the way. I also did some research as I taught myself how to do Print on Demand Items and have really found a few fun niches with that, too! There are so many opportunities to be creative these days. Some of the items I design are not only jewelry but T-shirts, pajama pants and wine glasses to name a few! It has been a great challenge to learn something new —it pushed me to step outside the box for something I had not thought to do in the past. The two of these combined have become what excites me each day to create!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Marietta, GA I would definitely take them to a restaurant on the Square to have some drinks and dinner! There are so many cute places to check out. The farmers market on Saturdays is great and there are so many amazing artists to explore there as well. We’ll go see my husband and friends’ band, The Live Oak Ramblers, at Glover Park Brewery. Then, we’d make our way to see the Braves at the Battery —plenty of restaurants green space for the kids to hang out while watching the game on the big screen.
We’d also go explore outside of Marietta & go to concerts at Ameris Bank Amphitheater or Chastain Park. Some of the best shows to browse antiques and beads would be Scott Antique Market and unique antique markets around Marietta & beyond. Maybe I’d even put them on an impromptu flight with me to explore a new city…there’s nothing quite like adventure to keep life interesting and FUN!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have such dear friends that have supported me along the way. Some of my biggest cheerleaders have encouraged and motivated me to create and share my love of jewelry, vintage finds and travel experiences. While searching for unique items to use or places to find jewelry components, vintage items or travel stories, they have been supportive and along for the ride! I am so grateful to family, neighbors and close friends that have helped make this a great & fulfilling journey.

Website: www.marketonmapleave.com and https://marketonmapleave.etsy.com

Instagram: @marketonmapleave

Facebook: marketonmapleave

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