Cozy Creative Mom on the Street: Madeleine Baxter
Cozy Creative Mom on the Street Madeleine Baxter has always been creative, but after a big move, illness, and becoming a mom caused her to shift her focus to her innovative business endeavors. She makes unique, detailed clay earrings for women worldwide with the support of her husband, son, and amazing friends.
Meet Madeleine
Madeleine is a clay and textile artist located on the East Coast of the US. She owns and operates her online small business, Eighty Market, out of her home studio with the help of her husband and 3-year-old son. Her primary focus is using her platform to raise awareness and funding for endometriosis and other women’s health issues that often go untreated. She handcrafts lightweight, hypoallergenic accessories that are suitable for everyday life and designed to last.
Cozy Creative Business Beginnings
When did you start up Eighty Market, and what made you interested in creating clay earrings?
Eighty Market was the result of a rough patch for me. We were living overseas, and I was dealing with a lot of loss at the time. After years of wondering if my work was good enough to sell, I just decided to go for it. It turned into a form of incredible therapy and independence for me as a new mom. Having something that’s yours that actually helps support your family without having to pay for childcare is really gratifying.
Have you always enjoyed creating and art?
Always. My parents definitely shaped me to be an artist and a creator of all things. I grew up in a household where I was exposed early on to great music, incredible films, delicious food. My mom and I were always making something. A pie, a bird feeder, a pillow stuffed with dryer lint. You name it; we did it. My dad is an incredibly talented musician, and his piano playing was the nightly soundtrack of our house. They instilled in me the value of creativity, and I’m beyond grateful for them.
Family Support and Travels
Do your husband, family, and friends support your business? How so?
The support I get from everyone around me is so massive; I’m incredibly lucky. My husband is my number one fan; I’m so grateful for him every single day. My parents are beyond amazing; my mom still purchases countless things on the website when she knows she can come over and pick anything she wants for free. Each of my amazing friends is the main reason I was able to start to grow Eighty Market. They’re such loyal customers, and without them, my client base wouldn’t have grown to what it is today.
It looks like you used to live in England and now live in the USA, tell us a little more about this, what made you move?
My husband had an opportunity for his career that was supposed to take us to England for a year (we ended up staying for three – oops!), and we’ve just arrived home in the states. At that time, we made the decision to sell our house in the US and move to the UK our son was barely three months old – it was a big risk to uproot everything, but I’m so glad we did. It still sort of feels like a weird fairytale dream we got to live for a few years. It was the absolute best decision we’ve ever made.
What do you miss about living in England?
The architecture, the easy European travel, the ease of constantly being outdoors, the clothesline in my garden. The list goes on.
What do you love about living in the USA?
Being near our families again is so priceless. We’re definitely enjoying that. And also Trader Joe’s.
Business Rewards, Challenges, and Goals
What are some of the most rewarding and challenging parts of owning your own business?
I’ve come to realize that those two things go hand in hand. Every aspect of Eighty Market for me is in some way rewarding, but I think everything rewarding in life comes with challenges. It’s massively rewarding to be my own boss, but with that comes the incredible challenge of growing and running a small business while also raising a toddler full time. It’s a constant balancing act between mother/business owner/wife/daughter/sister/friend/neighbor/decent human being. This life is a wild ride but truly worth it.
What has been your favorite collection of work you’ve created?
That’s tough. The collection I’m working on now is up there. Stay tuned!
What are some of your goals for the future?
My only goal is to continue to love what I do.
Where can people purchase your work and find you on social media?
All available pieces can be purchased at eightymarket.com!
Follow along on Instagram @eightymarket to see how the pieces are made and stay up to date on our launches!
Cozy Creative Style
Which three words best describe your style?
Cozy, spunky, neutral
What are your favorite places to shop?
I’m guilty of far too much online shopping when I find another maker selling something I can’t live without!
Who’s your favorite style icon?
It’s a tie between Lady Diana and Kelly Kapowski.
What’s your best style advice?
Always bring a jacket.
What article of clothing/accessory would you not want to live without?
I wouldn’t be able to function without Jeans and Sneaks.
Which trend would you want to see make a comeback?
Side ponytails!
What should NEVER make a comeback?
Super low-rise jeans.
What fashion/style did you love at the time but now cringe when you see old photos?
Literally every piece of clothing I wore in college.
What’s your best style secret?
Sunscreen!
Cozy Creative Family
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family? Exploring new places with our little one. A new park, a new museum, a new country, a new playground. Showing him music we love (he’s in a Beatles phase right now). Since having our son, my husband and I both love nothing more than watching him experience something new for the first time.
What’s been your best family vacation?
Definitely Wales. Finn was just learning to walk at the time, and seeing him waddle his way through the cliffs of Wales in front of the most stunning backdrop you could ever imagine was such a treat. If you haven’t been to Wales, go!
Best parenting advice: Lead with kindness – with your children, with your partner, with yourself. Instill kindness in your kids above all else.
Parenting true confession:
Life is hard; it’s okay not to be a super mom all the time. I’ve relaxed my standards in the past year, and the world is still turning.
What’s your favorite family restaurant?
Noni’s Kitchen, AKA my parent’s house. Nothing beats mama’s cooking!
Cozy Creative Life
What’s your favorite show to binge-watch?
Whenever I need a good show to throw on while I’m working, I go for The Newsroom or The Office.
If you could pick anyone to star as you in a movie based on your life, who would it be?
Definitely my girl, Julia Roberts!
What song would you dance to when nobody’s watching?
Rosalita – Bruce Springsteen. No one beats the boss!
If you could go shopping with anyone from history, living or deceased, who would it be?
Hmm.. .probably Jackie Kennedy. She could show me a thing or two about a blazer.
What’s at the top of your travel bucket list?
Iceland
What’s your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long day?
Since I started Eighty Market, I have pretty much worked non-stop at night. But luckily, the actual art portion does help me unwind and relax. On nights where I get a little break, the best treat is ordering takeout with my husband after the little one goes to sleep and making plans for our next house project or trip we hope to take.
Cozy Creative Life
We love how Cozy Creative Mom on the Street Madeleine Baxter has shaped her business around helping other women with illnesses while also making them feel stylish. Be sure to check out Madeleine’s business Eighty Market on Instagram or Facebook.
For more interesting and inspiring moms, be sure to check out FamilyApp’s Mom on the Street page!
