Balzer Designs

Adventures in Arting Podcast: Julia Wester

On today's podcast I'm talking to Julia Wester about being a working mom, quarantining with a broken leg, and transitioning from her job as Oh Joy's Creative Director into her own business as a freelance stylist. If you do not see the podcast player above, please click on this link. On the off chance that you've never listened to a podcast or don't get why anybody would want to, here are some facts: (1) Podcasts are convenient. It's a recording that is available to you whenever and wherever you'd like to listen. You can pause, stop, start, fast forward, and... Read more →

The First Thirty Days of Motherhood

Just before the baby was born, I was hired by The Washington Post and The Lilly to journal about my first 30 days of motherhood. You can read my raw, real, and absolutely honest account of those first thirty days on the Washington Post's website and in the Lilly newsletter. I think the illustrations they put in the article are weird and don't really match, but perhaps that's the artist in me? Here's a link to the article. I would say, "enjoy," but people have told me they cried while reading it, so instead I'll say, "I hope you take... Read more →

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! (We celebrate both in our household!) We are so delighted by the wonderful gift we received this year: He is a sweet little baby who loves lying on his side, stretching, tilting his head back, and jamming his fingers into his mouth. We can't wait to see more of his personality emerge over the coming year! Hope you are having a happy day! P.S. This month's livestream for members will be on Saturday (December 28) at 2pm EST. If you'd like to join in on the art fun (and meet the baby), you can join... Read more →

Baby is Here!

After 40 hours of labor, our beautiful baby boy came out kicking and screaming. It had been such a long and slow labor that nobody thought the end would be quite so fast. When he started to crown, it was just me, my Mom, Steve, and a nurse in the room. The nurse called for back up and told me to stop pushing. But I couldn't stop him from coming. No back up came. She called again. No back up came. She pulled the emergency cord from the wall and the room flooded with people just as his shoulders popped... Read more →