Smarty Mom: Amy Crawford

Photo creds: Madison Lane Photography

I first introduced you to Amy Crawford in our Mother’s Day Giveaway and I just had to dig a little deeper into her amazing world. Amy Crawford is the creative genius behind Punch Vintage Style, one of my latest and greatest local finds. Amy’s fab cuffs are made of the coolest hand-dyed cowhide and stamped with beautiful verses. Trust me, we all need a little Punch Vintage Style in our lives!

Amy Crawford pours her heart and soul into her jewelry line. She is mama of 6 beautiful children and she lives on a huge farm in South Charlotte. Amy is a lover of the Lord and a hippie chick at heart, which shines through in her jewelry. She has a variety of vintage cuffs that you can either follow her lead with her bible verses and notes of inspiration. OR, ask her to stamp your cuff with your own words of wisdom. I love, love, love Amy – she absolutely oozes cool. Once you start with your first Punch Vintage Style cuff, you’re going to be hooked and want 10 more, 5 for each arm! Lucky for us, Amy is offering a 25% discount for Smarty readers – whewhoo, load up and read on!

Smarties, let’s get cozy with Amy Crawford!

Amy Crawford’s Smarty Mom Stats:

Married to: Marc for 16 years!
Mom of: 6 kids – Collin, Kobi, Jackson, Ty, Mina & Finn. Our oldest just graduated college and our youngest is 8!
Years in Charlotte: 10
Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida
‘hood: We live in the Marvin /Waxhaw area on a small horse farm
Occupation: Designer, creator Punch Vintage

What inspired you to start Punch Vintage Style?

I have always been an overwhelming creative with an entrepreneurial spirit. I used to redo furniture and do some interior design. I had a few locations, one at Slate in Plaza Midwood area and one at Sleepy Poet Antique mall. But I found myself spread really thin and I really wanted my business base to be at home. And furniture is heavy, y’all. I needed to simplify and I was always being asked about my fun funky style and where I got the leather cuffs that I made for myself. So I decided to go for it!

What is your favorite verse inscribed on your cuffs?

I love the FAITH >FEAR. It comes from a personal place when I was scared to death about our first adoption, (our youngest 3 children are adopted)…I was sick with worry about all of the “what if’s”. One evening, I had this vision of the words Faith & Fear on one of those old-timey weight scales. My faith had to be greater. Walking through those times, those fears, have grown me so much in my Faith. I have overcome my worrier personality by walking through fears guided by my faith.

Scariest moment since starting Punch?

Launching a website, having to embrace technology. I am quite happy to hole up in my little studio; candle burning, music playing, creativity flowing…but putting a business spin on it puts me in a very vulnerable place. I don’t ever want to seem salesy or make things that I don’t love myself. It feels very exposed to stand behind items that you’ve spent sleepless nights creating and hoping that it inspires someone else, that they see my heart behind it and not just another “bracelet”.

How has starting a biz rubbed off on your family?

My 14-year-old daughter has been begging to be home schooled for the last few years so that she could spend more time with her horses…I had never considered this being an option for our family because I am severely lacking in the organization and patience department, but I gave in this year and set her up with some online programs. She has been an amazing asset to Punch Vintage…she is organized and tech savvy where I lack, and poor girl has taken a liking to inventory spreadsheets and small business accounting..so YEAH! I have the sweetest little business partner ever!

Where can Smarty Charlotte get some Punch?

We are focusing on our online retail at Punchvintagestyle.com right now and will likely be at some local pop up shops over the holidays. We would love to have Smarty Mom’s join our Punch Buddies, and receive 25% off their entire first order, also super secret sales and sneak peeks of our new line! You can join by clicking here and receiving an instant discount code!

Moving onto mom stuff..

You have SIX kids (I love that I found someone who has more than I do☺), what is your favorite part about raising a big family?

No one at my house has ever said they were bored. I like to believe it’s because they always have a playmate, and we live on a small horse farm so they are outside adventurous little kids…but it may be because they fear that I will give them chores.

What is your favorite summer activity with kids?

We are water people… we love going to the pool, the lake, the beach, and we have a great hill in our pasture for a mega 100ft slip & slide! But waking up late, watching movies and eating fresh blueberry pancakes in our pj’s is pretty great too.

Favorite summer meal?

For great recipes go on to Ina Garten or the Pioneer woman… I love them for real recipes! But I’m the queen of the “Cheat”. I’ve got tons of them. Right now my kids are loving ASIAN CHICKEN WRAPS:
which simply consist of :
Bag Kit – Asian salad mix from the produce section (mix in dressing from kit) ,
shredded rotisserie chicken,
mandarin oranges (yes, from a can)
Rolled up in your favorite wrap or tortilla, serve, 5 minute meal!

Favorite restaurant with hubby?

We love sushi, so Jade & 18 Asian Fusion (Ballantyne Village) are close to us for a quick date night. But there is also this amazing taco truck that is parked outside this butcher shop (Frontier Meats) in Waxhaw on Saturday mornings…so a stroll through a farmers market and an authentic taco truck lunch is a hot date for me!

Favorite restaurant with kids?

Zoe’s Kitchen, love them for take out nights too! Easy and Perfect!

Favorite place to find fab clothes and accessories for you?

I am super picky about my Jeans and boots, and I buy only the best. For tops, my staple is vintage style v-neck t’s from Old Navy, but I love a fun and funky top or dress from Anthropologie and I have also always have good luck at Clothes Mentor resale shops for a fun piece or two. I obviously like to make my own accessories. I get a lot of inspiration from my customers who come up with some great ideas too. I’m launching a handpainted line this summer that I’m super excited about!

Favorite family summer tradition?

We have an annual Sandcastle contest based on a book my kids loved when they were little (The Sand Castle Contest by Robert Munsch). We pick teams (weeks in advance) and talk smack. The winners get bragging rights and a ridiculous “bathtub” full of ice-cream with all the toppings. We poll people on the beach and make them vote but the winner is usually apparent…ahem, my team!!!

Celebrity crush?

Hands down Jen Hatmaker, have you read her stuff? She is as real as they come. Seriously I saw her on TV once and I screeched…”That’s my friend!!” and my whole family laughed at me…

The other on my crush list these days…Chris Stapelton with his butter voice and his adorable hippie wife. My friends call me the Charlotte version of Joanna Gaines.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Immersed in some serious teenage angst but loving it. As for my business, my dream is to grow large enough to employ women in impoverished situations, and to continue to find ways to lift other women up!

Finish this sentence: Everyday I hope…

…that the people that I love know they are treasured. That I can inspire and lift someone up through my work or just by being kind in the simple situations.