Meet the Mum Behind the Maker – Mel from My Story Stones Rock

I’m thrilled to be sharing this fabulous mini series with you. Each blog post in ‘Meet the Mum Behind the Maker’ will give you a behind the scenes insight into the life of a Mum that makes beautiful toys and/ or educational resources for little ones. In this post we have Me from My Story Stones Rock.

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Story Stones - story telling

Mel from My Story Stones Rock makes these beauties of rocks and here is my interview with Mel. There are links to Mel’s Etsy shop here and through the post if you want to check out her latest designs.

2023 Update – I’ve had so many people asking where you can buy the blank stones to decorate yourself. Previously, I recommended a small, local business that has since closed down.

I have found some similar stones here that come in a few different pack sizes. I recommend using acrylic paint pens to decorate; I use POSCA pens.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family? 

I’m Mel, wife, sibling of 7 and most importantly to me – mum of 3 cheeky children! I was born and raised in Norfolk, lived in Wolverhampton for 6 years, then met my husband and moved up to Northumberland for another 6 years! Now I’m back in Norfolk where I shall not move unless it’s to a very small Greek island!

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

Way before My Story Stones Rock started and before the most important job of being a mummy… I worked as a Client Account Manager for an occupational health company. When I moved up to Northumberland I then worked for British Airways. Neither as fun as being a Mummy!

Tell us a toy that best describes you and why?

The toy that best describes me is probably Barbie. I’m very tall and blonde, (minus her figure) and I love all things pink and lots of accessories! I’ve always loved small world play and Barbie can be so many things – its all about imaginative play for me!

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

When did it all begin and why?

I first started up My Story Stones Rock nearly seven years ago. I knew how I wanted my stones in my head straight away and so it fell quite easily into place. 

My husband sorted all the CE testing for me and I just made up a Facebook page and an Etsy shop. I had my first kerching that day! The thing I love about my Story Stones is that I can fit them in around being a mummy.

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

What does your ‘office’ look like?

My office is my kitchen so one minute I’m washing dishes or playing Barbies and the next I’m hand varnishing the stones. I do suffer with mummy guilt when I’m stood in the kitchen making hundreds of stones and my children are asking me to play though!

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

What was the first product you ever made?

The first set of story stones I ever made was actually the Christmas set that is still available to buy in my Etsy shop now. I might get round to updating it a bit soon!

What’s your favourite make or best seller?

My favourite story stone set is my Emotion Monsters. I love the colourful fun of them but more importantly how they’ve helped so many children and adults express their feelings through them.

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

What’s your design process and how long does it take you to make a finished product?

Each of my story stones are lovingly made and drawn. They take me such a long time, especially the hand varnishing! My inspiration comes from my children and our daily life together. The things we love and the things we want to learn more about! My children love sitting down to draw and colour in with me!

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

Your family is stranded on a desert island – what 3 toys must you take and why?

If my family was stranded on a dessert island the 3 toys I would take would firstly be some pens and paper! We all love drawing and colouring in! Secondly Lego! Lego is great imaginative play and all 3 of my children can sit for hours creating. The final toy would have to be some story stones wouldn’t it?!! We could then make up endless stories and play with them in the sand!

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is also the most challenging part – I’m lucky enough to be around for my children at home but as you can imagine some days I don’t get much work done at all!

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

Who are your favourite Mummy Makers?

  • My favourite mummy makers are Play Make Create Art, Little Lane Keepsakes and All Fudged Up.
  • Lou from Play Make Create Art is so talented. Her art is stunning and I love her local workshops for my children.
  • Kirsty over at Little Lane Keepsakes puts her heart and soul into her beautiful Keepsakes.
  • Kate from All Fudged Up makes the best fudge!

What’s next for you?

Next for My Story Stones Rock is my sister, Mandy! We have partnered up and are now able to produce even more beautiful stones for you. Keep a lookout for new sets and colouring sheets coming soon!

Meet the Mum Behind the Maker - Our Story Stones Rock - story stones - imaginative play - communication - language - story telling - story props

Where can we find you?

Where do you ship to?

Worldwide!!

story stones - story telling - rock art - stone art - creative play

Check out the Pinterest Story Stone – Rock Art Board by clicking here.

Copyright – All photographs in this post belong to My Story Stone Rocks and kind permission has been granted for me to use these lovely images. Please contact My Story Stone Rocks if you wish to use any images.

Disclaimer – Please do contact the seller or check out their sellers pages with regard to age appropriateness of toys and resources and any safety warnings. Busy Busy Learning accepts no responsibility for this. Age appropriateness and warnings can change with new legislation and when sellers make changes to their suppliers or products, so check every time.

The Snail and The Whale Story Sack with wooden toy resources and play dough

12 thoughts on “Meet the Mum Behind the Maker – Mel from My Story Stones Rock”

  1. Loved reading this! We have some story stones from Mel and they are fantastic. They are a firm favourite at bedtime and I’m always amazed by the stories my children create using them. I’m always excited to see new posts and products! ?

    1. Thank you Emma, lovely to hear how much your family enjoys Mel’s story stones. I love that her kids enjoy the designing stage. Loved your post today with your lad and his football peg doll designs too ?

  2. Beautiful. What kind of rocks do you use? Are they white, or do you paint them white? I paint rocks in Sacramento and hide them for people to find.

    1. The ones Mel uses are little glass pebbles. I’ve painted on these, but also done the same as you and painted on rocks. I love it! The local children in our area paint rocks and hide them for people to find. It’s lovely 🙂

  3. Hello! I’m curious what mummy pens are? I tried looking them up with no results found. And are they the only pens she uses? Thank you 😊

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