Designing a Life I Love

If you had told me years ago that I’d be building a business from my kitchen table—with two toddlers running around, geese honking outside, and next to sippy cups—I probably would’ve laughed. But here I am, in the thick of motherhood, mess, and magic… and honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I’m McKenzie—mom of two wild and wonderful littles, wife to my high school sweetheart, and now, the owner and creative brain behind my cozy little Etsy shop. I create colorful, quirky print-on-demand goodies like stickers, mugs, shirts, and tumblers that speak to moms, teachers, and anyone else just doing their best in the chaos. It’s a little bit ADHD, a lot heart—and 100% real life.

Creativity was always a part of my life. My mom was constantly trying new hobbies—scrapbooking, crafting, whatever caught her interest (which, looking back, might’ve been the ADHD she lovingly passed on to me). Our house was overflowing with craft supplies, and I learned early on how much joy there is in making things. As a teenager, I started babysitting, and

one of those jobs ended up shaping the course of my life. I worked for a mom who was launching an art studio in her basement. While I watched the kids upstairs, she was downstairs teaching classes and slowly building a dream from scratch. Watching her turn a passion into a thriving business lit something in me. As her business grew, I started teaching at that very studio—I spent ten years there sharing my love of art with others and teaching children. During that time, I married my best friend, and we started dreaming of a creative, simple life of our own.

But what I always wanted—My forever answer to during "what do you want to be when you grow up?" (even when they told me it wasn’t a "real job")—was to be a stay-at-home mom. Now here I am—mom to a wild and

sweet 4-year-old and a curious, toddling 1-year-old, living on a little fixer-upper farm with pigs, ducks, geese, and dogs. My husband (my best friend since we were 14) and I always dreamed of this kind of life. It’s chaotic, a little muddy, often loud—and I absolutely love it.

But if I’m being honest, I also wanted more.

I also wanted something that was just mine. A creative outlet. A way to earn a little income and show my kids what it looks like to build something from the ground up. That’s how this shop was born.

The name “Just Making It Mama” is a little play on words—because let’s be real, some days we’re just barely making it. But it’s also about the love that keeps us going. We “just” do it—because we care, because we have to, because we want to build something better for our families. And for me personally, it’s about the act of creating. I’m just over here making designs, making products, and making a life I love—as a mama doing her best, one imperfectly perfect day at a time.

In our shop, you’ll find pieces that reflect the real, raw, hilarious side of motherhood and everyday life. Like our Running on Iced Coffee and Pure

Delusion tote because this season of life runs on caffeine, chaos, and convincing yourself you’re doing great. (You are.). I don’t believe in scammy sales or low-quality items—just well-made, personality-packed designs printed on things you’ll actually us

Check It Out 👉

This blog? It’s here to tell the stories behind the products. To connect with other moms, teachers, and creative souls trying to carve out a space in the madness. Each week, I’ll share new designs, life updates, product highlights, and real talk—because we’re all just “just making it,” right?

So thanks for being here. Whether you’re shopping, scrolling, or sipping your third coffee while hiding in the bathroom, I’m glad we found each other. I’d love for you to check out the shop, favorite your faves, and follow along as this thing grows.

Because I’m not just designing mugs and shirts—I’m designing a life I love