Hi, my name is Cyndi Mahlstadt...

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I have been blessed with a multitude of strong, creative, nurturing women in my life; through family, extended family, adopted family, friends. I am truly blessed!

There are two women who standout in my heart as my muses through life. These women have inspired the creative spirit in me from the day I was born.

My courageously creative Grandma Hazel. My grandma could take anything (and I mean anything) and make it useful, beautiful, or taste good. She could sew, run a mean garage sale, garden, can up just about anything (yum), and could recycle like nobody’s business. She was ahead of her time on the “reclaimed” movement. Visiting Grandma’s house was always so much fun, right up there with Disneyland!

Also, there is my dear friend and Mother, Carolyn. My Mom has a bloomin’ green thumb up to shoulder! She loves tending her flowers and plants, and her back yard is like a tropical paradise. On top of all that she sews, quilts, arranges flowers, collect plants to revive, and collects Koi for her fish pond. What I find most inspiring, is how she adores my dad, encourages the hearts around her, and faithfully loves her family. She is my hero!

So, for as long as I can remember, I have had these women teaching me to garden, crochet, sew, cook, bake, draw, collect treasures, think outside the box, to love, to be faithful, and to EXPLORE CREATIVELY. Thank you Mom, thank you Grandma!

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I  would like to be able to say that I have always been on a creative path in life, but that is not true. For one reason or another I often find myself wandering off into a thorny thicket, and getting stuck awhile.  This has been a pattern for quite a few years, where I have found myself just trekking along day by day on a path that takes me away from my art and my passion. If I’m fortunate, it just takes a gentle nudge to move me in a new direction, but most often it takes a 2x4 up aside my head. When this happens, there’s usually a few questions that start rattling around in my head.  What the heck are you doing? What do I want to do when I grow up? What CAN I do?

Okay, so I am an artist, and have had wonderful opportunities and experiences as an artist. I am a small business owner (entrepreneur), and love entrepreneurship.  I’ve been an administrative assistant in every which way, shape, and form

 working the 8-5 job. So how do I successfully blend these all together? How can I best use my skills, my time, and my effort and still do what I love.

After many hours of soul searching, researching, advice, suggestions, and FRUSTRATION, I have come up with what I believe to be the answer.  JUST DO IT! My path or journey has brought me to a place where I truly understand that my life if fuller, balanced, and healthier (spiritually, mentally, physically) with creative outlets in my life. It’s that simple!

Meadow Bug Studio is a small boutique Art Studio located in rural Iowa.

• The focus is simple….we are all about CREATIVITY and the CREATIVE PROCESS!
• The goal is simple….to promote creativity as much and as often as possible!

My belief is that we are all born with an intrinsic ability and desire to create; and creativity should be a part of every single person’s life. My passion and focus is creativity, and sharing the joy of creativity with you, our visitors, our patrons, and our community.

So, dive in fearlessly! Find your passion and what feeds your soul creatively! Enjoy all the wonderful gifts that life has to offer and be sure to take time to enjoy all the little things in life. There are so many!