Folks We Love with Shelley Gibbs Sanders, owner of The Last Line
Tell us a little bit about your journey and how you’ve come to arrive here.
I’m a gemini born and raised in LA. Addicted to jewelry and all things and design. I studied art and jewelry design and haven’t stopped since. I’ve got one million children (three ) and am launching a direct to consumer fine jewelry line with partner and husband Teddy Sanders. WE ARE BUSY. And crazy, but its a full beautiful mess that I wouldn’t trade for anything (except maybe a minute of alone time and an hour or two of sleep)! I cannot tell you the last time I felt well rested but I am so lucky to be in this family and get to know these little angels everyday.
Who’s in your family? Ages? Names?
Teddy-love//husband//all around dopest guy ever
Howl-5
Arrow-3
Goldie-3 months
How did you choose your kids names?
Howl is named after the Allen Ginsburg poem Howl and the musician howln’ wolf. His middle name is Indigo and I’ve always loved the sound and feelings of that name. Arrow was just the sweetest little name we loved, and his daddy picked his middle name, Rasa after tabula rasa, meaning blank slate. We love the idea of this special little human carving out his life and personality from a blank slate. And Goldie Darling- when I found out I was having a girl, something I thought would never happen, it just jumped out at me and I knew it had to be name. I really don’t know why. Her middle name is Darling. She is our little darling and youngest little lady in a house dominated by the boys. We thought it was perfect.
Location?
LA
Occupation?
Jewelry Designer
Tell us some of your most loved ways to spend the day with your clan?
I LOVE all getting in our bed. That’s the best if they will stay. If not, I really like going to breakfast with the crew on the weekends or hanging in our backyard. Most recently we all went to the nursery to buy plants for our garden and it was the best day—boys helping dad and Goldie nursing her way through the flowers.
What are some silly/fun things that the kids do or say?
Arrow, my middle one, is hilarious. When someone starts to get worked up in the fam he stands up and starts slowly moving his hands up and down and says “everybody, calm down” he says it slow and at the best times. Always makes everyone smile. They also tell me they are exhausted which I am assuming they have learned from Teddy and I, and I always think that is funny. Truly, the hands down funniest thing they do is terrible. Teddy and I both are known to swear at times and my kids drop a f bomb or a four letter word better than any trucker. It’s horrifying and silly. They know to only do it around us and when you slam a finger in the door and your kid swears for you when you are about to scream and cry, its a real stress reliever. This may make me a naughty mama. F*CK!
When you were a teenager what did you dream of? Do things look different?
I didn’t think too much about future. In my dreams I was a jewelry designer with three kids—but definitely more wild an punk in those dreams. Probably with a lot more alcohol too. I hadn’t thought about this until now. I am where I dreamed to be I guess. That feels awesome. I’ll live in that feeling for a bit. In all the little failures of my day I’ve got that. Thank you.
What are some things you really believe in?
Following your voice and vibe. That if something is right you know and the opposite, if it’s wrong you know too.
Where do your passions lie?
Sleep. But seriously sleep. And my family. I love my party of five and anything and everything is for them.
Has your relationship with your other half changed since having kids?
Yes. It’s more beautiful and faceted. Its harder, but its easier too. It’s spread thin at times but always deeper than before. He’s my family which I didn’t fully feel until we had kids. I trust in him more—to know that you are with the person you will die with to be committed till the end makes a very soulful and connected love. This definitely came with the growth of our own family.
What are some of your favorite life lessons you’ve grown to love? (even if learning them at the time was hard)
Trust your gut. Stay in your own lane.
What do you wish you could’ve told yourself when you were a teenager?
You are going to be ok. Find your own voice and listen to it. First listen for it.
What do you find most challenging about being somebody’s parent?
Making sure you always give their feelings the proper empathy and attention, no matter what you are doing at the moment
What do you want your kids to learn about the world?
To love, not to worry, and to slow down and enjoy it. To follow their hearts.
What are 4 things you can’t live without as a parent?
Separate blankets, snacks, music, coffee.