EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of our September's EtsyKids Team Design Challenge, Gold Shimmer Tunic Top by HandmadeByLoloZ!

"This tunic top is made from glittery gold fabric with a coordinating fall print elastic waist. Perfect for fall parties or thanksgiving dinner."

HandmadeByLoloZ sells unique handcrafted kid's clothing and gifts that are bright and fun.   Please be sure to visit this adorable Etsy shop right here.

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Art Project:: Bubble Wrap Fall Tree

Article submitted by RaisingGreenKids, blog - RaisingGreenRichmondKids

Have your little ones create Fall trees using leftover bubble wrap. This is a fun and super easy eco-friendly craft for little ones of all ages.

What you'll need:
paper - heavier stock paper works best
cut squares of bubble wrap. mine were about 4x4
paints-yellow,red,orange,brown
brown markers or crayons

Directions:

If you child is older they can draw their own tree trunk, if they are younger draw it for them.
Put a thin layer of each color of paint on a left over lid or reusable bowl or plate.
Show your child how to take the square of bubble wrap into their hand and dip it into the paint, then dab up and down on the paper in different spots above the tree trunk.
Use different colors to create a fun Fall picture. Enjoy!

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Meet Etsy Seller TheFancyFritter

Today we would like to introduce you to Stacy

and her Etsy shop The Fancy Fritter

The Fancy Fritter has been selling on Etsy since January 2009, she sells a beautiful range of handmade bibs, burp cloths, pillowcase dresses and more! Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.

TheFancyFritte... $18.00

TheFancyFritte... $20.00

TheFancyFritte... $50.00

TheFancyFritte... $25.00

What motivated you to start your shop? 

I learned how to sew about 5 years ago before I became pregnant with my first child. After finding out she was a girl, I started sewing more and I made lots of baby items for her. My friends and family loved what I made and encouraged me to sell them. Being a SAHM, it is a fun way for me to enjoy my hobby & make a little extra money. :-) I branched out into making children's clothing & baby items, so in January 2009 opened The Fancy Fritter. I love vintage linens and I love quality designer fabrics, so you may see a little bit of both in my shop! Maybe together or separate, but always one of a kind creations! 

What is the story behind your shop name?

The Fancy Fritter??? What does that mean? Well for all of you who have children, you know that all sorts of crazy things pop out of your mouth when you are either singing to them or playing with them and since my daughter was little I have just called her "fritter." She can be a "fussy fritter" or a "funny fritter", but she will always be a "fancy fritter." Totally corny, I know but I guess that is what motherhood does to you. :-) It 

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?

How much time actually needs to be invested to make it successful. Not only creating your items, but taking nice photos, promoting and advertising  etc. With being a busy mom, there are times that I'm not able to invest as much time as I would like, but when I am able to get a lot of items made and listed the more success I have. It is definitely one of those things where you get out of it as much as you put in. It is just not as easy as it may look to some people! :-)

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?

Being an Etsy seller can be challenging because with the growth of Etsy sometimes you can feel like a small fish in a huge pond. I am still learning the best ways to get good views, promote items, etc. I am thankful for a place to sell my handmade items, but those problems have been a bit of a challenge. 

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?

I want my items to be beautiful, one of a kind, and be a quality items for my customers. I want my customers to love what I made for them and come back for more in the future! :-)

What do you do when you aren't working?

When I am not working on my Etsy shop, I am busy with my 2 small children as a stay at home mom. My inspiration behind my shop, "Fritter" is 4 and I have a 15 month old son. I am always on my toes, but try to work on new items during naptimes & nighttime. I am involved in my church, love to go to coffee with friends, spend time with my husband, shop for fabric or other crafts, and browse blogs & Pinterest. 

The Fancy Fritter is offering a 10% discount for our blog reades! To use the coupon, visit her etsy store and enter code 'ETSYKIDS10' at checkout. The voucher is valid until the end of December 2012.
You can also visit The Fancy Fritter at her blog and her facebook page.

TheFancyFritte... $40.00

TheFancyFritte... $15.00

TheFancyFritte... $18.00

TheFancyFritte... $28.00

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25 Things For Kids To Do When Stuck Indoors

EtsyKids team member and mother of two, Katie of childhoodstore, who is also patiently preparing to wait out Hurricane Sandy, shares some really fun indoor activities to do with kids using stuff you already have at home (love that!).  Not in the path of Hurricane Sandy?  Count yourself lucky and bookmark this for later ... think endless freezing cold days of winter, indoor recess at the grade school, games and activities for classroom parties.

Like most everybody on the east coast we are preparing for hurricane Sandy, which means we are stocking up on batteries, waters and snacks. It also means I am preparing for the potential of a week home with both girls and no electricity. So here is a list of some activities we have done before that I am thinking we might revisit this week. Do you have any fun indoor activities for kids?

Shoe Matching Game
Play With a Box
Play With Waterbeads
Painters Tape Hopscotch
Bean Bag Games
Make a Cardboard Computer
Cave Drawing
Pipe Cleaner and Colander Sculptures
Walk the Line
Floor Puzzles
Play People Riddles
Shaving Cream Car Wash
Paint with Water
Post-it Note Art Gallery
Color Relay
Clean Penny Experiment
Form a Square Game
Play Dress-Up
Dance
Glue Painting
Make Plastic Straw Necklaces
Cloud Dough
Plastic Cup Printing
Apple Printing
Plastic Baggie Art

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Be Safe!

Sending out wishes of safety to all our team members, fans and customers in the Eastern United States as they brace for Hurricane Sandy.

Rainy Day Baby Bib Gift Set, by MorningTempest

Fleece Kid's Rain Boot Liners, by KatelyB

Warm and Dry Birds, Children's Art Print, by weandthebean

Baby Shower Invitation, showers of love, by BusyChickadees

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Halloween Safey Tips

Halloween is a night of frights and fun! But to stop any horror stories here are some safety tips to keep your little ones safe this Halloween eves.

Costume Saftey

• Avoid masks if possible as they can obstruct a child's vision, instead consider face paint.
• If using face paint do a skin test a few days before for any allergies. And remember to remove it before bed time.
• Make sure costumes are flame retardant or flame resistant  there are lots of candles in pumpkins and other places that can set a costume alight.
• Add some reflective tape to costumes (front and back!) so kids can be easily seen by cars.

Out Trick or Treating

• For young kids make sure an adult will accompany them, for older children make sure they go around with a group of friends and know to stick together.
• Visit well-lit areas and take a flash light with you.
• Plan a route for trick or treating and make sure an adult knows it.
• Set a time to be back home by, and set an alarm on a mobile or watch if possible.
• Take extra care crossing streets, only cross on crosswalks and remember to look left, right and left again!
• Never go inside houses for treats or Halloween games.
• Bring home the candy for parents to check before eating any.
• Make sure your child knows how to call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) 
• Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number on the inside of their costume in case they get lost.  

Tips for Parents

• Give the kids a big meal before they go out, they are less tempted to eat candy while out.
• Make sure your kids know where they are going and basic saftey rules for peoples homes and crossing the road.
• Make sure your home is safe for other peoples children, clear the lawn, porch and sidewalk and set out lighting so kids can see well.
• Careful picking candy, think nut allergies, and chocking hazards like gum and hard candies.

As a Driver

• Take extra care when out driving on Halloweens eve.
• Watch for children on the streets, and be careful at crossings and pulling into driveways.

For more information on Halloween safety visit these websites

• National Safety Council
• American Academy of paediatrics
• Halloween Food Safety
• Halloween Food Safety Tips
• Halloween Safety Tips

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Get Crafty with The Sewing Lofts Halloween Treat Holders

Looking for a way to dress-up the treats you give the special kids in your life ... the nieces and nephews, the neighbor kids, your best friends kids or your kids best friends?  EK team member Heather from TheSewingLoft shares two quick and super cute ways to dress-up suckers for Halloween.  Kids will love it and you'll love being able to whip out a bunch in no time flat!  

Visit TheSewingLoft blog to download the pattern and get the instructions.

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