Meet Etsy Shop Maddie's Notions

This week we meet EtsyKids team member Maddie's Notions.  Maddie's Notions makes Beautiful handmade things for your precious baby and  has been open since November 2014.









   
What motivated you to start your shop?
My motivation for starting my shop was my daughter, who is only 2. As a stay-at-home mom, I have spent the majority of my daughter's life trying to find a way to help support her financially while being able to stay home with her. This seemed like the best option as I had been making things for her since I knew I was pregnant with her. It wasn't too big of a problem to turn it into a business. It combines my love of sewing/creating for her and my desire to help with the family finances without needing childcare.


What is the story behind your shop name?
When it came to choosing the name of my shop, it was almost a no-brainer. My shop was born out of my love for creating for my daughter, whose name happens to be Maddie. A lot of the items for sale in my shop are things I've made and used for her. Thus, Maddie's Notions became the name of my shop.


What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
Having my own shop has surprised me in that just because I have a store, I'm not confined to just selling online. I do fairs and sell in person as well. Very convenient. I love having the freedom to be able to come and go and do whats needs doing without being confined to a "brick and mortar".


What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
For me, the most challenging part of being an Etsy seller is definitely getting the attention and traffic I need to be successful. It's a lot of work doing all the networking and stuff required to have a better chance of being seen and making sales. I have been blessed in that the number of sales I have gotten in my first year in business have been higher than I expected. I got my first sale a week after I opened. The sales haven't been as high as they need to be in order to to make this work long term. But it's a work in progress.


What do you do when you aren't working?
Quickest answer is that when I'm not working I'm caring for my daughter. But having/living with a toddler, there's so much more that happens when I'm not working. I take her to a "mom and me" gymnastics class and we do story time at a couple different local libraries. She's very active and loves to go. There's not much I do without her. Then there's all the other normal taking care of/running a home tasks.


As I am celebrating the 1 yr anniversary of my shop being open this month, I am offering a 20% discount on all purchases of at least $25. Use code ANNI01 at checkout.


Posted by Raising Green Kids








   

Tweet

Treasury Challenge #72 - Black Friday

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #72 was "Black Friday".
Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner is...

Black Friday Stocking Stuffers by BEATNIKKIDS

Black Friday sales and handmade stocking stuffer ideas for kids.

Reindeer PATTERN DIY christmas costume mask sewing tutorial creative play woodland animals ideas kids baby children holiday Halloween gift ImaginaryTail $4.99	Nautical superhero dolls - toddler gift, sailor rag dolls for nautical themed kids room, ideal gift for kids, twins LaLobaStudio $116.00	Navy and Cream Color Block Slouchy Beanie Cute Coin Pocket Hat Cozy Hat Hand Knit Beanie for Women Gift for Her CabinFeverKnittingCo $40.00	Alphabet Stacking Flower Garden PuzzledOne $40.00
Girl hair clip - girl barrette - gingerbread girl hair clip - Christmas hair clip mybabysweetpea $3.75	Eco friendly wooden pull toy - BULLDOG MARCUS toporko $40.00	Holly Berry Hair Clip in Lime Green and Fuschia marmaladecreations $12.00	Wooden Acorns Montessori Waldorf Toy BrightLifeToys $18.00
Baseball Pencil Topper Vday Freshvintageshop $2.00	eco friendly edin floral felt crown with adjustable ribbon tie. your choice of crown, flower, and ribbon colors. party, play, pretend. feltedkitten $14.95	Doodle Peg Dolls by Walter Silva - Modern trendy Toy - Handmade toys WalterSilva $48.00	Felt Owl Ornament, Christmas Ornaments, Hand-sewn Christmas Owls ornaments set of 2 hingmade $25.00
Sweet Child Zipper Pouch Pattern -PDF File INSTANT DOWNLOAD TheSewingLoft $6.50	set/3 Sports Nail Covers (aka Drawer Knobs) LittleElephantCo $19.99	Sensory box, construction theme, diggers and dump truck, work on colors and numbers, preschool learning, hands on learning MASProductionArts $38.50	Personalised Superhero Cuff Set AtelierSpatz £20.00

Powered By Toastie Studio - Etsy Tools


Thank you BeatnikKids creating such a lovely treasury!

BeatnikKids sells unique handmade clothes and accessories for kids.. This children's fleece knights hat might be suitable armour for those Black Friday sales! Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations.

Tweet

November Design Challenge. It's time to Vote!

For November our Design Challenge theme was "Everything's coming up pumpkin spice and apples" We have lots of lovely entries from our team members, browse down and vote for your favourite item! Voting is open until 27th November.

Tweet

Meet Etsy Seller Alber Road Children's Wear

This week we meet Etsy seller Alber Road.  Alber Road makes Handcrafted organic children's clothing and accessories and has been open since January 2015.


    


What motivated you to start your shop? 
I started sewing children's clothing for friends as gifts, but one day a friend asked to buy something from me as a last minute shower present. I realized then that maybe I could turn my hobby into a business. I spent a year researching US compliance laws so that I could legally sell baby items and got my first wholesale contract with a local Co-op. The reception was great! I knew I wanted to reach out to a larger audience and Etsy seemed like the logical choice. My goal was to someday quit my day job, but that "someday" was 6 months after my first sale! I have been happily sewing ever since. 

What is the story behind your shop name?
Alber Road is the name of the road I grew up on as a child. We were from a small farming community in rural Michigan. My parents bought a one room school house in the next town over and renovated it to a family home. The "school house" is still there on the corner of Alber Road and Bethel Church Road in Saline, Michigan. Some of my fondest childhood memories originated in the community, wandering the Michigan woods and collecting soybeans out of the farmers' fields. When I named my shop, I wanted to draw on my roots as a young child, close to nature in the Michigan countryside. 

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
.
I love, love, love creating bodysuits with some of the delicious organic knit with custom designs by fabulous designers I interact with. Nothing beats a baby in an adorable, one of a kind bodysuit! I wish they were my size... 

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


I am still amazed that I was able to quit a job I worked 11 hours a day at in order to pursue my dream-- I have shipped across the world (my latest exciting shipment was to The Netherlands!). I honestly didn't think that I would be a success, certainly not one that would allow me to pursue my designing dreams full time. My Etsy shop has allowed me to work from my home and be creative every day. 


 What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I miss the constant social contact of my previous job. I have to make sure I come up for air every once in a while and leave my sewing studio. Etsy has been a great venue for me, but it's a solitary job. 


What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I believe in shopping small and supporting the "little guy". I work very hard to source quality fabrics, most of which are grown and finished in the United States. I try to form relationships with my designers too! My business is all about forming that personal connection (with my vendors, designers and customers) and giving back to our community and preserving a positive future for the generations to come.

What do you do when you aren't working?
"When I'm not working? When is that?? 

Just kidding! I inhabit one of the most beautiful places in the world. My partner and I live at the base of a mountain and spend a lot of time outdoors appreciating the Idaho wilds. I love to birdwatch and catch the occasional black bear lumbering across the yard. It's outdoor bliss here! 


"

Alber Road is offering a discount code for all Etsykids readers. Just use the code ETSYKIDS15%  for 15% off any purchase


    

Posted by Raising Green Kids

Tweet

Meet Etsy Seller Tanja D'Lyn

This week we meet Etsy seller Tanjadlyn.  Tanjadlyn specializes in Eco-Friendly Cotton Wear For Children.  Girls Bath Robes, Boys Bath Robes, Kids Hooded Towels, Baby Bibs, Burp Cloths, Baby Blankets, and Personalized Gifts for Children.  The shop has been open since May 2008.  

    

What motivated you to start your shop?
 Growing up with a textiles inspired family, I recognized the comfort and love of quality fibers!  “My family had a small farm and company of hand-spun yarns, cotton and specialty fibers. Watching my mother knit and sew clothes most of my life, encouraged me to be creative”. Inspired by my family, I received my art degree in Fashion & Design, an AA in Business & Marketing, and a BS in Child Psychology. After having my own three boys!  I began creating handmade, clothing for children, in 1989, a line called Fuzzy Wuzzy Bear Wear Ltd,  “ Our children were allergic to everything to include the chemicals put into fabrics “ to keep them safe”.  After a divorce, I became a middle school teacher, taught sewing classes to kids, and began my company on Etsy in 2008. I found my place here on Etsy Handmade!

What is the story behind your shop name?
Inspiring design studio, LLC, began on Etsy.com { Tanjadlyn.esty.com } in 2008.  We our part of the Etsy Success Team, and the  Etsy Kids Team. Our philosophy of leaving a green footprint and creating all cotton handmade, USA made gifts is very important.  From our tissue paper, supplies, and reuse of shipping materials, to our use of all natural and cotton fabrics for our products, we are intentional of a concept in business that leans into and inspires others in this living green life style.  We inspire families in green living and cotton eco-friendly wear for children.  Our designs are tm, and our own and we have both ready wear and custom orders!  Most of our prints and selections are inspired by other families!   Our companies focus is on inspiring designs that breath a LIVING GREEN color! : )

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
My favorite creations are our children's robes! There is something about the start and the finish that excites me!
The fabrics are all cotton and specialty soft cozy minky dot! When sewing the fabrics slip through my fingers and they are so soft!  When we cut them out and set them up, there is the thrill of how cute "it will be"! And seeing the finished gifts, are the best!  I imagine how each child will feel in our sweet cozy robes!  Yes, I have one too! ha, ha, ha! This year we added sizes 8-14 and women's robes are coming this spring!  Papa robes will follow in June of 2016 { Father's Day }! 

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
Everything! Our company went from being a wholesale company for 10 years { during my married life } to my own retail shop! Having my own shop were our handmade gifts are well received and appreciated brought a sense of " can do attitude ".    This platform is amazing! And is perfect for anyone just starting out, or growing and finding their niche!  For our company, it was about "finding our Niche"!  We work hard with our handmade specialty Cotton Terries for Children!  And it is a joy and a passion that is seen in our quality! USA made, Eco Friendly Cotton Wear For Children! What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Sometimes, our clients need help with custom orders! And we are limited on the variations we can offer! So, relying on the many e-mails that it may take to better understand what clients wants, can be cumbersome!
For example: we offer personalization: We need to collect: Name, color of embroidery, and font! But, the etsy format only allows for us to collect 2 variations!  And of course, are robes come in size, color and print { 3 more variations }.  Being part of a team community helps with these types of challenges!  This is what Esty is really about: connection!  It is a unique selling and buying experience that know one can put there finger on, but everyone wants to try to duplicate!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Our philosophy of leaving a green footprint and creating all cotton handmade, USA made gifts is very important.  From our tissue paper, supplies, and reuse of shipping materials, to our use of all natural and cotton fabrics for our products, we are intentional of a concept in business that leans into and inspires others in this living green life style.  We inspire families in green living and cotton eco-friendly wear for children.  Our companies focus is on inspiring designs that breath a LIVING GREEN color! : )

What do you do when you aren't working?
This is my full time job and we have a team of 5 working with us! I now have a business partner and our company is a LLC this year!  I just finished my Family Studies/Psychology Degree and have an ISP working with children!  I work with foster-care and celebrate recovery kid groups 3 hours every Thursday night! My whole heated perspective in living green starts with family!

Please tell us a little about the children's items market / handmade movement in your Country?
Here in the USA, green living is an important part of our children's market! Child care and families are seeking environmental friendly products and lifestyle! Our family is one in many that are allergic to to the chemicals that are put into fabrics! 

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
On a personal note:  Here are some of my Favorite "inspirations"
Favorite Ah Moment: When my son told me he loved me. “ I wuvf you moma”
Favorite Flower: The Vanilla Bean
Design Inspirations: The colors of the garden, sky and nature!
Favorite Time of the Year:  The summer and watching the sun set in Canon Beach, OR
Wisdom to share:  Pick the weeds; water the plants and love your kids and they will grow!  Make memories with your life on earth.  Love, laugh, and listen!  And yes, we all need to go green!

Tanjdlyn would like to offer a Holiday Promo Code using the word "Snowman" for 10% off that will run through Dec. 31st!

Tweet