Help, Help There's a Monster in the Closet!

But don't worry. He's really well dressed.

You'll find him and his friends the Broccoli Monster and the Yoga Monster, hanging out near Hartford, Connecticut, or on Etsy at Monster in the Closet.

Sarah, the gifted printmaker responsible for all these adorable monsters, is a full time middle school art teacher. If spending all day creating with kids doesn’t provide enough inspiration, she has daughter Lucy, age five and a half, and son Ronin, two and a half to keep the creative juices flowing. Her sense of humor is present in all her work, appealing both on a child’s level and the adult’s. The Evolution of the Mix Tape is a very clever example of her skills to charm all ages.

Sarah’s work also exhibits the artist’s most important tool, her passion for her art. She cites Japanese artist Hokusai, who created thousands of wood block prints in the late 1700’s to early 1800’s as a great influence on her carving. She understands his obsession, always thinking about the next carving, even while her hands haven’t finished the carving she just started.

Monster in the Closet sprung from a shirt Sarah printed three years ago for her daughter. She remembers thinking, “I actually love this!...what can I make next!”. Her Etsy shop was a natural next step for someone who has had various business venture though the years, including selling friendship bracelets as a kid. Her art and life experiences flavor all her prints with exuberance and wit.

For every working mother/artist, the greatest challenge is finding enough time in each day to make lunches, read stories, buy groceries, work, and create masterpieces. Sarah makes the most of any opportunity, no matter how small the window of time, to work on her carving. Because her medium is fairly portable, the livingroom can double as a studio so she can create while the kids watch t.v.

Lucy and Ronin do provide help to their mom’s entrepreneurial enterprise, too. Often, they work in Sarah’s work space with her. They create along with her, mixing materials and ideas. Lucy offers suggestions for new designs. What better advice for designs for kids, than from a kid?

It is obvious that Sarah thoroughly enjoys all that she does. She has found a way to balance work, family and art. Most importantly she has not lost her own silly sense of wonder at the world. She has let it color her work, and bring a smile to those she shares it with.

Visit all Sarah's Monsters at Monster in the Closet.

Tweet

Potty Training with Dr. Seuss!

We're potty training our caboose. My fifth and final go at potty training. It's bittersweet.

My husband and I marvel at how different the potty training experience has been for each of our children. Same parents, same basic approach with small modifications tailored to each child's needs. And just like her siblings, this one has taken to potty training in away that is totally unique to her. Fascinating really.

Same basic approach ... lots of books in the bathroom to read to help relax the child and make sitting and waiting more interesting. Her book of choice, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, by Dr. Seuss.

Individualized modification for child #5 ... #5 can listen to, and turn the pages of the digital One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish on my Droid while she patiently waits on the potty. Fabulous on days when she's not wanting to stop and sit and wait.

I have a couple of Dr. Seuss books on my phone now [thanks to well placed ads in a favorite game of my 4 year-old] and I gotta say I'm loving them [and am less annoyed that my 4 year-old spent my $10 on digital books]. They are interactive, hold my kids attention, and aren't a game. If your a Seuss fan, and looking for fun, interactive, totally kid friendly (love that this is interesting and entertaining for the two year-old, four year-old, and seven year-old) stuff for your phone that is also a bit educational, consider check it out the collection of Seuss books at oceanhousemedia.

What is your child's favorite Dr. Seuss book or character?

Check out these whimsical Seuss inspired accessories and adorable clothes made with Robert Kaufman's Dr. Seuss fabric line by EtsyKids team members.

Tweet

EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of this month's challenge 43. Waldorf Inspired Doll 16in (Ellie) by fabricblooms!

"Ellie is a fair skinned, green eyed beauty. She is a handmade 16in Waldorf inspired doll made from top quality natural materials. Her hair is gorgeous and soft with various styling options. Her dress is made from top quality cotton fabric and fully lined with a snap closure in the back. Her eyes and mouth are hand sewn. Ellie’s Mary Jane style shoes are made from red wool felt and have a coordinating snap closure. "


Make sure to visit Fabric Blooms where you'll find a bunch of fun, functional and eco-friendly items such as reusable snack bags, hair clip caddies, reusable napkins and more, all made from great selection of colorful textiles. This entire collection is handmade with care by a talented stay at home mom, Courtney. She also welcomes custom orders, giving you an option to choose from her large selection of fabric, to create that special something just for you.

Tweet

Spring season

Picture provided by Baby Chick Designs


Spring is here or at least it is here in my area of Coastal Texas. The sun is shining, birds are singing and flowers have begun blooming. This also means that the spring season of craft shows will begin shortly. Craft shows can be a blast for both vendors/artists and customers. Vendors get to get out and meet people in person, get immediate feedback, and make new friends with the other vendors/artists. Customers get to find things they would of never thought of looking for.



I personally enjoy the interaction with the customers, selling online is a great fun and I enjoy every minute of it, but sometimes I miss the personalities I meet when I am out in the real world. And sometimes the fresh air is a great relief from all those cotton balls and dust bunnies that sometimes accumulate in my work space.



So I thought it would be great fun to take a small breather from internet life and discuss what we love about craft shows. Vendors/artists what do you enjoy about craft shows? Customers, or those of us that get to be customers from time to time, what do you enjoy about craft shows? And what is the craziest thing you ever saw at a show?



Lets have some fun with this.

Tweet

EtsyKids Design Challenge: It's time to Vote!

It's time to vote for your favorite item! Voting will be open through midnight EST, February 27th. This month, EtsyKids members were challenged to create an exciting new item based on a theme "In the Jungle". We received a bunch of fantastic entries from some talented people. Each participant was assigned a unique random number. Please note your favorite from the list below and place your vote. You can also view each entry in detail by clicking on links provided at the bottom of this post or HERE.


(If you can't view the voting poll above, please follow HERE to vote.)

1. Bumble Bee Baby Set by BurryBabies
2. Cotton knit tiger hat - medium size - toddler size by thecrazyelephant
3. Limited Edition Children's Room Giclee - What's Up Giraffe by BillieTK
4. Playful Monkeys Pillowcase Dress by Grannyzann
5. Jungle Baby Diaper cake by diaperdesignsbykim
6. Cuddle with the Zebras Blanket by AuntE
7. Spotto the Cuddle Monster by LilBitSassy
8.Green Jungle Love Peasant Dress size 5/6 in stock by sweetchildofmine7
9. frolicsome friends bundle - 4 pc set for 20 by lemondropbay
10. JUNGLE Love Zebra Monkey Giraffe ZOO Animals Boutique Custom Pillowcase Dress by lilsweetieboutique
11. Personalized High Heel Shoe Applique Shirt - Girl - Birthday - Custom - Leopard Print with Grafton Pink by SugarPlumFairyBows
12. 3pc SET -- Citron Giraffe Garden Blanket, Pacifier Bib and Burp Cloth by notybaby
13. Zebra Themed Happy Birthday Banner Hot Pink and Black by designgirl16
14. At the Zoo: Children's Classic Neck Tie by PetalPetal
15. ECO FRIENDLY Baby-safe Crocheted ORGANIC Colorgrown Cotton Baby Rattle--Mr. Monkey FREE SHIPPING (US and Canada) by locoMOmomma
16. Security Blanket - Giraffe Designer Cotton Print with Ivory Heart Minky by SnazzySnugglies
17. The Zoo REVERSIBLE Everyday Bib by Amy Rose Designs (c) by AmyRoseDesigns
18. Jumbo Personalized Zoo Wooden Baby Blocks - set of 5 by tinygiraffeshop
19. Childs Hand painted Stool Hot Pink and Zebra Design by GrowinLikeAWeed
20. 0-6 Month Gentle Lion Hat by littlechickknits
21. Animals in the Jungle Crayon Art Tote by thecraftpatch
22. Elephant - ART BLOCK - Original Design by WalterSilva
23. Lion Hand Puppet by Loubugsboutique
24. Jungle Animals Marker Roll by thelittlechick
25. Minky baby quilt, lovey sized blanket LITTLE GIRAFFE, 14x20 inch with satin binding by yourloveyboutique
26. Kids Pillowcase Jungle Theme by fireflyblankets
27. Growing Like a Giraffe Onesie for Girls - Size 6-9 Months by SweeterThanSweets
28. Eco Friendly 3 Tier Pink Cheetah gDiaper Cake Baby Shower Gift by littleesSCENTials
29. Zoology -- Creativity Wallet -- Includes Crayons and Notepad by DucksInARowBoutique
30. Ribbon Blankie- Silly Monkey by mypoplin
31. Jungle Cub Booties Size 12 to 18 Months Ready to Ship by bisongirl
32. Monkey Ribbon Sculpture Clippie by dragonflybowtique
33. Going Bananas Monkey applique shirt by SewSeaminglySassy
34. Zebra Crib Shoes and Headband Set with Petite Hot Pink and Lime Ruffle Crochet Flower - Mary Jane Style - Newborn, 3 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months by mimisbabies
35. set/3 Jungle Safari Nail Covers (aka Drawer Knobs) by LittleElephantCo
36. Custom Dictionary Style Name Plaque by SweetEPieBabycakes
37. Zanzibar Jungle Canvas Growth Chart Made to Order by myartsybaby
38. Jungle Babies Animals Double Fleece Baby Toddler Crib Throw Blanket by Scrunchiesbysherry
39. Safari Headband by thebitsybeau
40. Sock Monkey Gift Set by ellyandoliver
41. Monkey See Monkey Do Hat Newborn-3 Months Photo Prop Super Soft by ohbabydotcom
42. Baby Set - Baby Bib, Burp Cloth and Onesie with Pink Elephants by zoegirldesigns
43. Waldorf Inspired Doll 16in (Ellie) by fabricblooms
44. Baby's First Soft Cotton Accordion Book - Black and White Graphic Jungle Wild African Animal by ABShoppe
45. Robert Kaufman burp cloth set....... by PRINCESSDESIGNS
46. Tiger Earings by Tchoupuce
47. PERSONALIZED Child Behavior Incentive Chart - Jungle (chasing monkey) by TagAlongAdventure
48. Fabric Organizer Basket Bin Reversible by ladesigns2
49. Personalized Denim Diaper Bag (made to order) - Monkey by TriedAndTrueDesigns
50. Jungle Mania 0-12 months Bib by tzburps
51. Boutique Baby Bib - Silly Safari - Small by TheVoodooKitten
52. PDF Pattern - Zebra Stuffie Made from Wool Felt and Embroidery by harvestmoonbyhand
53. WEST AFRICAN STYLE Toddler's Dress,Size 2 , Leopard Spots by PlumedeNikola

Tweet

A day at the Zoo

Have a bad case of cabin fever? Enjoy a trip to the zoo on a cold February day ... we promise it will be, the cutest little Zoo, you'll ever have the pleasure of visiting. Thanks BrandisBowBoutique!

Tweet

EtsyKids Design Challenge for February: In the Jungle

(images via Flickr: parrot, lion portrait, giraffes, zebras)

Each month EtsyKids Team members are challenged to create a unique item within a chosen theme. We are happy to announce our new challenge for February is "In the Jungle", picked by our last month's winner SweetpeaKidPrints! Monkeys, zebras, lizards, lions, etc.

EtsyKids members will have until February 19th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from Monday, February 21st to Sunday, February 27th. So, be sure to come back to the EtsyKids blog for a new post on the 21st to see all of the entries and VOTE! In the meantime, please click here to get a sneak peek at some exciting entries so far!

Tweet