EtsyKids Photo Makeover Series Part 3
Posted Monday, April 18, 2011
Happy Monday!! It's that time agin! Head on over to the Etsykids Treeasury Team Blog for part 3 of thir incredible Photo Makeover Series!
EtsyKids Photo Makeover Series Part 3: Camera Settings
Announcing the winner of the Lighting Photo Makeover Challenge: Sweeter Than Sweets! And introducing Photo Makeover Challenge 3, another chance for any EtsyKids Team member to improve their shop AND win free shop promo (details provided in the blog post).
EtsyKids Design Challenge for April: Awareness
Posted Thursday, April 14, 2011

Each month EtsyKids Team members are challenged to create a unique item within a chosen theme. April is Autism Awareness month and “Awareness” is our new challenge, picked by our last winner Fabric Blooms. In the 1970s, the Autism Society of America proclaimed April as National Autism Awareness Month to raise awareness of the disorder. Today, one in 150 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This month we would like to show support for the autism community and promote the rights of individuals with autism, encouraging respect for their differences.
EtsyKids members will have until April 19th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from Thursday, April 21st to Wednesday, April 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!
Displaying Kids Artwork
Posted Sunday, April 03, 2011
Lots of parents struggle with how to display all of the projects their children create at home, in the classroom, and during extra curricular activities. Displaying a child's creative efforts is important to developing their sense of self and cultivating their future creative pursuits.
Clutter and organization experts suggest providing a defined space, with limits, for displaying your child's work. If you'd like, involve them in selecting the location, but be sure to display their work prominently in your home where everyone can see it. It's also important to pick a setting with spacial limits. A defined amount of display space, encouraging them to make choices about what projects to keep and what to part with.
A simple google search proves there are tons of creative ways to display your children's artwork. Everything from large push pin or magnetic bulletin boards, to a small collection of large frames or the front or side of the refrigerator.
Having a gallery wall to display all of the children's artwork has worked well in our home. During the school year, everyone's work is displayed on the gallery wall. I'll write their name and class grade on the back and tape or pin it to the wall. When space runs out, we photograph each project, selecting just a few to save, and recycling the rest, making room for new projects.
Recently PreschoolDollDesigns, posted a simple way to display artwork, photographs, certificates, homework or other 2-D treasures your children come home with on her blog. It's a clothes line for art that you attach to the wall with nails or cup hooks. Simple, inexpensive and super chic!
You'll need clothes pins, ribbon, two nails or cup hooks, tape measure and wall space. The number of clothes pins and the length of ribbon will depend on the length of your wall display space. Once you've selected your wall space, determine the height of the clothes line and it's length. Place a nail or cup hook on each end. If your dedicating an entire wall space to the display of your children's art, consider stacking two or three rows of display space, spaced two feet apart.
To create the actual clothes line, thread the ribbon through the spring of the clothes pin. Repeat for the number of clothes pins you have space for. PreschoolDollDesigns recommends spacing them every 10-12 inches. The great thing about this set up is that they slid, easily accommodating small and over-sized projects. Once you have the desired number of clothes pins on your ribbon, tie a loop at one end. Hook over one of the cup hooks or nails. Stretch the ribbon to the second hook/nail and tie a second loop. The ribbon will stretch a bit over time with projects hanging on the line, so tie the ribbon straight and taught with little to not slack.
Here's a similar artwork display line in use in our home.

PreschoolDollDesign has great suggestions of where to hang your art clothes line, along with four other ways to fabulously live free on her post, 5 Ways to Fabulously Live Free. I also loved looking through her Etsy Easter Finds ... 20 things for under $20. Lots of great finds the kids will love, and so will your budget.
Visit PreschoolDollDesign on Etsy and on Facebook.
Sales and Specials Time!
Posted Friday, April 01, 2011
I will be very happy to add your shop!
Tutu Cute & Moore!, beautiful flower filled tutus for newborns, toddlers, teens and adults. FREE embellished satin hanger with any tutu purchase from March 29 - April 29. This makes the perfect combo gift for your little dancer. At checkout use "free hanger" in notes to seller.
Grannysknits is offering 25% off every item in her shop from March 29 - April 29. So many wonderful creations to choose from!
Love Me REVERSIBLE Original Lovey Blanket with FREE Link by AmyRoseDesigns.A Love Me lovey is just the answer to the problem!
Fuzzy the Easter Bunny - Perfect for Easter - pictures - school parties by AllThingsGirly. See super sale listings and shipping is always $2.00!
SewSoNancy has a FREE SHIPPING offer. Offer good for US shipping only.Use code SHIPFREE at checkout when you purchase any item in my shop.
Southern Baby Boutique has TONS of gorgeous hair bows and clippies on sale!
And in my shop I am offering FREE SHIPPING for the month of April. Just enter EtsyKids Rock in the notes to seller when checking out and I will refund you the shipping costs. Offer good in the U.S. only.
OLDCHATEAU...I am having a sale on bib/burp cloth sets!
Bison Booties... I am offering 10% off anything in the shop with the code "etsykids03" valid until Friday, April 8.
Art Festival Time!
Posted Saturday, March 26, 2011
Our homeschool organization hosts an annual children’s Art Festival, and my family has the double privilege of setting it up and participating as “artists.” Children aged 5 and up are invited to submit original artwork using any desired medium, including scratch art, pastels, watercolors, ink, spray paint, oil paints, colored pencils, graphite pencils, and even markers or crayons! The variety of pieces is exhilarating. All children receive a ribbon, with the best artists taking home First, Second, Third, or Honorable Mention awards. The evening of the festival, children come with their families to the beautiful reception hall we rent to view the display, to listen to music played by myself, siblings, and friends, and to receive their ribbons. Another highlight is the personal judging event, where families are encouraged to submit a ballot indicating their own favorites. While the votes for the “People’s Choice” awards are being tallied, guests enjoy snacks. This new category of placement allows individuals to choose what THEY think are the best pieces, since non-professional judges’ opinions are also valuable!
I have the privilege of overseeing the artwork of my younger siblings, which proves a true delight! In the past I have given them lessons and at art festival time they appreciate tips on shading, perspective, or coloring. It is amazing to see the talents with which God has endowed them! Since we were quite busy this year, no one ventured into using paints, and most did pencil drawings, but this year I entered the graduates’ category with two acrylic paintings. In the past, my younger brothers and sisters have entered watercolor and acrylic paintings, which are a delight to behold! Colors and children are almost synonymous as we think of their bright countenances and enthusiastic curiosity about the world about them.
Since there have always been young children in our family, when it rolls around to art time, we are always quick to pull out the art smocks! Those little hands have a way with paintbrushes that tends to decorate more than the page! We have enjoyed making these smocks for the little girls, but I also noticed some really cute ones offered on Etsy Kids. Since boys may recoil from the wearing a “smock,” aprons made with appropriate fabrics can encourage them without belittling them or making them feel out-of-place.
Take a look at the REVERSIBLE DINOSAUR AND CAMOUFLAGE APRON or the REVERSIBLE BROWN PIRATE MAP APRON, both by BareSockcrafts .
Little girls might like the HELLO KITTY CRAFT SMOCK by “twogirlsandamom” on Etsy Kids, or the PINK FLORAL ART SMOCK by StolenTime.
While our contest invites children aged 5 and up to enter, the young toddlers are always encouraged to be artistic alongside their older siblings. When we don’t have paints out for them, crayons are often the medium of preference, and what better way to keep them handy than the CHILDREN’S APRONS with CRAYONS by CabinFeverGiftStore! The fabrics are adorable, and the bottom section of the apron is sewn in divisions for 24 crayons.
It is so important to encourage children’s creativity….after all we are created in the image of the Great Creator God!
Posted by Elizabeth Gwen for Plume De Nikola
Here Comes Peter Cottontail
Posted Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Photo Makeover Series Part 2: Lighting
Posted Monday, March 21, 2011
Happy Monday! I am just popping in to remind you all that it's time for part 2 of the Etsykids Treasury Team Photo Makeover Series!
In this series you will get these incredible tips:
Light tips specific to the products you sell. Plus, how to make your own inexpensive, yet professional light box. This post also announces the winner of the 1st Photo Makeover Challenge - Backgrounds! YAY!!!!
So please make sure you head on over to the EtsyKids Treasury Team blog and check it out!
Raising Money for Japan
Crafter's and Etsy sellers have realize this from the beginning. With each disaster that has hit our planet, they have donated their goods and services, their time and talents, to raise money for organizations to instantly and strategically put to use in devastated areas.
These four EtsyKids sellers are no different, lillollipop, thetrendytot, 1PixiePlace, gracehesterdesigns. They are donating a significant portion (50% - 100%!) of the sale of their item(s) to Japan Relief Efforts through large well established aid organizations. Please join them in giving aid and relief to Japan by purchasing a qualifying item and see your dollar do double duty!

Lotus Blue Kimono Wrap Dress 50% to Doctors w/out Borders by lillollipop
Japanese Flag Skirt 50% to American Red Cross by thetrendytot
Hello Kitty I Spy Bag 100% to American Red Cross by 1PixiePlace
Thank You Cards in Japanese 100% to Save the Children by gracehesterdesigns
Help, Help There's a Monster in the Closet!
Posted Saturday, March 05, 2011
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.

Potty Training with Dr. Seuss!
Posted Thursday, March 03, 2011
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.
EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!
Posted Monday, February 28, 2011

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.
Spring season
Posted Wednesday, February 23, 2011

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.
EtsyKids Design Challenge: It's time to Vote!
Posted Monday, February 21, 2011
(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
A day at the Zoo
Posted Wednesday, February 16, 2011
EtsyKids Design Challenge for February: In the Jungle
Posted Monday, February 14, 2011
(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!
EtsyKids Photo Makeover Series
Posted Monday, February 07, 2011
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| Etsykids Treasury Team |
Let's face it, taking great photos can make the difference for the items you sell. A beautiful photograph will grap a byers attention so much better than a not so great one. So our awesome Etsykids Treasury Team is hosting the Etsykids Photo Makeover Series on their blog. The first post of the series being "top 10 product photo mistakes to avoid."
Now, here is an awesome bonus:
"Any EtsyKids Team member can participate and win prizes (features) along the way...at the end whomever wins the "most improved overall" Grand Prize will have one of their shop items be our Weekly Treasury Challenge inspiration item and the possibility of dozens of features in treasuries, along with their shop url being featured on our blog in a permanent spot with the "winners" of the series!" - Loren EKTT Coordinator
This series will run on every last Monday of the month, so don't forget to check in with them here on the EtsyKids Treasury Team Blog!
How the Library Saved My Sanity
Posted Sunday, February 06, 2011
We are suffering from a little snow bound, cabin fever at our house. You probably are, too. We were just about out of ideas to keep our four year old from climbing the walls. Then I discovered this amazing place in our town. It is filled with books and they let you borrow them for free! Wacky.
Reading is very important in our household, and our daughter’s book shelves runneth over. So I was very surprised at her excitement over the library books. I had forgotten that Preschooler Rule-"Someone Else’s Toys (and evidently books) Are Way More Interesting Than Your Own".
More important than the excitement were the two hours we spent cuddling on the couch, reading and re-reading the new books. We didn’t just read those books. We studied them. We counted all the dinosaur eggs on the back cover of “Tell Me A Dragon”. We decided what we would take to the sea shore with “Scaredy Squirrel Goes to the Beach”. We laughed so much at “Crabby Pants” that we weren’t cranky anymore either.
The library will be a regular stop on my Saturday errands run. But just in case, I’d still be interested to know if there’s an EtsyKids shop that sells a kid size hamster exercise wheel.
Check out these great shops on Etsy to keep your own kids from putting on those crabby pants.
Build Your Own Brick Crayon Set by GaddyNipperCrayons
Grey Squirrel I-Spy bag by ThoseGreatHouseWomen
Penguin Finger Puppets by KidNaroundCreations
Dragondino SnailGoose by Kinchi
Monday Organizing
Posted Monday, January 31, 2011




















