Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us a the EtsyKids Team!
EtsyKids Design Challenge for March: Bumblebees, Bugs, and Butterflies
Posted Friday, March 16, 2012
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"Bumblebees, Bugs, and Butterflies" is our challenge for March, picked by our last month's winner Elizabeth Lauren Art. This month we'll be featuring a variety of items embellished or inspired by bumblebees, bugs, and butterflies, all handmade by our talented team members.
EtsyKids members will have until March 20th to submit their entries, and voting will be open to everybody from March 21st to March 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!
Introducing Armadillo Dreams
Posted Thursday, March 15, 2012
Today We Introduce you to Dustin from Armadillo Dreams
Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
There’s a lot of things that motivated us to start the shop. First, our two children Luciana (born March 2007) and Lincoln (born August 2010). We always wanted to be able to provide them with wooden toys, but they were always super expensive. The second was a desire to do woodworking that I discovered during the summer of 2010 while constructing a backyard chicken coop. I had a lot of fun building it and was sad when the project was completed. I then started dreaming up woodworking projects. Other reasons include the desire to be independent and to be able to devote my professional time to something that I truly enjoy.
Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
The name Armadillo Dreams is a long standing inside joke between my wife and I, but does have a deep meaning. I will say that in essence it is our dream of freedom.
Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
Yes, The Man Cave (http://mancavesoapworks.etsy.com/)!!! Their men’s shaving and soap products are the best I have ever used and I am really picky about what I use! They all smell very manly without smelling too strong or too generic. I’ve have the least cuts and razor irritation when using their products out of any I have ever used. Highly recommended!
Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The thing that surprised me the most was the super kind feedback that we have received from customers and admirers. Everyone I have ever heard from has always had nothing but nice things to say about our wooden toys. Most people don’t just stop at a simple compliment either, a lot of our customers love to go into detail about just what they think makes our toys special. Many people will even blog about our products to help us spread the word about Armadillo Dreams. In all of the jobs I have worked at I have never encountered such nice people. Sadly, I used to think people like that didn’t even exist. It’s just so refreshing to know that there are nice people in the world who are willing to take a small amount of time out of their life to tell someone what a good job they did. The world needs more people like Etsy customers!!!
Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I would have to say the hardest thing about having an Etsy shop or being a business owner in general is having a work/life balance, especially during the fourth quarter of the year. I can see where it would be really easy to get so into creating and having fun with the business that one might loose sight of their family. I have to remind myself to take breaks and have family time. I’m not perfect at it, but I work hard at it.
Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
We believe it's important for children to have high quality, natural, simple toys that they can dream, imagine and play with.
Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
We are both very hard working and driven to succeed. We are also very involved with our children. We have a huge love of the outdoors and are pretty active. I think most people who really know us would describe us the same way.
Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
We have music on a lot of the time while we are working, but it really varies widely based on the time of the day or what’s going on. Lately it’s been a lot of blue grass. Sometimes it’s rock. Sometimes it’s ambient. Sometimes it’s something in between.
Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
We have tons of hobbies, but just to name a few of the big ones we enjoy spending time with our children, long walks, camping, fishing, geocaching, gardening, beer brewing, cycling and movies. Amanda also enjoys knitting, sewing, garage/estate sales, and graphics design. Some of this does cross over into work though. It’s hard to know when to call something work or not sometimes!
Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
In addition to our Etsy shop, we will be launching a full shop and blog on our own website http://armadillodreams.com/. Should be up in the next month or two! You can also follow us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/armadillodreams) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/armadillodreams) for news and our daily specials.
Tutorial: Monster Page Corner Bookmark
Posted Saturday, March 10, 2012
From Sabrina at NeverlandNook.
Like many of you out there, I am a self confessed addict to Pinterest!!! I just can't help it, so I decided to "Pinterest Challenge" myself. I decided to start with an easy challenge and so I chose the Monster Page Corner Bookmark. This is something you can just do for fun or with your kids! They would love it!
Supplies:
First I drew the pattern on the non-decorative side of the paper. Each small square is 2.5" x 2.5".
Next I cut the pattern out along with a 2.5" x 2.5" square from the paper.
Glue the square piece so that you see the pattern because next you will fold the triangle pieces over and across the square and glue them together.
Next you will want to draw out a pattern by teeth. The triangle should be 2.5" x 2.5" x 3.5" to fit in the square. Draw teeth however you would like! It's fun to create different characters!
Once you've glued the teeth in, cut out some circles for eyeball(s).
Glue them on and Ta Da!!!!! You have the perfect Monster Page Corner Bookmark!!!
So gather up some different shades of green paper and a variety of circles and let the kids make-up a slew of green toothy monsters to mail their bookworm friends for St. Patty's. Thanks Neverland Nook for sharing this fun tutorial.
You can find Neverland Nook online at these different locations: Etsy Shop, Blog, Facebook & Twitter.
Like many of you out there, I am a self confessed addict to Pinterest!!! I just can't help it, so I decided to "Pinterest Challenge" myself. I decided to start with an easy challenge and so I chose the Monster Page Corner Bookmark. This is something you can just do for fun or with your kids! They would love it!
- Paper (I used double sided paper - 1 side had a pattern)
- Glue Stick
- Pencil
- Scissor
- Ruler
First I drew the pattern on the non-decorative side of the paper. Each small square is 2.5" x 2.5".
Next I cut the pattern out along with a 2.5" x 2.5" square from the paper.
Glue the square piece so that you see the pattern because next you will fold the triangle pieces over and across the square and glue them together.
Next you will want to draw out a pattern by teeth. The triangle should be 2.5" x 2.5" x 3.5" to fit in the square. Draw teeth however you would like! It's fun to create different characters!
Once you've glued the teeth in, cut out some circles for eyeball(s).
Glue them on and Ta Da!!!!! You have the perfect Monster Page Corner Bookmark!!!
So gather up some different shades of green paper and a variety of circles and let the kids make-up a slew of green toothy monsters to mail their bookworm friends for St. Patty's. Thanks Neverland Nook for sharing this fun tutorial.
You can find Neverland Nook online at these different locations: Etsy Shop, Blog, Facebook & Twitter.
Introducing Mia4Art
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012
Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
My children motivated me to start painting children's custom orginal canvases. Before my daughter was born, I was preparing her nursery and was inspired to create original art work. Parents put a lot of work into their children's nurserys with unique, personal, personalized items. I did not want a reprint of children's art for my daughter.
Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
My shop's name on Etsy is Mia4art...My first name, my favorite number and my love for art. My children's painting business is called "Naptime Creations by Mia" because I started my business during my first child's nap time!
Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
No, all my favorites are for children .
Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
No surprises yet!
Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
No challenges, feel that it is user friendly.
Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I paint each canvas as if it were for one of my babies. I believe in my heart that no customer will be disatisfied. Each canvas grows with their child bringing joy, inspiration and design into nurserys, bedrooms and playspaces.
Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Creative, perfectionist when it comes to designing.
Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
Carribbean or standup comedy.
Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
Being a mommy to my 3 year old daugther and 1 year old baby boy.
Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
Prior to painting, I was a Graphic Designer and Elementary Art Teacher. I feel that through working with children and having my own children, I am able to create paintings that inspire and capture chidren's eyes.That my paintings make great gifts for baby showers and birthdays. Perfect for big girl and boy rooms. Please come over to my facebook page and connect with me: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naptime-Creations-by-Mia/103900334151?sk=wall
My children motivated me to start painting children's custom orginal canvases. Before my daughter was born, I was preparing her nursery and was inspired to create original art work. Parents put a lot of work into their children's nurserys with unique, personal, personalized items. I did not want a reprint of children's art for my daughter.
Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
My shop's name on Etsy is Mia4art...My first name, my favorite number and my love for art. My children's painting business is called "Naptime Creations by Mia" because I started my business during my first child's nap time!
Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
No, all my favorites are for children .
Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
No surprises yet!
Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
No challenges, feel that it is user friendly.
Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I paint each canvas as if it were for one of my babies. I believe in my heart that no customer will be disatisfied. Each canvas grows with their child bringing joy, inspiration and design into nurserys, bedrooms and playspaces.
Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Creative, perfectionist when it comes to designing.
Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
Carribbean or standup comedy.
Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
Being a mommy to my 3 year old daugther and 1 year old baby boy.
Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
Prior to painting, I was a Graphic Designer and Elementary Art Teacher. I feel that through working with children and having my own children, I am able to create paintings that inspire and capture chidren's eyes.That my paintings make great gifts for baby showers and birthdays. Perfect for big girl and boy rooms. Please come over to my facebook page and connect with me: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naptime-Creations-by-Mia/103900334151?sk=wall
Tutorial: Shake an Egg
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012
From Lauren at crocheting4baby.
Have you heard of Laurie Berkner?
She sings songs for kids that we just love here in our home. She makes kids music enjoyable, instead of annoying. I must say I can listen to her music non stop while playing with Bug and not get sick of it. She has 5 CDs {i believe} plus a The Best Of CD and I can't tell you which is my fave. I love them all!
On her CD "Whaddaya Think of That?" there is a song called I Know A Chicken, it's also on The Best Of CD.
The song is so much fun and she tells you different ways to shake an egg. If you don't have a shaky egg you can just shake your body, but we made some shaky eggs from old plastic eggs we had in our play food cart since Easter.
What you will need:
First you are going to want to tape the inside where the holes are {if any} so there are no leaks.
Then fill half an egg about 3/4 of the way. Place glue around the edges and let it dry. {don't glue your fingers to the egg} If you are lazy and impatient like I am you can just wrap some packing tape around the egg so it doesn't open easily. You might not want to do that meathod with younger ones who will try to open it. Bug was a good listener and didn't even attempt it.
Give it to your little one, turn on some Laurie Berkner and shake an egg!
Have you heard of Laurie Berkner?
She sings songs for kids that we just love here in our home. She makes kids music enjoyable, instead of annoying. I must say I can listen to her music non stop while playing with Bug and not get sick of it. She has 5 CDs {i believe} plus a The Best Of CD and I can't tell you which is my fave. I love them all!
On her CD "Whaddaya Think of That?" there is a song called I Know A Chicken, it's also on The Best Of CD.
What you will need:
- Plastic Eggs {one per kid, or as many as you'd like}
- Small items to put inside the egg to make noise. We used yeast, rice & small noodles. We wanted to make ours soft and loud shakers. Other ideas are oatmeal, cornmeal, sprinkles, beads...
- Crazy glue
- Tape
Then fill half an egg about 3/4 of the way. Place glue around the edges and let it dry. {don't glue your fingers to the egg} If you are lazy and impatient like I am you can just wrap some packing tape around the egg so it doesn't open easily. You might not want to do that meathod with younger ones who will try to open it. Bug was a good listener and didn't even attempt it.
Give it to your little one, turn on some Laurie Berkner and shake an egg!
See more of Lauren's toddler friendly activities on her blog, Tutus & Tea Parties, follow her on facebook and see her crocheted offerings in her Etsy shop:
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