July 2012 EtsyKids Team Desktop Background

Here is the desktop calendar for July 2012! This month we selected some of the lovely items that will be featured in the Summer 2012 EtsyKids Team Shopping Guide.

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 View all these sellers and more on our teams website.

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Introducing Busy Little Hands

Today We Introduce You To Janice from Busy Little Hands

Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
Busy Little Hands started with a busy Mama trying to find little things to keep her baby’s little hands busy. The busy Mama worked as a Management Consultant for years until the travel was too much and the yearning for creativity was desperate. Walking out on a great career, several flower shops were bought and loved into success. But then a sweet little baby girl was on the way and Mama wanted to sell the shops to care for the sweetest baby around. Because this Mama can’t sit still for too long, Busy Little Hands has come into existence!
My name is Janice Kalin and I grew up with a creative Mom who taught me the ins and outs of a sewing machine and the rewards and satisfaction of creating works of art very early. Through all the twist and turns that my life has taken, I was always making and creating with my sewing machine.
My little bitty girlie has inspired everything I make. I wanted to create thoughtful toys to challenge her mind, motor skills, imagination and creativity. We do a lot of traveling so finding compact, interesting toys and accessories for travel was essential. It was difficult to find well made and thought provoking toys and gifts. So learning what would interest my daughter (and me), I designed some toys and accessories to make our lives more fun. With all the lead poisoning and toy recall scares, it is nice to know how and where things are made.

Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
When my daughter was under two, we traveled A LOT! She had been on 50 flights by her first birthday! I was in need of some things to keep her entertained, contained and she had to feel that she was 'in charge' of her activities. So when we were not on a plane, I was searching for things to take on planes. Each store I would go in, I would ask 'I need something for my daughter's busy little hands'. So I started to make things (had to keep myself busy too!). So I started making things to keep my little hands busy in order to keep her little hands busy. And when you meet my daughter there is no other word than 'busy' to describe her!

Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
This shop borders on the child-related realm – but I just love everything in it! http://www.etsy.com/shop/plushism

Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
All of the fabulous people that I have met through custom orders! I love doing custom orders and it often spawns a conversation with them. I have gotten to know people around the world and chatted about their families, tax issues, moving countries…… it is all so fascinating!

Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I love being a seller on etsy, however, I am struggling to find a mix of online selling, art shows, and etsy selling and this crazy social media. I need to find a balance that will work for me and realize that it is ok to post listings on facebook – I am not bothering people! I am also terrible at adding new listings and keeping my site current……. I just need to sit and do it!

Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want to make sure that people LOVE their creations so I put a lot of time and love into each one. I have so much fun making all the little embellishments and little details to make everything I make is sweet and unique. I read a book to my daughter – Unique Monique - and I want all kids to have their own special backpack or accessories so they feel special and so that they don’t match everyone else’s pottery barn backpack!

Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
CRAZY!

Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
I live in North Carolina and LOVE it, but I grew up in Canada. So I listen to CBC radio all day long! I could not survive without it!

Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
Of course I am a mom and that takes just about all my energy, but I also run the PTA at her school, run the auction at her school and I love to read. My husband is a big runner and he has recently guilted me into running again! I certainly don’t consider myself a runner – but I run. And my favorite pleasure is the Duke Lemur Center. It is an education facility that has that has the largest number of lemurs outside of the island of Madagascar. I volunteer there one or two days a week. I am so grateful that I get to see all my little lemur friends and take people on educational tours through the center to teach them about these fascinating primates and the conservation efforts that need to happen in Madagascar and around the world.

Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
THANK YOU!

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FOBulous Key Fobs

SquishyBee

Key Fobs, do you have one yet?  No longer are they just sold in college town gift shops embroidered with Greek letters, now they can be found in hundreds of different colors, styles and patterns.  More versatile than a traditional key chain, these fobs make it easy to find your keys in a large bag, tote, purse or backpack.  Slip one on the handle of your suitcase for instant recognition at baggage claim.  Wear it like a bracelet to keep bulky keys out of pockets and close at hand or when both hands are needed.  Fobs are made from 1-1/4 wide cotton webbing and embellished with beautiful, stylish fabrics and are machine washable!

Military Key Fob from BabyBattleRattle

Paisley & Tulips 3 Pack from Ahmelie

Wristlet Key Fob in Elegant Brown Damask from SnazzySnugglies

Hands Free Wristlet Key Chain from BurpieBundles 

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Finding the Perfect Sibling Outfits

From Salinda of PersonalilTy, Southern Children's Clothing



Why do Moms love to dress their children alike? Who knows, but obviously, this is not a new phenomenon. My Momma dressed us alike on occasion, and yours probably did too. 

With the summer here, many families are planning sibling outfits for vacations, family reunions, weddings and of course, planning the annual holiday card photo.

SweetThreadsClothing

Shopping for girls is easy.  Shopping for boys, can be easy -  if you know where to look!  Mixed gender can be tricky, but finding a shop and seamstress that does custom work helps immensely!

Custom Monogrammed Jon Jon or Jumper from PersonaliTychildren

Preppy Alligator Shirts from SweetThreadsClothing
Lotus Wallflower Skirt and Peasant Dress from rubyandviola
Brother Sister Set, Peasant Dress and Tie Tee from CorinneCitrolo

But, what do you do when your children range from newborn to 12???

PersonaliTyChildren

Here’s an idea. Work for coordinating outfits instead. Put the baby in a seersucker jumper. Match big brother’s shirt to the jumper applique and add a seersucker touch. Finish off the set with a seersucker flower headband for big sister to wear with a white shirt and khaki shorts.

Another idea: Put the baby in a fun print. Find big brother a polo one of the colors from the baby’s dress. Big sister can add color with a bright scarf over her favorite white tee.

Etsy is an excellent source for coordinating accessories. Here are few of my favorites from EtsyKids Team members:

Treasury tool supported by website testing

Work with your seamstress to develop the perfect color scheme for your growing family’s portraits to create a unique and totally personalized look the whole family will be happy with.

PersonaliTy Southern Children's Clothing can be found on Facebook, Twitter, her Blog, and of course on Etsy at her shop:

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Sensory Activity:: Jello Sensory Play

If there is one thing Bug loves most it is sensory play! She used to be funny about it when she was little, but now she dives right in to whatever I may throw in her table. The other day I was roaming around Walmart and I saw some boxes of Jello and thought...hmm, that would be fun to play in...so I grabbed about 4 boxes. I followed the instructions on the box and let it cool in the fridge. {I put a little aside for a snack too} After nap time was over the Jello was ready to play in! I dumped it into Bug's water table {which I use as a sensory table as well} and she went to town.

She must have played in it for about an hour. It was all melted and sticky by the time she was done with squishing and squashing it. It was a little messy to clean up, but I just dumped what I could into the garbage and hosed the table off.

It's always nice to expose the kiddos to different consistencies. We talked about the Jello and it's stickiness and the sound it makes when you squish it. Keep the conversation flowing and your kiddo will get a whole lot out of this easy & fun activity.

If you like this post and want to see more toddler activities please visit my blog, Tutus and Tea Parties. You can also follow me on: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: It's time to Vote!

It's time to vote for your favorite item! Voting will be open until June 27th. This month, EtsyKids members were challenged to create an exciting new item based on a theme "Schools out for Summer!". We received a bunch of fantastic entries from some talented people. Please vote for your favorite item from the list below.

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Introducing Yassi's Place

Today We Introduce You To Yassenafrom Yassi's Place

Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
For a while after I graduated I kept busy with work. My husband and I built our dream home. I barely had any free time. But for the last 3 years I've lightened my workload and finally had time for my hobbies.

I've been drawing, sewing and creating things for fun since I was 8 or 9. There isn't a craft that I read about or saw that I haven’t attempted to try. I love learning new things. However, my real passion is Graphic design. One day a friend of mine said: "You should open an Etsy shop. People would love to buy your creations." Since that day I have not looked back.

Q: What is the story behind your shop name?
There isn't much of a story. I wanted a name that would be versatile. That no matter what I offered in my shop it would work. So, I used my name and called it Yassi's Place. My closest friends and family call me Yassi and my art room is my place where I spend a lot of time designing, sewing and now printing my prints. That's how Yassi's Place came to be.

Q: Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
I love browsing through jewelry, fine art photography and home decor shops, but do not have a favorite one. They are so many... To name a few:Raceytay, shannonpix, honeytree , 6 Miles Cottage

Q: What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The biggest surprise was how many people love my art.

Q: What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
The time it takes to run a successful shop and to fit in deadlines while keeping a superior quality product.

Q: What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Do what you love, have fun along the way and do your best each and every time. My customers are my biggest priority, they are my biggest fans and they deserve the best.

Q: How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Creative, organized, friendly, resourceful...

Q: What music do you have on while you are creating?
Most of the time I like to work in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, but for the times that I listen to music I like to turn on the radio. I like the variety and the element of surprise.

Q: What do you do when you aren't working?
I like to lounge by the pool, garden, decorate, Skype with my family.

Q: Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I was born and raised in Bulgaria. I've been in the US for over 12 years now. I have a very loving and supportive husband who has turned all my dreams into a reality. And now I have Etsy. Life is wonderful!

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