EtsyKids Team Treasury Challenge Winner!

We decided to bring back the Weekly Treasury Challenges we used to have as part of our Treasury Team. The first week's themes were "Go for the Gold" and "Back to School." Our team members curated some great treasuries fitting these themes that you can see here.

'School Daze' by HarmonyGirlsClothing

Soon the wee ones will be going back to school. Enjoy!

Apple Cozy Teacher ... TizzyDee $20.00	Ain't School A ... ChewChewsClose... $31.00	Alphabet Apple - Ch... PuzzledOne $30.00	School Bus Felt Hai... TheLollipopBou... $3.49
Childs Name in Cray... DucksInARowBou... $5.50	Back to School - Fu... pinkmouse $49.00	Creative Kids Art B... MomNMiaQuilts $24.00	Teacher Stationery ... erinshelby $17.50
Back to School Spid... WalterSilva $14.00	This Way to the Lio... mamamade $7.50	Cassette Tshirt Lin... monsterinthecl... $26.00	Natural Wood Toy- T... applenamos $35.00
PRINTABLE Back to S... yourblissfulda... $5.00	Sweet School Girl D... kangacoo $52.00	Alphabet Poster in ... gracehesterdes... $25.00	SALE - Crayon Walle... LilBDesigns $11.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

The winning treasury was submitted by Cheryl of Harmony Girls Clothing. Opening in 2009, Harmony Girls' Clothing specializes in handmade clothing for smart girls with style. Cheryl says, "The garments I make are bursting with vivid colors, and I love to create harmony by mixing and matching colors, patterns, and prints." From ruffles to patchwork, this playful, modern clothing is made to twirl around in, but will also hold up to bike rides and tree climbing. Each garment is made with caring attention to detail, comfortable sizing, and meticulous finishing.

About her craft, Cheryl says, "I love sewing….and I sew often and a lot. To me, sewing is more fun than you are supposed to have as a grownup. I am a life-long seamstress, and this is the kind of craftsperson I am – perfectionist, artist, miser, and speed demon – it’s a complex relationship."

As the winner, Cheryl got to choose this week's themes. She chose "Back to (Obedience) School" and "Before the Fall Harvest".  You can see this week's submissions here. The treasury with the most views is the winner!

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Bring the Outdoors in: Herb Potpourri

By Christine of, Belly Bear Baby Gear

With our trusty collection baskets in hand, Isabel, Sean and I headed for our herb garden to collect the makings for an herbal potpourri!  Items needed: collecting basket, herb garden, small containers for potpourri.  Old baby food jars work great and are the perfect size for little hands.

Isabel and Sean got right to work picking as many herbs as they could.

They paused frequently the give the herbs a sniff.  As your child is taking time to, "Stop and smell the roses", be sure that you are identifying each individual herb they are smelling.  Thus extending their learning experience and expanding their vocabulary.

Once a suitable amount of herbs have been collected, it is time to head to your indoor work space.  There really is no recipe for this potpourri.  You can use whatever herbs you have on hand.  Hardy perennial herbs do work best though: Thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, or lavender for example.

Encourage your children to begin tearing the herbs into small pieces to place into your potpourri containers.  We didn't have any baby food jars on hand, but really any small beautiful container will do.  Be sure to carefully supervise young children if using glass or ceramic containers.  This is an opportunity to help them learn about using gentle hands and treating fragile items carefully.

Isabel giving her completed potpourri, a final sniff test.

Once your potpourri is complete, find it a home in your kitchen, dinning room or bathroom.  It will add a beautiful scent to any space.  Guests arriving to your home will imagine you must be cooking up something tasty.  Once the potpourri seems to be losing its muster, simply pick a few more herbs to add in.

Christine can be found online in the following locations: Facebook, Blogger and her Etsy shop:

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Introducing The Wonderland Studio

Today We Introduce You To Rachel from

The Wonderland Studio

Q: What motivated you to start your shop?
Quite simply, I was tired of my day job! I went to art school and was always working for myself on the side. After my son was born, I realized I needed to have a steady income and so got caught up in non art related work. Well, one day, enough was enough and I felt Etsy would be the perfect venue to start out full time on my own.

Q:  What is the story behind your shop name?
When I first started to think about going out on my own, I didn't even know what I would sell. I was trained as a painter and illustrator so I naturally thought about selling original artwork and prints. I majored in Illustration in college and was always drawn to childrens's book illustration. I figured I should have a shop name that would appeal to a kid's market but wouldn't be too specific on what I was making. The Wonderland Studio just seemed to be a good fit. Good thing it was a little vague because kinetic mobiles is actually what I ended up selling!

Q:  Do you have a favorite Etsy Shop (non-child related)?
Well, I am absolutely coveting everything in the shop called joepapendick. He makes scultpural bird feeders and I really can't wait to own one! I also buy lots of soap products from showertreatsoap. The owner, Laura, is fantastic to buy from and her products are wonderful.

Q:  What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
How much work there would be! I knew it would be a lot but at times, it can really be all consuming...

Q:  What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Balancing home life with work. When you sell all over the world, there is a tendency for customers to think you are available all the time at any time. I try to be, but because I am a busy shop, I do have to check out from the studio and get back to my family at the end of the day. Plus, with smart phones, I sometimes find myself waking up and answering emails at 2 in the morning, just because I can.

Q:  What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want to provide original artwork that is accesible to anyone and was created with kids and babies in mind. That's it! I do believe that all kids should be surrounded by art. Mobiles fit the bill nicely because you can hang them anywhere and kids are absolutely mesmerized by them.

Q:  How would someone (other then you) describe you?
Nice? Hardworking? Funny? Generous? Honest? I don't know really, but I hope all of those things are true.

Q:  What music do you have on while you are creating?
I usually listen to a very wide range of music..Some of my favorites are The Pixies, Johnny Cash, Fiona Apple, Niel Young, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan, Amy Winehouse, Joni Mitchell, Mumford and Sons, The Grateful Dead.....this list could go on and on.

Q:  What do you do when you aren't working?
Just living my life with my family. My son is 9 and my husband and I try to spend as much quality time with him as we can. Of course, you have to fit in time for your friends too! I am blessed to rich in both family and friends.

Q:  Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I think that covers it! Thanks so much for the interview!

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Olympic Breakfast

If your house is like mine, the Olympics have been the only thing on our television for the last 10 days. We’re enjoying watching the athletes compete, learning about new sports, and celebrating the victories. Today, my son told me water polo is his favorite Olympic sport. Random, but he does love to swim and play in the pool.

These scones are super easy and a fun breakfast or snack while you watch the games. Scones are served with afternoon tea in Britain, with clotted cream and jam. Cheers!

Scones and Nearly Clotted Cream

Scones

Mix together

2c flour
3t baking powder
1/2t salt
2T sugar

Cut in

1/4c softened butter

Mix in

3/4c milk
1 beaten egg

Roll to a 1-inch thick circle. Transfer to baking sheet and cut into 6-8 wedges but don’t separate. (This time I cut them into 16 because I made them to share.) Bake 25 minutes at 400 degrees. Serve with nearly clotted cream (below) and jam.

 Nearly Clotted Cream

Combine

1c sour cream
1t brown sugar
1t vanilla

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August 2012 EtsyKids Team Desktop Background

With the Olympics at the moment we decided to go for a sport's theme for this months desktop background!!

1024 x 768

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Featured this month:
boutique FUNKY fun FAVORITE SPORT team hair bow clip from andjane,Basketball Onesie and Burp Cloth Set from SewSeaminglySassy,Cheerleader Jumper with Monogram from personalitychildrens, Tooth Fairy Pillow for Him - Sports Owl Tooth Pillow - Football Owl - Gift Card Holder from tzburps, Orange and Black Felt Flag Banner Garland Bunting- Perfect for Sport Teams from BrooklynOwl, Football hat for babies up to 24 months - pick your favorite team colors fromIrishHooksAndYarn, Sports Baseball Birthday Favor Gift Hanging Tags Thank you Scrapbooking Cutouts set of 12 from CupcakeDream, Boy's Room Decor, PLAY Sports Collage, 16x12 Acrylic Canvas, Childrens Room Art, Sports themed art. from nJoyArt, FOOTBALL Boys Hooded Towel-- Footballs on YOUR choice of chocolate, taupe or white frominkydinkdesigns, Soccer Girl Personalized Birthday Shower or Holiday Party Invitation OR Thank You Card Printable Digital You Print DIY -250from PinkPickleStudios, Diaper Cover, OS, Fleece - Sports, football, basketball, soccor, blue from greenchildcreations, Play Ball Name Pillowfrom NamelyPillows, Sport Balls Traditional Tie (Multiple Colors Available) Short Sleeve T- Shirt or Onesie from LeighandMichael, Bikes Eco Friendly Reusable Sandwich Snack Everything Bag fromGrannyzann, Sassy Vinyl Applique - Sports Decal - DIY - You Pick The Color from OneSassyLilSweetPea, Baby Booties - Figure Skates 3 to 6 months from TwentySecondStreet, Cheer Magaphone Felt Snap Clippie from ChewChewsCloset, Set 4 Soccer Sealed Bottle Caps from prettybowtique, Patriotic Team USA Olympics Pillowcase Dresses from SweetChildofMineKids, Olympic bunting girls party dress from wildthingsdresses.

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BFFs-Best Furry Friends

When I flew to California with my 18th month old daughter, I was more worried about losing her little stuffed dog, Harry, than the kid.  Maizie would scream her lungs out if I left her sight for more than 30 seconds, but that drool and tear stained nubbly dog looked ready to be put down.  Anyone picking him up, would have dropped him in the nearest trash can.  No one told me the most important rule of parenting, 'ALWAYS get a back up of your child's favorite toy'.

How are you even supposed to know what the favorite lovey will be?  We waited years to adopt our daughter. What was supposed to have been a six month wait had stretched to two years, and I was losing faith that I would ever be a parent. On a shopping trip with friends, I was ordered to buy something for the baby.  Anything, I was told. My friends thought that retail therapy would get me excited about being a mom.  To stop the bullying, I picked up a pack of bibs.  I didn't  like the bibs, but it stopped the nagging.

On the way to the checkout, something fuzzy and canine shaped caught my eye.  Tucked back on a shelf, was one small fuzzy dog, with a pointed nose and eyes that looked into your soul.  I took the dog, and stuffed the bibs back on the shelf.

Something about those black beady eyes caught me again, four months later as I finally packed our suitcase to fly to China to meet our daughter.  Space was limited, but I stuffed that dog into my bag.  On the day Maizie joined our family, he was the first thing that I handed her.  Harry has been her constant companion ever since.

He has also been a source of concern. What happens if he gets lost?  Suppose my sister's dog chews him to pieces?  I used his tag to look for stores where I cold buy another, but months went by with no luck.  My husband finally found the holy grail of stuffed animals on Ebay, more than double what I paid.  It didn't matter.  We would have paid more.

Maizie is now five, and the back up dog, still sits in the bag he was mailed in. Harry is showing his age, but for my daughter, he is priceless.

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EtsyKids Design Challenge: We have a Winner!

Congratulations to the winner of our July's EtsyKids Team Design Challenge, Children Clothing Toddler Girl Outfit, sz 2t - 5t, Handmade Floral Dot Tunic Top & Shorts, 2 pc set by PlayPrettyWears!

"Your little girl will happily twirl on the playground and and enjoy some cotton candy in this floral bubble hem. She will look like she is floating around in the summer air, and no worries if your little girl likes to hang from the monkey bars. There is matching polka dot shorts to complete this look. The shorts are all cotton with elastic at the waist, for easy on and off. And when she is done playing your little girl will still look picture perfect. Handmade with professionally sewn seams, using high end designer fabrics and designed with your little girl in mind for super comfort and high style."

Play-Pretty is a fun and bright Etsy boutique full of handmade trendsetting clothes for girls.  Your girl will look like a little fashionista wearing one of these styles, while being free to do what kids like to do best - run, jump, skip, climb…  Play-Pretty clothes pass the Mom Test: easy wash and wear high quality and style at an affordable price.  Be sure to visit this Etsy store right here.

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