It's Not Too Late for Some Eco-friendly Holiday Tips and Tricks.....

The holiday season is in full swing! Running errands, extra trash, and buying gifts take up a lot of resources. That doesn't mean you and your family have to forgo all of your eco-friendly practices. I've compiled a small list of tips and tricks to keep things eco-friendly in your household during the busy holidays season.


Wrapping gifts: 

• Find a unique way to wrap a gift. Your children can decorate paper or you can use the art work they bring home from school. 
• Newspaper can be used to wrap gifts. 
• Use fabric to decorate gifts, fabric can be stored and reused. 
• Put the gift into a reusable fabric bag and tie it in a bow, it's two gifts in one.

Holiday Lights:

• If you haven't already done so upgrade you festive holiday lights to CFL or LED, you will use about 75% less energy. 
• Some home improvement stores even give you a coupon or discount for trading in your old incandescents. 
• Don't forget to use a timer on your lights.

Decorating:  

• A different option for a tree is to buy a living tree. Sure it's a little more complicated but you can enjoy the tree for many years to come in your backyard. 
• Decorate with nature; go outside and get berries,branches,leaves and put them in vases instead of buying decorations. 
• Use fun cloth napkins instead of paper ones. They brighten up any table and are easy to throw in the laundry.

cooking: 

• Whether you are cooking for a small or large group allow your oven to multi task.
•  Bake several items at once and use glass and ceramic cookware. Food will cook quicker and you can reduce your cooking temperature. 

Buying gifts: 

• Buy less, focus on quality instead of quantity and create thoughtful home made gifts. Buy used, shop consignment sales for used toys. Many are in great condition. 
• Shop local and online ( Etsy of course!)

Cards:

• If you send cards opt for online cards or recycled paper. 
• When you are finished with your cards send them to St.Judes.  They accept new and used cards all year long. Check out their guidelines for specific details.

Dorinda's shop, Raising Green Kids, offers eco-friendly products for your family. Follow her on Facebook and twitter and at her blog.

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December Design Challenge. It's time to Vote!

For October our Design Challenge theme was "Sleigh bells are jingling ring-a-ling-a-ding-a-dong!"
We have lots of lovely entries from our team members, browse down and vote for your favourite item!
Voting is open until 27th December.

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Meet Etsy Seller The Polka Dot Tot Spot

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop thepolkadottotspot

ThePolkaDotTotSpot has been selling on Etsy since January 2007, she sell handmade birthday shirts for boys and girls and more! Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
It started when my daughter was a few months old...... The whole mass produced - "made in China" toy scare was going on so I was looking for some alternatives for my baby girl to play with. I can upon a pattern for some super cute cloth blocks so I made a few for her and for some friends and they were a hit! I was cloth diapering her at he time and started selling the blocks online on the Diaperswappers "work from home mom" forum just for the fun of it. People were snatching them up as it was right before Christmas. I couldn't believe people were actually liking something that I made enough to pay me for them! Crazy huh? I truly felt honored and was beyond excited about it! So it just bloomed from there and I found Etsy and my stock kept growing and expanding to what it is today...approx 400 unique items!!

What is the story behind your shop name?
Every name I thought of on Etsy someone had already taken so I just kept playing around with words until I came up with "The Polka Dot Tot Spot" Yeah, its a mouthful but its mine!

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The time it takes to keep it going. Its not just having the items, its promoting, renewing, restocking, updating, answering emails, creating new items, and of course filling orders! I am glad my kids are both in school now so I can concentrate on work while they are away and still have some mom time when they are home! Working from home is the best!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
This is a hard one! Usually whatever is newest is my favorite! I LOVE to make new things, this is most definitely the part that is the most exciting as I get it use my creative side! I would have to say the birthday shirts and birthday banners are my favorite though. Each birthday only comes once so I think they should be special! Oh, my new birthday bunting shirts are super fun!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?Customer service is the most important thing! I always try to get back with my customers as soon as possible and get there items made and sent out quickly. I think if you don't have that, people wont come back and repeat buyers are a big part of sales. I really do love my customers! Especially the ones that take time to let me know they love their item and even send photos of their kiddos using something they got from me!

What do you do when you aren't working?
I love photography, gardening, hiking, and spending time with family and friends! I also like decorating and remodelling! My house has so many layers of paint I think if the nails fell out it would still hold together!

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?Thanks Etsy Kids Team for letting me share a little about my shop and myself! I'm so glad to be part of the team!

ThePolkaDotTotSpot is offering a 10% discount in her shop at the moment. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "MEETTHETEAM10" at checkout. Valid until January 31st 2014.

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Treasury Challenge #24 - All I want for Christmas...

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #24 was "All I want for Christmas...". Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with 147 views is...
 

'All I Want for Christmas' by HarmonyGirlsClothing

Juvie Moon Designs PDF ... JuvieMoonDesi... $11.95	Paper House Ornament Te... chichiboulie $3	Little Girls Christmas ... pinkmouse $59	MERRY CHRISTMAS Reus... ThePolkaDotTo... $39
Personalized Sock Monke... auntyanndesig... $45	Rudolph the Red Nose Re... KutieKlipz $4	White and Red Knit Hat ... BabbidgePatch $22	Red Snowflake Kanzashi ... MyLittlePixie... $5
Holiday Winter Christma... MomNMiaQuilts $8	Girl and Doll Matching ... PoppyPatch $26	Red dot on shades of gr... nihamaj $17	Woodland Snowman Wall ... WalterSilva $28.95
holly leaf and berry br... thecleverkitt... $9	Wood Janod Alphabet Puz... weandthebean $1	Christmas star confetti... HandmadeCuddl... €1.50	Christmas Decoration Red  ... ModernSwitch $12

Thank you HarmonyGirlsClothing for creating such a lovely treasury!

HarmonyGirlsClothing makes beautiful dresses and outfits for little girls. We love adorable party frock that is available in her shop. Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations.

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Meet Etsy Seller LuckyLizzys

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop Lucky Lizzy's

Lucky Lizzy's has been selling on Etsy since January 2013, she sell handcrafted apparel for sweet little ones. Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
Simply put, my daughter. She is the youngest of five children and my only girl so you can imagine how much fun I was having on Etsy buying her Handmade clothing. It got to the point where I was picking out fabric and requesting dress styles from a few of my favorite sellers. Having never sewn a stitch in my life, I started to study the art of sewing. I took classes at a local fabric store where I totally fell in love with the whole process of designing clothing. As they say, the rest is history!

What is the story behind your shop name?
I came up with with my shop name because a few special people in my life call me Lizzy and I feel lucky to be doing exactly what I want to be doing with my life. Not everyone can say that!

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?

I have been most surprised at how quickly Lucky Lizzy's has grown and how many great buyer relationships I have for formed in such a short amount of time. I have buyers that come back every season now to get my latest creations. I love that!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
It's so hard to choose! My best selling item to date is a colorful winter tree peasant dress. It's a classic look that holds a bright, bold design beautifully.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
My most challenging aspect of running Lucky Lizzy's is time. There is never enough of it! However, I'm very lucky that I have a large sewing studio where my children can play beside me as I work so I never feel like I'm missing out on special time with them. This morning my daughter brought in her pillow and blanket and slept while I worked. I have the best of both worlds.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I do not want anything to get in the way of little girls kicking a ball or climbing a tree. My clothes are easy to play in and full of color. And since I do have four boys and sympathize with not being able to find cute boys clothes, you will always find boys pants available. My favorite, you ask? RRRR, has to be my pirate pants!

What do you do when you aren't working?
I'm a taxi driver. I take my kids to Tae Kwon Do, preschool, soccer, you know, the typical Mom duties.

What makes the coming holiday season special for you?

It's my first one on Etsy and I'm just trying to keep up! I can't believe how many little ones are wearing Lucky Lizzy's for their family Christmas cards!

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Meet Etsy Seller Justsewstinkincute

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop justsewstinkincute

justsewstinkincute has been selling on Etsy since September 2012, she sell handmade kids clothing for boys, girls or matching outfits for the whole family (mum and dad included!). Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
My grandmother was a 'master' seamstress, and I had always wanted to learn to sew. Once I did, I became fascinated with the whole process! From selecting fabric to watching the pieces come together into a beautiful garment, I was hooked!! Being complimented on my creations by strangers, family and friends coupled with the delight of my daughters (whom I was sewing for) only fueled my fire! I wanted others to experience that delight as well!!

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?

It's certainly a surprise at how many new friends I've made along the way! From satisfied clients whom I've worked with as well as fellow crafters who are willing to pass along tips and trade secrets, new acquaintances have definitely been a blessing!!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I have a 'secret fetish' for matching pieces! Because of that, I thoroughly enjoy mother daughter and family sets!!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Excellence is key! Love and attention to detail go into every stitch!!

What do you do when you aren't working?
"I am the homeschooling mother of seven, four boys and three girls! That keeps me pretty busy!! I am also an fitness fanatic, with MMA style cardio kickboxing being my favorite workouts. A good show on Food Network hooks me every time, and I enjoy trying new recipes. I am also an avid reader, with John Grisham being my favorite author.
My family and I also enjoy Bible study as well as a variety of activities together. "

justsewstinkincute is offering a 10% discount in her shop at the moment. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "BLOG10" at checkout. Valid until 14th December 2013.

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Treasury Challenge #23 - Christmas Party Time!

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #23 was "Christmas Party Time!". Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with 255 views is...

 

'Here's the season to be jolly' by RainbowsLollipopsArt

Christmas star confetti... HandmadeCuddl... €1.50	Retro Top Knot Headband... shopmaisiejay... $6	Words of Christmas Subw... BitsyCreation... $5	Baby Girl Christmas Out... SweetCrusader... $40
Striped Knot Cap - Wint... amiloudesigns $26	Christmas Tree Wall Dec... SolanaGraphic... $40	25 Striped Paper Straws... FiddleSticksB... $3.25	Little Man Bowtie-Red B... LadyBeez $10
Santa Stop Here door ha... LaPetiteMaiso... $6	Christmas Satin Elastic... LovelyLylaJea... $5	Christmas Bracelet Cor... JuvyJewels $28	Stuffed owl, stuffed to... Fairybugcreat... $30
Baby mittens, christmas... cucicreando $9	Wooden Waldorf Doll Hou... applenamos $50	Red Christmas dress Mrs... OliveAndVince $26	Red and Green Felt Flag... BrooklynOwl $15

Thank you RainbowsLollipopsArt for creating such a lovely treasury!

RainbowsLollipopsArt designs kids decor, playroom and bedroom art prints. We love this merry Christmas print that is available in her shop. Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations.

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