Travel Bags For Kids

When my children were younger they each had a bag we called their travel bag.  It was nothing flash or expensive, just a simple draw string bag.  It truelly was a life saver and kept the kids amused and occupied countless times. They used their travel bags for car trips, airplane flights, when waiting at appointments, on the bus and other places where quiet play was necessary.

To put together your own Kids Travel Bag start off with a simple bag. Make sure the bag is child sized, and easy for your child to carry themselves.

Try one like this from Childish Thoughts. It even comes with a matching crayon roll and activity book.
Now it is time to  add a few extras to the bag that you know will keep your child entertained. 
Add some pipe cleaners, match box cars, pad of paper and pens, felt shapes, sticker sheets, small toys like this cute monster softie from Mouhoxlab.

 Or this waldorf inspired pocket doll from Polar Bear Creations.

Add a game to play like Tic Tac Toe from Little Blue Birdie.

Before leaving home add a snack and drink to the bag.  Keep the travel bag interesting and exciting by swapping around the items in the bag occasionally or adding an extra toy or game. Only use the bag when away from home so your kids don't get bored with the contents.

Guest blog post by Mel
Mel's Etsy shop Creative Wishes, Handmade Toys For Creative Play.
Mel Blogs at Melinda's Creative Wishes.

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Meet Etsy Seller Dgmart

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop dgmart

dgmart has been selling on Etsy since September 2010. At the DGM-ART shop you can find everything for your colorful interior. Dgm-art loves creating decorations, curtains, blinds and pictures especially for kids and teenagers. Today they are sharing a little about their shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
My kids and my passion for creating things.
I am a painter, lover of colours and designing things. I started with oil and water-colour painting. Than I discovered silk and started to paint on silk - I have another shop, much more older then this one, on Etsy, dedicated to silk painting. There are scarves, but the main attention I pay on silk hand painted curtains. And because those curtains are very special and not for everyone, I wanted something more useful - for children room. But I must confess, that without my mum it wouldn't work. She is a great person, professional and she can sew very well. We are two and we support each other in good times and also in bad times.

What is the story behind your shop name?
My name is Dagmar and I like the shortcut dgm, and because I love art and I am doing art, I have it like: dgm-art. But on Etsy it is just "dgmart".
I was grown in the South Moravia - it is a part of the Czech republic, and there was great  opportunity to create things, draw and paint. I was attending the Secondary school of applied arts, especially the Department of painting, and that focused my attention to colours, decorations, patterns etc. And life went on, I moved to Prague - the capital of my country, I went to the University, met my husband and had two children. I was looking for a better job than I had since my maternity leave begun. I taught Art older pupils, but more I wanted to make my own art. And than I started with my great mum create, design and draw curtains from canvas.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The hard work in managing things. I have lot of troubles with marketing. I want more audience, but sometimes I don't know how to make it. I am still studying the Etsy Sellers Handbook, reading discussions and forums (I finally created a team!). Well I need to find my customers.
And when some customer comes, it is very cool! I like to cooperate with customers. I have to because each blind or curtain is sewn for somebody's room, needs special measurement, hanging option etc. And our customers are very patient, I love them and their ideas.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
Oh, I like everything, but especially sewn things. For example Giraffes and the City is great from the curtain section, The Blue eyed Girl from the blind section.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/56995718/color-blind-for-girls-blue-eyed-girl
https://www.etsy.com/listing/56740248/curtain-for-kids-giraffes

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Improve my business. Make it worthy.
I dream about being freelance designer, but I am still searching know-how of online marketing.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
We want to create no commercial products. We are no claiming to be millionaires, we want to stay humble and do really good and artistic curtains for children and their parents. We want to sell useful things.  I do not want to make things just for money, do not desire be another IKEA corporation.  Important is what children think about our decorations, we hope they are feeling well surrounded by our art.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I am drawing the lace patterns in these days - for the next silk curtains.  I am the painter, so I am trying to make other things (you can see my art here: www.etsy.com/people/dagamara). I am also a teacher, so I teach students the art of drawing and painting.
And of course I am a mum of 9 years old twins, so you can imagine my life, it is quite busy :-)

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
 I heard good tips from Henry Rollins – the American singer. Tips about how to reach what you want to do or who you want to be. These tips are: application, discipline, focus and repetition.

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February Design Challenge Winner!

February's Design Challenge had the theme "Come fly with me!".
We had lots of lovely entries from our team member but the winning entry with the most votes was..

Sea mobile - Seagulls and clouds by LullabyMobiles

A beautifully designed and handmade Cape Cod themed mobile creating a serene scene for any nursery! This mobile consists of a 3 soaring seagulls made from a mixture of 100% wool felt and merino wool blend felt, 6 white fluffy rain clouds. The wings of the seagulls can be personally molded and formed into the shape you want them to fly at. Watch them move to just the slightest air movement and capture your imagination and delight of your child.

Here are some more lovely items from LullabyMobiles

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Meet Etsy Seller Papoose Clothing

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop Papoose Clothing

Papoose Clothing has been selling on Etsy since November 2010, she sell handmade beauitful outfits for children, from vintage inspired to creative modern pieces. Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
Three years ago I received the news that my sister was pregnant with her first child, and I wanted to make a few keepsake dresses for my new niece. I delighted in making such miniaturized items and all the dramatic bows and frills that come with designing little girls' clothing that I decided to take the plunge and open a shop on Etsy. It all sounds so much simpler than it really was and still is, but that's the short version!

What is the story behind your shop name?
I loved watching the movie Gidget as a child, and there is one particular scene where some girls insult Gidget by calling her a "papoose." I had never heard of the word before, so strange child that I was, immediately looked it up in the dictionary to figure out what it meant. The word has always stuck with me so when I was thinking of possible store names, it naturally came to mind because it was a favored childhood memory and an appropriate name.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I knew absolutely nothing about running a business when I opened a shop on Etsy, so everything surprised me. I didn't even have business cards; I basically had a shop name and a few sad items for sale. It is such a huge learning experience, and I am still growing and discovering new and better ways at being a small business owner. It takes constant work and determination to grow and get out of the "it's just a hobby, but here's my stuff" phase into a legitimate business you want people to take seriously.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I love the Double Ruffle Bloomer Bubble Shorts because they are so darling and sassy. The design is simple but it really packs a punch, and the shorts can easily take your little papoose through all the seasons with the right pair of tights for colder months or wear them alone during hot summer days.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
I continue to struggle with the photography aspect because pictures are the only source for potential buyers to make a decision based on looks. The description helps, but pictures can and should relay fabric details, color, fit, feelings and mood, everything. Great photography can really help a store stand out from the crowd, and separating yourself from everyone else and creating your own distinct brand is one of the biggest hurdles when selling on a site that grows daily!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I firmly believe in fostering a child's imagination, and clothing was one of the first areas of my life I vividly remember expressing myself through. I know how it feels to wear the perfect little dress when playing make believe and "putting on a show!" I once gathered "costumes" so I could look just like Laurey scene-for-scene in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! while watching the movie by myself. I want to give your little papoose that same elated feeling and freedom of personal expression through handmade style.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I love to read books and watch old movies, but when I'm with my husband, we compromise and pick a series to watch on Netflix. We've been through several shows and are currently finishing up The X-Files. The show frightened me so badly when I was younger, but now I'm fascinated by all the theories and beliefs they write about.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I have recently released the Spring Summer 2014 collection, Bayou Bebe. It is inspired by the romance of Cajun Country in south Louisiana with all the mystery and charm of the bayous. This collection has been a love story for me because I grew up in Louisiana so I feel a deeper connection to this line than past inspirations. I hope this relationship is evident in the clothing and speaks to people on a meaningful level, not just superficially. Although I hope people like the clothes for their own design merit, I hope people can understand the thoughts behind it and that I did my part in relaying a story.

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Easy and Fun Recipe: Homemade Cottage Cheese

My daughter recently watched a television program about making cottage cheese and she became very interested in wanting to make her own. A few minutes on the internet and we found dozens of recipes and how- to's.  The recipe we followed was from Val Harrison at Allotment.org.uk. I was curious and hesitant to try the cottage cheese but I must say it tasted good!

Here's what you need:                                            

2 pints of skimmed or semi-skimmed milk.               

2 tablespoons of lemon or white vinegar. (we used lemon)

Pinch of salt

saucepan

wooden spoon

sift or sieve

Here's what you need to do: 

• Pour the milk into the sauce pan and heat until hot but not boiling.
• Stir occasionally and cool down for a few minutes
• Add 2 tablespoons of lemon or white vinegar
• Stir and watch the milk separate into curds and whey
• After cooling put the mixture into your sifter to catch the curds
• Discard the whey
• Transfer the curds into a small bowl and add a pinch of salt

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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February Design Challenge. It's time to Vote!

For February our Design Challenge theme was "Come Fly With Me"
We have lots of lovely entries from our team members, browse down and vote for your favourite item!
Voting is open until 27th January.

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Meet Etsy Seller Little Luckies 2

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop Little Luckies 2

Little Luckies 2 sell handmade cloth / rag dolls & stuffed animals! Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
I opened this little shop because I have the need to create, to keep my hands moving and to fuel my passion for smiles. My kids beds were overrun with toys I had made and, I was making toys for my nieces, nephews, and friends.  Still it wasn't enough to keep me busy!

I was trying to think ahead, the kids will be in school full time soon and, I really don't want to go back to the corporate life, it isn't  for me.  I want  to be able to do something that I love.  If I can bring in enough income to help our family, while doing something I love, it's a win win!  So, in 2013 I made a New Years resolution to open up shop and, was determined to keep it.  It wasn't hard with the constant encouragement from friends and family. So, in June I opened up my shop "little Luckies" and sold my first Etsy product in September.

What is the story behind your shop name?
little Luckies is all about they kids and our family. It means so much all at once!  That I'm lucky to have my little ones, that they are lucky to have both my husband and me. It's also a play on words with our family name :)

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
When I opened I started to feel a sense of self...  Mums you know that 'self' that kind of gets lost when you have kids :). I started to feel that I was worth more than being just a mum.  Don't get me wrong I love being a full time mum but, I was starting to feel lost in it.  For the past 6 years I've been totally focused on the kids and, the family unit. I wasn't doing anything that felt fulfuilling to myself as Susan- if that makes any sense.  It's been so nice to finally have something to call my own.  It takes so much effort to simultaneously run a family and have a small business on the side.  I'm proud of everything that I accomplish with little Luckies.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
Honestly, my favourite is the Rhino because I think it's a brilliant pattern!  Created by another etsy seller Pauline of Funky Friends Factory.  Most of what I make come from patterns she has created.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Getting noticed and sales!! Etsy is so huge its very hard to get people to find you. I know I have a good product that is handcrafted with great care and love, but as much as I network and,  do what other successful Etsy sellers suggest I still have only had 17 sales, most of which were generated through  Facebook.

What do you do when you aren't working?
Running a family, doing laundry (OMG the laundry!), driving everywhere and catching a few zzzzz's.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I will sew practically anything and I love a challenge.
I also, have a Facebook page where I like to post pics daily of the items I'm working on.  I like to keep my buyers informed and, share with them the process from, acutally sewing plush to, what that is cooking on my stove :).  It's kind of like a mini blog.

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