Meet Etsy Seller FiddledeeDeeCraft

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop FiddledeeDeeCraft

FiddledeeDeeCraft has been selling on Etsy since November 2011, she sell stunning handmade felt food and felt toys for kids! Today she is sharing a little about her shop and selling handmade items.


What motivated you to start your shop?
My daughter had an Etsy shop while she was in school, and she told me it would be a great place to sell the stuff I was making. She helped me with the setup and did all my shop graphics!

What is the story behind your shop name?
My family nickname is Dee. I wanted a shop name that included my name, and sounded fun. Yeah, 'fiddle dee dee' is just fun to say!

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The amount of time it takes for photos/editing, listing, and then marketing your shop. When I first came to Etsy, I had the 'if you make it, they will come' mindset. Wrong! But I found some great Etsy teams to get involved with. The help and support I find on my teams is great!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I like the pancake breakfast set. This set is one of the first things I started making in my shop. It's also one of my most popular listings.
This year, I'm adding some new dolls that can be customized (hair color, skin color). As I work on them, they are becoming some of my favorites, too!

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
It can be a struggle to keep items stocked and find time to add new ones. I have lots of ideas for things I want to make, but my time is so limited.
I don't like working on the same thing for too long, so I always have a basket full of stuff that's cut or in progress. Every couple of weeks, I have a cutting day for items I'm low on. While I'm cutting, I try to add something new as I go.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Pretend play is so much fun for kids, and it doesn't require any fancy equipment! When my girls were little, they spent hours in their play kitchen, pretending to shop for groceries or make dinner. I always liked to have things that encouraged their creative play. Now, these are the kinds of things I like to make for my shop, and the things I'll keep making for my grand kids.

What do you do when you aren't working?
Outside my Etsy shop, I work 4 days a week as an HR manager. My husband and I enjoy DIY projects around the house and yard, and we love to go camping. One of our daughters lives in South Carolina, near lots of places for camping and hiking. Our youngest daughter lives close by - I get to see her several times a week. We like to go to the gym together. I also have a little garden that doesn't get enough attention.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
In July, I'll be a first-time grandma! I expect our trips to South Carolina will become more frequent...

FiddledeeDeeCraft is offering a 15% discount in her shop on orders over $30. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "FELTFUN15" at checkout. Valid until March 31 2014.

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Treasury Challenge #29 - Wild Child

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #29 was "Wild Child".
Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with 184 views is...

Personalized Children -... wheremonsters... $30	Tiger costume dress-up wildthingsdre... $42	Woodland Fox Cupcake To... YourlittleCup... $10	Waldorf Inspired Mama a... YoureInspired $16.25
Cowboy Outfit - Crochet... BabyBelleShop $50	Teddy Bear Toddler Scar... ZucchiniIslan... $19.50	Eco Kids Toy - Owl - N... woolies $32	Garden Fairy Door, Magi... WoodenBLING $15
Custom Listing for Stac... UrbanTickle $68	Brown knitted baby hat ... Tuttolv $25	Wooden pull toy eco fri... toporko $14	Personalized Bib Appliq... TriedAndTrueD... $14
Kids Child Children Rev... thomaspark $22	Elephant Umbrella Kids ... ucuspucus $28	Lion Art for Baby Boy o... TinyToesDesig... $24	Owl Backpack Pattern -I... TheSewingLoft $8.50

Thank you MartinelaCartoons for creating such a lovely treasury!

MartinelaCartoons makes custom invitations and printables. We love this monkey baby shower invitation. Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations.

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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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