Meet Etsy Seller LaPetiteMaisonBlanc

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop LaPetiteMaisonBlanc

LaPetiteMaisonBlanc has been selling on Etsy since May 2012, they sell original, unique, personalized gift items from notebooks/mini jotters, fabric storage baskets and lavender bags to glasses cases and home furnishings. Today they are going to give us a little peak behind the scenes of their Etsy shop.

Pirate Boys Bedroom Storage Basket with parrot LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $17.00

Owl Notepad. Covered notebook for shopping lists, diary, to-do list... LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $7.00

Little Beach Huts Fabric Storage Basket LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $15.00

Fabric Storage Basket in a Cartoon Style for little Girls LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $17.00

What motivated you to start your shop?
La Petite Maison Blanc started in 2011 when our family moved from the UK to the South of France with my husbands job. I've always been in an artistic role (Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Marketing etc) throughout my career but this move gave the opportunity to go back to my first love of crafts and particularly sewing.
I decided to open a store on Etsy in 2012, and haven't looked back since. I love the fact my work is now in lots of countries around the world including Australia, USA, Europe and Japan.

What is the story behind your shop name?
La Petite Maison Blanc raises a few eyebrows in France as it's grammatically wrong for the ""Little White House"" which many people assume the name means.  (Our house is in fact canary yellow!).
Our family name is White and so the name means The Little Whitehouse :-)
Its a great talking point and ice breaker over here and I enjoy explaining the meaning to bemused locals.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I used to sell crafts on a stall where people can touch and feel the products and see the quality. Starting selling online was exciting as there was a challenge to get the photography right, the descriptions involved enough to provoke interest and then keeping a customer informed of the whole purchasing process so they felt confident and happy to buy from La Petite Maison Blanc. It's a constant learning curve, but a fun one.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I love my storage baskets - we have loads here we use ourselves!  Having small children means there is always little pieces of lego, dolls, hair clips etc to tidy and we keep a basket on the stairs to carry things upstairs!  I also have one by the door for car keys, dog leads, one in the kitchen for eggs, one in the bathroom for make-up...
I try to imagine where a buyer will keep their's and what they will use it for to influence the designs and I love a custom order, my customers have the BEST ideas ever!

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Although my background is in Web Design I'm in no way advantaged when it comes to getting found and getting my listings high on product categories. I constantly tweak things to try and better my reach. I'm getting there I think,  but it's a slow process.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
Make it well. Make it unique. Make it to last.
Quality products you can't buy on the high street.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I have four children and two lively dogs who keep the house constantly busy. I've recently started running with my eldest daughter which is challenging but fun and we're doing well heading for our first 5k!
Living in the South of France we have the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees on hand to always have something to do and somewhere to go and I love exploring the countryside.

Please tell us a little about the children's items market / handmade movement in your Country? 
Handmade is growing here in France but I think there are few people who would search online for it.  Vide Greniers (Like car boot sales) are very popular as are Brocantes (More like an Antiques Fair) and would attract attention if you were physically there. Of all my sales I have the least in my home country, which is really sad.
On the whole I would say the French market is interested in value for money, quality and uniqueness.

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
You can find us on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/lapetitemaisonblanc
We're on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/lpmblanc
Pinterest at: http://www.pinterest.com/lpmblanc/

LaPetiteMaisonBlanc is offering a 10% discount in her shop. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "ETSYKIDS10" at checkout. Valid until end of April 2014.

Notebook. Love to Sew, fantastic journal or mini diary LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $7.00

Provence Lavender filled hanging pillow - decoration LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $4.00

Storage basket with Union Jack fabric VW Camper Van LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $17.00

Padded Spectacles Case with two Mint Butterflies LaPetiteMaisonBlanc $9.00

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Easter Traditions Around the World

Many countries celebrate Easter with church services chocolate eggs, Easter bunny visits and Easter egg hunts. But I thought it would be fun to see  some Easter traditions from different countries. And what better country to start with than my own!

Australia:
In Australia rabbits are considered a pest.  While there are still plenty of chocolate rabbits given out at Easter there is a lovely tradition of giving a chocolate Bilbie instead of a rabbit.  Bilbies are a cute but endangered Australian animal. 

Greece: Our family also celebrates some Greek traditions at Easter as my husband is Greek.  The celebrations are all about the food with a traditional Easter bread called tsoueki and eggs dyed red. The red dyed eggs are tapped against another persons to try and crack it.  It is said that the person left with their red egg uncracked will have good luck for the remainder of the year.  Special candles called labatha are made and given as gifts and the traditional Easter greeting is used "Christos Anesti".

Poland: Pouring water on one another is a Polish Easter tradition called Smingus-Dyngus. It originates from when a Polish Prince back in 966AD was baptised on Easter Monday.

Italy: Thousands of visitors flock to St. Peters square to await the popes blessing form the church's balcony.

Bermuda: Bermudians fly homemade kites, eat codfish cakes and hot cross buns.

Haiti: Holy week is marked by playing traditional rara music and colourful parades.

Norway: In Norway a tradition known as Easter crime or Raskekrim is practiced.  This is where people read mystery books or watch crime shows or movies.

How do you celebrate Easter and what special traditions are special to your part of the world?

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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March Design Challenge Winner!

March's Design Challenge had the theme "Geometrics".
We had lots of lovely entries from our team member but the winning entry with the most votes was..

Equilateral Triangle Quilt by myteaandbrie

This quilt is incredibly special. These equilateral triangles in bright and happy colors gives the quilt a fresh feel with modern flare. Flip this reversible quilt over and display the colorful bricks alternating with neutral spacing. Great for a little girl's room or as a photo prop.

This quilt is perfect for a new baby or toddler - at 46" x 59" it can start as a tummy time mat in the living room or something to throw down in the backyard to enjoy the fresh air. It will keep your sweet babe warm on a cool spring night or a breezy day at the beach. It will be perfect in a toddler bed as your baby grows, and your pre-schooler will drag this along as they shuffle through your home in slippered feet.

This quilt is perfect for adults as well. I great accent to throw over the back of a couch! Sit with quilt in lap holding your favorite mug of tea and a good book. Perfect for catching stray popcorn on movie night! Drape it over your shoulders as you enjoy your outdoor fire pit with a glass of wine.

Here are some more lovely items from myteaandbrie

You Are Loved hand embroidered hoop display PINK and TEAL myteaandbrie $18.00	Personalized Pillow Cover - Made to Order for baby shower, hostess gift, housewarming, wedding, christening, birthday myteaandbrie $45.00	Equilateral Triangle Quilt Bright Happy Colors Bubble Gum Pink Charcoal Gray Steel Grey for Baby Toddler Teen Lap Quilt Throw Photo Prop myteaandbrie $245.00	Coordinating Pillow and Hoop BUNDLE: 14" pillow cover and 6" You Are Loved Hoop myteaandbrie $65.00
Personalized Hand Embroidered Quilted Pillow Cover 14x14 - Made to Order with RED embroidery myteaandbrie $45.00	Tiered Clutch in a Linen Cotton Blend Perfect for Spring || Rustic Bridesmaid Wristlet || Valentine's Day myteaandbrie $30.00	Personalize Heart Hoop 6 inch hand embroidered hoop display myteaandbrie $18.00	Personalized Hand Embroidered Quilted Pillow Cover 12x16 - Made to Order myteaandbrie $45.00

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Meet Etsy Seller RainbowsLollipopsArt

Today we would like to introduce you to

Etsy shop RainbowsLollipopsArt

RainbowsLollipopsArt has been selling on Etsy since December 2012, they sell playroom, kids bedroom and nursery art prints! Today they are going to give us a little peak behind the scenes of their Etsy shop.


What motivated you to start your shop?
As a mom, I know how exciting it can be to decorate a children's bedroom or a nursery. I wanted to help mothers get personalized and colorful prints. I started to design some and discovered Etsy afterwards. It seemed like the perfect place to sell my creations!

What is the story behind your shop name?
Well, as you can see, my shop is pretty colorful. This name just popped into my mind and seemed to fit. You could say I was inspired, or that this name is like the soul of my shop.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The amount of time I would consecrate to my shop. I changed my pictures 3 times before I was really satisfied of my shop's look. Marketing can be quite time consuming too. But overall, I really enjoy it. I guessed that surprised me too. I LOVE having an Etsy shop.

What is your favourite creations from your shop?My favorite items to create are my bathroom rules prints. I really enjoy creating them, finding new characters, new animals, new styles for them. I have more than 30 sets of bathroom prints in my shop. I'm constantly working on creating more, and they sell very well! I also enjoy customizing them to match my customer's shower curtains!

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I want to make my products perfect for my customers. I want them to really LOVE their prints. I send as many previews as they need, and if they want anything changed, I'll do it.

What do you do when you aren't working?
I am a stay at home mom, so basically, I'm taking care of my kids. My kids are 3 and almost 2, so it can be pretty challenging sometimes, but still so worth it!

RainbowsLollipopsArt is offering a 10% discount in their shop. To use the coupon visit her etsy store and enter code "10FORYOU" at checkout. Valid until March 31 2014.

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Easy Kid Friendly Vegetarian Taco Dinner

This is one of our family's favorite easy dinners. What I love about this meal is that it does not contain meat.  My daughters love the fact that they can "design" their own tacos.  We are not vegetarians in our home but we do try to minimize our meat intake each week and the beans are a great protein substitute.

What you need:

• your favorite taco toppings: lettuce, sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, salsa etc.
• can of vegetarian fat free refried beans
• bag of frozen corn
• mild taco seasoning
• hard taco shells or soft tortilla shells

What you need to do:

• chop up all of your toppings
• warm up the refried beans and frozen corn in a pan
• add taco seasoning to pan
• fill the shells with the beans/corn mixture
• have your children add whichever toppings they like

Dorinda's shop, Raising Green Kids, offers eco-friendly products for your family such as wool dryer balls, Unpaper towels, and fabric decorations. Follow her on Facebook and twitter and at her blog.

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Treasury Challenge #30 - Luck of the Irish

The theme for the EtsyKids Team treasury challenge #30 was "Luck of the Irish".
Our team members created lots of beautiful treasuries featuring some amazing items, but the winner with 68 views is...

Felt Food Popsicle FiddledeeDeeCraft $15.00	The Classic WOOD TOY TRIO- Wooden Game Set applenamos $15.00	Rainbow Ruffle Polka-dot Dress- sizes 18mo to 5T aBcChildren $48.00	Rainbow Heart Garland - made with wool blend felt in colourful and bright shades, perfect for kids room or birthday HandmadeCuddlesShop €12.00
Rainbow Star Ponytail Hair Binder Snugglebugkidz $2.75	Wooden Rainbow Sorting Bowls-Montessori inspired eLeMeNOPkids $18.00	Puzzle Crayons 6 crayon set by Scribblers Crayons ScribblersCrayons $6.00	Girls Hair Clip - Rainbow Clippie Avabowtiquee $3.75
Solid Grosgrain Extra Large Pinwheel Bows - Lot of three hair bows - 28 Color Choices - Etsykids Team KatiebugBows $16.00	Set of 6 Eco-Friendly Soy/Bees Wax Things That Go Crayons- Great First Crayon childhoodstore $9.00	INSTANT DOWNLOAD - Rainbow - Digital Bottle Cap Images-Bottlecap Jewelry-Stickers-Tags-Labels-Cupcake Toppers-Magnets-Bottlecap Crafts BardDesigns $1.75	Rainbow Birthday Food Label Tent Cards Polka Dot Birthday Party - Set of 12 CupcakeDream $10.00
Patchwork Twirl Skirt and Personalized Tshirt Girls Rainbow Frog 12m 18m 2 3 4 5 6 2T 3T 4T 5T FroggyGirlDesigns $76.00	Educational Childrens Alphabet Snake Wooden 3d Puzzle Waldorf Puzzle ThePuzzledOne $35.00	St. Patrick's Day Pot of Gold appliqué Boy or Girl Twin Set Bodysuits 0-3M/6M/12M/2T/3T/4T MADE TO ORDER JustJoshinKids $40.00	Rainbow Birthday Invitation - boy-girl- Digital Printable Birthday 5x7 Invite SwishPrintables $15.00

Thank you tickledpeachstudio for creating such a lovely treasury!

tickledpeachstudio sells personalized kids gifts, invitations and stationery. We love this rainbow lunch pack that is available in her shop. Visit her shop to see more of her wonderful creations.

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