Search results (tags) for: "handmade kids"

Featured Team: Natural Kids Team

2008-11-19T15:34:00Z

This week's Featured Team, NaturalKids, makes sweet, wholesome products for your little ones! We love the way these toys inspire creativity while staying true to their natural materials. You'll find these items are crafted with a lot of love, and it seems this affection pours into their Team as well! The NaturalKids Team has a great website and blog to promote their work and also holds weekly promotions in the Forums. We love how they've created their own co-operative advertising program within the Team and have ads running on parenting websites! To learn more about this Team (including how to join) check out their Team Profile. To see all the products made lovingly by NaturalKids Team members, simply search "naturalkids team".

BeneathTheRowanTree | lalaspequenos | pupa

Young Reindeer

pupa loves the camaraderie within the Natural Kids Team. "Being part of Natty Kids is always inspiring! Crafting can get lonely, so it's nice to know there is a very fun, supportive group of fellow crafters out there."

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The Maple Wood Triangle Teether

"We love making handcrafted wooden teethers in our little backyard in Ohio! We love the Natural Kids Team because they are so wonderful and talented and it is a perfect place to interact and connect with other artists. I am thrilled to be a part of this magical team," says member littlealouette.

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Latte

woolies is the leader of this incredible Team. She explains how they work together: "We have a promotion thread going at all times. We make Treasuries that feature each other's work. But more than that, we support each other, and many members have become close friends. We mentor each other; if there are situations that we are unsure of, we know that we can come to the team for help. This also applies to non-business related stuff!"

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Three Little Birds, Shapes and Colours

BeneathTheRowanTree says that, "Being part of the Natural Kids Team speaks to me as a parent and as an artist. I love working with natural materials and feeling their life and energy, being connected to the source. Even more than this I love to place natural items in my daughter's hands, and the hands of other children, and watch their faces light up and their imaginations take flight with the possibilities of what they are holding, warm and soft and gentle, in their hands."

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Becky, a sweet 16-inch Waldorf doll

I had to include this doll by FaerieRebecca who named her after a Teammate! "Becky aka TheSingingBird (who came out to visit me at a craft show recently) oooo-ed and ahhhh-ed over the doll, so I had to name the doll after her when I listed her here on Etsy!" Rebecca is also a Team Leader of the Natural Kids Team and is inspired daily by "...the most generous, cooperative spirit in this Team!"

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Gnome Woods Playscape

WhimsicalMom "Being a Mommy is the most wonderful experience I have ever had and playtime is the best! My mission is to create whimsies that will spark not only a child's imagination but parents' as well. We all need to play:) I really enjoy making toys that come to life in a child's hands and imagination..not with batteries."

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Newborn Noonie

lalaspequenos creates these cozy Noonies to keep your babe warm and gnome-y. "The use of natural products is an integral part of my designs. The Natural Kids Team embraces that philosophy and provides me with support and encouragement to keep doing what I love!"

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Wooden Gnome Rainbow Memory Game

mamakopp not only makes lovable toys for children, but a lot of them have an educational element. She explains, "Learning is so much more fun with gnomes!" She loves making items for children. "I just love being part of heirloom toymaking; it's the best job besides being a mother." You can see the love for natural materials in her work!

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Butterfly Design Cotton Acorn Hat

butterflydesign says, "I love being a part of the Natural Kids Team because they celebrate the joys of childhood and the earth all in one Team. And we only have one of each, shouldn't they be celebrated?"

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Mushroom House Set with Flowers, Walkway and Pixie

LittleElfsToyshop uses natural materials to create little worlds for children to immerse themselves in. She says, "In a world where everything is made of plastic, buzzing with beeps and rings, perhaps returning to a simpler way of life is just what is needed. With my toys, I try and bring back simple, imaginative play using natural materials to excite a child’s imagination. In so doing, these toys are better for the environment and for your children, as well."

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rainbowLotusNaturals | birchleafdesigns | BellaWinter

Want to see a full interview with this Team? Sign up for the Teams Mailing List here.

Featured Teams | More Natural Kids Posts | Handmade Kids Series | Children's Gift Guide

Holiday Shopping Lists: Faux Food

2008-11-17T15:00:00Z

You know what the holidays mean? Eating, eating, eating and a whole lot of gorging!!!...er — at least that's what it means to some of us. This year, you can supplement all the tastiness with faux food. These make really cute gifts (especially for the wee ones, search the Children Category for food). You can also use fake food to decorate the house for the holidays (search the Holiday Category for food). Candycanes, gingerbread men, sugar plums dancing in your head...Think unique, handmade centerpieces, cornicopia style!

Who's gonna have a faux food fight?

Holiday Shopping | Holiday Parties and Decorating Gift Guide | Items tagged "Fake Food"

Sellers' Picks for Gift Ideas

Etsy Finds: Fun to Grow On...

2008-11-04T08:22:00Z

I was checking out some of the newest pledges over on the Buy Handmade website and it put me in a gift-giving mood. One of the raddest thing about having a kid is that it gives you an excuse to obsess over toys again. And we all know handmade toys are totally special! Here are some fun items for kids I picked from Etsy's wonderful toy shops...

Canary Yellow Play Dough 4 oz. tin

You can't go wrong with homemade modeling dough. Available in a ton of different colors at DoSiDough, $2.75.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Jacob's Ladder - Fruit Salad

The perfect stocking stuffer! By isosc, $9.95. Check out the rest of isosc's shop for more upcycled Jacob's ladders made from old textbooks. We love it when artists turn trash into treasure.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Jewel Crayon Set

For the gem-obsessed colorer (I can't be the only one out there) in your life. By MyKangaroo, $6.50.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Transport Mobile - planes, trains and boats

Know any expecting parents? This mobile is sure to be a shower hit. By vivipod, $22.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Little red crane

Not so much a toy as Baby's First Collectible Sculpture, these string-wrapped cranes are a beautiful keepsake. By hikje, $115.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Fairy Bell Rings

Have some pretend fairies at your house? They can't do without a few sweet jingly, ribbony rings! By dreamchildstudio, $14.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

DIY 12 Storybook Blocks

Augment your alphabet blocks with some picture book blocks, and take block play up a notch. By nurserylove, $18.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

G L O W-In-The-Dark Necklace Kit, Goodie Gift Tin

A bright, kid-sized kit for all the budding jewelry artists you're shopping for. By ChockaBlock, $6.

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Explore your world interactive sculpture as art as a learning experience

This little kit is amazing! Get ready to spend hours of quality time as a DIY field scientist (this would be a great gift for pretty much anyone, by the way.) By wolfieandthesneak, $25.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Children's Gift Guide | Baby Gift Guide | Toy Category

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox!

Sellers! Don't forget to buy your spot in the Holiday: Kids & Toys Showcase, on sale Thursday, November 6, 2008, 12PM EDT.

My Top 10 Waldorf Toys

2008-11-03T15:15:00Z

Natural Kids Team Teammates FaerieRebecca and waldorfmama collaborated with Etsy admin Vanessa to find some of the best healthy toys for creative play.

1. 12 Month Subscription-Play Dough of the Month Club by DoSiDough

Find more play dough on Etsy.

2. Gnome Home Needle Felted Play Mat by chimera

Find more woodland-themed toys.

3. Collecting Strawberries Needle Felted Tapestry by crazymommaproduction

Find more toys with strawberries.

4. Caterpillar in a Leaf by zuzuspetal

Find more caterpillar toys.

5. Hootie Gang (Wooden Owl Toys) by mamakopp

Find more wooden toys.

6. Harvest Queen by WonderwulAnnette

Find more needle felted toys.
Learn how to make a needle felted turkey on Thursday, November 6th, live in the Virtual Labs. Sellers winsomehollow & littleloveblue will be hosting the event, which is free and open to anyone to attend (you just need to be logged into Etsy to use the Virtual Labs). Join us in the Treehouse room at 7pm (Eastern time). Please help us spread the word by blogging about it!

7. Sandro, Waldorf-inspired Toddler Doll by blossombabies

Find more Waldorf baby dolls.

8. Sunflower with Bird, Needle Felted Set by TheSingingBird

Find more toys with birds.

9. Purple Bird Bag Stitching Kit by lovealittle

See these blog posts with ideas for children's kits.

10. Beautiful Purple Dragonfly Fairy Doll by Unwaveringfaith

Find more fairy toys.

Search words for finding Waldorf items on Etsy:
Waldorf, Steiner, naturalkids team

Find more Gift Ideas:
Children's Gift Guide

And, since lots of people seem to ask...
Just what *is* Waldorf?
Waldorf education was developed in Germany by a philosopher named Rudolf Steiner. He envisioned a holistic education that met the child and worked to support and nurture the child. He and Maria Montessori were contemporaries, both working in the aftermath of WWI and dealing with so many damaged German and Italian children. Steiner based the early years of his educational philosophy on the realms of fantasy and play, putting off formal learning until the age of seven, where Montessori focused on teaching children to be self-reliant and learning practical skills. The hallmarks of Waldorf toys are natural materials, minimalistic features, and open-ended playthings that inspire the imagination.

See this adorable Waldorf article by the Natural Kids Team. So many cute customer appreciation pictures of kids with their favorite toys, it's guaranteed to make you squeal!

Sellers, the Holiday: Kids & Toys Showcase goes on sale on Thursday, November 6th, 2008!

Featured Etsy Team: EtsyKids

2008-10-22T11:23:00Z

The EtsyKids Team is one of Etsy's largest Teams, with about 500 members! We are thrilled with their ability to stay organized, support each other and hold fun events and promotions. For instance, The EtsyKids Team is having a BOGO (Buy One Get One) sale, which will be Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th, 2008. With over 175 EtsyKids shops participating, there's sure to be tons of great deals! For a list of all participating shops, see the EtsyKids blog. Each participating shop will have its own BOGO offer, so be sure to check individual shop announcements for the details. Check it out!

[EtsyKids with their kids, L to R: thecleverkitty, bfbeads, chalkydoodles]

With Halloween just a few days away, we thought we'd show you some of the great costumes and accessories the Team members have created.

Spooky the Sock Dog

doodlebugfinery has a great selection of handmade kid's products like sock dogs, felt food, blankets, bibs, burp cloths, onesies and tees! This sock dog would be a great gift for the little one this Halloween!

View item | View Shop | More kid's toys by the EtsyKids Team

Pirate Girl Tunic and Black Bloomers

RaeGun's Pirate costume is too cute! She also has a french fry costume! Her bloomers are so sweet.

View item | View Shop | More costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Sweet Owl Hat

pinkalligator's crochet hats (and models) are scrumptious! Check out the Pig, Brown Cow, and Elephant!

View item | View Shop | More cute hats by the EtsyKids Team

Pumpkin Pillowcase Dress

Check out this little pumpkin eating a banana by seworiginal! Jennifer, the artist behind this shop, wants to let you know how much she enjoys being a part of EtsyKids: "So many great original items that you would never find elsewhere! Also this group of artists are so inspirational to other artists and mommies and children as well. We are all so different..but we help each other and even collaborate on ideas."

View item | View Shop | More costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Baby Skeleton Costume

smallthreads skeleton baby costume is amazing! These appliquéd bones could turn the chubbiest tyke into a bony little skeleton.

View item | View Shop | More costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Kitty Cat Baby Costume

My favorite part about shopping the EtsyKids Team tag, is getting to see all these adorable munchkins. Look at this little number by mytreasuredheirlooms. What a fur ball!

View item | View Shop | More kid's costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Glow in the Dark Halloween Dress

This glow in the dark dress by sarahbearoriginals would make part of a great (and safe) witch costume. Quite a steal for only $22.99! Aimee (the artist behind this shop) loves being a part of this Team; "I had to take an early maternity leave and they were super sweet to let me hang on as a member until I was able to get back on my feet. I feel that the Team is there not just to support our businesses but also to support each other on a personal level. I'm just excited to be a part of this talented group!!!"

View item | View Shop | More kid's costumes by the EtsyKids Team

Felted High Top Baby Shoes

These awesome little booties were made by the leader of the EtsyKids Team, thecleverkitty. Shannon writes, "The glue that holds our team together is that our members all love to create things for children. Many of us have children (or grandchildren) of our own, so we love to share pictures, tell stories, and give and receive advice from one another."

View item | View Shop | More cute hats by the EtsyKids Team

Glow in the Dark Viking Hat

How smart is this? rsislandcrafts used glow in the dark yarn for the horns on this viking hat! Now you can easily keep an eye on your little viking while he or she goes door to door on Halloween night!

View item | View Shop | More cute hats by the EtsyKids Team

[EtsyKids' sewing away L to R: RaeGun, Odannysgirl and smallthreads]

Thanks, EtsyKids Team, for banning together to make our kids cuter! Want to learn more about the EtsyKids Team? Be sure to check out their blog or this Storque article! Want to see a full interview with this Team? Sign up for the Teams Mailing List here.

Halloween Party Duel: Sweet & Spooky Children's Party

2008-10-01T18:28:00Z

Party Duel time! Storque admin Teenangster and Vanessa have faced off to fantasize about two vastly different types of parties...And we want you, our readers, to decide which party you'd rather attend — Vanessa's cute and innocent kiddie Halloween party or Teenangster's dark and sinister mature Halloween party. Vote in your favorite post's comments!

I'm of the mind that Halloween is for kids. I'm too old to dress up (well, I guess I can pull off a crazy wig now and again). It's more fun to spend the evening spooking children (not too much) and delighting in their little squeals. I'd host a backyard Halloween party with nostalgic decor, pumpkin shaped vintage punch bowls, and flickering jack-o-lanterns. Little ones would bob for apples and play pin the tail on the ghost donkey. Moms and dads, aunties and uncles would practically vomit from all the mini cuteness parading around (from that and all the kids' candy we'd be snorphing).

If you would rather attend my party, please vote in the comments below!

Halloween Treats: Costume Ideas for Kids

2008-09-30T13:36:00Z

Cuteness! Little children can so easily be transformed into a pumpkin, a monster, a witch — a piece of sushi! (Such as this one by tiachia, $45.) They're so cute, you could eat these babies right up. As Etsy admin mermaidclaire said, "Pass the wasabi!" You may be interested to know that tiachia's baby shrimp won 2nd place in last year's Costume Contest.

Many Etsy sellers make custom Halloween costumes: Check out the Alchemy section of Etsy or click "Request Custom Item" when you're on a seller's shop page.

What is your little one dressing up as for Halloween? Post in the comments below!

Halloween Gift Guide | Baby Gift Guide | Holidays: Halloween Subcategory | Autumnal Showcase

Handmade Kids Sweepstakes: Winners Announced!

2008-09-22T15:26:00Z

Congrats to the following 14 lucky Etsians, winners of the Handmade Kids Sweepstakes:

Happy shopping! (Winners will be contacted directly with instructions for redeeming their prizes.)

If you missed it, check out the Members Choice Award Winners and the Expert Panel Award Winners. Thanks to all who participated and all the judges, it's been a blast! Handmade Kids Challenge

For more great items for kids, search "INTLKIDS" to see what some of Etsy's international artists and designers have to offer. (The related items below show a sampling.)

Etsy Finds: Perfectly Purple Fairy Dress

2008-09-21T09:00:00Z

Playing dress up? Looking for the perfect Halloween costume? If you have a little girl in your life that loves all things pink, frilly, and princess-like, the Perfectly Purple Fairy Dress by Frogprincesscouture might be just the thing for your little princess. Don't forget the hairpiece and a wand for the full look!

On the practical side, this adorable dress is made with soft tulle and an elastic waistband, and works as a skirt as your little girl gets bigger.

For other Halloween ideas, check out our Halloween Gift Guide.

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox daily!

Handmade Kids Challenge: Expert Panel Award Winners

2008-09-17T13:10:00Z

More congratulations are in order! Besides the Members Choice Award Winners, where the Etsy community got to vote for the best of the Handmade Kids Challenge, there's still the small matter of the EPAoEs— that would be The Expert Panel Awards of Excellence.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our guest judges, the Expert Panel.

Each judge is a knowledgeable participant in his or her field and has chosen one winner per category to receive a $200 Etsy shopping spree, based on the following criteria:

Quality of craftsmanship
Originality of design
Adherence to theme and entrance categories
Quality of photography for entered items

...Let's get down to it, shall we? ...and the EPAoE goes to:

ACCESSORIES

Girls Pink Mermaid Tail Towel by tinygreenapples

Category Judge: Amanda Kingloff of Parents magazine

“This had me at hello! I love it because it’s not only a dress-up item, but because it doubles as a towel. The colors are fun and vibrant and the top stitching just adds that little extra something to make it special. (And she makes a size to fit your child’s doll, too!)”

ART

Plant A Tree by kachingdesign

Category Judge: Jodi Levine of Martha Stewart Living
“I chose this sweet print because it makes me smile. I love it's simplicity and I think a child would have fun staring at it and making up stories about the little character watering the plants.”

CLOTHING

This is My House, My Car, My Tree Girls Dress by babypop

Category Judge: Kelly Alfieri of Cookiemag.com

“This dress looks like a vintage one from a time when people had more time. The appliqué work, with the white stitching on dark denim that looks like chalk on a chalkboard, is gorgeous. I think this would be any little girl's favorite dress.”

ECO-FRIENDLY

forest creature hat upcycled by mosey

Category Judge: Bonnie Alter, Contributor, Treehugger.com

“Maybe it is the Canadian in me, but I love cozy hats for children: the only thing my doctor told me when my son was born was: he had to wear a hat in winter and summer. This one is green and made of felted wool, another favorite thing of mine.”

FURNITURE

Owyn Toy Box by modmomfurniture

Category Judge: Carrie McBride of Ohdeedoh.com

“Why it gets my vote: A mom with power tools – what's not to love? The OwynToy Box stands out for its unique leaftop design and modern graphic quality. Its adult-friendly look ensures its place in the home for years to come, long after its use for toys.”

HOME DECOR

Butterfly Mobile by khamm75

Category Judge: Holly Becker of decor8.blog.com

“I love mobiles and always had one growing up, so I'm naturally attracted to them. I really like butterflies and appreciate that to baby, a mobile is more than home decor but can be a learning tool and source of comfort. This whimsical mobile can grow with the child, a little girl may want to keep this in her room for years.”

TOYS

Frank Porter the Hot Dog Eating Champion Plush Doll by PillowMonsters

Category Judge: Mark Frauenfelder of Boingboing.com

“This whimsical doll with a hot dog as an accessory is adorable and well-designed. My kids would love it, my mother would love it, and I love it.”

Congratulations to all! In some cases, the members' and judges' tastes were very much aligned: both the Butterfly Mobile by khamm75 and the Owyn Toy Box by modmomfurniture placed in the Members Choice Competition. So double congratulations to these winners are in order!

EPAoE winners will be contacted directly with instructions for redeeming their prizes.

Still to come: The Handmade Kids Sweepstakes winners will first be contacted directly, and then be announced on or before September 22, 2008.

As always, love goes out to Etsy's international artists and designers who, though ineligible for the contest, shine just as bright in our eyes. Search the tag "INTLKIDS" to see stellar examples of their wares for the young ones.

Handmade Kids Challenge: Members Choice Award Winners!

2008-09-16T14:40:00Z

It's that time! Thanks to all who entered the Handmade Kids Challenge and all who voted. The competition was steep and the entries all showed incredible diversity and talent. With close to two thousand entries and more than ten thousand votes, you cared, you really cared — and we love you for it. Join us as we congratulate the Members Choice Award winners.*

As a reminder, the Members Choice Awards are based entirely on your votes. Prizes will be awarded to the three artists who received the most votes in each category.

(7) First Place winners will each receive a $200 Etsy shopping spree.
(7) Second Place winners will each receive a $100 Etsy shopping spree.
(7) Third Place winners will each receive a $50 Etsy shopping spree.

* The Expert Panel Awards of Excellence (as determined by our expert panel of judges) will be awarded on Wednesday, September 17.

* The Handmade Kids Sweepstakes winners will first be contacted directly, and then be announced on or before September 22, 2008.

Without further adieu, by category, the Members Choice Awards go to (drum roll please!)...

ACCESSORIES

First place with 901 votes:

Little Bunny Shoe-Shoe Felted Merino Baby Booties by prettylittle

"I'm not sure who loves these bunnies more, the grown-ups or the babies! There's nothing like putting a pair of these on a little one and watching her face light up! Seeing those tiny fingers reach down and tug at these fuzzy ears... It's why I do what I do."

Second place with 858 votes:

Blustery Grey Petit Lamb Wool Felt Mary Janes by AureliaandAnnalise

"We, are VERY naughty little sheep! Depending on our mood, or how tired we are from a day out in the fields, sometimes we face each other, sometimes we both look the same way! Very, naughty!"

Third place with 720 votes:

Little Lion Costume Chunky Earflap Beanie by babaialainn

"This unique and chunky earflap beanie is made from gold and cafe brown acrylic yarn with accents of pumpkin orange yarn, with big loops forming the mane and finished with earflaps and ties. This is the perfect addition to a costume, or adorable by itself!"

ART

First place with 1230 votes:

Berry Street Village (9 x 11 shadow box) by PetiteHouse

"Once upon a time there lived a village of gnomes on Berry Street. The air was sweet with smells of the earth, and lovely quiet bird noises were pleasant in the woods."

Second Place with 626 votes:

Make a Wish (edition 2) by yumiyumi

"Giclee print of an original illustration done in combination with pencil, pen and ink, love and some digital tweaking. One of three different color combinations (I love color so much it's hard to decide on just one)."

Third place with 612 votes:

No Monsters Allowed Print by johnwgolden

"No Monsters Allowed is part of a series of 24 'signs' (By Order of the Management) that I created, after realizing that there are some things every parent says over and over again. Then I realized that many of these parental mandates are good rules for adults to live by too."

CLOTHING

First place with 926 votes:

Birdie Dress or Top by allthenumbers

"It's reversible, so if she spills, just flip it over for a clean look! One side features a little red bird appliqued on a grey chamberey background, and the other side is a red Moroccan woodblock print."

Second place with 900 votes:

Custom Fairy Princess Look Dress by HannahsTutus

"Our company started three years ago when my daughter Hannah had some fabulous pictures done in a tutu! From there I made tutus for friends... then a few other moms... then I finally made the plunge to have a website and this year came to Etsy."

Third place with 614 votes:

Marne 3 Tunic Dress, by breadandroses

"My Marne 3 Dress is inspired by smocks worn by children in rural towns along the Marne River of France generations ago. But with modern twists: exposed textured selvage/fringe on front & sleeves, this time without top stitching to create a flange with volume."

ECO-FRIENDLY

First place with 679 votes:

Sweater Ball, by handmadepretties

"This fun ball pillow was made from a rainbow of recycled sweaters. It is stuffed with fiberfill to a pleasant fluffiness. The ends are capped with wool and/or felt and hand stitched with yarn. These are super fun on a couch or for the little ones to toss about. They are huggably soft."

Second place with 631 votes:

Plum Creek Bags Snack Bags by Plumcreekmercantile

"Plum Creek Mercantile is a combination of my desire to bring creativity into my everyday life, make daily tasks more enjoyable and benefit the environment around me. My products are meant to be simple and functional while decreasing my environmental impact."

Third place with 517 votes:

Recycled Blue Jeans Cocoon by joliem6201

"I am a professional photographer and SAHM of 3 wonderful boys; 4 year old twins and an 8 month old. I love crafts and use it to make photography props for myself and others!"

FURNITURE

First place with 2622 votes:

Owyn Toy Box by modmomfurniture

"My father, a self-taught carpenter and woodworker, built most of our furniture when I was growing up in Ohio. I learned from the best tinkering around in his garage workshop. Thirty-some years later, I have my own garage workshop."

Second place with 1086 votes:

Spring Blossoms Hand Painted Armoire by madteapartyfurniture

"I am a mother of four who has a passion for painting. What started as a hobby, painting has now become a full time job. I love every aspect of painting, especially knowing that others enjoy my pieces in their homes."

Third place with 793 votes:

Mr. Turtle Step Stool by Animals

"He's lean, he's green, and he's ready to help your favorite child reach the cookie jar! This turtle stool is super detailed: he has 4 feet with individual toes, a realistic 3-D face with raised eyes, and a cute little tail."

HOME DECOR

First place with 2159 votes:

Tree Stump Floor Pillow by bebemoon

"I'm a graphic designer and most recently a mommy to our beautiful little girl. Sewing for me is a great escape... and now I have all the inspiration I could ever ask for."

Second place with 780 votes:

Wrapped Up in Words Blanket, whynottsewn

"I am someone who has quickly fallen in love with fabric and sewing. I have fully embraced the love of both, and I will admit...I am obsessed. Therefore, I decided to spread the love and put this newly found passion into creating functional pieces that put my obsession to good use."

Third place with 702 votes:

Butterfly Mobile by khamm75

"I made this for my daughter when I was unable to find a graphic mobile that really engaged her. She absolutely loves it and can interact with it through entire diaper changes and beyond! Plus, I loved having a use for all those beautiful scraps of paper I have been holding on to."

TOYS

First place with 1045 votes:

Card Table Playhouse, by missprettypretty

"The very first thing I ever sewed was a hideous tie for my dad when I was about 8 years old. Uneven stitches, fabric that never should have been used for a tie, and poor cutting skills. He wore it to work the next day! I think that was when I decided I loved to sew."

Second place with 906 votes:

Custom Pretend Tea Set by NiftyKidstuff

"Nifty Kidstuff began when I was just fifteen as a way to make some cash without working at a dreaded fast food restaurant. Now I'm a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design. All along the way it has been an excellent way to use my creative abilities doing something I really love."

Third place with 809 votes:

Custom Little Girl Friend by dmollison

"What started out as a promotion thread on Etsy, has turned into one of the most wonderful collection of friends one could ever imagine. We laugh together, give advice, and support each other's shop. These dolls are dedicated to the wonderful women on this forum."

Congratulations to all! Winners will be contacted directly with instructions for redeeming prizes.

Handmade Kids Across the Globe!

2008-09-09T12:30:00Z

As the Handmade Kids Challenge voting came to a close last night, we here at The Storque wanted to make sure that all of the talented International Kids participants are getting their share of the spotlight. Make sure to check out the many amazing products in the Handmade Kids: International featured gift guide for a peek at the talent that abounds from all around the world.

To see even more great global finds for kids, just search the tag "intlkids". And stay tuned for the announcement of the official winners of the Handmade Kids Contest (both the popular vote and the judges). Can't wait!

Below you'll find a small sampling of the International Kids entries. Enjoy!

Parents Teach Art, Part 2: Making it Happen

2008-09-05T11:27:00Z

In my recent article Parents Teach Art I shared information about Duniway Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, and its award-winning, parent-led art program. Now I'll go into more detail about how to make a program like this work at your child's school.

[Second grade "Paint and Poetry" lesson]

The Art Committee
If you are lucky enough to have your school's support, and you have a strong force of willing parent volunteers, form an Art Committee. At Duniway, we found that the program runs smoothly with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, such as:

Chairperson or Co-Chairs – Runs committee meetings, assigns tasks, follows up on action items, liaison to school administration and PTA.
Art Room "Mom" (or Dad!) – If you have a designated art room, this person keeps it clean and organized.
Art Show Coordinator – Manages volunteer crew for set-up and take-down of student art show.
Curriculum Master – Develops lessons, leads training sessions, maintains overall art curriculum.
Kiln Master – Maintains clay and kiln-related supplies, develops kiln use schedule, provides kiln support.
Publicity Coordinator – Creates and distributes promotional materials for art show, writes press releases, etc.
Scheduling Coordinator – Develops master schedule for art room and individual schedules for each class based on classroom teachers' input.
Supply Master/Treasurer – Orders and maintains supplies, responsible for budgeting and cash flow, seeks donations.
Web Master – Maintains a website or blog to post lesson plans, showcase student art, and keep parents informed.
Volunteer Coordinator – Maintains volunteer database, recruits Classroom Art Coordinators, makes phone calls, etc. to enlist help!

It's also great to have at-large committee members who can assist where needed. Of course, you might not need to fill all of these positions — remember to start small!

[Kindergarten "Basic Bugs" lesson]

Getting Ready
Now that you have a framework in place, it's time to start making it happen!

Develop an "art year calendar" outlining deadlines and important dates. At Duniway, art is a twelve-week program that begins in January and ends in April, with a student art show in May. (But the art committee works all year long.) You can expect to put in 1-3 hours a week volunteering, so be sure you have the time before making the commitment.

Come up with a theme. Duniway holds a poster contest and incorporates the theme at the art show: for "Art Rocks," we held a silent auction of kid-decorated musical instruments; for "Art á La Mode," we sold pie and ice cream, etc.

[Guitars decorated by kids for the "Art Rocks" silent auction]

In the fall, work on developing curriculum, creating schedules, soliciting donations, recruiting volunteers and inventorying supplies. Try to get all your supplies in stock by mid-December. Hold information and training sessions for parents so they'll be ready to start teaching in January. Provide copies of lesson plans, show samples and demonstrate techniques.

Build a library of prints, posters, slides, books and music to help enhance the kids' art experience. Slide presentations are amazing, but even walking around showing pictures from a book will be inspiring. An alternative is to go digital and project images from the web; try Artcyclopedia for a vast library of masterpieces.

Appoint a Classroom Art Coordinator for each classroom who will make sure parents sign up to teach and assist with every class. The Coordinator also creates portfolios for storing finished work and meets with each child at the end of the program to select and title pieces for the art show.

[Young designer at work in one of my mandala classes]

Teaching Art
You're standing at the front of the class with 24 pairs of bright eyes expectantly fixed on you. Don't panic! Here are some tips to help you out:

Allow adequate time for set-up and clean-up.
Set ground rules, like: raise your hand, keep a positive attitude and turn mistakes into "happy accidents" by finding a way to make it work instead of erasing or starting over.
Be prepared. Study the lesson plan and check supplies in advance.
Explain that examples are for inspiration, not copying.
Demonstrate the technique, but keep it short and sweet! Kids will grasp the concept quickly, and you don't want to bore them. Explain the lesson, then get out of the way!
Have free-drawing materials available for those who finish early.
To get kids' attention, clap your hands and have them put down their materials and clap back in the same rhythm, such as "clap, clap, clap-clap-clap." Dimming the lights also helps.
Never, ever tell them they've done it "wrong." Encourage free expression — each child's artwork is unique and special.

Do you have more teaching tips? Post them in the comments below!

[Second graders' abstract paintings, based on the work of Joan Miro, hanging at the Duniway Student Art Show]

Putting on a Student Art Show
Just one 2-D piece and one 3-D piece from each child provides enough art to transform two gyms and two hallways into an incredible art gallery.

[A parent volunteer arranges mounted artwork to hang]

At Duniway, we made banners of black vinyl which are attached to long poles. The selected artwork is mounted, labeled, laid out and attached to the banners with removable putty. Then, with the help of tall ladders, the poles are suspended from the metal window screens and basketball backboards in the gym using chains with hooks.

[Hanging art is fun!]

A student art show is a wonderful time to celebrate art with the community. Duniway makes it exciting with student musicians, student portrait artists, a pizza dinner and a hands-on art station for little ones.We've even had a mini-tattoo parlor featuring temporary tattoos made from children's artwork! Silent auctions of classroom art projects, raffle prizes, and the sale of children's art note cards and custom t-shirts can also help raise funds for the program.

[The South Gym is transformed into the South Gallery for the evening]

Do What You Can
I hope these articles have been inspiring. If you can't find a way to work art into the school day, consider after-school classes such as those offered by Portland's SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) program. Even if you just teach one class, you will have touched young lives in a way that will make a difference. Keep asking for more art, and don't be afraid to do it yourself.

Further Resources:
Duniway Art Lesson Plans: Duniwayart.org
Artcyclopedia — Art image library and search engine: Artcyclopedia.com

Please see Part One of this article for more resources.

About the author: Christine Claringbold, aka EyePopArt, has been in business since 2003. She is also a mom, an art teacher and a back-up singer in a punk rock band. Her designs have been published in Tattoo Flash Magazine, and her record products have been reviewed by Venus Zine, National Geographic Traveler, Brainstorm Northwest magazine, and blogs including Great Green Goods and Wickedly Chic. She is a proud member of Trillium Artisans, Etsy Trashion, PDX Etsy and Eco Etsy. Check out her blog at eyepopart.blogspot.com.