Search results (tags) for: "kids"

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.

Parents Teach Art: A DIY Approach to Elementary School Art Education

2008-08-26T17:35:00Z

Where I live, there are billboards all over town that simply say, "Art. Ask for More." At the bottom is a line of smaller print that says, "Are your kids getting enough?"

As an artist and a mother of two, I feel fortunate that my kids attended a public elementary school with a thriving, well-established, award-winning art education program that is available to every student during the regular school day for twelve weeks out of the year.

This is rare. Many schools have after-school programs with enrichment classes or occasional projects with artists-in-residence, but very few public schools have a comprehensive art program incorporated into their regular curriculum. Portland, Oregon's Duniway School, which my kids attended, is even more impressive when you consider that they don't even have an art teacher. Instead, the entire program is organized, funded and taught by parent volunteers.

Are you a parent who is frustrated by the lack of art education at your child's school? Are you "asking for more" but still not getting enough? Maybe it's time to take matters into your own hands, in the true DIY spirit. This is the first in a two-part series that will provide some tips and resources for starting and maintaining a parent-led art program at the elementary school level.

[First grade "Sunflowers" lesson based on the work of Van Gogh.]

Start Small
All you really need to start is one classroom and one lesson plan. Talk to your child's teacher at the beginning of the year. Ask for a chance to come in for one hour to teach a fun, simple art lesson. What teacher could refuse that? To find great lesson plans specifically for your child's grade level, you can visit the Duniway Art website at www.duniwayart.org.

[The Duniway Art website]

These lessons were all designed to be taught by parent volunteers who don't necessarily have any art or teaching experience. Passionate parent artists like Michelle Smit, a mom of two boys who creates abstract paintings and fused glass works, revamp the lessons each year based on student and parent feedback to ensure they are fresh, relevant, and easy to understand. Michelle also makes sure these aren't "cookie cutter" projects, but rich, meaningful lessons that engage the child's heart, encouraging free expression, imagination and "happy accidents." The program encourages exploration of a wide variety of media, while building technical skills and incorporating art history and multiculturalism.

[Artist and parent volunteer Michelle Smit with her favorites from the fourth grade Picasso lesson, which she wrote.]

The program earned Duniway an Oregon Creative Ticket Schools award last year from the Oregon Alliance for Art Education and the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education.

Duniway's lessons are all downloadable PDF files with sample images of student artwork. Each lesson includes the concept and objective of the class, prep work and supplies needed, vocabulary words and detailed instructions for teaching the lesson. Pick one and try it out in your kid's class. Or take a look at some of the many other great art lesson plans on the web (see the Further Resources list below for some links). Or, write your own lesson plan! You don't have to do it all alone — team up with your spouse, a friend, grandma, another parent or neighborhood volunteer to make this an experience the kids will never forget. Take pictures and have fun!

[Fourth grade "Sumi-E" lesson based on Chinese brush painting.]

Get the Community Involved
If you'd like to take this beyond just teaching one class and create a school-wide art program like Duniway's, there are three elements you must have in place: support and commitment from the school, help from lots of parent volunteers, and funding to buy supplies.

Talk to your principal and teachers to see if they could carve out one "art hour" per week for up to twelve weeks. Explain that parent volunteers will be doing all the work. If there are objections that art time will take away from valuable time teaching other subjects, point to Duniway as an example. Duniway is consistently rated an "exceptional" school year after year, based on high test scores and overall academic achievement — yet kids take time out for art, physical education and music one or more times each week. It's no surprise, really — according to Americans for the Arts (the group behind those billboards), kids actively engaged in arts education are likely to have higher test scores than those with little to no involvement.

[Fifth grade "Musical Collage" lesson]

Start talking to your school community. Find out how many parents are interested in art and are available for an hour or so a week to volunteer. Find out which parents own print shops, frame shops, art supply stores or other businesses that can help out with in-kind donations.

[First grade "Houses" lesson]

If your school has a PTA or similar organization, find out if you can form an art committee. With a handful of like-minded parents, your committee can begin to recruit and train parent volunteers and organize fundraising efforts to pay for supplies. How much funding will you need? At Duniway, the PTA's art committee has a budget of $4000 each year, which includes all supplies, as well as expenses related to putting on an annual Student Art Show. With a population of around 400, this averages out to only $10 per kid! As Michelle Smit says, "Where in the world could you purchase 12 great art lessons, including supplies, for under $10.00?"

Further Resources:
EyePopArt's blog post about the 2008 Duniway Student Art Show
Duniway Art
Princeton Online - Incredible Art Lessons
The Educator's Reference Desk
National Endowment for the Arts - State and Regional Art Agencies
Lowe's Toolbox for Education
Americans for the Arts
Arts Education Partnership
National PTA
No Subject Left Behind - A Guide to Arts Education Opportunities

Coming Next Week...
Stay tuned! Next week we will take a closer look at how the program works, including roles and responsibilities of the art committee, scheduling classes, teaching tips, and ideas for hosting an exhibit of student art.

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 http://eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Handmade Kids: International Gift Guide Launches!

2008-08-26T15:00:00Z

With all the Handmade Kids fun going on, we wanted to show a little love to the amazing international designers of childrens' items here on Etsy.

Take a spin through 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".

We'll be updating this featured guide throughout the next two weeks; be sure to check back often to see what's new.

If you're an international seller of childrens' goods and want to get in on the fun, see this article for details.

Handmade Kids: Voting is Open!

2008-08-25T18:10:00Z

Thanks to all the entrants who shared their amazing wares in the Handmade Kids Challenge! We are constantly amazed by the creativity and talent of our community and this challenge was no exception. It was difficult going, but we've narrowed it down to roughly forty finalists for each Challenge category. Now we need your help to choose the Members' Choice Winners, and you might even win a prize yourself, just by voting! Here's how:

Vote now for your favorite items in the Handmade Kids Challenge for a chance to win one of 14 Etsy Shopping Sprees, valued at $350 each! Voting closes September 8, 2008 at 11:59pm EDT. Click here for details or just go VOTE NOW!

The Rules:

You may vote only once in each category*.
Once your vote is cast, it cannot be changed.
If you have multiple Etsy accounts, you may only vote with one. Violators will be disqualified from the competition and risk having all accounts banned from Etsy.
You must be a registered member of Etsy to vote. It's easy and free to join; sign up here.
All Etsy members are welcome to vote, but only US residents are eligible for the Sweepstakes.

*Be sure to vote in all seven categories. Each vote in each category is an individual entry in the Sweepstakes--and another chance for you to win! For complete Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations, please click here.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our guest judges from Boingboing, Cookie, decor8, Martha Stewart Living, Ohdeedoh, Parents and Treehugger. They will be choosing the Expert Panel Winners and with so many amazing finalists, we're happy to have their help! You can learn a bit more about each of the judges here.

Thanks and best of luck to all! Well, what are you waiting for? GO VOTE!

For our International friends, the Handmade Kids International Gift Guide is launching soon and will be announced shortly!

For more on Handmade Kids, check out the series!

Etsy Finds: School Daze

2008-08-21T10:04:00Z

Summer's winding down, and around the world the young folk are heading back to school. Thank goodness they have Etsy to keep them out of the big box stores as they stock up on school supplies, accessories, and everything else they need to be unique this fall. Here are some of the super-rad things I found on Etsy today. See you on the quad.

CHALKBOARD Mahogany Wooden Window with Natural Chalk Shelf

Whiteboards are so Web 1.0. These boss handcrafted chalkboards, repurposed from antique window frames, are where it's at. By weatheredpane, $59.

View item | View Shop | Add to Etsy Favorites

1800s handbag with a Tiny Peephole to a Striped Plan journal - antique

This exquisite journal is made from the leather of a 19th century purse. A true work of art. A+. By TheBlackSpotBooks, $200.

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Turner Pens Grenadill Fountain Pen

The only pen worthy of writing in the aforementioned journal is this handmade beauty from aurrida in Germany. $199.

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Sir Franklin satchel - No. 4108

Don't be caught with a boring old backpack! Mandinka's amazing satchels are made from reused men's suits, and are definitely going to turn some heads on the quad. $280.

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Boobs - Fitted T-Shirt - XL

Math just got a whole lot classier! By jboston, $24.

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dunce hoodie

Only a dunce wouldn't buy this great sweatshirt from Aorta. $36.

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Vintage Altered Book Journal - Aiming High - Textbook Notebook - Choose Either Lined or Blank Paper

Where eagles dare to soar! By VintagePaperWorks, $8.

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Custom Pencil urchin

I have always loved Jen Maestre's gorgeous work. Available exclusively on Etsy, these collectible pieces are perfect for all serious academics out there. $125.

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you RULE necklace

You'll totally rule at school when you rock wunna of these little bad boys. By sparkleparlor, $48.

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Looking for more back to school Finds? Try these Etsy links:

Items tagged "Back to School" | Back to School Gift Guide

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Handmade Kids: Spanning the Globe

2008-08-20T16:46:00Z

*8/26/08: The Handmade Kids: International featured gift guide is now live. Check it out for a just a peak at the talent that abounds from all around the world. To see even more great global finds for kids, just search the tag "intlkids".

We'll be updating this featured guide throughout the next two weeks; if you're an international seller of childrens' goods and want to get in on the fun you can continue to tag your items for consideration in the guide during this time period. Read below for details. Be sure to add your city and state or region plus country under location in Your Etsy. Thanks!

Dear International Sellers,

We know Etsy is a great place to find one-of-a-kind items for kids and families and we want to tell the world about it! That's why we launched the Handmade Kids project. Our hope is that all sellers of children's related product, regardless of nationality or location, will benefit from the promotion of Etsy as a unique shopping destination for families.

With the Handmade Kids Challenge, we called out to US sellers to show off their best products for kids and have the chance to win prizes in the process. We wish we could offer the same invitation worldwide. However, extending a contest across many countries and many legal jurisdictions is complex, and we regret, at this time, Etsy is unable to do so. We know that half of the fun is just being involved. So, to spread some of the Handmade Kids' love around the globe we want to give you, International Etsians, the chance to shine. Here's how you can be involved:

1. Be a resident of any country that is not the United States of America.

2. Have an Etsy shop. (If you don't have an Etsy shop, learn how to open one here.)

3. Make an excellent product for kids, an accessory for parents, or something for an expectant mother.

4. Take great photos of your item(s).

5. Tag up to 3 items* in your Etsy shop between now and August 21, 2008, with the tag: "INTLKIDS". (You may add the tag to existing listings.)

That is it.

Our panel of expert judges will then curate international products and feature them in a special International Handmade Kids Gift Guide, on the Storque, in a series of front page treasuries, and generally just try to highlight some of the amazing work from the international community. The International Handmade Kids Gift Guide will run from August 26 to September 9, 2008.

Merci, Danke, Gracias, Obrigada, Sukran, Mh goi, Dank, Toda, Efharisto, Arigato!

Thanks,

Etsy

* If an item you have tagged sells out before the entry period ends, feel free to tag another item in your shop for consideration.

Handmade Kids: Last Chance to Enter the Challenge!

2008-08-15T17:33:00Z

Attention artists and designers!

There are just a few hours left to enter the Handmade Kids Challenge! The deadline is today, August 15 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, so it's time to get cracking! (See the contest page for all the details; complete Challenge rules here and a few tagging questions answered here. REMEMBER: ONLY 1 ITEM MAY BE ENTERED IN EACH CATEGORY FOR THE CHALLENGE!)

There are lots of chances to win* and promote your work in the process! Judges are lining up as we speak from Parents, Martha Stewart, Cookie, Ohdeedoh... and more! Stay tuned for the details.

*Hint, hint: We've noticed very few entries in the furniture category. Think mirrors, benches, shelves, storage items, fixtures, hand-painted and decorated furniture items...

For our international friends: Don't forget to tag your items for a chance to be featured in the Handmade Kids International Gift Guide. You have until August 21 to enter. The gift guide itself will launch at the end of the entry period (in time with the Handmade Kids Challenge voting period, so the same media eyes involved in the judging will have a chance to see your wonderful wares). Have a look at this article for all the details.

And finally, taste-makers: Remember, August 25 through September 8 is your chance to vote on your favorite entries in the Handmade Kids Challenge! Stay tuned for details. Eligible members will be entered in the Handmade Kids Sweepstakes simply by casting their votes. Check out the complete Sweepstakes rules here.

Thanks and best of luck to all!

For more on Handmade Kids, check out the series!

Earth Tones: Eco Ego Game for Kids, via Inhabitat

2008-08-13T18:48:00Z

Videogames have huge educational potential — not only do they teach kids strategy but the content can be thought-provoking too. Take for example Eco Ego, a free online game that lets kids (and adults) roleplay a sweet little creature living in a tree stump. The goal is a Sims-like equilibrium with the natural environment.

Thanks to Inhabitat, a great website to check out if you're into greener living and good design. They've launched a sister site for kids too, www.inhabitots.com.

More Earth Tones posts.

Back to School Kiddos

2008-08-12T15:20:00Z

Attention moms and dads, wee school children need fun, colorful and unique school supplies. No mass-produced rolling suitcases in lieu of backpacks here!

babastudioPrague pointed out that many European students (and many American kids for that matter) wear uniforms to school. These kids then express their individuality in other ways besides their clothes: accessories, notebooks, even lunch bags. Sure, material objects and possessions don't determine who you are, but kids love to collect everyday items that aren't just utilitarian but that also add some element of playful interactivity to their day to day.

Imagine that someday your little one grows up and finds her old handmade pencil case in the attic. Maybe she'll pass it down to her child.

Back to School Showcase | Back to School Gift Guide

The World is Our Classroom: One Family's Homeschooling Experience

2008-08-07T16:14:00Z

The Storque is almost a year old! In celebration of this, we'll be reposting some favorites. Last September 20, 2007, GreenMamba offered to give us a more in-depth picture of what it's like to live a homeschooling lifestyle. This is the third of our series on Etsy homeschoolers. Please see Etsy Youth Sellers: Not Back to School and Handmade Education: Creativity & Homeschooling.

My kids are, naturally, handmade. So is their education. We’ve been a homeschooling family for 24 years. Okay, maybe I’m fudging a little. But I tend to count all the time spent with my children as a learning experience. I first began ‘formally’ homeschooling my son, a first-grader, after a dismal year in kindergarten, where the open-concept school he attended didn’t allow the children to make any noise and advocated — in the late 80’s — that every child should write right-handed. My son was one of two lefties in his class. After spending the entire year trying to work within the system — volunteering, bringing issues to light and offering helpful suggestions, joining brainstorming sessions, and (unexpectedly) being nominated to chair the local PTO, I respectfully declined the nomination and happily brought my son home to learn.

That first full year was wonderful! A couple of neighbors, intrigued and inspired by my daring decision, joined forces to rotate ‘classes’ in an informal co-op to provide our kids with a variety of learning opportunities, such as music and arts-and-crafts, as well as a change of scenery. The tiny group included my son, his younger sister, and three other children.

The next several years brought many changes, several relocations, and two more children. Homeschooling was an on again-off again affair, depending on where we were living and what was going on in our hectic lives, but, the summer between my middle daughter’s kindergarten and first-grade years, I made the decision to commit for the long haul. I have been homeschooling my two youngest consecutively for more than ten years now. It’s the best decision I ever made.

Our days, early on, were pretty structured and organized. We even created a mini-classroom out of a little corner of the living room. But, as time passed and I became better acquainted with the girls’ academic needs, as well as individual learning styles and strengths, we became less conventional and more adventurous. By the time my girls hit their teens, we were doing mostly interest-led learning, often called unschooling — though we never strictly met that definition, as we continued to include mandatory subjects, such as math and science. Once, we had a guest-student, the daughter of a co-worker, who joined us for three months — just in time for a crash course in basic algebra.

Eschewing traditional schooling has given us the flexibility to enhance and personalize our learning experiences. One daughter studied pirates (Arrrgh!), Japanese samurai, and period fashion. Her sister voraciously devoured biographies of famous impressionist and post-impressionist painters. It was a special treat when we visited the Art Institute of Chicago, where she was able to view many great works up close and see for herself the texture and vibrant color only hinted at in photographs. We are all three inquisitive readers: we make regular trips to the library, at least twice weekly. We also share a love of foreign language films, giving us a peek into other cultures, customs and perspectives.

But our learning has never been confined to the home.

For instance, Kaelin, who is an avowed animal lover, did a stint at a local no-kill animal shelter (minors were required to have a parent present, so we worked together), walking the dogs, feeding and watering the animals, and mucking out the cages and veterinary rooms. Later, she volunteered at a local horse therapy facility, again feeding and watering the horses (and other miscellaneous animals), assisting with miniature-horse therapy for the young handicapped clients, and was even given the task of socializing and training a rambunctious corral of young Caspians. This experience was followed by a summer-plus-several-months of volunteering at the Houston zoo. While other children were waking and getting ready for school, she was already up and helping to feed and care for the zoo’s population of small mammals, which included — among many others — a fennec fox, three warthogs, a reclusive fruit bat, a colony of vampire bats, and an affectionate tamandua. Later still, she worked at a stable in exchange for horse-riding lessons, and spent a day with a local vet where she observed routine care procedures and a couple of surgeries.

My youngest, Erin, is more art-inclined. She and her sister brainstormed, proposed and helped coordinate a Talent and Interest Expo (TIE) — an annual event where children of all ages are invited to showcase a talent, acquired skill or hobby — for two area homeschool groups. She participated in a 6-month mixed-media art class at a small music and arts studio, and later took a 6-week drawing course. Other than that, she is pretty much self-taught. Her artistic interests include outdoor photography, animation, and manga-style sketching. Being a hands-on gal, she loves experimenting with a variety of media, and was inspired to create her own soft-sculpture-sock-monkey version of ‘See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil’. Her aunt fell in love with the monkeys, so Erin made another as a surprise — which in turn netted her an order for a custom sock monkey from one of her aunt’s co-workers. Both monkeys grace the workstations of their respective owners.

A sampling of our many away-from-home activities over the years includes such experiences as performing in a homeschool play; speech and debate workshops; a literature (short story) discussion group; museum trips; camping excursions; beach outings; a blacksmithing demonstration; fencing; a single-engine flying lesson at a small local airport; plays, concerts and festivals at the Miller Outdoor Theater; trips to the Texas Renaissance Festival; and violin lessons. In fact, when the girls were younger, the music instructor at their father’s middle school (didn’t I mention he was a public school teacher?) learned that they played violin and invited them to practice in the mornings with the school orchestra. So, for two weeks, they traveled to school with their dad, practiced for a couple of hours, and I picked them up afterward. They not only performed in the school’s spring concert, but were given guest billing as well.

Current interests include various artistic pursuits, Latin dance, and a love of all things manga and anime. They’re also big costume fans. I’ve been custom making their outfits for Halloween every year since before they could walk. Now, Kaelin and Erin design and create their own cosplay costumes and props (with a little help from mom) to wear to anime conventions. And — for something completely different — they would like to look into adopting and sprucing up a tiny abandoned cemetery tucked away in the middle of a nearby city park.

[Animation is by GreenMamba's 12 year old!]

Despite challenges — one income doesn’t stretch very far in a family of six — and occasional struggles (ever hear of math fever?), we have embraced this lifestyle and all it entails. In turn, it has enriched us immeasurably.

Every day is a new learning opportunity. And the world — at least our little corner of it — is indeed our classroom.

Featured Buyer: Amanda Kingloff of Parents Magazine

2008-08-06T13:38:00Z

We have a special Featured Buyer this week: Amanda Kingloff, Lifestyle Director at Parents magazine. She edits all of the crafty content for the magazine—everything from Halloween costumes to rainy day activities. Amanda also writes weekly for the Parents blog, GoodyBlog where she generally shares kid-friendly craft ideas. She lives in Brooklyn, NY and has a niece and nephew that serve as the perfect test market for her crafty brainstorms.

My first occupational incarnation was that of a gallery assistant (endearingly nicknamed a "gallerina"). I had gone to art school with all hopes of being a “working” artist, so I figured I’d learn the behind-the-scenes biz in order to figure out my direct path to the walls of a gallery. And now, ten years later, I am the Arts & Crafts Editor at Parents Magazine. Ok, officially, my title is Lifestyle Director, but translated, that means I develop all D.I.Y. content for the magazine. So I’d like to believe that I am, in fact, a working artist—perhaps a bit different than I had planned, but an artist at work nonetheless. I’ve made it to the printed page with the wonders of chenille stems and glitter rather than to the walls with oil paintings and photographs. And I’m happy.

Having worked in galleries (and landing that employee discount) and collected many artist friends through the years, my walls have become a personal art museum of sorts. I tend to believe that what hangs on our walls is very often (if not always) a reflection of ourselves—our aesthetic, our beliefs, and sometimes, our autobiographies. I am constantly rearranging my art—I move my bedroom pieces to the living room and I incessantly change out photos and vintage flash cards in my favorite glass-to-glass float frames.

These days, art in the age of mechanical reproduction (clearly I had to read the Walter Benjamin essay in art school) is way more affordable, and therefore can be impermanent. And no doubt, Etsy is the one-stop shop for adorable, creative, inventive, and eclectic everything—including wall décor.

I’ve curated a little exhibition, so to speak, of some fantastic stand-outs. And check it out…every piece here will fit in a 9x12-inch frame…so buy one frame (or two), and change it up! Change is good, so they say.

I love this patchwork giraffe by BoutikiHut; the patterns and colors work so unexpectedly well together.

While I’m on the collage trend, this beautiful peacock caught my eye. It is made completely of magazine clippings. All of the prints by artandphilanthropy are fashioned from recycled papers.

I totally love this idea—silhouette portraits of your children (and you, if you so choose). You can select from over twenty pre-existing designs, which can include pets, adult figures, tutus, and tree swings, or you can send a photo to lepapierdesigns for a totally custom print.

Isn’t it impossible to walk across a hopscotch board without jumping into the squares? Keep the nostalgia alive in this very cool, moody photo by buckscountyframes.

Is there a child that exists without an innate love of all things cupcake? (We at Parents magazine simply can’t get enough of them! Check out Goodyblog for proof!) How cute would this print by calobee be hanging next to the boy version?

Take advantage of the wall as disciplinarian…frame a few of these by johnwgolden to keep the kids in line.

This image by 3LambsGraphics is just so sweet, I couldn’t resist!

Here is a perfect example of how you can have artwork look and feel so handmade and original in this drawing by kikiandpolly.

So the moral of my story is to not be afraid of art or feel that every choice you make is the absolute and final one. Kids love variety and will learn and observe something new from every item you hang in their environment. Yes, hammering a nail in the wall can feel like a big commitment, but perhaps now you’re inspired to really change it up when it’s time to deck your walls.

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide