Search results (tags) for: "toys"

Etsy Finds: Stocking Stuffers for Big and Small

2009-12-04T12:00:00-05:00

Growing up, opening the stocking was always one of my favorite parts of the holidays. It was notoriously crammed full, spilling out the top, and perfectly misshapen from its original form. No matter all the tiny surprises I found inside, I could always rely on a fresh orange and penny hiding underneath to fill out the toe. In my household, holiday stockings have remained a staple, hence my inspiration for today's finds. Celebrate the little things in life with each of the pocket-sized treasures below. For even more ideas to fill your stocking, shop Etsy's Stocking Stuffers Guide.

For the Kid in All of Us

Vegan Iphone sleeve

By squirrellicious, $31.50.

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Personalized Small Photo Block

By photoatelier, $12.

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Handmade accordion book

By RuthBleakley, $97.50.

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Diamond Stacking Ring

By PatrickIrlaJewelry, $129.

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small indian spice kit

By purposedesign, $17.

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Natural Perfume Meditation Oils

By ForStrangeWomen, $9.

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Coffee Cozy Cover

By amyjoshandmade, $5.

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2G Harmonica USB flash drive

By BackyardBrand, $44.95.

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Copper Acorn Locket Necklace

By luxedeluxe, $20.

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Recycled bike gear bottle opener

By steeltoestudios, $25.

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Flax Heating/Cold Pack

By SeeMommySew, $12.

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Mini Creme Fraiche

By savor, $4.25.

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Steel Wheat Penny Cufflinks

By Cufflinks, $18.99.

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Wee Book - Baby Blue Leather

By WeeBindery, $12.

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2010 Art 13 Month Calendar

By cloudery, $22.

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Mini Gillian coin purse

By JuliaSherryDesigns, $22.

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For the Young Adult

embroidered mix tape journal

By nowvember, $15.

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Blackboard, ring

By Evrydiki, $45.

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Sterling Guitar Pick Custom

By panicmama, $38.

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Miniature Vintage Camera

From theEvolPixiesSupply, $26.

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Holiday Owl Ornament Felting Kit

By fancytiger, $12.

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Cassette Tape iPhone Cozy

By yummypocket, $23.

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Completed T-Rex in Glass Bell Jar

By kfarrell, $60.

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Vintage style lemon peel baseball

By LemonBall, $28.

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Initial Tag Necklace - Personalized

By SoulPeaces, $22.

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Mini foundation set Mineral makeup

By PUREnaturalMinerals, $12.

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Meri Headband

By Bebecha, $14.

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UAV Flash Drive - 4GB in Green

By robotbaby, $30.

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Tiny Twig Pencil

By alliebeans, $2.

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digits calendar - mini

By useyourdigits, $35.

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best wishes. mustard yellow

By somethingshidinghere, $12.

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Tinyment - a tiny metal tenement

By finchandfouracre, $36.

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For the Little Ones

Modelling Beeswax Blocks

By twinkleofmyeye, $10.

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Bag of Coal soap

By BesemNaturalScents, $10.

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DINE.n.DOODLE

By LilBDesigns, $9.35.

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neapolitan popsicle soap

By servasgschaeft, $5.

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Tic-Tac-Toe TO GO

By Vermontblockntoy, $22.

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Arctic Animal Finger Puppets

By babyanimals, $24.

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Stuffed Felt Alphabet Magnets

By MiChiMa, $50.

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Mini Wool Playscape

By asherjasper, $85.

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car bingo game

By pilosale, $28.

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Many Minutes Spinning Top

By palumba, $9.95.

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KID'S MINI CHALKBOARD

By revelry, $11.95.

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Kitty Egg Crayons- Set of 6

By kittybblove, $18.

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Catapult

By thingsinstuff, $35.

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Travel Toys for Toddlers

By casadekuma, $30.

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finding your balance blocks

By woodrootlings, $36.

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Little Helpers Gardening Apron

By LittleHelpers, $35.

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Children's Gift Ideas From Small Magazine

2009-11-30T10:38:00-05:00

Olivia Pintos-Lopez and Christine Visneau, co-editors and founders of Small Magazine, are responsible for spreading baby-fever around these parts. Their fantastic eye plucks the cutest kids ever and gorgeous handmade products and sets them into the artful and imaginative pages of their online magazine.

Small Magazine has always been passionate about buying handmade, especially for the holidays. Here are some of their favorite toys and playthings that any child would love to give or receive.

Fabric Alphabet Book

We adore all the amazing detail that went into this handmade book. From the hand embroidered letters on the linen cover to the a-z of calming images chosen for each page — Pilosale's book is the perfect baby gift! $48.

Wooden Gas Station, Vehicles and Wooden Figures

We love that it's handmade, we love that NinDesign uses mostly recycled materials, and we love this as an alternative to the usual plastic toy play sets! $28.

Petra and her Woodland Pillow

What little girl wouldn't want to receive this handmade beauty by SweetNellie? Petra comes with her own scarf and shoes and can nap on her very own pillow. $58.

Wooden Toy Boat

These handmade boats by FriendlyFairies are inspired by boats on the Willamette River. You can see the accurate construction in the hand-carved and wood-burned details. Any child will love this in the bathtub! $22.

Build a Cardboard Play Washer and Dryer

Small Magazine loves any do-it-yourself project. With simple, detailed directions from FortyTwoRoads, you can easily build a play washer and dryer for a fraction of the cost of a store bought one and probably in the same assembly time. $12.

Custom Name Marble Crayons

Perfect stocking stuffer #1. GooseHillDesigns can custom create letter crayons in your child's name. $6.95.

Tell Me A Story Set

The art of imaginative storytelling is even more important in world saturated with distracting media. With each roll of the illustrated dice by TheSmallObject your child is encouraged to tell a story. $35.

Set of Two Yo Yo's

Perfect stocking stuffer #2. Choose two yo yo's from these yummy candy colors. What child doesn't love an old fashioned yo yo? GooseGreese, $7.

Teepee

We have seen a lot of teepees, but we like the fabric choices GracieBeanBaby offers. $130.

Bowling Set

GreenBeeGoods' handmade wooden bowling set is a gift that would appeal to girls or boys of any age. $44.

Maple and Walnut Striped Blocks
The stripes on these blocks by EcoAyris are sure to inspire amazing cityscapes! $45.

20,000 Leagues Shadow Puppet Set

"Don't have a shadow theater? No worries. Tack a sheet over a door frame, turn off the lights out front, turn on the lights behind you, and have fun!" Fantastic, simple instructions and shadow puppets from Orangemoontoys. $30.

Natural Wood Play Kitchen

A must-have in any children's play space. Palumba has crafted a kitchen that can be passed on to many generations. $249.99.

Contemporary Dollhouse

The brilliant colors and illustrated wallpaper make this dollhouse from PetitFlaneur a natural choice for any design savvy parent (and child). $145.

Green Star and Silk Wood Parachute

Perfect stocking stuffer #3. WillowBaus' modern take on a classic toy. $16.

Handmade Kids Series | Kids & Toys Showcase | Children Gift Guide

Olivia and Christine began Small Magazine together in 2006 as they wanted to provide a quality publication to give exposure to independent children's designers, and to commission and curate work from small-scale makers and artists and photographers. You can subscribe to Small Magazine at www.smallmagazine.net, to receive it free in your inbox four times a year, or check out their daily blog — www.smallmagazine.typepad.com, for more of the inspiration and ideas behind Small.

Holiday Kids & Toys Showcase: On Sale Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET

2009-11-18T10:30:00-05:00

Have your little ones finished composing their wishlists for the North Pole? Discover gifts that will set their wee minds alight with creativity. The Holiday Kids & Toys Showcase will be a wonderland of imaginative play.

Info for Sellers
Get your items ready! Think fun things for kids to do, play with or wear. In order to keep the Showcase on point thematically, items in the Showcase can only be from the following Categories: Bath & Beauty (e.g., top-level tag being "bath & beauty"), Books and Zines, Children, Clothing, Crochet, Knitting, Paper Goods, Toys, Vintage and Woodworking.

The Holidays: Kids & Toys Showcase goes on sale Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, November 23, 2009 12 a.m. ET until Sunday, November 29, 2009, 11:59 p.m. ET.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24-hour spot, which will be linked from a prominent banner on Etsy's home page.
Sellers determine which item will be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Etsy > Promote > Showcase. Learn more about this process here.

Future Showcases

If you are thinking about planning for other Showcases that may be more appropriate for your items, here are some of the front page Showcases we will be highlighting:

Holidays Parties and Celebrations. On sale Tuesday, November 24, 2009; the Showcase will be live from November 30, 2009 to December 6, 2009.
- Think upcoming celebrations and festive decor, glitz and fun attire for these events.
Holiday Gifts for Her. On sale Thursday, December 3, 2009; the Showcase will be live from December 7, 2009 to December 13, 2009.
- Think jewelry, accessories, clothing, artwork, and bath & body products for women of all ages.

Holiday Last Minute Gifts Showcase: On sale Thursday, December 10, 2009; the Showcase will be live from December 14, 2009 to December 20, 2009.
- Think gifts with expedited shipping. Expedited shipping is the criteria for this Showcase.

What is this Showcase thing? For a general introduction to Showcase, read Matt's Storque article 13.5 Questions about the Showcase, and for deeper thoughts on figuring out if Showcase is right for you, see Beth's Showcase Deconstructed article.

How-Tuesday: Rolling Balls From Magic Books & Paper Toys

2009-11-17T14:14:00-05:00

As a lover of both books and crafts, I have a very difficult time letting my coffee table volumes or National Geographic issues sit on the shelf for long before I'm ripping, cutting, folding, and gluing. Pages sticky with mod podge, my collection of paper transforms into a vault of materials and inspiration. Paper guru Esther K. Smith will be hosting Craft Night at the Etsy Labs next Monday, November 23. As a teaser, she shares her Rolling Balls project from Magic Books & Paper Toys for this week's How-Tuesday. This would make a great project (with or without the kids!) as you get ready to decorate for the holidays.

Purchase Magic Books & Paper Toys

Long before I ever thought of making books, I got a hexaflexagon in the mail from Dikko. Other men send flowers, jewelry, or chocolate, but he wooed me with paper. (It worked — we've been collaborating on art and our family for many years now.)

He had read about them in Martin Gardiner's math column in Scientific American and made one for a grad-school course at the University of Wisconsin. The flexagon was cool. I made them for a while — sent one to my mathematician cousin (he was not impressed) — and then forgot about them. Years later, teaching a class at Cooper Union called Instant Artist's Books, I found that hexaflexagon again and decided to include flexagons in my class. Then I got a photocopy of a page from a Victorian children's book that showed magic wallet construction. Those two forms were so easy and interesting that I built a curriculum around them. I developed my Magic Books & Paper Toys weekend workshop, which started at New York's Center for Book Arts. I've taught it at Long Island University, The San Francisco Center for the Book, and Penland School of Crafts.

When I began teaching design for CUNY, I used flexagons with my CUNY undergrads for design and color-theory problem solving. Since their designs split and reverse, they make an interesting design challenge. They also keep me amused.

I added flip books, strip animations, and spinners with wonderful results. One student rendered a paint can that sprays graffiti, another made a subway car with cut-out windows that show the stations changing.

I've seen flip books of fingernails growing, T-shirts changing designs, and all kinds of winking, blinking spinners. I wish I could see the cool things YOU make!

I've seen these made from holiday cards as ornaments, but they are also interesting books. And it's fun to roll them. You could even put a simple pop-up inside.

You Will Need
Heavy, foldable paper
Compass or round object (glass, bowl) to trace
Pencil
Scissors
Bone folder
Adhesive
Drawing and collage materials to embellish
Velco, magnets (optional)

1. Trace circles onto the paper using a compass, or trace a jar or small bowl. The heavier the paper, the fewer circles.

2. Cut the circles out with scissors or a knife.

3. Fold them in half and burnish.

4. Adhere the folded circles back to back, lining them up with care and burnishing until you have enough to create a full ball shape when you open up the ball.

5. Place Velcro or magnets on the covers so that the ball can stay open.

6. Roll your book to be sure it works.

7. Embellish with drawing, rubber stamps, or collage.

Rolling Faces: You can put whatever appeals to you on the pages of your rolling book. Faces can be fun. One student thought faces of politicians would be nice rolling away. Cut them from magazines or newspapers and collage.

Thanks to Esther K. Smith and the good folks at Potter Craft for sharing this project with us. For more paper inspiration, check out Magic Books & Paper Toys.

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

How-Tuesday: Spooky Shadow Puppets by Crankbunny

2009-10-21T16:30:00-05:00

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We're resurrecting this eerie project from last year — crankbunny's shadow puppets are still full of dark delight!

[Originally published October 28, 2008.]

This week on Etsy How-Tuesday, Norma, a.k.a. crankbunny, shows us how to make spooky shadow puppets for Hallow's Eve! MUAHAHAH! crankbunny, a talented animator and artist, often works with layers of paper in her projects. Her animated short, "Robot Gets Its Wings," won 2nd place in our Handmade Moment Contest (and garnered the prize of Community Favorite!).

Today's project is about dead guys and cemeteries! crankbunny has provided the templates for making her signature Gravestone Shadow Puppet and Dead Guy Shadow Puppet. You can use these templates, or come up with your own designs — either way you will most certainly have your own spooky Halloween shadow show.

Things you will need for the Gravestone Shadow Puppet:

Download the template and print it out: Gravestone Shadow Puppet Template
Scissors or Craft Knife (Exacto Art Knife)
Rod (can be bamboo skewer, chopsticks, thin wooden dowel, a stick — the longer, the better)
Tape or Glue (non-toxic please)
Stiff Paper (card stock, cardboard, chipboard, etc.)

How to make the Gravestone Shadow Puppet:

Transfer the puppet template onto stiff paper stock.
- Tip: Print out the template on regular paper, use spray adhesive or glue to adhere the print out onto the stiff paper stock.
Cut out the gravestone puppet using scissors and a craft knife. Remember to also cut out the white areas inside the gravestone puppet.
Attach one end of the rod to the dotted area on the gravestone template using glue or tape.
- Tip: Customize the gravestone shadow puppet by cutting away shapes from it.
By making a few of these, each customized and cut differently, you can make an entire cemetery scene.
Project the shadow puppet by shining a flashlight onto it in a dark room.

Things you will need for the Dead Guy Shadow Puppet:

Download the Dead Guy Shadow Puppet Template and print it out:
- Dead Guy Shadow Puppet Template (page 1)
- Dead Guy Shadow Puppet Template (page 2)
Scissors or Craft Knife (Exacto Art Knife)
Rod (can be bamboo skewer, chopsticks, thin wooden dowel, a stick — the longer, the better)
Tape or Glue (non-toxic please)
String (cotton warp, yarn)
2 Brads (paper fasteners)
Hole punch (regular or 1/8th if you want to get specific)
Drinking Straw
Stiff Paper (card stock, cardboard, chipboard, etc.)

How to make the Dead Guy Shadow Puppet:

Transfer the puppet template onto stiff paper stock.
- Tip: Print out the template on regular paper, use spray adhesive or glue to adhere the print out onto the paper stock.
Cut out the puppet parts using your cutting tools. Punch holes over the indicated circles with Xs. Use the punch and cutting tools to create your own eye shape on the puppet's head.
Attach one end of the rod to the dotted area on the puppet's body shape using glue or tape.
Cut a one inch (3cm) piece of straw. Align the end of the straw with the line found on the lower part of the puppet's body shape. Have it rest against the rod vertically and tape it down securely to the puppet.
Cut 2 pieces of string. Each should be 12" (32cm) in length. Tie the end of each string to the outer hole on each puppet arm.
Make a spacer out of some scrap paper. A spacer is basically a small square of cardboard/heavy paper with a wedge cut into its side.
Join the arms to the body of the puppet with a brad using the spacer. Match the arms by each letter, the uppercase letter part always over the lowercase part. Remove the spacer once the brads are fastened. This will make each joint loose.
Run each string through the top of the straw. Make a looped knot to join both strings together. When you pull the end of the strings, the arms should move up. When you release the strings, the arms should move back down.
- Tip: Customize the shadow puppet by cutting away and adding shapes to it. Adding fangs, horns, buck teeth, pirate hats, hooks, top hats, etc. to customize your puppet.
Project the shadow puppet by shining a flashlight onto it in a dark room.
Have a spooky Halloween!

See more how-to videos on Etsy!

More How-Tuesday Posts | Supplies Category | DIY Made Simple Gift Guide

Halloween Decor Guide | Halloween Category

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Holidays: Kids & Toys Showcase: On Sale Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET

2009-10-21T14:06:00-05:00

The holidays are a thrilling season for all, but the true excitement is reserved for the kids. Memories of opening that much-anticipated toy truck or stuffed animal are sure to be treasured for years to come. The Holidays: Kids & Toys Showcase will provide ample opportunities to discover fun stocking stuffers, enticing toys and stimulating products for babies and children.

Info for Sellers
Get your items ready! Think fun things for kids to do or wear this holiday season. In order to keep the Showcase on point thematically, items in the Showcase can only be from the following categories: Bath & Beauty (e.g., top-level tag being "Bath & Beauty"), Books and Zines, Children, Clothing, Crochet, Holidays, Knitting, Paper Goods, Toys, Vintage and Woodworking.

The Holidays: Kids & Toys Showcase goes on sale Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, October 26, 2009 12 a.m. ET until Sunday, November 1, 2009, 11:59 p.m. ET.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24-hour spot, which will be linked from a prominent banner on Etsy's home page.
Sellers determine which item will be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Etsy > Promote > Showcase. Learn more about this process here.

Future Showcases

If you are thinking about planning for other Showcases that may be more appropriate for your items, here are some of the front page Showcases we will be highlighting:

Holidays: Gift Ideas Showcase: On sale October 29, 2009; the Showcase will be live from November 2, 2009 to November 8, 2009.
- Think gifts for the hard to buy for person on your list.
Holidays: Gifts for Him Showcase: On sale November 5, 2009; the Showcase will be live from November 9, 2009 to November 15, 2009.
- Think accessories, cuff links, geekery, artwork — anything appropriate for the man on your shopping list.
Holidays: Stocking Stuffer Showcase: On sale November 12, 2009; the Showcase will be live from November 16, 2009 to November 22, 2009.
- Think about all the smaller items that can fit into a holiday stocking.

Quit Your Day Job: littlealouette

2009-10-19T16:45:00-05:00

Joe and Amy of littlealouette are successfully supporting their family selling their simple natural wooden toys on Etsy. With backgrounds in carpentry, furniture making, education, and politics, this duo melded their collective skills into a business they never dreamed would take them this far. They both admit being their own boss is the toughest work they have known, but find balance in taking time out from work each day to spend quality time together with their children. Keep reading to find out why Joe misses his daily lunch outings at bistros and pubs and why they both claim a British accent and wicked grin have been one of their best marketing tools to date.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?
Joe is a master craftsman who apprenticed in the North of England where he grew up. He became a self-employed bespoke furniture maker. When he moved to the states he worked in carpentry. I worked in education and politics after university, but always found myself spending time on artistic projects and volunteering in local art charities or working with local arts councils. Joe made me furniture and I would create gifts for family and friends. I would write poetry about Joe’s hands and what they could make. I still do. Joe began making simple toys for our first child and the rest is history.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
Not really. We thought it would be extra money for our family; we were in the middle of a very hard financial time as we juggled two mortgages while trying to sell an investment property in a very still market here in Ohio. We knew that our family and friends loved what we were making for our kids and for others so we thought we would make some money, but never did we realize that we would make a whole new life.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?
Always adapting and growing, it has been an organic process and a juggling act with two small boys and a passionate marriage. While it's been quite fluid, we have learned that sometimes you just have to roll with it. It requires loads of paperwork and time, so planning ahead is important. We stepped down our spending and live with frugality and perseverance. Lastly, asking for advice and help was and is so important!

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business?
I am a blogger and this has helped me a lot with meeting others and spreading the word. We have a Twitter account (@littlealouette) and a cool Tumblr blog for Little Alouette with daily parenting tips and inspiration (we are always looking for guest parents)! We have a Facebook page and I have a big mouth! Joe is not a big Internet individual. He has a smart phone and sometimes uses Facebook, but he relies on me to work the magic on the Internet. He carries a stack of business cards, his British accent, and a wicked grin. We get a lot of sales from him. I like to work with other bloggers for giveaways from time to time and there are a lot of really great blogs and sites you can advertise on to find your audience. Etsy has been incredibly helpful with the light it has shined on us. The whole world is in love with Etsy and it is amazing to be a part of this family of artists.

What have you found to be unsuccessful promotion?
We came up with an idea of keys and key sets that we named after a great customer's daughter. The keys were a big hit! You know how babies and kids love to play with and chew on your keys? Well, we also thought that kids love other everyday items like remote controls — so we made a remote control rattle and no one bought one. We may try again in the future for some everyday life items. You have to try things!

What's your best marketing tip?

Believe in yourself.
Know that you are amazing and groovy and smashing!
Be able to talk about your business freely and with anyone.
Changing up photos and keeping the shop full works well for us!
We like to offer our customers free shipping and codes and deals.
I think Twitter is excellent for this type of promotion, but just try and remember that Twitter is a give and take and it is a great place to interact and get to know your customers — not just a place to hawk your wares.

Walk us through your typical workday.
Most days are different — some days in the indie life are diamonds and some are not. Yesterday was like this:

6:30 a.m.: Blaise, our two-year-old screamed, "Mama! Mama!" for about ten minutes until we brought him into our bed. We woke up Finn, our five-year-old, and had breakfast and the first of several pots of coffee together. We walked Finn to half-day kindergarten and then we all went off to the gym for an hour. We played with Blaise after a good stress-relieving workout until time to collect Finn from school.
We had lunch as a family and then Daddy went to the workshop. The kiddos had naps and I worked on Little Alouette.
I talked to people all over the world, mailed samples, answered emails and Convos, and worked on new packaging.
I made a cake while doing this all. I love working from home!
The kids got up and I took off the Wood Queen crown and became Mom again. I rolled to the playground and then to the post office and then hosted a play date at our house. I used my BlackBerry to relist some items and chat with customers. I taught my children about Jackson Pollock. I sketched a new toy while the kids went down the slide.
One thing that is constant is that when Joe comes home from work in the evening, we are diligent about putting the work away. The kids get us all. They get the attention and energy and everything. When they go to bed we must work more and it takes a lot of effort, but we must if we want to keep this balance. We do not have TV. This is a big help!

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
My family has eaten most meals together in the last two years. This is amazing. When we both worked outside the home it was rare that I got home before 7 p.m. We ate in shifts and smashed quality time into 1.5 hours. I missed some milestones of my oldest son. I rushed. My husband drove far too fast in his truck. We raced through life. Now we are slower. More deliberate. This is important. The way it feels to just go to the park on a Wednesday at 2 p.m. with my whole family. The freedom to schedule out a day that works for you is exhilarating. The way it feels to know that we are instilling hard work values and an entrepreneurial spirit into our children. We are showing them that even in the middle of your life, you can change gears and do something that makes you feel good. You can follow dreams big or small. Telling strangers about Little Alouette feels stellar!

I miss tons of people and the energy all around me. I worked with so many people in my old career. I miss adult interaction. I often find myself discussing new ideas and wholesale accounts with my five-year-old. He looks at me funny. Joe says he misses lunching out at bistros and pubs. I make him eat healthy lunches at home now. We miss our old insurance. But nothing can take away the reality of being with each other so much. It is gorgeous.

What's the hardest part about running your own business?
Heavy shoulders. The paperwork and responsibility that come with this lifestyle are quite hefty. Organization is a sick and dirty word for me. We are learning to keep receipts and may even graduate to a file system this winter! We never stop working. The fatigue is tough at times. No one tells you to stop. You may not sleep properly.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?
Listen to advice and take it! My pal took me out for drinks last fall and told me my business was going to take off and I should get myself in order. I remember laughing about it then, but it has taken off. Be ready for what you want because you may well get it! Find good business folks like cool insurance agents, lawyers, and smart fellow artist mentors. Surround yourself with goodness. Stay in the light. Be kind and open. When times get tricky, keep focused and believe. Be happy and optimistic and acknowledge that you are lucky to be making art and living off of it in these bleak times.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?

Work on loads of new ideas and toys.
Grow the business.
Perhaps gain an employee.
Keep babies happy throughout the world.
Meet more cool Etsy folk in real life.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Thank you so much to Etsy and our customers. We are so blessed and we thank you! We love you! Smooches. Each product is made by hand and usually all the wood is surrounded by cups of tea, laughing children, and disco music so each product will come to you infused with love and bliss!

Thanks to Amy and Joe for sharing their story. Have your own questions to ask? Come on by and chat with them Wednesday, October 21 at 5 p.m. ET in Etsy's Virtual Labs.

You can see some of their beautiful work in the Related Items. Check out previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Etsy Finds: Gleeful Anticipation

2009-10-19T12:12:00-05:00

Welcome to the holiday Gift Guide preview! Today's Etsy Finds offer up but a small selection of the captivating gift ideas you'll soon be drooling over in Etsy's Holiday Gift Guides. Now is the time to shop on Etsy for your holiday greeting cards, tinsel, menorahs and stockings — as well as all of the treasures that fill them — before the crowds beat you to it! For more holiday ideas, shop Etsy's Holiday category.

Gifts for Children

Child Teepee (Free Shipping)

By GracieBeanBaby, $130.

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Gracie Beth Doll

By bitofwhimsyprims, $48.

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Discovery Tote Campfire

By HELICOPTERstudios, $68.

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Memory Game Set - Free Shipping

By thewhimsytree, $26.

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Stocking Stuffers

Worry-Woolie Notebook Yellow

By Spiderbite, $15.

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Organic French Hazelnut Nougat

By haveitconfections, $20.

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Sleep Mask

By lovelyart, $27.

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Blue Topaz Queen Ring

By yenjewelry, $285.

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Gifts for Him

Patrick Swayze Dessert Plate

By ShafeiCeramics, $150.

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Wood iPhone Case

By Substrata, $84.99.

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Men's Button-down Shirt

By nonniethreads, $40.

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Dual Docking Station

By woodtec, $119.

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Gifts for Her

Custom Care Package

By flyingbirdbotanicals, $62.

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Dark Tiger Butterfly Ring

By poppetandpinch, $265.

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Walking On Pillows- Slippers

By netamir, $47.

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Cashmere Cape

By Golie, $300.

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Cards, Calendars and Gift Wrap

2010 16-Month Desk Calendar

By jellybeans, $20.

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Set of 3 Shabby Chic Gift Bags

By PaperEclectiques, $12.

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Custom Portrait Holiday Cards

By FuzzyMug, $50.

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Set of 10 Seasons Greetings

By farouche, $10.

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For the Person Who Has Everything

Recreate Memories with Miniatures

By LBrandt, $28.

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Camp Trailer Birdhouse/Birdfeeder

By ralfg08, $35.

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Seven Deadly Sins Plates

By trixiedelicious, $135.

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Turf Micro Tile Sculpture

By elementclaystudio, $72.

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Personalized Gifts

Double Initial Vermeil Necklace

By EricaWeinerJewelry, $75.

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Custom Name Mug

By mudpie2, $20.

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Personalized Hammered Bookmark

By LeatherwoodDesigns, $15.

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Quirky Custom Portrait For You

By EmmieBean, $50.

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Ornaments and Holiday Decor

Chanukah Menorah Ornament

By nicholasandfelice, $12.50.

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Winter Cottage Ceramic Ornament

By kylieparry, $12.

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Decorative French Haricot Bean Ball

By makalewakan, $9.

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Picturesque Poinsettias Wreath

By thechicadeeshop, $59.99.

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Gifts for Coworkers and the Boss

Mini Leather Journal

By SusanGreenBooks, $16.

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Zen Hammock for your Gadgets

By lafemmemonkita, $18.

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GET IN THE HOLE golf ball marker

By PamperingBeki, $14.

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Single Initial Monogram Bowl

By palomasnest, $24.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Guest Curators | Trends | Gift Ideas

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Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Skeleton Softies With Diana Schoenbrun

2009-10-08T15:00:00-05:00

Why stay in and craft all by your lonesome? Come join us for a free sewing workshop with artist and author Diana Schoenbrun — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Stop by for our weekly Craft Night in our online, interactive classroom, the Virtual Labs, for a live demo via webcam at 5 p.m. ET, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. ET at 55 Washington Street, Suite 512 in Brooklyn, New York. (Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is in your hometown.) Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, and meet new friends.

This week, on Monday, October 12, we will make spooky skeleton softies with Diana Schoenbrun. These plush toys are perfect decorations and gifts for Halloween parties.

Diana Schoenbrun is a published illustrator, crafter, and author currently living in Brooklyn, NY. She is best known for her use of recycled fabrics and materials in her softies and 3-D sculptures. She strives to create a balance in her art between character design and materials. Diana has taught children puppet making and playwriting workshops and she has also performed puppet skits for comedy shows in NYC. Her next craft book, Beasties, is being published by Penguin Perigee Books in August 2010.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to sew skeleton softies along with us, you'll need to gather the following supplies:

Skeleton pattern pieces page 1 and page 2
2 sheets colored felt for body
1 sheet white or light colored felt for bones
Sewing needle
Thread
Embroidery floss
1-2 handfuls of stuffing
Craft glue
Thin marker
Stuffing stick or pencil
Beads, sequins, buttons, etc. (optional for eyes)

Upcoming Events at the Etsy Labs:
10/19: Felt Photo Wallets with Kata Golda
10/26: Open Craft Night
11/1: Church of Craft meeting

Looking for more softie projects? Try these how-to's:

Donkey Softie | Chipmunk Softie | Bunny Bowling

Will we see you on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.

CPSIA: Overcoming Obstacles and Fighting for Change

2009-09-28T17:00:00-05:00

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed just over a year ago, and since a stay was put in place in February, Etsy makers of children's items have kept the conversation going on the special Etsy Forum. From major newspapers to the blogosphere, from mom and pop stores to multi-national corporations, the CPSIA has continued to provoke confusion and ire. We invited Cecilia Leibovitz, a.k.a. paperdreams, to give us an update on the state of affairs. Cecelia is not only the founder of craftsburykids.com, a shop specializing in unique handmade toys and gifts for children — she is also President of the Handmade Toy Alliance, a grassroots organization advocating for makers of small batch children's products.

Many who produce small batch items for children are well aware of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). You may already know that fabric has been exempted from CPSIA and that crafters are not necessarily required to label their items, but must keep an accurate record system in place in the event of a possible recall. There are very specific stipulations that go along with these exemptions (for example a screen printed T-shirt would not be exempt due to the inks used in this process). I urge you to take a look at the pages linked below for more information.

While many are breathing a sigh of relief now that fabric is exempt from CPSIA, more is needed. Dan Marshall, founder and Vice President of the Handmade Toy Alliance is concerned that while fabric used in a hair bow is exempt, the barrette itself is not, along with zippers, snaps, buttons, etc. used in clothing.

Painted items are not exempt from CPSIA, nor are they part of the one year stay that expires on February 10, 2010. If component testing is not allowed, it will be indefinitely illegal to produce painted items for children without third party testing, unless of course you’re Mattel. The Handmade Toy Alliance has been a strong advocate for component based testing, as the organization recognizes how crucial this point is for crafters and micro businesses, if we are all to survive.

Certain components contain lead that is bound into their structure, and thus not biologically available, even when swallowed. Crystals, some rhinestones and other glass embellishments fall into this category.

In July 2009 the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association (FJTA) requested an exemption from the CPSIA lead limits for crystal and glass embellishments. This request was denied by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in spite of the fact that test data and analysis were presented, showing that ingestion and mouthing of leaded crystal would result in absorption of so small a quantity of lead that it may not even be detectable in a child’s blood stream.

According to CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, denial of the FJTA’s request was due to CPSIA language, which states that the possibility of *any* (without specification of whether the amount must be determined harmful or not) ingestion of lead renders an item unacceptable under CPSIA standards. In an official CPSC statement, Tenenbaum said that “...while Commission staff recognized that most crystal and glass beads do not appear to pose a serious health risk to children, because ingested crystal beads that leach lead will result in some lead absorption, the request for an exclusion must be denied.”

At this point, various distributors claim to offer low lead and lead-free crystals and rhinestones. If you are using these items on products for children, you will want to be sure they truly comply with the law.

“The test data I’ve seen for these alternative rhinestone products is based on modified EPA Method 3051,” says Sheila Milar, a partner with Keller and Heckman LLP and counsel to the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association. CPSC specifies use of modified EPA Method 3052 to test crystal and glass. Method 3052 uses hydrofluoric acid in the solution to digest crystal, which can’t be completely digested using hydrochloric acid.” Ms. Milar added, “Many laboratories will not handle hydrofluoric acid and the fact that such a strong and dangerous acid is required to fully digest crystal and glass is another indication of how lead is bound into the structure of the material.” It is still not clear whether test results based on Method 3051 would be acceptable, and the jewelry industry is seeking clarification.

Heather Flottman, a board member of the Handmade Toy Alliance and owner of children’s clothing label Liliputians NYC, hasn’t let stringent regulations stop her from creating and selling her work. “I use some flat back buttons that look like jewels. I XRF tested them and they came in less than 10ppm for lead,” says Heather.

“There are safe alternatives to the classic Swarovski crystal out there. People do not have to give up nor do they need to report every sparkly thing they see to CPSC,” adds Heather. She uses plastic button eyes for her appliqués, has certification from the manufacturer that they are lead free, and XRF tested them herself just to be sure.

If as the CPSC has alluded to, component testing is allowed in the near future, items like Heather Flottman’s buttons will be tested by the manufacturer, and it will be affordable and easy for crafters to use them. In the event that this doesn’t happen, Heather says she will switch to buttons made of natural materials exempt from CPSIA, such as unpainted wood and shell.

As we move forward, let’s work together to fix the CPSIA, as well as network and find creative ways to navigate the law. Now more than ever, it is of the utmost importance that we do not turn against each other.

Further Resources:

Join the HTA to effect change in the CPSIA — http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org
Explaining the facts and dispelling the myths about the CPSIA — http://www.whatiscpsia.com
Official CPSIA Website — http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Tracking Label Policy (Number 9 refers specifically to crafters) — http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103policy.pdf

Check out the CPSIA Forums for More Discussion

My Big Break: Posh Dots' Licensing Deal

2009-09-14T15:25:00-05:00

Every now and again I hear about Etsy sellers who have scored licensing deals. One such seller is Becky from PoshDots, teacher, artist and mother of three, who was kind enough to take time away from her very busy schedule to do an interview with me. She describes how the company approached her and struck a deal to have her design for her children's item manufactured.

Hi Becky! First off, how do you handle your shop, your kids, your teaching job and the licensing deal? Any time management tips?
I fly by the seat of my pants. With three kids, a schedule is worthless. I don't know from one minute to the next what challenge will face me. The last time I had the house to myself, the phone rang. My oldest had caught a softball in his mouth, and his lip was mashed into his braces (which were put on that same day!). We ended up in the ER. There is always drama here!

Becky with her daughter.

Tell us about your items and describe your licensing deal.
Posh Dots specializes in handpainted wooden letters and matching accessories. The bulk of my business comes from the letters. The licensing company, Dish & Spoon Productions, will use many of my designs on a variety of children's products, including canvas wall hangings, growth charts, night lights, and name banners, to name a few.

How did the company find you?
I asked them the same thing! They found me right here on Etsy. The company has a staff member who seeks out new, fresh artwork. They contacted me several months ago with the proposal, and I was shocked. Considering all of the wonderful talent here and the fact that they only add two artists per year, I feel like the needle in the haystack!

What's the appeal of doing a licensing deal?
The biggest appeal is knowing that someone really appreciated my work enough to want to reproduce it. It is truly an honor. With three young children and teaching full time, my painting hours are very limited. With this opportunity, more children can enjoy my work.

How did Etsy play a role in what has happened? Do you have any suggestions for other ways Etsy could help?
I would say Etsy played a huge role. I doubt I would have been "discovered" without having my shop here. Maybe offer suggestions for legal counseling or finding an agent?

Had you done any wholesale orders before?
I have not done any other wholesale orders. I am approached weekly by boutique owners wanting to carry my letters, but I am so overwhelemed with business from my own shop that I have turned them all down. I am currently in the process of developing a few new products that will be available for wholesale. The products designed by Dish & Spoon Productions will also be available wholesale.

Did you do any research or can you link us to any information that helped inform your decision to say yes to the deal?
I have two books that have lots of good info: Licensing Art and Design: A Professional's Guide to Licensing and Royalty Agreements and Licensing Art 101, Third Edition: Publishing and Licensing Your Artwork for Profit. I knew what red flags to look for. Talking with other Etsians was also very helpful. The contract was very simple and exactly what I expected. I did not go through a lawyer, but if things continue to grow, I will.

Becky's home studio.

What are your plans for your Etsy shop? Will you now use it to sell your handmade prototypes or more limited run (handmade by you) items? Will you use Etsy a place to continue to experiment with new products?
Right now, I am planning on taking the shop in a slightly new direction. I want to add more ready-to-ship items and personalized items that are less time consuming. I also want to move towards more teen and adult designs. I've considered canvas reproductions, but I don't want to compete with myself and the products made by D&S! My wheels are always turning...so keep an eye out for new and exciting products. And possibly a new shop with a totally different line of products.

Do you have any advice for sellers who are interested in getting licensing deals?
I wish I had some great words of wisdom on how to land a licensing deal, but this came out of nowhere. I had considered hiring an agent, but never did. If you are serious about getting your work reproduced, that may be an avenue. If, like me, you want to leave it in the hands of fate, keep your work fresh and exciting. Take great pics and set up a shop that is cohesive. KISS: Keep it simple, stupid!

If possible, get a small advance in royalties. As of now, I've put several hundred hours into creating sample pieces and have seen nothing in return. I knew what to expect from the beginning, but it's tough staying motivated. I know I need to be patient... It will pay off!

Becky hard at work.

Do you think there's something about your item that lends itself to a licensing deal?
My work is very colorful and fun. The designs are simple, clean and fresh. I love mixing patterns, which seems to be a hot concept right now.

What stage of the process are you in now? How does it feel?
Right now, everything is still in the production stage. I have not seen any of the final pieces yet. I'm very anxious to see what they are doing with my work. D&S is preparing to launch the products in September at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. I will have something final soon.

Do you get credited on the final packaging of the items the company sells?
Yes, my signature, BSBowen, will be on all of the products. That's very exciting!

What is important about "handmade" for you and your business?
With my business being custom work, I feel it must be handmade. Painting is my passion. If I couldn't be working with my hands and mind, I would go crazy! This business allows me to do both and to create something truly unique for my clients. I've often asked in the Etsy Forums about pricing, time management, etc., and many will offer advice on how to change my product line by offering more ready-made items. But, somehow ready-made and custom just don't work together in my mind. I love the design process, working directly with the buyer and creating something just for them.

Was there anything in the contract that you felt strongly about and made a point of negotiating? or if it hadn't been in the contract, you would have pushed for it?
I wanted to able to have the final word on the products, and I wanted to have my signature on my pieces. I also wanted to maintain copyrights to my designs. It was all in there exactly as I wished.

Were you concerned as to whether this was legit? did you have anyone review the licensing contract?
There were a few times when I wondered what I had gotten into! But, after many conversations with the owner and seeing their products on several top ranking sites featuring children's products, I feel good about the decision. My very cautious husband reviewed the contract.

Can you share with us any highlights or how much more money in proportion to your income? (No worries if this is too personal!)
It may not seem like much in California or New York, but in the backwoods of Virginia, the estimate they gave me is huge. If the estimate turns out to be correct, it will top my teaching salary...not bad.

What does this licensing deal mean for your business?
I don't know yet! It has the potential of surpassing my teaching salary. (Of course, that won't be hard to do!) But, I have quite a wish list:

1) Operate Posh Dots full time
2) Put on an addition to our home
3) Travel
4) Save
5) Use extra income to start up another business
(I am always dreaming up ideas for new products — some handmade, some mass produced.)

My biggest dream...buy a beach house!

I may have to pick just one from this list.

Posh Dots, we here at Etsy wish you luck and will continue to watch for your latest items! Visit her website poshdotsstudio.com and PoshDots Etsy shop.

Readers, do you have a licensing deal and tips to share? Let us know if you'd like to contribute a post or leave your words of wisdom in the comments. Questions? We want to hear those too!

Etsy Finds: Room for the Whole Family

2009-09-13T09:00:00-05:00

While many children have recently headed back to school, there are plenty of families who are settling into another productive year of homeschooling. This week's Get the Look: Decor is inspired by the Filer-Dougal family, who have created a home that doubles as an inspiring educational space for their two children. From reading nooks to nature cabinets, the Filer-Dougal home is filled with everything needed to stimulate a child's active imagination. Though the atmosphere is decidedly child-friendly, there is a sophisticated balance of modern design and antique treasures that any grown-up would be happy to call home.

Between homeschooling two children and taking care of a pug, two parakeets, nine fish and 10,000 snails, mother Courtney also manages to find time to create a beautiful line of jewelry, which she sells on Etsy under the name Eva666. Her home studio is a relaxing, well organized retreat where she can briefly escape the often chaotic life that comes with raising two children (who sometimes sell their handmade goodies at LennonAndRose).

Visit the Filer-Dougal family on Flickr to view more photos of their educational and creative household, and be sure to check out the Etsy Finds below for decorating ideas that will add a playful touch of kid-friendly imagination to the place you call home.

Family Living

Create Your Own Succulent Garden

By MyVintageAddiction, $23.95.

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Mid Century Style Bokz Sofa Bench

By lunarloungedesign, $400.

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Jellyfish - Medium

By mudpuppy, $35.

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the brontosaurus

By dinosaurcabinets, $250.

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Potted plant with ornaments - Watercolor

By LindaCaterpillar, $22.

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Vintage Stackable Coffee Cups

From lovethatvintage, $14.

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Large Birch Tree Forest Archival Print

By lisacongdon, $40.

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white lathe forest tile

By iamhome, $19.

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Home Studio

Crafty Bird Second Edition print

By Geninne, $25.

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dual iphone/ipod docking station

By woodtec, $119.

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Wooden Chest

By NatJGold, $345.

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Heavy duty bench pin & block combo

By Romazone, $16.75.

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little black metal rack

From silocurb, $17.50.

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Stack It Up...Wood Canister Set

From ethanollie, $39.

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Children's Playroom or Bedroom

Zooguu Monster Pillow Cover with Pillow

By Zooguu, $42.

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organic two cars and two bridge/tunnels

By littlesaplingtoys, $30.

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Zippy Scooter padded step stool

By babybloomers, $50.

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Doorway Puppet Theater - Mocha Floral

By CountingBunnies, $39.

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Orchard Fruit Felt Play Food

By bugbitesplayfood, $32.

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Planet Earth Large Vinyl Wall Decal

By WilsonGraphics, $30.

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Carries Kitchenette with Pull Out

By imaginethatwoodshop, $165.50.

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CROCHET LADYBUG RUG

By peanutbutterdynamite, $45.

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birdie chandelier

By meggancolleen, $84.99.

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Vintage Bordens Milk Crate New York

From solsticehome, $36.

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Homeschooling

Time will pass, but will you--school clock

From MaryandGrace, $30.

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Vintage Light Up Illuminated Globe

From VonlenskaVintage, $75.

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Learn How to Spell 62 Stuffed Felt Letters

By MiChiMa, $60.

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Sweet Orange scented play clay 4 oz. tub

By MamaKs, $4.

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Creepy Recycled Crayon Monster Fingers

By buppins, $7.

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Grow Your Own Wheatgrass Kit Set of 6

By Revisions, $24.95.

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Vintage Abacus Counting Toy

From bouquet, $22.

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Wooden Map Puzzle States & Capitals

By puzzlepeople, $40.

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Make Your Own Terrarium Kit

By ShaneLilyRain, $16.

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Bright Yellow Apsco Pencil Sharpener

From 26olivestreet, $18.

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Vintage Student Microscope

From ladiesandgentlemen, $40.

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Build Your Own Tinysaur

By kfarrell, $7.

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Vintage German biology wall chart

From luckylittledot, $350.

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Vintage Wooden Crate Box Organizer

From bluebell, $18.

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Looking for more styles and interiors? Check out our video series, There's No Place Like Here, where creative types show us their unique spaces — infused with their aesthetic and filled with the treasures they collect. Get involved and show us your amazing space in this Flickr pool.

Check out other Get the Look: Home Decor Editions.

A Cozy Home Gift Guide | Housewares Category | Vintage Housewares

Homeschooling Posts on Etsy's Blog

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Quit Your Day Job: littlesaplingtoys

2009-09-08T16:50:00-05:00

Nick and Kimber, the mother and father team behind littlesaplingtoys, have managed to quit both their regular day jobs and support themselves, along with their two children, due to their business success on Etsy. They've been selling their wooden toys on Etsy for just under two years. With previous careers in historical preservation and insurance companies, both Nick and Kimber took their time planning and saving for their transition into a full-time small business. Read on to hear their answers to our Quit Your Day Job questions — they talk about the steps they took to plan out their venture and which marketing tips have worked best for their business along the way.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?
Nick: It began as an innocent obsession with Lego bricks. I loved building anything my imagination came up with. As I got older, things evolved with me. It wasn’t until I worked at a woodworking store that I really came to see the beauty of wood. I love every piece of wood: the way the grain flows, the color, the way that it transforms when it’s finished. My first woodworking project was a 2’ x 2’ butcher block for our second anniversary. I never get sick of looking at and refinishing it.

Kimber: For me, true creative delight is in my mind. I love ideas, brainstorming, scribbling, discussing and sketching with a batch of stove-top popcorn. As a child, I collaborated with my lil’ brother to design a computer game that my dad agreed to program. I wrote a song with a friend consisting of the lyrics “Oh Baby” and dreamed about the day it would hit the radio. I started a business from my Trapper Keeper observing my peers on the playground and then selling the information I collected. I made Clarissa Explains It All inspired jewelry and sold it at my mom’s craft show tables. I collected flowers and berries to crush on a cement barrier to make perfume. I wrote for my high school and junior college paper, selling my personal humiliation for laughs. I’ve taken on baking, sewing, gardening, woodworking, and countless other endeavors because I love a good idea.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
We were living above a chocolate shop in Old Town Eureka, CA while Nick worked for Crestmark Architectural Millwork and studied Historical Preservation and Restoration. I decided to go to school after Rex was born instead of returning to the insurance office where I previously worked. Everything changed when we received an invitation to caretake a house with a shop for two years. During that time we each attended school, started Little Sapling Toys, had a second baby and finally moved to a different state. Everything happened so fast that it’s hard to remember just what we expected. Our goal was for Little Sapling Toys to be successful, but we didn’t expect Etsy to be the sole reason for making it so.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?
The most important things we did:

Economize — We projected our income and started to live on that amount. This helped us to save a bit of money for the initial jump. Our budget is limited and we assess wants and needs thoroughly.
Trial — On days off from school and the office, we worked full-time schedules to test our capabilities. It’s important to know your production potential. This helped us to see if our plans would be sustainable and to streamline processes.
Education — We took all of the free classes at the local Small Business Development Center and were then eligible to use their free one-on-one counseling services. We traded with other Etsy sellers to form relationships and gain mentors. Most of our schooling has been through trial, error and success.
Legalize — We got all of the licenses, permits, identifications and insurance that we needed, and then again when we relocated. It can all be a big pain, but necessary and helpful.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?
Nick: My goal is to get Little Sapling Toys to as many people as possible because they really speak for themselves.

Kimber: Sales usually increase when we list new designs. I relist often, try different photos and let Etsy do most of the dirty work. I keep multiple quantities in the listings so that when we are featured on Etsy it is visible longer. We occasionally offer free shipping on our lighter items and had great fortune when we were featured in Etsy’s Weekend Deals. We’ve just started a new blog, which is still in its experimental phase. On Twitter (@sparetimeflies) and our Facebook fan page, I share daily tips for play, parenting, and child development.

What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?
Nick: Christmas ornaments. They took a lot of time and we only sold one of each (to Kimber’s mom — thanks, Lori!). It seemed like such a good idea, miniature Little Sapling Toys for baby’s first Christmas, who wouldn’t want that?

Kimber: We don’t get many direct sales from sponsoring blog reviews, giveaways and fundraisers, but I still agree to do them once in a while. At first, we peddled our toys directly to shops in person and left a lot of samples. We wasted a lot of time and money. With Etsy, we can just wait for them to contact us.

Walk us through your typical workday.

Nick: Our days are hardly typical, but they usually have some similar elements: Snuggle and playtime with family, shop time, audiobooks, putting the kids down for naps, eating, USPS (by bike when we’re on schedule), and lots and lots of sawdust.
Kimber: We wake and immediately begin to juggle eating oatmeal, answering convos, emails, children’s bodily functions, the shop list, Facebook, Twitter, personal hygiene and the like. If we’re not too swamped and the weather is agreeable, we’ll take a family bike ride along the greenbelt. Rex and Daphne time until lunch. Eat together and naps for the little ‘uns. Convos, shipping labels, packaging, photos, emails, phone calls, bookkeeping and designing toys until Rex, the ball of energy, zooms back into action. Juggle work, Rex, Daphne, dinner, the inevitable phone call and household tasks. Dinner together, play together, kids in bed, Nick back to the shop and work until exhaustion takes me. Sunday we rest.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
Nick: Even though I work 10+ hours a day, I love that it’s flexible. I love that my commute is 34 steps from the front door to the garage/shop. Mostly, I love all the time I spend with my family. The last few day jobs I had were great though, a woodworking store and then as a cabinetmaker. I miss those co-workers and am grateful for what I learned there.

Kimber: I love to design new toys! I wish they could be manufactured right out of my brain. I’m addicted to the pride of a job well done. We love books but have little time for reading, so we’re nearly always listening to audiobooks. There is absolutely nothing I miss about an office, but I would prefer to spend every moment completely focused on Rex and Daphne.

What's the hardest part about running your own business?
Nick: I have a hard time always being innovative, keeping myself out of a rut, and from falling back on the same old things. All the menial everyday tasks also wear me down.

Kimber: A dissatisfied customer! With all the energy that we put into everything we do, it is just miserable to find out someone was disappointed.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?
Start bookkeeping with your first dollar. Listen to input. Always get delivery confirmation. Accept help from friends and family. Hire help when needed. Carefully price products, especially if you plan to wholesale. Step back from day-to-day tasks to look at the big picture. Organize while things are manageable. Go to your local Small Business Development Center.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
Our goals include our own website, new developmental toys, a more efficient shipping system and to have a small inventory. We’re also opening an interesting little shop at cabbageandpopcorn!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Nick: Thank you to my parents for your support and frequent purchases. Thank you to all our customers, I love to hear about your children playing with our toys and see pictures of your babies drooling on our teethers.

Kimber: A big hug to our past and future customers! A high five to every friend and family member who has helped this year. Thumbs up to bloggers for spreading the word. I’ll give a few more thanks by way of links:
Our logo and subsequent branding: 622press, Elle was there at the very beginning: latestendeavor, our first Etsy mentor: thosegreathousewomen, and most of all my dad, who does beautiful woodwork with our block scraps: dapperscrapper.

Thanks to Nick and Kimber for sharing their story. Have your own questions to ask? Come on by and chat with them Wednesday, September 9 at 5 p.m. ET in Etsy's Virtual Labs.

You can see some of Nick and Kimber's beautiful work in the Related Items. Check out previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Kids and Toys Showcase: On Sale August 13, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET

2009-08-12T14:19:00-05:00

The summer is nearing its close and many are thinking about the upcoming school year. Whether you're seeking back to school gear or activities to keep the kids still at home occupied, the Kids and Toys Showcase will have lots of ideas for you.

Info for Sellers
Get your items ready! Think fun things for kids to do or wear. In order to keep the Showcase on point thematically, items in the Showcase can only be from the following categories: Bath & Beauty (e.g., top-level tag being "bath & beauty"), Books and Zines, Children, Clothing, Crochet, Knitting, Paper Goods, Vintage and Woodworking.

The Kids and Toys Showcase goes on sale Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, August 17, 2009 12 a.m. ET until Sunday, August 23, 2009, 11:59 p.m. ET.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24-hour spot, which will be linked from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage.
Sellers determine which item will be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Etsy > Promote > Showcase. Learn more about this process here.

Future Showcases

If you are thinking about planning for other Showcases that may be more appropriate for your items, here are some of the front page Showcases we will be highlighting:

Fall Fashion Showcase: On sale August 20, 2009; the Showcase will be live from August 24, 2009 to September 6, 2009.
- Think new trends, knits, sweaters, accessories and anything to spruce up a fall wardrobe.
Fall Weddings Showcase: On sale September 3, 2009; the Showcase will be live from September 7, 2009 to September 13, 2009.
- Think all things related to weddings: invitations, jewelry, attire, decor and favors.

Camera Obscura: Lightning Bolt's 13 Monsters

2009-07-24T17:30:00-05:00

"PAPER RAD is a Pittsburgh, PA/Northampton, MA collective that has bubbled under the elastic waistline of the world’s slacks for over a decade, tickling its privates and filling its diapers." — Load Records

The collective behind the music video 13 Monsters, Paper Rad, utilizes a low-fi style that crosses many genres and art movements. Their frenetic collage-like animations match the pace and explosive vibe of the noise band Lightning Bolt. For me it's a perfect match of intensity in sound and vision. Paper Rad's DIY aesthetic uses pure RGB colors, no scanning of images and no use of a wacom tablet for digital imaging. This work takes pop art a step further by collaging images from culture's near past and reclaiming them into a mash-up of pop nostalgia and cartoon chaos.

The band Lightning Bolt came out of the RISD / Fort Thunder art and music scene in the mid-nineties. Fort Thunder was known for the brightly colored posters that covered the walls to promote the underground music concerts they hosted.

I find Paper Rad's use of bright primary colors, frenzied cutting and playful cartoon look exhilarating. In searching for related items for this video I went looking for neon and fluorescent colors, animal masks, gnomes, cartoons, rock posters, graffiti, lightning bolts, monsters, superheroes, unicorns, skulls and analog video goodies.

Set of 5 Colorful Gnomes

By happysilence, $20.

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Skull Bandana Digital Print

By TurnerHillikerArt, $12.

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LOCA CHICA

By taylorsays, $200.

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Mega-Bytes Finger Puppets (set of three)

By TheHookery, $7.

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Macrame Owl Necklace - Golden Poppy Yellow

By macraMe, $10.

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Super Hero Doll

By MiniMonster, $19.

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RED DEVIL Happy Monster Backpack

By ArtsiBitsi, $35.

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Panda Mask

By lupin, $19.75.

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My Pet Monster Palm Puppet (Super Monster)

By TheHookery, $17.

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KolOr BReaKdOwn

By SCHiZO, $130.

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Calculator Robot Pouch

By anatomyofaskirt, $40.

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Paper Mache bike 012

By mumbreeze, $20.

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Olive the Recycled Curtain Unicorn

By handmadepretties, $25.

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CUSTOM LEGGINGS TEMPLATE

By ruffeoheartslilsnoty, $78.

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Keyboard Zipper Pouch w/Detachable Ring- Red

By TooToo, $14.

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AQUA FACE - size medium

By joshreames, $20.

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Little T.V. Brooch

By zoxi, $6.

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Jokull the Ice Deer

By amccahon, $17.

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What Etsy items would you add to this post? Leave a link in the comments!

Items Tagged "Neon" on Etsy | The Paper Rad Collective | More Camera Obscura Posts

Etsy Finds: Light and Sweet

2009-07-21T12:00:00-05:00

When the temperature rises and sticking to a sweaty seat seems inevitable (a perpetual issue for this city dweller!), I reach for cool and timeless materials like linen and eco-friendly organic cotton. There's something so comforting about surrounding yourself with soft and breathable clothing, bags, accessories or home accents. Today's collection of Etsy Finds will leave you reveling in the delicate and blissful textures of natural fabrics.

Organic Cotton

Grey, Purple Tunic, Horses print

By dearpony, $59.

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Petite silhouette miscellany sack x3

By whimsyandink, $5.

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Organic Cotton Yarn Mini Tote

By KoboH, $14.

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ORGANIC WATER LILY SKIRT

By Enuwbe, $69.

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Sage Organic Cotton Kids Hoodie

By KayaNow, $49.

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Virtuous Baby Quilt

By mountainashdesign, $199.

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Drawstring Skirt (hemp/organic cotton)

By gaiaconceptions, $65.

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Organic Cotton Fleece Plush Puppy

By woodponddesigns, $25.

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Organic Cotton PILLOW CASE - 3 Colours

By SweetMemoriesQuilts, $24.

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Organic Cotton Panties

By xylemclothing, $16.

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Organic Cotton Wrap Carrier Sale

By slingsandsacks, $70.

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Seasons Flipside Cushion - Teal

By showpony, $38.

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The Old Oak Tree Organic Cotton Tshirt

By littlechook, $20.

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Hemp Skirt medium grey

By AstraeaApparel, $59.

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The Letter Clutch (in hemp and organic cotton)

By moop, $79.

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Moonpads Organic Cloth Menstrual Pads

By epicerma, $28.

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Green Grey Contour Owl

By OdeliaLa, $23.

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Eva in Organic / made to order

By desirapesta, $125.

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Nova Polo Shirt in Leaf Green

By Salts, $36.

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Swordfish

By chakrapennywhistle, $50.

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5 Reusable Organic Sandwich Bags

By Bebeloosh, $24.99.

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Organic Half Sun Hobo.

By Beesnetta, $69.

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Organic Cotton Mini Riva Dress

By consciousclothing, $95.

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Organic cotton Pink Snake with white tongue

By reine, $30.

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Linen Lovelies

Pretty Birdie's Hemp Linen Mini Dress

By stephanieteague, $160.

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Cincinnati Floursack Towel

By visualingual, $15.

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Crochet Natural linen Placemat

By LinenMe, $19.99.

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dress sportif

By modaspia, $150.

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Ruched Bottom Bag in Green Apple Linen

By jennyndesign, $83.

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In Touch Clutch (tm) in Wallflower Greens

By downstairsDesigns, $25.

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Greenwich Necktie

By supperclub, $35.

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Wedding Cake Topper

By cottonbirddesigns, $98.

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Maple Seed Pod Bib

By Jewelweeds, $24.

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Custom Handmade Fox Toy

By birdandlittlebird, $68.

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Vintage Rose Linen Fascinator

By quirkybeauty, $27.

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horizon tea towel - natural/pool

By elisabethbentz, $13.

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Mustache Pin

By neawear, $30.

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Modern Milk Maid Bonnet, Linen

By ropa, $22.

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Linen terracotta boys pants

By adatine, $25.

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Typewriter Pillow

By TrackandFieldDesigns, $9.

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Chrysant Pillow Cover

By Kainkain, $16.

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Olive Linen tunic

By larimeloom, $145.

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natural linen smock tunic

By hodgepodgefarm, $98.

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Vintage lace needlebook

By Ravenhill, $18.

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Butcher's Apron - Aqueduct

By SaraSmedley, $32.

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Linen and Cherry Embroidered Hat

By karmologyclinic, $30.

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Gosta Cycling Cap

By galstudio, $27.

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Coral- Flocked Linen Pillow

By utiledulci, $50.

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How do you keep cool? Leave it in the comments!

Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | Search for Items Tagged "Organic Cotton" | Search for Items Tagged "Linen"

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

Guest Curator: Small Magazine

2009-07-15T16:20:00-05:00

Olivia Pintos-Lopez and Christine Visneau began Small Magazine together in 2006. Small is a free online magazine featuring independent children's design with beautifully photographed fashion spreads, book reviews, commissioned artwork and smartly curated selections of clothing, toys and decor. They paired up and started Small as they dreamed of providing a quality publication to give exposure to independent designers and to collect, commission and curate work from their favorite small-scale makers and artists. Also be sure to check out Smaller, their web journal of ideas and inspiration.

Photograph by Steve Visneau, featuring spats by Soil and fairy crown by tamar.

Right from the beginning we have always featured many Etsy designers, artists, illustrators and products, so we spend a lot of time looking through all the amazing work on this site and hand picking items to feature in future issues. Here we have collected some of our favorite, affordable gift ideas for kids from the Etsy shops. Take a look...

vintage little red wagon

This vintage wagon is from minordetails. We love her blog and are totally inspired by her amazing eye. She is the expert in children's spaces. $18.

View Item | View Shop | See a Storque Post from minordetails

Retro Dot Crayon Holder-16 Crayons Included-Great Gift

Perfect for the budding little artist. Kate Williams was obviously inspired by the crayons for which she made this roll — what beautiful and colorful fabrics! By KateWDesigns, $14.

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New Paper Dolls

We commissioned theblackapple to illustrate a fashion editorial in the Winter issue of Small and think her paper dolls are a perfect gift for any little fashionista. $16.

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rag doll, audrey at the beach

We love to follow Audrey and her friends Oliver and Eleanor on their adventures, especially their photo booth antics. What a lucky birthday for any child to receive one of littlebigpants' handmade creations. $55.

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My Paper Plane

Whenever a child gets a gift of art rather than a toy, the parents are always so grateful — less clutter and it keeps forever. This Paper Plane print by belleandboo is timeless and perfect for any boy's room. $46.50.

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Home Sweet Home - printable 3D House Card, Envelope, Gift Tags, Favor

We love the idea of saving a few dollars while planning a birthday party. This printable PDF by GoMakeMe can be used for party invites, party favors and gift tags. Best of all, you can print out as many as you like. This is a great way for your child to help you prepare for the party while doing a fun DIY project together. $6.

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RAINY SUMMER DAYS. german vintage mikado pick up sticks game.

We are not sure what we like better — the actual game of pick-up-sticks or the beautiful packaging and instructions that come with it. myredboots always has the most amazing vintage children's items; you can never go wrong with gifting vintage! $7.50.

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Play Cape in Blue Flowers on White

Since kids naturally use our kitchen towels as capes you might as well give them beautifully handmade ones. girlnumbertwenty will even personalize it! $15.

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Photograph by Steve Visneau, featuring drawer pulls by fisforfrank, legwarmers by Soil, mittens and doll by cozyblue, burp cloths by bellaserababy, beaver plush by FantasticToys, robot scarf by syko, and owl cloth ball by AppleBlossomBaby.

valo

You will know who the birthday girl is in this bold and bright Marimekko print party dress! Classic and modern, mette gets it right with every design. $46.

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DOWNY DUCKLING, a vintage LADYBIRD Book, with full page color illustrations. To collect and display, or for your altered art.

Here at Small, we are constantly inspired by vintage children's book illustrations. Vintage books make excellent gifts and are way better than buying from a big retailer. From storyline, $5.

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Lego My Stego - Organic Cotton - Kid's Medium Navy T-shirt

For the dinosaur loving birthday boy. We love EarthCadets' quirky placement of this Stego! $18.

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Where I Left Off - Felt Birdie Bookmark

This beautiful felt bird bookmark by TheCupcakeGirls will keep your child's library books in perfect shape. No more dog-eared pages! $8.

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mini pennant banner

koosi has made a mini version of the usual fabric banners. Make any kid's room feel like a party every day! $9.

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SNIPPETS Scrapbooking Card Pendant Children DIY Collage Altered Art Kit Making Scrap Stash Fabric Bag

You can always make something out of leftovers! These fabric scrap squares from yoyocottage would be a perfect party activity. A little imagination and some glue sticks can equal hours of fun and beautiful art. $1.

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Photograph by Nick Prendergast, featuring wrap dress by faithworks4u and hair clip by MyBellaBows.

Looking for past Guest Curator posts? Check out our archive.

Children's Gift Guide | Handmade Kids Series | Children's Category

Quit Your Day Job: NewDuds

2009-06-29T16:31:00-05:00

Torrey and Tessa met in college, inspired each other's creativity, and are now successfully running two Etsy shops, NewDuds and hannapt. Both Torrey and Tessa had regular day jobs out of college and pursued their mutual creative outlets in order to cultivate their own businesses together. They started out small, set consistent achievable goals along the way, and with their last busy Etsy holiday season, Torrey and Tessa were able to move their operation into a separate studio and call it quits with their regular careers. The two of them are now happily co-creating with their dog and cat by their side and are planning their handmade wedding coming this fall.

How did you originally get into the business of making things?
Torrey: Ever since I was little I've made things. I come from a family of builders; growing up, there was always a new tree house in the making. I have been drawing for as long as I could remember. I’ve always been a hands on, visual person.

Tessa: Torrey and I had a similar childhood. My parents were both teachers and stressed the importance of creativity. We always had a craft room and a wood shop at home. In college I painted but wasn’t fully happy with it. I met Torrey at college and he really helped keep my creativity going. However, after college I stopped being hands on and creative, and it really put me in a funk. I worked retail and it took a toll on my attitude. I knew I needed to do something else. I heard about Etsy through our friend Erin, a.k.a. elmbellishments, and I loved the site instantly. When we got a new kitten, it tapped into my long dormant love of sewing and I started making him cat toys. That led to opening our first shop on Etsy, hannapt. The catnip eyeballs were a bigger hit than we could have ever imagined, and the hope of being our own business bloomed from there. Then I finally knew it was the direction I wanted to take my life.

When you first started selling on Etsy, did you have dreams or goals of eventually quitting your day job?
Torrey: Absolutely. Etsy was a great outlet for us to get started and test the water for our products. I have always wanted to be self-employed and Etsy was the first step in proving to myself that it was possible while doing what I love…creating.

Tessa: At first I thought of it as a little extra income. I was barely making enough working retail to scrape by. However, I found myself staying up late and not being able to get Etsy off the brain. Soon I was daydreaming about being a Featured Seller and reading articles and trying to make our Etsy shops into something viable. Once we opened newduds in the winter of '08 I knew quitting my job was nearing.

Did you do anything to prepare ahead of time?
Torrey: Yes, we worked out of our apartment for the first year and a half. I worked for a corporate screen-printer full time during those years. I made sure to really learn the process and equipment needed for screen-printing. I did lots and lots of research before buying any of my equipment or supplies. I got some amazing deals by purchasing refurbished equipment. We also figured out our favorite apparel wholesalers with whom to work.

Tessa: We got all our legal ducks in a row; as art majors, starting a small business was something we knew very little about. However, we have some great friends that pointed us in the right direction and some awesome Etsy blog articles and forums that helped out a ton! I spent about a year re-learning to sew, scrounging thrift stores for fabric, perfecting the catnip eyeballs, taking in as much supplies from friends and family as I could. The success of the holiday sales got us looking into workshop space in the area. Screen-printing the way we wanted to just wasn’t going to fit in our two-bedroom apartment. We got a small loan from a friend to purchase the needed printing equipment and to open our workshop. Finally in January of 2009 I gave my two weeks' notice (I had been just part-time since the summer). Then just about a month ago Torrey left his job fully. We listened to a lot of people telling us to wait a few years and save more before we jumped in. But for us this was the best time. We have very few commitments, no mortgage, no kids, and very few payments. There might not be another time in our lives when we could put 100% into something as we can now.

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?
Torrey: Word of mouth, friends and family are the most fantastic (and free) means of marketing. Passing out business cards, and hanging posters is effective and fun!

Tessa: Promoting Etsy has been fun. Etsy is still a very foreign word to many here in Vermont. Explaining ourselves and what we do still gets quite a few confused looks. I find the best way is to just show people the Etsy site. We do some guerrilla marketing like leaving our business cards in bathrooms, posting flyers at local colleges, leaving the Etsy site up at libraries and college computers. The catnip eyeballs get on blogs weekly and that has been awesome. Just having unique products really helps.

What have you found to be an unsuccessful promotion?
We haven’t had too many unsuccessful promotions. We don’t spend money on advertising if we can help it so I haven’t had any financial regrets. I don’t know if anyone actually finds us through our guerrilla advertising, but it sure is fun running around shoving business cards in bathroom stalls.

Walk us through your typical workday.
Torrey: Wake up before 8:00 (just about every day). I find that I feel more productive and fresh in the morning and tend to get more work done. I like to eat a good breakfast and have a cup of coffee. I bike three miles to work, which is not only energizing but a great time for me to be alone and think about my day, and what I want to get done. Get to the shop, check emails, check orders, and browse a few things on Etsy. Then from here on out it varies greatly depending on what I have to print for that day. I draw, paint, print, build or clean. My days are usually pretty different from each other, which keeps things refreshing. There is always something to do around here. At some point one of us will go to the post office and drop off the orders from the night before, and grab lunch.

Tessa: I’m a bit of a later riser, and usually I run in the mornings also. This past winter I was training for the Boston Marathon so running was a main focus of my morning. It’s good that our schedules are a bit different. It gives us each alone time to focus and then some good hours together working. I try to sew up something new each day. I spend a day or so each week making cat toys. I don’t make a ton at once because I think nothing beats fresh catnip! We go to a local farmers market Thursday afternoons. We are also going to SOWA in Boston on some Sundays this summer with our friend Jesse, a.k.a. jessedanger. We spend a good chunk of our day with customer relations. We do local custom printing as well as Etsy so there is always an email or convo to get back to. We don’t have cable TV and that has been a great way for us to be creative instead. We love being at our shop and our dog joins us every day. It’s such a welcome and truly treasured part of our lives now.

What do you enjoy most about not having a day job? Is there anything you miss?
Torrey: The best part is the freedom to create as I feel. I remember being at work printing some job, and daydreaming about what I could be doing instead. Now if I get an idea I have the freedom to drop what I’m doing and lay out my ideas. Honestly there isn’t much that I miss about my day job other than the people with whom I worked.

Tessa: Oh my, I love so much. I love being able to say I’m a small business owner, I love working with my hands all day, I love bringing my dog to work, I love taking breaks for walks or just to sit outside, I love writing off business expenses, impromptu dance parties, and print shop parties! Sometimes I miss the structure of a day job, having someone tell you what to do. Sometimes I miss my coworkers also, but now I have more time to hang out with my friends and family. I really missed that when I was working retail.

What's the hardest part about running your own business?
Torrey: Dealing with the trends of customers, being self-disciplined, and not having as structured of a life. Ultimately it’s a good thing, but it's hard not knowing exactly what you have to do each and every day.

Tessa: Right now the hardest thing for me is learning to call it a day. I love having a hand in every part of the business but sometimes that can get overwhelming. I’m learning to make obtainable lists for each day. Set small goals and learn from our mistakes. It’s so different than anything I ever imagined myself doing. But that’s also what makes it awesome!

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? What advice would you give someone else?
Torrey: To be patient. As soon as I graduated college I wanted to hop right into having my own shop. Now that I have lived through the last two years I understand that gaining that experience was crucial to my ability to finally quit. If being self-employed is truly what you want to do, then it will happen. You just need to work hard and be patient.

Tessa: As far as advice for someone else I would say if you believe in your products and you really love making them, then go for it. I have found that if something isn’t selling, taking new photos and updating the description is better than lowering the price or putting it on sale. Even with the catnip eyeballs we just started stating bluntly that you get TWO in every order. Sometimes people don’t read the whole description. We had a sale boost after we put that at the top of the description. We recently changed our New Duds shop to have easy to find size categories. This made it easier for customers to find the size they are looking for without reading each listing fully. Sometimes the most simple, easy-to-do changes make the biggest difference.

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?
Torrey: Have a good holiday season, promote, and get a following of fans that really enjoy what we make. I love having a customer come back because they loved what they bought so much!

Tessa: I really want to experiment more. Push the limits of screen-printing. There is so much more you can do with a bucket of ink and a screen than I ever thought. I want to make more cohesive lines of products based on a single print. I really want the cat toys to hit 1,000 sales! That will be an awesome day! We are getting married in the fall, so a handmade wedding is a huge goal. We found our caterer by making T-shirts for his business, and we are trading printed apparel for bar service.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Torrey: Sometimes being self-employed can be scary. If things aren’t going as you had hoped, don’t get depressed; use that time to fuel your creative side. Make something new, try something else, and just don’t let it get you down.

Tessa: Quitting our day job was right for us; this is the career that makes us happy. Even if your Etsy shop is no more than a hobby, enjoy it fully. As far as my generation is considered, I am shocked at how many people don’t have any "making things" skills. I am very thankful to my parents for letting me be creative and giving me the tools growing up to make things. I really lost a lot of it in college and thought I had to get a job that was already mapped out by someone else. You never know until you try. I am so happy, and I know I will look back with no regrets. Thanks Etsy!

Thanks to Torrey and Tessa for sharing their stories. Have your own questions to ask? Come on by and chat with them Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 7 p.m. in Etsy's Virtual Labs.

You can see some of their product lines in the related items. Check out previous Quit Your Day Job posts here.

Camera Obscura: Lotte Reiniger

2009-06-10T15:40:00-05:00

Camera Obscura is our new blog series spotlighting filmic wonders from the blogosphere. Look forward to personal favorites of stop motion animations, optical ephemera and forgotten film treasures.

"I believe in the truth of fairy-tales more than I believe in the truth in the newspaper."
— Lotte Reiniger

This week enchanted silhouettes frame the screen with handmade paper puppets from filmmaker Lotte Reiniger. Reiniger transformed the ancient art of shadow-plays by adapting it to cinema and, in the process, made a lasting mark in the history of animated films.

For some 60 years Reiniger hand cut all of her paper silhouette forms herself with precision and acuity. She held scissors still in her right hand while manipulating the paper at lightning speed with her left hand. Reiniger modestly noted once that, "Even with primitive materials, one can work small wonders."

Lotte Reiniger's wonderfully crafted works remind me of a Czech shadow puppet show I once saw at a Bread & Puppet festival, as well as the brilliant black cut-paper silhouettes of artist Kara Walker. Who is your favorite animator? Tell us in the comments below.

[Animation found via Hello Stranger]

Browse Toys Tagged "Shadow Puppet" on Etsy | Lotte Reiniger boxset from BFI

Find out about Crankbunny's Shadow Puppets

Do you make movies? Submit yours to our Handmade Moment contest.

Come Craft With the Etsy Labs: Paper Puppets With Crankbunny

2009-06-04T14:30:00-05:00

Why revel in your crafty ambitions alone? Come make paper puppets with us — whether you're in Brooklyn or anywhere in the world. Join us for our weekly Craft Night in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs, or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Craft Night occurs every Monday from 4-8 p.m. ET at 325 Gold Street, 3rd floor in Brooklyn, New York and in the Virtual Labs. Drop by our space in Brooklyn anytime between 4-8 p.m. to craft with us. Craft Night is a time to make things, sharpen your craft skills, meet new friends, and hang out.

Not in Brooklyn? Join us online for a live broadcast and demo from Craft Night in the Virtual Labs starting at 5 p.m. ET. Click here to see what time 5 p.m. ET is around the world (though we usually take some time to get settled and ready to go).

On Monday, June 8, the magnificent Norma Toraya of crankbunny, as well as author of the book Paper Puppet Palooza, will let us in on the secrets of the paper finger puppet trade. She will lead us through the ins and outs of bringing dapper unicycle-riding finger puppet Jacques Le Koolmaine to life. We will have copies of the puppet template printed out at the Etsy Labs. If you are joining us in the Virtual Labs, be sure to download a template here.

Just can't wait till Monday to learn how to make these puppets? Check out this week's How-Tuesday post for a sneak preview of the process.

If you are attending Craft Night virtually this week and would like to craft along with us, you'll need to gather a few supplies:

Scissors
Cutting knife
Glue
8 mini brads
1 plastic drinking straw
1/8 inch (3 mm) hole punch
3x3 inch (7.6 cm) piece of chipboard or cardboard (approximate in size)
Template printed onto very thick paper/card stock

Upcoming Craft Nights & Events at Etsy Labs:

6/7: Church of Craft meeting at the Etsy Labs (2-6 p.m.)

6/15: Summer crochet with Kim Kotary

6/22: Make lip balm with the Etsy Labs

6/29: Open Craft Night

Would you like to lead a Craft Night project? Send your ideas to labs@etsy.com with "Craft Night idea" as the subject line. Have you participated in Craft Night? Share your photos with the Etsy Labs Show and Tell Flickr group!

Want to learn more about the Labs? Check out our FAQs. Want to receive email updates? Join our Etsy Labs mailing list.

Will we see you Monday? Let us know in the comments.

How-Tuesday: Make a Paper Finger Puppet with Crankbunny

2009-06-02T15:45:00-05:00

Norma Toraya, a.k.a. crankbunny, is the queen of nostalgic paper crafts. Her new book, Paper Puppet Palooza, is a storybook how-to on making paper puppets and incorporating paper puppet techniques into your own existing work. It is a book for artists, crafty people, hobbyists, teachers, animators, parents, youngsters, puppeteers, rainy day victims, and those who are just into curious creative exploration. The main character in the book, Paul “Peppo” Palooza, guides the reader through each of the step-by-step illustrated projects with a cast of other imaginative paper puppet characters.

Paper Puppet Palooza also showcases various artists who incorporate book techniques into their own artwork, including Etsy artists Lindsey Carr, a.k.a. littlerobot, Sara Guindon, a.k.a. thepinpals, and Gwenaëlle Gobé, a.k.a. gounie.

Today crankbunny will show us how to make a paper finger puppet. Download the template here and get started!

Jacques Le Koolmaine loves the summer and riding his unicycle to various summer parties and beach picnics. He carries his picnic bounty in his basket, with a loaf of bread for sandwiches and bottles of refreshing beverages. He's always showing off and doing daring balancing tricks while on his way to his next summer adventure.

Jacques is a paper finger puppet you can cut out and put together easily. He has various moving joints and different ways of customizing for optimum fun.

Materials & Tools

Scissors
Cutting knife
Glue
8 mini brads
1 plastic drinking straw
1/8 inch (3 mm) hole punch
3x3 inch (7.6 cm) piece of Chipboard/cardboard (approximate in size)
Template printed onto very thick paper/card stock

Instructions

1. Transfer the template to thick paper. Carefully cut out all of the puppet pieces. Make sure to cut out the two finger holes, too!

2. Fold the SPACER piece in half and cut out the small dash triangle from it.

3. Cut with your cutting knife along the black line of the basket piece to create a simple way to slot your bread and bottle pieces into the basket.
4. Take the bicycle wheel (Part K) and trace it over the piece of cardboard. Cut the traced circle shape out of the cardboard. Roughly cut out an additional hole into this part so that it looks like an O. Glue this O shape to the back of your bicycle wheel (Part K) with some glue.

5. Use the paper punch to make the holes marked on all of the parts.

6. Match each hole by the letters (A to a, B to b). Place the lowercase-letter hole under the uppercase hole. Tightly join the matched pieces with a brad, with the exception of E & e and K & k. These joints should be stiff.

7. Join set parts E & e and K & k with a brad. Before fastening the back of the brad, slip the brad ends into the cutout wedge of the spacer. Spread and fasten the brad prongs against the spacer. Then remove the spacer so these joints are nice and loose.

8. Flip your paper puppet over. Cut a 3 inch (7.6 cm) piece of plastic drinking straw. Glue the straw to the back of the unicycle seat post. Allow to dry completely.

9. Your paper puppet is now complete and ready to play with. Put your pointing and middle finger through the back of the paper puppet holes. Use the rest of your fingers to grab onto the back straw gently for leverage while wheeling around town or your desk.

Puppet Possibilities

Make your own fun items for the basket: anything can be slotted into the paper basket! Cut out items that fit from magazines or draw out your own objects that you'd like to put in it.

Fold up your paper puppet and include it in summer time party invitations! Jacques is perfect for birthday parties, family gatherings at parks, or any invite you want to add some pizazz to. (Yes, I actually used the word "pizazz.") The puppet will fit in a standard size A7 5x7" inch (12.7x17.8 cm) greeting card envelope.

Replace the rider's head with a photo of a friend's head (and then make fun of them)! Cut out a photo or do some Photoshop-Inkjet printing wizardry and attach the head on with glue. Just make sure the head is around the same size, or it might look a little funny. I went with the Mona Lisa!

Need more of a paper puppet fix? We do, too. Join crankbunny for our weekly Craft Night next Monday, June 8th in our online multi-user chat room, the Virtual Labs or in person at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn!

More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog! And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?

Etsy Finds: Adventures with Dad

2009-06-02T12:15:00-05:00

Growing up, my dad would always take my brothers and me on great outdoor adventures. Whether it was hiking up a mountain, kayaking a nearby river, camping in a national park or biking along the beach, we always managed to create lasting memories that none of us have forgotten. Think about giving your dad an adventurous gift that your whole family can enjoy together, or something that will remind him of the good times from adventures past.

For more unique gift ideas for the father whose childish heart still beats strong, check out Etsy's Tools, Gadgets and Games Gift Guide.

Bike Burrito - Regular Green Bursts/Red Duck Cloth

"Contains 3 pockets perfect for a spare tube, multi-tool and some spare wrenches." By bikeburrito, $20.

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COLORFUL Bowling Pins

By sweetshorn, $36.

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Recyclure Fr Slsh Tapestry

By teddmcdonah, $45.

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Large black / white dart board

From electriclime, $24.

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LEMON BALL baseball. Vintage lemon peel style baseball.

By LemonBall, $25.

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Customize Your Golf Ball Marker for Her or Him

"Sterling silver disc will be hand hammered with initials or words of your choice." By AutumnLeavesJewelry, $15.

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Military 1960s Canteen Air Force Issued

From MyraMelinda, $9.50.

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Kip and the Burnt Marshmallow

From objetpetita, $12.

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Robins Egg - Tic Tac Toe

By onelatenight, $30.

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The Knobbly

By benfloeter, $32.

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Hiking stick 56 inch Walking Stick with leather strap

"This is a rugged heavy duty stick built for a rugged heavy duty person." By bearpawrustics, $30.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Gift Guides | More Father's Day Posts | Trends | More Gift Ideas for Men

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

A Dude's Perspective: Squashtoys Gets Creative with Fatherhood

2009-05-28T16:39:00-05:00

What lives in Central Ohio, buzzes, and makes children around the world happy? Jim from happysquashtoys! (The buzzing is coming from his wood shop.) We invited this Central Ohio local to tell us about natural toy-making and being a creative dad.

I am married to my wonderful wife Jenise and have three children. I started making wooden toys a few years ago when we decided we wanted a safe alternative to plastic toys. My first toy was a duck pull toy and I just slowly expanded from there. I quickly discovered a wonderful creative outlet and we decided to start Happy Squash Toys. I do all the woodwork and detail painting, and my wife does the sewing and paints as well.

I really love being a dad to my two boys (Aidan is 11, Wayne is 9) and my little girl (Maryam is 2). My oldest is very creative and often give me ideas for toys. He actually gave me the idea for the pull toy on the front of our website.

My middle son loves to play games, and I often test out my new ideas with him. That's him playing tic tac toe.

My little girl is by far my biggest inspiration, since most of my toys are for children her age. I love to watch her and see how she plays with the toys I create. I often get new ideas from just watching her play and seeing what interests her. This is her with the giraffe

I am in desperate need of a new wallet, and I will hopefully receive one of the great handcrafted ones on Etsy for Father's Day.

Are you a dad or have suggestions for Father's Day gifts? Tell us about it in this forum thread.

Read Dude's Perspective Posts | Visit the Father's Day Gift Guides

How-Tuesday: Make a Felt Mushroom with My Little Mochi

2009-05-19T13:40:00-05:00

Myra Masuda, the brains behind My Little Mochi, knows that crafters love mushrooms. She promises that this cute little guy is easy-peasy and quick-as-a-breezy. Download the pattern and complete project instructions here. Enjoy!

Materials:

Red and white felt scraps
Scrap of sturdy cardboard
Red and white embroidery Floss
Brown crochet thread or cord
Polyfill stuffing
White acrylic paint
Hot glue gun
Paint brush or stick with a Wide back tip
Ultra fine glitter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Transfer and cut out the pattern pieces from white and red felt and cardboard. You will need a large red felt circle, a small cardboard circle and a strip of white felt.

2. Making the stem: Tie a knot at the end of a length of white floss (I used red floss here for illustrative purposes only) and use a needle to string it through the bottom corner of one end of the white felt.

3. Starting from the end of the felt with the floss, begin rolling the felt into a coil. Make sure to keep the end of the floss outside of the coil.

4. After you're done rolling the felt into a coil, insert the needle into the middle of the coil and out through the bottom outer corner of the felt strip.

5. Re-insert the needle into the felt coil to stitch the end closed. After the last stitch, insert the needle back into the coil and out through the center of the coil, and tie a knot at the center to secure it in place. Set the stem on the side.

6. Making the cap: Tie a knot at the end of a length of red floss (I used white floss here for illustrative purposes only) and sew a running stitch along the edge of the red felt circle. Pull the thread to form a little sack.

7. Firmly stuff the sack with polyfill. Note: the more polyfill you use, the higher the cap of your mushroom will get. I used all the polyfill shown in the materials photo at the top which was a nice sized handful of polyfill.

8. Insert the cardboard circle into the sack, over the polyfill. It's okay if some of the polyfill peeks out the sides, but try your best to keep the polyfill in place with the cardboard circle.

9. Pull on the red floss again to tighten the red felt over the cardboard leaving a small opening of the cardboard visible. Note: the opening should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the white felt stem coil for a nice tight fit.

10. Use your needle to secure the gathers and tie a knot. Hide the thread end by reinserting the needle into the felt and out through the middle opening. Clip excess thread.

11. Apply a dab of hot glue to the exposed cardboard on the cap.

12. Insert the stem onto the glue on the cap at a 90 degree angle and press firmly but gently in place.

13. Use a knitting needle (I used a bamboo skewer) to push any exposed stem edges back into the cap opening.

14. The dots: Pour some white acrylic paint onto a paint palette and dab the back end of a wide paint brush handle into the paint. Apply the paint to the top of the stem to form dots. Depending on the type of felt you use and the look you want, you may need to apply two coats of paint for each dot.

15. If you like, you can add a short length of brown crochet thread or cord to the top center of the cap for a hanger, but it should also be able to stand up on its own. And that's it! "All pau," as they say Hawaii. Easy right?

I sprinkled ultra-fine glitter over the white dots while the paint was still wet for a shimmery effect, which was really hard to photograph, but looks so great in person.

Thanks to Myra for sharing! Don't forget to head over to her blog, My Little Mochi for more fun.

More crafty project downloads can be found in our How-Tuesday series on the Etsy blog! And did you know that you can buy Supplies on Etsy?

Etsy Finds: Geeks Need Gifts Too

2009-05-19T12:10:00-05:00

Embracing your inner geek just got easier! Today I bring you a host of Etsy Finds that lend the perfect touch of tech (without going over the top). Whether you're looking for a graduation gift, that perfect something for Father's Day, or a little something to spruce up your home or office, I bet you'll find an item to make you smile. For more techie and Geekery related items, check out Etsy's Geek Chic Gift Guide and the Tools, Gadgets, and Games Guide.

Super 8 TIME

By IMOTIME, $25.

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Mix Tape Pouch

By BraveMoonman, $24.

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Copper Candlestick II

By McGdesign, $54.

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1939 Argus 35 mm A2B Camera in Leather Case

From SuzisCornerBoutique, $60.

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Mr. Tea - felt teabag

By toastkawaii, $10.

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Wanderlust

By AchAchLiebling, $20.

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Framed Robot Portrait Silhouette

By KarensMonsters, $20.

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Computer Key Jewelry - Sterling with Amethyst

By creativedexterity, $125.

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Black ninjas vs. red ninjas Checkers

By goosegrease, $100.

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RCA and connectors screenprinted necktie

By toybreaker, $30.

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Secret Keeper

By HEILOstudios, $125.

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Custom Periodic Table Keychain, Key Fob or Pendant

By anandi, $24.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Geek Chic Gifts | Geekery Category | Gift Ideas | More Geekery Posts | Tools, Gadgets and Games

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

Handmade Kids: Wooden Toys and Classic Looks

2009-05-12T16:46:00-05:00

I love children's items that withstand the test of time. A handmade quilt, a classic vintage storybook, sturdy wooden toy — these are a few of my favorite things. In fact, I have quite a few stored in my parents' attic waiting to spring to life again once I have kids!

In my opinion, kids dressed like little old-fashioned dolls is the way to go (at least until they're old enough to complain). In addition to toys and items for the nursery, you can find formal children's clothing for events like weddings and christenings. I'm keeping an eye out for antique kids' clothes too.

My inspiration? I had a vintage suitcase filled with my mother's dolls as a kid; they had intricate doll clothing that my great-grandmother had made. They're still somewhere in our attic...What's your favorite childhood item? Leave it in the comments below!

Children's Category | Vintage Toys

Check out the special Kids & Toys Showcase!

Fresh Shops: Misako Mimoko

2009-05-07T17:30:00-05:00

I'm a girl called Eva, a.k.a. misakomimoko, who lives, works and dreams in Barcelona, a crowded, small Spanish city near the sea. Luckily, my neighborhood is very quiet, with a lot of green. It's much like a little Mediterranean village. My workplace is at home, and sometimes I like to take a break and handcraft a little. I sew while sitting down on my old chair near a balcony surrounded by flowers, green trees and birds singing, or while watching TV. When it's sunny, I go sewing by the little hill that is close to my place.

My personal handcraft history starts while studying Fine Arts. I was very interested in crafts and naïve art, and I used to work with recycled materials and fabrics. I began sewing again, as I did during my early school days.

I had been working as a multimedia designer for almost ten years, until a year ago when I participated in an amigurumi workshop arranged by a lovely little shop called Duduá. I just needed to take a break from computers and go back to my old likings. Then I got in touch with handmade craft blogs and the DIY movement, and I met other crafters who shared the same interests as me — Emedermarta, La Aranya Tecla, Delolast, La Ballena Elena...it was fantastic!

I have completely fallen for vintage toys and illustrations, so I create my little rag dolls, trying my best to retrieve all the happiness, humor and good vibes from that time. My boyfriend Gabriel Corbera is an illustrator who loves old comics, and he's constantly introducing all kind of cute and funny classic characters that always inspire me a lot. I think my love for vintage culture has grown as a reaction to a city terribly mad about design and new technologies, which is losing its own identity and roots.

It was my friend Emedemarta who introduced me to this gorgeous handmade marketplace on Etsy, and she drove me to start my own shop. This amazing community is constantly surprising me — there are a lot of promotional opportunities and facilities available to showcase your work worldwide without spending money. I think it's important help to small crafters avoiding middlemen.

How can be Etsy a more international site? Maybe giving the option to choose other country currencies, translating the site into other languages and perhaps adding Europe, and the rest of the continents, as an option in the shipping list menu. I don't know if it's a great solution, but certainly it could help.

Shop Local Barcelona | Fresh Shops Series | Etsy International

Kids and Toys Showcase

Below you'll find items from other talented Etsians who hail from Barcelona!

Vote! Best Baby Shower Gifts

2009-05-05T10:04:00-05:00

We asked our readers to nominate their favorite baby items. Now it's your turn to vote!

Next Monday we'll announce the winner and we'll all have the opportunity to Ooo and Ahhh over the cuteness. The winner will be featured in the Gift Guides and here on the Etsy blog, so show your favorite sellers some love and get out the vote!

Voting Posts | Children's Category | Children's Showcase

Handmade Kids Posts | Handpicked Baby Items

Etsy Finds: Felt So Good

2009-05-04T12:00:00-05:00

So, Etsy has the most amazing stuff that you just can't find anywhere else (if you didn't already know). I had no idea of the range of styles and creations that could possibly be created with a material such as, oh, let's say felt. If there is one medium that produces the most wacky, beautiful and unique things, it is totally felt. Here are some recent felt sculpture discoveries.

Bunny Rabbit 42 Feltidermy

Girlsavage has the feltidermy (faux taxidermy made of felt!) market on lockdown. Check out this wee one! $45.

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gift boxed sushi set

Felt sushi?! Yes, please. By treaclezoo, $75.

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Brown Felted Bowl

I find felted bowls to be elegant and thoroughly modern centerpieces. By reyaveltman, $55.

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Isabelle Guesnon - Felt Sculpture - Littlebird Dreams

This sculpture makes me so happy. If only we all had little bird friends to help us fly! By Feltathome, $65.

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Plush Sandwich

I must admit that this felt sandwich is my favorite of the bunch. A lucky baby will be sucking on this very soon. By Stichedup, $25.

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Desktop Topiary with Yellow Bird

Ooh! This felt topiary reminds me of Edward Scissorhands. By FeltFarm, $55.

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Wolli Snow Mountain Toy Box

Aww. This soft felt toy box keeps all of baby's toys out of sight (and looks great doing it). By BabiesBreath, $125.

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Yellow/White Hand Felted Fantasy Flower

Here's another centerpiece idea: make your flowers last longer with felt! By QueenHeronCreations, $22.

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Frida Kahlo Mouse

The details on this Frida mouse are just too spot on. The unibrow! Amazing! By TheHouseOfMouse, $40.

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Corn on the Cob

And finally, more felt food. This corn looks good enough to eat. By GoBuggy, $36.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Search for More Felt Sculpture | More Posts on Felt | Needlecraft Category | Art Category

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

Kids and Toys Showcase: On Sale May 7, 2009 at 12 PM EDT

2009-05-04T10:15:00-05:00

School is almost out, summer is just around the corner, and there are lots of children ready to create and play. The Kids and Toys Showcase will be a great place to find items to entertain a precocious child, keep her clothed in the finest apparel, and ignite some creativity this summer.

We encourage sellers to add items that could would make unique gifts for any child or toy collector this summer: think fun things for kids to do or wear. In order to keep the Showcase on-point thematically, the tool will only pull items placed in the following categories: Children (e.g., top-level tag being "Children"), Clothing, Crochet, Books and Zines, Knitting, Toys, Vintage, and Woodworking.

The Kids and Toys Showcase goes on sale Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12PM EDT.
Go to the Showcase Gateway to purchase a spot.
This Showcase will run from Monday, May 11, 2009 12am EDT through Sunday, May 17, 2009, 11:59pm EDT.
For $15 USD, Etsy sellers can purchase a 24-hour spot, which will be linked from a prominent banner on Etsy's homepage.
Sellers determine which item will be featured in your Showcase slot. Sellers must use the tool in Your Etsy > Promote > Showcase. Learn more about this process here.

Future Showcases

If you are thinking about planning for other Showcases that may be more appropriate for your items, here are some of the front page Showcases we will be offering:

Weddings Showcase: On sale Thursday, May 14, 2009; the Showcase will be live from May 18, 2009 through May 24, 2009.
- Think all things related to weddings: invitations, jewelry, attire, decor and favors.
Weddings - The Perfect Gift Showcase: On sale Thursday, May 21, 2009; the Showcase will be live from May 25, 2009 through May 31, 2009.
- Think gifts for the home: housewares, furniture and items that will become heirlooms in the years to come.
Father's Day Showcase: On sale Thursday, May 28, 2009; the Showcase will be live from June 1, 2009 through June 14, 2009.
- Think great gifts for your dad, husband or father. Cuff links, clothing, accessories, geekery items, bath and body products, and artwork are some great ideas to start.