Baby Friendly L.A.

Loving the Love

Two blogs and an Etsy Treasury!

This week has been filled with lots of love for my Etsy shop, OnceTraveled.com. I'm excited to share my latest features - two wonderful blogs and a very fun Treasury!

Joanna's Photography Blog featured me in her "Friday Find" section and kindly showcased three of my pendants. Be sure to check out Joanna's Fine Art Photography and her Etsy shop, JoannasPhotography.Etsy.com

Sand Fiber's Blog displays many of the Treasuries her amazing work has been featured in - including my latest Treasury design, "Just LUCKY I Guess!" She also included a write up about my Egyptian Scroll pendant as a very nice thank you gesture.  Thank YOU, Sand Fibers! Please visit: SandFibers.Etsy.com

And speaking of Treasuries... Joanna was at it again! In addition to the feature on her wonderful blog, she featured my pendant from Czechoslovakia of the composer Chopin in her latest Treasury (picture on the left).

It's been a week full of love and I'm so grateful.  Many, many thanks to these talented artists.

Unique Los Angeles May 2-3

Mother's Day is May 10th. Skip the malls and get crafty this year!

Unique Los Angeles is a two day shopping event showcasing over 275 independent designers, artists and merchants from the L.A. area. 50% of tickets sales go to support a local charity.  Tickets are $5 (kids under 10 are free). 

Unique Los Angeles was formed to bring together creative talent and support local shopping. It's an opportunity to discover new designers, artists and other creative and handmade goods. Think of a live version of ETSY.  Some of the event's special collections examples include:

• The eco-friendly Green Room features environmentally friendly merchants.

• The Hot Mama/Cool Baby area has plenty of trendy items for the little ones.

• Gallery Row showcases eclectic artists, painters, photographers and more.

For a complete list of vendors, click HERE.

The marketplace is open this Saturday and Sunday, May 2 - 3 from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (until 5pm on Sunday) and is located Downtown L.A. at the California Market Center (110 East 9th Street, Los Angeles, CA) MAP IT

For more information, visit: www.uniquelosangeles.com
Or visit their supporting blog: http://uniquelosangeles.blogspot.com/

My First Etsy Treasury

I finally snagged a coveted Treasury spot!

Tonight I waited. And waited. And waited. And then my computer decided to slow down to a snails pace, chugging along as if it was on it's last breath and Ava started stirring and whining in her sleep. My heart sank after all of that waiting, planning and hoping. My laptop managed to perk up at the final moment and sleeping beauty stayed asleep in her crib. And I got it. My very first Etsy Treasury.

I hope you will enjoy my selection and if you are a member of Etsy, I hope you'll leave a comment about my Fractured Fairy Tales display.

(This amazing picture was created by Etsy artist, Sybile and was my inspiration for the design.)

Happy President's Day!

What a nice way to wake up…

I woke up this morning and checked my email to find a nice surprise! Giftfully Simple features handmade gift ideas and Courtney, the blog's creator, featured my 1932 George Washington pendant in honor of President's Day.  Thank you so much, Courtney! 

You should check her out:  giftfullysimple.blogspot.com

MomMadeThat.com

Supporting Mom-created businesses

I'm excited to be a part of this new website, MomMadeThat.com, which features mom created and owned businesses. The site's advertising program hosts an affordable showcase of various categories – from baby products to home décor to jewelry (that's where you'll find me!) and many in between. It's a great place to find interesting and unique products all created by – you guessed it – mom.

Stop by and check out the listing for my Etsy shop, OnceTraveled.com, which is featured in the jewelry section. And if you're interested in being a part of this new program, drop a note to Amy, the creative mom behind this exciting website.

Etsy Wednesday: Toys!

Handmade toys get another year...

It's been a very passionate time in the world of toys, especially the handmade variety. This year the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) decided to start imposing mandatory, heavy test regulations on childrens' products with hopes of reducing lead content levels. The intentions are well and good, but it could potentially force small childrens' businesses and handmade crafters to close their doors due to exorbitant testing fees. And not just toy makers. Any goods intended for children could be affected.

The power of the internet and the amazing handmade community found on Etsy and other craft venues banded together to make their voice heard at this crucial time. February 10th was the looming deadline, but thankfully the voices were heard – at least for now. The CPSIA suspended their initial date for one year to reevaluate the new testing laws and hopefully come to a solution that considers the little guys. To celebrate this first step toward saving handmade children's goods, I've chosen some amazing toy sellers to showcase today. Enjoy!

♥♥♥♥♥

Morninglori has created a magical, unique toy line that is not only adorable to look at, but brings you along to their whimsical world. These plush dolls are infused with artistry, imagination and fantasy. They are lovable creatures and so different from anything in the mainstream.  I encourage you to visit MorningGlori's shop and read the bios of the different "softies" the artist, Lori Brown, has created. Then after you've been thoroughly captivated, go on and visit her amazing blog, to see her sculptures, inspirations and more incredible creations. (Softie "Leigh" is pictured above)

Morninglori.etsy.com

 

ManicMuffinTotes creates these adorable owl pillows called Lil Hoots. Fanciful and fun, they are sure to get lots of hugs in any child's room (or grown-up's too!).  This shop also creates yummy cupcake and ice cream cone pillows that are sure to bring you delicious dreams.

ManicMuffinTotes.etsy.com

 

Moving on to even more yumminess… Here are some toys that look good enough to eat.  Mommy24cs (or The Fakery Bakery) creates playful, felt foods such as this sinful looking dessert platter and this delicious mint chocolate cake and brownie plate.  It's unbelievable that these decadant creations are made out of felt and the best part of all, they are zero calories!

Mommy24cs.etsy.com

  

And last but not least, here is a bit of my fascination with amigurumi animals. Amigurumi is a Japanese style of crocheting or knitting (ami means crochet or knit and nuigurumi means stuffed doll). They have a unique, lovable look and MadisonsCraftNook creates an adorable variety to choose from. My favorite is this sweet little lamb named Pita. I just want to cuddle her.

MadisonsCraftNook.etsy.com

And these are just some of the many examples of why we need the CPSIA law redesigned.  It truly would be a crime to lose these amazing artists.

Etsy Wednesday: Rockin' Moms

Why be ordinary? So Cal moms creating coolness.

When I need to find a gift these days I often turn to Etsy. I am truly addicted to amazing handmade goodies created by extremely talented people. I always feel like I've won a prize when I buy something made by hand and that the gift is extra special. And in this tough economy, giving dollars to hard working artisans gives me even greater pleasure.  Here are three So Cal moms who create unique, affordable gifts of coolness.

I was hunting around Etsy this week looking for unique baby items when I discovered PunkyMonkeyKids tattoo-style onesies and baby tees. This very cool line was created by a Los Angeles stay-at-home-mom who wanted something edgy, different and affordable for her two little punky-monkeys.  Pictured here is a bit of goth for your punk rock princess – and for $19.99 for both the tu-tu and onesie, you can afford to have every day be Halloween. And this Love Stinks onesie or toddler tee says it all ($7.99).

PunkyMonkeyKids.etsy.com

Every princess needs a pair of slippers and BabyThingsByJessica is a sweet compliment to any outfit. Another Southern California, stay-at-home-mom created these delicate looking, yet durable baby shoes. Again affordable (around $13.00), unique and special. I wish they made adult sizes!

BabyThingsByJessica.etsy.com

So your kid is all decked out in their super-slick, cutting edge outfit, but what about mom? If you're a mom who walks to her own beat, check out KidPirate for tees, totes, messenger bags and more... this LA mom (to kitties!) created this fun clothing line out of her own doodles and designs.

KidPirate.etsy.com

Etsy Wednesday: Handbags

Feeding the Etsy addiction

Those of you who know me and who have been following along here know that I've been bitten by the craft bug. More so, I've been bitten by the Etsy bug – a far more dangerous addiction.  Etsy seems so sweet and unassuming, but just wait… Soon you'll find yourself spending countless hours looking at amazing handmade goods, "hearting" their stores only to return later with funds from your PayPal account that you've earned from your Etsy shop. It's a vicious cycle. I think I need an intervention.  Or another blog.

But who has time for two blogs and a growing Etsy obsession? And let's not forget the toddler I have running around here… So instead I dedicate Wednesday as "Etsy Day" where I feature a few of my favorite finds that I've discovered on the handmade super highway.  Today's feature: Handbags!

• LulaBallou,a designer from right here in Southern California, creates wallets, mini-purses, Ipod/cell phone cases and over-the-shoulder bags, however I love the idea of this tiny wristlet or wallet-meets-handbag created out of whimsical, colorful fabrics. lulaballou.etsy.com

• I'm seriously tempted to buy one of Just Be's beautiful gypsy bags. Their luscious velvets and rich fabrics keep bringing me back to their site for a peek... for now… justbeonline.etsy.com

• This cute little purse by Hoganfe would compliment a spring time dress or spruce up a pair of weekend jeans. It's sweet, it's delicate and it's definitely bookmarked. hoganfe.etsy.com