droolicious : hand made

Get Arty for Their Next Birthday Party

JeanneSager — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:35:00 GMT

If you're all about sending your kids' party guests home with something that kept them occupied through the party, you'll be stocking up at Wallaroo.

The company known for suiting up moms, dads and kids with hats has an Art Hat for kids to get their crafty out.

The cute microfiber sunhats come packed with six non-toxic paints and a brush, so the kids don't need to fight over a collective set of paints. The hats themselves are UPF 50 plus to protect the kids from the sun's damaging rays, while the little drawstring pouch they come in can be stuffed with a thank you card from the birthday kid or a few tchotchkes to celebrate the day. Or you can just call it a day with the hat, the paints and the brush - a full goodie bag, and you didn't have to spend a day hitting up craft and dollar stores to get it done.

Get them for $20 at Wallaroo Hats.

Check Out What's Blooming at Spike and Annie!

JeanneSager — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:01:00 GMT

With little girl's dresses, sometimes the simpler, the better. And the new line growing at Spike and Annie is sunshine and light.

Their Summer Garden Dress is dotted with delicate embroidered flowers, its only other embellishments little plaid leaves sewed onto the stems. This sweet dress of barely there cotton will be light on their skin on hot days.

Better still, their shoulderless shifts have a roomy cut so they earn second life as a simple top for her after she's sprouted up out of the dress size. And what parent wouldn't get behind a dress that sports the instructions "do not hand wash?" Right in the machine it goes!

In sizes 3 to 8, you can get one at Spike and Annie for $110.

Paint By Number for the Nursery

JeanneSager — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:01:00 GMT

Looking for an art project for a rainy day inside with the kids? How about one that will make their bedroom look good and you look like the Martha mom you oh-so-aren't?

Trace it baby! Trace Designs' wall murals for the kids are easy peasy, and dumbed down for parents. Put up a piece of the kit's tracing paper on their wall, followed by one of Meg Marasigan's rockin' designs, and practice staying on top of the lines.

Then pull out your paints and get to work - it's all paint by numbers, so you and the kids can make it look like you called in a professional artist. The paints themselves aren't included, so you can pick and choose to make it all match.

With Trace Designs available at Home Depot.com (and slated for the stores soon), you can do a two-for-one buying trip online to get the paint, or you can order your mural right from Trace. The elephants above are $39.95; more complicated traceables are $49.95. The price on the face of their playdate's mom when you said you did that yourself? Priceless.

How to Call on Your Trusty Sidekick

JeanneSager — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:02:00 GMT

If we could follow our kids everywhere, we just might. But when your kids go out and about, wouldn’t it be nice to know they have a Trusty Sidekick on their side?

Thanks to Becky Smith and her superhero store, every kid can wear their special powers on their shirt sleeves. A mom of two, Smith started sewing superheros when her son William begged to go super for his fifth birthday. She’s been selling them at her Etsy shop since early 2008, sending out super-soft tees with Kapow power.

"There is something about superhero play that I love, the working together to protect the world and conquer evil part,” Smith says. “The image of a kid in a makeshift cape bounding to save their little brother from aliens really tickles me.”

Is that the super tickler? The KAPOW shirts sell for $26. Get your kids jumping skyscrapers in a single bound over at Trusty Sidekick on Etsy.

Saw Logs on the Tree Stump Floor Pillow

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Complete your indoor woodland theme with this awesome-looking, realistically accented Tree Stump Floor Pillow from Etsy seller bebemoon. At 14" tall by 12" wide, it offers plenty of room for kicking back during storytime, or if you've got an upright sleeper in the house, the pillow looks perfect for sawing logs.

$75 from bebemoon's Etsy shop -- if you order from outside the U.S., the pillow ships without stuffing to help lower shipping costs, but as bebemoon notes, you can easily load it up with pillow filler or repurpose old clothing and scrap fabrics for some DIY green stuffing.

Hop to it: Hares for Her Hair

JeanneSager — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:44:00 GMT

The pressure steps up this time of year for a new pet - preferrably one of those cute little bunnies or chicks. I'm deftly sidestepping it all this year with bunnies . . . for her hair.

AmBarrettes owner Amber Tiner has two boys - no girls - but the ideas she gets from her little boys translate perfectly into funky little critters for the girls who have the hair to hold them. The complicated ribbon work topped with googly eyes are teeny tiny recreations that could do double for a pet store.

Her bunnies will make them hop to it when it's time to get their hair brushed in the morning - at Easter or anytime of the year. Or if your little squeaker would prefer a mouse for a pet, she's got those too . . .along with the rest of the zoo. Want to keep the critters out of your house? Check out AmBarrettes at Etsy.

The New Way to Wear a Tutu

Bird on a Wire - For Your Little Bird

JeanneSager — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:22:00 GMT

What happens when you take a Parsons-trained designer with her own clothing line and make her a mother?

She starts putting out a line of art worthy of any wall but wearable by kids.

Shirin Roubeni's line of simple nature-inspired pictures on organic cotton tops are edgy - but not too edgy. The leopards, butterflies, dragonflies hand created by Roubeni and hand screened by her haven't lost their nobility when brought down to little kid sizes, but the ruffles on this bird give it just enough to take it into the little girl realm. Here miniature couture is funky, fun, but definitely still couture.

So take your little bird out in a sweet Shirin Kids tee; or pick up something from her boys' collection at Shirin Kids.

Zooguu Fugu: 100% Toxin-Free Cuddliness

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

You don't need a specially trained chef or a death wish to enjoy this delightful little fugu from Etsy seller Zooguu (formerly Sweetestpea), and though we don't recommend nibbling on it, you're also not likely to get a tingling sensation when you do.

Being your happy little snuggle buddy, on the other hand, is totally doable where Zooguu's fugu is concerned: at 9" tall, with a generous 31.5" waistline, the little puffer even has soft fabric eyes for added cuddliness.

$90 from Zooguu's Etsy shop -- a little steep, yeah, but hey, you can have it custom-made in any color.

These Feet Were Made for Storytelling

JeanneSager — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:17:00 GMT

If you think every footprint tells a story, you'll be scooting out to get a set of the storytelling shoes from Scooterbees.

Little booties made in sizes for kids up to age twenty-four months, they're the perfect shoes for early walkers - soft, pliable and made to fit every kind of foot thanks to the wrap-around design. Slip their feet into the fabric shoes, and fasten first with one Velcro flap then the next to make the perfect fit. It's the flaps that tell the story - each imprinted with a different design, from little pandas to big elephants. Open the top flap and there's yet another design - another story - beneath.

Made of recycled fibers, with non-slip soles made from ThermoPlastic Elastomer, a degradable material made of carbon and hydrogen, Scooterbees guarantee their little feet won't leave behind massive carbon footprints.

We love them because they're machine washable, not to mention CPSIA compliant!

Prices vary, but most styles are $37.95. Scoot on over to get them at Amazon.

The New Way to Wear a Tutu

JeanneSager — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:58:00 GMT

Who knew you could make a tutu anymore girly?

Isn't frothy toile (or is it tulle?) and bubblegum pink enough? No? OK, then your ballerina needs a Tutu Hair Clippie stat.

With alligator clips dripping in pink ribbon, an intricately crocheted ballerina oufit and net skirt adorned with little beads, the tutu clips from BowChic are for little girls who still dance like nobody's watching - even though no one can keep their eyes off her sweet little cheeks.

They're also a total steal at $6.75. So dance on over to BowChic at Etsy.

Etsy Alert: On Top of Spaghetti, All Covered with Felt

JeanneSager — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:02:00 GMT

What's better than a picture of your kid covered in spaghetti sauce to pull out when they bring home their first date? Spaghetti and sauce they can play with . . . that won't leave the teeniest drop behind.

Bug Bites promises little food for big imaginations, and their Spaghetti and Meatballs with Red Sauce has me imagining hiring a sitter so the husband and I can head out for a nice night at the local Italian joint. Or, you know, a night in with the kid, staring at each other over a plate of ecospun polyester noodles (they used to be plastic bottles!) with a swatch of red polyester on top. To each his own.

Where ever you're eating, you can guarantee your kid will be begging to leave the table and hit their play kitchen to boil up a pot of Bug Bites' thick spaghetti. The tightly woven meatballs stand up well to being smushed into a plastic pot and covered in real water - I can attest - because it's all made to be machine-washable for easy kitchen clean-up.

Etsy Alert: Monsters - Cute or Not? You Decide

JeanneSager — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:32:00 GMT

Move over Ugly Doll, you've got monsterous competition from Etsy shopowner Diane Koss and her one-eyed wonders.

Want to get your kids in the mood for their first trip to Monsters and Aliens? Check out Koss' Cutesy but Not Cutesy, hand made creepy things that are so ugly you want to take care of them.

Every creature's got a story, and they're made with Koss' quirky eye for detail (check for little birds nestled in antlers, on heads and perched on the arms of her monster hydrant) in cuddly felts and plush cottons. Koss throws in recycled fabrics where she can, making these monsters a little green and that much cuter.

Sorry Diane, they are sooooo cutesy, and we love them.

Get Ben (above) who loves taking long drives through the mountains and occasionally hopping out to run around and take in the scenery and his buddies at Cutesy But Not Cutesy.

Lucas Diaper Bag Designed By Hedvig Bourbon

Lisa Estall — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:15:00 GMT

This turquoise Lucas Diaper Bag is designed and handmade by New York-based designer Hedvig Bourbon.

This bag easily converts from a diaper bag to a stroller tote using its attached leather strap. On the outside there's a butterfly embroidered on the...

front. Inside you’ll find roomy pockets to store all your necessities.The fabric inside is made of 100% cotton and included is a matching changing pad that is padded, water repellent and stain resistant.

Other colors you can get the Lucas Diaper Bag in are fuchsia, sage, and navy denim.

The price for this lovingly handmade bag is $265.

To enjoy 20% off email: sales@hedvigbourbon.com after purchase with code babble09 and it will be applied as a refund.

Visit Hedvig Bourbon

Newsboy Cap for your tiny tot

AmandaHill — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The adorable Newsboy cap seen above might be perfect for the little guy in your life. You can pick the size ranging from newborn to preteen. The Newsboy cap is a hand-crochet creation made from 100% cotton yarn.

Check out the Newsboy cap along with many other crochet creations at Simply J Crochet.

Vintage A-line Sundress With Shoulder Ties

Lisa Estall — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:39:00 GMT

This Lucille Shoulder Tie Sundress spells summer to me. It’s A-line shape is held by the ties at the shoulders.

The dress is knee length and according to the babybeanwear site, every outfit is handmade from vintage fabrics.

Price is $68.

Handmade and Eco-Friendly Bibs

Lisa Estall — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:34:00 GMT

This handmade Rikrak Blue and Red Circles Bib is very different and would make a really nice baby shower gift. It’s reversible and made of quilt with a solid colored back and a modern design on the front.

You can adjust a Rikrak bib to fit both a 3-month-old and a toddler. A plus is that they are also eco-friendly.

Click to see the Rikrak White Flowers Bib.

Rikrak bibs are priced at $21 each.

Buy them at Fawn and Forest

In the Nursery: Puppy Love

elizabeth leach — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:00:00 GMT

New from Chez-Sucre-Chez are these lovely cross-stitched Puppies in Love. (Chez-Sucre-Chez is the Etsy shop that makes the cross-stitched clouds that I reviewed here.) The puppies are grey and the heart is pink and it's finished in a 3" wooden embroidery hoop that's ready to hang.

Puppy Love is $28 or a set of two is $50. There is also a charming owl love cross-stitch. They look great on their own and even better when hung in a gallery together.

Puppy Love is available for a limited time, so if you love them don't wait too long! Shop Chez-Sucre-Chez.

Hand Made: Booties for Your Nimble Little Mouse

Erin Behan — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:53:00 GMT

We've posted about Etsy's Pretty Little before, and if anything the shop's booties have gotten even more adorable. These felted merino wool mouse booties are, of course, made by hand, and come in sizes up to 12 months old. A velcro closure keeps them secure. Given the time and attention that goes into making each one (crocheting, felting, needle felting, and regular old sewing), the $36 pricetag seems pretty reasonable.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Sok-O Handmade Stuffed Animals

Chris Ford — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:39:00 GMT

Every stuffed animal from Sok-O is made by hand from only one or two socks, and no two are exactly the same. They've only been around for about a year, but they instantly caught my eye when I was walking past them at ABC.

You can buy just one Sok-O stuffed creature (with no buttons sewn on them) for $30, or you can buy a special Sok-O creature $50. The special edition comes with a gift box, story about the animal and a birth certificate. Check them out at Sok-O.com.

More Proof That Baby Toys Are Just Like Pet Toys

Erin Behan — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:19:00 GMT

It's a running joke around our house that if it makes a good pet toy, then it'll make a good baby too. The folks over at Little Alouette seem to have been inspired by the same kind of thinking, as their Maple Doggie Bone Style Teether isn't for dogs, it's for babes. And, of course, giving your little one a wooden teether instead of a plastic one avoids that whole "will this plastic give my boy a third testicle/make my girl go through puberty at age 7" problem we're currently dealing with. Organic seed oils have been used to finish the product, which is five inches long and $15 at the Little Alouette Etsy shop.

This Wallpaper is Part of the Art

Erin Behan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:15:00 GMT

Nursery wall art is a hot property right now between removable stickers and vintage prints, but I like artist Lisa Golightly's different take on the genre. She paints her silhouettes of children and animal onto textured wallpaper that she then mounts onto wood panels. The result is a charming piece of art that blends beautifully into the modern nursery. Find them at Kiki & Polly for $95 (12' x 12') and $125 (18' x 18').

Non-Toxic and Modern Wooden Blocks

elizabeth leach — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Why do babies love to put wooden blocks in their mouths? The wood must be soothing and the size of a small block must fit perfectly in their tiny mouths. I've been planning on purchasing some wooden blocks for my daughter and I'm glad I waited.

Petit Flaneur, a Toronto based company, produces hand crafted toys, art, and clothing for kids. Their wooden blocks are a work of art with bright colors and modern images of ice cream cones, birds, apples, letters, etc. They are hand printed with non-toxic ink, stained with food safe oil, and made from reclaimed wood. The blocks are also a puzzle and a tick-tack-toe game so they will entertain your child from infancy and beyond. Find the blocks and Petit Flaneur's other products for kids here.

(Via Cool Mom Picks)

Hand-knit Backpacks from Blabla Kids

Chris Ford — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:01:00 GMT

I must be on a backpack kick, because other than my totally awesome find of a pigeon backpack, I also found these great hand-knit backpacks from Blabla Kids. The only thing I'm wondering is, how does a hand-knit backpack only cost $42?

Every backpack is lined inside and is 12"x10". There are twelve different animal choices - everything from a lion to a butterfly to a panda (shown). They're not the biggest bags, but they seem perfect for all of your kid's little treasures. And getting them to want to carry their own stuff is 80% of the battle. Or maybe 100%.

Backpacks from BlablaKids.com, $42

Skeleton Onesie + Misfits Crib Shoes = Too Much Horror Business

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:04:00 GMT

Sunny already pointed you in the direction of some awesome Misfits crib shoes, but what's the well-devilocked baby to do for an outfit to go with them? Well, it's not officially on sale anywhere, but craftster poster acidtrix mentions that "I wish I knew some babies, I'd love to make more of them," we'll take that as a hint that this amazing Skeleton Onesie could be had for the right price. Never mind the sheer coolness of having a black onesie to start with -- the design here, beautifully painted on with a bleach solution, is what makes this romper perfect for your little Fiend.

Hand Made: Screenprinted Onesies For Your Little Urbanite

Erin Behan — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:01:00 GMT

Full disclosure: I know the designer/screenprinter behind the new Etsy site fauxsure, and the above photo is of my son Devin wearing one of fauxsure's designs. Yes, Devin looks super cute in his monster onesie, and your kid can too for just $16.50. We've even taken to calling him Devin-monster when in this outfit.

If your tastes run more towards the electronic end of the spectrum, you'll want to check out the speaker stack onesie or lap T, which is hopefully not a sign of volumes to come. And as a bonus on fauxsure's Etsy site, when you buy three T-shirts (maybe pick one up for yourself in an adult size), you get a tote bag free. Totally rad. And I have it on good authority that new designs are coming soon.