modeco kids

The other day I discovered the Handmade Kids Showcase on Etsy. It’s refreshed daily and you can access it from the home page. I read here that it’s part of a new initiative by Etsy admin to promote children’s items and that this project runs until August 4th.

I recognized this colorful patchwork baby quilt by Sarita Baby in today’s showcase. I had already bookmarked it for a future post, so here it is!

Here’s another tip for you: Etsy’s blog, The Storque, has a Handmade Kids series which you can read here. You can also add its RSS feed to your RSS reader like I did.

Technorati Tags: Etsy, handmade kids, children, baby quilt, crib quilt, stroller quilt

July 20th, 2008 Lisa posted in KIDS, textiles No Comments »

I feel a bit silly that while in NYC I didn’t check out the ICFF which was going on at the same convention center and at the same time as the National Stationery Show. However I did get a chance to meet Carina of Litto Kids who stopped by my booth to order some Sweetbeets letterpress cards for Sequins, her children’s boutique in Manhattan Beach CA. Carina was exhibiting her collection of contemporary children’s furniture and bedding at the ICFF. When we met, I knew that Litto Kids sounded familiar and I’m sure it’s because her line has been covered a while back on some of the blogs I read including KidsHaus and Ohdeedoh. The versatility of this ‘library’ storage unit really appeals to me as it would really look great anywhere in your home. While the owl crib set is right on trend, my personal favorite is the ‘magic garden’ design pictured above on the top right.

(images via littokids.com)

Technorati Tags: modern, kids furniture, nursery decor, kids bedding, retro style

May 28th, 2008 Lisa posted in KIDS, furniture, textiles No Comments »

This cute dinosaur is handmade from vintage fabric by Australia-based Fock Space Designs. I absolutely love this red and white floral pattern! You’ll find lots of very sweet soft animals including owls, kittens, birds and even koala bears. Check back for new toys added almost daily.

This handmade blanket would make the perfect baby shower gift! Organic shapes are hand appliqued on the jersey side of the blanket, and soft fleece is on the other side. You can even request to have the blanket customized with the baby’s name or initials. See For The Record to find this baby blanket along with other gift items including hand embroidered photo albums. The artist is based in Singapore and accepts commissioned work.

This set of 8 laser-cut planes by Owly Shadow Puppets makes a really cool mobile or you can hang the planes using pins to make wall art as shown in this image. You’ll also find very artistic shadow puppets laser cut from the designer’s own drawings. Click
here for the story. Wholesale pricing is available, but Andrea limits number of retailers she can work with at any given time. The shadow puppets are also currently available at Mahar Drygoods.

Technorati Tags: Etsy, handmade, children, baby gifts, mobile, baby blanket, soft toy

March 31st, 2008 Lisa posted in KIDS, art + decor, playtime, textiles No Comments »

Belgium-based designer and mom Esther Schuivens of Esthex was recently interviewed by Bloesem Kids as a part of the new Knock Knock Who’s There feature. Her creations are inspired by her own childhood drawings, discovered one day in her parent’s attic. In addition to her signature dolls, the collection includes a wide range of soft toys and accessories including felt books, mobiles, music boxes, puppets, wall stickers and even bed linens. Her Canadian distributor is 3 Brown Bears and PURR Inc covers distribution in the USA. In the interview, Esther mentions that manufacturing takes place in Thailand, but in a workplace with good working conditions for the employees.

(images via esthex.com)

Technorati Tags: dolls, toys, children’s accessories

February 27th, 2008 Lisa posted in KIDS, art + decor, playtime, textiles No Comments »

I was delighted to hear from Marianne Mullin who owns Polkadot Patch Boutique, a family operated children’s shop that is based in Vermont. This online boutique features many handcrafted items from artisans around the USA as well as products designed by mompreneurs such as these unique play mats by Go Baby.

Go Baby’s indoor mat in particular caught my eye because I remember going to a mommy group for the first time with my newborn baby and realizing that I didn’t have a blanket to lay him down like everyone else! This play mat, with its soft fleece top, is perfect for tummy time. I love how it’s made with washable suede on the bottom so that it won’t slip and slide when baby starts to move around, and the mat rolls up tight with a magnetic closure. Go Baby’s outdoor play mat is ideal for picnics on the grass or at the beach with its water-resistant bottom and soft terry cloth top. And it comes with its own carrying bag that detaches when it’s time to toss it in the wash.

Marianne told me that she’s always on the lookout for new artisans to feature on Polkadot Patch Boutique. Her new products submission page will definitely facilitate the process, and it’s a good example of what you should consider adding to your website if you don’t already have this information.

(images via polkadotpatch.com and gobaby.com)

Technorati Tags: children’s boutique, play mat

February 7th, 2008 Lisa posted in KIDS, RETAILERS, gear, retailer spotlights, textiles No Comments »

The other day I found a page from the “style files” of Canadian House and Home magazine that I had saved from an issue in 2003! The article featured artisan Anne-Sophie Falconer and her story-book inspired nursery accessories including handmade felt mobiles, applique wall hangings and pillows for children’s rooms. I had saved this story as inspiration back when my creative venture was just in the dream phase.

Curious, I googled Lumiere and discovered that she’s expanded her product line and has a design studio and retail storefront in downtown Toronto.

Lumiere now offers limited edition nursery collections including crib bedding, cozy sleepsacs ($69), stroller blankets ($44), quilts ($149), pillows ($39), and hand-crafted mobiles made with felt animals hung with gingham ribbon from a real kiwi branch ($54). It’s wonderful to see that all of Lumiere’s products are still designed and manufactured in Canada. Wholesale inquiries are welcome!

(images via lumierekids.ca)

Technorati Tags: nursery, accessories, baby, mobiles, decor, made in Canada

January 17th, 2008 Lisa posted in KIDS, art + decor, textiles No Comments »

I’m planning a number of posts about Canadian designed, eco-friendly baby and children’s products and Dress Me Up from Victoria, British Columbia is the perfect place to start.

Founder Tressa Brotsky has designed a beautiful collection of durable yet stylish necessities for babies and toddlers. I love the simplicity of her creations and especially her artistic stitch detailing. Her line includes organic receiving blankets, burp cloths, keepsake quilts and soft blocks, but I think the Teething Bonbons™ (retail $24 for a set of 3) are her stand out product because they are so unique.

These Teething Bonbons™ are made from certified organic cotton flannel that is grown and milled in the USA and feature sweet stitching details, a soft center stuffed with wool, and a knot on each end. Parents soak the knots in boiled water that has cooled and then toss the Teething Bonbons™ in the freezer until needed. Babies soothe their sore gums by chewing on the frozen knots while gripping the soft center, keeping their little hands warm. With stitching in three different colours, parents can keep track of which Bonbon is on the go and toss the others in the wash for easy cleaning. Sounds like a fantastic alternative for parents who are trying to avoid plastic. Scroll through Tressa’s
blog to read about her inspiration for the Teething Bonbons™ and how she makes them. Wholesale inquiries are welcome!

(images via dressmeup.ca)

Technorati Tags: children, teething, organic baby, made in Canada, eco-friendly, independent design, indie

December 21st, 2007 Lisa posted in KIDS, gear, textiles No Comments »

Thilde is the creation of Swedish designer Pia Eriksson. The collection includes a colourful patchwork security blanket and dolls that feature those laundry tags that it seems all babies love so much. I remember that fascination with tags my boys had at a certain age! Another product is the Thilde Pocket which attaches to the crib using Velcro and can be filled with baby’s favourite things. I can see how all those pockets would appeal to early risers who love to move things in and out of containers and the Thilde Pocket may even give parents a few extra moments of sleep.

It appears that this brand has not yet been widely discovered in North America. The list of stockists shows European distributors but no Canadian retailers and only three retailers in the USA. Retail prices are $20-$25 for the Thilde Rag (security blanket), $43 for the Thilde Doll, and $56 for the Thilde Pocket. Click here for the retailer application.

Technorati Tags: Swedish design, baby accessories, children’s products, Thilde

November 21st, 2007 Lisa posted in KIDS, playtime, textiles 1 Comment »