Christmas in July from NaturalKids Team

The Natural Kids Team on Etsy is offering discounts during the next week - shop now for the holidays! A great Sale

Just click on the picture which will take you to a directory of Natural Kids Shops, detailing each shops sale.

Here are a few things on sale....

20% OFF at The Enchanted Cupboard

15% off any item over $25 At Woolies

buy any 2 items, get 10% off at PolarBearCreations

Happy Shopping and stocking up for those little ones in your life!

NaturalKids Eye Candy

The Lure Of The Forest

Fairyfolk

Just Hatched

Beneath The Rowan Tree

Click here to see the full Etsy Treasury, The Lure of the Forest!

Locally Harvested

This year I have started using a wonderful "mom and pop" local sawmill for my wood supply, Spacht Sawmill. Spacht Sawmill is located in  Fairview Village,  Pennsylvania. It has been operating as a sawmill on the same premises since 1928.

Dave and Carol Spacht purchased the mill in 1983 and have been selling local hardwoods to craftsmen and woodworkers for utility and fine woodworking use. Old and new technology work together at Spacht Sawmill, where the 1950s circular mill is combined with a modern planing mill.

As a hardwood mill, they sell species that are native to the area. Local trees of red oak, white oak, poplar, ash, and black walnut are their main supply. They sometimes having hard maple and pine, but not on a regular basis. I use the poplar, hard pine, and sometimes ash for my toys and custom cut items.

It is so rewarding to see these planks of wood be cut into such wonderful toys and keepsakes. Here are a few of the new items that we use the wood for the sawmill to make.

Custom Cut Oak Tree Wedding Cake Topper

Wave Stacker, Wooden Toy

I Just Love This!

Okay, truth be told I love everything that she makes. Wanda has just found such a sweet way to make collage beautiful. Her paper Art is simple and sweet yet very colorful. She also donate to Trees for the Future to plant a tree with every product purchased.

One of my favorite things about Etsy is that you can ask for a custom item. A while back I asked her to make me a set of the Art Clips but for them to be trees! I love them, they hang in my office with my kids art on them. It is an ever changing collection of expressions of love from my kids.

I hung them very low so that kids could reach but I didn't want to put nail holes in the wall so I used the 3M Wall Hanging system and that fixed it perfectly. With the 3M system I can also change what set I use.

Which inspired me to ask for this mushroom set! I love mushrooms! I plain to use them in the decor of my office. Once I move the kids Clip Art set to their room I will use my mushroom set for when I do storyboards or for creating a new line of toys. I like to see my drawings side by side to get a good visual on the project.
What to find out more about Wanda and her shop check out this interview: http://thereluctantcitydweller.blogspot.com/2010/04/tips-from-women-of-etsy-wanda-of.html

http://www.MapleShadeKids.com
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Happily Ever After, Why These Stories are Important

To tell the truth these dolls I made for me. I loved fairytales! When I was growing up I often recreated them in my playtime. I  did my chores while pretending to be Cinderella. These dolls and playsets are where play can recreate old time Fairytales.

 I hear people say that these stories were not good role models for girls, but I feel it depends on how you tell the story. These were tales told in a time when woman were thought of as less, and they gave our fore-mothers the inspiration to bring change to each generation. All the way up to now to get us to where we are and the rights we now have.

These girls had power in spite of the odds, certain doom, and personal tragedy they suffered. They changed their world in a time when women had no rights. These stories have a powerful message that is still of value to the girls of this and the next generation. These are not just silly stories; they are our past and our future.

These wooden toys and more can be found at http://www.theenchantedcupboard.etsy.com/

Product Review: Custom Playscapes by Rumpos

Here is another GREAT Etsy find! We just feel in love with this shop, Rumpos. These great playscapes are custom made and you get such a great selection to pick from.

Here is what the seller listed:
A medium 15x15 inch custom playscape with 4-6 natural elements from your imagination, or I can work with you to create the perfect playscape. Look at the photographs for ideas or for remake requests. Your playscape will be made from natural materials and depict a natural environment perfect for imaginative, narrative play with fingers and figurines or for a centerpiece on a dining or nature table. These are also wonderful display items in the home, playroom, or office.

We could not just pick one and bough a few to go with different wooden toys we already had. I gave the seller an idea of what would be played with in the different playscapes and allowed her to be creative. One of the really great parts about Etsy.com is that you get to chat with the sell/designer and find out where they got there inspiration from. This got thumbs up from the kids and one big one from mommy.

If you like what you see and want to know more check out my interview with Mary Ann of Rumpos.

WOW

What a week this has been, so much done and so much happening.

Read my latest feedback:
I am probably looking more forward to showing these things off at the wedding than anything else! You nailed the way my fiancé looks! We plan on turning them into Christmas ornaments after the big day so we will have a fun way to display them for years and years! Thank you, they are wonderful!!

I just love that she is going to take my craft and make it in to something new and reusing it! My next big surprise was that I have been contacted by The Knot mag. they are going to be featuring my Wooden Wedding Cake Toppers sold in my shop on Etsy! My head has been spinning ever since I heard the news! Interested in a set of custom dolls contact me.