Comments on this giveaway are now closed.
The winner is Journeys of The Zoo! I’ve already contacted you and you have through 4/24 to get back to me with your mailing address.
Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Ulla Seckler aka GermanDolls. Ulla is a longtime member of the NaturalKids Team on Etsy. Enjoy the interview with our veteran seller on Etsy.
Ulla will be giving away ONE of her cute Necklace Leafbuddies which have been a bestseller in her shop. Please read the rules at the end and comment if you would like to win this cute little one.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Just keep reading back on the blog if you would like to get to know me better. My name is Ulla Seckler, a transplant from Germany, dollmaker, blogwriter, mom to two children, married to a teacher, living in beautiful Colorado. I can see the mountains where we live but we don’t live in them – unfortunately.
What inspires your creations?
My work is definitely inspired by my German heritage and love of sewing and crafting. I grew up in household with 4 sisters. We all loved to draw and make stuff. We also got to play outside and roam by the river. I think nature has always played an important part in my life.
What are your favorite materials to use?
I love wool in any form or shape. I use it in its raw form for stuffing my soft dolls. I use mohair and other yarns for making doll hair and wigs. I utilize wool roving for needlefelting and woolfelt for doll shoes and my cute little Leafbuddies.
The second most important material I use is fabric for my dollclothes. I am kind of addicted to Japanese cloth. If I was rich I’d have a room filled with stacks and stacks of pretty fabric.
How do you balance you family life with creating?
I am an early morning riser. I get up around 4 AM because I love to use those peaceful morning hours before everyone gets up to read and write. I like to write on my blog and the NaturalKids team blog. It’s amazing how much one can accomplish while the rest of the family is asleep.
I have been a stay-at-home mom forever. I love it because I can be with them when they are sick. I don’t homeschool but I see so many parents who send their kids to school sick because they have a job and are afraid to stay home with their kids if they are sick. I love my job because it gives me that freedom.
How do you keep the inspiration well pumping?
I love what I do and get mostly inspired by my family and my customers who often send me photos and wonderful feedback and notes about my work. Sometimes when sales are slow I get down on myself. In fact, this past March was such a month. I didn’t have a single sale in over 10 days and felt really bad because of it.
I think it’s important for artists and crafters to keep creating and believing in your product. Don’t let the slow times get you down. Just keep making the things that you enjoy and eventually sales will pick up again. You must believe in yourself or nobody will!
How did you get started in your craft?
I started making dolls and dollclothes when I had children of my own. I grew up with homemade toys made by my mom, grandma, and grandpa. I believe in the special power of handmade toys. Nothing says I love you like a toy made by a real person.
What advice do you have for others, trying to make a business with their craft?
It’s really tough to make a decent living making toys. Especially in the doll market life has become much harder and more competitive these days. In order to stand out you have to perfect your craft every day. It takes years of promoting and creating quality products to achieve success.
Photos are really important. Online shopping is all about great pictures because people cannot touch your work and you must create an image that conveys the quality of your work.
What thoughts do you have for parents on the importance of natural toys for creative play? I think kids are naturally drawn to handmade toys if they receive them. They can feel the love that goes into them. It’s like magic!
How can you win this Giveway?
- Visit Ulla’s shop and make it a favorite today. Maybe you can drop her a line and tell what is your favorite item in her shop.
- Visit Ulla’s Facebook Page and become a fan
- Follow GermanDolls blog
- Follow GermanDolls on Twitter
- blog, facebook, pin, and tweet this Giveaway
This Promotion is Worldwide. You have until next week Wednesday to leave a comment. Please, note that Members of NaturalKids Team and their families cannot participate in this promotion. The Winner will be announced next Thursday (4/12).
faved her shop – love everything! Thanks! cokelush at gmail
joined her on fb. Robin Phillips-Knotts is my id. Thanks! cokelush at gmail
following her blog. :)cokelush is my id – sideways smilie at the beginning. Thanks! cokelush at gmail
Following her on twitter. cokelush is my id. Thanks! cokelush at gmail
FB share: https://www.facebook.com/robinphillipsknotts/posts/382822045085190
thanks! cokelush at gmail
I adore your dolls! 4am, wow! Thanks for the chance. Your shop is already a favourite of mine on Etsy 🙂
And I already follow your fb page
I also follow your blog 🙂
And I am sharing on fb – thanks!! By the way, I love the photos you are taking of your dolls, so sweet and cute!
I’ve always loved THIS SHOP…It is soooooooooo wonderful! I especially love the pocket dolls…they are my all time favoirte of all the pocket dolls I have seen made. I love the little leaf that the dolls lay in…and can always imagine other things for them to lay in or on! I love that they fit into Easter Eags and stockings for Chrimstas…and they are perfect for tiny children’s hands to hold and carry…and they are perfect for companions for dolls that need comforting on trips through the mail.
They are wonderful for babyshower gifts or party favors for kid’s birthday parties…I love the pocket dresses as well…as the babies fit so nicely in the pockets…and I want to sew pockets on my granddaughter’s clothing so they can hold all her pocketdolls! I love the pocket dolls…I am working on collecting one in each color…I keep giving them away…so I have to repurchase more soon! What a wonderful giveway gift!
Ulla’s shop is already a favorite.
Already a fan on FB.
Ulla’s dolls are JUST what I think of when I think of a Waldorf doll and a doll that I would want my children to love.
They are so beautiful.
marwoo99@yahoo.com
How cute- I love the custom made waldorf dolls- all of her dolls are so cute.
I favorited the shop- thanks for the chance to win the necklace- adorable.
ren lady of the arts at gmail dot com
http://www.ladyofthearts.blogspot.com
How adorable!! My daughter would love it. I liked German Dolls on Facebook.
I already have her shop as a favorite.
I follow GermonDolls blog.
I’m a fan on facebook. Soo cute, my daughter would love this!
What a sweet gift for a child! Love it!
I have never seen a doll like this or heard of the person(s) making them. Will check out the site for sure!!!!!very cute
Liked her Facebook page!
Already a facebook fan, already her shop is a favorite of mine. Loved her little dresses with the bunnies which I got for my grandkids for Easter, they adored them and they really were the cutest.
Sweet dolls! Your shop is a fav on etsy!
kristinlmbrt@yahoo.com
I like German Dolls on FB!
I follow the German Dolls blog!
I follow German Dolls on Twitter!
I tweeted the giveaway! Thanks for the lovely giveaway!
Her shop is a favorite! Love these things! marinelli dot michelle at gmail
I love this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/40888750/waldorf-doll-clothes-custom-made-12-inch
username: samanthatedesco
samantha.tedesco@gmail.com
I am a fan of Ulla’s Facebook Page
Samantha Tedesco
I Follow GermanDolls blog
samantha.tedesco
I Follow GermanDolls on Twitter
@samanthatedesco
i tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/samanthatedesco/status/189277402248122368
samantha.tedesco@gmail.com
I added her shop to my Etsy favourites (as DESPINA VNT)
I love the pocket dolls so much!!
I am a Facebook fan, as Despina Vnt
I follow her blog via GFC as deb_oro
I love her shop!!
I don’t have an Etsy account but the leaf babies are adorable!!
I follow her on FB as Gloria Grahame
I favorited the shop on etsy! katy010305
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I like her on facebook!
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I am now following German Dolls on Twitter! @KatyLMA
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/KatyLMA/status/189295463055372288
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
This shop is already a favorite! rebekahsurech at gmail
I’m already a facebook fan! rebekahsurech at gmail
Shared on facebook! rebekahsurech at gmail
How cute! She is already a fave on Etsy and Facebook. My girls love their mermaid outfits! I just started following the blog. Thank you for the chance!
I love her dolls. I’ve been looking at them for a while via Natural kids blog hoping some day my little girl might get one.. I’ve favoured your Etsy shop too.
Liked it on FB already. Thanks for the chance to win one 🙂
I do love these dolls and would love to win one for my daughter 🙂
I’ve favourites the shop on Etsy too..
Already faved you on Etsy!
I llike you on facebook.
I follow your blog.
I like Germandolls on Facebook as Julie G.
jlgibbings (at) hotmail (dot) com
Following you on twitter. I have always loved your pocket dolls.
I love the dresses with the baby in the pocket in the shop..already a fan on facebook!!!
I favorite/heart Ulla’s shop and my favorite item is the waldorf dolls, Trio of pocket dolls, THE ORIGINAL Miniature doll, Made in the Waldorf Tradition
I follow the Germandolls blog publicly with google friend connect as Amber
I visited Ulla’s Germandolls Facebook page and became a fan – my FB name is Amanda Moore
I tweeted about the giveaway, I’m @AmberGoo:
https://twitter.com/AmberGoo/status/189346945683300352
I shared this giveaway on my Facebook wall, my FB name is Amanda Moore:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=291103890965109&id=804795642
I hearted the shop on Etsy
Etsy Name: sparmeland
sparmeland(at)optonline(dot)net
I made her shop a favorite on etsy
rookem123 at yahoo dot com
I am a fan of her Facebook page (Ra Kat Obro)
rookem123 at yahoo dot com
I follow GermanDolls on twitter (RachelObro)
rookem123 at yahoo dot com
Follow German Dolls on FB. Vet cute!
Your shop is a fav of mine, and I like the fb page too.
I’m in awe over getting up at 4am, impressing!! I love your style, as a fellow European your faces all seem familiar to me 😉
I’m Kristin Teamtwo on facebook and KristinKreations on Etsy, hoping to win a leafbuddy and hopefully persuade spring to arrive here
I follow you on facebook. Your dolls are beautiful. I enjoyed reading your blog, especially when you talked about being a stay home mom. I didn’t work when my children were little either. I agree with you, parents do send their children to school sick when they have to work. I didn’t want anyone taking care of my children when they were sick and the only person they wanted was me. Now that my children are grown I have gone back to work, but would not take anything for staying home with them when they were little. We cannot go back and raise our children, so enjoy them while they are young. Thanks for the chance to win one of your pocket babies. So cute!!!
A FB fan here! So cute!
I heart Ulla’s Shop on etsy (id: megnate) my favorite is http://www.etsy.com/listing/90679623/waldorf-doll-12-inch-african-american
I follow germandolls on GFC (same name)
I follow germandolls on twitter as @zaira_faith
I shared on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=397819313570584&id=100002725914388
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/zaira_faith/status/189413157347921920
I love all of Ulla’s Germandolls stuff 🙂 Would love one of these!
Kimberly Sullivan
pktsullivan@aol.com
l am alrrady a fan on the facebook page 🙂
Also already following the blog
Already favouriting the etsy shop…
And I do believe I’m following on twitter too…
Can you tell I’m a big fan? Lol
So talented. I love everything in the shop. I would be so happy to win the necklace leafbuddie <3. I favorited the etsy shop. Subscribed to the blog and liked her facebook. So happy to do it all!
I have favorited Ulla’s beautiful shop
I have begun to follow the Germandolls blog.
Also have become a fan of GermanDolls on FB.
oh my. its all so sweet. I hearted her shop and the 12 inch gnome doll. I can’t imagine anything cuter!
i added her shop as a fave on etsy..the dolls are adorable and you can tell a lot of love goes into each of Ulla’s creations.
crluckystar at yahoo dot com
GermanDolls FB fan-Crystal Marie
GermanDolls twitter follower-CrystalGreene77
tweeted-https://twitter.com/#!/CrystalGreene77/status/189601642046439424
Already have Ulla’s etsy shop as a fav!
-violet
Already ‘like’ Ulla’s fb page!
-Violet
I follow GermanDolls blog on my RSS feeder!
-Violet
I am loving the wee purple pocket doll! So cute!
I like you on facebook!
I am following your blog on my bloglovin!
I like : http://www.etsy.com/listing/90679623/waldorf-doll-12-inch-african-american
I add as favourite etsy shop (betsabea)
Follow GermanDolls on Twitter (dakha)
Favorited her etsy shop
Liked Ulla on Facebook
Follow GermanDolls blog
Great interview, lovely doll! Thank you! kath dot grahn at gmail dot com
faved her shop under Grahnolamum – love the leafbuddy dolls the best!kath dot grahn at gmail dot com
Liked on facebook under kath n eric grahn – thank you! kath dot grahn at gmail dot com
following blog under kath grahn – thanks! kath dot grahn at gmail dot com
Following on twitter under @redgalracer – thank you
tweeted contest under @redgalracer
I liked her shop. The leaf buddies are my favorite as well! Hope I win!
So sweet!
I can envision all the magical play by just looking at your work. What an inspiration!
I hearted her shop and favourited this item!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83170336/set-of-six-germandolls-postcards-waldorf
thanks for making this an international giveaway!
I like ulla on FB (JourneysofTheZoo).
I follow germandolls blog via GFC (JourneysofTheZoo). I would appreciate it if you followed me back.
i shared on fb
http://www.facebook.com/#!/JourneysofTheZoo/posts/103140383154223
Favorited her etsy shop…she has such cute things!
Following germandolls blog as ani hearts japan on GFC
Following germandolls on twitter @aniheartsjapan
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/aniheartsjapan/status/190160361163456512
liked u on facebook!
favorited u on etsy
thanks for all the awesome comments and visiting my sites and shop! Congrats to the winner!
I hearted Ulla’s shop and GermanDolls, Beautiful 12 inch Gnome Doll Waldorf-inspired Doll and Wee Baby, Waldorf Toy (oksana2372)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/93595460/germandolls-beautiful-12-inch-gnome-doll
Thank you for the chance!
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like Ulla’s Facebook Page!
(Oksana Vladimirovna)
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Following GermanDolls blog via GFC! (oksana)
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Following GermanDolls on Twitter!
(@oksana2372)
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/oksana2372/status/190893998280409089
(@oksana2372)
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Shared on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=433013676713816&id=100000966605964
(Oksana Vladimirovna)
ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com