Posted on

Mamma4earth Toys and Patterns and a Giveaway

il_570xN.325297782

Hello!

I’m Linda, founder and owner of Mamma4earth knitted Toys and Patterns. I thought I would tell you a little about myself and my business. My mother taught me to knit when I was 5 years old, I have always enjoyed knitting and what started out as a hobby has now grown into a business that I enjoy tremendously. I can honestly say I love my job! I have connected with amazing people from all over the world and learned so much from many of them.

il_570xN.297855118

I am a stay at home mom and I’m so grateful that I can be with my children and work throughout the day, always being here when they need me. I also feel very honored that I can contribute towards our family financially because of my business.

il_570xN.318373116

When creating a design, I study an animal’s habits and movement for hours so that I can capture their personality within my stitches and create a design that reflects their true shape and character. When I knit toys for my shop I always use natural materials and stuffing. I like the fact that they will not leave a blemish on the earth one day in a landfill because they are natural…

Glider the WhaleI love knitting custom orders for my customers, it stretches my creativity into new areas and makes me grow:)

il_570xN.354069704_khds

Thanks so much for stopping by our natural Kids Team blog here today and visiting…

You can also find me here:

Blog: Natural Suburbia

Twitter

Ravelry

Pinterest

Etsy

Craftsy

il_570xN.470747985_3yk5

Giveaway:

This is my new Mamma4earth pattern e-book that I have just published. Within the book are these 7 knitting patterns featured in the above photo and a tutorial on how to finish off my knitted toys. I would like to offer 4 of these e-books as a giveaway to 4 readers (1 pattern book per person)

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment in this post, to earn extra entries please share about this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest and leave a comment here for each extra share.

Congratulations to:

Abbe King

Super cute patterns!

Anne

Love your realistic looking animals – just the right size for kids to love on! Blessings to you!

Alina Coroian

your toys are beautiful

Susan D1408

Wow they are fantastic! I would love to win this for my auntie Dolly. Everything she makes is for charity.

 

Thanks so much for entering! I will email your e-books off to you.

Anne, could you send me your email details thanks, lindadawkins@mweb.co.za and I will send you your pattern book.

Have a wonderful week,

🙂 Linda

Posted on

‎~* Love Letter*~ by FeeVertelaine

I’ts been a while now that I’m thinking about creating this item… You maybe already know how my gnome love to travel…well they did find a new way !!!
… this little love letter is another great way to say ” I LOVE YOU ” to your cherish one !

 

Of course it is a perfect valentine little present BUT can also be an everyday gift to show your love to your children, partner, friend, parents….name it !!

Let me tell you a short story on how we celebrate valentine in my familly….

Every year I create a little special thing for my daugther, to show my love but also for her to keep…a ”love souvenir” ! A little things that will be cherish for year and filled with love…because you know,  she is my sweet little valentine !! I remember a couple of years ago I did create a little felt heart filled with wool and embroidered with cotton floss and some glass beads. It was written on it ” Je t’aime mon petit coeur ” She was deligthed and since then it’s been an habit for me to use it frequently as a little love note…

When I make her bed I leave the heart on her pillow or I leave it with a little “snack”….leave room for your imagination…a little thing that say I LoOove you ♥… she always ENJOY’S this little gesture !!! That is why I did create the ”love gnome” .

 

 

Here are more links for FeeVertelaine:

SHOP: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FeeVertelaine

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FeeVertelaine

FLIRCK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/feevertelaine/

Posted on

Bountiful Farm Challenge Results

We’re having a Team Challenge!    Members of our team create a new item based around a theme – currently “Bountiful Farm.”   Here are the items that are  inspired by and crafted for this challenge!  We hope you enjoy and please be sure to  let us know how you think the participants did!   We’d love to hear your comments!

Léonï – A Little Farm Girl by FeeVertelaine
“Apple” Bamboo Baby Blanket by Tickety Bu
Farmer Outfit for 16″ Doll by Demilunes
Apples: Bamboo Hooded Bath Towels by Little Lily Bamboo
Harvest Queen by MamaWestWind
Fall Daisy Doll Sweater by luvkin
Gnome or Fairy House by Willodel
Little Red Hen Wooden Marble Set by MudHollow

Posted on

Mother’s Day Giveaway From This Cosy Life

Comments on this giveaway are now closed.

 

The winner is NaturalyFunDays

 

Mother’s Day in the US is coming up in just a couple of days. Now, here at Natural Kids we are, of course, known for our natural, handmade children’s products. But this week I’d like to do a little giveaway just  for the mamas.
My own mother is a constant source of encouragement and support to me. I truly could not ask for a more perfect mom. She challenges me, she backs me no matter what, and she respects the woman I have become, even if she doesn’t always agree with me. I can only hope that my own children will feel the same way about me.

Today I want to offer to one mama the above two items; a knitted rose brooch in the winner’s choice color and the wool plaque, backed with wood, with the word ‘Grow’ needle felted on it.

I am also offering a coupon code good for 15% off your entire purchase in my shop through May 19th. Enter NKMAY at checkout.

 

Here’s how to enter;
Leave a comment on this post. Don’t forget to leave us a way of contacting you.

For additional entries;

(leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don’t, they count as one)

Tweet this (include @NK_Store in your tweet)

Share on Facebook

Blog this giveaway

Follow the NaturalKids blog

Like Natural Kids on Facebook

Like This Cosy Life on Facebook

Add This Cosy Life to your Etsy favorites

Follow This Cosy Life’s blog

 

Giveaway is open worldwide. Natural Kids team members are not allowed to enter.

We will choose a winner randomly on May 17th, 2012. (Please, make sure we have a way to contact you!)

 

Posted on

Nine Awesome Earth Day Giveaways!

The NaturalKids Team is devoted to protecting the earth and it’s natural resources; it is a critical part of what our team represents.  We strive to encourage sustainability and the use of natural, renewable, recyclable, compostable and biodegradable materials throughout the year.  Earth Day, however, provides us a perfect opportunity to go “all out” and really celebrate the choices we make.  Please join us in our celebration by participating in, and sharing, the amazing giveaways from member shops you will find below.

 

 

 1.  Birchleaf Designs – 2 Playsilks in your choice of colors.  Winner – Angela Vullo (comment #99)

“We like use playsilks when we Celebrate! Here are some ways to use silk rather than paper or balloons: 1. Wrap up a gift to give and include the silk as part of the gift;  2. Hang colorful silks around instead of using balloons;  3. Have a basket full of silks for everyone to dress up for the occassion.” 

2.  Mosey Handmade – 12 Hand-painted Wooden Counting Mushrooms.  Winner – Tracey (comment #55)

“My best tip for celebrating is get your kids involved!  They love to see things grow and I think it’s a great day to get out in the garden, plant or transfer those seedlings and dig!”  Check out this article on planting with children for more!

3.  Woolies – Earth Pony of winner’s choice.  Winner – SidewalkGoddess (comment #98)

“Earth Day is a special reminder to the world to honor our Mother Earth. I always spend this day planting, or taking care of our garden. I’ll also make sure to play with our horses, they love Earth Day too!”

4. Long Mountain Art – Organic Cotton Recycle Tee.  Winner – MamaAshGrove (comment #29)

“I teach art so I love to do projects that reuses artwork that my students dont want to take with them. I also find my own kids have an abundance of  doodles that I just hate throwing away!  This is a link for rolled paper bowls. You can use almost any paper but I prefer to reuse artwork that I am not attached to.  You can make coasters or placemats or whatever comes to mind!”

5. Willodel – Set of 3 Cottontail Rabbits (*open to US and Canada only)  Winner – Mel (comment #76)

“The celebration of Earth Day & the welcoming of Spring with it’s burst of new life all around us make April a very special month. At the Willodel shop you will find carefully hand made items out of natural materials full of inspiration and love for the natural world. These qualities are passed onto our children through the toys and sets that they hold and play with. This goal is always a part of everything found in the shop. Celebrating Nature everyday is the very best way to learn from and love the Earth that is our home and be the keepers of it.”
Here is wonderful link to learn about caring for wild life, and two blog links to look at too:  Garden Toad Watch and Willodel

6. MudHollow – Mushroom Bowling, Wonderland Edition with Soy Paints  Winner – Michelle (comment #47)

“Earth Day is a great reminder to get out and have a great time enjoying this amazing planet.  You could make a video for a chance to win a seat at a NASA Rocket Launch, have a Picnic for the Planet or work on creating a Certified Backyard Habitat.  There are so many activities happening around the world, and so many possibilities for projects at home too!  You can start a compost bin, plant a garden using native seeds (desert southwest for me), or find an activity  from our site!”

7.  This Cosy Life – Blossom Mama and her Petal Baby.  Winner – Carissa (comment #80)

“I make all of my own houshold cleaners. A little vinegar, baking soda, and sweet smelling essential oils go a long way toward a cleaner house! And without the toxic cleaners my little ones are happy to scrub right along side me.”

8.  Gypsy Forest – Winner’s Choice of Linen Bag.  Winner – Jenny P (comment #84)

I carry chico bags made from recycled plastic in my purse. I love the kind that fold into their own pouch. AND I love the look on the cashier’s face when I pull out my stash of bags to bag my own groceries.

9.  Armadillo Dreams – Spring Tulips Wooden Flower Toy.  Winner – Dandyrae (comment #18)

Earth Day is a great day to get outside and explore nature with your children. A little walk/hike is always fun. Geocaching is also a great way to explore and appreciate the outdoors.

*10. In case you missed it, The Enchanted Cupboard is also giving away a wooden playset!

Make sure you leave a comment if you haven’t already!

Giveaway is now closed!  The winners are shown next to each item above.  Winning comment numbers chosen using Random.org’s random number generator.  Winners may
Contact Us
to claim prizes if they have not been contacted.

Here’s how to enter:

Leave a comment on this post. Don’t forget to leave us a way of contacting you.

For additional entries (leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don’t, they count as one)

  • Follow teamNaturalKids on Twitter AND Tweet this (include @teamNaturalKids in your tweet)
  • Like Natural Kids on Facebook AND share the giveaway on Facebook (include @NaturalKids)
  • Blog this giveaway and post the link
  • Follow NaturalKids on Pinterest AND Pin your favorite photo from this post (include @NaturalKids)
  • Visit all nine participating shops, and add them to your favorites on Etsy (nine shops = 1 entry)

Giveaway is open worldwide (exceptions noted above). Natural Kids team members are not allowed to enter.

We will choose 9 winners randomly on April 30th, 2012. (Please, make sure we have a way to contact you!)

In addition to the giveaways above, several shops are running Earth Day sales or other promotions!

Posted on

Interview and Giveaway With ZieZo Designs

Comments on this giveaway are now closed.

The winner is

Janne Ellingsen

 

Congratulations! I’ve already contacted you via email and you have through 4/21 to respond.

 

 

This week our giveaway is sponsored by Andrea of Ziezo Designs. Andrea is a fairly new member of the Natural Kids team, so let’s take some time to get to know her a little better.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a SAHM of 3 (Boys 4, 5 & Girl 7) and married to my best friend. Our family has been living in Nairobi, Kenya since the middle of 2007. Being a SAHM allows me to re-connect with my design background, particularly sewing, and as the children attend Waldorf School/Kindergarten, I get more and more time to create things. I love working with natural materials such as 100% wool felt, wool, silk and cotton as those work well with crafting in the Waldorf tradition. Living in an environment where toys in shops are mainly electronic or otherwise battery-driven, I started crafting and creating toys for my little ones early on. An entrepreneurial friend of mine encouraged to take my passion a step further and start creating larger quantities of natural toys, so others could enjoy them as well. Every item in my shop is truly and thoroughly “child” tested and approved with the exception of non-toys such as the ornaments and buntings/banners.

What inspires your creations?

My main inspiration comes from my children and their respectful, wondrous, and innocent view of the world and nature. Creating something that enhances their imagination and creativity is such fun.

What are your favorite materials to use?

Natural materials such as silk, wool and cotton are my favourites. They are so nice to work with, the feel and characteristics of the natural materials are a totally different experience from man-made materials. I feel often that this is what Nature intended for us: use the gifts that she gave to work with, rather than trying to invent another material.

 

How do you encourage children’s creativity?

I believe that children are naturally creative and curious. I try to do some of my creative work while they are around and where possible to have them join in, in the painting, knitting or sewing. It’s always interesting to see what they come up with and I do share the outcomes of those processes on my blog. In addition, they certainly have the benefit of attending a Waldorf school, where their creativity is stimulated as well.

Today Andrea is offering to one winner 100% silk butterfly wings in rainbow colours. The habotai silk is hand-dyed in non-toxic professional grade dye. The wings are embellished with a yellow satin ribbon on the back, creating the illusion of the butterfly’s body. Elastic shoulder- and wristbands make it comfortable and easy for children to dress and undress themselves. This ‘small’ size fits most children 2-5 with an arm length of up to 35cm.

The pure silk cloth moves gracefully with the airflow when your child “flies” through the air.

 

Here’s how to enter;
Leave a comment on this post. Don’t forget to leave us a way of contacting you.

For additional entries;

(leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don’t, they count as one)

Tweet this (include @NK_Store in your tweet)

Share on Facebook

Blog this giveaway

Follow the NaturalKids blog

Like Natural Kids on Facebook

Like ZieZo Designs on Facebook

Add ZieZo Designs  to your Etsy Favs

Follow Andrea’s blog

 

Giveaway is open worldwide. Natural Kids team member sare not allowed to enter.

We will choose a winner randomly on April 19th, 2012. (Please, make sure we have a way to contact you!)

 

 

Julie Hunter is a wife and mama, raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

Posted on

Interview & Giveaway with GermanDolls

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?

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).

 

Posted on

Woolhalla Interview and Giveaway

Comments on this giveaway are now closed and the winner has been announced at the bottom of the post.

 

This week’s interview and giveaway is coming from Natalie who keeps shop at Woolhalla. Let’s get to Natalie a little better.
Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a WAHM who likes to design & makes wool felt toys & waldorf-style dolls. I also run a supplies company so my craft stash never runs dry! My three children (plus 2 dogs & 1 cat) keep me quite busy, but I often find a little time to enjoy the outdoors or referee roller derby games.

What inspires your creations?
My children and all the other children out there inspire me to create natural material play options.

What are your favorite materials to use?
Silk, wool and cotton are my top 3.

How do you balance you family life with creating?

[ya, I better think about that!]

How did you get started in your craft?
When I lived in Holland about 15 years ago, I was introduced to doll making and handwork and took some classes there~  it was love at first sight :o)

What thoughts do you have for parents on the importance of natural toys for creative play?
I think children naturally gravitate to the warmth of natural toys and when they have more open-ended toys they engage their imagination more.  A great example is playsilks, they seem to be used for decorating, dressing up, carrying dolls, and even tying small bikes together!

Today Natalie is offering a wool felt horse and dollhouse doll. The horse is a 3/4 size version of her horse pattern so that it is in scale with the dollhouse doll, which is approx. 11 cm/4.5″ high.

Here’s how to enter;
Visit Woolhallaand leave us a comment letting us know what your favorite item in her shop is.

For additional entries;

(leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don’t, they count as one)

Tweet this (include @NK_Store in your tweet)

Share on Facebook

Blog this giveaway

Follow the NaturalKids blog

Like Woolhalla on Facebook

 

Giveaway is open wordwide.

We will choose a winner randomly on December 20th, 2011. Please, make sure we have a way to contact you!

More places you can find Natalie

Facebook

Twitter

Etsy

Blog

 

The winner is comment #6, Andrea!

 

Julie Hunter is a wife and mama, raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

Posted on

Interview and Giveaway With BirchLeaf Designs

Comments on this giveaway are now closed. The winner has been announced at the bottom of this post.

 

 

Our giveaway this week comes from Wendy and Mojo of BirchLeaf Designs. Their wonderful shop is full of beautiful play silks and hand made wooden toys. Let’s get to know them.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
We are BirchLeaf Designs, a home-spun, hand-crafted family business. We make natural playthings for children and adults plus some housewares, as well. We live, learn, and create off the grid at our homestead tucked away in the woods.

How do you balance you family life with creating?
Balancing family life and creating can be a circus act! Especially when you toss in a bit of homeschooling and other work as well! We go about our day with a little of each in order to “get ‘er all done”. The most important thing is to keep it fun!

What advice do you have for others, trying to make a business with their craft?
The best advice we can give others is to take the leap of faith! You have to dive in, give it your best and trust that everything will be alright. Being your own boss is so liberating and our children learn so much about all aspects of the business.

How do you encourage children’s creativity?
Give them the tools and invite them to keep their minds “wide open”… anything goes! Tools include being outdoors as much as possible! Also, having open-ended playthings, like playsilks and little baskets full of acorns or scraps of wood and the like. Our children love to craft with us too! They like to paint on cards with watercolor, make faeries and other woodland creatures. They love to make things out of wood, like wands and carved knives and also make jewelry with copper and glass beads. All they need is a little support and open-ended materials.

What thoughts do you have for parents on the importance of natural toys for creative play?
Natural playthings are so important for creative play! They just feel good to the touch and are good for the soul! You can rest knowing that your children are playing with things that are not only good for them, but also good for the environment.

Wendy and Mojo are offering two 35×35″ playsilks from any set…you get to choose the colors! Their silks are hand-dyed with love and care.

Here’s how to enter;
Visit BirchLeaf Designsand leave us a comment letting us know what your favorite item in her shop is.

For additional entries;

(leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don’t, they count as one)

Tweet this (include @NK_Store in your tweet

Share on Facebook

Blog this giveaway

Follow the NaturalKids blog

Like BirchLeaf Designs on Facebook.

 

Giveaway is open wordwide.

We will choose a winner randomly on October 20th, 2011. (Please, make sure we have a way to contact you!)

 

And the winner is…

Andrea Gommans

 

Congratulations, Andrea! I will contact you right away.

 

 

Julie Hunter is a single mama raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

Posted on

Little Elf Toy Shop Giveaway

Comments on this giveaway are now closed. The winner has been announced at the bottom of post.

 

This week’s giveaway is from Kelley, from Little Elf Toy Shop. Kelley makes the tiniest, most adorable needle felted creations, which you can find in her Etsy shop. Let’s get to know Kelley a little better.

My name is Kelley Zdziarski though many people call me Elfie or Kelley the Little Elf. I’m a miniature animal maker and doll maker and live on a Christmas tree farm in northwest Oregon with my family. It has always been a dream of mine to make toys and things for people in the hopes that I can bring them smiles and joy. I adore animals and enjoy making people happy so my business is more a joy to me than a chore as I get to bring smiles to people all over the world with my little creations. ^_^


One lucky winner will have the chance to win a cute little black kitty that is made entirely out of wool and longing to bring smiles your way. Kelley calls him Shadow but you may feel free to give him a new name. He is completely needle felted and wears a handsome red ribbon around his neck. Good luck to all the participants!

Here’s how to enter;
Visit Little Elf Toy Shop and leave us a comment letting us know what your favorite item in her shop is.

For additional entries;

(leave a separate comment for each entry, if you don’t, they count as one)

Tweet this (include @NK_Store in your tweet

Share on Facebook

Blog this giveaway

Follow the NaturalKids blog

 

Giveaway is open wordwide.

We will choose a winner randomly on October 13th, 2011. (Please, make sure we have a way to contact you!)

 

The winner is Lyudmila!

 

A new winner has bee drawn since I was unable to make contact with the first winner drawn. The second runner up is Krafterskorner.

Julie Hunter is a single mama raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.