Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Lil Bees: Fluff-a-Rump featured member and giveaway
Shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilbees
Blog link: http://liletsyshop.blogspot.com
Connect on Facebook
Getting to know Lil Bees:
What got you started in selling items in your Etsy shop?
I was making some Christmas tree skirts to sell locally on consignment, but they weren't selling very fast and a friend suggested trying Etsy. A few months later I started making diapers for my own baby and ended up with way more fabric than I needed, so I made a few to sell...(shortly thereafter I opened a second shop so I could separate the two types of items)
Where did your shop name originate?
My last name is Brighton (and my maiden name started with a B also) so I've been "Jenni B" for as long as I can remember. B became Bee, and so when I started selling baby things it was just natural to call it LilBees.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone would have told you when you started cloth diapering?
Don't assume that you will like one style or fabric over another. I did extensive research and knew that I wanted pockets... 6 months later I liked AIOs best, and now 3 years later (with a new baby) I'm preferring fitteds and woolies. I think it's a good idea to try a little of everything and see how you like it in practice, not just how you like it in theory.
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not sewing/working for your shop?
I love reading, and my husband and I watch a lot of movies (or seasons of TV shows) together. I also really enjoy cooking/baking and trying new recipes. And I'm a blog-a-holic.
What is your current favorite item in your shop, and why?
I think my current favorite is the sea turtle fitted. I make OOAK diapers because I get bored doing the same thing over and over...this one was several months in creation (I spent a lot of time online figuring out how to do the pattern for the shell).
What is your favorite material to work with?
I really like good old flannel, mostly because it doesn't stretch, so it's easier to sew with! I love fleece too. I always turn and topstitch, and stretchy fabrics can be a pain for that.
How long has your shop been open?
LilBees opened in May 2007, but I've been on Etsy since Nov 2006.
Personal bio:
I've been sewing since childhood, but started doing it professionally in college (I worked for the theater department's costume shop). When I was expecting my first baby I decided to cloth diaper, and when I started shopping around I realized that I could save a lot of money by sewing my own, so I did. Then a friend asked if I could make some for her, then my sister asked if I would do some for her, and after a few months I decided to open up shop.
I live in Alaska with my husband and three sons. Ironically I'm a very girly girl, and love pink and ruffly things, so anytime you see a girly diaper in my shop, you can know that I probably wanted to keep it for myself.
I live in Alaska with my husband and three sons. Ironically I'm a very girly girl, and love pink and ruffly things, so anytime you see a girly diaper in my shop, you can know that I probably wanted to keep it for myself.
Fluff-a-Rump Giveaway details!
(Drawing to be held Aug 4th, 9pm PDT)
This week, Jenni from Lil Bees is offering one winner 1 custom quick-dry diaper in their choice of AIO or pocket style, great for on the go! Either the NB-S adjustable, or regular S, M, or L (choice of snap or velcro closure, fabrics vary, winner can contact her to work out details) value $14-18 Open to all countries, free shipping to US and Canada only. (Items shown are stock photos, not the giveaway item).
To enter the giveaway, first do the required entry:
-Visit Lil Bees shop and come back here and comment with something you love from her shop - it could be something from a past sale, too!
Additional optional entries (leave a separate comment for EACH of the following that apply) (be sure that you are signed in or leave a way to contact you in each comment):
- "Like" Lil Bees on Facebook (formerly known as Become a Fan)
- Follow Lil Bees blog
- Make a purchase from Lil Bees shop during this week for 5 ENTRIES (leave a note to seller when you purchase, and Jenni will verify the sale and post the entries here)
- Blog about this giveaway for 3 ENTRIES (post link to blog)
- Follow the Etsy Cloth Diaper team blog publicly
- "Like" the Etsy Cloth Diaper team on Facebook (formerly known as Become a Fan)
- Follow the Etsy Cloth Diaper team on Twitter
- Tweet about the fluff-a-rump giveaways (limit one per day) - be sure to use @etsyclothdiaper and #giveaway in your tweet
A random blog comment number will be selected using random.org. The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. You MUST comment on this blog post to be entered, and have contact info in your profile. Each entry entry must be its own comment. If you combine entries into one comment, it will only count as one entry. Winning entries will be validated, and you MUST do the required entry to have any additional entries be valid. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Thank you for entering!
Check back in 2 weeks for another Fluff-a-Rump on Hump Day featured Etsy shop and Giveaway!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Fluff-a-Rump winner for Sweet Violet's Mama giveaway!
The winning entry is #36 - Congratulations to BAO, our winner of this week's Fluff-a-Rump on Hump Day giveaway!
You win a custom recycled wool soaker, OR any pack of reusable wipes listed in her shop, up to a $15 value. Stephanie of Sweet Violet's Mama will contact you, or you can contact her via her shop. Thank you to everyone who entered. Check back next Hump Day for another featured member and giveaway!
- Like you on FB!
- July 14, 2010 4:52 PM
You win a custom recycled wool soaker, OR any pack of reusable wipes listed in her shop, up to a $15 value. Stephanie of Sweet Violet's Mama will contact you, or you can contact her via her shop. Thank you to everyone who entered. Check back next Hump Day for another featured member and giveaway!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sweet Violets Mama: Fluff-a-Rump featured member and giveaway!
Shop link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetVioletsMama
Connect on Facebook
Getting to know Sweet Violet's Mama:
What got you started in selling items in your Etsy shop?
I was making/using recycled wool covers for my daughter and loving it, so I decided to try to sell them.
Where did your shop name originate?
My daughter's name is Violet, she is sweet, and I am her mama!
What is one piece of advice you wish someone would have told you when you started cloth diapering?
There's no need to worry, it really is easy!
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not sewing/working for your shop?
Spending time with my family, being outdoors, and I love to go treasure hunting at estate sales, auctions, & antique shops.
What is your current favorite item in your shop, and why?
The brown wool longies with the tree branch applique because I love trees/nature.
What is your favorite material to work with?
Recycled lambswool and cashmere
How long has your shop been open?
It will be open for 2 years in August!
Personal bio:
My name is Stephanie. I worked in purchasing/billing at a local university (NIU go Huskies!) before having my sweet daughter Violet. When she was born I decided I would stay at home with her. My Etsy shop helps me earn some extra money for my family. We truly appreciate each and every order!
Fluff-a-Rump Giveaway details!
(Drawing to be held July 21st, 9pm PDT)
This week, Stephanie from Sweet Violet's Mama is offering one winner a custom recycled wool soaker, OR any pack of reusable wipes listed in her shop, up to a $15 value. Open to USA and Canada. (Items shown are stock photos, not the giveaway item).
To enter the giveaway, first do the required entry:
-Visit Sweet Violet's Mama's shop and come back here and comment with something you love from her shop - it could be something from a past sale, too!
Additional optional entries (leave a separate comment for EACH of the following that apply) (be sure that you are signed in or leave a way to contact you in each comment):
- "Like" Sweet Violet's Mama on Facebook (formerly known as Become a Fan)
- Follow the Etsy Cloth Diaper team blog publicly
- "Like" the Etsy Cloth Diaper team on Facebook (formerly known as Become a Fan)
- Follow the Etsy Cloth Diaper team on Twitter
- Tweet about the fluff-a-rump giveaways (limit one per day) - be sure to use @etsyclothdiaper and #giveaway in your tweet
A random blog comment number will be selected using random.org. The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. You MUST comment on this blog post to be entered, and have contact info in your profile. Each entry entry must be its own comment. If you combine entries into one comment, it will only count as one entry. Winning entries will be validated, and you MUST do the required entry to have any additional entries be valid. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Thank you for entering!
Check back in 2 weeks for another Fluff-a-Rump on Hump Day featured Etsy shop and Giveaway!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Rock Stars in July!
In typical rock star style, we are presenting our monthly theme a little tardy. Enjoy these amazing prints!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Fluff-a-Rump winner of a Londonware skirty!
Congratulations to comment #24 - katrina, the winner of this week's Fluff-a-Rump on hump day giveaway from Londonware!
Wendy will contact you, or you may contact her through her shop. Thank you to everyone who entered! Check back for next week's giveaway from Sweet Violet's Mama.
- I follow you on twitter! (katrinawelch)
Wendy will contact you, or you may contact her through her shop. Thank you to everyone who entered! Check back for next week's giveaway from Sweet Violet's Mama.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Daycare and Cloth 101
When I got a place in daycare for my oldest 2 years ago, it was obvious for me that we would keep using our cloth diapers.
Unfortunately, as I learned along the way, not all daycare centers are willing to change cloth diapers. Here are most frequent reasons I’ve compiled with a few friends:
- We don’t have time to wash them ( They don’t have to… I will)
- It is dirty, unsanitary ( Hey, we wash them… I don’t buy new undies for me every week… I’ve had way more blowout in disposables than cloth)
- They stink ( Not if washed properly… Actually it smells less than a disposable)
- It can spread infections ( I usually don’t bring my kids when they are sick…)
- It is more complicated than disposables ( They don’t know AIOs and pocket diapers…)
- We don’t want to deal with pins ( They don’t know AIOs and pocket diapers…)
Here is what we did to have them ACCEPT our cloth diapers:
• Ask yourself which is you EASIEST-TO-USE aka daddy’s favorite diaper. You know, that pocket or AIO with VELCROS… Caretakers are more willing to accept to use these.
• If you have more than one in this category, choose the prettiest one.
• When you go visit your future daycare center, bring this diaper with you, along with a wetbag.
• Gently ask the caretaker if you can ask her something, and explain that you use cloth at home and were wondering if it is possible to use it there too. SHOW the diaper and how easy to use it is.
• Explain that they only have to throw it in the wet bag, and they don’t even have to empty it. You bring back home the dirty diapers and empty them yourself in the toilet, even BM. The only difference with a disposable is throwing it into a wetbag instead of a diapergenie thing.
• If they have a door to the outside in their room, but no toilet, tell them they can put the bag outside.
Here, I had to ask to the «principal» of the daycare to get a few weeks of tryouts. And in the end they liked it.
My daily checklist:
• 5 clean and ready pocket diapers ( I mostly had Bumgenius diapers in the beginning) in a mesh bag
• 1 small wetbag for dirty diapers
• 1 small jar of cloth compatible diaper rash cream, just in case. Here I needed to have it prescribed by a doctor since I was not using Zincofax…
• A spare pair of pants just in case ( all kids should have that anyways)
A few more tips:
• If it is summer or if you live in a hotter climate (i.e., not in Canada…), you might want to consider having a wetbag that has a zipper so insect won’t go in it. Don’t ask why I know that.
• Having from 12-15 diapers exclusively for daycare is a good idea. From the 5 I leave in the bag in the morning, 3 or 4 are usually dirty at the end of the day, sometimes 5. This way I can wash every 2 or 3 days.
• Same type of closure for all diapers is best. Some will prefer side-snapping or front snapping, others will prefer velcros. Don’t confuse them, stay consistent…
• First diaper in the morning can be whatever closure you like since they only have to take it off.
• Ask them what is their diaper changing routine, how many times a day. It will help you figure out how many diapers you will need.
• Give them a reminder sheet (No zinc, put in the wetbag…)
• Be ready to lose 1 or 2 diapers in the year. When they change 6-7 diapers in a row, they can get distracted.
• Keep you diaper clean and without weird smells.
I hope that help :)
Marie-Aude, from Colibi Créations
Unfortunately, as I learned along the way, not all daycare centers are willing to change cloth diapers. Here are most frequent reasons I’ve compiled with a few friends:
- We don’t have time to wash them ( They don’t have to… I will)
- It is dirty, unsanitary ( Hey, we wash them… I don’t buy new undies for me every week… I’ve had way more blowout in disposables than cloth)
- They stink ( Not if washed properly… Actually it smells less than a disposable)
- It can spread infections ( I usually don’t bring my kids when they are sick…)
- It is more complicated than disposables ( They don’t know AIOs and pocket diapers…)
- We don’t want to deal with pins ( They don’t know AIOs and pocket diapers…)
Here is what we did to have them ACCEPT our cloth diapers:
• Ask yourself which is you EASIEST-TO-USE aka daddy’s favorite diaper. You know, that pocket or AIO with VELCROS… Caretakers are more willing to accept to use these.
• If you have more than one in this category, choose the prettiest one.
• When you go visit your future daycare center, bring this diaper with you, along with a wetbag.
• Gently ask the caretaker if you can ask her something, and explain that you use cloth at home and were wondering if it is possible to use it there too. SHOW the diaper and how easy to use it is.
• Explain that they only have to throw it in the wet bag, and they don’t even have to empty it. You bring back home the dirty diapers and empty them yourself in the toilet, even BM. The only difference with a disposable is throwing it into a wetbag instead of a diapergenie thing.
• If they have a door to the outside in their room, but no toilet, tell them they can put the bag outside.
Here, I had to ask to the «principal» of the daycare to get a few weeks of tryouts. And in the end they liked it.
My daily checklist:
• 5 clean and ready pocket diapers ( I mostly had Bumgenius diapers in the beginning) in a mesh bag
• 1 small wetbag for dirty diapers
• 1 small jar of cloth compatible diaper rash cream, just in case. Here I needed to have it prescribed by a doctor since I was not using Zincofax…
• A spare pair of pants just in case ( all kids should have that anyways)
A few more tips:
• If it is summer or if you live in a hotter climate (i.e., not in Canada…), you might want to consider having a wetbag that has a zipper so insect won’t go in it. Don’t ask why I know that.
• Having from 12-15 diapers exclusively for daycare is a good idea. From the 5 I leave in the bag in the morning, 3 or 4 are usually dirty at the end of the day, sometimes 5. This way I can wash every 2 or 3 days.
• Same type of closure for all diapers is best. Some will prefer side-snapping or front snapping, others will prefer velcros. Don’t confuse them, stay consistent…
• First diaper in the morning can be whatever closure you like since they only have to take it off.
• Ask them what is their diaper changing routine, how many times a day. It will help you figure out how many diapers you will need.
• Give them a reminder sheet (No zinc, put in the wetbag…)
• Be ready to lose 1 or 2 diapers in the year. When they change 6-7 diapers in a row, they can get distracted.
• Keep you diaper clean and without weird smells.
I hope that help :)
Marie-Aude, from Colibi Créations
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