Lightning Bonus Pounce Challenge Winner: LOOP LOFT

Lisa of LOOP LOFT on Etsy pounced on undiscovered Etsy talent and found great new artists in her curation pictured below.  Random.org selected Lisa's treasury which was lucky number 6 of 7 entries in the Lightning Bonus Pounce Challenge.  Congratulations Lisa!  




I would like to take this time to applaud each EtsyKids Treasury Team member who curated for this challenge because of the additional hurdle of Etsy's improperly functioning Pounce feature.  EKTT Fans, please browse POUNCE treasuries curated to introduce you to new talent on Etsy as well as undiscovered EtsyKids Team member shops.  


Lisa of LOOP LOFT on Etsy repurposes fiber art into whimsical hair accessories, "softie" stuffed critters, and home decor for you and your kids. LOOP LOFT is having a SALE!  Enjoy free shipping on all Back To School items throughout August!  

Linen Pillow (Alphabet and Numbers) by LOOP LOFT on Etsy  

The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy: June 2011 Featured EKTT Member

lemon cookies (set of 6) by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

The EtsyKids Treasury Team is thrilled to honor one of EtsyKids Co-Leaders, Jocelyn of The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy, as our June Featured Member.  Jocelyn has been a champion for the EKTT since we began in September 2010.  I have come to rely on Jocelyn's level-headed judgment and positive energy, qualities essential to any good leader.  Without the guidance, assistance, and support of our Co-Leaders, The Little LOVE Bug and Lilikins Baby Blankets and Quilts (see her interview May 2011 Featured EKTT Member),  the EtsyKids Treasury Team would not be the thriving, enthusiastic band of curators we are today.  EtsyKids Team is very fortunate to have two such capable, devoted and hard-working leaders.  We appreciate all you do for EtsyKids Team and the EKTT, Jocelyn, and now it is our great privilege to celebrate The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy in treasuries throughout the month of June! 


The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy is filled with the most delicious and eco-friendly hand sewn felt food, games, and hair accessories for your children.  Jocelyn, a felt guru, feeds hungry imaginations with whimsical and safe felt play food!  The Little LOVE Bug's charming creations were inspired by her own two daughters, and have been a hit with kids and moms alike since 2008.  As a special treat for you dear readers of the EtsyKids Treasury Team Blog, The Little LOVE Bug is having a SALE through the month of June!  Please use coupon code "LOVE15BUG" for 15% off all June orders, and at The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy you always enjoy free shipping!  

Tic Tac Toe Felt Travel Game Set by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: What is your favorite part of the creative process?  Least favorite?

The Little LOVE Bug:  I love the making of a new item.  My daughters tell me what they would like in their kitchens, and I draw and draw until I get what we like. Yes, it is a family that makes it all work.  Then I draw my own pattern, cut the felt and sew away. It usually takes at least 2 to 3 finished tries to get the pattern and finished item before I list it on Etsy.  So one new item could take a few weeks to make perfect.

My least favorite part is the packaging and mailing, but I have a system for that now.  I even get my husband to help package in my busy seasons.  But I would much rather be sewing.

Felt Play Pretend Food Mini Collection by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: What was the journey that brought you to opening The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy?

The Little LOVE Bug:  Well, when my oldest was two there were a lot of toy recalls.  It seemed like every time I turned around another recalled toy was in my daughter's mouth.  So I decided to make play food for her, which as we know ends up in all kid's mouths.  After my friends saw her new felt play food they asked for some for their children.  I was making them for birthday and Christmas gifts.  Then one day someone suggested I should sell them on Ebay.  After a little while of selling on Ebay I really wanted to find a place with less fees.  I stumbled upon Etsy and have never left. 

Nifty Nancy Cupcake (set of 2) by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: Congratulations on your new role as Co-Leader of the EtsyKids Team!  Please tell us about your volunteer work for the EtsyKids Team. 

The Little LOVE Bug:  I have been a member of EtsyKids since November of 2008.  Shortly after, early 2009,  I started to review all the applications for membership to accept and invite shops to our group and was the New England Regional Leader at the same time.  I did this till March of 2010 when I became the Membership Director.  In April 2011 I became Co-Leader of our group.

BLUE Puppy Paw Felt Hair Snap Clip by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: Approximately how many hours per week do you devote to EtsyKids Team duties?

The Little LOVE Bug:  To be honest, a lot!  I am not sure I could put it into hours, but if I had to I would say 20 or more hours per week.

Spring Tulip Sugar Cookies (Set of 6) by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: Please tell us ONE thing you wish all EtsyKids Team members would do to make your life easier as the EtsyKids Team Co-Leader.

The Little LOVE Bug:  I would have to say to visit our Ning group at least once a week to read updates and join in on discussions. Also, to be sure to join and post in your Regional Groups on Ning.

EKTT: How about EKTT Curators in particular?

The Little LOVE Bug:  Please keep checking the ABC member list on Ning to make sure you are featuring active EtsyKids Team members in your treasuries.

Felt Play Food Doughnuts (Set of 6) by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: Apart from your Etsy shop and the work you do on behalf of the EtsyKids Team, what are your favorite things to do?
The Little LOVE Bug:  That is simple--be with my daughters and husband.  I love watching my daughters grow and just enjoy being kids.


EKTT: What is the one handmade possession or craft tool you could not live without?
The Little LOVE Bug:  My rotary cutter and my circle cutter.  It just makes cutting so much easier.

Banana with Removable Peel by The Little LOVE Bug on Etsy

EKTT: Please share one really weird compulsion, habit, or fixation of yours--we know you've got one!
The Little LOVE Bug:  I am not sure, I will have to ask my husband.  :)

***

Thank you, Jocelyn, for taking time out of your busy schedule to grant us a behind-the-scenes look at one of our EtsyKids Team Co-Leaders!  And if you think I won't hunt your husband down for the answer to what weird little quirks you have...well, you're right!  For now...  

The Little LOVE Bug keeps our team running smoothly, let's all be sure to support her in each of these fine online locations:

Etsy Shop:  The Little LOVE Bug

Facebook:  The Little LOVE Bug
Twitter:  2littleLOVEbug

EKTT Weekly Treasury Challenge: Earth Day or Easter

The winner of our latest weekly treasury challenge, Bison Girl on Etsy, wants us to honor Earth Day and Easter.  For those of you who have already completed Easter treasuries, let's try to put a creative spin on these Easter curations to catch Etsy Admin's eye!  

Earth Day

 Focus Items:  Earth Day is April 22, eco-friendly, recycled, repurposed, and upcycled items.  Materials should be reclaimed, naturally sourced, self-sustaining, and environmentally-friendly.   Easy on the earth options that are renewable (like bamboo) and clean the air are good picks.  Vintage, up-cycled lights and lamps, particularly with exposed bulbs.

OR

Easter

Focus Items:  Easter is April 24, Good Friday is April 22, bright and pastel colors, bunnies, rabbits, easter eggs, baskets, candy, toys, children's spring formal attire, religious mementos, flower and bud vases, personalization, brass and cast iron animals, vintage, nests, trees, branches, glass domes, terrariums, air plants, succulents, herbs, planters, plant markers, removable fabric and vinyl decals (especially small run designs).

Upcycled, eco-friendly nursery pillow by OLD CHATEAU on Etsy

1.  Submit as many treasuries fitting these themes in as many variations as you wish through Saturday, April 23, 8 p.m. EST. 

NOTE:  You MUST be a member of the EKTT to participate in Weekly Treasury Challenges! 

2.  Required Challenge Tags: 

etsykidschallenge 14

etsykids tteam

(Copy and paste the challenge tags to ensure your treasury will be included in judging!)   Please also use applicable key words to tag--listed under Focus Items (above) and taken from Etsy's April Merchandising Report or Etsy's May Merchandising Report.  

Please do not use EKTT tags unless you are a member of the EtsyKids Treasury Team.  All EtsyKids are welcome to join.  See information on joining the EKTT:  Guidelines

3.  Treasuries must include 4 active and verified EtsyKids Team members. Please take this opportunity to feature either your partner or our April Featured EKTT Member, PRINCESS DESIGNS on Etsy, or both in a challenge submission.    

*Please see the EKTT Check List to curate according to guidelines.  

4.  The winning treasury will be chosen by Random.org.  This week the entries will be numbered in order of last submitted to first submitted with the last submission being number 1.    

5.  All EKTT Curators are eligible to enter and win, including current and past weekly challenge winners.

6.  Please do not include any treasury team tags other than the EtsyKids Treasury Team tag and related challenge tags on EKTT challenge treasuries.  Any challenge submission containing treasury team tags other than "etsykids tteam" will automatically be disqualified from winning.  Thank you, EKTT Curators!

Prizes!

Your winning treasury, links to your Etsy shop, and a shop listing you choose will be featured in an EKTT blog post announcing you as our Weekly Treasury Challenge winner.  Your Etsy shop and winning blog entry will be permanently displayed on the EKTT Winners page.  Your Etsy shop will be featured in a Crafcult Slideshow Mini on the top of our blog sidebar.  You will have the honor of choosing the next Weekly Treasury Challenge theme based on a focused idea from our current Etsy Merchandising Report.  

The Trendy Tot Shop on Etsy Sees Green

'I'm seeing green...' by TheTrendyTotShop

I see some green grass finally coming in say for spring!

lucymaedesigns $9.50	denisejacobsoh... $42.00	SOUTHERNBABYBO... $5.95	mamamade $7.25
feltedkitten $3.50	anasbabycoutur... $38.95	bisongirl $22.00	faithwithroses $5.50
RaeGun $15.50	CraftingAdvent... $17.99	BumbleFuzz $25.00	notybaby $25.00
worldofwhimm $7.00	PreschoolDoll $1.00	brooksboutique $6.00	woodponddesign... $20.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

felted kitten on Etsy: March Featured EKTT Member

Upcycled Cupcakes by felted kitten on Etsy

This month we have the honor of featuring one of our original EKTT curators, Katrina of felted kitten on Etsy.  Not only is Katrina a talented creator of felted goodies and a loyal EKTT curator,  but she's also a voice of reason, providing ideas for the growth and improvement of our team.  In fact, it was her suggestion that we return to shorter, more frequent treasury challenges that inspired Weekly Treasury Challenges.  felted kitten's wise suggestion has lit the EKTT on fire with curating enthusiasm!  We all thank you, felted kitten, for sharing your wit and wisdom with us, and we look forward to curating treasuries to honor you throughout March!  


Katrina of felted kitten on Etsy began with a desire to make handmade gifts and her creative adventure has now spread from cupcakes to crowns, and banners to boutique hair accessories which she sells in felted kitten on Etsy. Katrina's passion for the environment is clearly displayed in her selection of materials.  She uses upcycled materials when possible, and her crowns are handmade using eco-friendly felt which has been made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.  


Congratulations to felted kitten who just celebrated her first Etsy-versary on February 2nd!  Katrina is extending her 20% off Etsy-versary Sale through March 31st just for you EtsyKids fans and friends!  Fly over to felted kitten on Etsy and enter the coupon code, EKTHANKYOU20, to get in on the action!  The woman behind felted kitten on Etsy is as colorful as her handmade creations, sit back and enjoy the interview Katrina granted us.

Queen of Hearts Crown by felted kitten on Etsy

EKTT:  What is your favorite part of the creative process?  Least favorite?
felted kitten:  I enjoy the design process the most and love doing custom work because I like the challenge of trying to figure out how to make something that someone else has in mind. My least favorite parts are trying to stay motivated, prioritizing what to make as I always have too many projects I want to work on and trying to figure out the ever elusive working/parenting balance. 

Butterfly Felt Crown by felted kitten on Etsy

EKTT:  What was the journey that brought you to opening felted kitten on Etsy?
felted kitten:  I began by making a batch of four upcycled sweater cupcakes for a birthday present and doing a couple local craft shows a couple years ago and started my Etsy shop as a way to stay motivated and have a much needed creative outlet. I celebrated my one year Etsy anniversary in February and would love to branch out with more products for both children and adults. 

Upcycled Wool Corsage or Hair Accessory by felted kitten

EKTT:  What is your best advice for sellers of children's items on Etsy?

felted kitten:  I’ve learned a lot during my first year on Etsy. My top three suggestions are to relist and/or post new products frequently to stay in the loop, include links to other products in your listings to try to keep potential shoppers on your site as long as possible and preview how your listing appears in a Google search when creating a new listing so the most important information about your product shows up. I‘ve also done some cross promotion with other Etsy shop holders whose products work well with mine (mostly tutus thus far). I'm always open to this if anyone else is interested.

Reusable Birthday Banner by felted kitten on Etsy

EKTT:  Any favorite curating suggestions to offer EKTT curators?  How do you overcome curating challenges when featuring a partner's shop?
felted kitten:  I definitely feel like I have a certain treasury style when curating and am trying to branch out and vary that look a bit. I tend to pick out EtsyKids team items first and then use those to build the treasury. I think it can be overwhelming and also discouraging trying to make an elusive ‘front page’ treasury (I, for one, haven't figured this out yet) so I just keep mixing up my themes and plugging away. I like the creativity of making treasuries and think the teamwork of the EKTT is a great way to get EtsyKids team shops and goods out there. 

Although I think it can occasionally be a challenge when working within the parameters of a partner’s shop (mine included, I’m sure) I think it also helps me think out of the box to create a treasury I might not have thought of otherwise. Sometimes a song or an image in a magazine will spark an idea for me so I’ll try to figure out how to translate that into a treasury. 

Felt Crown Party Pack Kit (6 Crowns) by felted kitten on Etsy

EKTT:  Apart from your Etsy shop and curating treasuries, what are your favorite things to do?

felted kitten:  I love reading, travel, architecture, photography, movies, magazines, swimming and hanging out with my family (my daughters are 6 & 3). This year I’ve also been very involved with the parent led art program at my daughters’ school and have taught a few of the first grade lessons (color theory, houses & Picasso inspired portraits). I also volunteer in the classroom and enjoy getting to know my daughters’ classmates and school friends. 

Rock Star Princess Crown by felted kitten on Etsy

EKTT:  Please share one really weird compulsion, habit or fixation of yours--we know you've got one!

felted kitten:  I have many: I’ve never had a cell phone, I most always stream something on the computer when I’m working for the visual stimulation (usually sci fi or period based movies), I have a horrible magazine addiction and always have stacks of them around the house (which drives my husband crazy) and drink way too much caffeine (mostly diet coke).

***

Thank you, Katrina, for sharing such helpful business and curating tips and for your outstanding support of the EtsyKids Treasury Team!  Of course, we can't reach you in a hurry for additional answers to our pressing questions since you don't own a cell phone, but never fear...we'll track you down!

Stalk Katrina of felted kitten in these online haunts:

Etsy Shop:  felted kitten

Facebook:  felted kitten

Twitter:  felted kitten