Meet Etsy Kids Team Member SpiritedChild

This week we meet team member Spiritedchild .  Spiritedchild has been open since October 2014 and creates unique items designed with busy toddlers & children in mind!
"We want to inspire creativity, imagination and fun! All our work is tested for fun & durability by our very own spirited 18 month and 3 year old!"

   

What is the story behind your shop name?
I grew up in England and I now live in Zurich, Switzerland with my adventurous, challenging but loveable family! Life is pretty hectic therefore my outlet is sewing! Spiritedchild began when I realized that certain elements of our daily life/struggle with young children needed to be made easier. Inspired by my two girls, the name SpiritedChild was created. Their love for scribbling on EVERYTHING led to me creating our Busy Colouring Mats. The concept of fabric appealed to them because they like the texture, colours and for me I could WASH them out!
At SpiritedChild our aim is to create products that are fun, unique and practical. In addition to the Busy Mats I started making strap covers to protect my baby carrier and stroller from my teething monsters, memory blankets to cherish our first years together and tote bags for their toys. As friends requested custom makes SpiritedChild grew and continues to. Currently I am working on new 'Busy' Colouring Mats and Tote Bags with NEW colouring designs

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I absolutely love making Busy Colouring Mats. My store only has a small selection of what i have created. My website has developed on from Etsy and continues to be successful.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I was surprised actually by people's genuine interest in my work. Especially outside of Etsy. Other mothers said they were inspired by me and my motivation to create my shop. My kids are still young (2 & 3yrs) so they still rely on me a lot. I have to balance their needs with sewing and stocking the shop.

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Price point. I live in Switzerland where fabric prices can be as high as $30 a metre. Competing on price is a challenge. Variety in Switzerland is always a problem too so I buy fabrics via Etsy.

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
I love to create unique, fun yet practical items for kids. In addition to colouring activities i have lots of custom requests for bags, purses, bibs and aprons.

What do you do when you aren't working?
Mostly care for my girls! Then when they sleep i work and try to fit in my yoga and German classes. German is the main language here and everyday i have the challenge of living here without 100% fluency.

Please tell us a little about the children's items market / handmade movement in your Country?
In Switzerland there is a lot of interest for handmade items. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of variety but it is getting better. The Swiss market is good and with the right products people are willing to pay for handmade work. Quality is an absolute must here. Swiss quality is famous even outside Switzerland and the parents expect this. The Swiss market also appreciate unique items. And welcome new idea.

Post written by Raising Green Kids
   

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Meet EtsyKids team member Njoyart

This week we meet our team member Njoyart.  Njoyart has been open since 2010 and in her shop you will find original art for your home, office & children's spaces. In addition to original art you will find a selection of art prints, home decor & apparel items.

   

What motivated you to start your shop?
I was a brand new stay at home mom doing freelance graphic design and licensing art for greeting cards in my spare time when I first heard about Etsy. I never expected selling my art to become a full time job, I'd just hoped to bring in a little extra money by painting, which was something I loved doing anyway. Inspired by being a new mom and frustrated by not being able to find things for my daughter that weren't pastel and/or pink I started painting bold bright art for children's rooms. Once I started listing those pieces my Etsy shop took off. I'd found my calling.

What is the story behind your shop name?
nJoy Art is lifted directly from my name: Nicola Joyner
I quite enjoy art as well, so the name works on 2 levels!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
I most enjoy painting the art for kids. Watching their little faces light up when they see a painting they like always makes my heart sing.

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
The most wonderful surprise has been turning a hobby into a career! When opening my Etsy shop 6 years ago I completely expected to be back in a office cubical by the time my kids started school. About 3 years ago I realized that working from home permanently, doing what I love most, could truly become a reality if I just put the effort of a full time job behind it. Sometimes it feels like I'm working harder than I would for someone else, and with no guaranteed paycheck either, but the freedom of being my own boss and setting my own schedule makes up for that. Particularly while my daughters are young.  

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
Over the years my challenges on Etsy have changed as my shop as grown. The key for me has been to tackle them one at a time and to remember that there is always room for improvement. It can be frustrating to re-do things but sometimes it's best to start over when something isn't working. My listing descriptions, photos and tags have evolved a lot (and often) since the first 2 years and with each improvement my views and sales increased as well.
The one constant challenge is the uncertainly of income. I may have a record month of sales followed by a month of nothing, that's just how it goes and you have to wait it out.

   

Post written by Raising Green Kids

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Meet Etsy Kids Team Member Sugartogs

This week we meet Etsy seller Sugartogs.  Sugartogs has been creating kids apparel since February 2011. 
    

What motivated you to start your shop?
Ever since I can remember, I have always had an obsession with making things. I distinctly remember making little mittens in grade school and selling them for $2 a pair to classmates! My grandmother used to tell me that I had golden hands, and I guess you could say that was my main motivation for creating! Positive recognition! As far as Etsy is concerned, I had already been selling locally, on and off, mostly through word of mouth, when a friend of one of my kids introduced me to Etsy. She had an active and busy Etsy shop and explained that it was not all that difficult, and really, all I needed was a (very) little technical knowledge, and the ability to create! I took the bait and haven't looked back!

What is your favourite creations from your shop?
This is a great question! Honestly, I started making the buffalo plaid flannel trapper hats when a photographer friend asked me to make one for her as a photo prop. The first one was not that simple a venture, to say the least!!!! But I had the feeling that buffalo plaid was going to be super cool and continued on, posting the link to the original. I was in awe at how many of them I sold this winter!!!! I am still getting requests for them in February! They are adorable, so snuggly warm, and have become soooooo much easier to make! 

What surprised you most about having your own craft / online shop?
I was most surprised at the ease of operating an online shop. Etsy makes it super easy to sell, collect money, and transfer to my bank account. They really do all the work! All I have to do is make stuff!

What do you find most challenging about being an Etsy seller?
The most challenging thing, by far, is constantly keeping things new and fresh. It is easy to settle in to selling 'old favorites', but as a consumer, I understand the importance of seeing things that are new to a shop, offering a constantly changing view, but at the same time, keeping the basics intact. I just recently, with the encouragement of a friend, have decided to add some dog wear to the mix! What dog doesn't need some new, functional fashion wear!? lol

What's your personal philosophy behind your shop / products?
It is my firm belief, both in my shop, and in my personal life, to treat others the way I want to be treated. I absolutely LOVE dealing with the public, and I know that it is important to see that each customer, and prospective customer knows that I hear what they are asking when they ask questions. It is not always easy to satisfy some, but certainly MOST customers are awesome...and when they love my products and send a positive feedback, it makes all the work worth it!

What do you do when you aren't working?
In the summer, I love gardening on my deck, spending time outside, listening to the sounds of nature, oftentimes with some great background music playing. Cooking is another true love, and I am always happy when I am cooking or baking something! I love spending time with my family, and love a great laugh with good friends!

Anything else you'd like to tell us or share?
I am always open to ideas! When we stop learning, we stop living!

    

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