Friday Feature: Butternut Baby™

Sleep 'n Cuddle Wrap in a Carseat by Butternut Baby

Hello and thank you for joining us in the latest Friday Feature, where a new artist is showcased each week. Today is mommy-duo extraordinaire of Butternut Baby™. Read on for more adorable photos of their beautiful item!

We are Genevieve and Mireille and we are the owners and designers behind Butternut Baby™. We are both moms of baby boys and actually met in prenatal class. We never imagined we’d be crafting and selling baby items together! Our shop can be found at www.butternutbaby.com

We created the Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap, a unique and versatile baby blanket that will keep your little ones cozy and warm during the day, at night and on the go! 

The Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap’s revolutionary design replaces both a sleep sack that can be confining for older, active babies and blankets that seem to constantly come off in the middle of the night leaving our little ones chilly. The wrap is great for keeping your baby warm during the day while playing or relaxing because it is designed to allow babies to crawl, walk, or stand. Also, it fits perfectly in car seats, strollers and shopping carts to keep your little ones warm while on the go.

We make the Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap in a variety of colours to reflect the diverse and fun personalities of babies. They are intended for babies 12+ months.

It is the classic story of a mom (or, in our case, two moms!) that could not find what she was looking for on the market. We brainstormed ideas together and eventually developed the pattern for the Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap by cutting and folding the Thursday morning flyers into various shapes. Genevieve still has the cutouts! 

Sleep 'n Cuddle Wrap in a Stroller by Butternut Baby

Our focus right now is on our Sleep ‘n Cuddle Wrap but we have plenty of other ideas we’d like to explore in the future. Stay tuned!

Finding a unique and meaningful name for our shop must have been one of the most difficult decisions we had to make in the very beginning. So many great ones were already taken! The name Butternut Baby™ was inspired by Genevieve's childhood country home, which boasts a squash patch in the front yard. After spending days going through hundreds of names, Genevieve glanced over to one of the recently picked butternut squashes and the name came to her. She often thought that the butternut squashes lying in the patch looked like swaddled babies cozy amongst the leaves. The fresh and fun name had both of us excited and so Butternut Baby™ was born.

Sleep 'n Cuddle Wrap on Babies by Butternut Baby

We currently sell our work through our website (www.butternutbaby.com), our Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/butternutbabydesigns), Baby Bean (www.babybean.ca/sleepytime/sleep-sacks/butternut-baby.htm) and the Valley Plaza Pharmasave in Greater Sudbury. We are also planning on attending Ottawa valley events, such as the Spring 2012 Handmade Harvest Craft Show (www.handmadeharvest.com).  

You can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. We will keep you posted on what is new, contests & giveaways and any other information you might find interesting. http://www.facebook.com/butternutbaby@ButternutBabyCo 

What a fantastic invention! Please visit their shops for more colors and cuteness! www.butternutbaby.com

Friday Feature: Maxies Knitwear

Luxurious Soft Pink Scarf by MaxiesKnitwear

Welcome to another edition of Friday Features, where a new artist from the wonderful world of the internet is featured. This week takes us to New Zealand, where we meet Julie. Read on to discover more about this fantastic fiber artist from Etsy...

Hi, my name is Julie and my shop’s name is Maxies Knitwear www.etsy.com/shop/maxiesknitwear I mainly create knitted accessories for women. Such things as scarves, cowls, fingerless gloves, hats, headbands. I also enjoy knitting coffee cozies and little matching bags … they look so cute together and make wonderful gifts if you fill the bags with yummy chocolates or other goodies! I plan at a later stage to start selling cute childrens knit accessories as well.

My mum taught me how to knit when I was really little and she's a fantastic knitter. I was truly inspired while growing up; watching her create the most gorgeous jumpers and accessories for my brothers, myself and whoever she wanted to bless.

In terms of doing other crafts...I have attempted at times to create greeting cards … lol unfortunately not very successfully! 

Blue Fingerless Gloves with Buttons by MaxiesKnitwear

Is there a story behind my shop name?  Yes … it’s named after my beautiful cat Max! Max is a tortoiseshell, and she has the most gorgeous colourful coat. I love yarn that is colourful, soft and beautiful and the name just seemed to fit.  

With only 10 sales so far, there doesn’t seem to be an item that stands out as a best-seller. At present these fingerless mittens are really popularwww.etsy.com/listing/91145371/blue-fingerless-gloves-mittens-with  (seen above) 

At present my artwork is sold on Etsy, Zibbet and via my Facebook page. Late last year I attended a couple of local markets and plan to attend some over the next few months. 

Knit Drawstring Bag with Buttons by MaxiesKnitwear

Do I blog?  Yes I do! My blog address is www.maxiesknitwear.blogspot.com and I mainly share about what’s happening with Maxies Knitwear or introduce other amazing artists I find (there are some really talented artists out there)  

Here are the other social networks I'm on:  Twitter: www.twitter.com/maxiesknitwearFacebook: www.facebook.com/maxiesknitwearBlog: www.maxiesknitwear.blogspot.comTumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/maxiesknitwearGoogle+: plus.google.com/u/0/b/110704225387323282927/   

 I have one charity that I support – my husband and I are passionate about helping Orphans in need in Asia, so 25% of all our profits go to help the most adorable special needs children. You can read the full story in the ‘About me ’ section of my blog.  

What a great shop, and for a great cause too! Please visit Julie's shop, MaxiesKnitwear to see more beautiful hand crafted items:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maxiesknitwear 

...Would you like to be featured too? Leave a comment below with your website address and I'll either email or convo you :)

Friday Feature: Badgereels!

Green and White Elephant Fabric Covered Buttons by Badgereels

This Friday's Feature post is all about a great lady named Amy Dutsch (you may remember her from MamasLittleMonkeys). Amy owns and runs Badgereels on Etsy. Check out her interview below for more info on this wonderful shop...

My name is Amy Dutsch and I run Badge Reels,  www.badgereels.etsy.com - I create fabric covered badge reel ID Holders, keychains, and fabric buttons.

I got started on Etsy and in the handmade life around June 2008. I started out with my shop, www.mamaslittlemonkeys.etsy.com which I've recently closed because there just aren't enough hours in the day! I have run several other shops but this is my main focus now. I actually got started this shop and the badge reels because I LOVE making the fabric buttons...it's rather a therapy for me. I find it soothing to press them! :) Then I noticed the ID holders nurses and teachers often wore and thought, surely they could be "funner"? I realized the size 60 button was the perfect size and an obsession was born. I may very well drown in buttons one day...

Crochet is Freaking Awesome Badge Reel by Badgereels

I'm well known as craft/shop addict. If it can be tried, I'll try it. I have at one time or another: made soap, sewn, did light jewelry making, floral work, and am currently learning crochet and knit! 

Is there a story behind the shop name? Well, they are badge reels!! But honestly I never realized when I started that at first glance, it looks like Badger Eels! So I had some fun with that and my friend, Kay of www.popnicute.artfire.com drew up and adorable banner of a badger and an eel hanging out on my banner! It's awesome, I use it on April Fool's Day :)

My best selling item has to be several floral fabrics I have and some of the college prints. Alabama fans are SERIOUS, which is funny because I'm in LSU and Saints country. 

I sell my work on Etsy, Artfire and so far, in one gift shop in Maurepas, LA, The Dragonfly Cafe.  www.dragonflycafeandgifts.com/

Sock Monkey Fabric Covered Badge Reel by Badgereels

I blog on my personal blog at  blog.mamaslittlemonkeys.com and on Fridays at www.realhousewivesofnola.com

I have a facebook page,  www.facebook.com/shopmamaslittlemonkeys  and I tweet (when I remember) from  www.twitter.com/mamaslilmonkeys . I'm also on  Ravelry.com  as mamaslilmonkeys and on Flickr as mamaslittlemonkeys :)

I am founder of Handmade Louisiana, a great group of artisans that I founded with two fabulous local ladies. We can be found at www.handmadelouisiana.com 
I dabble in a lot of things in life, I am a mother of two boys, one of who has Autism and we are a Gluten Free family. I also run the local chapter of the Celiac Sprue Association, louisianaceliac.blogspot.com So I'm a busy girl! :)

What a fantastic shop, and an even more amazing woman! Please visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/badgereels and see more awesome items.

Friday Feature: Zachaliz!

Teddy Bear Leg Warmers by Zachaliz

As promised, here is a fabulous feature of artist Zacha, of Zachaliz on Etsy. Read on to learn more about her beautiful art...

My name is Zacha and although I had a difficult time choosing a name for my shop, intially selling vintage items only, when I decided to offer my own designs I changed it to my name.www.etsy.com/shop/zachaliz It was easier than trying to figure out something cute and quirky, I'm not very good at it :)
Right now I'm working on accessories. That includes hair accessories, bags and a line of leg warmers I did for kids this winter. But I enjoy offering pretty things for the home as well. 

Aged Muslin Scroll for Art and Craft Projects by Zachaliz

I've always been a creative soul, I think we all know this at a young age but how that translates into the rest of your life could be very different. For me I neglected it and tried to fight it. Eventhough I was encouraged in high school to go to art school I went to state college instead and graduated with a degree in Anthropology. It wasn't until I lost my job last year that I was able to reconnect with this part of myself. Since then I've studied costume design and taught myself how to sew. I couldn't be happier with where this new route has taken me. I'm enrolled in some fine art courses now, drawing and painting and working as a freelance costume designer. I'm always looking to expand what I know and continue to draw inspiration from other mediums. 
My favorite item in my shop right now... hmm... I love my chevron tote bag because I have one myself and use it everyday but I would have to say the muslin scrolls. Its something so simple but I was able to play with fabric in a way that wasn't constructing a wearable product. But I have found that my teddy bear leg warmers are a favorite of customers. These were sold at a local boutique and is the only other place I have sold my items other than my Etsy shop. 

Large Canvas Tote with Chevron by Zachaliz

I like to communicate with others mainly through my facebook page at :www.facebook.com/pages/Zachaliz/147745055328613February 3, 2012 I held my first game/contest. I think its a great way to interact with others. 
Supporting handmade and local businesses is very important to me. I hope that as my duaghter grows up and I continue to work on my craft that she is able to walk away knowing that was a big aspect of what I what I offer. I would love to some day be able to offer what I have learned and what I make in a boutique/studio in my little upstate NY town. 
Thanks so much for this opportunity!

There you have it, a great artist, with amazing items and great ideals. Please visit Zachaliz on Etsy today for beautiful handcrafted items.