25 Awesome Etsy Toys and Gifts for the Kiddies

 I don't know about you but every Christmas I am always amazed by all the lovely, lovely toys on Etsy.    It is inspiring to see all the creativity and handmade care that is out there.  The plushies alone make me crazy with happiness.   I also never get over the good feeling of buying something handmade for a gift—I mean, handmade is cool and so are the craftspeople who make the stuff.  You feel me?

Check out those colorful animal alphabet blocks—modern and classic.  Or what about those uber-sweet crocheted sheep?  I always adore what Cotton Monster has to offer (in fact, just bought Beeper his third googly-eyed monster—as he refers to them—because he loves having a posse of monsters in bed with him to keep him safe).  Under-Appreciated Animal Fact Cards?  Yep, love.  And I adore every single thing that Poosac makes (best shop name ever).  Oh, and those silk-screened leggings?—must add a pair of those to my own Santa list in the big people sizes (yes, there are adult sizes). 

Now:  go visit the toys pictured above or the shops they are in—go on now, awesome holiday shopping awaits…(toys listed from left to right by row) 

Row 1:  Poosac Rag Doll with Little Doll by Poosac, $74; There Once Was a Crooked Rainbow Stacking Toy by Mama May I, $65; Modular Doll House Towers by Manzanita Kids, $150; Dinosaur Vs Robot T-Shirt by Gnome Enterprises, $20; Kitty Boy by Lucky Juju, $65

Row 2: Railroad Table Set by Neue Freunde, $39; The Russians by Raplapla, $58; Felt Food Christmas Hamper by Mummy Made it Me, $59; OddFellow’s Orphanage Signed Book Set by The Black Apple, $35; 8 Woodland Animal Felt Masks by Magical Attic,$80

Row 3: Making Faces Felt Story Board by ABC Sensei, $20; Wooden Racing Car by Woodenplay , $32; Raya Big Cotton Monster  by Cotton Monster, $99; Wooden Dodo Pull Toy by Friendly Toys , $35; Under-Appreciated Animal Fact Cards by Mighty Pigeon, $18

Row 4: Black Rabbit Rattle Toy by Fox and Owl, $85; Bear Feet Felted Wool Slippers by Leikey Designs, $34; Unschulds Lamb by Eine Idee , $49; Teething Star Ball by Timo Handmade, $45; Mint Green Wolf Leggings by ZIB Textile, $30

Row 5: Animal Alphabet Blocks by Eight Bear, $97; Florence Wings by Big Bird’s Boutique, $60; Funny Peas Tablecloth House by  Striped Coast, $62; Rainbow Regatta by Mama May I , $29; Custom Plush Toy Made from your Child’s Drawing by New Mom Designs, $50

I will be back tomorrow with my 25 Etsy picks for kiddie stocking stuffers, if you care.  Stocking stuffers—totally on my list of favorite things in the world…

Who I Came From

This is my mum (with4 year old me). This is who I came from. And I owe her so much--I mean, not just in terms of having fed, clothed, sheltered and tolerated my ornryness for at least the first 18 years of my life--but what I really mean is for all she did to encourage me to become who I am. Meaning, this blog likely owes its genesis to my mum, really. She was the one who was always, always, always encouraging my creativity and what was inspiring to me--everything from little people to monsters to barbies to Andy Warhol. She taught me to imagine, draw, color, bake, sew, create. And she is still one of the best seamstresses I know. I dug these out today from the archives of my childhood toy chest (you didn't think this interest in plushies spontaneously erupted from nowhere, did you?)--a few of the toys she made me way back when... A doll she designed after my little-girl self, my first ever rag doll (the one with the pink dress and bloomers), a vintage-style mohair teddy bear, a circus giraffe, and my beloved Ellie elephant who went to college and traveled the world with me, strapped to my backpack. Of course, there is much more she made me throughout my life--much of my clothing in elementary school, my red satin prom dress with the sweetheart neckline and mini-length skirt (hello, 1980's), our truffle-like chocolate wedding cake, Beeper's nursery crib set, the curtains that still hang in my and Mr Beeper's bedroom today...

My mum is a creative force to be reckoned with--and still going strong. And if you were also wondering, she is one of the most generous and loving people I know. I would know--I lived with her for quite a few years.

Happy Mom's Day, Mum. Thanks for it all.