I'm the FEATURED SELLER ON ETSY!!!!!

I am so excited today! I have been working like a little elf these days trying to get my shop stocked up for this featured seller day! It has arrived! Go check out my interview..........I tried to keep it short and sweet, because I am known to be a talker! Thank you so much Etsy, I heart you!

Winters Land Tote in the Etsy Gift Guide

Geek Chic

I found my metal work this week in the Geek Chic gift guide on etsy, then featured in Spotlight in The Storque. Although, I have always thought of myself more of a "dork" than a geek. The store is HEILOstudios and does not have much stock right now but, I am going to be working on that when I get moved and settled. So keep your eye out.....

A couple on things......

{one} So, I finally did it! Yes, I made it to the front page and sold the piece. Not only that...I broke my "no sales" streak in my shop. I have two etsy shops and I have not been very sucessful with my metal work. Mostly my fault, I just have not given it as much attention. Very cool way to end this overwhelming week. {thank you etsy}

{two} I was also, featured in etsy's blog The Storque! {smile}

A Gift for a Sweetie

These are heart necklaces that hold little clothes pin dolls. They are made of wool felt and fabric, the ribbon is approx. 20 inches so it is easy to slide over the head. I have already given each of my kids one and they played with the dolls on the playground all afternoon. If you are wondering, I made a boy doll for my son, with little pants. I guess I need to add some of those to my shop too! I don't know about the other moms out there but, my kids love to have "take alongs" when ever we are running arrands or going to play. They always want to bring a little something like a doll, car, stufftie etc... So, this is perfect when they get tired of holding the doll it can be tucked away inside the little heart. Each of the dolls are dressed in outfits that match the heart that carries them. Check them out in my store this week!

Beach and Island Discovery Tote

This is a new tote I posted in my store yesterday, it is a special order for a customer that now owns three of my Discovery Totes. That alone is exciting for me! I re-listed it just so other people could check it out. I think it turned out adorable! She wanted a beach scene with an island and a bridge. The bridge and house are movable on the play surface. She also, requested the sea shells that are felt and stitched to the beach area. This little beach is just waiting for some little inhabitants! The great thing about Discovery Totes is the fabulous clean-up ability, moms love that!

New in my Shop

I posted some new "Nest" Discovery Totes just before Christmas but, have been too busy to blog about them. Showing here is a yellow cotton and grey wool fabric tote that opens up to a mommy bird on her nest of eggs. The eggs are hand felted and can be removed or tucked into the nest. This tote is most loved by girls between the ages of 6-9, that is my personal observation from being at art shows with my totes.

HELP........IS REQUESTED

I don't know if you know this but there is a chance handmade toys will cease to exist! The US government is making some changes and are trying to pass a law that will require all toys made in the US go through safety testing by an outside party. This would shut all indie designers like myself down. There is no possible way I could afford to have my product tested.....costing approx. 150-3000 dollars for each item. Please read more about this insane idea that could dramatically change my path and the path of many other children's toy and clothing makers.

Sign the petition TODAY!! SAVE HANDMADE TOYS!!!!

Find your congress personand senators and write a letter like the sample here.Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business.
-Send an email directly to the CPSC.
-Vote for amending the law on Change.org, digg style: With enough votes it will be presented to President Obama in January!
-Place the Save Handmade! button on your blog or website to help spread the word to everyone you know who cares about protecting the little guy and preserving beautiful items made with love for our children.

Thanks for voting for my mommy!!

I just wanted to thank everyone who voted for Helicopter Studios on etsy for the 2008 Holiday Toys Contest. The voting ends on Friday at high noon, so you still have a chance to vote for me! Thanks again! Oh, I have to say I received lots of very nice convos on etsy about my work and want to thank those who took the time to do so.

Vote for me on etsy --HOLIDAY VOTING 2008 CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE TOY

I have to start out saying that I am using my new laptop to post today.......I have been without a computer now for five days!! I have been going cookoo without the ability to blog, check email, check etsy shop, FB etc... With that being said.. I found out today that the esty admin. has nominated my "Day for a Hike" Discovery Tote for a holiday voting under the toy category! Very exciting news, so please go vote for me!!

New In My Shop.......Campfire!!

I wanted to post this new Discovery Tote I just added to my shop! This one is a Campfire, all made from fabric, new polyfil and copper wire. I had been thinking about this one for a while, after several attempts.......TA DA!!! Here it is! My son has already asked for this one for Christmas. I am planning on making more before Christmas if anyone is wondering.

This Discovery Tote comes with 3 logs, 4 marshmallows, 2 sticks, 3 flames and 3 brown and 1 black felt tops for the marshmallows. You know after they are toasted (or burnt), then you can add the felt topper. All the Marshmallows have a opening in the bottom for the stick to insert. So adorable I must say!!

Children's Gift Guide

This morning I was noticing lots of extra traffic on my etsy shop and could not figure it out? I had not signed up for a showcase recently so, I thought it was just from the front page feature a couple of weeks ago. Until, I clicked on the Children's Gift Guide on the front page of etsy and saw one of my Discovery Totes has been chosen by etsy staff for a children's gift guide. Very exciting!

New in my Shop-----------Discovery Tote Cars

A Day in the City

I have been wanting to upcycle some old sweaters in my work and finally found a way to do just that. I made the skyscrapers on this Discovery Tote out of a 100% merino wool sweater, I added some stitching and some embroidery to embellish them. The roads are cut out of wool felt and the tote is trimmed with red bias tape. I had to change the design in order to accommodate the tall buildings. The buildings lay on their sides and the tote has a snap that holds the tote closed. The strap pulls the rest of it together.

My New ETSY shop---Heilo Studios

This piece is a small sterling silver vessel that is about 1x1x1 inches. It is hollow and holds a strip of archival handmade paper that attaches to the inside of the lid. When the view opens the lid, out comes the paper. The idea here is that you can write an message or sentiment to whomever it is intended for and when they open it they can read your thought. I give them to my children for birthdays.

So, I bounce back-and-fourth between metalworking and stitching. I have had some of these pieces on hand and decided to open up a second etsy store. I am calling it Heilostudios, I wanted to put the two together somehow. In my mind they should be in the same store but, I felt business wise this was a smarter decision. Please, check it out!!!!