If you’re thinking that it’s a better idea to skip sleep than to wake up early… think again! 

Preparing for our first expo was an extremely fun (and EXTREMELY tiring) experience.  Thank goodness the three of us who went on this trip in particular can function seemingly well on little to no sleep!  Across the entire trip as a whole, we probably averaged somewhere around 3 hours of sleep per night (some nights we had no sleep, so I’ve taken that into account as well.) 

But alas, the convention was a success – due in part to gallons of coffee and the ability to Hulu episodes of The Office when we had to stay awake just a few more hours in the hotel… 

We officially launched our website on Saturday morning and introduced hundreds of parents in Cleveland to our amazing FREE service!!  If you haven’t done so already, go check out www.byebyewithbaby.com — to find what you need when you’re out, simply type in your zip code, choose a search radius (5, 10, 25, 50, or 100 miles), and filter your results by category from the drop-down menu.  Nursing/Breastfeeding rooms, Urgent Care Centers, Changing Tables, Family-Friendly Restaurants, Clean Gas Stations, Grocery/Drugstores, Maternity/Nursing/Baby Boutiques, AND specific family-related information in any U.S. Airport!

We wanted to share some photos of our launch party with you guys, so enjoy the following – then go browse our website!  Many listings will be upgrading in the coming weeks (this means coupons and deals for you!!) so stay tuned, follow us on Facebook & Twitter!!
 

BBwB on Twitter

BBwB on Facebook

Mom Squad members Candy & Gina at the airport Friday morning!

Candy, Gina, & BBwB owner Michelle at the expo booth!

Our "owl nest" displaying our pens, postcards, and luggage tags!

Our hourly giveaways were Mom"ie"mergency kits!

Our giveaway the first day!

Owl hat, key fob, hooded towel, burp cloth, and bows! What a great prize!!

Big giveaway the 2nd day - Bow Basket & Nursing cover, nursing pads, & Milk Bands bracelet!

Like some of those giveaway items?  Here’s where you can find them!
 
Momm”ie”mergency kits (the owl bags) made by:
DowntownGirlDesigns – www.downtowngirldesigns.etsy.com

Knit sleepy owl hat made by:
Termiknitter – www.etsy.com/shop/termiknitter

Hooded Towel, Key Fob Wristlet, Owl burp cloth made by:
LBdesigns – www.etsy.com/shop/lbdesignsshop

All bows (used in both days giveaways):
Sweetness Bows – www.sweetnessbows.etsy.com

Tags: baby, BBwB, bows, bye bye with baby, child, contests, convention, etsy, etsy.com, expo, giveaway, handmade, knit hat, mother, nursing, owl, udder covers

The Mom Squad asked a few *new* Etsy store owners about their experiences and what finally convinced them to list their one-of-a-kind items for sale online (and they were more than happy to dish!)  Be sure to check them out and if you’re the crafty kind – it might convince you to set up your own store.

Etsy Store: plpinkinsa 
Find it here: www.etsy.com/shop/plpinkinsa
What’s in store: If you are a fan of the adorable newborn baby pictures, you MUST check out these knitted goods!  My favorite is this teeny-tiny baby cocoon and matching hat – I’m wishing I had found her when my little guy was still small enough to be swaddled!  She also sells knit headbands (with the cute knitted flowers!), beanies, legwarmers, diaper covers, and pompon hats!

www.etsy.com/shop/plpinkinsa

www.etsy.com/shop/plpinkinsa

Her Craft: Knitting, sewing, crocheting
How’d she get started?: “I have been helping my aunt with photo shoots and we had a newborn shoot coming up – she emailed me links to hand-knit items on Etsy to show me things she’d like to use. I knew I could probably make them for her and after seeing the finished products, she and my friends suggested I open my own Etsy store.”
How was the process?: “It was pretty easy to set it up – all I did was add my items.  It’s easy to use and cheaper than eBay or Amazon, plus I love the fact that everything on Etsy is handmade!

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Etsy Store Name:  LBDesigns
Find it here: www.etsy.com/shop/lbdesignsshop
What’s in store: What’s better for a dripping wet toddler than a hooded towel!?  Whoever thought of a towel with a hood to keep a kid from dropping it to the floor instantly is a GENIUS!  What we love about these: the COLORS!  Bright towels and funky ribbon make these pairings unique so they’re easy to find when you’re prepping for bath time!  LB Designs  offers a high quality so they are super snuggly, 100% terry towels.  Fun fabrics for burp cloths make them a HUGE hit with posh moms as well.  (Nothing like cleaning up something yucky with something oh-so-cute!)
How long has she been doing this: “I learned the basics in high school then a few months ago started seriously sewing – I made a few things and had success selling them locally so I thought I’d try my hand at selling them on Etsy!”
What’s her favorite thing to make: I really like making custom items and my favorite item to give as a gift is a hooded towel!  I recently started working on appliqes for shirts (accepting custom requests for those!) they have been SO much fun!

LBDesigns

LBDesigns

If you’re thinking of opening an online shop to showcase your talent, here are some suggestions from an avid Etsy shopper:

1.  Feedback is VERY important!  Kick start your Etsy shop and earn some great feedback by offering an introductory price on your items!  BOGO sales and free shipping are great ways to have new customers want to pick YOUR item over others!

2.  Be mindful of how you present your items!  Make sure the location of your photos is clean, and presented in a neat and professional manner!

3.  Believe it or not, the way you package your item can get you noticed!  Take extra time and care in wrapping your handmade item in a nice tissue paper before putting it in the box or envelope to mail off!  This shows that you took that extra step to make your product neat and special for your buyers!

4.  Want to generate more business?  Be sure to include a couple of business cards in your packages!  I love sharing my great finds with others!  Business cards are a cheap and easy way for you to expand your business through word-of-mouth.

5.  Everyone loves a free gift!  You can increase your customer retention by sending a special little “extra” in your packages from time to time!  It makes your buyer feel important and makes them want to keep coming back for more!

6.  Promote yourself!  Offer to donate your goods or services as giveaways to companies or through online social networking sites.  This gives your Etsy shop TONS of exposure, and costs you very little to sponsor!

The Mom Squad

Tags: baby, baby photo prop, child, custom baby, custom baby gifts, etsy, etsy.com, handmade, hooded towel, knit cocoon, personalized, toddler

I was so excited to be a part of this week’s blog!  You see, I have a small obsession with anything handmade…especially when it comes to Etsy.com!  I came across this little treasure one afternoon while shopping for bows on e-bay…little did I know that an entire community of small businesses and SAH moms and dads even existed!  It only took a few moments to familiarize myself with the site and its search options, and I was well on my way to spending my hard earned money on bows and gifts for my child, family, and friends!  (Check out the end of this blog for some helpful Etsy tips!)

WARNING!  WARNING!  EXTREME CUTENESS!  PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

Favorite seller:  www.etsy.com/people/radcover
Etsy feedback rating:  126, 100% positive
What they sell:  boutique-style shopping cart and car seat covers; most prints listed are of the “tattoo” variety, but custom requests can be made.
Custom requests:  YES

Photo is property Radcover on Etsy.com

So one of my first Etsy purchases, and one I STILL USE almost DAILY (yes, you read that right! DAILY!) is a handmade shopping cart cover.  I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this thing.  Not only is the print ADORABLE, but the quality and workmanship is impeccable!  This baby stays in the car at all times, and will fit on both shopping carts (even the giant Sam’s and Costco buggies!) and restaurant highchairs.  It is soft and VERY easy to clean!  (I toss mine in with a load of colors from time to time…I have even gotten a RED jello stain out of that sucker with NO problem what-so-ever!)  The prints avaliable in the shop are of the “tattoo” variety, but the husband and wife team will gladly make you a customized cover if you send them the fabric of your choice…for only $25!!!  You can’t beat that price!  Feel free to convo them on their Etsy site and get creative!  Be prepared…if you have one of these, every other person in the grocery store will stop you and ask you where you bought it!

Favorite seller:  www.etsy.com/shop/littlebrowncrane
Etsy feedback rating:  287, 100% positive              
What they sell:  snugly mats, lunch totes, diaper clutches, changing pads, nursing covers and doodle packs. 
Custom requests:  YES

Photo property of Little Brown Crane on Etsy.com

When my daughter was a couple of months old, I became annoyed with the way her diapers were always loose in the diaper bag.  They would get bunchy…and it didn’t look very nice to pull out a diaper and wipes in the middle of a restaurant and head of to find the nearest changing area.  I had seen some diaper clutches at boutiques, but I couldn’t justify spending $20+ on something that wasn’t a necessity.  I searched Etsy for a couple of days, and finally came across the Little Brown Crane shop.  I found a print that matched my diaper bag, and placed an order that same day!  Talk about useful!  It was so nice to be able to reach in my bag…know EXACTLY where my diapers and wipes were…and only have to carry the one, small clutch to the changing room!  Easy and discrete!  Little Brown Crane has so much to offer its shoppers!  They carry some of the most adorable prints I have EVER seen!  From their snugly mats to their doodle packs, (which might I add would be a PERFECT addition to any “busy bag”) you are sure to find something adorable for your own little darling, or a handmade-boutique quality gift for a friend!     

Favorite Seller:  www.etsy.com/shop/AlexiaJean
Etsy feedback rating:  79, 100% positive
What they sell:  MONOGRAMED Burp cloths, bibs, painted décor, aprons, hair bows, tote bags, infant-girls clothing, boys clothing.
Custom requests:  YES

Dress made by AlexiaJean.com

I first came across Alexia’s Etsy shop while on a hunt for something cute for my daughter to wear to her father’s Drill Sergeant graduation.  I simply typed “ACU” into the search bar and I was greeted by the loveliest little ACU pillow case dress I had ever seen.  As a matter-of-fact, it was the first dress I had seen made with this particular material.  (For those of you who do not know, ACU stands for “Army Combat Uniform.”  It is the pixilated print that our soldiers now wear on a daily basis.)  I contacted Alexia and gave her my daughter’s measurements, and was even able to customize her dress a bit.  Alexia stayed in constant contact with me, and was so excited to make this dress for us!  When the dress came in, it looked—and was MADE, beautifully!  My daughter was around 18 months when we ordered this, and she wore it as a dress.  Now I just pair it with leggings and she wears it as a top!  I have gotten so many compliments among the Army community on this piece.  It is absolutely adorable!  Alexia works with all types of fabric and is extremely creative!  You can find her on Etsy, Facebook, or on her website at www.AlexiaJean.com. 

Favorite Seller: www.etsy.com/shop/tootietots
Etsy feedback rating:  65, 100% positive
What they sell:  beaded socks, embroidery designs, dresses and jumpers, pony tail holders, KEY FOBS, bags and totes.
Custom requests:  YES

Key fobs made by Tootietots on Etsy.com

Around the holidays I started searching the “internets” for cute things to give the special ladies in my life.  I am fortunate enough to have my very own Samantha, Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte.  (Ok…actually it’s more like 4 Carries…but you get where I am going with this!)  In any event, I was watching a video on youtube and saw one of the guru’s with a really neat looking monogrammed key fob.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have one for myself, and my 4 dear friends!  Tootietots was having a Christmas special, so I got a great deal on the 5 monogrammed key fobs.  They are SO WONDERFUL!  (I am “that girl” who always loses her keys in the bowels of her suitcase-of-a-purse) so I was very excited to have something I could just toss around my wrist and be done with!  Not only are they functional and affordable, but they are also adorable!  Tootietots has an entire corkboard of fabric combos for you to choose from.  Michelle loved hers so much (even though she has only seen a photo of it I took with my cell phone…yeah…I bet you are all thankful SHE is in charge of mailing out your giveaway prizes!) she asked me to contact Tootietots for a bulk order just for BBwB!  We have since given away several as prizes, and are already in need of another order!  These are defiantly something folks will see on your arm and ask about!  Although they are key fobs, just think of how cute these babies would be with YOUR little ones name monogrammed on them…and attached to your diaper bag!  Gone are the days of masking tape and stickers to identify your diaper bag in the church nursery!  (Again…I am THAT lady, lol!)

Etsy Tips!

1. ALWAYS check the seller’s feedback!
2. Be sure to look at the SHIPPING price before you buy!  You don’t want to pay more for shipping than for the item itself!
3. If the store you are looking at doesn’t seem to have a lot of merchandise for sale, look on the right hand of the screen and click on the “sales” link.  (It will usually have a number in front of it, i.e.:  28 sales)  This will allow you to see what things they have made and sold in the past.  This gives you an idea of what kind of work they can do…then you can request a custom listing!
4. COMMUNICATE with your seller!  Unlike eBay, many of the etsy shops are owned by regular folks who make things in their homes.  They are hardworking people and usually very creative and open to suggestions.
5. LEAVE FEEDBACK!  Nothing says “thank you” like a sweet note and appreciation photo! 

Check back on Thursday!  I will have a blog dedicated to my favorite BOW sellers on Etsy.com! 

~Gina
The Mom Squad

Tags: bib, blanket, burp cloth, custom baby, custom baby gifts, etsy, etsy.com, nap mat, personalized gifts, shopping cart cover

Well, if you haven’t heard of ETSY yet – I’m SO HAPPY to bring you over to this whole new world!  Etsy.com is like a huge wonderful online mall full of stores showcasing handmade art – everything from clothing and accessories to furniture and stationary.  I love being able to purchase something unique and feel good supporting small business (especially SAHM businesses!)

Their motto: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.

Everyone on The Mom Squad has in one way or another been introduced to Etsy.com through the most adorable baby items (either given as a gift to us or by us) – and we’re hooked!  We thought it’d be nice to give shout-outs to some of our favorite Etsy stores and other handmade online stores that we’ve had dealings with – it’s nice to share great finds with other parents so what better way than The Mom Squad’s BBwB Blog?!

Starting today, we’ll be adding a new category to our blog titled “We ♥ Handmade” – everytime we blog mentioning something handmade (and where you can get it) it will be filed in that category so if you ever need to find something cute quick – you can surf through our blogs for great ideas!

Since it’s a new blog category, we’ll spend this week blogging about some of our current favorites – if you know of any (or even have one yourself!) let us know about it!  We’re all about supporting anyone (corporate, small business, or a mom who knits when her baby is sleeping…) — ANYONE who creates something great for us or our kids deserves our support!   I hope you guys fall in love just like we did!

www.etsy.com

:::Michelle
The Mom Squad

Tags: baby, child, etsy, etsy.com, gift, handmade, mom, mother, SAHM

Thank you all SO MUCH for being patient with us!  We’re learning & growing – testing the waters with our early following to prepare ourselves to handle multitudes of “fans” or followers!  That being said, let me point out that we’re trying to figure out the best way to do contests and giveaways – and the best way to let our fans know who the winner is!  There was some confusion lately – many of you emailed or asked us about winners after we had already announced them… but we had so many giveaways going on, I think everything just got lost in translation! 

So – we promise to try and do better on that front which means consecutive giveaways in lieu of two going on at once!

Since you’ve all been so helpful with your giveaway answers and we’ve been having meetings for the past week about marketing ideas… we decided the best people to ask were our fans!  We’ve gotten a TON of compliments on our layout design (thanks Eric ); I mean let’s face it, that owl is pretty freaking cute!  We’ve been invited to some baby expos and family events to promote our website when we launch so we have been brainstorming every morning this week ideas for items promoting our brand.

The downfall of a group of mothers trying to come up with a business solution… we’re mothers!  So mostly, we’re discussing how we wouldn’t use a pacifier with some random brand on it because we pay $5 a pack for the *only* binkies our babies will take or while a travel-wipes container seems nice, it’s something most all of us had already. 

Some of our giveaway winners have received key fob wristlets that came from an etsy.com store (and we plan on dealing with etsy stores for TONS of things, etsy.com is so great because it’s allows stay-at-home moms and crafty folks to showcase their talents!!) – and seriously.. a keychain that you can slip over your wrist when you are loading kids into their car seats or trying to juggle a kid on your hip & your suitcase of a purse… now  THAT is a great item to give to moms!

We’re opening our discussion to you guys… think about going to trade shows or extravaganzas and getting a whole bag of things with a million different vendors logos stamped all over it… what did you throw out?  What did you keep?  We’ve got great ideas brewing (one that is just AMAZING)… but do you have any suggestions?

:::Michelle
The Mom Squad

p.s. our Taylor Joelle giveaway (on our facebook page under the notes section) is ending tomorrow at 12 noon Central.  Make sure you’ve commented the note to enter… and if you haven’t, click HERE to do it!

Tags: bye bye with baby, etsy, etsy.com, giveaway, keychain, mom, moms, mother