Quinn Curtis & CreatedByChicks.com

Today I wanted to feature one of my favorite mompreneurs, Quinn Curtis of CreatedByChicks.com. Quinn is also the woman behind CreatedByMom.com, a fantastic site featuring products created by, you guessed it, moms. She is also the woman behind the Moms Who Make It Conference that took place this past summer here in Utah. She is all about empowering creativity in women and her new site, CreatedByChicks.com, features women who are successful at channeling this creativity.

Throughout the week Quinn features creative "chicks" on her site. She's had everyone from Etsy shop owners to women bloggers to moms who've turned a great idea into a real business. (And no, I don't just love her new site because she had georgie tees on there in a past post!) Every woman she's featured has been an interesting read and I think I've "hearted" every Etsy shop mentioned on CreatedByChicks.com. I've also loved getting to know some of my friends a little better, including Carina of The Jet Set (@Jet_Set). I knew she was pretty amazing but had no idea how über talented she is!

Speaking of talented Quinn also is a freakin' powerhouse of talent when it comes to blog and site design. She is finally offering her design services to the public and I couldn't be more excited. She is currently in the process of designing my new blog, from header to buttons, and helping me incorporate it into a WordPress theme. I gave her an idea of what I wanted and she took off running, pretty much hitting it spot-on the first try.

What I really, really love about Quinn's design services is the extensive list of options. You can have her do everything from total and complete blog design to a simple button or Etsy shop header. She also has a lot of à la carte choices for those who need add-ons to her current packages. From what I hear her schedule is filling up quickly so if you're on the lookout for a new header, button, business card, baby shower invite or some other creative work I'd get in touch with her soon or your New Year's resolutions may include "get on Quinn Curtis' design schedule before 2011."

You can find a link to Quinn's design services on CreatedByChicks.com or over on her new Etsy shop. Don't forget to subscribe to CreatedByChicks.com or you'll miss out on some truly creative women, fabulous Etsy shops and great ideas for gift giving this holiday season. --Emily

P.S. If you visit her Etsy shop do me a favor and "heart" it while there. I'm all about spreading the love, Etsy style!

excellent Etsy find: HELICOPTER studios

I am so glad I subscribe to Cool Mom Picks' daily feed or I might not have discovered today's excellent Etsy find. Cool Mom Picks recently featured HELICOPTER studios and the shop's wonderful line of toys disguised as works of art.

The woman behind HELICOPTER studios is Shannon Duffy, who like many Etsy designers, created the first Discovery Tote for her family. I'm sure once others saw the fabulous totes word quickly spread and the result is her cute Etsy shop. Each wonderfully imaginative tote is one of a kind. They are hand stitched with different scenes and include pieces that actually move so children can let their imagination run wild. Now that's my kind of toy!

One of my favorite totes is the Fishing Tote. The fuchsia pom pom trim is to die for! The tote opens to a fuchsia polkadot fabric and three little fish. The fish are magnetic and can be picked up with the magnetic fishing pole. Everything folds up flat in the handy tote. Genius! I'm loving the idea of taking this on a road trip so I don't have to hear Animal Crossing music for hours on end.

My other favorite Discovery Totes from HELICOPTER studios are the Cars, Nest and A Day at the Beach totes. In fact, I love them all! Good luck deciding just which one to buy! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: LeatherPrince Shop

It's been a while since my last excellent Etsy find. To tell you the truth I just plum forget about it come Wednesday night. My brain checks out for the weekend by then and it's all downhill from there. But I'm determined to get back into the habit and I have a great Etsy shop for you today.

LeatherPrince Shop offers the cutest hand-cut and hand-stitched designs by Beon and Candy, a husband and wife team. Beon, from Singapore, and Candy, from Taiwan, love working with colorful leather and enjoy making items together. (I wish I could learn how to work well alongside my husband, but that's another post.)

Most of their collection is made up of key chains though they do offer a few purses, iPod (LOVE the Taka Ninja in red) holders and coin pouches. Of the 118 key chains your bound to find one or two (or five) that strike your fancy. I'm lovin' Fiona the Owl and Ronnie the Raccoon and their juicy red apple key chain would make a wonderful end-of-the-school-year teacher gift. And they take custom orders, so if you'd prefer a hot pink ninja you need only ask! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: JeniLuScraps

This past week I've done a lot of shopping on Etsy. It's the perfect place for unique gifts and I've found something for everyone, including my oldest daughter's good friend. (I doubt she reads this blog so I won't be spoiling the surprise.) I wanted something fun yet affordable and different than the typical American Girl body product, and I found it at JeniLuScraps.

JeniLuScraps is owned by a mother/daughter team "who have found pure joy in creating anything and everything, and strengthening the bond between us in the process." I'm all for anything that strengthens the mother/daughter bond! Their shop is where I found the cute Mini One-snap Wallet for my daughter's friend. The wallet is perfect for lunch money and student ID and has a key ring so she can attach it to her backpack. I also love their Rags to Bags collection featuring one-of-a-kind fabrics combinations; what a great way to reuse fabric! And their Flaunt Your Photo frames are fabulous!

JeniLuScraps always has new things so you'll want to check in every now and then. If you see something you like but wish it were a little different, the mother/daughter team welcomes the challenge! Their shipping was super fast so you just might be able to still order and receive your item before Christmas. Those wallets make great friend gifts! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: Imogen's Garden

Today's excellent Etsy find is a mom-owned boutique full of "fresh" items for your little one. From soft little dolls and sweet custom swing tops to fabulous felt play food to shark-filled soap, Imogen's Garden is a shop full of treasures.

The woman behind Imogen's Garden is a mother of four who understands "how difficult it can be to find quality children's clothing upon which both mother and child can agree." Comfort is always top on her list when it comes to her children's clothing and each style has been "tested" by either one of her own children or godchildren. If it doesn't pass the test, she doesn't sell it. I love that!

My favorites are the swing tops for girls and wide-leg pants for boys. Her appliqued tees are pretty cute too, and of course the dolls are simply irresistible! As with most excellent Etsy finds, good luck choosing just one thing to buy! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: milk lush

Today's excellent Etsy find is more of a super scrumptious Etsy find. milk lush has some of the most luscious baby quilts and play pads I have ever seen.

Want to spoil your little one this holiday season? Shop milk lush. This mom-owned business is based in British Columbia, Canada and is one mom's answer to the growing demand for non-toxic baby accessories. All milk lush products are hand-made in Canada using non-toxic materials sourced from distributors who sustain environmentally conscious manufacturing processes.

milk lush’s most popular and well-known product is myPad, a phthalate-free play mat. This "play n splat" mat is double sided, washable, wipeable, waterproof and perfectly sized at 27"x27". It's perfect for home and travel; simply roll it up and go!

I'm thinking the signature everyday blanket, myQuilt, is just as cool as the myPad. It is triple layered with one side a collection of gorgeous fabrics, the middle lined with batting and the back made with super soft chocolate brown minky. At approximately 23"x32" and with stroller/baby carrier tabs at the top, you've got hands-free bundling no matter where you are!

I ask you, how can it not be an excellent Etsy find with a name like milk lush? Every baby deserves to be spoiled, so spoil away, but hurry because shipping takes a week!

* Special offer: Buy 2 items, save 20%! (Just convo milk lush before purchase).

excellent Etsy find: bexcaliber

Someday I will dust off my sewing machine, pull out the beautiful fabric I've purchased here and there and actually do something with it all...someday.... Until that day arrives I will look to Etsy shops like bexcaliber to fill my home with beautiful furnishings.

A throw pillow can change the entire look of a room and today's excellent Etsy find can make it change for the better. bexcaliber has some of the most beautiful pillow covers I have ever seen and her prices are very affordable. From the Red and Brown Chenille Floral cover to the seasonal and oh-so-fun Merry Christmas Tree cover. Some of my other favorites are the Black Embroidered Flowers on Grey Linen and Chocolate Lollipop.

When your living room is in need of a facelift, throw a couple pillows covered in a bexcaliber design on the couch and see what happens. I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with the result, and think of all the Etsy shopping you can do with the money you saved by not buying a whole new couch! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: WrenWillow

Twitter is what inspired our new excellent Etsy find feature, and Twitter is where I found today's Etsy shop. WrenWillow (named after the artist's daughter) is a collection of one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn and hand-dyed infant clothing.

The mom behind WrenWillow was looking to dress her daughter in clothing that was a little unusual and a bit edgy. She also wanted clothing that was soft and baby-friendly yet beautiful and unique. After not finding what she was looking for, and in true mompreneur style, she started designing her own onesies.

WrenWillow's designs are actually dyed into the fabric so they don't feel stiff or scratchy. You won't find any plastic appliqués or uncomfortable accents on WrenWillow clothing. All of this makes for a wonderful infant shirt, but what makes these shirts fabulous is the artwork, and these tees are truly works of art.

My favorites are the Love Bird, Autumn Fairy and Green Dragon. But WrenWillow has more than just infant and kid tees. You'll also find a few adult t-shirts and the cutest diaper covers. (I'm thinking of buying my little girl one for Christmas!) And if you find a design you like but want it in a different color scheme or on a different style/size tee, just let her know by requesting a custom item. Happy shopping! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: Spoiled Sweet Couture

Spoiled sweet is what every child should be, and it's not hard to do with today's excellent Etsy find. Spoiled Sweet Couture has beautifully designed accessories for your little ones, from bibs and onesies to diapers & wipes cases and even "tinkle toppers."

I love, love, love Spoiled Sweet Couture's fabrics (Whimsy Flower is my favorite) and her embellished birthday bibs are better than that number candle you'll be putting on the cake. (Plus it will last a heck of a lot longer!) Her spittle bibs are just the right size for little droolers and with so many choices you'll have no problem finding one to coordinate with almost every outfit!

My most favorite product is probably the Custom Elegant Shabby Sparrow onesie. This super sweet sparrow is to die for and the super soft onesie has a decorative stitch around the neck and arm holes. I just might have to get the coordinating Shabby Sparrow Spittle Mink Dot bib as well!

Okay, I just discovered another favorite while writing this post. I am loving the Amy Butler Gothic Rose Chenille bib. It has a super absorbant layer and comes with a coordinating chenille backing and a pearl snap closure. Plus its size is perfect for infants and toddlers (wish it fit my 8-year-old as well).

Don't wait for the holidays to spoil your little one with the sweet style of today's excellent Etsy find, Spoiled Sweet Couture! --Emily

excellent Etsy find: PrettyBabyBowtique

I've just decided to add a random feature on that's hot! thursdays called "excellent Etsy find." I have been stumbling across way too many fabulous Etsy shops to keep them all to myself, and I'm sure my friends are getting weary of my emails telling them about another Etsy boutique they simply must visit. So now I'm sharing them with you!

While looking for a gift for my daughter's friend I tried Etsy's "Shop Local" feature where you can enter a location and Etsy will find boutiques in that area. I search for Utah boutiques and received around 100 results. Browsing through the shops I couldn't believe the overwhelming talent found right in my backyard! After a few pages I found just what I was looking for at PrettyBabyBowtique.

PrettyBabyBowtique has the sweetest collection of "no slip" clips, flowers, and bows along with crocheted headbands and hats. All her flowers and bows are attached to no-slip clips so they will stay put in even the finest hair, and all ribbon is heat cut and sealed so you don't have to worry about fraying--a really good thing since my baby uses her clippes as teethers!

I did some major shopping at PrettyBabyBowtique and the store's owner was wonderful! She set up a custom listing as soon as I messaged her with what I wanted. (I did some early Christmas shopping so it was quite the list--those hats with the flowers are a great gift!) I was able to mix and match hat colors and flowers and she even had me check out past sales to see if there were something I'd like. But probably my favorite thing about this boutique is her prices--they are so much more affordable than the ones at the mall kiosk where I've previously purchased my headbands and bows. My custom order list was long but it didn't come close to sabotaging my budget!

Orders are shipped within 48 hours after receiving payment and even as soon as 12 whenever possible. Mine was shipped the same day! Plus if you order more than three items you'll get free shipping on your order (see store details). PrettyBabyBoutique is definitely a most excellent Etsy find! --Emily