Upcoming Haiti Fundraiser 7/31 - Chicago, IL

Sweet Sara Designs' very 1st launch party/sale is being held this Saturday, July 31st from 10am-2pm in Northbrook, IL.

Come check out over 30 new designs not available yet on Etsy! Feel free to contact for location details. (Proceeds to support children in Haiti.)

Facebook Friday Giveaway!

Fruit Salad - Basic Essentials Gift Set

Enter to win your very own set of Sweet Sara Designs hair clips! It's so easy! Good Luck!

How To Enter:
1. Become a Fan on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sweetsaradesigns.
2. Post on our Facebook page your favorite set of hair clips from our shop, Sweet Sara Designs. (only one entry please!)

A winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends Friday, June 18th at 12:00am (CST).

Sweet Summer Collection

Check out Sweet Sara's latest Etsy Treasury!

Summer 2010 Issue Modern Handmade Child

Open publication - Free publishing - More children

Little Treasures

Our hair clips weren't featured in just one Etsy.com Treasury, but two this week! Many thanks to Naomi Cayne for including our Black Baby Heart Skulls in the "Punk Rock Baby" Treasury!

And a thank you to Country By The Bumpkins as well for including our Blue Buttons on Orange in the "Blue and Orange" Treasury this week!


Be sure to check out these colorful and "rockin" treasuries!

Longing for Spring

It's been quite a long winter here in Chicago, so I've put together a Spring-inspired collection of items created by EtsyKids members!

Find more great stuff on www.EtsyKids.com in the Spring 2010 Shopping Guide!

(from left to right, top to bottom)

1. Cotton Mini Monkey Flap Hat, by citefuzz, $26
2. Pretty Green Birdie Print, by chichiboulie, $32
3. Creative Kids Art Bucket, by MomNMiaQuilts, $18
4. Organic Rabbit Rattle, by dressmeup, $26.95
5. Cloth Jingle Ball, by thepolkadottotspot, $12
6. Flower Fields, by Winklepots, $40
7. Chloe Knot Dress, by dolcebaci, $62
8. Baby Bow Headband, by SOUTHERNBABYBOUTIQUE, $7.95
9. Fun Openweave Beanie, by crochele, $26
10. Breakfast Play Food Set, by kidnaroundcreations, $12
11. Little Messenger Bag, by meeabee, $30
12. Me and Matilda Everyday Necktie, by MeandMatilda, $19.99

How I Got a Free Ticket to Disney!

Disney is inspiring people all around the country to get involved and volunteer in their communities. As a result of volunteering, Disney is giving away free 1-day tickets to either Disney Land or Disney World!

There are limited number of tickets Disney is giving away so be sure to check out their website to see how you can get involved at: www.GiveADayGetADisneyDay.com

My sister told me about this opportunity and it turned out that I already qualified by volunteering at my local children's museum! She has been busy tying fleece blankets with my 3 yr. old niece to benefit those in need of warmth and comfort.

My sister-in-law found a volunteer opportunity with a charitable organization, providing grants to families in the adoption process. She and my brother just recently adopted a beautiful princess from Korea, and now found an opportunity to help others looking to adopt!

Even if going to Disney isn't in your future plans, it's a great resource to find opportunities to get involved in your local community!

Hearts for Haiti

Hearts for Haiti was created in response to the tragic earthquake that occurred in Haiti on Jan. 20th. Hundreds of Etsy shops have generously donated items to this shop to raise money for relief efforts.

100% of proceeds go directly to Doctors Without Borders. Almost $28,000 has already been raised!

You can also search "haiti relief" for more items being listed on Etsy.com in which sellers are donating proceeds to relief funds.

Check out the Hearts for Haiti blog for more updates.

Spring Edition - Modern Handmade Child

Modern Handmade Child has done it again! I especially like the DIY resource for Valentine's Day cards, homemade heart-shaped crayons, and card holders. Be sure to check out the sweet refreshing recipes too!

My First Treasury!

Getting a spot in the Treasury on Etsy.com is no easy task, but with the help of Craftopolis and their Treasury Clock tool, we finally made it! This treasury actually features shops participating in the 2010 Etsy Baby Shower!

Valentine's Day Card Design Contest

(one of the entries by JellyPark)

Cool Mom Picks is teaming up with Etsy.com for a great cause! They are providing an opportunity for artists to enter their 1st **Color-Your-Own Valentine's Day Card Design Contest**!

Nine Valentine's Day card designs will be chosen and made available to purchase on Etsy.com in a downloadable and printable PDF format.

All proceeds will be donated to the Children's Heart Foundation, which is dedicated to helping children impacted with congenital heart defects.

Learn more about this great opportunity by visiting:
www.coolmompicks.com/valentines-design-contest/

Good luck to all the applicants!

Valentine's Day Special!

BUY 3 sets & GET 1 set FREE!!! Check out the shop at www.SweetSaraDesigns.etsy.com!

*applies to all listings beginning with "VALENTINE'S DAY"
*include promo code "B3G1" at checkout
*free set of equal or lesser value
* refund will be issued within 24 hrs by PayPal

Red Dots Tuxedo Bow Hair Clips

Pink Layered Flower Hair Clips

Red Heart Hair Clips

Pink Rose Layered Hair Clips

Find many more Valentine's Day selections at Sweet Sara Designs!

Happy New Year!

Sweet Sara Designs has a lot instore for 2010! I've been working on several different themes for the hair clips. Keep your eye out for following that will be coming out soon!

Ladybugs
Pretty in Punk
Argyle
and of course....the Valentine's Day line!

I wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!!!

Gift ideas for last minute shoppers!

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Sweet Baby Evie Shoes by JolieBerry

Boy Tie by littleguyties

Christmas Tree Tee by bridgetandco

Bright Matryoshka Doll Stuffed Ornament by KimsCraftyApple

Holiday Marketplace

I've been preparing for my very first craft fair! My craft supplies are slowly taking over the house! The dining room table is now covered with hair clips, ribbon, embellishments, and other random items. It's been exciting, but I'm also a little nervous! Hoping people will like the clips!

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If you're in the Chicago area be sure to stop by the Holiday Marketplace this Saturday, Dec. 5th at the Hotel Indigo in Palatine. A portion of all proceeds will be going to the Fong family who is raising funds to adopt in Russia! Visit this link to learn more!

Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching in Chicago!

Jenny Hart will be at Renegade Handmade, 1924 W. Division, Chicago this Saturday, Nov. 21st! She will be signing copies of her newest book, Embroidered Effects from 6-7 pm.

Renegade Handmade will also be displaying the work of 15 different stitchers from The In Stitches Showcase! The viewing party will be held from 6-8 pm.

Sublime Stitching started in 2001, offering more modern embroidery patterns appealing to a younger generation of crafters. Just like her website says, "This ain't your gramma's embroidery!" Be sure to check out Sublime Stitching online and find simple instructions to start your own embroidery project! I also find the stitching diagrams a great resource!

DIY Product Photography Class

This past weekend I took a one day photography class at The Needle Shop in Chicago. Who knew all you needed was a cardboard box, some tracing paper, and regular household lightbulbs to get great photos?!

Our instructor Dan, helped us learn how to take clear bright photos of products we post online using a homemade lightbox and your own digital camera. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised just how much I took away from the class.

The Needle Shop is a DIY sewing school and fabric shop. I love that they carry a lot of designer fabrics that are usually found only online like Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry, Henry Alexander, Anna Maria Horner, and so many more. You can also find them on Etsy here.

They offer tons of classes that teach how to sew a tote bag, pajama pants, a baby blanket, zippered skirt, Christmas stockings, aprons, etc. You can also learn hand embroidery, screen printing, and other non-sewing skills. All their classes are one day, usually 4 hours.

I can't wait to go back!

Adorable Custom Baby Hats

How adorable are these handmade baby hats?! These crotcheted hats are so perfect for the winter months ahead and can be found at Tip Top Applesauce's shop online! The shop describes the materials used, "..... a cotton blend and very soft and appropriate for a sensitive newborn's skin".

Portrait Baby Boy Tassel Hat

Baby Portrait Shells Hat

Lacy Cloche with Rose Clips

Baby Bear Portrait Hat

The Black Apple Doll

I have to say I am a HUGE fan of Emily Martin. She is an amazing artist, designer, and crafter. I have a few of her prints hanging on my wall which I purchased through her Etsy shop,

The Black Apple.

So when I saw her on The Martha Stewart Show making dolls with Martha, I almost fell over! I immediately started my own attempt of a doll using the tutorial (Emily so generously shared) found on Martha's website.

This was my 1st doll-making experience, but I was pleasantly surprised how they turned out! With the holiday season quickly approaching I thought these handmade dolls would make
great gifts!

Be sure to check out Emily's blog, Inside A Black Apple!

Tutu Hair Bow Holders

These adorable hair bow holders are handmade by Add A Lil Charm, a precious children's boutique. The holders come in 3 different sizes and custom requests are also welcomed. Not only are they perfect to decorate any little princess' room, they are functional too! Click here to see more designs!