What makes my products different?

That is the big question. What makes this product different than that one? Which one is better? How do I know which to buy? These are all questions we ask ourselves when were buying something, especially when we buy online. Do we really know which one to buy or which one is better? Most of the time, we don't. We are guessing, wouldn't it be so much easier if product descriptions would just tell us why they are better or different than the competitor?

Well here is your chance! I'm going to tell you why my sandwich and snack bags are different that the others out there, and you can make up your mind about who's better and which to buy! I encourage everyone to leave a comment stating what makes your product that step above the rest, and of course don't forget a link to your shop!

What makes my reusable bags different? 

I try to point out the visible differences in my product descriptions, but there is "behind the scene" difference as well. For starters, anyone who looks at my product can notice there is no Velcro line on the outside of any of my bags. This is because I take a little extra time to sew it in before the bag is put together, preventing those lines, and in my opinion making a better looking bag. Now the "behind the scene" differences can't really be noticed, but I will still share them with you all. Every stitch is re-enforced (double stitched). This ensures stability in my product, as well as durability through daily use.  The last feature, what some people believe to be decoration, is the side stitches. These stitches have a purpose, because of these stitches my bags have no raw edges, no places for crumbs to get stuck in! These stitches also give an extra layer of durability to the product, ensuring that after a wash the bag is in that same shape that it was before it went in the washer.

So tell me, what makes your product different, what make it stand out from the crowd! Let us know!

World Breastfeeding Week- Giveaway!

I was approached a few weeks ago by the owner of Monkey Mama Necklaces, she asked if I would be willing to participate in a giveaway. This giveaway was something much different than most, it has a cause, and a very good one at that. This giveaway is to support breastfeeding. You see this week, August 1st -7th, is World Breastfeeding week. This even was created to raise awareness of breastfeed and to showcase the benefits as well as start to bring a sense of normalcy to the topic. I am a strong believer in breastfeed, so I was more than willing to help support the cause!

Monkey Mama Necklaces, my self, and many other Etsy shops have banned together to create a uniquely supportive giveaway. Entry is super easy, and most prizes have multiple additional entries. The giveaway is open for entries August 1st - 4th! Over 30 possible prizes for you to win, feel free to enter in all of them! Below I have included some photos of a few of the multiple prizes. And even better, most of the giveaways are open to entries worldwide!

I myself, am offering one lucky winner, a reusable snack bag in their choice of fabric! Other prizes include breastfeeding necklaces, baby toys, jewelry for mommy, baby clothing, skin care products and much more!

Direct link to giveaways: http://www.facebook.com/monkeymamanecklaces

Etsy Feature: Dream Paper Cut

I know it has been quite a while since I have featured an Etsy shop! Well I'm going to start doing this again, and I have a wonderful shop to start with! Remember if you would like to get a feature, just leave a comment on this feature or send me a convo!

Our names are Dmytro and Luliia, we reside in the Ukraine. We love creativity and handmade items, when you look at them you can feel the inspiration and love of the person who has created them. This is what encouraged us to share our own handmade items with others. Our craft is creating hand-cute paper silhouettes, all from a single sheet of paper where every piece is interconnected.

We took interest in paper silhouettes about a year ago, after which we decided to create our shop on Etsy to share our art with others. But our story begins much before that. As children we visited creative classes such as painting, drawing and paper craft. Growing up and studying at University we didn't pay proper attention to creativity, but it was always in our hearts. One time we created a greeting card with hand-cut elements for our friend's birthday. It was then that we first realized how much creativity was a part of our lives. After that, we took a strong interest in paper cutting and began creating silhouettes.

When we began creating our Etsy shop we wanted a name that was simple and memorable, but at the same time describes the items we are making. This is how we chose the name DreamPapercut. "Dream" because we  were dreaming to do what we loved, and "Papercut" because that is what we like to do. All of our works are made with love and soul. Each piece is inspired by nature, life or people who like our works. Our inspiration often comes when we go for walks in parks or the forests just to enjoy the nature surrounding us. Often we meet with our fiends to help us relax and get new energy to create new original works.

Paper cutting is a very amazing process, when you start with just a piece of paper and finish with a beautiful work of art. This process can take several hours or even several days to completely finish. To us these silhouettes are not just sheets of paper, but something we have put our love, care and happiness into. We truly believe people can feel the same emotions when looking at our works.


Other Places you can find DreamPapercut:
Zibbet, Shoply, CraftisArt, Dawanda, and Facebook.

The Story behind The Shop

When I think of school lunches my mind automatically thinks of brown paper bags and school lunch lines. Who likes having to cram a drink, a sandwich and a snack into a brown paper bag before running out to catch the bus. If you were lucky you could get a sandwich, a drink and a bag of chips, but knowing most of the time the chips would get put back for the skinnier, and much easier to fit, granola bar. Or even better, forgetting your lunch at home and having to buy a school lunch. Your standing in line trying to figure out what they are about to plop on a tray, hoping it would be something edible like pizza or tacos.

Its these very thoughts that led me to start creating reusable lunch bags. I can't help it if brown bags will never go away, but I can at least try to make them exciting. I know I would have never thought my Etsy shop would be as successful as it has been. When I opened my Etsy shop in my Senior year of high school (2009), reusable bags were just coming out. Most people had no idea what I was talking about or why they should spend money on it when they can get so many more Ziploc's for the same price. 

People just weren't getting it. I had to pretty much close my shop for a couple years, I only kept 2 or 3 items in my shop. I think I did this more because I just wasn't ready to give up on it. I didn't actually want to close my shop and admit defeat.

In the summer of 2011 I had realized more and more people were talking about ways to go green. That's when I realized it was time to get cracking and get my shop up and running again. The Green Haven got a total make over. I got new graphics for my shop, new business cards, address labels, stamps, everything and it all matched! I was ready to go. I spent most of the summer making items in as many different fabrics and styles as I could. Then slowly but surly I started to fill my shop up.

I waited, and waited, and waited. I kept making new things and listing them. I was getting discouraged, that's when I found Heartsy. It was a great way to get my shop out there and have people see it. Plus it would allow me to build up my feedback. It worked just how I had hoped, except my shop was once again empty! But now, I had steady traffic into my shop. It was all I could ask for.