Lets shop small – my picks of the best small business finds this Christmas

Oh how we love the online world……. particularly for it’s never ending end of shopping goodness. This Christmas make a decision to shop from small businesses and keep this amazing creative community kicking 🙂

I’ve created a wonder list of shopping ideas for you to start you in the right direction (mainly it’s my personal wish list so dear ones please take note of this not so subtle hint)

For her

Mint and Gold Wooden necklace $16

2015 Letterpress Desk Calendar $40.51

Silver Tube necklace $50.04

Hand printed paper $18

For him

iPhone 6 Wooden Desk dock $41.70

Cookie Mix $14.95

DIY Kit for Leather sunglasses case $69

For the little’uns

Tropical Pom Pom shorts $28

Handpainted Timber Block Set $64.95

Sunshine Head wrap $22

Mint Wooden Toy Camera $47.65

Mint and Metallic Romper $38

For the home

Set of 3 mini concrete houses

Slate Garden tags $24.95

Mint X Cushion Cover $45

Do you have a handmade/small business or absolutely love one in particular? Give them a shout out and share the love!

Happy shopping everyone, I much prefer shopping from the comfort of my couch to the craziness of the malls/shopping centres this time of year…… holiday cheer is NOT always around

Business Feature – kupukupu kids

You have probably seen the recent craze for animal cushions… a somewhat cross between a plush animal and a cushion. Ridiculously adorable and popping up in perfectly styled kids’ rooms around the globe. Today’s feature business is ‘kupukupu kids’, run by the lovely (you may have noted that I only like to celebrate business people who stay humble and pleasant amongst the success) and wonderfully talented Laura. She takes incredible joy in each style, pattern and colour and solely uses organic cottons and eco-friendly inks for the beautiful characters below and lovely lines of kids apparel.

Laura – kupukupu kids

Perfect cushion characters

Read on for Laura’s insight into the kupukupu kids world….

1. How did kukupuku start?
I started kupukupu 3 years ago with my women and men’s casual
apparel shop. I actually haven’t studied sewing or pattern making, but have sewn clothes for my dolls growing up and then for me. In fact I studied Philosophy and then Communication and I was working in press departments for a long time. But one day I decided to quit my job and open my first shop on Etsy… I needed a change in my life… to spend more time with family and friends and do things that I really loved. After two and a half years with kupukupuapparel, I decided to open kupukupukids, with a totally different style. My adult collection is all smooth and neutral and with kupukupukids I love to play with colors and forms in the fabric patterns as much as I can. Ii is one of the parts of my job that I like most, to design the fabrics! After six months, I’m so happy to have opened this shop. I really enjoy it!

Confetti organic cotton Baby Blanket

Organic Cotton Duck plush pillow

2. What happens in a day behind the scenes of kupukupu?
As I work at home, I start my work day just after breakfast. The first thing that I do is check my shops, see my messages and renew my items. After that, I sew sold items and package them or take photos of new items, edit them and upload them to my shops. I like to dedicate the morning to do this, and to reserve the office and design tasks for the afternoons. My mind is more creative and communicative in afternoon and nights, ever since I was a child. Before lunch, I love to dedicate one hour to practice yoga. Stretch the body and relax my mind.

The afternoons is the best part: create, design, talk with my customers and attend the social networks, that is a big job, as well. I spend a big part of the day thinking about that. As a journalist I know is an essential part of my bussines and I try to take care of it as much as I can. After that I try to rest, stay with family and see friends, but I have to recognize that my mind is always in kupukupu. It’s like my little baby!

3. How do you stay motivated on a tough day?
I always try to have in mind what all of this means. I started this project with my boyfriend, Jordi. He is a great illustrator and has a shop on Etsy too, suPmön. We needed to be the owners of our time and dedicate our days to make things that we really love and also spend more time together. Now we both work from home and we share a great part of our job with each other. For instance, he’s the drawer of all of my plush collection and also the little duck of my logo. Now we are living the kind of life we want, even though we have had many difficulties and we’ve had some bad times. I’m not going to say this is not hard, because it is, but absolutely worth it.

Greatest First Moments Gift Pack

Dandelions organic cotton T-shirt

4. What is your favourite part of developing your own business and brand?
When you are developing your own business, you’re planting the seeds to your future and you can see how it grows day by day and that’s beautiful! It’s like your baby. All your efforts are directed to make sure it grows well, strong and healthy. And you are happy doing this because the benefits of all this work are yours and nobody else’s. When working for other companies sometimes people don’t feel a project is theirs and sometimes they feel disappointed and frustrated because they work hard and sacrifice so much of their life for this job, but never see all its benefits. I’m not just talking about economic benefits. The benefits of having your own business are more than the money, it’s the freedom to live your own way and freedom to create and make what you feel is better.

5. Who inspires you on Instagram/Pinterest/blogs etc?
I specially like the work of Susan Petersen, from Freshly-Picked. I think what she does in social media is amazing. I try to learn as much as I can from her. And I also admire the work of Mr. Wonderful, a catalan designer that founded a successful online store of optimism products, with their presence on social networks and their blog.

Growing Stripes organic cotton long sleeve onesie

6. What’s your top piece of advice for balancing life with your own business?
Well, it is really difficult to disconnect both things, because if you love your job it is part of your life. I’m spend all day working, but I don’t feel like I’m working, because I’m just making things that I love. I think it’s really important that you love your business a lot, because I think there’s no way to pull the blind down, especially if it’s a young business. Yoga does help though… Anyway, balancing life with your own business is easier than if you work in a company with a fixed schedule. If you work like me at home and sell online, you can adapt that with your other facets of your life perfectly. You just have to reserve some days in the week and hours in the day to turn off the computer and get away from the sewing machines, even your mind is with your job all the time.

7. What is your favourite kupukupu product?
I try to feel satisfied with every product that I made, but there’s no doubt that you always have some of them favorites. I think mine is this…

Mountain Yellow organic cotton hoodie

Thank you so much Laura for giving us a beautiful and open insight into your world! This gift wish list just keeps on growing……

http://www.kupukupu.cat

http://www.etsy.com/au/shop/kupukupukids

 

xx

Business Feature | Sapling Child | Perfect pieces from a beautiful lady

It’s a very rare day that you find stunning, beautiful products that have an equally amazing company and founder behind them. In the mummy-small-business world I have had the pleasure of meeting and being inspired by so so many caring, hard-working and lovely women.. and Peta Stinson, the wonder that is Sapling Child, is the Pièce de résistance….

Peta Stinson – Sapling Child

She has worked ridiculously hard at this, smashing any small-mummy-business glass ceilings along the way! And after working alongside Hollywood A-listers and reaching enviable success, she has remained refreshingly down to earth, open and just plain lovely to chat to!

and the products… oh the products!!….. 😉

These perfect, soft and snuggling pieces are booming in popularity around the world (even Prince George’s nursery holds a plentiful supply), are made from 100% Organic Cotton, and are wonderfully affordable (yes!!)…. in fear of sounding like an advertisement, these are PERFECT for gifting a mummy-to-be (and for spoiling yourself….. and for midnight online shopping…)

Dusty Pink with Heart pants

Owl on Branch Unisex Romper

Rose Petal Snuggle Wrap

For a lovely glimpse into the Sapling Child world, read on…….

 

Peta, did you imagine Sapling Child growing into what it is today?

No! We always hoped it would, but didn’t focus too much on that as a goal. We try to take things one thing at a time. It is amazing though. We are super excited about everything that’s been happening, and to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing and inspiring group of people makes us so happy!

 

What was your biggest lesson learnt in the early days of Sapling Child?

We quickly had to learn how to turn the ‘No’s’ into ‘Yes’s’

Owl on Branch long sleeve bodysuit

 

How do you stay motivated in what can be an overwhelming industry?

It’s pretty easy, I don’t follow and keep up with big labels, because it distracts me. I try to keep my head focussed on what feels right to me (in terms of design), instead of always trying to follow a trend. I think that would be exhausting. I also have an amazing group of IG mumma’s, and coworkers who are always motivating me on so many levels.

 

Name your top inspiring people to follow on Instagram or Pinterest (we know you’re a Pinterest addict…. aren’t we all)

Gosh, I do love Pinterest! My Pinterest account (Peta Stinson) is more of a ‘me’ thing and not much of a ‘Sapling’ thing so a lot of my pins are pics of amazing clothes and interiors. I love following Lisa Brauer for interiors, and Courtney Amber and Sincerely Jules for fashion….amazing taste those ladies.

My favourite IG mummas would have to be @notsomumsy, as her feed is just as beautiful as she is. @theinstashopper, who always makes me laugh and who has the most gorgeous bubba. And @warnjai as she works the light in her pictures like noone else.

Seaweed Baby Snuggle Wrap

 

What exciting things are happening in the near future of Sapling Child?

Well we have a collaboration coming out with Jessica Alba and the Honest Co in October, along with our new range. Then we have Jaime Kings collection coming out in Feb….and it is AMAZING! So excited to debut it!

 

What has been the most jaw dropping moment for you in the last year?

We haven’t told anyone this yet, but last month we decided and are now funding an orphanage in India. It’s a small orphanage, only 25 children, they are either orphans or their parents are unable to care for them. They are all provided an education as well, which was such an important thing for us. It’s amazing that we are at the point where we can do things like this. We look forward to opening/sponsoring many more orphanages around India.

 

After a ridiculous day, how do you recharge?

I go to the gym. I love to just work it all out. If it’s been particularly stressful, there’s nothing quite like boxing!

Owl on Branch Short Sleeve bodysuit

Flamingo Vine Lace bodysuit

 

What 3 things could you absolutely not live without?

My family, my bed, and my face moisturiser.

 

Do you have a quote or motto that never fails to pick you up (or just make you giggle)?

“Breathe it all in, love it all out” I don’t know where it came from, but it’s become my Mantra. When things are stressful or challenging, I think to myself breathe it all in and exhale out love. Seems to work for me!
You should try it!

 

Thank you so much Peta! SO good to hear from successful mum’s who not only work hard but keep grounded at the same time. XX

Please note that this is NOT a sponsored post, I just absolutely love this brand and this woman is AMAZING! 🙂

Keep up with Sapling Child and Peta….

  @saplingchild

 Peta Stinson (Sapling Child)

www.saplingchild.com

 

Mummy Business Feature – fromZION

 

Coral Bow Moccs

Mustard Triple Bow Headband

Gold Dust Moccs Limited Edition

The crux of this business is perfect petite, buttery soft leather moccasins. The products are divine and the lady behind the scenes is even more so.

On the off chance that you have not yet stumbled across the joy that is fromZION, let me introduce you……   this is one amazingly cool, fabulously fashionable and spot on trend mummy business……

Behind this Australian Small Business Power House is Jasmin Adams, one of the loveliest and most talented ladies I’ve yet to have the pleasure of meeting in my blogging journey. She is refreshingly honest, stunningly beautiful and an incredible inspiration to myself in particular being in the beginning days of creating kid’s products.

Read on for her wonderful insight into the fromZION world…. Thank you Jasmin!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Jasmin, how has fromZION changed your world?

Hmmm, fromZION has had a HUGE impact on my world and sometimes I have to reassure myself that its a good thing! My Business grew faster and bigger than I could have ever predicted and it amazes me everyday. I set out for it to create me a small (but big enough) income so that I could stay home with my babies while they are still little. I have always been creative and told by everyone to start something with my gift but nothing I tried ever stuck! fromZION started because I made my son a pair of Moccs from a black suede leather jacket found at an Op-shop that I cut up because I couldn’t afford to buy any from a store. I posted a picture on my IG and got a good response from friends that also wanted a pair. So I started it! I went from 0 followers to over 6600 in months and now I cannot keep up with the orders!

 

What happens in a day behind the scenes of fromZION?

I make sure I get the babies sorted for the day and then I go to my studio room and start drawing/cutting/sewing/processing orders/answering emails/doing filing and accounts all while tending to bubbas for food, milk, naps, nappies, cuddles and play. The hubby gets home at 5 and we have dinner and then I go back to the studio to continue work at night. Some days I have my precious maid of Honour working for me to help with the weight of it all. Those days are my favorite 😉

 

How do you stay motivated when things are getting tough?

I keep telling myself that I started this for a reason (to create income) and wished for it to go well – and it has! If I stopped, I would have to return to work and send my babies to care 5 days a week… which is not something I ever want to do. I’m looking to the future, and I see the business getting over the “hump” and becoming easier as I get to hire help and step back slightly.

 

What is your favourite item from the fromZION range
?

My Peep Toe Moccs are pretty close to my heart because I hadnt seen them done before I created them. I think they look adorable and they always get the most comments from people at the shops when Lacey wears them.

 

Where’s your favourite escape destination?

To Be honest, anywhere that ISNT my studio! But I do feel totally refreshed after a day with my family out and about and after church on a sunday. The is no other water that
 quenches my thirst or quietens my soul more.

 

What was the biggest lesson you learnt in the first year of fromZION?

Don’t sell more than you can sew! pace yourself!

 

Who are three inspiring people you follow on Instagram or Pinterest?

Oh thats easy, I always looked up to Sasha from @beau_hudson, Kim from @jr_cooper_ because they are businesses that started from small beginnings, are christian girls and were so willing to be my friends and meet up for coffee and help me along the way. Another would be Rachel from @heandherthelabel for all of the same reasons (other than meeting for coffee – she lives in a different state). These businesses are all amazing and unique and honest and you should all be following them!

 

Thanks again Jasmin for letting us peek into your world! You honestly deserve amazing success!

Jasmin – fromZION Founder

 

Etsy stores I can’t ignore

These beauties take feel good window shopping to a whole new level. Do yourself a favour (although your wallet/partner won’t be too happy) and peruse these incredible, must-have, nursery-lovin Etsy stores……

just click on the images for the link to stores. You’re welcome 😉

KupuKupu Kids – animal cushions

Keepsake Toys – Wooden Shape Sorter

Studio Snowpuppe – Origami Lampshades

The Wandering Workshop – Wooden Toy Houses

and for some brilliant comic relief. .. (Because when you’re sleep deprived with a newborn you deserve to surround yourself with hilarious things)….

Petiti Panda – Grumpy Cat Cushion