BLOG HAS MOVED!!!

Hi Everyone,
Little Wooden Shoe has a NEW HOME at WORDPRESS. Follow the link to Little Wooden Shoe's new location:

http://littlewoodenshoe.wordpress.com/

Featured in Handmade for Kids yet again!!!

I have been featured again in Handmade for Kids. I am soo proud and my little one is the one who got all the attention!!! There he is with his favourite Stompy the Dino!

Zakka Overload!!!

I'm bored so I have been surfing the net and checking all the cuteness of Zakka, to inspire me with new designs for the shop. I am having a cuteness overload and I needed to share some of the things that have come across in the last hour. So enjoy the ride everyone for the sweetest Zakka images ever! All images are from Shinzi Katoh's catalogue.

I love Rainbows! Do you?

I just had to share this with all of you it is such a cool idea to make with the kids but also for a birthday cake! How beautiful are these rainbow cakes!!! Super cute idea and you can find how to make it here. Enjoy

Patchwork Blanky with Organic Wooden Teether Give-away!

Tomorrow morning I will be showcasing a GIVE-AWAY in my Facebook Page.



I made this very cute Easter inspired patchwork 100% cotton blanky.
Your little one will be so chew happy with the organic wooden ring attached to it. 
The back is made with the softest 100% cotton flannel to make it extra cuddly. Double stitched throughout for extra strength and durability. 

Price $15,00 AUS 

GO TO MY PAGE TOMORROW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GIVE A WAY.

YOU MIGHT WIN IT FOR FREE!!!!

New Item for Sale: Organic Wooden Teether and Blanky!

How cute is this patchwork blanky with baby rattle that I made this week. Make a special little one very happy this Easter with a one of the kind handmade blanky and organic wooden teether. The teether is handmade by a very special lady who lives in Canada. Both items are double stitched for durability and security. Price for both items as a set: $22,00 AUS. Feel free to leave me a comment if would like one, please also add your location for postage costs. Be quick before its gone!

Featured in Handmade for Kids

Yeiiii, I have been featured in Fabulous Friday Finds at Handmade Kids. Thank you Handmade Kid's!!! Go and check it out! You can click on the image and it will take you to Handmade Kids site.

Is original design still alive in Handmade Business?

I had a very interesting conversation on Facebook with other handmade business owners regarding why we question our originality every time we are creating a new design or a new product to sell. The conversation turned to a fan that became slightly obsessed about one handmade business’ products. The fan made some distressing comments on the business owner’s facebook page alleging that some items were not her designs and should not be sold as if they were original creations. In the end the fan was blocked from her page permanently, a sad ending.

 Now, this business sells handmade crochet items, so it’s difficult to make a hat, scarf or even an Amigurumi and say its’ never been done before. We recognise the crafter’s work as original because she designs and crochets her own patterns. It can be very hard to come up with something that is an original design. Many times I have been designing a new product for my shop and check afterwards on the net to find someone else has come up with the same if not similar idea. So what I am supposed to do, not make anything any longer because everything has been done before? No. I just make the item anyway and by the end of the designing process, the concept might be similar but the end result is completely different. So for me originality has its nuances. A product or item can be original for me when the use of fabric strikes me as a great colour combination that I might never thought of using. Example of this is the pencil roll ups which a lot of handmade shops are selling at the moment. The concept of the pencil roll up is the same but I have seen some pretty amazing ones on handmade markets that I would call original work.



I know what you are thinking, yes, there are a lot of copy cats out there. We need to be very careful when pointing the finger at the originality of a fellow crafter’s work. This is because in one way or another we inspire each other’s creativity and originality. Perhaps we should redefine the concept of originality in our handmade community so we can be kinder to one another.
Inspiration for me is the key to designing a new item and I get my inspiration from different handmade crafters in our community. Here are some of my favourite businesses at the moment. These are the ones who make me want to sit behind my sewing machine and make cute things for others to enjoy!

Pikelet Workshop: Jen is from Perth, she makes these very special little poppet's who are a huge hit at the moment; they make me want to be a kid again! 

Hugs & Inspiration: is a home based Melbourne business run by Lou, Ange and Mel, three stay at home mums. They design, create and mount, 3D art images for children.

Plushka’s: Katia started her little craft venture when after working a year dealing with numbers and paperwork, she felt the urge to express herself and be creative. Craft was a part of her heritage and making things was a part of her life since she started cross-stitch classes at the age of 12. She lives in Sydney and makes these lovely softies!!! 

Featured in Kid Independent!!!

How cool that I have been featured in the Kid Independent website!!! Have look, I am so proud because I just love the site. I would like to thank Indi for the editorial! Enjoy everyone! Here is the Link:

Kid Independent features Little Wooden Shoe!