Daddy Bear

Anyone who reads my blog or knows who I am knows that my husband is an active duty marine. What that means for my family is that sometimes he is gone for long periods of time where myself and my children do not have access to him physically, via phone, email or letter. These times can be very hard on military families especially when young children who do not understand that daddy has training missions he has to do and that is why he can't kiss them before bed each night.

To ease some of this pain for my children I decided I would purchase a special gift to come in the mail that would be from their father.
I decided to head over to Camillam's Bears and More Etsy shop and finally buy one of her amazing bears I've been drooling over.



This adorable "Semper Fi Bear" as it is so aptly named was the perfect fit. Not only would it be a special gift from their daddy but it is wearing something they directly associate with their father which is the charlie uniform.

When the bear arrived yesterday I was so excited for them to open it. When they did they were so excited to see their new bear. They were hugging and kissing him. Then I told them that it was a special daddy bear that daddy put all his kisses in so that every time they kissed the bear they were receiving a kiss from their daddy. They suddenly became very attached to the bear taking turns, reluctantly, playing with it. The daddy bear gave them each a kiss good night and they agreed to take turns sleeping with it.

Outside of the fact that this is by far the best teddy bear I have ever purchased as far as quality, attention to detail and excellent customer service goes it also gave me back my sanity.
Instead of taking me over an hour to put the kids to bed it took me all but 15 minutes to get them into bed with the daddy bear. For them it gives them a comfort that my words letting them know that their daddy loves and misses them couldn't do.

So Thank you Camillam's Bears and More. Thank you for an excellent product that exceeds all others, thank you for helping comfort my children with such a special bear and thank you for giving me back my evening!

Ella-Bear Bowtique is Moving!

The Marine Corps has handed down orders to my husband for a new duty station. We are excited as a family to have the opportunity to move to new and different places to experience what different parts of this great country has to offer.

I will be taking some time off from my Etsy shop and my Hyena Cart shop on America’s Handmade Homefront to prepare for our move.
That means I’ll be closing up shop briefly. Or in my case, packing up shop briefly. Both my shops on Etsy and America’s Handmade Homefront will close up on November 21st 2008.
This is no way means that I am not coming back! I just need some time to pack up our household, drive it to our new duty station and unpack it all and start to settle in to our new surroundings. We should be unpacked and settled by December 10th, just in time for America’s Handmade Homefront’s December 15th stocking. In the mean time you can check out my blog at
Ella-Bear Bowtique on Blogger for updates on our move and sneak peaks at upcoming products.

Be sure to catch America’s Handmade Homefront’s December 15th stocking for great new items and fantastic re-opening discounts from Ella-Bear Bowtique.

Thank you to all my wonderful customers for your kind words and support with my move. I’ll be very happy to be settled and to get back to work creating more fun and beautiful items for you in December!

Birthday Celebration Sale!

Today is my husband's birthday! Happy birthday honey!!!

In celebration of his brithday I am offering FREE shipping on any order of hair accessories in my Etsy shop and in my Hyena Cart shop. Just wait for a revised invoice before making payment.

Even Marines like to feel like a princess ;)

Jewelry by Jems By J and Company

The Etsy JET team was having a really fun scavenger hunt recently that I choose to partake in. It was a lot of fun and all the shops were so beautiful to look through. The JET team has enormous talent!

I was lucky enough to win one of their scavenger hunts and was contacted by Jems By J and Company who allowed me to pick any item for $20 or less in their store. How generous!

It proved hard to choose any one item. Jems By J and Company is truly talented. In the end I choose a sea glass necklace. The photo didn't do this necklace justice. It's absolutely gorgeous.

Another necklace that I thought was absolutely stunning by Jems By J and Company was this "Watching Over the Bird's Nest" necklace.



Jems By J and Company has a shop full of amazing items to choose from. The prices are fantastic, the shipping time was fast, my item was packaged immaculately and the seller was a delight.

Stop by their shop and check out all their lovely pieces. You are sure to find a favorite.

Let's Pretend!

Now that my daughter is 3 years old she is VERY into playing dress up and pretend. I found a great shop here on Etsy that has all the essentials for the girly girl that likes to play pretend.

Chic Baby Rose has a large variety of beautiful items perfect for your little princess.

This adorable pettiskirt is my favorite! It is done so gorgeously and would make any little girl feel extra special.




What little girl doesn't love to throw tea parties? The perfect toy for playing in her kitchen or throwing her friends a tea party fit for a princess are these adorable wooden cupcakes.



Lastly, what princess is completely without her crown? This will top off any pretend outfit she decides to wear.



I absolutely LOVE this shop and can't wait to snag some items for my daughter for the holidays.

Meet Flirt Buttons

I was lucky enough to be Flirt Button's 200th heart and was so generously given a free gift!

She sent me one of her delightful pocket mirrors, a fun bottle opener and cute hair pins.

The items came so quickly and were beautifully packaged. It was like Christmas morning in my mail box. It was such a lovely thing to receive in the mail and I absolutely love my items!

Here are some other great items from Flirt Buttons.

Magnet Set


Pendant



Pocket Mirror

Knit and Crochet Lovelies

Some of you may or may not be aware of the fact that I can knit and crochet. I've actually been doing those two crafts longer than making hair bows. My talent in the area isn't even close to impressive but it does what I need it to do for me. Give me relaxation and something to do with my hands while watching Brothers and Sisters every Sunday night.

Here are some the knitters and crochet folks that I am impressed with and some of their fabulous creations.

This first seller I have purchased my daughter's hat from and even a few hats for my best friend's new baby but I have yet to purchase a hat for myself. It's on my Christmas list I sent my mom so hopefully she listens. TwoSeasideBabes work is flawlessly beautiful. What exactly from her shop is on my wish list. The ever popular buckle beanie she has. It's a definate favorite of mine.



The next yarn lovelie I'm going to display is another absolute favorite of mine. The knitted rug. Let me tell you, these things are not easy to find in the handmade community. The talent and time that goes into these pieces is amazing and Fafnir's rendition surely doesn't disappoint. Their entire shop is chaulk full of beautiful fiber art pieces.



Lastly I want to feature a seller that is not only on Etsy but also on Hyena Cart as a vendor on America's Handmade Homefront, HomemadeZen. I asolutely love her stuffed lovies. My favorite is this cloud brooch she has both in her Etsy shop and at America's Handmade Homefront. It is just too cute for words and would make an awsome gift for that quirky and fun person on your list this year.



I of course have LOTS of other crochet and knit items that I fancy. Other shops include Bethjt, MooseThreads, Buddlebub Creations on Inspired and CraftyAnna.

Christmas Wish List

What's on my Christmas wish list this year? A whole bunch of beautiful items from Etsy.

For my walls I would love one of these beautiful family plaques from ASimpleImpression.


And also one of these awsome magnet boards from Polarity.


For my kitchen a much needed butter keeper from JimandGina. It's semi embarassing to admit that my own butter currently resides on a plate with a bowl sitting over it.


For my bedroom I'd love this cool duvet set from NightByrd


And for my bod, this beautiful shirt from Heirloom08

Vote for me!

The Etsy Homefront Team is having their winter challenge and I've entered a snowman themed hair bow.



Last challenge my poor headband didn't get ANY votes! I would love to get at least one on this one. So please click on over to www.EtsyHomefront.com and vote for me by leaving a comment with my shop name Ella-Bear Bowtique and my winter themed bow as your choice. You'll make my day!

And be sure to check back and see which one of the fabulous items entered wins our challenge because they'll be the first seller with their products on display for the Homefront Team exclusive gift buying guide trunk show! You won't want to miss it!

Making your handmade soap last longer.

I've recently jumped on the handmade soap band wagon and am thoroughly enjoying it. There is so much variety to choose from between Etsy and Hyena Cart. My two favorite soap makers right now are Mommy's Little Helper and Smokey Mountain Scents. I currently have pumpkin spice soap and kaldis dance coffee kitchen soap beside my kitchen sink. Kaldi's dance coffee soap gets all those nasty smells out of my skin from cooking like garlic and onion. The pumpkin spice gives my hands a wonderful scent that I associate with the current season. So it's a very nice balance.

But I noticed that they were leaving soap marks on my kitchen sink and I was frustrated with having to wipe it day after day. My solution to the problem came while I was browsing on Hyena Cart one day. I found these deluxe wood soap decks from Faith Acre Farmgoods.



Not only are they attractive and a fantastic price at only $4 with free shipping but they extend the life of your handmade soap by whisking water away from your soap so you don't get that filmy residue. I bought several and are now using them throughout my house to hold my Smokey Mountain Scents and Mommy's Little Helper's soaps and absolutely love them!

Novelty Clippies

I know you've seen them around on Etsy. The various ribbon scultures/novelty clips. They're cute, unique and look difficult to make. All is true except the latter.
These clips are not difficult to make if you take time to imagine how to make the piece work so that it remains sturdy and functional for actual use in a toddler or young girls hair.

There are a lot of tutorials for sale on Etsy and other ribbon sites that charge you to learn how to make their pieces. I have never purchased any of this tutorials and I have not fashioned my clips after their designs. All of my ribbon sculpture and novelty clips were created through trial and error until I got the exact look I wanted while managing to keep the quality and sturdiness of the clip intact.

I added my first ribbon sculpture piece this past June. This was my first attempt at ribbon sculpture and it took quite a few times to get this piece right. I am more than satisfied with the product and those that have purchased it are as well.



Since this cherry piece I have added a few other to my arsenal. A pumpkin, a present and even a little tree.



I have made other items like a cat, a lolli pop and a bird but their functionality is still be tested and redone to make sure it is the highest quality to remain in tact in your daughter's hair.
I have had customers send me convos asking about the durability of my ribbon sculptures because they have purchased from other Etsy shops where the clips fell apart after the first use.
With Ella-Bear Bowtique ribbon sculptures and novelty clips you are getting a high quality product that will be able to sustain regular wear in your daughter's hair.
I do not put our ribbon sculpture that will fall apart after a few uses. My clips are built to last. If they don't pass the test then they are not put into my shop until the proper changes are made to ensure that they do.

My advice when purchasing ribbon sculpture is to contact the shop owner and ask what they do to ensure the durability of their clips. If they don't do anything or are not willing to answer because they don't want to give their secrets away I would move on to the next shop. Otherwise you just may be wasting your money on a product that won't last.

Meet CreationsAnew!

CreationsAnew helped contribute to The World Trade Center United Family Group Inc. by buying some beautiful bows from Ella-Bear Bowtique! Thank you for your contribution.

CreationAnew Photography & Design takes photography to a new level. Offering not only the beautiful photographs themselves but different products featuring the photography. With everything from mouse pads, to calendars and paper weights, CreationsAnew is your one-stop shop for home decor and gifts!

All photography is available in different sizes. You can get a 4 x 6, a 5 x 7 an
8 x 10 or even a mouse pad!
My all time favorite photo from CreationsAnew is the "Old Virginian Shed". There is no doubt that this photo would look beautiful on any one's wall!



Every year I make a new years resolution to keep better organized with my time and activities and I never follow through. I know many of us with Etsy shops need help better planning our daily activities to ensure enough time for work and play. With CreationsAnew's beautiful 2009 desk calendars people like me can finally follow through on their resolution!



Need some inspiration at the office? CreationsAnew's memo pads and paperweights are exactly what you need. You won't mind the daily grind in your cubical if you have these cute notepads to keep notes on.



I personally bought the above notepads and couldn't be happier with the product. I'm giving them as a gift this Christmas and I know my recipient will be more than pleased!

If you're looking for beauty and functionality CreationsAnew Photography & Design is the way to go. With gorgeous photos of flowers, landscapes and more you'll find it's hard to choose just one. And with as many options as she offers for her photography like calendars, paperweights, note pads, postcards and more, you won't have to!

Meet CutesieClips!

CutesieClips helped contribute to The World Trade Center United Family Group Inc. by purchasing some beautiful bows from Ella-Bear Bowtique. Thank you for your contribution!

CutesieClip's goal is to make the world cute one clip at a time. She is well on her way! She specializes in the most adorable felt hair clips you'll find on Etsy hands down. If you can dream it, she can create it. With everything from cute flower clips to the truly unique like this rice bowl with chopsticks clip.



My personal favorites from her shop are her current seasonal items. This scarecrow is perfect for your little one's school Halloween party or that special trip to the pumpkin patch.



Her clips are not only for the young but also the young at heart. With versatile snap clips with non slip material they will work not only in your daughter's barely there hair but also for the mom who has fine or thin hair as well.
CutesieClips designs have endless possibilities. You can go for the ultra cute item for that special little girl in your life or for a design that can transcend age barriers like this cool football clip. Which is perfect for the die hard college football fan, like myself. Go Blue! ;)



At CutesieClips you are sure to find exactly what you're looking for. Something both unique and of extreme quality. CutesieClips creations are definitely a must have on every little girls wish list. And with great prices and fantastic customer service she'll be on every mom's wish list too!

Meet SmokeyMountainScents!

SmokeyMountainScents helped contribute to The World Trade Center United Family Group Inc. by donating directly. Thank you for your contribution!

SmokeyMountainScents is more than just your average soap shop. With a huge selection of soaps, candles, scrubs, tarts and bath bombs in your choice of 89 different scents SmokeyMountainScents is definitely a cut above the rest.

My personal favorites are the current seasonal items she has to offer for Autumn. I recently purchased the Pumpkin Spice Soap and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

SmokeyMountainScent's coolest seasonal item has got to be the Candy Corn Soap. It looks and sounds good enough to eat!




She also has Cracklin Wood Wick Candles which seem so warm and inviting. They would, no doubt, make the perfect house warming gift.
Like this cranberry cracklin wood wick scented candle.



Above all, SmokeyMountainScents is the perfect place to buy bath and body items to treat yourself. The sugar and salt scrubs are certainly not to be passed up.
This orchid foaming scrub, with a blend of Jasmine, Muget, Violet, and Lemon, is just what this tired mama needs to treat herself at the end of a hard day at home with the kiddos.



SmokeyMountainScents is more than just a soap shop. It's the ultimate spa experience. The place you'll find all the items you need to relax and treat yourself to a luxurious spa get-away from the comfort of your own bathroom.

Meet SewSuzy!

SewSuzy helped contribute to The World Trade Center United Family Group Inc by buying her daughter to be some beautiful bows from Ella-Bear Bowtique!

SewSuzy is a stay at home mother who's shop specializes in monogrammed and personalized items for the whole family! She has everything from seasonal clothing, baby shower gifts and even beautiful monogrammed pillow cases perfect for a wedding present. All of her items are very reasonably priced and very beautifully done.

My favorites are this children's apron which you can make your child feel super special by adding their name or initials.



And this super cute bib and burp cloth set. It makes a perfect baby shower gift and is so elegantly done.



She even has great seasonal items for Halloween. I just love this little pumpkin shirt!



SewSuzy is truly a one-stop-gift-shop with high quality hand made items that will suit anyone in your family. With great prices and excellent customer service this is on shop you truly cannot pass up!

I have made 4 sales so far that 100% of the profits will be donated to The World Trade Center United Family Group Inc in rememberance of September 11th 2001!

That is $21 so far in donations to be made!

I really want to get to $50 before Saturday. So please swing by my shop and purchase those cute little bows you've had your eye on for that special little girl in your life.

Purchases can be made all day today and tomorrow. I'll be adding some new bows later today so be sure to check those out as well.

Thank you for your help is making this possible!

Rembering September 11th.

Seven years have passed since that fateful day when our country was attacked. But the memory, for me, is as vivid as the day it happened.

I was in my first period match class in my junior year of high school. My economics teacher ran in, out of breath, and hollar at my math teacher to "turn on the T.V.! A plane just hit the world trade center!."

My teacher fumbled with the remote to turn the television on to CNN. The room fell completely silent as we all watched the smoke rising from the tower. Then suddenly a second plane hit. Some of my classmates, myself included, were in tears. I think we all knew, without saying what this meant. That our country was under attack.

As I left my 1st hour, I rushed to my next class so that I could continue watching the coverage. As I raced through the halls you could see the looks of concern on everyone faces. I attended a school with over 2,400 students and I have never heard the hall way be so quiet before.

It was a moment that none of us will ever forget.

Unfortunately, with day to day life, we've all pushed it to the back of our minds unless it is brought up. Myself included. A lot of 9/11 charities have had their donations plummit as the years go on.

So in rememberance of that fateful day and to all there were lost I am donating 100% of all my profits from today, September 10th through Friday September 12th to The World Trade Center Family Group Inc.
Please stop by my shop and take a moment to buy a beautiful bow for that special little girl in your life. Not only will you be recieving a quality made Ella-Bear Bowtique creations but you will be helping 9/11 families in the process.

You can read more about The World Trade Center United Family Group Inc. or make a direct donation to them here:
http://www.wtcufg.org/


And tomorrow please take a moment out of your day to bow your head in prayer and remember those that we lost, those that lost loved ones and those that have and are currently fighting in Afghanistan to bring the terrorists responsible to justice.