Handmade Holidays - Part 1

In support of Handmade American Toys, I am going to spotlight five American toy crafters each Friday from now until mid-December. Handmade toymakers are having a difficult year. The economy has been rough for all of us, but they've had to deal with the ups and downs of the CPSIA as well. All these toys are CPSIA compliant with no lead or phthalates.

Here are this weeks holiday shopping suggestions.

Auntie Jill is a Vermont crafter who makes Snuggle Bunnies and other stuffed animals. The Snuggle Bunnies are made of fleece or minky and come in two sizes, small (6.5") and large (12"), and in a variety of colors. Jill also makes teddy bears and custom animals. Ten dollars from each teddy bear sold goes to support breast cancer research. Cuddle for a cause!

Fleece Snuggle Bunnies ($12 small, $25 large)



Buggalove custom made designs include body suits, decor and beautiful mobiles. The mobiles can be customized to match your child's decor. Prices vary depending on size and style. Here are a few.





Crafty Baby's nap pads, clutch balls, diaper changing pads and bibs are all made and designed by Jill, a mother of three. We wrote about her clutch balls last January, and my mother bought one for a gift. She said is was well made and very cute. Jill's best-selling items are Nap Packs, which are made of soft fleece. Wouldn't they be perfect to use while traveling?


Nap Pack ($39.99)



The nap pack rolls up and has a handle for easy carrying.



Little Alouette is one of my Etsy favorites. The gorgeous wooden toys are sanded silky smooth and come packaged and ready for giving. A portion of the profits from each toy sold goes to support Tree Pals, a program that pairs U.S. schools with a school in another country for a joint tree planting project.

Cherry rattle teether ($19.00)





Ringo the Reindeer Teething Toy ($15.00)



Skipping Hippos makes ponchos and jackets for little girls and matching ponchitos for dolls. I have a little girl who feels that being stuffed into a jacket is the worst of all possible fates, so I think a poncho is perfect solution. They are available in a rainbow of colors and trims. This is my favorite.

Fleece poncho ($46.00)



Please support handmade. More next week :o)