So Cool for School

Forget those boring, run-of-the-mill school supplies, Cool Pencil Case will make even the most reluctant student want to go back.

Cool Pencil Case offers products for any taste and style - if you can't find it here, it doesn't exist.  Here's a bit of what you'll find over at Cool Pencil Case;

Collectable Erasers

~ Animal Erasers

~ Assorted Chocolate Bar

~ Cookie Erasers

~ Fast Food

~ Sushi

...and more

Pencil Cases

~ Humorous - Toothpaste

~ Chic - Violin Pencil Pouch

~ Asian Contemporary - Asian Roll

~ Shoe Craze - Converse Shoe

~ Youth - Plush Animal

~ Animals - Blah Fish

~ Sporty - Race Car

Pens & Pencils

~ Chop Stick Pencils

~ Popcorn Pens

~ Couple Pens

~ Musician Pencil

...and more

Desk Supplies

~ Cool Stickers

~ Pocket Diary

~ High Top Shoe Notepads

~ Sticky Notes

~ Day Planners

Not only is Cool Pencil Case the hottest supplier of all your back-to-school needs, they also offer free, fast shipping for orders over $30 and no coupon is required.  Can't decide?  Grab a gift certificate and let your student have all the fun.

Check out Cool Pencil Case at; http://www.coolpencilcase.com/

Tail Wags - Karyn Climans

My name is Karyn Climans and I am the owner and creator of Tail Wags Helmet Covers. After being a stay-at-home mom with 2 special needs kids for 15 years, I wanted to find a job that allowed me the flexibility to continue looking after my children and would provide an outlet for my creative skills. I was also determined to be my own boss because I couldn’t imagine having to report to someone else after being “independent” for so long. It’s been 4 ½ years since Tail Wags was officially launched and I haven’t looked back since.

Several years ago, while skiing with my sons, I was involved in a serious accident. Fortunately, I was wearing my ski helmet and it saved my life. The passion to promote safety awareness became the impetus behind starting Tail Wags Helmet Covers Inc. Over the years I had acquired a background in teaching, children’s programming and costume design and I took all of that knowledge and created Tail Wags Helmet Covers, a company making fun, whimsical helmet covers for every type of safety helmet. I make it fun for kids and adults alike to wear their helmets for every sport they enjoy and by doing so I have found a way to help prevent unnecessary head injuries.

There are over 40 adorable designs of helmet covers including the Fairy Princess, Menacing Monster, Bizzy Bee, Goldie the Goldfish, and Cheeky Monkey. The entire product line can be viewed at http://www.tail-wags.com/. People keep asking me if I’ll ever run out of ideas for new designs and I reply, “I doubt it but if I do, then I’ll retire”. Customers often suggest new designs for Tail Wags, for example, I’ve been asked for years to create a Moose. It’s taken a while because it’s a challenge to prevent the moose’s antlers from drooping but the new moose will be ready in the next couple of weeks.

My most unique design is the new bridal helmet cover. I received a special request to create a helmet cover for a bride who was riding off in to the sunset on her Harley motorcycle. I was so pleased with the final results that I am now offering a bridal cover for bike, ski and motorcycle helmets as part of my regular line.

Balancing work and family life is always a tough juggle. Owning my own business has been a lot more work than expected. My busiest season is September through March although summers are getting crazier ever since I launched my new lightweight lycra helmet covers, which are ideal for bike helmets. Even weekends are often booked with marketplace events. The only reason I can now devote this amount of time to Tail Wags is my sons are now 19 and 17 years old and slowly but surely, they are becoming more independent. The things around the house that suffer the most are home-cooked meals, housekeeping and laundry. In response, I’ve hired a housekeeper and my husband does all of the laundry. Fortunately, he doesn’t complain because he knows I’m working extremely hard.

The best piece of advice I can offer other moms planning to start their own business is to try and be as flexible as possible. Obviously you can’t postpone certain obligations with your kids but, whenever you can, make a conscious choice to ignore other tasks. I willingly gave up my good housekeeping award several years ago when I realized that it’s impossible for me to keep a spotless house while running my home-based business. I’ve simply learned to live with the chaos because there’s no point in driving myself crazy over the bits of thread all over the house. Before Tail Wags, I was a regular at the fitness club. Today, I’m happy to work out twice a week along with walking the dogs daily.

Tail Wags helmet covers retail from $30.00 to $45.00 (although the special edition Bridal cover is $60.00). They are available throughout North America and increasingly overseas. A complete list of retailers is available at: http://www.tail-wags.com/buy.html. You can also order online direct from Tail Wags at:

http://www.tail-wags.com/buycurrency.html.

I’d like to add one more thing: When you are passionate about what you’re doing, anything is possible. So if you’ve got a great business idea, a supportive family and the resources, I’d encourage you take the plunge and start your business. The growing number of mompreneurs is testament to the fact that it can be done!

The Handmade Project - Interview

I stumbled across Traci on Twitter and just had to know more about her wonderful business - The Handmade Project: http://www.thehandmadeproject.typepad.com/

Here is what Traci had to say;

Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a fourth-generation kitchen gadget junkie who started sewing in 2001. I started The Handmade Project as a personal challenge to kick consumerism and give self-sufficiency a chance.

When did you start making these wonderful dolls?
I started making dolls in 2007 and this has been a long journey for me. There are so many talented women out there and I wanted to make sure that when I made dolls, that they were my own originals. I created a pattern and am in the final stages of my prototypes. My "Itty Bit" doll is a design that I'm really happy with and want to be known for...

...as oppose to this poor gal who didn't quite make the cut:

She's a bit hairy and a little scatterbrained, but she means well (you can read more about her shortcomings here). I make a point to let readers see my best and worst to let them know that everyone has a starting point and you can only get better if you keep trying and not give up (Yo Gabba, Gabba, anyone?!)

Where did you get the idea?

I started making dolls for my daughter as I wanted her to have

a beautiful baby doll that reflected her image. A printable version of Emily is available here. You can also have fun with a virtual paper version of her at;

http://thehandmadeproject.typepad.com/dress_up/

Do you make them to specifics or whatever you feel like doing?
I do fulfill custom orders, but only if it's for a special occasion. The last couple of orders were used for a fundraiser and another two dolls were shipped to Thailand! I'm proud to say that I've participated in these opportunities, but prefer making originals as they best reflect my creative energy at that moment.

Do you make boy dolls as well?
I do make boy dolls and have sold out when I sold at craft fairs. I hope to make a few "Itty Bit" boys this batch...

Where do you sell them?
You can find my toys at http://www.etsy.com/shop/thehandmadeproject and coming soon: http://www.thehandmadeproject.com/

Tell us about the play food?
It's funny because I was enamored like every other craftsters around 2007-2008. Felt play food is a common craft in Japan and we just got hip to it in America. When I saw it, I had stars in my eyes and wanted to make an entire line. I use to sell actual play food sets, but grew bored as I was following a trend and not my own invention--you know? I am glad, though, that I have sewing patterns available. I've had moms tell me that they used my patterns for their first sewing project with much success--and that's what's important about this craft business of mine, being able to encourage others to learn such a great skill and to make ethnic dolls that reflect a child's beauty.

How has the response been so far with your items?
My response has been really good, which was surprising to me because I didn't take a fancy workshop or earn an art degree. I am self-taught, but being so has allowed me to see that our personal expressions are just as meaningful as the experts'. Now, if only I could find more time...

Anything else you'd like to add?
Of course. I want to say to your readers that if you have an inkling to start your own business--go for it! Start small, stay courageous, and be very patient and it will come to you. Also, sign up for Etsy's "Success" newsletters--and read them! They are a wealth of knowledge for start-up craft businesses.

Last, but now least: I will be hosting a sewing pattern giveaway to celebrate this interview.

Leave a comment on Sandie's post to give her thanks, then visit mine at; http://www.thehandmadproject.typepad.com/ and leave a comment with your email to register for the Veggie Salad and Veggie Pita PDF pattern!

Traci will also be featured on BlogHer on Thursday April 29th. Be sure to pop by and check it out :)