Item: Crocodile Puppet Mittens
Seller:  fuzzyfunkdesigns

Check out these fun crocodile puppet mittens made by Etsy seller Julia, the crafter behind the shop FuzzyFunkDesigns. I heard about Julia’s shop via my Etsy Item of the Day shop submission page, and I thought these crocodile mittens were adorable!

“I am a non-traditional stay at home mom who loves to knit. It can be challenging sometimes around my little one,” she said, “but I love to make things that other kids (or moms) will look at and say, “That’s so cool – where did you get that?””

When she’s not working on her Etsy shop, Julia stays very busy.

“Play with my daughter is high on the list. I also love reading, writing, and I just started taking some camera classes and would love a fancy camera to take some really cool shots!” she told me.

I asked Julia where she likes to browse on Etsy.com, and she told me about a newborn boy photography props shop.

“I love to check out MerryPhotoProps.. her little visors are completely unique and adorable! It makes me want to have another baby (but not yet!)” she said.

Julia’s advice to other handmade sellers is to try to take the best pictures you can.

“If you can get your items modeled on actual people (or in my case, kids), even better! If you’re not the best photographer, try to partner up with a pro, as pictures really do make a difference,” she said. “They will get you in treasuries and will help your work stand out.”

So what’s coming up next for Julia’s fun Etsy shop?

“When things slow down a bit I’m looking at adding a new line of stuffed animals to my shop. I’d also like to learn how to crochet one of these days!” she said.

Be sure to check out more of Julia’s darling baby items at her Etsy shop. Just click the shop name (FuzzyFunkDesigns) at the top of this feature! You can also find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @fuzzyfunkdesign.

Thanks for sharing your shop, Julia!

- Jackie

Item: Valentine’s Day Onesie
Seller: squarepaisleydesign

One of my most popular features on Etsy Item of the Day is this Dachshund print. Dachshunds always remind me of a boss I had awhile back, and there seem to be many people who connect with this breed of dog!

I came across this darling baby onesie that appeals to the dog lovers and the Valentine’s Day gift buyers alike. Isn’t it so cute??

This Etsy seller (squarepaisleydesign) can make this onesie in with a long or short sleeve version, and is selling it for a cool $13.00. Great price for a cute and unique gift!

- Jackie

Item: Kids Bathroom Art
Seller: krankykrab

How cute as these darling bathroom art prints to help kids along in the morning?

These lovely framed kids bathroom art are selling for $60.00 for the set and feature under the sea ocean animals set including the Brush, Flush, and Wash Sea Creatures (Crab, Octopus, and Whale)!

“This fun set of kids bathroom art is hand drawn before being scanned and colored digitally,” the seller writes in the Etsy item description. “I then print each piece using a professional printer using Ultrachrome archival inks, and acid free velvet fine art paper. Each bathroom art print will be personally signed by me, the artist.”

The art prints measure 5 inches by 7 inches with a white mat of 1.5 inches around, set in a handcrafted white wood frame totaling around 10.25 inches by 12.5 inches.

- Jackie

Item: Fortune Cookie Crayons
Seller: ivylanedesigns

Do you ever feel like you’ve been really, really lucky? The feeling of things falling together is priceless, especially after a lot of hard work.

I’m usually one to say that it’s the work that made it all happen, but this time I really do think there is a little luck thrown in.

The start-up company I started with 2 business partners back in mid-2010 (launched in January 2011) is having a great month so far, and we are expecting huge success from January 18 onward.

I’m not an Etsy seller, but I would guess each of the sellers experience this kind of rush of excitement when their shop gets a few sales under its belt.  It’s thrilling and rewarding to know that people are responding to the product you put out into the world – and I would bet it’s even more exciting when you have put a lot on the line to make it happen.

When sacrifice (and a lack of steady paychecks from “the man”) end up turning into something incredible, it’s pretty darn cool!

I thought I would feature these cool fortune cookie crayons today from an Etsy shop called ivylanedesigns in honor of luck.  Be sure to check out these eco-friendly creations by clicking the shop name (ivylanedesigns) at the top of this feature!

- Jackie