Anniversary Sneak Peek of ...

The Felt Commissary's new felt foods! These and more at our sidewalk sale this Saturday.

Time to go grocery shopping . . .

Let’s Talk Toys With Julliet Lowe

Introducing  Camden Rose at Baby Awearness!
  

“Each item that we sell is meticulously constructed by craftspeople that specialize in their art. Our items are not mass-produced, rather they are created one-by-one, the old-fashioned way. Our toys are constructed to last through multiple generations and the materials that make up the toys are gathered through organized sustainability programs. We use the highest quality materials, all certified non-toxic. Toys made from natural materials such as wood, silk, wool or beeswax have a warm and honest quality that does not give a false impression of weight, mass or touch. It is our responsibility to provide an environment that tells the story of our world honestly                                                       and at the same time protects that world."

Unless noted, ALL items offered by Camden Rose are made in the United States with materials gathered from sustainably sources. This is a choice in the protection of our future. By utilizing skilled American craftsmanship we assist in the renaissance of great American manufacturing. We also have assisted in the creation of a Fair Trade worker-owned cooperative outside of Lima, Peru. We diligently work to broaden the notion of family to include everyone in need of assistance. We feel that all people should have equal opportunity to flourish in life.”

This book and block set is simple, yet extremely clever and loads of fun for all! The story was designed to introduce some of the ways in which three simple shapes can be organized to form a wide variety of people, animals and objects. This is not only fun, but also deeply educational, as it increases the capacity for both creativity and geometric thinking. While reading the story, children and adults alike arrange and fit the blocks in the shapes pictured. After reading the story a new story of ones own can be made by tracing new shapes on paper and creating ones own book. From flowers to animals to the moon, the creation of objects is limited only by the imagination.

Our NEW Camden Dolls are crafted with pure wool innards, a cotton shell and cotton clothing. All of the girl dolls have a hairstyle with a matching cloth band that can be undone and the hair can restyled differently. Each doll is packaged with an identity card that tells a story about that particular doll and the Camden Rose Fair Trade Cooperative. Each doll is made by hand by hearing disabled women in our Fair Trade cooperative in Lima, Peru.

Please, E Kipa Mai.” Come Visit Us”

** Sage Mamas Making A Difference**

Lauren Rabb, Muse and Mom Behind The Felt Commissary

Here at Baby Awearness, we firmly believe in all things cute and lovable as well as eco-friendly. We are excited to add handmade felt food toys to our growing toy 'n play section (Also keep an eye out for July's "Let's Talk Toys" segment that's posting soon). Next time you're at the store, you'll have to take a look at these beautiful and well-made felt creations. They would make treasured additions to any child's toy collection.

Local mom and crafter Lauren is proudly married to her husband, a Navy man who just passed his 10-year mark this month. Their family is comprised of two young toddlers, their dog Kona, and their newest addition -- a foster St. Bernard named Rook.

In this debut post of our new monthly column Sage Mamas Making A Difference, Lauren shares some thoughts about being a busy momtrepeneur and the inspiration that started The Felt Commissary:

What inspired you to start making your own toys?
I was inspired to make my own toys because of all the recalls on toys that were being made in China. I only had one or two recalled toys but that scared me. Plus I had just spent my hard-earned money to buy toys that my son couldn't play with. I had seen a few felt toys around but they were extremely expensive and almost looked like something I wouldn't want my child to "mess up." So I jumped online and got some ideas from other craft sites and began experimenting.

My first few ventures weren't very pretty. I tried to make an eggplant and it turned out looking like a giant purple chili pepper... it was funny! I really couldn't help but laugh. As I started to get the hang of it, I really enjoyed the sense of pleasure I got from other parents' responses. I got a lot of "you could sell this," though I really didn't think I could until I started to ask people who weren't familiar with eco-friendly toys if they would be willing to pay for handmade toys. When one mom in particular, who told me she would rather spend money in a store "the easy way," saw my felt foods, she became an instant convert! That was validating and nudged me into the direction of turning my craft into a business venture.

On your label, it says you use eco-friendly materials. Where do you get them? Do you make your own felt?

I don't make my own felt... I would love to but I don't think I could keep my prices as low as they are if I were to do that. I get my felt threw local craft suppliers and I try and make my foods around the various colors that are in stock, which can sometimes limit my creativity. I also use locally made fiber-fill. I am a firm believer in helping the local economy.

How do you balance your crafting and business while being a mother?
This is the hardest part of the whole thing! I really have to scrape together little bits of time to make felt toys. I cut out pieces while I am waiting on noodles to cook for mac and cheese, or I sew while my husband and I catch up on our DVR-ed episodes! I really try and make the best of the little bits of time I have. However, I often find myself sitting up late at night crafting these little gems because I can't turn my creativity off long enough to go to bed (LOL).

Can you offer any ideas to parents and kids out there on creative ways to play with their felt food toys?
These felt toys have a wide array of uses. I use them to teach my son (who is 2.5 years old) and soon my daughter (who is 4 months old) about wise food choices. Instead of calling bread just bread I talk about wheat bread. I know he is only 2.5 years old but he seems to like when I explain things in an adult fashion. I also talk to him about carrots and strawberries and then show him our garden and I can see the light bulb go on as he makes the connection at the dinner table when he points out the food on his plate and the felt food on the floor! My husband and I joke that my son is a self-made fruitarian. He doesn't eat meat and would eat fruit for every meal if he could!

Also, the felt foods help sometimes to introduce new items. I also use them to teach colors and counting as well as chores. My son loves to pull out ALL of his felt food and pretend to cook, wash and eat them, but when it comes to the clean up part it can be more difficult. But by being specific it has really helped. For instance, I tell him to "bring me the carrots" and he does!

What is your favorite felt toy food so far?

Wow, I feel picking a favorite felt food is like picking a favorite child. I love them all. I just made pop-sicles or "pops" as they are called at my house and those turned out great! I love the corn in the husk as well as the peel-able bananas! However my son couldn't make it through a day with out his "appies" or apples, real or fake! I can't wait to see what my daughter's favorites are!

Any new foods to look forward to?
I am having fun creating new food that should be in the store soon! I have cupcakes and green apples as well as cherry pie slices. I am also crafting pizzas with removable toppings! That should really be something to look out for!

Baby A: Thank you Lauren for taking the time to make such wonderful handmade goodies to share with us all as well as for inspiring us with your story.
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Sage Mamas Making A Difference is a new monthly column that is now part of Baby A's blossoming blog. If you know of any inspiring moms in our local community, or are one yourself (modesty not required), drop us a line at lani@babyawearness.com so that we may feature your story and endeavors about how you're making a difference right here in paradise. (LL)

Let's Talk Toys with Julliet Lowe

The Educational Value Of  Natural Toys

We all strive to live on a healthy plane. We strive for sincerity and love. This in itself is a form of education. Education, for me, means to draw out what we already have within ourselves.

When our children take an interest in something, whether it be from a toy in front of them or a school subject, they will follow that interest with intense concentration. This is when true learning takes place. We as parents have the responsibility to help our children unfold under our protection and guidance. We watch them bloom into wonderful personalities.   Healthy children grow up to benefit themselves, their parents, and essentially, the entire world.

I use this as my goal when purchasing toys for Baby aWEARness. Here's a sneak peek as to what's coming soon..

Push Toys

Pull Toys

Music Toys

Food Play

Happy Playtime to you and yours,
Julliet Lowe

Lets Talk Toys with Julliet Lowe

Welcome to the land of "make believe." This is a wonderful age (between 2 to 5 years old) where children love to pretend. We had a mom walk into the store a while ago with her son dressed up like a fireman. He truly was a fireman in that costume.Those of us with daughters know all about the "princess" world and it never fails to amaze me how kids can imitate with instant accuracy.This type of creative play involves both growth and development and changes daily.

Baby aWEARness provides toys that stimulates this stage of play. Your little aspiring chef will have loads of fun preparing a healthy stir fry one day and prepare a yummy sushi meal the next. Everyday can be your birthday with our Melissa and Doug cake set.


We have building blocks that "becomes" scenes for villages.. or where your little ones imagination can turn them into boats or telephones.

Firetrucks, Dump trucks, Excavators, Trains, all provide hours of fun! These vehicles made out of natural beechwood with rubber tires have knobs to move for steering which makes it's function all the more cool!

Until the next, Let's Talk Toys..Happy Play time!

-Julliet Lowe