Peace, love and tie-dye! “Hands down, my favorite thing is getting to watch kids actually live in my clothes,” said Nicki Laureanti, owner of small shop the Painted Crane. “I don’t want to be a brand people only buy to take photos in or for special occasions. I want to be an ‘all the time kind of clothing brand.’ Seeing people wear my stuff and come back for more all the time really gets me falling in love with what I do.”

Launched in January 2018 from Kennewick, Washington, the Painted Crane is widely recognized for its colorful tie-dye designs and stylish apparel. “I actually used to make tutus! I was ‘Tin and Ella’ for a few years before I started doing this,” Laureanti shared. The Painted Crane shop name was inspired by Laureanti’s tattoo of a Phoenix, also her hometown. Now, the Painted Crane specializes in high quality knit dresses, joggers, bummies, harems, leotards, sweatshirts and tops (for both littles and mamas), among others. “Twirl dresses are my all time favorite thing to make,” said Laureanti. “They are fun to create for me.” I personally love the rainbow tie-dye tank tops for women. The colors are cheerful and the style is perfect for spring. The girls hem-dyed maxi dresses are also particularly adorable.

As many moms know, the actual tie-dye process can get messy, much like the tots wearing Laureanti’s creations. “My process is so different with each thing. It’s so fun to get to be creative each and every time. No two things are ever the same, so I make each piece a little differently just to make sure of that.” The Painted Cranes uses dye that is CPSC certified and safe for babies and children. After Laureanti hand dyes the fabrics, she washes them in a non-toxic and fragrance-free textile detergent to “set” the dye and prevent stains.

For custom pieces, customers can select up to three different color dyes. Laureanti has seen some curious combinations. “It’s funny because sometimes, people pick colors and I’m like, ‘uhhh for real?’ And then I make it and I love it. But, also the opposite has happened, where I thought I would love something and hated it.” Beyond the apparel, the Painted Crane also offers tie-dyed home decor, like baby crib sheets and swaddles. “I have people asking for me to tie dye such crazy things, like curtains and rugs,” Laureanti laughed. Sounds groovy!

Next up in the shop are tie tops in baby sizes through adults, plus a new ultra rare color. Join the Painted Crane VIP Facebook group here and check out the shop’s website to see photos before upcoming drops.

Suzanne Dobbertin has six children. I can barely keep up with my two boys, so I was immediately impressed. Dobbertin and her husband Ryan are the faces behind small shop Charlie + CHUMPS. The Michigan-based shop creates unique apparel for kiddos that can be comfortably worn every day. “The name Charlie + CHUMPS comes from our children: one daughter, Charlotte (Charlie) and five rowdy boys (the CHUMPS!),” Dobbertin explained.

Dobbertin initially began in the scarf business with her sister-in-law in 2016. “We were in business together for about a year when we decided to branch off into two different directions,” she said. “I still wanted to create and sew, and I loved making clothes for my own kids. Charlie + CHUMPS started as an extension of that.” The shop now offers a variety of stylish options for both boys and girls, including moto harem pants, hi/low crop tops, printed sweatshirts and hoodies, and cardigans with leather elbow patches. “My designs are inspired from many different things. I just notice things all around me and am always looking to incorporate fresh ideas into my designs.” My youngest has an adorable robot print shorts and shirt set from Charlie + CHUMPS and it is one of my favorites. Plus, the shop’s checkered hooded tanks and new neon and monochrome swimwear screams summer is coming.

Charlie + CHUMPS has become known for incorporating unexpected details in Dobbertin’s designs, like a leather stripe across the front of a t-shirt and using black and white striped contrasting fabric for a tank top. “I love working with different fabrics and textures. Sometimes, I just wake up in the middle of the night and a new idea pops into my head!” Her best selling design is the Charlie + CHUMPS basic black tee with the black leather pocket. I just ordered another one for my little guy because it is a staple in his wardrobe. “My favorite style is urban or street wear and I love all things black and white,” Dobbertin shared.

Charlie + CHUMPS also serves as a creative outlet for the busy mom. “I love every part of creating, from selecting fabrics and patterns and putting all the details together. I can tell you my least favorite part is cutting everything out. My husband does most of this for me,” she laughed.

Dobbertin has big plans for Charlie + CHUMPS this year. “Coming up next is the release of our spring and summer line, so be on the lookout for that!” Join the shop’s VIP Facebook group here for more details and use the code “CHUMP” for 15% off any purchase on the Charlie + CHUMPS website. Thanks Suzanne!

Hip Harp Leather was on a brief break last year after chief moccasin designer Linsey Harper welcomed twin girls in September, but the mama of four is finding her creative mojo again. “I am able to work on moccasins while all of the kids are sleeping. If my twins are napping, my three year old usually wants my attention, so day work is usually out of the question,” she laughed. “While I have not figured it all out, I feel like we are making progress and I’m happy with where we are.”

Based in Utah, Hip Harp Leather started back in 2014 as a hobby for Harper. “I wanted moccasins for my little girl. I’m the DIY-type that says ‘I can make that,’” she explained. “Most of the time those fail, but this one stuck. My friends wanted them for their kids and their friends wanted them. I decided to put them on Etsy and try making $100/month making moccasins. It took off from there.” Surprisingly, Harper had never touched a sewing machine until six months prior to opening up shop. “I am a hardcore tomboy. The only kinds of things I wanted to do growing up were playing soccer outside, climbing trees, snowboarding and beating the boys at everything,” she said.

These days, Harper handcrafts leather-licious moccasins, baby shoes and accessories (including hats, purses and camera straps) for kids in sizes 0 (3.7”) to 10/11 (7”).  The shop’s specialty moccasin designs, like unicorns, mermaids and sharks, are particularly darling. Harper also personally paints various designs on the moccasins. “My favorite part about making moccasins is the joy it brings other people. To see a smile on a kid’s face that does not want to take of his or her new moccs makes my heart so happy.” Her latest white bunny design with fuzzy ears is just perfect for Easter. “I think my favorite moccasins that I have designed and made are the Boat moccs in weathered brown,” she shared. “They are so different and they are probably one of, if not the top sellers.” Customers are offered all types of add-ons and customization options. “I have a couple of requests that made my heart explode,” said Harper. “I had a mama want some little doll-sized moccs for her preemie twins in the NICU. I also had a mama request moccs for her daughter that had braces on her legs.”

Like so many of us, Harper is finding her way juggling motherhood and the small shop business. “Don’t stress over the little things,” she offered. “Life will continue, even with a messy house. Kids will only be little once, so soak it up and enjoy every ounce of them.” Sage advice, Linsey Harper.

Check out what Harper is dropping next on the Hip Harp Leather website and join her VIP Facebook group here for more details.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

We dream that our children will grow to be compassionate, loving people and global citizens. Sarah Adams of Wire and Honey is inspiring activism to combat stereotypes that affect children through her apparel designs. “Social activism, feminism, inclusion, and fighting racism are all issues that are important to us and inspire us,” Adams explained. “Our goal is to inspire your (and our) tiny humans to be more empathetic, open minded, and aware than our own generation.”

Indeed, activism isn’t just for adults anymore. The Wire and Honey shirts, hats, totes and other related merch celebrate political and social change. “We don’t just want your children to wear our clothing, we want them to know why they are wearing them.” Some of the most popular designs include “the Notorious RBG,” “Smash the Patriarchy,” “Vaccines Save, Bro,” and Adams’ personal favorite, “Shero.” The shirts come in sizes for both tots and adults and “allow for teachable moments and honest conversations about issues that affect children all over our city, country, and the world.” For Adams, the messages are personal. “Dismantling white supremacy is the issue that I am most passionate about because all the issues that we fight against, such as racism and oppression and the patriarchy, are all tied up in white supremacy,” she shared. “If we can dismantle that system, then we can tackle the rest.” And, while Adams has received custom requests for controversial anti-vaccine and pro-Trump designs, she remains steadfast in her progressive mission. “Staying true to my values is more important to me than making money, so if it means that I lose some customers over it, then I am okay with that.” I admire Wire and Honey’s commitment to motivating young changemakers.

Based in Baltimore City, Maryland, Adams launched Wire and Honey in December 2014 after suffering a bout of post-partum depression and post-partum anxiety following the birth of her son. “Wire and Honey originally started as a hobby for me to pass the time until I could go back to my career teaching middle school. But I fell in love with it. I started with pop culture designs and quickly evolved to where we are now, supporting feminism and activism in kid friendly ways.” The shop name Wire and Honey is actually a twist on Adams’ home in Baltimore City. “Baltimore is best known to outsiders by the HBO show The Wire (no, our entire city isn’t like The Wire, despite what people think) and Baltimore hons.” “Hon” is a “Bawlmerese” word short for “honey” that has come to define the city’s working class women of the 1960s. As Adams put it, “think John Waters films, like Hairspray.”

Healing the world requires both justice and charity. Every month, Wire and Honey donates a portion of proceeds to various charitable organizations. Adams asks her family of customers to offer suggestions for different non-profits. “We want our customers to be involved in our philanthropy and have a voice and be passionate about the organizations we report.”

Ignite the social activist in your kids and check out the latest designs on the Wire and Honey website here or in Adams’ exclusive Facebook group. Adams has generously offered readers a 20% discount with the code “smallshopdrop.”

Me & Reekie is a family affair. “Me & Reekie roots started way back in the 80’s when our mom made and sold children’s clothing in Santa Barbara, California,” explained small shop owner Carine Cortez. “We grew up helping our mom Maria with the production process as soon as were old enough to hold a pair of scissors! In 2014, after my sister Rica had my nephew Sonny, we teamed up with our mom to make Me & Reekie into what it is today.” The shop name is a reference to Cortez’s sister Rica and “‘Me’ stands for everyone else in our family.”

True to their origins, the Me & Reekie trio handcraft handmade tops, pants, shorts and hoodies for kiddos. Each item is created from Me & Reekie designed patterns, exclusive fabric prints and then sewn by Cortez and her mother. I particularly like the shop’s birthday print collection, featuring t-shirts, shorts and pants for babes celebrating their birthdays up to age four. In fact, my own little guy wore the Me & Reekie Two “2” birthday harem shorts in January. “We specialize in birthday and holiday prints and our customers know when they need a fun and unique outfit for any occasion, we’ve got them covered,” shared Cortez. “Our clothing is captured in so many moments of joy in their lives and it is one of the best feelings ever.” The shop’s newest mom and dad heart tattoo prints are so perfect for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

Another fan favorite is the Me & Reekie harem pants. “They are soft and stretchy drop crotch pants that are perfect for growing babes who love to play,” Cortez said. “We created the pattern from scratch and have spent the past four years tweaking it to perfection.” Cortez described the Me & Reekie style as “easy and comfortable,” like her own personal style, with “a little more fun and loud with pops of prints.” “Being a work from home mom, I like to call my style ‘whatever is clean,’” she joked.

Cortez is proud of what her family has developed with Me & Reekie and with good reason. “We built this from the ground up all on our own and we are able to make a living doing what we love!” she exclaimed. Customers tend to gravitate towards Me & Reekie for “the quality of our designs and construction, our attentiveness to our customers, and most definitely, our custom prints.”

Join the Me & Reekie family through Cortez’s VIP Facebook group here and check out the shop’s latest prints on the Me & Reekie website. Plus, use the code “WYATT” to save during the next drop!

Ali Car turned from personal tragedy to opportunity after the passing of her mother from heart disease in 2018. “My family was going through a very difficult time, after my mother suddenly passed away in my arms. Opening my shop became therapeutic in a way,” Car shared. “Instead of focusing on sadness and loss, I had orders that had to get out. My sleepless nights were quickly turned to channeling a creative outlet. I pour my heart and soul into this shop and it has been an amazing journey so far.”

Car is the mama maker behind Scars and Gems, the extremely popular distressed and embellished denim shop based in Northwest Washington. The shop is named after her two daughters Scarlett (“Scar”) and Emme (“Gem”). “Family is the most important thing in the world to me, so it should not come as a surprise that naming my shop would incorporate my children,” she said. Car’s daughter Scarlett actually inspired the first pair of Scars and Gems distressed jeans. “My oldest daughter wanted to make a pair of jeans, but she has a body type that didn’t work with standard denim,” recalled Car. “We found a denim brand that worked for her and we had so much fun distressing them together. It became our thing.”

These days, the shop rips and shreds denim of all varieties and styles, patches with colorful fabric designs (like Car’s recent dinosaur and galaxy print releases) and embellishes with stones, studs and chains. Many shoppers do not realize the process behind distressing denim. “Each specific brand distresses differently and acid wash is a process all on its own,” Car explained. “You are using chemicals and adhesives, recreating hundreds of the same item over and over, as identical as possible. While it’s not rocket science, sometimes I think we deserve a little more credit than we are given.” Car’s favorite style is her itty bitty jeans. “There is just something about a little babe in tiny threads that I love. A close second would have to be sibling sets. I’m a sucker for matchy matchy,” she exclaimed.

Car has worked hard to create her own branding through Scars and Gems. “Distressed denim shops are everywhere, but when you look closely, we are all a little different and have our own distinguishing marks,” she said. “I’m not in competition with anyone. I like to do my own thing, push myself to what awesome thing is next. My shop has grown very quickly in a short amount of time. It’s been very humbling to have so many people have faith in you. I still get giddy when a new order comes in.” And, as Scars and Gems expands, Car is reminded of her mother’s wise words: “My mom always said to ‘be the person that you needed on your worst day.’ I try to keep that with me everyday.” As part of that commitment, Car contributes to various charities monthly in connection with her SGT Cares Collection. In February, she honored her mother through the sale of the shop’s “Happy Heart Skinnies,” a nod to February and American Heart month. This month, check out Car’s charity package related to domestic violence awareness.  “Rips and tears can turn into pure magic. Scars are beautiful and gems are like diamonds hidden in the rough,” she shared. “From tragedy, you can rebuild something better than before once you find yourself.” So well said, Ali.

Pick out something beautifully rebuilt for yourself on the Scars and Gems website and join Car’s VIP Facebook group for discounts on upcoming drops.

Remi + Mi owner Michelle Russell Light has the cutest sewing partner. Her 16 month old son Remi inspired both the shop name and the sweet plushes and loveys that Light creates. “When we go shopping for fabric, we do the ‘Remi test.’ We will find all of the furs and Remi will reach out his hand to touch all of the fabrics as we slowly walk past,” Light explained. “When he finds one that he likes, he will grab it and start chatting. I then try to figure out how I can incorporate it into an animal. I usually show him sample products as well and see which ones he gravitates towards. He is my number one product tester.  I also like to pay attention to animals that he likes at the zoo or stories and illustrations that he gets excited about.”

Even at a young age, Remi clearly has great instincts. The Remi + Mi plushes are handcrafted from ultra soft minky fabrics and faux furs that are both comforting and, most importantly, durable for little hands. Light offers three different sizes: Giant (25 in.), Cuddle (15 in.) and Teeny (5-6 in.). Most designs can be made lightly stuffed with polyfil or lovey style (i.e., unstuffed and floppy). “Each lovey from Remi + Mi takes several hours between designing, cutting, sewing and hand stitching,” said Light. “And because of that, each lovey and plush is made with so much love. Each one is truly a labor of love.” Even the Remi + Mi packaging is impressive. The plushes arrive wrapped in soft canvas materials with a handwritten note from Light.

Past Remi + Mi collections have included sea animals (like sharks and turtles), sloths, flamingos, and orangutans, among many others. In my own home, my youngest loves to bury his face in his Remi + Mi otter and moose plushes. “I continually find inspiration through stories or cute illustrations about animals,” Light said. “I also love watching nature documentaries, so I find a lot of design inspiration looking at the actual animals. We often go to the zoo to look at specific animals we are thinking of designing.” Light has a hard time selecting a favorite, but she is currently preferential to the Pterodactyl and the Mosasaurus from Remi + Mi’s recent dinosaur drop. “They are just so unique and unlike any other dinosaurs, I have seen available. I love sitting and adding every little handstitched detail,” she gushed. Another popular style is Light’s line of little Pookas, horned mythical creatures created from shaggy faux fur and intricate hand stitching details on the face. “They were designed purely from imagination and so it is exciting to see the vision come to life each time I create them. They have to be my favorite creatures to work on.”

Light initially set out to create a handmade Easter gift for Remi in spring 2018 and the shop has grown organically since then. The first Remi + Mi design “took hours of designing and hand stitching to get to where I was satisfied,” she shared. “The whole time, Remi sat on my lap as I designed, cut, and sewed my fabric. There were a lot of snuggle breaks as I slowly handstitched and pieced together his lovey. When I finished, I watched as my dearest little one snuggled with his first lovey. It sounds silly, but my heart was so full seeing this precious little boy smile, giggle, and snuggle the lovey that I made.” Ah, this makes my heart happy.

Remi + Mi is releasing a line of adorable farm animals just in time for the spring! Don’t miss the drop on Saturday, March 16 on Light’s Etsy shop page here and check out what Remi picks next by joining the Remi + Mi VIP Facebook group.

“If you see me checking you out in public, I’m probably trying to figure out if I could recreate what you’re wearing,” Megan Wright joked. Wright owns small shop Salt & Rain, which specializes in colorful children’s apparel. “I find inspiration for my designs everywhere! On social media, I follow women’s boutiques, pattern makers, fabric shops, and style bloggers who inspire me. I’m not so concerned with what anyone else is doing and it took me a while to get in to that headspace – but when I did, I was able to better connect with my vision for my shop. And thankfully, my customers dig it.”

And there is so much to dig. Salt & Rain’s signature Rainbow Collection is divine. “The design started as an accident, but that can be the best sometimes. My son wanted me to make him a romper and was really bummed that he could only pick two colors (body and cuffs), so I thought about it for a minute and asked if he would like a rainbow romper,” Wright shared. “This boy loves rainbows so he was literally so excited. I knew I had to deliver, and from that exchange, our Rainbow Romper was born. With a few tweaks, I expanded it to include t-shirt dresses and pullovers too.” Wright described Salt & Rain style as “retro, boho, and vibrant,” similar to her own minimalist style. “I want the kids wearing their Salt & Rain apparel to love it too. My kids would never choose to wear anything drab, so you won’t see any of that in my lines. It’s always comfortable, made for play, and machine washable too. Because kids!,” she laughed. Her current favorite style is the bell-bottom jumpers. “I can’t get enough of those little things.”

Wright launched Salt & Rain in 2015 under the name “Lucky Mama Designs,” through which she handcrafted bandana bibs and headbands. “In 2016, I became a single mom to my then-eight month old and 2.5 year old and had to decide if I was going to make it an income or quit it all together. There’s no time for hobby businesses when you’re in that spot,” Wright explained. “I decided to give it a real go, which at that point in my life, was a monumental leap for me. I wasn’t used to believing in myself like I do now. In 2018, I felt ready for a fresh start and rebranded as Salt & Rain.” The shop has since evolved from “a handful of bib orders a month to a full-blown clothing line that supports a family,” she said. Wright is so grateful for that support. “I try to find the words after each drop, but I just hope everyone knows that I mean it. Every like, comment, share, purchase, compliment…it means the world to me.”

Don’t miss the next Salt & Rain drop! Sunshine Stripes and Daisy Bells restock this Friday, March 15. Join the shop’s VIP Facebook group for details and check out the Rainbow Collection and all of Wright’s other handmade offerings on the Salt & Rain website here.

I nursed both kids exclusively until they were just shy of two years old. After all the sleepless nights, the mileage I put on my pumps, the crazy text messages I sent frantically to my favorite lactation consultant, and the tears, fears and nursing bras, I wear this now like a badge of honor. I’m not even going to pretend like I wasn’t sad when the journey eventually ended.

Kyra Brooks hears stories like mine frequently. Brooks, the owner of Indigo Willow, creates jewelry and similar keepsakes from breast milk. “I started Indigo Willow about five years ago. My daughter was a few months old and breastfeeding was a big part of my life,” she explained. “As moms know, breastfeeding is a challenging, rewarding journey, and I really wanted a way to memorialize this time in my life that I knew I would want to remember forever.  I searched for a way of doing this, and discovered the concept of breast milk jewelry.” Brooks then sought seed money from husband to launch Indigo Willow. “He initially said no,” she laughed. “He didn’t think it would be a good business model. I did it anyway, on a shoestring budget.” Brooks selected the name “Indigo Willow,” a nod to her favorite color and the beauty of the willow tree. “Also, my daughter has a tree name, and naming the company after a tree is a reminder that I’m doing all this for her.  It’s tough to run a small business and sometimes that little motivation helps.” Brooks’ resilience soon paid off. “Pretty soon, the orders came rushing in faster than I could keep up.”

Handcrafting jewelry from breast milk is about as complicated as it sounds. Brooks has her own proprietary technique, but generally speaking, the process involves shipping expressed milk (in a sealed storage bag) to the shop. The received milk is then preserved by combining chemicals and resin, which cause the milk to plasticize (i.e., harden), and then shaped into a stone or other keepsake. “I also really enjoy seeing what my customers can imagine with our colorization and shimmering effects,” said Brooks. In fact, breast milk jewelry is often confused for opals or pearls, although colors may vary depending on the color of the milk sample. “It took a lot of chemistry and experimentation to discover our formula that we use.  We tried every method you can think of before we found one that would work without yellowing and bubbling,” she shared. “That’s the biggest difference in quality between Indigo Willow and all the others – our breast milk stones are flawless. There are no bubbles, flaws, or inclusions in any of our stones.”

The shop offers a myriad of jewelry options to nursing mamas looking to commemorate their own breastfeeding and bonding experiences, including gold and silver rings, bracelets, charms, earrings and necklaces.  Brooks personally designs many of the jewelry items herself. “They start out on pencil and paper as I think of what I want it to look like. I refine the sketch into something my silversmith can work with. We have an exclusive contract with a wonderful silversmith, so all these designs come out really beautifully and are only available from us.” Her favorite is the “Timeless Crown Setting Small Oval,” a delicate heart design that forms the shape of a crown around the stone. “It was the first design that I made from scratch.  It is made in-house, and is a combination of customer feedback and my own imagination,” said Brooks. “Because it was my first unique design, it went through a lot of iterations as I taught myself how to design jewelry. I’m really happy with the final result.”

Check out all of Indigo Willow’s unique creations on the shop’s website or on the Indigo Willow Facebook fan page here for sneak peaks, upcoming promotions and giveaways.  

The trendy tots on the Rockin Llama Co. website look like they stepped off the set of 90’s cult classic films like Reality Bites or Empire Records. “Rockin Llama style, for me, is modern with a nostalgic twist. I love incorporating current styles with glimmers of the past seeping through. Very much inspired by 90’s grunge,” shop owner Kristina Kenner shared. The result is all that and a bag of chips. (Remember when people used to say that?)

The punk rock and heavy metal influence is strong with Rockin Llama Co., which offers parents an alternative to traditional kids apparel. “I started Rockin Llama Co. in 2016 after spending 10 years in the childcare industry,” explained Kenner. “At first, I was making napmats and other custom bedding, art and stuffed animals, but soon I found myself absorbed in creating clothing items for my son. The market is seriously lacking cool clothes for boys and I was sick and tired of footballs and puppies being my only options.  My friends and family convinced me to start a shop.”

When she first launched, Kenner “was committed to keeping everything unisex. Now I usually make a boy and girl version of each item.” Rockin Llama Co. has since become known for its pint-size modern-grunge fashions. “My life and interests have always revolved around music. Music is my sun,” exclaimed Kenner. “The feelings and memories a single verse can spark is magical.” The small shop is filled with handcrafted plaid skirted bummies and shorties (ala Cher in Clueless!), faux leather and metallic gold harem pants, crushed velvet pencil skirts, monochrome rompers, customizable bowler hats, and retro-inspired t-shirts. “I often design items based on my mood, which varies from dark and grungy to bright and quirky, Kenner said. “I am always striving to find something new that has edge, incorporates music or takes me back to the 90’s and 00’s. It may be skulls, stripes, cassette tapes or anything monochrome.” Shoppers love the Rockin Llama Co. suspender harems and derby skirts (a/k/a skirted bummies). “But my best seller is my ‘Grunge Gods’ (featuring rockers Cobain, Vedder, Corgan Grohl and others) and my ‘I’m This Many’ t-shirts.”

Rockin Llama Co. is a natural fit for Kenner, who described her own personal style as “a little quirky mixed with some rock and roll and sprinkled with a touch of boho.” The edgy shop allows Kenner to express herself through clothing. “Fashion has always meant a great deal to me.” She finds motivation in “bringing uniqueness to children’s clothing. I squeal inside when I see a child in something that I’ve made and the parent is proud to put them in Rockin Llama Co. because it is as special to them as their child is.”

All of the current Rockin Llama Co. offerings are available on the shop’s website here and Kenner’s Etsy shop. Join the Rockin Llama Co. VIP Facebook group for more information on the next rockin’ drop!