Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Raptor Baby: Simple Imagination ~A Valentine Giveaway!~

This giveaway is closed!

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought it would be a fabulous opportunity to showcase a few Etsy Shops. After all, I LOVE ETSY! Why do I love Etsy? Well, I love Etsy for several reasons. I love Etsy because it's different and unique. I love Etsy because you can browse around or ask for EXACTLY what you want. I love Etsy because the sellers are PHENOMENAL individuals with true talent who are raising money for great causes - whether it be donating to causes important to their hearts or earning extra money so they can stay home with their children. You just can't go wrong with Etsy - or I never have!

I want to introduce you to the first Etsy Shop in our "I Heart Etsy Valentine's Day Event" - Raptor Baby. Raptor Baby has a special place in my heart because I ordered a very special collection of toys from Lauren, the shop's creator, for my son. I saw Lauren's shop of wooden toys and decided I HAD to have something very special for "The Short One". You see, it had already been decided that he was getting a castle for Christmas and I thought, HE NEEDS KNIGHTS! So, what did I do? I sent Lauren at Raptor Baby a message and asked for knights, along with a king and queen. Not ONLY did Lauren let me specify colors (we went with favorite football teams...hehehe), but she made the most precious creations I have ever seen. I am SO proud of them - and I didn't even make them!!

Lauren has sets for both boys and girls and if I were a betting gal, I would say if you ask for it, she can make it. Never hurts to ask anyway! I love that Lauren not only creates wooden people, animals, robots and more, but she ALSO creates homes for them! Lauren does it all and I LOVE her work! Since I have a set of these precious little ones, I can honestly say, Lauren's work is top notch! The painting is detailed and the quality is LASTING. Trust me, if my rough and tumble little one can play with them without the paint chipping, they're a winner! Everyone who comes to our house wants to play with these. Why? I think because they're different! They're not toys that everyone else has, a toy from the shelves of Toys R Us, but a handmade item made especially for your son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, etc.

I recently sent Lauren a few questions so we could get to know her better and if I hadn't already fallen in love with her, the answers to her questions did it! I LOVE the story about her daughter and the name of her shop - she just scored more "cool" points with ME! Let's get to know Lauren, the creator of Raptor Baby:

What is the inspiration behind the name of your shop?

When I was pregnant with my daughter she barely made her presence known - just soft, little wiggles and an occasional hiccup. However, as soon as she emerged (and ever since) she has been a whirlwind of noise and activity! She was a precarious newborn, waking from sleep at the slightest noise and letting out ear-splitting cries. My husband and I, new to parenthood, had to find ways to laugh to keep from crying! Thus, we invented the nickname 'Raptor Baby' for her, to describe the prehistoric shrieks she so often emitted. She no longer cries like she did and the nickname is no longer used but it's a fond reminder of the long way we have come as a family. :)

How did you get started creating your imaginary play items?

As a child, I wanted to be an artist or a ballerina but finding that I had no artistic ability and questionable rhythm, I gave up those pursuits and started writing poetry instead. After my daughter was born, my life was consumed by motherhood - dirty diapers, wet kisses and lullabies. :) All things that I love (minus the diapers, of course) but I found, after time, that I needed an outlet just for me! I wanted to pursue a craft that was simple and friendly and that would appeal to everyone. I found, to my complete surprise, that painting suddenly made sense to me! And I began creating these sweet little dolls for my daughter and her cousins. I opened up my shop so that I would have room in my home to make more! :)


What is your favorite item you've created so far and why?

Every new thing I create is my favorite! Just ask my husband - every time I paint something new I say, "Look how cute this is!" and have to force myself to put it in the shop! I get a little sad every time I stow them away in their packaging to send to their new homes. :)

Do you have any new ideas in the works you'd like to share?

I'm bursting with ideas but keeping up with my wild girl leaves limited time for painting. However, at the moment I'm working out plans for a living room set that I'll be ready (hopefully) to debut in the near future!

Do you have any tips for readers who would like to buy/sell on Etsy who have not done so previously?

For a new seller - Just keep with it! Keep creating and working and doing what you love and eventually people will respond to it.

For a new buyer- I have never 'met' a seller I didn't like. Everyone with a shop on Etsy is devoted to their product because everything is handmade. This generally means that they are all open to custom made items and quick to respond to your questions. It makes for a wonderful and unique buying experience. But beware because it can be terribly addicting! :)

Is there anything you would like to tell readers about yourself on a more personal level - kids, hometown, YOUR favorite childhood toy, pets, etc?

I am a 27 year old, stay-at-home mama of the most lovely 19 month old little girl! I was raised in San Antonio, Texas where I met and married my husband. As a little girl, I loved books and barbies and riding my bike. I feel so thankful that I'm able to have such a wonderful creative outlet and am immensely grateful by the positive response to my toys!

And finally, what are your thoughts on Valentine's Day? Do you celebrate?

My wedding anniversary is very near Valentine's Day and both days are generally celebrated together with a much needed night out!

Thanks, Lauren for allowing us to get to know you better!! And now, for the giveaway I know you have ALL been waiting for...











Lauren has graciously created a Valentine's Day Play Set specifically for one very lucky Champagne Wisdom reader! The winner will receive these two Valentine's Day "besties" and their home. I LOVE THIS SET! What a fabulous Valentine's Day gift!


To enter the giveaway:
Simply leave a comment below telling me your FAVORITE item from Raptor Baby.

Here are a TON of extra chances to win (be sure to leave a comment and email address for each entry):
*Leave Lauren a comment about another item you would love to see her create
*Become a fan of Raptor Baby on Facebook
*Subscribe via email or feed to Champagne Wisdom
*Follow!
*Follow Champagne Wisdom on Twitter and tweet (leave a link)
*Leave a comment on any other non-giveaway post
*Tell me who you will give this to if you're the lucky winner
*Enter any of the giveaways going on over at 2 Little Muffins - and let me know which giveaway you entered
*Make a purchase from Raptor Baby during the giveaway period and earn 10 additional entries!

That's a ton of chances to win. Here's wishing you love and luck...

This giveaway will end 1/30 at 12:00p.m. central time. Winner will be selected via random.org, emailed and given 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

119 comments:

Samantha Cummings said...

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you featured Raptor Baby - I had never seen this shop and the creations are darling. I love the Raptor Cottage - so cozy. This playset is so cute!

The figures are a bit reminiscent of some plastic ones I played with as a kid that had been my mothers. They were created in the 50's and went to a tacky yellow dollhouse. I loved them, but they were plastic and nowhere near as cute as these handmade ones!

Thanks for the giveaway opp!

Cynthia said...

My favorite item is the Raptor Cottage.

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

Cynthia said...

I would love to see Lauren create Raptor sea, land, and air animals.

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com.

Cynthia said...

I'm a fan of Raptor Baby on facebook

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

Cynthia said...

I follow your blog

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

Cynthia said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted:

http://twitter.com/THEotherCYNtwit/status/7738411853

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

Cynthia said...

I'll give this to my niece, If I win

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

Cynthia said...

I entered the Inseine Creations Handmade Brown Sugar and Fig Soap giveaway at 2 Little Muffins

cyn.cynthiia at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

i would love the barnyard fun for my grandson.
polly
cherubpk@aol.com

polly said...

would love the barnyard fun for my grandson.
polly
cherubpk@aol.com

Giveaway Lady said...

I love A Girl And Her Dog!!! Please enter me:) Would love to win this. Thanks!!!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

Giveaway Lady said...

I became a follower:)

Giveaway Lady said...

Also became a subscriber!!

Katy said...

I think the Raptor Cottage is adorable!!!!

Katy said...

I entered the Crocheted item giveaway on 2 Little Muffins.

Liz said...

I ADORE the Cottage!

Liz said...

I would love to see some movie-themed sets. My nerdy little girl would love some Star Trek figures!

Liz said...

I'm a Raptor Baby fan on Facebook. I also hearted her store.

Liz said...

This would go to my daughter.

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

I like the kitchen play set.
a_heart4home[at]yahoo[dot]com

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

Our daughter would love this
a_heart4home[at]yahoo[dot]com

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

I think career besties would be cute.
a_heart4home[at]yahoo[dot]com

erin, maker of chimes said...

Love the A Girl and Her Dog - Valentine's Day Set.

erin, maker of chimes said...

I'd be putting them on a shelf inthe nursery and saving them for my little one!

windycindy said...

The Kitchen Playset is adorable!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

A Treehouse Playset might be fun!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Maybe, even a playground or
backyard.

windycindy said...

I am a Facebook Fan of Raptor Baby!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

Also, I am an email subscriber to
Champagne Wisdom.
Many thanks to you!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I follow you on Twitter.
"Tweet!" ~ http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/7757818264.
Merci, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

My precious little niece would be the recipient of this wonderful Valentine's Set!
Thanks very much.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I entered the wonderful Crocheted
Item Giveaway from Amlowi on Etsy
at 2 Little Muffins.....
Merci beaucoup!
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anne said...

I love the barnyard set. SO CUTE!!!

aj270750@gmail.com

Anne said...

I would love to see some grocery store things to go with the dolls, like a shopping cart full of food or something like that.

aj270750@gmail.com

Anne said...

I subscribe by e-mail.

aj270750@gmail.com

Anne said...

Since I myself don't have kids this would go to the two little girls that I babysit. They would LOVE this.

aj270750@gmail.com

Tabathia B said...

I like the raptor besties

Tabathia B said...

I would give this to my daughter

April @ PolkaDots n' PinkySwears said...

I love the kitchen play set!

april_vereb@yahoo.com

April @ PolkaDots n' PinkySwears said...

My daughter would love to see animals!!

april_vereb@yahoo.com

April @ PolkaDots n' PinkySwears said...

I'm subscribed via email!

april_vereb@yahoo.com

jakiesmom said...

i love the kitchen playset

RR said...

I like the Barnyard Fun set. So cute!

RR said...

I would like to see zoo animals.

Jenelle Basinger Unzicker said...

These are great! I really like the boy besties on her Etsy site. Thanks for featuring Raptor Baby. I hearted her on my Etsy favorites.

Wehaf said...

I love the astronaut and aliens, and would love to see more space-related items.

urchiken at gmail dot com

Camille said...

I love all of the raptor besties especially the valentines ones

Kelly said...

All of the besties are so cleverly painted - they're lovely. The aliens are really amusing.....

raveninthewolfden said...

I think I was drawn to this blog by your name.. and of course the give away! =) thanks for sharing your blog with me!

Kristin said...

I like the raptor cottage.

Kristin said...

This would be for my oldest daughter.

Kristin said...

I entered the Hair Bow and Personalized Clippie Giveaway from MAEandMe on Etsy.

Anonymous said...

I love the fairy ring play set. How adorable!

I love this giveaway idea--hope I'm lucky!

Marci
june_spirit2628@hotmail.com

silverhartgirl said...

I love the
Astronaut and Aliens

silverhartgirl at gmail.com

SewSweetStitches said...

I'm a facebook fan!
Melissa

sewsweetstitches_on_etsy@yahoo.com

SewSweetStitches said...

I'm a twitter follower! username SweetStitches
Melissa

sewsweetstitches_on_etsy@yahoo.com

SewSweetStitches said...

I think Raptor Babies should have a veterinarian playset!
And maybe matroshkas?

SewSweetStitches said...

If I won, I'd give the playset to my 2-yo. She loves little miniature things like this, and I know it would become her favorite!

Melissa
sewsweetstitches_on_etsy@yahoo.com

bison61 said...

I like the Raptor Ninjas - Valentine's Day

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Karen said...

How cute! If I won, the prize would go to my two sweet valentine kiddos!

Sharlee said...

How adorable...I'm following your blog.

sharleeritz@gmail.com
www.customcandybarwrappers4u.blogspot.com

jennifer57 said...

i like the ninjas

Unknown said...

I love the Fairy Ring and so would my little fairy babies! So cute!

crunchygreenmom(at)gmail(dot)com

Summer said...

I love the raptor ninjas! So funny!

Summer said...

subscribe
summywhite at gmail dot com

Natalie S said...

My favorite item is the girl raptor robots. Adorable!

Natalie S said...

I am a fan of raptor baby on facebook

Natalie S said...

If I win - I will give this to my 3 daughters to share.

Natalie S said...

I would LOVE to see a raptor Owl!!

Natalie S said...

I subscribe to Champagne Wisdom emails!

Natalie S said...

Forgot to give my email in the other comments
nmstreber@mac.com
Natalie S

Bombtastic Belle said...

These are so cute! I like the barnyard fun set
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

mim said...

miriam dot nussbaum at gmail

i love the Barnyard Fun set-- my littlest sibs love animals!

mim said...

i'd give this to my littlest bro--he's 3!

mim said...

i follow this blog with google friend

mim said...

i entered http://2littlemuffins.blogspot.com/2010/01/inseine-creations-handmade-soap-review.html

comment 122

Anonymous said...

I adore the fly me to the moon rocket play set!

lankylegslass(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog.

lankylegslass(at)hotmail(dot)com

Holly said...

toss up between raptor cottage and barnyard fun! so cute!

matthollycart@gmail.com

Holly said...

i follow your blog!

matthollycart@gmail.com

LaDonna said...

I love the Valentine set and will let my daughter's god-child play with it until I get my own graandhild. LaDonna

Jess said...

I love the Valentine's Day Ninjas.

Jessica P.
jessicap067@gmail.com

BargainFun said...

I like the astronaut and alien
bargainfun1 at yahoo

BargainFun said...

I fanned them on fb
bargainfun1 at yahoo

noreen said...

fairy ring play set is just so sweet

Kristin said...

I entered the Gone Doggie giveaway.

Jay said...

Daughter would like the trio of girls!
rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com

Maggie M.- maggiebugjuice@aol.com said...

I love the bed bug free bedroom! THese are adorable and I am in love with how cute they are!
Thank you!
Maggie M.

Grace said...

The Raptor Pets are pretty adorable!

gracescotkeith at hotmail dot com

sscharick13@yahoo.com said...

I loooove fly me to the moon and the alien set! These appear to be well made, simply designed toys without all the bells and whistles. Exactly the type of toys I prefer for my toddler! I am happy to see a nice mix of toys for both boys and girls. Good luck to you! These are very cute & clever! :) I know they would be well loved in our house!

tree said...

My favorite is the Fairy Ring Play Set!! i also LOVE the farmyard fun!! These are great! thanks for the chance to win!!

enchantedtree(at)hotmail.com

Gone Doggie said...

I am now a follower on your blog

gonedoggie said...

I am now a facebook fan of Raptor

gone doggie said...

If I win, I have a niece that I am going to give this to. She will LOVE it.

Unknown said...

I entered a giveaway at 2 little Muffins. Amlowi on Etsy Giveaway

Michelle said...

I just love etsy shops also. I hae bought several items there. I loved the astraunauts and aliens. My grandson would love those

nevaehsangel@verizon.net

Katrina said...

i just love the:
A Girl and Her Dog

it is cute and looks like my daughter and our dog

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

DEBIJOT said...

I love the Raptor Barnyard Fun.

DEBIJOT said...

I would love to see a Bride and Groom and her site. Thanks

DEBIJOT said...

fan of Raptor Baby on facebook.

DEBIJOT said...

I would give this to my granddaughter.

Hippie Geek Punk Mama to 5 said...

The Raptor Ninjas are by far my favorite! Absolutely adorable and my kids would LOVE them.

MKB said...

I love all of the playsets but I like the ninjas! Kbroderi@msn.com

Greta said...

The Kitchen Playset is adorable!

Greta said...

If I won I would give this set to my 8 month old daughter!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

The astronaut and aliens is my favorite! So cute!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

If I won they would go to my 3 year old son, Pierce.

NWTyping said...

i'm a follower!

please enter me again! :)

yaya~

nw typing at live dot com

amber.hope said...

I follow!

amber.hope@hotmail.com

amber.hope said...

I love the Fairy Ring Play Set sooo cute!

amber.hope@hotmail.com

amber.hope said...

It would look so awesome if you could find a way to add wings to the fairies!!

amber.hope@hotmail.com

amber.hope said...

If I were to win I will give this to my two daughters Im sure they would love it!

amber.hope@hotmail.com

amber.hope said...

I commented on your post about hosting the Digorno House Party! Awesome find!!

amber.hope@hotmail.com

Lyudmila said...

Matryoshka Raptor Besties are best!

Lyudmila said...

I want to win this prize for my little niece

Anonymous said...

How cute! I like the Barnyard Fun Set. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog

Anonymous said...

I'd love to give this little set to my son.
crafts[at]oursideofthemountain[dot]com

Marianna said...

I love the Astronaut and Aliens! lol

Marianna said...

I'd give this to my son's daycare!