Product in Focus: Boobook from Lil Pip

Up next in our Product in Focus series, we feature a 'hootiful' product which makes the perfect newborn baby gift!  This Q&A session courtesy of Jane from Lil Pip.

1. Name of product: Boobook
2. What is the purpose of the product? A perfect present for newborns or babies, the Boobook owl ribbon taggy is designed to stimulate babies senses.  The grosgrain, satin, velour or lace ribbons provide texture for little fingers and the beautiful soft minky back is just gorgeous to snuggle into.  The wings have added crinkle to delight a curious baby!  The long ribbon 'handle' can hang from your pram, hook onto rings in the car, bassinette .. many options.
3. Who can use this product? From newborn to the age of 2 years but they have been known to hang in sewing rooms and I had one customer who bought them as gifts but were quickly taken by her 7 and 5 year old girls!
4. What is the product made from? 100% cotton, ribbons of all types, minky or occasionally chenille back and crinkly wings are made from recycled plastic.
5. Where is the product created? In my sewing space at home in Melbourne (usually known as my bedroom!)
6. How is the product created? Oh this is the fun part - I love to play with all the beautiful fabrics and ribbons, designed just the right combination.  They are all created by me and Maxine - my sewing machine!
7. How did the product idea come about? Owls were becoming very popular a couple of years ago and I had seen something online.  I made a couple for friends with new babies and had so many comments about them so decided to refine the design and make them myself.  Nearly 2 years later, I have made over 200 of them.
8. Where can customers buy this product and what is the RRP? Visit my Facebook Page or my website or for the full range visit me at the markets in the inner west of Melbourne. Details are on my blog.  They cost $25 each
9. Anything else about the product you would like to mention? Each and every one of them has a name. To me they all have their own little characters. Bizarre? Yes I'm now becoming the crazy owl lady :)

Whats On!

The following invitation is issued to  all TSS blog readers…

Make sure you keep an eye on the Or Elsie! Facebook page to be kept up to date with the events of virtual launch party  which will kick off at noon (NSW time) with random games and giveaways leading up to the store going live.

 

There are a few things already previewing in the store front with more been added right up until opening. Mums are catered for with stock including ladies singlets and peg aprons, and then there are these cute little capri pants for the daughters.

 

Meanwhile  with all the focus on Or Elsie! not much is happening on the boys side of things.  Fabric has been ordered to make prototypes for the winter range at PuppyDogs Tails and there are a few ideas in the sketchbook for Easter shirts.  A clean up revealed a few unclaimed waterproof car seat mats and these have been added to store – they are an easy on easy off design to help protect your car seat from accidents during toilet training, from wet bottoms after swimming or just from the general mess kids make. 

With school now underway, here at Unique Babeez we are about to re-open for the year. First up you will find me at Little Feet Baby Market at Hillcrest on Sat 4th Feb as well as I will be beginning to restock the website pages with new designs for the year. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page as well to find out when you can catch a custom spot to get your very own personalised item of choice, these will be popping up in the near future.

Menu Monday

This week we have two recipes for you from Linda, one of our independent crafters - as seen in last weeks Sewing Sisterhood Photo Challenge.

Banana & White Choc Chip Muffins 
(adapted from a Taste.com.au recipe)  

Ingredients:

60g margarine
2 cups (300g) SR Flour
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) skim milk
2 eggs
2 over-ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup (100 - 200g) Nestle white choc bits
Vanilla Essence
1 tsp cinnamon

Method: 1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. Line a muffin tray with patty cases, or alternatively spray lightly with oil cooking spray
3. Sift flour and cinnamon into a bowl, add the sugar and mix well. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients.
4. Add all the wet ingredients including the mashed banana. Mix until JUST combined.
5. Fold through choc bits.
6. Distribute mixture between 12 muffins, bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Lentil Salad
(Apparently from a Jenny Craig cookbook, featured in OK Magazine Australia)

Ingredients:

1 cup dried brown lentils
1 punnet cherry tomatoes
Olive Oil spray
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 x 450gm can baby beets, drained and sliced
100gm rocket leaves
1/4 cup parsley and 1/4 cup mint, both roughly chopped (reserve a few leaves to garnish)
1 brown shallot, diced
50gm reduced fat feta, crumbled
2 tbsp toasted walnuts

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees
2. Place the lentils in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil, then cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain well and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, place the cherry tomatoes on a baking tray, spray with spray oil, season with cracked pepper and roast for 10 minutes until the skin is just starting to split.
4. Whisk the olive oil and balsamic vinegar together in a small bowl to combine.
5. To serve, place the lentils and the remaining ingredients together in a large bowl, toss through the dressing and divide into four plates. Top with roasted tomatoes and garnish.

Time Saver: Can substitute cooking your own lentils with two x 400g cans of brown lentils.

Follow your passion and find your niche

Source

Starting your own business and making money or even a living is going to take some time (blood, sweat and most likely tears!). That’s why you see everywhere, people telling you to follow your passion. Do what you love, after all you are going to be doing it a while, spending a lot of time and money investing in making it a success, so you want to make sure it is something you really enjoy doing.

It might be worth making a mood board (Pinterest is amazing for this!). Keep adding things that inspire you and check back regularly to make sure you are on track.

So once you have found your passion, you now need to find the people who want what you make! Sometimes it is easier to find your niche, something that is unique to you or a new take on something (I honestly believe nothing is new in the hand crafted world!) and market to a smaller group of people who really want it rather than try to be all things to all people.