The Start of a Perfect Baby Shower - Honu, Elephant, Panda Baby Shower Invitations and More!

My two sister businesses are super close. Sometimes I wonder why I even separate them, but lately the two have been inseparable. It's largely due to the fact that I sell invitations and announcements on one site and handmade baby items on the other.

Here's a typical scenario of what happens:

Customer finds my baby shower invitations on www.hapagirldesigns.etsy.com such as Happy Honu, Zou-e the Baby Elephant or Baby Panda Hugs - my most popular designs. The customer then orders a personalized invitation and sometimes purchases coordinating return address labels and thank you cards. Then, they learn about www.jgdesigns.etsy.com which I sell the same designs on infant onesies, t-shirts, blankets and bibs. And, because the customer that is typically purchasing the invitations is the main host usually a sister, sister-in-law or best friend, they want to buy something super special and unique for the mother-to-be. It's a perfect coordinating baby shower!

What most of my customers don't know is that I make many more items upon request. It's just hard to make every little item and list them on Etsy with two small kids at home with me. But, most of time I can commit to a custom request and the customer is very pleased!

I am hoping in the future that these two sister companies merge into one Baby Shower Package which will not only create a unique party for the host and honoree, but make things a lot easier on planning!

Happy Honu Swimming in Pink!

My good friend Kirsten Gackowski wanted to order some items from me for her expecting sister and after some discussion on design and style the decision was Happy Honu on a pink background. I have not done my popular honu design on such a feminine color, but I was pretty excited to see how it would look and I had a feeling it would turn out rather awesome. And, as suspected it did!

I am just so pleased how it turned out and although pink is not for everyone this blanket only offers more options to my customers who perhaps don't like Happy Honu on dark brown or blue. Green is such a universal color that I believe the honu would look good with any color.

Stay tuned for more variations! This blanket design is currently for sale on my Etsy Site .

Zou-e the Elephant - Revisited

It's been over 2 years since I designed my first animal image for my business. I called the image Zou-e and it was so well received. The original design was an abstract image of a baby elephant holding on to its mother's tail as they do in the wild.

So, why the name Zou-e? Well, Zou in Japanese means elephant thus formed the name.

I played around with this design a while. A few earlier versions ultimately were ruled out until I finally felt good about the Zou-e design. I simply showed the design to my husband and when he said he really liked it I knew it was the one to go with. He's not an artist like I am, but he does have an eye for good design.

After the initial blue Zou-e which I appliqued on dark brown fabric, I decided to offer the design in varying colors - pink, green, white, lavendar

It's nice to reflect on a design that launched my little baby business. Although other designs have become more popular I truly have a connection with my Zou-e design.

Save the Planet - Happy Honu T-shirts and Onesies

Happy Honu (Sea Turtle) Organic Baby Onesie by keanusmom
Tee shirts made at zazzle.com
See more Turtles Tortoises T-Shirts

re-Introducing Mod Mama & Baby Elephants

It's been over 2 years since I launched Jennifer G Designs and the debut of Mod Mama & Baby Elephants design. My business has come a long way since I started making just baby blankets with my elephants applique. We are talking many more designs, accessories and items. But, I like to re-visit my original design that started it all for my little home-based business.

The elephants are of a abstract and very modern simple design, but the main theme of the design is the bond between mother and baby - something that any mother can relate to. The design can come pretty much in any color, but my standard colors are blue, green and pink on chocolate brown cotton fabric with a coordinating flannel on the back. The blanket is so soft and snugly and I can vouch from personal experience as I made one for my newest baby.

To purchase one of these cute blankets please visit my Etsy website at www.jgdesigns.etsy.com or to have me create a custom blanket for you please email me at jennifergdesigns@sbcglobal.net.

Panda to Pandemonium

When I was expecting my first baby I knew instantly that I wanted Panda Bears to be his nursery room theme. I started searching almost the instant I found out it was a boy although I figured I would have probably done the Panda Bear theme if the baby was girl too. In any case, I searched and searched but to my dismay I couldn't find any kind of Panda nursery bedding, decor or baby accessories anywhere. We are talking only 4 years ago too! I was very discouraged. So, I decided to design my own room and make and collect Panda decor on my own whether it was from a baby store or not. In fact, I didn't buy anything from a baby store regarding Panda decor. I made a few of the bedding pieces and the wall art I found on Ebay as prints and I had framed myself. The mobile I found on another website. It was fun gathering everything although a bit exhausting trying to get a room together from scratch.

Now, 4 years later it's a pandemonium of Panda Bear accessories and decor for baby rooms. I think the love of Panda Bears has caught on finally. Of course, I feel like one of the original Panda Bear lovers. I've loved them since I was 7 years old when I first saw them in person at the Ueno Zoo in Japan. My Mom bought me a life-like plush Panda Bear and I had that toy for years until the bear finally fell a part in my teen years. Perhaps its been the birth of Taishan at the National Zoo in DC that has brought more awareness. All in all, it's awesome that more people are discovering these wonderful creatures to be one of the world's most precious animals!

My Panda Bear design is the 2nd animal that I designed when I first started my business. It's popularity has been phenomenal and I have been honored to have donated some of my items to charity for silent auctions.

Cards for many occasions

What have I been doing lately? Designing cards for all occasions. It's been really fun getting back to something I really enjoy doing. I have already had quite a big success with my Baby Sea Turtles baby shower invitations and birth announcements so I decided to take it a step further and apply my other animal designs to cards. I also have quite a bit of experience designing cards when I worked in corporate America. My last company utilized my talents quite a bit having me design all sorts of invites for their events. But, I am not just doing baby shower invites and birth announcements. I am tapping into wedding, birthday, business cards and stationery. It will take some time to build up inventory (or should I say digital inventory). I offer my cards digitally for anyone to take to any photo finisher or printer of their choice. But, customers can also choose printing their cards through me. All in all, it has been fun and exciting starting something new and I am feeling very hopeful that this will be a fun little side business.




Visit www.hapagirldesigns.etsy.com to see all my listings.

Baby Sea Turtles Custom Baby Quilt

A few months ago I was asked by a lady in another state to create her custom baby nursery accessories using my Baby Sea Turtle design. I quickly created a look that would carry throughout the room with modern circles, browns, greens and of course the infamous Baby Sea Turtles. My first creation of the series was the Crib Quilt.

This quilt is made of 100% chocolate brown linen, 100% cotton (big circles), and satin (sea turtles).

Visit more pictures on my Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifergdesigns/sets/72157604808582528/

NEW PRODUCTS - Birth Announcements & Baby Shower Invitations

I am now offering birth announcements and baby shower invitations on my Etsy site. There are many designs in the works and COMING SOON will be a new store just for cards and prints. But, for now anyone can purchase the designs I offer at www.jgdesigns.etsy.com.

The current designs I offer are my very popular Mod Baby Sea Turtles. These are standard designs, but anything on it can be changed, modified or a custom design can be requested at an additional cost.

The standard designs for birth announcements are $15 and a digital hi-resolution image is emailed directly to you so you can have them printed anywhere like Walmart, Target, Snapfish, Costco, Flickr, etc.

The standard price for Baby Shower Invitations are $45 for a set of 20 matte printed cards and that includes envelopes. These are shipped directly from the print company that I use.

Email me at service@jennifergdesigns for more info or just visit www.jennifergdesigns.com or www.jgdesigns.etsy.com.

I'm Getting Coordinated!

I have added pillows to my product line which coordinate with my modern baby blankets. I've had a few requests for these and so here it is! I am excited to also offer sets/combo deals. Now on my Etsy site (www.jgdesigns.etsy.com) you can buy a baby blanket and pillow for $60.00. It's a good deal because my blanket alone costs $50 and the pillow alone costs $16.00. The pillows are available in Elephant (blue, pink, green) and Baby Sea Turtles.

Also, I am looking to add brand new designs / items to my product line very soon!

Mod Square Montage

My newest creation... something a bit different than my animal designs. I've gone geometric and designed a modern squares baby blanket with brown and greens. I find this blanket quite stunning if I don't say so myself. Of all my blankets I have made I am having a hard time parting with this one.

Visit my website at www.jennifergdesigns.com to see more photos or my Etsy store.

Modern Baby Bibs - Sea Turtle and Elephant

Here are my NEW modern baby bibs with my elephant and sea turtle design on the front.

It is made with brown cotton with satin applique and the back is a cream colored terry cloth and a velcro closure.

These bibs are so cute to give a new mother or baby at a baby shower or as a home coming gift!

Elephants available in pink, blue and green.

Visit me at www.jgdesigns.etsy.com to see more!

New Design, New Diaper Bag - Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

This is my BRAND NEW DESIGN of modern sakura "cherry blossoms" as you would see them falling from the cherry blossom trees in Japan. March is the time when these unique delicate flowers are celebrated in what is known as The Cherry Blossom festival.

Click Here to View More Images

This diaper bag tote is made of 100% dark chocolate linen, lined with pink cotton, has two interior sippy cup and one zipper pocket, and three pink satin cherry blossom appliqués on one side of the exterior. The bag is sturdy and durable for any travel or everyday use.

Size: Approx. 16 x 20 with 28" strap.

Symbolism of the Sakura:
"In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol of feminine beauty. It also represents the feminine principle and love in the language of herbs. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life because of their short blooming times. They have also come to represent clouds of their nature of blooming en masse. Falling blossoms are metaphors for fallen warriors who died bravely in battle. This connotation links them with the samurai."
~Wikipedia

This bag is made to order. Please allow 3-4 days for production plus 3-4 days shipping time. I also welcome CUSTOM REQUESTS. Please EMAIL ME with any questions.

Sakura design by JenniferG 2008. © All rights reserved.

A New Addition to My Baby Product Line - Hobo Diaper Bags!

I am excited to announce that I am NOW offering Diaper Bags with my original designs appliquéd to the front. These will compliment my handmade baby blankets very nicely and would be awesome to give as gift set to an expecting mother. I will most likely offer complimenting diaper changing pads / mats with the diaper bag at a later date.

View More Photos Here

Each bag will be lined with a cotton fabric that will be Scotch Guarded and the exterior will either be a canvas, 100% cotton or linen.

Here is an example of the Diaper Bag that is now selling on my Etsy site. This bag is made of dark brown canvas exterior, lined with Amy Butler polka dot fabric, 1 interior zipper pocket, 2 sippy cup pockets, 26" canvas strap, and appliquéd with my Baby Sea Turtles design.

Approx. size: 16 x 20

Price: $60 plus s/h.

www.jgdesigns.etsy.com.

Panda Bear Cub and Mother Handmade Baby Blanket

I have completed the newest version of my Panda Cub and Mother handmade baby blanket. I am quite pleased with the outcome. This blanket will be for sales on my Etsy website at www.jgdesigns.etsy.com.

About a year ago I was watching either Animal Planet or Discovery Channel and I watched the show where Tai Shan, the baby Panda was born at the National Zoo in Washington DC. I was inspired and designed this modern abstract representation of Tai Shan and his mother. My son adores Pandas and I made the bear into his nursery theme was he was an infant.

My original design did not include the bamboo, but with bamboo being the only food wild Panda Bears eat, I had to add that element to the blanket.


I currently only offer this blanket on the lime green linen, but I most likely will offer more variety of colors in the future.

Handmade Baby Blankets ON SALE!

I've announced my first SALE on my Etsy website. Prices good through 2/29/08.

www.jgdesigns.etsy.com

BABY BLANKETS TEMPORARILY REDUCED!

BABY ELEPHANT & MAMA (blue, green and pink) - WAS $45 NOW $42

SEA TURTLES (LINEN) - WAS $50 NOW $48














SEA TURTLES (ORGANIC COTTON) - WAS $45 NOW $42

July 2008—Raising Money for Panda Fund

The members of Panda Unlimited from one of the Flickr groups I belong to has asked me to donate one of my Panda blankets in honor of Tai Shan, the Panda Cub, born at the National Zoo in Washington DC. Being a Panda fanatic and have always supported Panda conservation, I gladly accepted and will be making a very SPECIAL EDITION Panda blanket that will be put in a SILENT AUCTION during a fund raising event for the National Zoo. I will be soon posting progress photos of this special Panda blanket on my Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennifergdesigns.

On the Fence - t-shirts and onesies

I am "on the fence" as to whether to offer t-shirts and onesies. When I had samples made a few months ago I didn't have a very pleasant experience with the print shop that I used. First of all, they took forever and their customer service was less than satisfactory. I won't name them because I am a nice person, but I will never use them again. So, the hunt for a reliable and quality screen print shop is still underway. Lately, I have been getting orders from the existing stock I have listed on Etsy. So far, only onesies have sold. Thus, the reason I am re-visiting having more made. At first, they didn't sell but all of a sudden they have been.

Above is one of my t-shirts that my son is wearing. I offer this design in a 2T. The image to the left is a sample of a onesie.

Well, we'll see how my hunt for a screen printer goes. I know I have lots of choices, it's just finding the right one. I think I can really make a hit with this line and adding more of my animal designs to the shirts and onesies.

Organic Cotton Baby Blanket

I am a linen fanatic, but I do understand that not everyone has the same appreciation for linen like I do. Therefore, I have decided to offer my baby blankets in a different fabric - organic 100% cotton. The idea of organic really got me excited because organic is really the "in thing" right now. This weekend I bought some of the new organic fabric and there are a few blankets in progress right now. I can't wait to have them finished. I think they will be a good alternative to my original linen blankets. Now my customers will have options on Etsy. www.jgdesigns.etsy.com I hope they go over well. I am already impressed with the quality of the fabric and my designs look good appliqued on it. My goal for the week is to get those blankets done and get samples out!