We've long been fans of the beautiful handmade wooden baby toys from family-run Little Sapling Toys, and now there's one more item that can make you the most awesome gift-giver ever . These personalized wooden alphabet blocks are lovingl…
With all the round stacking toys out there, I was starting to think that there was some unwritten rule that toddler toys can only resemble inner tubes or wooden doughnuts. But I'm relieved to tell you that is not the case, thanks to this…
We always have our eyes on artisans we've featured here before so we can share with you their newest, coolest goodies. So lucky me and you for this new discovery at one of our favorite mom and dad bizzes, Little Alouette. Word lover or n…
I can't help loving these artist-created bunnies made with vintage fabrics from some of our favorite designers. I just want to squeeze them and love them; especially the one with the apples. The vintage bunnies and rag dolls from UK Etsi…
I'm such a huge Alice in Wonderland fan that I spent no less than five days trying to come up with just the right title to pay homage to this amazing Etsy find. And I love it so much that threatening my children with imaginary monsters w…
Writing about big, fuzzy balls makes me think of that Schweddy Balls sketch on Saturday Night Live. Except these balls aren't salty and nutty and made by Alec Baldwin. No, they're gorgeous and made of recycled sweaters or fleece and soft…
If you're lucky enough to live in Montreal, then April 30 is going to be one really amazing day of shopping. The mama-run Collectif nënë is launching their first annual baby show and you will want to be there. Of course, most of us aren'…
It's been a long time since I've munched on a beignet or window-shopped my way down Royal Street, but I have very fond memories of my last trip to the fabulous city of New Orleans and how alive it always is with music and laughter. From …
Boom, boom, acka-lacka-lacka boom, baby. We're proud to show you the results of humanity's first attempt to literally Walk the Dinosaur. Bonus: This king of the terrible lizards has some sweet dance moves. The Tyrannosaurus Rex Push Toy …
One of the fun things about judging the children's category of the Handmade Olympics this past week, was discovering so many super incredible new finds for you all. It certainly balanced one of the hard things--actually having to pick am…
We'd never recommend you give our forefathers the finger (especially on President's Day!), but in the case of these adorable knit finger puppets from Wee Knits , we'll make an exception. Their Patriotic collection of finger puppets inclu…
A couple of weeks ago, we invited you to nominate yourselves or your favorite handmade artisans for the Handmade Olympics, a fun, entirely unathletic competition featuring amazing handmade creations. Cool Mom Picks was invited to be the …
Of the many talents I wished I possessed, crocheting is at the top of the list, right along with singing in key and being able to sketch something other than stick figures. Since I don't expect to inherit any of those talents any time so…
I have a soft spot for good quality wooden toys . I like them so much I find myself decorating my daughter's room with them, and these handmade, wood puzzles from Just Hatched are no exception. They're much too pretty to keep in a drawer…
As you probably know by now, there's a bill in Congress to ensure that toys and clothing are free of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. Which is good. Unfortunately, while the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act is well-meaning, th…
Still looking for a few last minute gifts for the family? Clearly we're crazy, mad, marry-us-in-Vegas in love with Etsy and all the wonderful artists and crafters we've discovered there. That's why today, on Etsy's The Storque blog, we'v…
I'm such a huge fan of finger puppets for kids , which inspire all kinds of creativity and good thinking. I'm thinking about tracking down a finger puppet theater this holiday, so we can have a more formal stage for all that tiny enterta…
Ok so maybe teething doesn't really rock. In fact, it can be pretty painful for all parties involved. I recall more than my share of sleepless nights when my son's teeth were coming in. Not fun. But maybe the teethers can be? I only wish…
Whenever I go shopping for baby toys, I am dismayed at how many toy developers design their blocks in sherbet-y pastels even though babies prefer the colors high contrast and vivid for the first few months. (I am also wondering who decid…
It's like Miss America for crafters, and you're a judge. But there's no Miss Congeniality. This one's all about looks, and you only get one vote. Actually, it's the competition for Martha Stewart's annual Holiday Craft Fair at her compan…
Once upon a time these little critters were cozy woolen sweaters, but thanks to the imagination and ingenuity of Laura Ray, they have been reincarnated as Pogos. Made with upcycled wool and stuffed with sustainable bamboo fiber they are …
Just when I thought my daughter had sort of outgrown the wand phase, a few days ago I watched her snatch up a tulle covered one and attempt to pawn off a pointer to her younger friend. You can be the " teacher fairy " , she said. Not bad…
Every month, each of the CMP contributors pick our favorite pick of the month and write a quick blurb on it for our monthly newsletter . Out of dozens of amazing posts in September, four of us nearly had a cage match over who got to sque…
I want to give a hand to WeeKnit on Etsy: they've brought together the coolest collection of finger puppets I've ever seen. Where else can you find a vampire, a mummy, Frankenstein, a pirate, and a ninja in one place? And would that not …