Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals

BUSINESS CARDS

If you're going to a trade show or a gift fair or a blogging conference or anywhere you will be meeting a lot of new people, it's a good idea to have business cards. Last year when we went to BlogHer, we tried to fit so much information on our cards that we wound up using small greeting cards because standard business cards couldn't fit it all. We have since realized that more is sometimes just that - more. It's not necessary to have twitter accounts and Facebook pages and Linked-In links.

I fell in love after seeing Gretel's post about business cards on her blog Middle of Nowhere. We did some research on Moo and Helen spend a lovely afternoon picking out pictures of our inventory to put on the faces of the cards. We ordered a box of 100 mini cards and sent them 100 pictures - a different one for each card. 

We are going with the less is more theory this year. Name, phone number (for vendors who need to reach us) and website. Next time we'll probably add our email address, but that, as well as Facebook, twitter, etc. are all available on our website. 

 
 

GETTING YOUR CHILD TO HELP CLEAN UP HIS/HER STUFFED ANIMALS

One thing I learned in Kindergarten (from teaching it, not attending it), is that kids are more likely to help clean up a mess if you make the clean-up fun. With stuffed animals, you can achieve this by creating a specific place to put the toys. If you've got a crate with bars, call it the zoo; if you've got a canvas tote, call it the circus. Then when it's time to put away the toys, your child can be the zoo (ring) master and get everyone back in their rightful cage. You'd be surprised how quickly favorite animals get put to bed for the night!

Characters of the Week - PD EASTMAN'S Go Dog Go! and Are You My Mother?

I got an email from PW (Publisher's Weekly) that the The Big Red Book of Beginner Books  is coming out tomorrow.  PD Eastman is one of the five authors showcased in this book. When I was teaching Kindergarten, my kids really enjoyed reading Go, Dog. Go! and Are You My Mother?, both by PD Eastman. By the end of the year, most of them were reading the books all by themselves. I was so excited when we found them at MerryMakers and brought them to Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals.

       

Dog from Go Dog Go

 

 Are You My Mother Plush Doll

 

Meet Arctic Harry The Polar Bear - Jellycat Plush Stuffed Animals

This is Arctic Harry and he is one of Jellycat's newest arrivals (he arrived yesterday).  He may be one of my all time favorite Jellycats.  Arctic Harry hit the shelves at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals for the first time earlier this week and we expect him to be a big seller!

TIPS OF THE CHRONIC ATTENDEE - NY International Gift Fair

Next week, we will be attending the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF).  We have the benefit of living right outside NY so it's a piece of cake for us to go each year in August and January/February.  If you are attending for the first time, here are a few tips from a chronic attendee.

1. Have a plan. Remember, there's a lot to see and a lot of people to get around. Especially if you're on a time crunch, every minute counts.

2. Wear comfortable clothes and most importantly, comfortable shoes. Ladies, having a bag that sits comfortably on your shoulder is a bonus.

3. Don't be intimidated by greeters and don't let them pull you in to something you don't need or want when you are on a time budget. Don't be afraid to say no.

4. If you're on a budget, you can save a bunch of money by bringing your own food. Lunch & snacks can get pretty expensive very quickly.

5. Ask potential vendors to email you their information. Trust me, carrying around a bagful of catalogs gets really heavy, very fast!

6. Bring lots of business cards to trade with potential vendors. Getting their information allows you to follow up at your leisure.

Where to Donate Your Stuffed Animals

Last week we talked about the unlikely event of having too many stuffed animals and how to store them.  This week we have compiled a list of charities and organizations that you can donate used, good condition stuffed animals.

Project Night Night - Helps Homeless Children Have Sweeter Dreams

Project Night Night's Mission is to provide Night Night Packages, free of charge, to homeless children from birth to pre-teen who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant.  Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag.  Project Night Night establishes a foundation for lasting change through the hands-on volunteer opportunities that they provide to tens of thousands of individuals each year.

Stuffed Animals For Emergencies - (SAFE)

Unfortunately everyday around the world children are caught in traumatic, emotional and transitional situations.  SAFE (Stuffed Animals For Emergencies) was founded to give these children a little joy during these troubling times.  SAFE chapter members collect new and gently used stuffed animals, toys, books and blankets to be redistributed to emergency organizations, childrens services, hospitals, homeless shelters and many other places that help children during times of crisis.  These emergency organizations use the stuffed animals to ease the childrens' nerves and calm their fears.  Your donations let the children know you care and help them feel a little more SAFE when they need it most.

Children's National Medical Center - Dr. Bear's Toy Closet (New Stuffed Animals Only)

The Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., keeps "Dr. Bear's Toy Closet" stocked with toys and games for young patients.

Mushy Mates

Mushy Mates collects used stuffed animals to deliver to foster children & other needy kids in the USA. Inspired by (Mushy) an ex-foster toddler, the goal is to have every foster care agency nationwide to stock their vehicle trunks w/ Mushy Mates, ready to be given out to foster children year round.

Operation Noah (New Stuffed Animals Only)

Operation Noah is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that Dennis Fries, a teenager from Chandler, Arizona, created when he was only thirteen-years-old. While undergoing medical testing, Dennis discovered the need for something to comfort young patients in the hospital. Nothing comforts children more than a soft, cuddly stuffed animal. With this in mind, Dennis made a promise that no child would have to undergo a hospital visit without a new little friend by their side.

Prior Tips Posts:

How To Clean Stuffed Animals

How To Repair Stuffed Animals

How To Store Stuffed Animals

COLUMBUS SETS SAIL - August 3, 1492

In fourteen hundred and ninety two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

Remember learning that in school? On August 3, 1492, Columbus sets sail from Palos, Spain, in search of China and India. Instead, he finds a whole new world.

Here our Sesame Street fingerpuppets are re-enacting the famous voyage. And yes, that is a bit of rigatoni in Grover/Columbus' hands. Here at Fragile Earth Stuffed Animals, we like to be sustaining, using as much from the cupboard as possible. A spyglass is just one thing you can make out of macaroni. And the best part? You can eat it when you're done:) 

 

Character of the Week - Goosey Goosey Gander 8" Pull Toy

CHARACTER OF THE WEEK

Goosey Goosey Gander

Continuing our Mother Goose Theme from last week.

For over 90 years, The Real Mother Goose has been delighting children and parents alike. Now these timeless classic characters are available as endearing nursery treasures. Mary Had a Little Lamb, Humpty Dumpty, The Cat And The Fiddle, and Goosey, Goosey Gander are memorable characters that help inspire parents and grandparents to share these beloved nursery rhymes with the special children in their lives.

Toddlers love to walk and pull along precious toys, so we bring you Goosey, Goosey Gander - with bright yellow wheels and a satin nylon cord. A Mother Goose classic, Goosey's removable lemon yellow bonnet and bow are decorated with baby blue flowers.