Boston

Building a nest with Etsy: Nursery decoration ideas

Credit: Stephanie Brandt
Credit: Stephanie Brandt

Parents looking to create a unique nest for their babies are turning in droves to the countless shops on Etsy that focus on custom nursery decor and artwork.

“I had looked previously on other traditional sites, but I liked the idea of getting something that was a bit less mainstream,” says Traci Tasso, a New York mom who purchased art on Etsy for her daughter’s nursery.

The crafting website has been around for about seven years, but lately more specialists on the site are churning out crafts for little ones. From quilts to baby bumpers, Etsy is chock full of items that can be customized by gender, theme and color scheme frequently at a much lower price than from a local boutique.

Moms and dads can best their neighbors’ nurseries by having crib skirts monogrammed, artwork created to reflect their boy’s favorite baseball teams and canvases painted to perfectly match bedding.

“It’s the height of customization because you can get pretty much anything you want,” says Jen Snyder, a Michigan mom who sells digital prints at Area Fare Kids on Etsy.

The conversation element of Etsy allows artists and buyers to message back and forth and customize orders.

Many of the artists are moms-turned-artists who garner inspiration from their own little ones.

“I couldn’t find anything that I loved in the stores, and since I have always enjoyed drawing and painting I decided to create something for above [my son’s] crib,” says Stephanie Brandt of Philadelphia, whose store on Etsy is called Just Bunch. “I had enjoyed making the artwork so much, and had received so many compliments on it, that I decided to create designs and put them for sale.”

Beyond 128

Two Sudbury moms have started a baby company called Twelve Little Laces, customizing arrival gift baskets, birthday party treats and other personalized items. Megan Bowhers and Laura Hoff claim Etsy is a great way to market their company beyond Rte. 128. Twelve Little Laces can be found on Etsy or at www.twelvelittlelaces.com


News
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
National

FBI search for Jimmy Hoffa's body may last…

Investigators looking for the remains of former Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa in a suburban Detroit field could search the area for two more days, seeking…

Local

Martha's Vineyard lighthouse added to endangered historic places…

A treasured piece of Martha's Vineyard history has made its way onto the 2013 list of America’s Most Endangered Historic Places. The Gay Head Lighthouse was…

National

NASA needs your help to save the world

NASA called on backyard astronomers and other citizen-scientists to help track asteroids that could create havoc on Earth. The U.S. space agency has already identified…

Entertainment

Angelina Jolie stunt double sues News Corp over…

A stunt double for Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has sued News Corp over allegations its British newspapers hacked her phone, the first lawsuit in the…

The Word

The Word: Watch Rihanna bash a fan with…

Though she's shadowed by a security guard, Rihanna takes matters into her own hands and whacks herself free with her microphone.

The Word

The Word: Edward Furlong charged with domestic assault

Actor Edward Furlong was charged with assaulting his girlfriend and threatening her in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday.

Movies

James Franco wants you to fund his next…

If you ask, they will fund it. On the heels of the successful Kickstarter campaigns for a Veronica Mars movie and Zach Braff’s follow up…

Arts

[VIDEO] Moby invites indie and student filmmakers to…

Heads up to penniless and student (and both) filmmakers out there: It's good to known that not all rich and famous people are using the Internet to beg funds off…

MLB

Gomes' walk-off gives Red Sox 3-1 win over…

The Red Sox defeated the Rays 3-1 in Game 2 of their doubleheader

Local

Patriots' Aaron Hernandez linked to possible homicide

Patriots' Aaron Hernandez linked to possible homicide

NHL

Bruins 'two-kka' wins away from Stanley Cup

Bruins two-kka wins away from Stanley Cup

NBA

Celtics: Danny Ainge wants Doc Rivers to return…

Celtics: Danny Ainge wants Doc Rivers to return as coach

Home

Home: Barb Blair helps with a DIY furniture…

Before you toss that hand-me-down dresser, Barb Blair suggests you try giving it a paint job.

Lifestyle

A learning adventure at the touch of an…

This app might help keep kids thinking this summer.

Career

Unpaid internships threatened by federal law

For many companies summer has been indicative of two things: a reminder of the office dress code and bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, unpaid interns looking to advance…

Lifestyle

Pollution linked to autism in children: Study

Pregnant women who are exposed to high levels of pollution have a greater chance of giving birth to children on the autism spectrum, a new…