Friday Feature with Banana Bottoms!

Today's interview is with Kristen, of Banana Bottoms. Enjoy!

Tell us little about yourself!

My name is Kristen and I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia with my husband and four kids.

What do you make and how long have you been creating?

I make cloth diapers and accessories. I started cloth diapering when my oldest child was born.  I didn’t like the cloth diapers that were available and started to make my own.  I perfected my patterns over time and eventually took the leap to start selling them.  I also make organic baby blankets.

I recently started making cloth play mats with wooden toys. Well, my husband makes the toys right now but I’m asking for my own tools for my birthday so I can make them, too!  I’ve had these ideas in my head for a long time and recently have found the time to be able to make them.

What inspires you?

Respecting the earth is one of my biggest passions. Cloth diapering is better for the earth - period. It’s such an easy thing to do, and can make such a difference.  I think cloth diapering reinforces a nurturing, caring feeling, not only for your child, but for the earth as well. I also try to use organic fabrics as much as possible and to purchase them locally. I use upcycled and some new fabrics for the play mats, and the wooden toys are all made from salvaged scraps from other projects.  My husband is a carpenter so there’s plenty of leftovers J

And of course my biggest inspiration are my own 4 children.  I watch them grow and learn and play and am amazed at how much they teach me.

What got you started working with bamboo when you make cloth diapers?

When I first started sewing cloth diapers I was using flannel.  I started looking at alternative fabrics a couple of years ago and tested a whole array before settling on bamboo blends. They are extremely soft, highly absorbent and extremely durable. Perfect for the use/wash/repeat lifecycle of a cloth diaper!

How long have you been on Etsy and how has it been for you so far?

I have been on Etsy for almost 2 years.  I started off slowly with little time to devote to my store.  Now as my kids are getting older I have more time to spend on my business and it is starting to blossom.

What advice would you have for other Etsians?

Do what you love.  It is much easier (and more fun!) to be successful if you truly believe in what you are doing!

What do you hope to learn/gain/contribute from being part of the Natural Kids group?

I love this team!  The members of the Natural Kids are very supportive of each other and are a wealth of information.  Everyone has something to offer and brings their strengths to the collective table for the benefit of all.  

What thoughts do you have for parents on the importance of natural toys for creative play?

While mass-marketed  games and toys can be enjoyable, they lack the genuineness of a natural toy: one that encourages play and imagination.   Natural toys teach children how to be their own creators of fun.  They offer children a chance to connect with nature and their environment by virtue of the natural materials used in their making.  Natural toys capture a child’s attention through their open-ended characteristics, allowing children to receive lasting enjoyment from their toys. 

Links:

http://www.bananabottoms.etsy.com

http://www.bananabottoms.artfire.com

http://www.eco3p.com/bananabottoms

http://www.bananabottoms.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/bananabottoms

Today's interview by Kat, of kats in the belfry.