Kiddywampus!

I am so honored that my I Spy Bags have landed a spot in the quirky toy shop at Kiddywampus in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. It sounds like such a cool place - I wish I could visit! The owner, Amy Saldanha, chose to carry my rocket ship, cupcake, and robot I Spy Bags. From her website: "...kiddywampus is an interactive, inspiring shop and art studio. Created by a lawyer and mother of three, kiddywampus aims to provide a selection of the most unique toys, books, and accessories for arty, curious kids."

Above is a picture of the "shop" part of the store. Kids are allowed (in fact encouraged) to play with the toys, and parents don't have to worry about saying "don't touch that!" What a mother's dream!

Kiddywampus also hosts classes (theater workshops and fine art classes) and parties in a spacious on-site art studio, where the techniques of Jackson Pollock serve as inspiration, and kids fling and splatter paint all over the place! (and the best part... they clean it up for you).And, drum roll please... when you purchase something from Kiddywampus, you are making a donation to charity. Yes, that's right! She announced in September 2007 that all after-tax profits will be donated to charities benefiting children. She has already partnered with Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

If you are ever in the twin cities area, please stop in! Then come back here and tell us what it was like in person, because we ALL want to know :)

Is it too early for Christmas?

I'm usually one of those people who complains about Christmas decorations coming out before Thanksgiving, but working in the world of retail and wholesale brings Christmas a little early! I have all kinds of goodies up my sleeve that I can't wait to implement and tell you all about! For now, a little taste of Christmas....