082 – Cuddle Bug Kids

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I love communicating with folks that listen to the podcast and when I ask for feedback and guest suggestions I honestly want it. This week’s guest is a direct result of this… I got a request from a listener via Twitter asking for an episode with an Etsy seller that specializes in selling downloadable patterns. I was thrilled to get this very specific request and set out on a mission to fulfill it.

I’m truly grateful to my guest Maria, she runs the Etsy shop Cuddle Bug Kids and has done so since 2009 and she responded to a request I put out on the Etsy Conversations Facebook page and group.

Thank you Maria! …and ShoutOut to Karen of Etsy shop Intellexual Design for introducing Maria to the podcast back in 2014! 🙂

Maria is a veteran Etsy seller and she opened Cuddle Bug Kids as a way to sell toys and sensory tools she had designed for children with ADHD and autism.   She started designing products she thought would help children who were diagnosed with ADHD and autism with input and ideas from an occupational therapist.

Initially, she started out selling her designs locally in the occupational therapist’s office before she moved to selling them online. Maria said she chose Etsy because she loved the marketplace, loved the forums, and felt like it was an encouraging place to grow her design skills and business. And grow she has…

Hear how Maria used YouTube to learn advanced skills that helped her expand her product line and how that led her into the world of patterning.

We also discuss the benefits of local Etsy teams as well as those that are not primarily focused marketing and shop promotion. I think it’s a great discussion about the importance of connecting in a constructive way and how that can help you grow as a business person both on and off Etsy.

Resources mentioned:

• Etsy teams: Etsy Relevancy SEO & Stats, Keeping Up with CPSIA, Createability Team, and Etsy for Autism
• Local Etsy teams: CVille Handmade & Vintage and Richmond Street Team
• Helpful podcasts: CraftSanity (Jennifer Ackerman), Online Marketing Made Easy (Amy Porterfield), Smart Passive Income (Pat Flynn), and The Suitcase Entrepreneur (Natalie Sisson) (I also find all these podcasts beneficial as well) 🙂

Best ways to reach Maria:

• Etsy convo: Cuddle Bug Kids
• Instagram: @CuddleBugKids

Cuddle Bug Kids Treasury

Fuschia Purple Thumb Sucker Helper To Help Stopping Thumb Sucking cuddlebugkids $17.99	Thumb Sucking Help To Help Stop Thumb Sucking Pick Your Color Thumb guard cuddlebugkids $18.00	Thumb Sucking Cozies To Help Stop Thumb Sucking – 2 Bright Pink Thumb Guards cuddlebugkids $31.99
Marble Maze Quiet Toys for Busy Kids – 2 Sensory Fidgets Fine Motor Travel Toys cuddlebugkids $17.00	Weighted Turtle Stuffed Animal – Big Belly the Turtle – 4lb Turtle cuddlebugkids $49.99	Fine Motor Sensory Toy finger fidgets – Marble Mazes – Girly girl – Set of 2 ADHD help cuddlebugkids $17.00
Orange Sparkle Hair Styling Pony Stuffed Animal Handmade Horse cuddlebugkids $30.00	Baby Booties Camo Timberland Style Boots Sizes 0-3months, 3-6months, 6-12 months cuddlebugkids $35.00	Train, Car or Boat Boys Room Decor Pillow – Pick 1 cuddlebugkids $64.95
Minecraft Sword Party Favor Set of 6 – 8 bit art cuddlebugkids $12.00	Sword Party Favor Set of 6 – 8 bit art – rainbow swords soldier party favors cuddlebugkids $12.00	Minecraft Inspired Party Favors 8 bit Tools Set of 5 Decorations sword hoe shovel pickaxe axe gold diamond or metal cuddlebugkids $10.00
Frog Easter Basket Crochet Pattern Trick or Treat Basket PDF INSTANT DOWNLOAD cuddlebugkids $4.99	Child Sized Daisy Bath Scrubbie Washcloth PDF Crochet Pattern cuddlebugkids $2.99	Tea Time Doll Tea Set Crochet Pattern PDF cuddlebugkids $4.99

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