Vendor Interview- KidKoozie

 

I’m a wife and mother, but my favorite title is “grandmother.” I’m always doing treasure hunts around the house, building a fort in the garden, creating a stage for pint-sized performances… all to see the smiles and hear the laughter of children. That’s how KidKoozie came to be. I wanted to create a fun play mat and nap sack for my grandkids to enjoy when they were at our house for sleepovers. They were a big hit and we’ve spent the past year sewing, show-n-telling, and selling.

 

 

It’s all about the kids. That’s one of the reasons we offer so many colors and patterns. If a child loves dinosaurs, it has to be dinosaurs! Or ladybugs, baseballs, princesses, etc. And the little touches, like the toy pocket, were created so kids can have the comforts of home – like a favorite stuffed animal, book or snack – with them wherever they go. The KidKoozie has two blanket panels with a button closure to offer more freedom of movement than a zippered sleeping bag. An outer layer of water-resistant pack cloth means it can stand up to damp grass for a picnic in the park or it works great to protect the mattress when potty training. I really refined the design around the way kids like to play and rest.

 

 

 

I just started selling KidKoozies at local markets this summer – so it was really fun to hear feedback in person. We also did a photoshoot with adorable kids and launched our website. We continue to refine our presence on Etsy and are just now dabbling in Facebook and Twitter. It’s a lot of technology for a grandma but I have lots of help from my kids.

 

 

 

I think it’s really cool to be in a room full of creative people who have put the same kind of love and craftsmanship into their work. I’m excited to do some holiday shopping for the people on my list. And I’d love to send several KidKoozies home with others – to be gift-wrapped for good little girls and boys.