America the Beautiful

When you offer customers American-made goods you are sending a message and doing your bit to make our country better in many ways. Money remains in the U.S economy that goes to pay workers directly and indirectly. Those workers go on to spend their money, thus recycling the dollars. On top of that, workers pay taxes on wages earned here.

American manufacturers abide by strict regulations to protect the environment, most of which don’t exist in many other countries that import goods here leading to pollution and environmental abuse. You should also consider human rights. So many countries have few, if any, regulations or standards for working conditions leading to appalling circumstances like overly long hours, exploitation of children, and very low wages.

Money spent on American goods translates into American jobs. We’re slowly climbing back but need to work harder. When you sell American-made you are helping move the economy forward; It’s a patriotic move as well as an economic one. The Giggle Guide^® salutes four companies, CookieCutterKingdom, Peas and Queues, Tickle Toes and Dakota Leaf, all of which produce their goods right here in the U.S. These folks are doing their bit: the next move is up to you.

One Smart Cookie (Cutter)

Give your customers a way to personalize cookies and watch these totally captivating cookie cutters fly out of your shop. CookieCutterKingdom offers cutters in more shapes than seem possible.

All cutters are made to order in Fairfax, Virginia using 3D printing technology that helps bring back small parts creation to the USA. Made from PLA (biodegradable) food-safe plastic, they come in 3”, 4”, or 5” sizes so shoppers can pick the size that works for them. The birthday collection offers cutters shaped like balloons, birthday hats and numbers, a great way to make a special day even more wonderful.

For those throwing a baby shower, there are shapes including a baby hat, bib, bottle, stroller and even a crawling tyke that can be personalized using the company’s website, a boon to people who want to commemorate an event but don’t have the time or patience to hand-decorate each cookie.

Kids love making cookies in familiar shapes like a pirate hat, airplane or apple. A dog, cat, elephant, pig and even a hippo shape is available for kitchen fun. Cookies can be formed like ballerinas or astronauts — there’s almost no shape that can’t be found in this truly unique, practical collection.

Get cooking: www.cookiecutterkdom.com

Mind Your P’s and Q’s

Some kids’ clothing is so completely captivating that adults say “I want that in my size.” That thinking is behind the fashion-forward duds from Peas and Queues that get their cred from contemporary fashion enhanced with a touch of whimsy.

Girls can go back to school knowing they’ll make the best-dressed list in the knee-length Sonya skirt shown in a bright vintage geometric print with deep pockets for treasures and elastic at the back of the waist. Pair it with the Beatrice tee in jersey with a peek-a-boo V at the back for extra style.

Penelope is a winning color-blocked dress in orange and fuchsia with a tiny ribbon at the neckline. Playtime or anytime is the right time for the Irina Romper with ties on the shoulders and an elastic waist, shown in both a breezy blue and orangey-red, both tie-died to fit girls up to size eight.

Dressing boys is a breeze in the Theodore Button Down short sleeved shirt, garment dyed with spiffy vintage nickel buttons. The Vincent short has a slightly dropped crotch for extra comfort as well as an elastic waist with a drawstring so these pants will stay up. For a preppy look that is unbearably cool, there’s the polo kicked up a notch thanks to the mismatched stripes on the collar in a mustardy yellow with black stripes.

This company makes its duds in sunny California and proudly states it on each item’s tag.

An excellent lineup: www.peasandqueueskids.com

Tickle Their Fancy

Classic or trendy, that is the question. At least, that was the question the folks at Tickle Toes asked themselves, not sure which direction to pursue. They thought it over and decided to do both, aware that as a made-in-the-USA company they could cater to a wider array of customers.

Blue Bandana, a classic hooded towel, sports a minky hood adorning a blue towel and comes with a matching washcloth. At 30” x 52” it’s an ideal size to use on a baby or child up to age six. Always cute and intensely practical, it goes right into the machine and dryer for repeated use. A similar towel for little ladies comes in pink with a heart motif as well as a butterfly look and even the Eiffel Tower as it’s never too early to think about Paris.

A pink and gray dot blanket with a Teddy bear appliqué is a great shower gift, useful for wrapping baby or putting underneath her for on-the-floor tummy time. Those shopping for a ruff ‘n tuff baby boy can select a green Camo blanket with an orange peace sign. The same look is also available as a great two-piece set featuring a solid brown tank top with the peace sign that can be worn with a camo diaper cover that has an elastic waist, also made of minky.

To dress up a girl’s nursery, show shoppers a smashing throw pillow with a hot-pink heart appliquéd against a zebra-striped background. Another great seller is the three-piece burp cloth set like the one with Elephants — one each in light gray, blue and navy on a white background, all in 100% percent cotton for that soft touch.

Classic and trendy: www.tickletoes.com

Turning Heads

No little miss is fully dressed without a stylish hair accessory which is where Dakota Leaf comes in. Headbands two inches wide feature fabric on a plastic band, a cool finishing touch to an outfit. Select from a pink, yellow and orange fabric, red, white and gold, or pink faux leather. There are African and Indian prints in many vibrant colors and patterns including a striking multicolor camo print.

A different, equally on-trend look comes via the bow headbands with a large print bow set on a band of a different print. The bow, a striking six and a half inches is — literally — a head stopper. There is a teal, gold, pink and yellow print; a black-and-white print with a red band; a pink and purple combo and many others.

These bands are “child’s play” in that the colors are selected by the daughter of the mompreneur who makes the bands. More than simply a fashion accessory, the bands help tame unruly locks and keep hair out of eyes. New patterns are added to Dakota Leaf often, all bold and beautiful. Here’s an inexpensive way to maximize a girl’s wardrobe as just a change of headband takes a look in a totally new direction.

Hair today: www.dakotaleaf.com