Happy Wednesday! It's that time again. As an aunt of FIVE, I am always searching for adorable children's brands to find unique and precious clothing, accessories, or toys, for my nieces and nephews. Well, I've brought you five! Hopefully you can find something perfect for the little ones on your list this year.
Business Name: Lovelane Designs
Owner: Lane Huerta
Location: Savannah, GA
Website: lovelanedesigns.com
Instagram Handle: @lovelanedesigns
Offerings: Imaginative clothing and accessories
What They Have to Say: "Lane Huerta began dreaming and designing in rural North Carolina, where as an only child, entertaining herself was the only option. Imagining adventures in the woods behind her house, she counts Pippi Longstocking and Punky Brewster as her earliest inspirations.
In her teenage years, Lane launched from her Southern upbringing into the dynamic cloister of Boston’s Walnut Hill School for the Arts, studying foundations and meeting creative kids from all over the world. After attending UNC School for the Arts, Lane set off out West, landing in the cultural mecca of San Francisco. She tended bar at the famed Fillmore and Warfield theaters and refined the art and craft of graphic design with renowned rock poster designer Frank Kozik, along the way picking up the skill of screenprinting and a penchant for a bright, blocky aesthetic. A self-taught seamstress, Lane added textiles to her toolbox while working for international purse designer Mary Frances, who served as a creative business mentor and friend.
A hankering for adventure led Lane to Savannah, Georgia in 2006, where she set up shop as Lovelane Designs in a sunny Victorian in the city’s Landmark Historic District. She began designing and screenprinting tea towels, pillows and other home décor and became a veteran of Indie Craft Parade and other artisan craft fairs—but it’s been her imaginative children’s designs that have captured the world’s attention.
In 2014, Etsy.com featured Lovelane’s Play Hard children’s wear on its homepage, and demand for its hand sewn, American-made capes and crowns have soared. Lane and her work have been featured on media platforms across the globe, including The Huffington Post, Today.com, Hooligan’s Magazine, Harper’s Brazil, and ABC World News Tonight.
Lane continues to work, live and play in Savannah with her husband, Patrick, and her daughter, Clementine. Together they imagine the most amazing adventures!"
My Personal Favorites: Create a Cape Kit; Band of Misfits, The Ringmaster
Business Name: Sugar Snap Pea
Owner: Zhenya Kuhn
Location: Charleston, SC
Website: sugarsnappea.com
Instagram Handle: @sugarsnappea
Offerings: Name brand clothing, accessories, and gifts
What They Have to Say: "Sugar Snap Pea is your destination for fresh and fun children's clothing in Downtown Charleston, SC, Mount Pleasant, SC and Kiawah Island, SC. We aim to provide our customers with the highest quality of modern children's clothing, toys and accessories. Stop by one of our three locations today for a delightful shopping experience!
We make every effort to carry a wide range of products in store and online. However, if you are looking for a product online that you cannot find, please do not hesitate to give us a call! We happily offer concierge shopping services for our out-of-state customers."
My Personal Favorites: We love their super soft, convertible zip newborn gowns. They've also got what you need for matching winter PJ sets.
Business Name: Library Littles
Owner: Lauren Lail
Location: Charleston, SC
Website: librarylittles.com
Instagram Handle: @librarylittles
Offerings: GOTS organic certified clothing for girls
What They Have to Say: "Designer Lauren Lail made her first fashion mark with vintage collection Library: Archives of Fashion, a collection of designer clothing and accessories curated with an eye for classic silhouettes and superior craftsmanship.
For her first eponymous collection, she placed a major emphasis on effortless style and inspired fabrics. Her minimal aesthetic starts with traditional silhouettes paired with modern details – a shift dress in cotton poplin that falls just above the knee, a silk jacket perfect for layering over denim, a cigarette pant fashioned in a vibrant print. 'I am so inspired by collecting vintage garments – I study the fit, color palettes, construction and fabrics that go into each piece and translate that quality into my new line,' she says. 'I imagine a women who values that transformative power of clothing and who wants to make a statement with each garment.'
Lail grew up in Kentucky and settled in Charleston where she now lives with her husband and two young children, Everett & Hugh. She has been featured in publications from Matchbook, Southern Living, Glitter Guide, Garden & Gun, Charleston Magazine and more."
My Personal Favorites: Friday Dress; Willa Winter Jumper; Kismet Leggings
Business Name: Gunner & Lux
Owner: John & Riley
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: gunnerandlux.com
Instagram Handle: @gunnerandlux
Offerings: Jewelry, t-shirts, and accessories
What They Have to Say: "Riley loved to play dress up, accessorize, and find fashion inspiration at a very young age. During the summer of 2015, when Riley was just 5 years old, she decided to use the vintage jewelry her dad John had collected for her to create her very first necklace. She learned how to use pliers, tweezers, and tie knots as she developed her own line of colorful, whimsical accessories.
Riley and John worked on these necklaces together after dinner each night. Soon, Riley began selling her individual charms at her summer lemonade stand, then on her website, and before they both knew it…their jewelry was being sold in stores all around the world.
Together, Riley and John have created something truly unique. Today, they hope their story and their designs inspire and bring smiles to those who START COLLECTING."
My Personal Favorites: DIY Holiday Necklace Kit; Wood and Leather Squash Blossom Necklace
Business Name: A Raven's Nest
Owner: Raven Roxanne
Location: Charleston, SC
Website: lilbitlit.com
Instagram Handle: @ravenroxanne
Offerings: Children's author & artist
What They Have to Say: "When Charleston-based artist Raven Roxanne told Molly Fienning she dreamed of creating a children's book based on her popular "Nest" series of paintings, it was a lightbulb moment. Molly (an entrepreneur and co-founder of Babiators) excitedly mentioned the idea to friends Jenny DiBenedetto (a journalist and editor) and Amelia Lane Jaben (a launch strategist). A cup of coffee later, in the spring of 2018, Lil Bit Lit—a new kind of publishing house that creates art-forward books for children—was born.
Using a modern, collaborative process, LBL works with immensely talented writers and artists who seek to make a difference in the world by reaching children. The books are beautiful, cloth-bound pieces of art in themselves that will be handed down from one generation to the next. But, most importantly, the pages are filled with stories and ideas that inspire connectedness—something that’s often missing in this fast-paced digital world where children under 8 spend, on average, 2 hours and 19 minutes a day staring at a screen.
'Our mission is to light up children's minds and hearts,' says Raven, whose book, A Raven’s Nest, explores the imperfect perfectness of love and home. 'We want them to experience moments of real connection with their emotional self, their loved ones, and the natural world.'"
I'd love to know if you've made a purchase from any of these small businesses this year in our Shop Small Holiday 2019 Campaign - tag me on Instagram @maryfrancesflowers and share your goodies with #MFMshopsmallchallenge