Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay

Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards Giveaway

2011-10-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Win Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay for your child's classroom!

Well, we've decided to go for it, but we need your help!
As you know, Mama K's is a finalist in the Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Awards

If we can make it to the top, we've decided to give away enough gluten-free play clay
for a classroom full of little people.

This contest is open to kids in all types of schools. Home schools, public schools, private and un-schools! Whatever type of school, we want you to win Play Clay for all the kids.

Just use this link:

Totally Awesome Art Supplies

And this one:

Mom Run Business

And leave a comment on my Facebook page here: Mama K's FB Fan Page letting me know you voted.

Easy as that! When the Red Tricycle Awards are announced we will announce the winner
of the contest.

Tell your friends! This will be fun.

Thanks in advance,

Mama K

Giveaway with California Baby!

2011-08-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

California Baby and Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay have partnered to do a
giveaway today! This is an awesome giveaway with TWO lucky winners.

Check it out on California Baby's Facebook Page and on mine as well.

There are more than a few similarities between California Baby and this wholesome, non-toxic 100% natural play clay company, can you guess what? Find 3 major similarities, share them with us on our facebook page and have a chance to win one of two gift baskets filled super natural goodies from California Baby and Mama K’s. Winners will be selected on August 26th at 3PM. Good Luck!

As Founder of Mama K's Play Clay and a mother of two awesome kids, it is an honor and a privelege to work with a company as successful as California Baby. Jessica is an amazing woman and an inspiration. I hope to join her in her huge success someday.

Feel free to leave a comment here letting me know you stopped by!

Major Awesomeness

2011-08-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Some major awesomeness is happening in Mama K land.

1st, we've been listed as one of Babble's Top 50 Etsy Moms for 2011!
This is an awesome group of Moms and bad-ass crafters, and I am thrilled to
be part of the group. One of my favorite virtual friends, Little Alouette, is there too. Check it out.

Next, we've been nominated for a Red Tricycle Totally Awesome award in two categories, which is well, totally awesome.

Here are the links for those:

http://www.redtri.com/awards/toys-and-playtime-supplies/art-supplies

http://www.redtri.com/awards/parenting-resource/mompreneurs

I hope to have enough nominations to make it into the finals for open voting! So send your nominations my way, wouldn't it be fun to win???

And finally, I'm opening a brand-spanking new shop at Hybrid Mom Bazaar. It was an honor to get the invite, and I'm looking forward to being part of Hybrid Mom during the holiday season. Fun!

Catching UP

2011-07-12T12:08:00.000-07:00

Oh wow. Life doesn't stop moving, does it. STOP I say! STOPPPPPPPP, PLEASE! Just for a second. No? Oh, ok... well....then. Here goes nothing:

ASTRA! Was awesome. Even though I was a little shy, I loved meeting new people,
seeing what's out there in the toy world, and getting to know other manufacturers (large and small).This was my neighbor. Woolpets are amazing. Just simple little wool felting kits with instructions. People loved them.

Constructive Eating were across the way. Very nice people, and a neat product (though I think my girls would be a bit non-plussed, I can see them working in other households.)
And Green Toys. They need no introduction, really. But I had a great time meeting and talking with them.

I want to be sure to mention meeting Begin Again. These people are amazing! I don't have a photo of their booth, but please check out their website. I will be looking to them for 'eco-guidance' as I grow my business. True pioneers, they are paving the way, along with Green Toys, for responsible manufacturing practices.

While it was hard to be away from my family for 5 days, it was an invaluable learning experience and an amazing opportunity. Along with lots of exciting new orders I got confirmation that I am doing something worthwhile, and that with enough hard work and persistence my family can create something that sustains not only us, but our community and our planet.

And that is that.

Until Next Time,

Mama K

New Review and Giveaway

2011-06-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Heidi Kelly at Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom has done a review
and giveaway today. Check it out!

Memories...

2011-05-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

So, my birthday is tomorrow.
My 33rd Birthday.
I was reminded that today is the anniversary of Mt. St. Helens erupting.
That was in 1980, I would have been turning 2 the next day.
And that is my first clear memory....
My tiny feet on the porch of my
childhood home, warm from the sun and leaving footprints. A fine dusting of ash.
My little mind amazed, turning to watch the prints behind me as I walked.
And now here I am. A volcano's worth of memories. An eruption every day.
I want to thank the loves in my life.
And remember the explosions.
And live another year.
And squeeze my babies.
And say goodbye to my mother (she is dying of ALS).
And laugh and cry at her memory.
And thank her for 33 years of wisdom and love and understanding.
And be a memory-keeper for my daughters.
And live with my sisters and husband and brothers and father.
And be happy. Or happy-ish, almost all the time.
33 seems big somehow, or maybe it's just the way things are right now.
Big. Like my footprints on that porch in my mind. Huge. Bigger than anything I had ever known.

Harder than it looks!

2011-05-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

So I saw this article on some folks on the lower east side of Manhattan making paper roses to sell as a fundraiser for Mother's Day.

Awesome, I thought. Easy. We'll do it.

"Olimpia, let's make your grandma and aunties some paper flowers for Mother's day."

"Okay, I'll get the sticks!"

Jump to us 3 HOURS (and several youtube tutorials) LATER. Are we done yet?

I think we did pretty good, eh?

.HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

Home again home again...

2011-05-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

My kids were superstars while their mama and papa were away. how I missed their sweet faces.

Jiggety Jog.

Can I tell you a secret?

2011-02-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

Remember way back in December, when I did this post on Amy Turn Shar p and the awesome Little Alouette taking their trip to NY?

*It's my turn*

Creative Beast, LLC and Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay are the proud recipient of
a Women in Business grant from Eileen Fisher.

This is so awesome I can't even begin to explain. Here is the lowdown:

Dear Grant Winner!

Congratulations on being selected as a recipient of the 2010 Eileen Fisher Business Grant.

In addition to the cash award, we would like to invite you to spend 3 days with us as our guests in NYC. The dates we are proposing are May 1-3. We will fly you to NYC and provide two nights at a hotel. There will be numerous opportunities to celebrate, and to get to know the other grant recipients and EF committee members.

During this time we will hold “mini” trade shows in our NYC showroom and at the corporate offices in Irvington, allowing you to show your wares, and meet the members of the Eileen Fisher community.

I used to live there. Left several little bits of my heart hiding in cracks in the sidewalk.

I'm gonna go scoop 'em up.

Sweet, right?

Thanks

2011-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks for an amazing 2010. 2011 we are going to rock you.

Santa K is working, working...

2010-12-16T23:15:00.001-08:00

Best of Seattle 2010!

2010-12-09T23:39:00.000-08:00

YES!!! Seattle gives love. Here it is:

Superior squishy stuff

There has been a surge in the number of organic play doughs on the national market, but local fave Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay (mama-ks.com), created by Rainier Beach mom Kari Erickson-Valenzuela, is looking at world dominance, with new distribution in Europe and Asia. Not too shabby for a product from a mom who started messing around with different recipes so that her kid could play with nontoxic dough. The happy result: clay made with subtle aromatherapy oils—from chamomile and lavender to sweet orange and bergamot—that smell delicious and soothe the mind.

Love it.

2010-11-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

I'm with Amy.

Little Alouette

2010-11-12T09:31:00.000-08:00

Isn't Amy Turn Sharp Awesome?

Don't you swoon when you see Little Alouette's incredible toys?

Lookie here:

Looks like someone we know is going to NYC. Jealous.

The Winner's Circle

2010-11-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Press Release

Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay™ has earned the coveted Parent Tested, Parent Approved (PTPA) Seal of Approval!

November 9th, 2010
Mama Made It, LLC is excited to announce Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay™ has
been awarded the PTPA Winner’s Seal of Approval. PTPA Media is North America’s largest
parent community, with over 40,000 volunteer parent testers.

Consumers looking for practical, high-quality products and services can rest assured when they see the PTPA Winner’s Seal; it’s evidence of product excellence as evaluated by unbiased parent
consumers.

Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay™ was among many entries from across North America competing to earn the PTPA™ Seal. Because independent parent volunteers evaluate these products in their own homes, PTPA winners are chosen based on merit and consumer experience – not on commercial considerations. As a result, the PTPA Media™ Seal has quickly gained recognition as an international leader in certifying consumer products for quality, effectiveness and value.

Being honored with the influential Seal of Approval from PTPA Media Inc. is a huge achievement for a product geared to families, children or parents. "While we here at Mama Made It know how great our play clay is, it’s awesome to see it approved yet again by real people with real kids!”

“At PTPA Media, we are proud to play a role in certifying innovative new products that families can trust,” says Sharon Vinderine, president and founder of PTPA Media Inc. “It’s win-win. By improving communication between manufacturers and consumers, we are helping companies serve their market better, and helping families identify products that have been tested and recommended by their peers.”

About Our Clay

Get more from your play time. A wholesome, all-natural addition to play time, Mama K's Play
Clay is a kid-safe clay with subtle aromatherapy oils to soothe the mind. Ingredients are basic
and natural: they include certified gluten free flour, extra virgin olive oil, vegetable colorants and
pure essential oils. Available in seven scents, including soothing lavender, relaxing chamomile
and tension-easing bergamot.

Kari Erickson-Valenzuela, aka Mama K, created her unique scented Play Clay for
use with her own active three-year-old, Olimpia. Avoiding the artificial
ingredients and cloying fruit and soda scents seen frequently marketed to
children, she came up with a product that inspires focus and creates a calming
atmosphere, all while encouraging creativity.

Mama K’s Contact Info:

Kari Erickson-Valenzuela, Tel: (206)601-1197 E: mama@mama-ks.com Seattle, WA 98118

About PTPA Media Inc.

PTPA Media provides an objective framework for appraising and promoting new products designed to enrich family living. The company's mission is to marry innovative companies with discerning consumers, to improve consumer access to quality products and services for their families and homes.

PTPA Media Contact Information:

Sharon Vinderine, Tel: (905)738-1447 x.224 For more information visit www.ptpamedia.com.

And now, it's Fall....

2010-11-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Days Two and Three

2010-09-07T11:33:00.000-07:00

Very Creative.

This boy was great. Full of stories.

Roller by www.naturalearthfarm.com

These boys were super proud of their huge snakes. They played for over an hour.

Mama and Papa K

This family were super proud of their piggy and kitty.

Barbecue.

Lots of food creations. People were hungry.

Much fun was had by all. The kids were ALRIGHT.

Papa K hard at work.

Our illustrious volunteers, Tessa Shultz and Josh Summer

Day One Bumbershoot

2010-09-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

We had a great time. I was amazed at the creations people came up with. Here is a sampling.

More to come.

2010-08-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release
August 10, 2010
Kari Erickson-Valenzuela
Mama Made It, LLC
mama@mama-ks.com or 206.601.1197

LOCAL ECO-BRAND MAMA K’S SCHEDULED TO DELIGHT KIDS AT
BUMBERSHOOT 2010 AS PART OF THE YOUNGERSHOOT PROGRAM

Mama K’s popular gluten-free Aromatic Play Clay will be featured in the Kids Pavilion
and provide hands-on activities that are safe, sustainable and fun.

Seattle – Local children’s toy brand Mama K’s announces their participation in
Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival, this year celebrating the 40th annual
Festival. Bumbershoot, known for providing engaging arts and entertainment experiences
for people of all ages for forty years, features kid-friendly and family oriented activities
as part of their Youngershoot program. Mama K’s bring their popular gluten-free
Aromatic Play Clay daily to the Kids Pavilion at the Festival located in the Center House
for fun and eco-friendly family playtime. Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay is a kid-safe
clay with subtle aromatherapy oils to soothe the mind and delight the senses.

News Facts

• Youngershoot is held every year in conjunction with Bumbershoot, Seattle’s
oldest and largest local music festival.

• Mama K’s is a Seattle company featured in The Seattle Times, NW Source,
Martha Stewart.com among others that ships to Canada, Japan, France, the UK
and retail stores all over the United States as well as maintaining an Etsy.com site
for online retail sales.

• Bumbershoot is committed to finding sustainable, locally based companies with
eco-friendly products and activities to participate in the Festival.

• Mama Ks will participate in the Kids Pavilion activities found in the Center
House daily between the hours of 11am and 6 pm. All Bumbershoot attendees are
welcome to come to the center. There is no extra cost and this year, Bumbershoot
increased the age kids get in free to 10 and under.

• Mama K’s motto is ‘Soothing the Creative Beast’tm. Stop by the Center House to
soothe your creative beast at the festival.

“Mama Ks is thrilled to be a part of Youngershoot this year,” says Kari Erickson, founder
and president of Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay. “We care deeply about creating
sustainable, family-friendly products and are excited to be a part of a Seattle tradition like
Bumbershoot that shares these same values. They are to be commended for supporting
local companies with eco-friendly products and practices. We’re going to have fun and
look forward to seeing everyone there.”

For more information on Mama K’s products and business philosophy visit www.mamaks.
com

For more information on Bumbershoot visit www.bumbershoot.org. For a downloadable
Youngershoot program please go to www.bumbershoot.org/youngershoot.

About Mama Ks
Mama K’s founder, Kari Erickson-Valenzuela, created Play Clay with essential oils for
use with her own active three-year-old, Olimpia. Wishing to avoid artificial ingredients
and the cloyingly fruit and soda scents frequently marketed to children, Play Clay was
created to inspire focus, create a calming atmosphere and inspire creativity while
simultaneously being safe and sustainable.

About Bumbershoot
Established in 1971 and celebrating its 40th festival this year, Bumbershoot takes place
every year over Labor Day weekend and stretches across the 74-acre Seattle Center
beneath the city’s iconic Space Needle. Bumbershoot programs 20 indoor and unique
outdoor venues, allowing for a diverse array of arts including live music, comedy,
theatre, dance, film, urban crafts, and literary and visual arts. Festival details are located
at bumbershoot.org.

Watch Out World

2010-06-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay has been granted EN-71 compliance papers!
All Mama K's products will now carry the CE marking.

Watch out world, here we come!

Green Festival Update

2010-06-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

This pear wins best play clay creation of the Green Festival, for sure.

The 1st day of the Green Festival here in Seattle was rather dismal, if you don't mind my saying. It happened to land on the one and only sunny day Seattle has gifted us for what seems like months. Our poor huddled masses got to peek their heads out from under their slickers for a moment or two to squint at the sun. Unfortunately for my fellow exhibiting compatriots and I, we were dealt a double blow.
1. Forced inside! ... Argh.
2. Very low attendance...Argh again!

Not that it wasn't great anyway. And not that I didn't have plenty of time to get to know my neighbors. I was happy to talk with Mr. and Mrs. Punkernoodle of Punkernoodle Baby, your one-stop-shop for all things cloth diaper. Made me wish my own little punkernoodles were still wetting their drawers (mmm....sort of). They have the sweetest Punkins themselves and they kept me company lots of the time.
And then the blessed Seattle rain shone it's bedrizzled head again and tears of joy couldn't be seen streaking our cheeks, for we were already wet. And so, we talked and met and sold and sampled and talked and met some more.

I was meant to share a booth with the awesome Reusies, but due to some mix ups too boring to mention here ended up having my own booth. This was both a good and bad thing as I would have liked to learn more about them. I am totally down for the cause of eliminating the single use plastic bag completely, especially now that my own daughters will be going to school and needing a real solution. They are really beautiful bags and completely made in the U.S.A.

In the end I felt happy that we got to spread out and 'be ourselves'. I'm sure it's not the last we'll see of each other.

I have to just give a quick mention to my friends right across the way at Crown S Ranch.
Jennifer Argraves brought her INCREDIBLY FRIENDLY and WELL BEHAVED kids to
help her with the festival. They were all so sweet and didn't have the sort of frenetic energy
that so many city kids do. I hope that we can join them on their beautiful farm sometime for one of their 'Haycations'.

Some random photos from my booth:

And that's the news until next time.

Welcome to Mama K's News and Press Page

2010-04-24T17:12:00.001-07:00

So much has happened since our last post.

Mama K's is so proud to be distributed in Canada
by Natural Pod, an awesome natural toy manufacturer and distributor. We have seen some great success with them already and are looking forward to a bright future!

One of our favorite posts from the Canadian press is here at Vitamin Daily.

Look for Mama K in Seattle at the Seattle Green Festival June 5th and 6th.

Don't forget to check out Mama K's Facebook page. In the links section you can find links to most
U.S. and some Canadian Press listings.

Mama K's Chosen as One of Eco Child's Plays 10 Best Toys

2009-11-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

Goddard Systems, Inc. and Eco Child’s Play Unveils

2009’s Top 10 Eco-Friendly Toys Under $30

Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay

Selected as One of the Hottest Toys of the Season

November 3, 2009-- Goddard Systems, Inc., named the number one child care franchise company for the eighth year in a row by Entrepreneur magazine, has announced 2009’s Hottest Eco-Friendly Toys under $30. Mama K’s Play Clay was selected as one the top ten finalists.

The foundation of the Goddard Schools curriculum is learning through play. It is with this focus that the Goddard Schools partnered with Eco Child’s Play, a leading “green” blog, for the schools’ second annual Top Toys Test.

After a national call for submissions, the Toy Test Committee, consisting of Eco Child’s Play representatives and Goddard educators, evaluated entries based on a number of criteria, including:

* Affordable price range ($30 and under)
* Appropriate for preschoolers and early elementary school-age children
* Creative, social or engaging
* Eco-friendly
* Interactive, child-initiated play focus

“As leaders in early childhood development, we recognize that families want to know which toys are both safe and engaging for children,” said Joseph Schumacher, Chief Operating Officer at Goddard Systems, Inc. “We feel that our Top 10 Toys list will serve as a great resource for parents, grandparents and other family members as they venture into the gift-giving season.” This eco-friendly connection is a natural one for Goddard, which encourages pro-environment programs within its schools.

“In these budget-conscious times, it was important for us to select eco-friendly toys that not only encourage play and creativity, but are also affordable,” said Maryanne Conlin, mom, toy expert and Eco Child’s Play Contributor. “With help from our readers and toy testers, we are thrilled to have found 10 playthings that we feel will help families live a more healthy, eco-friendly life.”

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay is a kid-safe gluten-free clay with subtle aromatherapy oils to soothe the mind. Ingredients are basic and natural: they include certified gluten free flour, extra virgin olive oil, vegetable colorants and organic essential oils. Available in seven scents, including soothing lavender, relaxing chamomile and tension-easing bergamot.

Kari Erickson-Valenzuela, aka Mama K, created her unique scented Play Clay for use with her own active three-year-old. Avoiding the artificial ingredients and cloying fruit and soda scents seen frequently marketed to children, she came up with a product that inspires focus and creates a calming atmosphere, all while encouraging creativity.

Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay is handmade in Seattle, WA.

Contact Mama K’s through their website at www.mama-ks.com or email mama@mama-ks.com.

We are proud members of an international coalition of natural toy and children’s item makers that can be found at www.naturalkidsstore.com.

Company boilerplate

About Goddard Systems, Inc. www.goddardschool.com

Recently named #1 Childcare Franchise in the United States, by Entrepreneur magazine, for the eighth consecutive year (January 2009) and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales), by Franchise Times, for the second consecutive year (October 2008); Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) is expanding The Goddard School® network throughout the United States. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI currently licenses 340+ franchised schools with more than 40,000 students in 37 states. With a successful system in place and dedicated franchisees, GSI is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier childcare provider in the United States. For more information about Goddard, please contact Marie Baker at mb@childsplaypr.com .

About Eco Child’s Play, http://ecochildsplay.com/

Eco Child’s Play (ECP) is a blog devoted to informing and discussing “Green Parenting for Non-toxic, Healthy Homes”. ECP began in 2006 as site devoted to natural toys, and has since expanded to include broader issues related to green family life.

About Maryanne Conlin, http://notquitecrunchyparent.blogspot.com/

Maryanne Conlin (mcmilker) is a well known blogger and expert on eco-friendly toys. She is a leading voice in the green parenting movement and brings her years of experience marketing in the toy industry, as well as, her time teaching in a preschool to bear as a writer for top green parenting blog, EcoChildsplay.com. For more information on Eco Child’s Play, please contact MC Milker at mcmilker@gmail.com

Looks Like Everyones a Winner

2009-08-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hello My Friends....

3 contestants. 3 winners!

Looks like I have a little learning to do as far as running a contest is concerned.

I'm going to send a tube of 5 scents to the creator of the wind turbine.
And the lovely pom sisters will receive my new set of scents, chamomile and cardamom.

Please forgive my tardiness. Mama K and family finally own their own house. And moving in to it has been no small feat! Who knew that such small people could own so many articles of clothing?

I'll blog about the house, promise. As soon as I take some pictures.

Love,
Mama K

Tiny Creature Contest and Giveaway

2009-07-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

I said I'd do it. And here I am, doing it.

or

Mama K really really really wants to see what you are making with her clay.

This contest was originally inspired by a couple of artist friends of mine named Alex Branch and Shawn Nordfors.

When I first started this whole business thing I asked them to create a display made of Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay. I didn't give them any guide lines, just big balls of clay. They both came back to me with amazing and beautiful things. Unfortunately the dog with the space ship made by alex was destroyed before I could get a picture of it. But I managed to hang on to this:

And Shawn created a tiny version of one of his amazing and huge carved heads:

And so when I was asked to participate in The Spotted Box, I decided that in conjunction with the box going on sale I would host a contest and giveaway involving making mini sculptures with Mama K's.

So here is how we're going to do it. I've set up a photo album on my Facebook Fan Page called 'your creations'.
Go become a fan and upload your pics to the album. Leave a comment here telling me you've done so. Then stay tuned to this blog to find out if you've won a Tube of 5 Aromatic Play Clays! That's all you have to do.

Shawn and Alex will pick the winner! Don't think that they are only looking for realistic or perfectly made little creatures. Anything goes. This is open to all ages and stages. 2 to 200.... Just do it, It will be so fun.

I'll set a contest end date of August 15th to give everyone plenty of time to ruminate over their creations. We'll do a couple of runner's up who will win a tub of their choosing. Go pick which one you want from my Etsy shop.

SO go to my fan page and get uploading! And say hello while you're there!

*Enjoy*

Blog for Blog!

2009-07-09T23:49:00.000-07:00

Inspiration

It's finally happening. I've been trying to start this blog for weeks.

I've been too busy living life to stop and write about it.

Reflecting is definitely a privilege.

So the woman that inspired this blog is another etsy seller. She and her daughter picked my play clay out of the sea of things available on the amazing phenomenon that is etsy. Her shop is: PomLove.etsy.com
And she makes the most beautiful things out of paper. She's taken grade school ornament crafting to a whole new level. She's also got a new blog: pomonelovetsy.blogspot.com. When I got her sweet convo that she had included me in her blog I know that I had to return the favor and finally start my own. So here it is!

Stay Tuned!