Friday Feature: Messy Play Kits

Welcome to another edition of the Friday Feature. This week we are Featuring Messy Play Kits. Owner Robin Wilson is passionate about early childhood education. She has degrees in child development and psychology and experience teaching preschool at the UC Davis Center for Child and Family Studies. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor, infant massage instructor, a Happiest Baby on the Block instructor, and a postpartum doula.  
​Messy Play Kits are an easy way for children and parents to engage in sensory exploration and age-appropriate science activities at home.

1. What is your Shop Name and URL ?
Shop Name:Messy Play Kits,
Shop URL: www.etsy.com/shop/messyplaykits or www.messyplaykits.com
(I also have the shop Barbujas, www.etsy.com/shop/Barbujas)

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
SF Etsy

3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
I make Messy Play Kits, which are sensory play activity kits for young children. Each kit includes 3-5 different hands-on activities to help children learn about the world around them. It's a bit of art, a bit of science, and lots of fun! I used to teach preschool and have a background in child development, so this stems from my passion of getting young children interacting and learning about the world. I've always done a ton of messy play with the students in my classroom and kids I nannied for, and now you can do it at home too! I also include education for the parents about what their children are learning from engaging in this type of play. 
I have a blast making my kits. The activity ideas come from my classes, the Internet, and lots of trial and error! I love getting messy, so it works for me. 

4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
I also make handmade soaps and bath products on the side. I've also been skydiving 18 times! 

​5. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
Website: messyplaykits.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/messyplaykits

6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite item is the Dinosaur Dig Messy Play Kit. It's by far the best seller, because who doesn't love dinosaurs? It's also the first kit I came up with. You get to erupt a volcano, hatch dinosaur eggs, and make dino fossils! 

7.What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?
Felting. I saw someone doing it the other day at a market, and she had young kids helping her. It looked like fun, was very open-ended, and a great craft to involve kids in. I hope to learn how to felt myself so that I can include it as a project in my kits one day!

8. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
I recently got accepted into the Etsy Wholesale division, and I'm super excited to see where this goes! It's also forcing me to look more thoroughly at my Etsy shop and make sure it's up to par. 

9. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?
I would travel. I would book flights and hotels/hostels for random parts of the world, and just get out there. I'd book as many flights and things in advance since it's just one day, but then I could travel for awhile and enjoy it. 

10. What is the craziest gift you have ever received?
My sister sent me a Groupon for a helicopter flying lesson once. I was visiting her in Biston and got to take a 4 hour class followed by a 45 minute private flying lesson (where I actually took over the controls of the helicopter in flight!). It was so crazy!

11. What's next for you?
I'm excited to be joining the SF Etsy Holiday Emporium this month (November 28 & 29). I've been enjoying the Treasure Island Flea Market in recent months so you'll be sure to find me there over the winter and spring. I'm also looking forward to launching Birthday Boxes early next spring, so stay tuned for that!

12. Anything else you would like to add?
I have really enjoyed being part of the SF Etsy team. The forum is a fabulous resource and I love how connected I feel to the local makers!

Robin is currently offering a special discount. You ​can use the code SFETSY for free shipping (a $6 savings), and on her website you can use the same code for 20% off a new subscription ($8 savings)

Friday Features are run by Raji of Red Kerria Designs. To see your own shop featured, please fill out the form here.