Because art doesn't have to be boring...

Raising kids in rainy Vancouver requires parents to be creative with indoor activities, thankfully I found Cedar Works and they did the creative thinking for me! I found Cedar Works online while searching for indoor play equipment for my kids' Christmas present and I just had to have it! It was so simple, I designed my set, received a quote, they shipped it to our door and we put it together in no time! I am very happy with this product and highly recommend them. Here is a picture of my Cedar Works creation.... with a touch of Beetling on the wall of course :)

CedarWorks has designed and manufactured custom swing sets out of Northern White Cedar since 1981.  Since that time, we have increased our product line to include three swing set lines, the basic PlayAround, bold and noble Revelry, and the artistic and stylish Serendipity sets.  Company president, Barrett Brown, likes to tell the story of how the first CedarWorks indoor playsets were born.  "Our twins were about to turn two when my wife, Lynne, anticipating another long Maine winter posed a perfectly reasonable question.  'Could we put a playset inside?'  So, we attached a slide and a ramp to CedarWorks' smallest outdoor playset and put it down in our basement playroom.  Little did we know that we had stumbled upon a big idea."  That's what lead us to create Rhapsody -- a playset line designed with the with the optimal materials, finish, and scale for inside your home.
 
Since its inception and release, Rhapsody sales have exceeded our wildest expectations.  Not only did we have a fun and beautiful product for areas where weather (both hot and cold) can be a concern with young children, we also had a product that is a play solution for even the wee one's.  And, it can grow as your children grow by adding on age-relevant components over time.
 
CedarWorks has recently expanded its manufacturing  plant in Rockland, Maine,  to accommodate the ever-growing demand for the Rhapsody sets.  Each set is manufactured to customers' specifications and delivered, with professional installation availble if requested. Everyone plays a part, every detail is considered.  The CedarWorks Rhapsody sets have found their way into homes across the US and Canada, and into daycare and preschool centers as a wonderfully beautiful piece of play furniture.  Now, with the addition of the Rhapsody bunk and loft playbeds, the Rhapsody line is really holding its own as a well-received CedarWorks product line.  Our customers love it, and we love to design and build these beautiful and whimsical pieces.


You can find CedarWorks online, Facebook and twitter

We had a great time at the Spring Family and Baby Fair in Port Moody (Thank you to Nancy from Baby Vibe) and I want to share some of my favourite finds with you! I had a hard time choosing my top 3 but here they are...

I was so amazed when I flipped through Emma's portfolio that I had to share her artwork on our Blog. Uptown Tots offers a very unique service, hand painted wall decor and accessories, beautiful murals, interior design and custom art sculpted by her Husband. I definitely see a future collaboration between Beetling and Uptown Tots, now we just have to find that lucky girl or boy! 

Ok, anyone that knows me, knows that I adore and respect good teachers, I guess Oprah and I have something in common! This is why Easy Daisies made my top 3. This business idea was hatched when Elaine Tan Comeau started teaching Kindergarten. Elaine had always posted a visual daily schedule for the kids that mapped out the daily routine and made those transitions easier. Parents were also impressed and constantly asked Elaine if she could make something for them to take home... Of course she could! Great product from a great teacher, love it, bought one for my kids.

These books are gorgeous! Barefoot Books was started by two mothers that wanted to show children the world's diverse cultures and allow them to explore with their imaginations, and they have succeeded! I was drawn to the amazing artistry and beautiful display but I fell in love with the great stories and was thrilled to see so many different cultures showcased on 1 shelf. 

If you have ever googled "things to do in Vancouver" I'm sure you have come across one of these sites... babyvibe.ca, kindervibe.ca and maybe even doggyvibe.ca. Their motto is cool vibes for smart famiilies... and I agree! I have written about their site here before and am really excited that Beetling will take part in their first Spring Family & Baby Fair.  Below you can find a little bio about babyvibe.ca from the co-owner, Nancy Owens, and you can find them on twitter and Facebook.... Better yet you can come to Port Moody on May 15th and check them out in person!

With 6000 subscribers, we are proud to be Western Canada's leading e-newsletter for new and expectant parents. Launched in 2006, Babyvibe is a free, twice-weekly e-newsletter delivering pint-sized news and reviews on innovative products and services, expert tips and family friendly events for new and expecting parents. In 2008 we launched Kindervibe (Babyvibe's older sibling), which delivers the best scoop on cool products, services and tips for the bigger kids, with a focus on healthy, natural living!


With both publications, our mantra is: involved parenting, happy kids, healthy community!


On May 15th, join us at our first annual Spring Fair, a fun, fabulous and free event, happening in beautiful Port Moody, BC. More information can be found here.

I love Granville Island Toy Co. and not just because they are Beetling supporters, because they stock some amazing products and staff some awesome people! This is why I am really excited to say that we will be setting up with them at this year's Vancouver Children's Festival at Vanier Park. If you haven't been to one of their locations, you should really check them out! Even Greg Harper from Breakfast Television stopped by for some tips and a little play time for himself. Come by Vanier Park May 17th to 24th and have some fun!


"We don't cease to play because we grow old, we grow old because we cease to play." - G.B Shaw