We’ve just decided to be a member of the Made in America Movement.  On their website, http://www.themadeinamericamovement.com, they have a list of companies that manufacture products in the USA.  As a small family business, we think this is a very important cause and are going to try and purchase products made in the USA whenever possible.  I know it isn’t easy, sometimes just finding products can be most of the battle.  But when you find them the next hurdle is the PRICE TAG.  We all love a bargain but eventually I believe we will have to decide for ourselves “What Is More Important?”

It seems amazing to us at Snoedels that a product can be made overseas then shipped here to the US and still be less that half the price of a product made here in America.   I guess we need to remember who’s livelihoods we are supporting, ours or theirs.

I read this on another site today, “There are approximately 250 million adult Americans, if each of them would simply redirect just $100 dollars of their normal yearly budget towards USA made goods, together we would add $25,000,000,000 Billion extra dollars to our economy. We’re not asking anyone to spend more, just redirect some of what you are spending to American made goods.”

I never thought of it this way before, doesn’t seem to much to ask of us!

Do we ever need a Big Break!  Snoedels has entered the Big Break Contest sponsored by American Express and Facebook.  Small Business are competing to receive $25,000 to grow their business and drive customers to their door, plus a visit from American Express Open and Facebook for a one-on-one strategy session to put it all into action.

As some of you know, we have been in business for 10 years now and are proud of the fact that our Snoedel is used in many hospital NICU’s throughout America.  The majority of our customers have either received a Snoedel at their hospital or heard of us from family, friends or the No-Cry Sleep Solution book by Elizabeth Pantley.  Our goal is to bring our Snoedel to the retail markets.  We are seeking help from our local women’s business center and local marketing companies as well.  Our marketing plan is taking shape but the expert advice and winnings from a Big Break would definitely be the BREAK we need to make our dream a reality.

The judges will pick 10 finalists by August 12th.  Then these 10 companies will receive a custom video created by American Express Open for their use during voting, $2,500 in Facebook ad credits and a digital toolkit to help engage their community.  The final 5 Big Break Winners are determined by community voting.

Wish us luck!  If we make it to the 10 finalists, we will need your help in getting the message out to all your FRIENDS!

Good Morning.  We’ve been remiss in our blog postings for the month of June.  My husband and I went on a vacation to Ireland.  During our 2 week driving tour, our favorite times were outside the cities in small quaint towns.  One stop that I will always remember is our visit to the Belleek China Factory.  This factory in the town of Belleek, in northwest part of Ireland, still makes all the china by hand.  I couldn’t stop thinking about our Snoedel and how we struggle to keep our product handmade here in the United States.  It got me thinking about concentrating our blog on American handmade baby products and the companies and people who still strive to have quality products made here in our country. We hope to highlight these products through our blog, facebook and twitter pages with the help from our fans and followers.  I have also created a Pinterest Board which I would like to be a collection of American made baby products.  If you know of any such products or hear of any please email me at sandy@snoedel.com.

It’s natural as a new parent to search for the best, most natural way to provide comfort and security for your baby when you are unable to hold him in your arms. Buying a quality product like a Snoedel doll provides comfort to your new little one and lets you breathe a sigh of relief as well. 

What is a Snoedel? It’s a doll, but not the traditional kind. A Snoedel is made of soft flannel sectioned to simulate the head and body of a doll. The flannel comes in either pastel pink or blue as well as more colorful prints that Baby will enjoy. The sections contain soft 100 percent sheep’s wool, an all-natural fiber that absorbs and holds the mother’s scent so that Baby always feels that his mother is near. Similar products do not utilize the soft, pure quality wool that is chosen for the Snoedel. The word “Snoedel” actually comes from the Dutch for “snuggle,” and you pronounce it “snoodle.” And, by the way, the Snoedel is a quality product made in the US. 

The Snoedel is so pure you can give it to your baby as soon as he’s born, even if he needs to stay in the Neonatal ICU for a day or two. Many women–and men–take the Snoedel to bed with them for a few nights so that the wool content picks up their scent. Then when Baby is in the incubator at the hospital, or even in his own little bed at home during sleep times, the Snoedel rests with him, carrying his parent’s soothing scent. 

Many experts agree on the benefits of providing a soft toy that your child will bond with. It’s free of eyes or other decorations that could be potential choking hazards, following strict standards as it’s made in the US. It’s soft yet firm enough for Baby to cuddle. The Snoedel offers a natural way to soothe your child at his rest time so that he gets quality sleep–and you will be providing a little bit of yourself for your child to carry off into Dreamland. This is a must-have for any nursery.