Featured Artisan - Holden's Landing

Contest has ended - congratulations to Stuff Parents Need! 

The name Holden's Landing (owned and operated by Bonnie Vontz of Connecticut, USA since 2004) has become synonymous with fun, functional (and drop-dead-gorgeous) cloth diapers, knits, clothing and organic bedding.



Now it's time to meet the WAHM behind the business – and what better way to do that than by letting other WAHMS ask the questions!?!




You seem to get so much done. How do you organize your day, and what does a typical day's schedule look like?

I would love a few more hours in every day as time management is my biggest challenge. Currently I work from early morning to noon, then do schoolwork with the kids (we are homeschoolers), then back to work until late afternoon/early evening, then family time/dinner. I am always working on something though. If the kids are doing research on the computer, I'm next to them snapping diapers; if we're watching a movie or are out at the park, I'm knitting.

I keep several to do lists and am always jotting notes about what needs to be done next. It is very satisfying to cross things off my list every day! What doesn't get finished that day gets moved to the top of the next day's list.

What inspired you to start your business?

When I was pregnant with Holden, I was researching cloth diapers. I bought a few mass produced diapers (I didn't know about work at home moms back then!) and though I liked them, I didn't love them. So I started working on some designs of my own. Just before his birth I was introduced to the WAHM community - and a whole new world opened up. I adored making the diapers for Holden; it provided a creative outlet that I needed, and I soon realized that I was making far more diapers than one little boy could ever need. I started calling for testers and Holden's Landing was born.

Bonnie, so many of your diapers are works of art. What is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from lots of places, but generally a customer will suggest a theme or a color and I will run with that; creating several new items based on that theme or color. I just had a customer send me a picture of a flower to try to replicate in dyed OBV. This image has spurred about 10 new colorways for spring!

What is your favorite medium to work with? Your crafts seem to span many mediums from print to knitting and all your sewn goodies in between.

My favorite has to be organic bamboo velour. The way it dyes up, the way it sews ... I love everything about it. Closely followed by wool interlock.




What is your favourite item to make?

DreamScapes.

They are also my most labor-intensive item, taking anywhere from 2 - 6 hours to complete. I love having a small canvas to put together a scene on - it's fun and a challenge because of the small space.
Now … here's a question for YOU.
Are you ready for the chance to win Bonnie's fabulous giveaway?



One custom rainbow stripe BedBug or fitted.
Retail value $29-$35.



Here's how to go about getting an entry:
* Visit Holden's Landing etsy shop - www.holdenslanding.etsy.com - and reply to this post about your favorite item.

Additional entries:

* Fan Holden's Landing on facebook and leave a comment on this blog that you have done so
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/CT-USA/Holdens-Landing/150011683600

* Fan Etsy Hyena Team on Facebook and leave a comment on this blog saying you did so
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Etsy-Hyena-Team/273228533065

* Blog or FB or Twitter about this giveaway and post the link on this blog.

* Follow Holden's Landing's blog and leave a comment saying you did so. If you are already a follower, just leave a comment saying you are!

* Make a purchase from Holden's Landing Etsy shop during the contest and receive 5 extra entries.

The winner will be announced on the blog on Monday, February 22nd, 2010.

Good Luck!!



85 Responses to “Featured Artisan - Holden's Landing”

Gillyweeds said...

I'm already a fan on Facebook! =)

Christa said...

It was so great to learn more about you Bonnie! Your work is amazing and always more beautiful than the last!! I love the giveaway diaper too :)

luvlieK - Kelly said...

Would love to try this: or any ai2
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38994956
or an obv pillow case of course :o)

Jenn said...

I love the embroidered OBV pillow case:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38423513

Jenn said...

Fanned HL on FB!

Jenn said...

Also fanned Etsy Hyena Team on FB. :)

Cheryl Fines said...

My fave is the beautiful blanket! Though everything's gorgeous, really. (o:

~LiLaC~ said...

How do you pick just one favorite?!?! Bonnie's work is simply gorgeous! I guess if I HAVE to choose it would be the stormy bedbug :)

Jessy said...

I would love this for my son:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39194296

I am also fan of hers on Facebook, as well as Etsy Hyena Team.

Sorry had the wrong link.

alioop said...

I love the artic dreamscape diaper. :)

mamagooskie said...

I love the rainbow obv pillowcase

Unknown said...

i love the fairy lovescape!!

Unknown said...

now following the blog!
fan of HL on facebook
fan of EH team on facebook!

Tanya said...

became a Fan Holden's Landing on facebook

Tanya said...

became a Fan Etsy Hyena Team on Facebook

Tanya said...

favorite item on her etsy site

Forest AI2 and Flouncy Top Set - Toddler

Unknown said...

I am already a FB fan and that beautiful butterfly garden playscape is sitting in my nappy cupboard. Aren't I lucky? ;-D

edhe said...

I am already a fan of Holden's Landing facebook (sugar Archibald) :)

edhe said...

I love the Custom Winter Wonderland DreamScape :) it is stunning!!!

Melissa Allesi said...

I love the lilac fairies!
missyt_2000@yahoo.com

Melissa Allesi said...

I'm a fb fan of holden's landing!
missyt_2000@yahoo.com

Melissa Allesi said...

i'm a follower!
missyt_2000@yahoo.com

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

my fav thing is the customer service! bonnie is always kind and gentle in nature, open to listen to new ideas, and very willing to work with you on a one to one basis, i love that she talks to me direct about what i want in my design and always pleases! love my bedbugs bonnie, i swear my little man sleeps better in them than any other nappy, for sure bedbugs don't bite in this household!x

(annikajane@blueyonder.co.uk on my partners google account.x)

Unknown said...

forgot to add, i'm a facebook fan!

Unknown said...

Lilac Fairies - Toddler AI2 Cloth Diaper is my favorite !

Unknown said...

I'm a Fan Holden's Landing on facebook

sezzlebum said...

love the stormy bedbug, its really striking x

Rachel said...

I'm a Facebook fan of HL.

rachelinscotland @gmail.com

Rachel said...

My favourite item in the shop is the Stormy OBV Bedbug! Beautiful colours, as are all her fantastic nappies.

Rachel said...

I'm a fan of Etsy Hyena Team.

rachelinscotland @gmail.com

(above post was me too, but forgot to add email address)

Rachel said...

I Follow Holden's Landing's blog too!

rachelinscotland @gmail.com

Jenni said...

I love the lilac fairy diaper, but since I just have boys I'll have to go with the 'stormy' obv. Who doesn't love OBV. :)

Jenni said...

fan of HL on facebook (Jenni R Brighton)

Jenni said...

fan of the HC team on facebook (Jenni R Brighton)

Jenni said...

follower of HL's blog

Moonstonemama said...

Love the girl polar pals diapers!

Barefootmystic@gmail

Unknown said...

I'm a Fan Etsy Hyena Team on Facebook

Unknown said...

I'm Following Holden's Landing's blog

Melanie said...

love the rainbow pillowcase

Unknown said...

tweeted this giveaway

http://twitter.com/Missy_wpg/status/9390507392

TopHat said...

I love the Grotto Small OBV Bed But one! Too cute! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41086330

Emily's Family said...

I love the bejeweled stripe. But I love anything girly!!


http://couponmommyof2.blogspot.com/
thriftymommy@verizon.net

Emily's Family said...

I am a fb fan @ shannon hubbel

http://couponmommyof2.blogspot.com/
thriftymommy@verizon.net

Emily's Family said...

I a fb fan to etsy @ shannon hubbel

http://couponmommyof2.blogspot.com/
thriftymommy@verizon.net

Emily's Family said...

follow LH blog

http://couponmommyof2.blogspot.com/
thriftymommy@verizon.net

Kelly Irene said...

These diapers look great! My favorite is the polar pals AI2. I love that it doesn't require a cover and looks like it would be trim fitting since it is sized.
kellyihovey at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I'm already a fan on Facebook:)

Unknown said...

I already follow Bonnie's blog and would LOVE to win one of her beautiful diapers!

Unknown said...

My favorite Holden's Landing item available on Etsy right now is the Valentine OBV Blanket.

Unknown said...

I just became a fan of Etsy Hyena Team on Facebook and would LOVE to win a diaper from Holden's Landing:)

simplymerry said...

my favorite item on the etsy shop is the arctic dreamscape diaper. wow.

simplymerry at gmail dot com

simplymerry said...

i follow Holden's Landing's blog

simplymerry at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Fave Diaper: Metallic bedbug

(kkirgirl at yahoo.co.uk)

Anonymous said...

Already follow HL blog :o)

(kkirgirl at yahoo.co.uk)

Anonymous said...

I love the embroidered pillowcase.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Tory said...

I'm a facebook fan!!

Tory said...

I love the custom dreamscapes. I am yet to own one....but soon!! ;)

Tory said...

I'm an etsy fan on facebook too! yay!!

Eleanor said...

I love the obv pillowcases & blankets. I need to get one some day!

Eleanor said...

I follow HL blog already

Eleanor said...

I'm a HL facebook fan!

Eleanor said...

I'm now a Fan of Etsy Hyena Team on Facebook

(tomneleanor @ yahoo. co . uk)

janil said...

I love Custom Arctic DreamScape !

cl_rubies at yahoo dot es
thansk!

Anonymous said...

I like the Custom Fairy Dream Scape.

Anonymous said...

I became a fan of Etsy Hyena Team on FB.

Andrea said...

Wow I'm really impressed. These are some of the prettiest diapers I've ever seen. My favorite item in her etsy shop is the valtine obv blanket.

apeak AT hotmail DOT com

Andrea said...

Following Holden's Landing on google reader.

apeak AT hotmail DOT com

I love the arctic dreamscape and the robots!

I'm a fan of all bonnies shops, blog and fb! and have been for AGES!! I adore bonnie and her work. My current fave on etsy is bonnies rainbow stripe bov pillowcase, I really must order one!!! Fab work bonnie xxx

Anonymous said...

Alread a fan of hers on FB and I am in love with her stormy OBV diaper she currently has listed

Natalie said...

I love your blankets is OBV

Natalie said...

Im an Etsy facebook fan too

Ryan said...

I'm a FB fan of HL!

Ryan said...

I'm a fan of the Esty Hyean Team!

Ryan said...

I really, really, really want one of the medium bed bugs...I don't care which color - they're all SO pretty. Though the eskimo pal AI2 is SUPER temping!

Ryan said...

I follow the blog!

laurakcowan said...

I love the Seasons of Rox's Apple Tree Fall/Winter diaper!

Laura C

laurakcowan/at/gmail/dot/com

The robot diaper is sooo stinkin cute! (Get it, stinkin?)
Melissa
sewsweetstitches_on_etsy@yahoo.com