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News of this sale just in via the Blueberry Diapers email newsletter.  Here’s what they have to say about it…

“For those who have been using cloth diapers for a while, you may be familiar with the diaper brand called Wonderoos.  It was the original one size pocket diaper which is now owned by Hip Hip Baby, a company in the UK.  Swaddlebees/Blueberry is currently the distributor of Wonderoos in the USA. 

Beginning October 6, we are holding a Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion on Wonderoos diapers.   Diapers will include two 3-layer microfiber inserts.  This offer will not be available directly on Swaddlebees or Blueberry, but will be exclusively available from the following retailers:

Tree City Diapers
For the Monster
Diaperco
Heiny King
Child Organics
Envirobabystore
Natural Baby Source
The Natural Mothering Shop

Detailed information about the diapers is available on Wonderoos.com.  The sale will run for 10 days and ends on October 15th.”

Source: Blueberry Diapers email newsletter

After a year of hard work, the cloth diaper industry has a brand new trade association. The Real Diaper Industry Association (RDIA) is designed to bring together the cloth diaper manufacturers and cloth diaper retailers to help promote cloth diapering. 

The first meeting to discuss the opportunity to create an associaiton were held in Las Vegas in 2007 in conjunction with the ABC Kids Show, a large exposition of manufacturers of children’s items. The handful of cloth diaper manufacturers who attended that first meeting left with a dream of a trade association to being together cloth diaper manufacturers to help increase the use of cloth diapers and to help standardize the industry. One of their early goals was to create standardized washing instructions to make it easier for cloth diaper users to care for their diapers.

This year there were three meetings, again in Vegas at the ABC Kids Show. First the manufacturers met, with many familiar brands represented including Happy Heiny’s, Kissaluvs, Wahmies/Drybees, All Together Diaper Company, Firefly Diapers/Refuz, Bummis, Little Beetle Organics, BumGenius, Sheepish Grins, Bumkins and more. In all there were about 40 manufacturer’s representatives in attendance. They discussed the new proposed standardized washing instructions, the goals of the association, and some ways to spread the word cloth diapering.

The retailer meeting was impressive, with what surely must have been the largest group of cloth diaper retailers ever assembled. About 80 retailers were there, including small, new stores and established long-time retailers. Talk turned to sharing the advantages of cloth diapers with the public and how to use the association to improve cloth diaper usage.

The most popular meeting, by far, was the final meeting where retailers and manurfacturers came together to hear Peggy O’Mara of Mothering Magazine talk about the rise and fall and rise again of the cloth diaper industry since the 1970’s. Of course, hearing that O’Mara has been a long-time supporter of cloth diapering was met with thunderous applause. Her speech was inspiring to all of us who work to see more bottoms in cloth and fewer disposables in landfills.

After O’Mara’s speech she volunteered to sign up Mothering Magazine as the first official member of the RDIA.

Since the Real Diaper Association is so new, the web site is still rudimentary. You can see get contact information for the new association at www.realdiaperindustry.org. The RDIA welcomes retailers, manufacturers, diaper services and affiliated groups such as diaper directories.

Announcing the Grand Opening of Bums the Word! A new online resource for cloth diapering and natural parenting products. Located in sunny Florida, Bums the Word features a tropical theme and also plans on featuring tropical inspired products and prints.

Currently you’ll find GENY Covers, Wahmie’s One-Size Diapers & WetBags, Burt’s Bees, DryBee’s, Monkey Doodlez Swim Diapers & More!

Visit Bums the Word today and use Coupon Code New10 for 10% off your order!

Julia Clark, WAHM to 3 crazy kids 

MySpace? For Adults? Laugh all you want, you probably even have your own MySpace page! The MySpace phenomenon has taken the world by storm, and now it’s even being used by cloth diapering moms who’d like to hang out and chat about what else…fluff!

MySpace provides unique opportunities to network, socialize, connect with long lost friends, and express yourself. I think of it kind of like checking my email, it’s not quite as immature as it’s reputation, although I guess that depends on your age.

ClothRevolution sets out to become a sort of home base for MySpace Mamas who also live in that “other” realm where cloth diapers rule their lives and real life family and friends just don’t get it.

Visit ClothRevolution and you’ll find washing tips, folding techniques, free wahm advertisements, cloth diaper raves and much more!

So if you’re not to proud to admit you’ve got a MySpace page, visit ClothRevolution and make friends today.

Julia Clark, Owner of Earth Angels Diaper Co. & Bums the Word , and WAHM to 3 crazy kids!

There are a few good cloth diapering resources that get bookmarked, linked to, talked about, and poured over for years after the author’s children are out of diapers.  This month, the blog article “Cloth Diaper Essentials: A Comparative Review” joins these great cloth diapering articles. 

Traveling with Baby’s review compares 9 brands of cloth diapers including chinese prefolds, fitteds, pocket diapers, all in ones, and one size fits all diapers.  Each of the 9 diapers had a detailed report including a rating in the following areas 1) effectiveness during nighttime wear, 2) aesthetics and bulkiness, 3) ease of use and maintenance, 4) most comfortable, and 5) value for the money. In addition to the “bum-to-bum” comparison, Dr. Dolly A. Garnecki  reviews common diapering terms, smart shopping tips, and more.  Bookmark it, love it, share it!

Kayla Rihani is the mother of three beautiful children and owner of Kayla’s Cloth Kits, home of the KCK One-One Size Fits All Diaper Pattern and Kits.

On Miami’s Examiner.comnew parent Angele Sionna wrote a rave review for bumGenius 3.0.  She has a 10-month old daughter and they recently made a switch to cloth diapers.  Sionna states,

 ”My cloth diapering journey began with the bumGenius. And so far, it’s the diaper to beat in my book. “

Sionna’s husband is also a big fan of bumGenius 3.0’s and requested adding more of them to their stash.  Please visit Examiner.comto read the entire review or visit Sionna’s blog The Momma Blog to read about her Diaper Showdowns.  In her Diaper Showdowns Sionna puts cloth and disposable diapers through several tests, comparing performance. 

Source: Examiner.com

As covered in The Chatham Daily News, Tammy Chouinard of Canada’s Baby ’N Me Boutique has been nominated for The Savvy Mom, Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award.  Chouinard strives to educate parents on the toxins found in baby care items.  Her site offers organic and natural baby care items including several cloth diaper lines. 

 ”Many disposable also contain chemicals that have been banned from feminine care products,” she said. “Cloth diapers are much more user-friendly than most people think and they have come a long way from the ones used a generation ago.”

The winner of the Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award will receive business counseling and $17,000.  Please visit The Chatham Daily News for the full article and visit Mom Entrepreneur Award to vote for Tammy Chouinard.

 Source: The Chatham Daily News

WATERFORD, Maine, August 6, 2008 – Maine businesswoman and entrepreneur, Kelly Wels of Kelly’s Closet, Inc., was awarded a Congressional Award from Senator Olympia Snowe, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
 
In the “Congressional Senate Record” dated March 6, 2008, Snowe recognized Kelly’s Closet, a leading online cloth diapering boutique, as “a woman-owned small business that has helped reinvent a traditional product in a new and environmentally friendly way.”
 
“Helping parents understand how cloth diapering has changed and ensuring that they make an educated choice when it comes to how to diaper their precious babies is one of my top priorities,” says Wels, who owns several specialized cloth diapering boutiques such as KellysCloset.com, FuzziBunzOnline.com, and OneSizeDiaperStore.com.  “I am truly honored that Senator Snowe is actively recognizing the important contributions local entrepreneurs are making and that she is working hard to give these businesses the exposure they need to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.”
 
Diane Jackson, a representative from Senator Snowe’s office, formally presented Wels with a Congressional Award on behalf of Senator Snowe on July 25, 2008 at Wels’ Waterford offices.
 
Senator Snowe continues in her Congressional Record presentation, “When Kelly Wels founded Kelly’s Closet in 2001, there were few options for parents looking for cost-effective, sanitary, and environmentally friendly diapers for their children. Like any good enterprising businesswoman, Ms. Wels identified this underserved market and then moved to supply the demand.
 
“Maine is a State known for its innovators and entrepreneurs, and Kelly Wels is a member of that proud group. Her perseverance, tenacity, and business acumen are a testament to what a small business can accomplish. In eight years, Ms. Wels has helped transform the way parents purchase diapers and has expanded their possibilities to a great degree. I wish Kelly Wels and all the employees of Kelly’s Closet continued success as they grow, innovate, and expand their business.”
 
About Kelly’s Closet, Inc.
Kelly’s Closet, Inc., is the online purveyor of four online specialty baby boutiques and diaper shops, including KellysCloset.com, FuzziBunzOnline.com, OneSizeDiaperStore.com, and BulkClothDiaper.com. KellysCloset.com offers one of the Web’s largest selections of cloth diapers and accessories.  FuzziBunzOnline.com offers an exclusive collection of Mother of Eden products and accessories, including the patented Fuzzi Bunz diaper system.  OneSizeDiaperStore.com offers the Web’s premier selection of one-size cloth diaper brands.  BulkClothDiaper.com offers deep diaper discounts on various cloth diaper brands.  Kelly’s Closet Inc., has been a trusted name in cloth diapering, having served more than 24,000 customers since opening its first store, KellysCloset.com, in 2001.
 
About the Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
The Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship considers proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the Small Business Administration. Senator Snowe is ranking member of the Committee.

Few topics polarize the cloth diaper community as quickly as the seemingly simple question, “What detergent is best for cloth diapers?” Opinions differ widely, and for many, those opinions are strong. Choosing a detergent does not need to be difficult, there are number of resources available that can help to narrow down your choices.

One reason that opinions are so strong - and so different, is that detergents work differently in different water. A detergent that works well for soft water could be a nightmare of build-up and stink for someone with hard water. Other factors include whether you pre-rinse your diapers, what kind of fabric your diapers are made of, how you dry your diapers and whether you use additives such as baking soda, vinegar, pail powders, tea tree oil, etc.

Happy Heiny’s offers this list of cloth diaper approved detergents that can help get your started. You may be surprised to see Tide on the list. For many people Tide works wonderfully well, myself included - and our water is so hard it dissolves faucets (really!). A more natural detergent alternative is Country Save.

Pinstripes and Polka Dots also has a more comprehensive cloth diaper detergent chart that will show you what additives are in each kind of detergent and which detergents work best for cloth diapers. Have a high-efficiency washing machine? Pinstripes also offers a list of best bet detergents for HE machines.