Mary Ellen is a formerly single mom to two beautiful daughters. While she was pregnant with her second daughter, Donna, she began to look into prices of baby wraps and carriers. After a lot of research, she found that it would be much cheaper to create her own! When baby Donna started teething at two months, Mary Ellen was appalled at the prices other retailers charge for amber teething necklaces. Again, Mary Ellen decided that it would be cheaper (and more fun) to make these herself!
After both she and her husband found themselves out of work just recently in November, Mary Ellen decided to start her own Etsy shop to help provide some extra income! She also has a shop on her
facebook page. Not only does she make custom baltic amber teething necklaces but she also makes quite a few items that Mommy's need on a daily basis: minky (and non) cloth diaper covers and pockets, burp rags, blankets, taggie blankets, hair bows, nursing covers, car seat covers, Moby-type wraps, and Mei Tai's. You name it and she can probably make it! Since she creates these all on her own, she's able to keep costs down to help save others money. Everything she sells is made to order and is customized however you like it. You pick the print(s) and can even have your items customized with your baby's name.
I recently had the opportunity to review a Baby Amber Teething necklace from
Dear Baby Donna Creations on Etsy. I remember wondering exactly why her necklaces were a quarter the price of other teething necklaces, so I messaged her. Her reply was just that she's a mom and wants to help other moms. She's not into looking for a huge profit, just barely enough to cover what she spends.
Luckily, I stumbled upon her store by accident and promptly picked up a baby amber teething necklace for Leo. I knew I wanted a multi-colored but I have never seen a store that offers a multi-colored stone amber teething necklace. I really loved both so asked her to surprise me. She was in constant contact with me from the day I ordered. She messaged me the day I purchased the necklace to tell me she received my order and asked for Leo's neck size. She also messaged me when the necklace was finished and in the mail. I love that personal touch! And I received it only 3 days after I ordered it.
I was extremely happy with the necklace she sent me. It's well made and you can really tell it's made with love. I personally love the heart shaped magnet she uses to fasten the necklace instead of a screw or lobster claw; Anthony wasn't a big fan of it since he says it makes the necklace look more "feminine". Then again, he gives me glares when I put him in a black diaper with red hearts on it too. I'm sorry if I don't let colors and hearts determine what my son can wear.
Before getting this necklace, Leo was having a really hard time with teething. He would wake up about half an hour after putting him down for bed and cry. This pattern would continue for the rest of the night. During the day, he'd fuss all the time and would constantly have his whole fist in his mouth to relieve himself of the pain.
After receiving the necklace, I put it on him and I was extremely anxious to see results right away! Mary Ellen reminded me it would take at least a few days for the oils to absorb into his skin and take effect. Now, about a week later, I do see results. It is not a miracle cure and will not make teething painless but it does help him quite a bit. He now goes to bed right away and wakes up maybe only once during the night to eat! He chews on his hand less throughout the day and has been smiling more than he has been since this teething ordeal started.
It was really hard to get a picture of him wearing the necklace.
He does look awfully cute wearing it though! I was slightly worried that the magnet wouldn't be strong enough and that Leo would be able to just pull the necklace off. I was reassured when I received the necklace and found that the heart magnet was strong. I had trouble opening it at first. Now it's easier to get on and off since I'm used to it. As you can tell, the necklace fits him perfectly now at 4 months old. I will be ordering another necklace in a couple of months!
Buy it: You can buy your own amber teething necklace for 8.99 plus shipping at
Dear Baby Donna's Creations. She also sells Mei Tais, blankets, etc all at reasonable prices. Check out her
facebook page for her Christmas gift set where you get a custom blanket, 2 burp rags (or a Taggie blanket in lieu of the blanket and burp rags), a diaper (or diaper cover), an Amber teething necklace, and a Mei Tai all for $65!
Win it: Mary Ellen has generously offered one lucky winner their own personalized teething necklace! The winner can pick out any colored stones for their necklace in whatever length is needed. Enter in the rafflecopter form below. The giveaway will end December 22nd at midnight CST. She also has her own personal giveaway ending on December 25thgoing on for a $40 gift card plus $10 gift cards. There are multiple winners and one person can win twice!! Rules for her giveaway are
here.