Baby Bling Street

For 15 years, I designed, developed and imported fashion accessories and other merchandise from far away places to be sold in large retail stores in the US. But then, in the fall of 2008, the economy changed for many people, including me.

Prior to '08 many people still didn't think much about where their clothes came from and what our children wore. Most parents were unaware of the chemicals that were in the toys that their babies put into their mouths. But overnight, a shift in our social consciousness began to unfold rapidly that would change our lives forever.

From that "aha" moment of realization, plus the fact that my best friend just became a grandmother to a precious little girl named Gracie, (who was well on her way to becoming adorned and heralded as royalty), I became passionate about finding unique, fashionable, high-quality, baby safe and eco-chic gifts for infants and toddlers that were Made in the USA and not overseas.

Starting out slowly by recognizing a niche in the children's fine jewelry market, (I had been searching unsuccessfully for Princess Gracie's first pair of earrings made in the USA), I launched my American made Babs Tilly Children's Fine Jewelry collection via home parties and other events in early 2009. Mothers came to trust the Babs Tilly brand for their children and loved the fact each fashionable piece was made in the USA. But, they wanted more…

In order to showcase, for my friends and customers, all the new items I found that were