Bitte is the brainchild of Maia McDonald Smith and her mom, Sara McDonald. Our vision is to create a unique and trusted marketplace of carefully curated products for young children. A shopping space that embraces everything that we hold dear and that presents a whole new twist on the question of “What is the true cost?” - a burning question for so many discerning modern parents. At Bitte, we do the research and the curating so you can just relax and shop with ease, trusting that each of your purchases has been scrutinized and earned the Bitte stamp of approval.  What defines and meets our standards?  Every product is meticulously assessed based upon these essential criteria:

• Sustainability – This encompasses materials and practices, including renewable resources, fair working conditions and wages, buying US-made when possible, minimal packaging, and providing heirloom quality product that can last through more than one child, one family. With every step we take we’re conscious of our Carbon Footprint.
• Form & Function – We love modern, classic, quirky design.  Our aesthetic is minimalist yet homespun and definitely current.  We love the look and feel of natural materials. AND all of this means nothing unless the product is useful, looks great, and does what it claims to do!
• Partnership – We want to know our makers and share their stories. As artisans ourselves, we value the craftsmanship and love that goes into handcrafted wares and want to do our part to help artisans thrive.  As a handcraft cottage industry veteran, Sara brings a wealth of expertise to mentoring and collaborating with new talent. And Maia, as a social media wizard, knows the value of good partnership, how to connect with and share these stories.
• Gifting – A well-designed and easy gifting concierge will allow grandparents, aunties and friends to shop for kids from a distance. Gifting is also about giving back - finding ways to donate to our community, partnering with others who are charitable, and paying it forward.

Starting a new business is exhilarating, but also expensive! After thoroughly researching and weighing our options for funding Bitte, we believe that the most viable and sustainable way to launch our business - in addition to contributing our own time and savings - is to reach out to our community of friends and family.

We believe we have a unique set of talents, an exciting fresh perspective, and the hard-won expertise to make Bitte successful. We’ve also been buoyed by the excitement and enthusiasm expressed by all who’ve heard our plans.

The funds from this campaign will go primarily to initial inventory, which includes investing in some of our favorite artisanal start-ups - nurturing exceptional small-batch makers to help them flourish along side Bitte. We are hoping to launch Bitte in the summer of 2015, and with hard work—and a little help from our family and friends—we’ll be able to make our dream come true.

We are so grateful for any contribution you can make to our fundraising campaign. We cannot wait to share our unique and beautiful wares with all of you!

Maia McDonald Smith - 
“The impetus for Bitte came from my desire to find beautiful, natural, non-toxic toys and clothing for my own baby, Ingrid. But you might say I’ve been an entrepreneur-in-training ever since I was a small child watching my mother grow a business out of our home. Now that I have a little one of my own, I’m inspired to create and curate products that speak to me and other young mothers I know.”

Sara McDonald - 
“I believe that imaginative, open-ended play is essential to a healthy, happy childhood. I prefer the aesthetic beauty of the natural world and the renewable materials we gain from good stewardship. With these basic elements and the love and artistry of a master craftsperson, something magical is born. We learn by example, and I trust that surrounding our children with such lovely things instills a love of beauty and an appreciation for authenticity.”

Postcard Set
Translated as both please and thank you in German, bitte is a symbol of a beautiful item given or received. We thought we would play off its German translation to create a fun and colorful set of postcards. Set includes three 4”x 6” postcards.

Kitty Patch
Tennessee artist Sofie Arnold’s work captures the wild and whimsy of the natural world. Our bitte exclusive “kitty” is 2.5” long and can be sewn or ironed on.

Art Print
Beautifully designed art print by Maia McDonald Smith - a playful piece for a child’s room or really any room in the house. 8.5”x 11” print comes ready for framing.

Bitte Onesie
Cozy organic cotton Bitte onesie screen-printed in Wisconsin - Adorable! 
Black logo on white onesie. Size 3-6 months.

Pixie Doll
This wee bundle of goodness makes the perfect first dolly for little hands. Each sweet Pixie is a unique, one-of-a-kind heirloom-quality creation handcrafted by Sara McDonald - artisan, grandma and master dollmaker extraordinaire!

The Bitte Homegrown Collection
The following items are all designed and produced by Bitte and exemplify our vision. We use certified organic cotton, grown and milled in Texas, printed in North Carolina, designed in California and crafted in Ohio - Comes in indigo shibori or coral ikat. 100% organic * 100% US-made * 100% delightful! 

Harem Pants
Big baby bubble butts need pants that cover all that cuteness in comfort and style. Our Harem Pants are designed for both. Comes in indigo shibori or coral ikat.
100% Organic Cotton * 100% US Made * Size 3-6m.

Headband
For a big bow on a little head or a little bow on a big head, just wrap and tie for instant adorableness! Comes in indigo shibori or coral ikat.
100% Organic Cotton * 100% US Made * One Size Fits All.

Little Bear Beanie
A dual-purpose hat - turns baby into an adorable little bear and keeps their noggin warm and protected too! Comes in indigo shibori or coral ikat.
100% Organic Cotton * 100% US Made * Size 3-6m.

Baby Bib
Creamed carrots, drool, mashed peas, and more drool! Keep Baby clean and dry in style with our thick and absorbent bib. Comes in indigo shibori or coral ikat.
100% Organic Cotton * 100% US Made * One Size Fits All.