Shop the Frontier is a web site which calls itself a “non-profit rural marketplace.” Its proceeds go towards training women in business and to providing micro-lending programs for women in small businesses. As the company grows, it promises to support business start-ups in its area (Ferry County in Washington State) and youth technology. The mission of Shop the Frontier is to “serve rural women and their communities by being a catalyst for entrepreneurial success.”

This Bee’s Knees Twirl Skirt is handmade by artist “Sherry” of Small Fries designs. She lives with her husband in a remote cabin in Montana. The cabin is remote and while currently powered by a generator, a windmill and solar panels are in the process of being installed.

Sherry has taken repurposed jeans and paired them with 100% cotton fabric and cute dotted trim to make this darling Bee’s Knees Twirl Skirt. It’s easy to care for = just machine wash and dry. It comes in one size, 12 mos. and is $16.00 at ShopTheFrontier.com.

Just a little extra protection for your young explorer - these comfortable elastic waistband crawling pants have reinforced knee pads. When my children were that age we always seemed to live in wall-to-wall carpeted homes so I wasn’t too concerned about hard surfaces on soft skin. But these days more parents are opting for wood or tile floors for allergy and hygienic related reasons.

So these padded crawling pants make a lot of sense and even come with extras: cushy neoprene inserts, soft, stretchable corduroy and a “binky pocket” for baby’s pacifier! The Bees Knees Pants, created by Tammany Atkinson for her own young son, were featured on NBC’s Today Show.

Bees Knees will donate a portion of all proceeds for these crawling pants to the Learning to Listen Foundation for children who are deaf. Available colors: Navy, Brown or Pink corduroy, Tan Twill Chino, and Denin. Sizes 6/12 months (16-22lbs) and 12/18 months (22-27 lbs). Price: $25 at recurrentdreams.com.

I read about these innovative pants after my youngest was already walking, but they seem like a great idea. They feature cushioned neoprene inserts that help shield babies’ knees as they learn to crawl. These seem like they would be especially beneficial if you have hardwood floors in your home. They come in a number of colors (although I think the orange is mighty cute) and in two sizes: 6-12 mos and 12-18 mos. You can buy a pair for $24.99 at rightstart.com. These pants were featured on the Today Show. Celebrity parents who have snapped them up for their little ones include Courteney Cox, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, and Angelina Jolie.