Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Mosey Handmade. In Jes & Steph's words:
"Mosey Handmade specializes in Waldorf inspired and eco friendly accessories for children. We have a line of Birthday crowns and also small wooden toys."
You can follow Mosey Handmade on their blogs ~ little bits and bobbin and Morning Glory Garden Playschool.
SouleMama: Tell us about your background. what path led you to the work you do today?
Jes: I graduated from the Museum School of Boston with a background in film but quickly went into teaching. I taught art in the public and private school system and eventually found my way to Waldorf Education.
I now have a homebased Waldorf Inspired preschool, and just being with the children is so inspiring. They sew and finger knit, paint with watercolor, children are pure creators. So a lot of what we make right now is for them and for children everywhere who are allowed to embrace their creativity and natural wonder.
Steph: I also graduated with a MFA and went on to teach art. I love children so making things for them was a natural progression for me. I still teach art, but I love to craft. Especially with the winter approaching, cozying up and getting out the knitting needles- to create something that will warm up someone else's life--nothing finer!
SouleMama: What inspires you?
Steph: I think lately we are inspired by many of our favorite vintage childhood toys. The colors and styling of vintage nurseries and the embroidery of the 70's and 80's. We pulled together some of our "craft encyclopedias" and have been gleaning all kinds of things from them!
Jes: Also we just had a baby boy, so now a lot of our designs are infused with a bit more boy energy! I used to create so many things I knew my daughter would love, but this past year it has been fun thinking up what things Silas might like as he grows and incorporating those new styles into the shop. It feels like it's rounding out our collection a bit to offer a bit more for boys.
Steph: We love our customers. I know everyone must say that, but really they are the heart of what we do. Creating for them has fulfilled a life long need to make the small details of life appear brilliant. I think of the tiny stitches, the small appliques and the little eyes that will notice them and love them. We have also been very lucky to have some wonderful repeat customers and to create so many lovely things for their families. A few months ago we even made a birthday crown for a Grandpa (one of many for that family in particular)!
Jes: Since we do a ton of custom work our customers are really important. Many many times they help shape what the item will eventually be, it feels very collaborative at times.
Also of particular fondness are any Waldorf Schools that order from us, we feel so lucky when that happens.
SouleMama: What's the product or offering that you are most excited about in your shop/class right now? Tell us about it.
Steph: We are really excited about our Play Silks right now. Jes developed the colorways based on some paintings the children at her school did last year. They are all hand dyed and each one has it's own personality. There is a lot of alchemy in hand dying things, the silk goes in white as the driven snow, and comes out of they dye bath with so much more depth.
And they are just plain fun to watch in action, from fort building to dress up, Play Silks really encourage children's imaginative play. And we think that's something to get pretty excited about!
~ Set of our Elemental Silks (winner #1)
~ batch of three hats (winner #2)
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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 9:00am EST on Monday, and announce the winners, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winners are....
Elemental Silks
a magical little shop..
Posted by: mariah
Batch of three hats
Would love to give these to my daughter. Such lovely things!
Posted by: chickadee
