Friday, December 04, 2009

Ho Ho Ho and All that Good Stuff

Last year after I became ill, I decided that I wanted to take some time to work on some craft projects---Christmas Ornaments---that I'd been dying to do, but never made the time for. As many of you already know (from the fabulous projects I've seen on your pages), having a creative outlet is a great stress buster.

A month or so into it, a friend who is also a family caregiver came by. I showed her my projects, and she asked if she could join me. Her daughter, who has Down Syndrome, thought she might enjoy creating things, and then we were three.

Big Kid was talking in his therapy group (young adults with mental health issues) about our little band, and a couple of his compadres wanted to join. As one said, "Even Goths love Christmas!" Seeing these young men---tatted and pierced---sitting around my dining room table in a sea of ribbons and bows is a vision I'll never forget! ;-)

We hauled a bunch of our creations to a craft fair over the summer, and did very well. And an idea was born.

So I organized and funded a collaborative craft studio to help market the creations of adults who have disabilities and their family caregivers in an effort to help them become more financially independent. If they aren't mobile or prefer to work in their own homes, we pick up and deliver the supplies to them. Every step of the process is a collaborative effort---from ornament design, photography, our new website----and of course the crafting!

Before the doo-doo hit the fan with Big Kid's illness, we had already sold to a few gift shops around the country. Unfortunately, we lost 6 weeks because of our crisis, and I feel awful for our crafters.

But it's not too late! Please visit our website and see if there's a "must have" gift or ornament for your tree! They're wonderful---the pictures really don't do them justice!



Highland Roses Design; A Collaborative Craft Studio





ATM

20 comments:

Someday..... said...

Beautiful -
and what a great idea!
I live in Texas and wish we could get some useful/meaningful workshops going for our adults with disabilities -
Once they are out of school -
that's it!!!!
My 33 year old brother (who happens to have Down's) is as busy as we keep him - and the busier the better! But we like to have meaningful work - but the support is not there! My Mom dreams of opening her own "workshop" - making silverware packets, filling the bubbles for the grab games, folding the flyers for the newspaper anything with true meaning....
I will share your ideas with her -
Congrats on your son's continued recovery!
Shannon

litzi said...

These Holiday ornaments are absolutely gorgeous! Each one is a work of art and must have taken hours (and oodles of patience) to create…

Good Luck with the fund raising!

yorksnbeans said...

How lovely!

Jeanie said...

I will definately check the website. My husband-like-person, Doc, has a daughter with Downs Syndrome, so we know how important this kid of thing is.

Ashley's Mom said...

The ornaments are stunning!! I wish I had a ton a money and I would order one of each.

LB @Wait, She Said What? said...

Wonderful idea! Good for you and everyone involved! They're just wonderful!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Jeez, no grass grows under your feet girl! What a wonderful idea and caring idea. Crafting is a great therapy for me. And what a talented group of people you have! I'm off to take a look.
xo

Chicago Mom said...

What a wonderful idea! I would have loved to see those big, burly guys sitting around a bunch of ribbons. :)
You mentioned that you fell ill, and since I am new here I don't know what happened, but I hope you are all better!

Anonymous said...

How aweome. And I applaud you for sticking with it, despite all the craziness in your world lately.

Rootietoot said...

oh I love the quilted balls!

Willoughby said...

Those are some gorgeous ornaments! What a fabulous idea to market them so the crafters can earn some money.

I'll be dropping the website next!

Chris H said...

WOW those ornaments are totally gorgeous. Great idea.

Beth said...

Have checked out the site & I'm going to send an email as to availability re: the quilted ones.
Just found out I'm going to be filling a stocking for a girlfriend of one of the boys - these would be perfect!

Michelle Flaherty said...

I remember you telling me about this. The ornaments are beautiful and not like anything I've ever seen before. I think you and your group will go very far with this. Every year we have something here called "Christmas in the South". Maybe if you're still doing this next year, which I expect you will be, you'll come down here with your products and then we can meet!!

Keep up the good work!! :)

Rootietoot said...

Everytime I turn around you're doing something useful. You're my hero!

Purple Pigeon said...

Hi, I don't usually comment but those ornaments are gorgeous! Checking out your website is my next stop!

Meg said...

Those are really cute!

pita-woman said...

WOW! If the pix don't do them justice, I can't even imagine how gorgeous they must be in person.
They are beautfiul!!

Too, I liked the image you painted of tattoed guys gathered around making ornaments. ;)

Jane said...

My ornament arrived yesterday in a word, WOW! I love it. I'm taking a photo today and getting it up on my blog!

Absolutely beautiful!

You are so talented!!!

Jane

Unknown said...

Beautiful...