"Shopify" Preview

A set of 4 refrigerator magnets made from original student artwork.

New item for our 'Shopify' store.

We will soon be opening our own 'Shopify' portal linked through the Hope University website. Our Hope U handmade boutique will still be open for your etsy shopping needs.  The Hope University students are making so many wonderful items that our inventory is expanding enough to offer them in other venues.  Hope Handmade made appearances at the Patchwork handmade marketplace in Santa Ana recently, as well as at our Holiday show.  I hope you check back often as we debut new items here on the blog and on our website. 

New Year and New Items in our Etsy shop!

"Purple Taffy" hand woven scarf.

Hand woven scarf.

"Lavender Meadow" hand woven scarf.

Hand woven scarf. 

It is 2014 and the students of Hope University are looking forward to another fun filled year.  Field trips, performances, parties, and fun with friends top the lists. 
Our Etsy shop has some new items for purchase.  We have listed a new item, our hand woven scarves.  The students do enjoy creating these one of a kind pieces.  Using a rigid heddle loom is a new skill that we were able to add to the fiber arts classes in 2013, and it has proved to be very popular. 

Etsy Preview...Cards!

Two linoleum block prints by Miguel A. and Cindy H.

A lovely pen and ink drawing by Ana P.

A gently colored card by Chris F. along with a study in repetition by Joanna B.

Soon to be in our etsy shop are cards!  Each card is a reproduction of one of the Hope University student's artwork.  We have pen and ink, linoleum block prints, hand drawn images and paintings.  Each one with it's own unique charm.  All of the cards are blank on the inside for you to add your own sentiment, yet if you would like to special order them with one you can by emailing or calling us for your order.  We have so many talented people here at Hope so the selection will be grand. 

Etsy Preview

Little owl with a belt

Little owl with spectacles.

Soon to be available on our etsy page is this adorable brown owl sporting a green belt.  He is ready to sit on a desk top, shelf or table showing off his new accessory.  Our owl is sure to bring a smile to anyone who passes by.  This little fellow makes a wonderful eye glass holder, how wise he looks in spectacles.  We hope you visit our etsy shop and peruse our selection of our handmade items.  Don't forget that all proceeds go directly to the program.  

Hope U at the Irvine Artisan Fair

Elena Marty and Carolyn Buon-Cristiani-Smith pose with the product.

A very happy customer models her new cowl.

Display of hand felted bead earrings and a necklace.

Shoppers stop by our booth.

A lovely display of our hand felted soaps and handbags.

Another satisfied customer showing off her new hand felted bead barrette.

On Friday and Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd, Hope University was represented at the 30th annual Holiday Faire at the Irvine Fine Arts Center in Heritage Park, Irvine California.  Student Joanna Buon-Cristiani's sisters, Elena Marty and Carolyn Buon-Cristiani-Smith manned the table.  We had a large assortment of items the students created in Boutique class, some of which are available on our Etsy shop page.  There were hand knitted items such as scarves, cowls, dish scrubbers and plush owls.  Also available were a lovely selection of our hand felted items, soaps in two sizes, earrings, necklaces and handbags. Sewing class was also well represented with there hand sewn gift card holders and holiday decorations.  The turn out was amazing and we sold much of our wares.  People were very impressed by the students work and even placed special orders for more!
We are so proud of the students ability and glad that it can be appreciated by others.

Etsy Sales!

Felted bead hair clip sold order on Etsy.

Felted bead hair clip, another sold order on Etsy!

A pair of green wrist warmers we sold on Etsy.

A lucky shopper bought this tool holder from our Etsy shop.

Felted bead hair clip that we sold from our Etsy shop.

A set of felted easy grip soaps sold to a group called Reece's Rainbow, a special needs adoption group.

Sales at our Etsy shop have been brisk.  It is very exciting to see people from around the United States taking an interest in our Hope Handmade items.  We have had several sales of felted bead hair clips, wrist warmers, felted soaps and even a colorful pencil/art supply holder.  The students at Hope are so happy to know that others from around the country are using our products.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the students to feel appreciated and valued for their abilities and to contribute to their program though Etsy.  So, if you have not stopped by our Etsy shop for a look, now just might be the right time!

Etsy Sneak Peek...Shhhhh.

Autumn Orange mono-print decoupage frame.

Underwater Fantasy mono-print decoupage frame.

The artists at Hope University are always making wonderful things for our boutique and Etsy shop.  They create faster than we can add it!  Here is a sneak peek at some new items coming soon to the Hope Handmade at Etsy.com.  Don't forget to start your holiday shopping early.

Etsy Updates for September

Napa Valley Purple Grape Felted Bead Barrettes.

Coastal Pine Green and Red Felted Bead Barrettes.

Hope U Student April makes a wonderful hand model for our wrist warmers. 

Robin's Egg Blue and Spring Green Hand Knit Wrist Warmers.

 
Hope University's very own Etsy shop has been busy!  We have sold 4 items, one pair of wrist warmers and 3 felted wool bead barrettes.  This week in Etsy class we updated some inventory and added another pair of wrist warmers and two new felted wool bead barrettes.  Above are some views of these new items and as you can see our product is selling well.  Now would be a great time to get in some early holiday shopping while our items are in stock!  So be sure to stop by the Hope Handmade Etsy shop to view the entire collection of items to make your selection. All of the proceeds from the sales at Hope Handmade on Etsy go directly to the students and their program. 

Exploring Art

Karen explores repetition and color.

Michelle likes to use acrylics and an easel. 

Joanna finds out how colors work on a dark background.

Tanette gets ready to work on her sewing project.

Hope University is a day program for adults with developmental disabilities.  We have an arts based curriculum centered on exploring each clients abilities.  There are many arts for the clients to choose from, painting, drawing, pen and ink, printmaking, knitting, weaving, sewing, felting, pastels, acrylics, even graphite.  Here we have some views of clients participating in the offerings.  Artwork created by the clients is often used in making items that we sell at our annual holiday boutique as well as on our Etsy shop.  Custom paintings and artwork are available for commission by our talented artists by request.  Please visit our website to view more. 

Felted Wool Barrettes!

'Autumn Sunset' hand felted wool Barrette.

'California Desert' hand felted wool barrette.

'Blueberry Summer' hand felted wool barrette.

We now have our colorful felted wool barrettes available for purchase in our Etsy shop!  They make wonderful gifts for your self or others.  Perfect for teachers, teens, girls or to tuck into a spa basket.  The students here at Hope make the felted wool beads  in the Boutique class with teacher Lisa LoRusso.  100% wool roving is formed into loose spheres and then submerged into warm, soapy water.  The students then rub them between their palms in a circular motion to 'felt' the wool into a solid bead.  After they have been left to dry for several days we use them to make broaches, barrettes, pins, earrings and ornaments.  We also have a few new uses for them in the works, so you can look forward to many new items created by the students. 
We can make the barrettes in a variety of colors to suit your color pallet, so if you want a custom item created, please send us an email or give us a call!
Remember that all of the proceeds from our Etsy shop and other sales go directly to enrich the students day program.  

New Etsy Item!

Our felting classes make the felted soaps that have become very popular gifts.  The felted soaps are now available for purchase on our Hope U Handmade Etsy Marketplace.  They are so colorful and useful too.  They make wonderful gifts for men or women, teens and even children.  The wool felt covering the soap gives it a gentle exfoliant, makes it easy to grip, which is great for those with special motor skill needs.  The soap inside a soothing oatmeal blend with a soft cinnamon scent. If you are interested in purchasing these for resale or personal use you can place your orders through Etsy or convo us through Etsy, send us an email or even just give us a call.   Always remember that purchases from Hope University are tax deductible and all of the proceeds go to the continuation of our progressive arts based day program.  Thank you.

More Etsy Items

Hand knitted tool holder, shown with paint brushes.

Hand knitted pencil/tool holders, in cupcake shapes.

A variety of hand felted soaps.

As you may have read in our last post we will soon be opening an Etsy shop.  We are in the process of photographing items as well as measuring and choosing product.  The students in the Etsy class have had a 'hand' in modeling, making, measuring and choosing the items to photograph so far.  This gives the clients a good opportunity to see just how much work goes into marketing and display.  This week we show you two new items, felted soaps and knitted pencil/tool holders.  The soaps are natural soaps that have been wrapped in sheep's wool and hand felted by the Hope U students in a fiber arts class.  The pencil/tool holders are also made by Hope U. students in a knitting class and then sewn into 'cupcake' shapes to hold pencils, pens, small scissors, paintbrushes, pins or any other small tool you may need held. 

Wrist Warmers to Warm Your Heart

Hope University's knitters have been busy knitting up product for our soon to open Esty shop.  Felted bags, scarves, our little owls and pin cushions/pen holders, pot & pan scrubbies, even head bands are all waiting to be photographed for the shop.  This week we were able to find the perfect hand model for our unique wrist warmers.  April Renick's hands really fit the bill.  She was so excited to be chosen and had great poise for our hand poses. 
We asked April to tell us a little bit about her new found hand modeling experience,
"It was fun, I enjoyed it.  My favorite part of doing the hand modeling was being able to try on all the colors of wrist warmers.  It was my first time being a hand model and I would definitely want to do it again."
Thank you April for lending us your lovely hands and we all think she will get her wish to hand model again for us here at Hope University. 
We share with you here some photos from the wrist warmer shoot, featuring April's hands.