A visit from the Anahiem Ducks support staff!

Sharon and Lori share a moment with an Anaheim Ducks volunteer.

Mikki and April are learning about a Ducks player.

Brian appreciates the volunteers help.

A group photo of the students and Anaheim Ducks volunteers.

We have new friends in the Anaheim Ducks!  In June the Anaheim Ducks hockey team chose us to be their community spotlight.  Several of their support staff came to our facility to volunteer.  They were all so nice!  The volunteers helped us with felting class, they sat in on Music Therapy, they helped some students with academics, drums were fun too with the volunteers!  Our hand bell choir put on a private concert for them, in which they were asked to ring along and learn how to play the hand bells with us.  It was so much so much fun having them here we hope they can come back again soon.  They learned a lot about us and our program and we learned a lot about them too.Thank you Anaheim Ducks!

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!

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.