hippie – The Oaxacaborn Blog

(Remember a few months back when I talked briefly about a yarn company which produces yarn made from unusual fibers like recycled saris, bananas, and nettles? Well, today Nicole, the director of Darn Good Yarn, is with us to tell us more!)
Guest blog - Nicole of Darn Good Yarn - Recycled Sari Ribbon

My mom thinks it’s cool that I have my internet friends because I never leave my office long enough to make the real-in-the-flesh kind. It’s not that I’m anti-social, I just own my own business, Darn Good Yarn. And like a child it consumes me day and night. So, when Gina “@”‘d me on Twitter to guest blog about my child…errr business I was all about it!

At the start of 2008, I wanted to make a difference and I needed to be stimulated creatively since I didn’t have that in my “past life” (I was active duty Air Force). So, I merged these ideals and Darn Good Yarn was born.

Darn Good Yarn - recycled silk yarn, recycled silk ribbon, exotic craft supplies, recycled sari

Continue reading “DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT :: Guest Blog: Recycled Silk Ribbon from Nicole of ‘Darn Good Yarn’” →

Guest Blog

Guest Blog: Jen of ‘Making a Home and Family’ shares about Bringing Home Baby

January 21, 2011March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

(Note from Gina: Some lovely people have graciously agreed to share words and photos and pretty things with you while I’m off on my have-a-baby adventure. Today’s guest blogger is Jen of Making a Home and Family. You can also find her on Twitter as @hippiejennie)

Guest Blogger Jen Smith of Making a Home & Family - Bringing Home Baby

Bringing Home Baby
There is a whirlwind of emotions when you arrive home after your new baby is born – excitement, relief, a little anxiety. You had the help of doctors and nurses for the past few days, and now this little life is all you and your partner’s responsibility. Breathe. It’ll take some adjusting, but it all falls into place.

Remember, mamas, to take care of YOU
That’s right! I wish someone would’ve told me this when I brought my daughter home. I was so worried about nursing her, feeding the family, and doing laundry that I suffered. I was tired, sore, stinky, and that just made things worse. I needed some time to take care of me – a shower a day would’ve done me wonders. Try and focus on you a little – shower, soak your feet, or read a book (or a magazine in short bursts). Know that you deserve to be pampered so that you can be rested and better ready to take care of your baby.

Continue reading “Guest Blog: Jen of ‘Making a Home and Family’ shares about Bringing Home Baby” →

Handmade

a foray* into embroidery

November 21, 2010March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

i had some fun with an embroidery needle, a white onesie and some thread which belonged to my husband’s great-grandma. and don’t laugh at my stitches. i haven’t embroidered anything since i was twelve years old.

pink embroidered flower on white baby onesie

embroidered pink thread on back snaps of a white baby onesie

*foray: (n) a brief excursion or attempt especially outside one’s accustomed sphere

Conversations with Designers

products i love: yarn made from unusual fibers like recycled saris, bananas, and nettles

November 20, 2010March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

isn’t this gorgeous? it’s made from the remnants of silk saris left over during the manufacturing process. you can purchase it over at Darn Good Yarn. they also sell recycled sari ribbon and yarn made from banana fibers, as well as hemp and nettle yarn. who would have thought?

image via Darn Good Yarn

Conversations with Designers

etsy shop feature: rebourne [handmade eco-friendly baby & family goods]

October 16, 2010March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

This weekend I caught up with the shop owner of rebourne, an online clothing shop specializing in wool cloth diaper covers. Marni, the artisan behind the upcycled items, was kind enough to answer a few questions for me — even though her newest baby is not yet a week old. Thanks Marni!

Q: How would you describe rebourne?

My shop is a collection of handmade items for baby and family. I use mostly upcycled materials to create one-of-a-kind creations, many of which are cloth diapering oriented.

Q: As I was browsing your shop, I noticed the word “longies” used to describe some of the diaper covers. For the benefit of those who aren’t familiar with the term, could you explain?

Longies are pants made out of wool that are used as a cloth diaper cover. Instead of using a plastic cover over a cloth diaper, longies are worn as a cover that doubles as comfortable pants!

Q. What are the advantages of using wool as a cloth diaper cover? Continue reading “etsy shop feature: rebourne [handmade eco-friendly baby & family goods]” →

Handmade

hand-dyed variegated cotton yarn, turned handmade hippie beanie

October 5, 2010October 13, 2011 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

remember when i wrote that i wanted to hand-dye some yarn? well, i did just that! i’m really pleased with the results, and am definitely going to do it again.