Monkeys on a Mission

New Recruits!

2012-03-05T10:21:00.003-08:00

Here are five little monkeys who need homes! They aren't on Etsy yet, but if you see one you would like, let me know (I can also provide a close up of the one you are interested in). They will be $9.95 plus shipping.

Our bag project is coming together wonderfully!

15 bags and counting

2012-03-01T09:25:00.004-08:00

We have 15 bags that are complete, and I ordered 15 more blank ones to decorate and fill. So many generous people have been helping with this project, donating supplies to go into the bags. This project can make a huge difference in the lives of children in the hospital. Not only does it give them something to do, but it provides a distraction from things that are too much for even grown-ups to handle. These kids are warriors, and they deserve a beam of sunshine in their day. If you can donate any supplies (new craft projects, kids books, coloring books, crayons, small games, small kids' puzzles, etc), send me an email (address is below).

I am working on some more monkeys for the Monkey Shop! Remember that a big portion of the proceeds go toward funding these monkey missions. I will custom make sock monkeys as well. If you have socks you think would make a perfect monkey, email me and let me know. If you need a baby-safe monkey, I can do that easily for you. Just let me know (mrmeadors@gmail.com).

Hats to bags... Monkey Mission #4

2012-02-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

Our hat project is all but officially over! (We'll be delivering them on Friday, to Veteran's Inc in Worcester). Which means it's time for....

MONKEY MISSION #4

I've been busy gathering supplies for young troops to decorate bags to give to UMass Memorial's Children's Hospital. They will take canvas bags, decorate them with fabric markers, and then fill them with some goodies for sick kiddos at the hospital. Each bag will have a coloring book, crayons, stickers, and bubbles, as well as a special little something from whoever decorated the bag.

If anyone is interested in helping out with this, making a bag or donating some supplies, I highly suggest ordering bags from cheaptotes.com. We are using the 14x16 size bag, which costs just $1.19. Then, you can paint or use fabric markers on the outside. If you are interested in donating supplies, here is a list of things they could use:

Infant and Toddler board books
No spill tumbler cups
Disposable sippy cups
Wrist rattles
I Spy and pop-up books
Coloring books
Plastic infant toys and rattles
Squeezable stress balls
Bubbles
Playing cards
Phase 10 and Skip Bo cards
Pinwheels
Matchbox cars
Crayola markers and colored pencils
Unpainted wooden crafts (birdhouses, boats, cars, etc.)
Colorful bandaids
Crayons (individual boxes

They cannot accept any stuffed animals for sanitary reasons.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me mrmeadors@gmail.com (for best results, put "monkey mission" in the subject line). I'll be accepting things until mid-March. Thank you!

Hats, hats!

2012-01-24T11:01:00.000-08:00

The hats are starting to come in from my helpers! You all are doing a great job. Thank you so much!

Remember, this month we are making hats for homeless veterans in the Worcester, MA area. Any new homemade hats will be accepted, be they sewn, knitted, etc. As long as they will fit an adult male head :).

And if anyone is interested in making hats for little people who are fighting cancer (bags too), check out Craft Hope's newest project! We might piggy back and help them with their project a bit, too!

Monkey Mission #3!!!!!!!

2011-12-31T06:09:00.000-08:00

The time has come for the big announcement! It's time for Monkey Mission #3!!!

This month, I will be making warm hats for homeless and at-need veterans in the Worcester, MA area. The hats I am making will be sewn from fleece, but if anyone is willing to help, I will be accepting hand-made hats that are crocheted, knitted, sewn.... The only criteria is that it must be handmade with a caring heart (and must fit an adult male). Please contact me if you are interested in helping me. The hats will be given to Veterans Inc. in Worcester, MA.

This means that any and all monkeys that are sold from my Etsy store this month will be helping to buy materials for making these hats.

If anyone is interested, I can email you a simple pattern for a fleece hat. And if anyone has any questions at all or would like to help, feel free to email me (mrmeadors@gmail.com), or leave a comment here!

One more week to donate children's books!

2011-12-22T18:24:00.000-08:00

There is one more week to donate children's books to our drive for Youth and Family Services. Also, there is one more week to buy a monkey from our Etsy store and have the proceeds go toward buying books for the drive. Please email me (mrmeadors@gmail.com) if you are interested!

I've been busy making holiday gifts, but I've also been acquiring many new and colorful socks for monkeys, which will be for sale in my Etsy shop soon. I will also be announcing Monkey Mission #3 as soon as the holidays are over, so stay tuned!

Very soon...

2011-12-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

I will make an announcement about Monkey Mission #3. I'm pretty excited about this one, and already have all my materials (at least for the first dozen items or so!).

The monkeys have invaded the box of books we are donating to Youth and Family Services. They found the book Caps for Sale and they are now obsessed with hats!! Naughty monkeys!

Two Weeks Left!!

2011-12-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

There are two weeks left to Monkey Mission #2. That is 14 days to contact me (mrmeadors@gmail.com) about donating books to Youth and Family Services. We are looking for new or like new books for kids and teens. We have about 40 books so far! See our Mission Announcement for more details!

Gloomy week

2011-12-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

On Monday I started to photograph some of my monkeys so I could list them on Etsy. Monday was sunny... However, come Tuesday, the clouds came rolling in (bringing rain :P) and I found it difficult to take good pictures with natural lighting. So, I bit the bullet and ordered a photography light tent along with two lights. I tried to do as much research as I could, and hopefully made a wise decision. Yes, I know, I could have made my own light tent, but with the holidays coming, I just really doubt that I have the time for one more project.

On the book drive front: We now have 29 books for kids and teens. I got word that Youth and Family Services would really like some books for teens, so if you can find it in your heart to donate, any ten books would be greatly appreciated!

I've shifted gears a little and am now making our holiday gifts for friends and family. However, I can't talk about them much here, in case someone might peek. Let's just say there is a lot of sewing involved!

Wow

2011-12-04T15:39:00.000-08:00

I'm totally exhausted, but had a good day at the Handcrafter's Open House today! I raised some great funds for Monkey Mission #2, and even received a couple picture books :).

Starting this week I will start posting my monkeys in my Etsy shop, and I will add a spot on this blog so you can see what I have there.

MONKEY MISSION #2!!

2011-11-28T06:07:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, we'd like to do something to help ring in a happy new year for kids who need a little extra help. Therefore, throughout the month of December, we will be collecting new and like new picture books for Youth and Family Services, an agency local to Worcester, MA, to help their kids develop a love of reading and increase healthy habits. After the children go for their counseling appointments, they get to pick out a new book, which they greatly look forward too. Many people discount the healing value of a good story--these books will truly make a difference to these children! They enjoy reading and talking about the books. Quality stories can help instill feelings of normalcy in children, and can help them see that they are not alone. They can introduce different ways of thinking, new ways of tackling conflicts. Sometimes stories can get through where just an adult talking cannot. Stories can change lives.

The monkeys and I will be collecting donations in person (monkey?) at the Handcrafter's Open House in Northborough, MA on December 4th. We will take new/like new books and monetary donations (no amount is too small!) so we can make book purchases at a local, independent bookstore (Tatnuck Booksellers). Part of that day's proceeds will also go toward buying books.

If you would like to send books or a check donation in the mail, please email me and I will send you contact info.

The deadline for this mission is December 31, 2011. Let's help make 2012 a brighter year!

And now, for your viewing pleasure, here are the Monkey Minions of the week (all of which will be attending the open house, and are available for adoption!):

Monkeys, monkeys, everywhere

2011-11-20T15:19:00.001-08:00

Things have been all about monkeys around here. I've been getting ready for this:

You're invited to a
HANDCRAFTERS' OPEN HOUSE
on Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 1:00-3:00 pm
67 Oak Ave., Northborough; 508-393-3191

You've already saved the date, now check out the amazing local handcrafters that you'll be supporting -- more than ever before!

DEBRA'S RHAPSODY, Debbie McDuffee
- all-natural, cold-processed shea butter soap
- lip balms, body butters and other all-natural body products
- natural stone and glass beaded jewelry

HEARTFELT DESIGNS, Lindsay Dupuis
- hand-stamped greeting cards
- baby specialties
- desk / home accessories
- holiday gifts and stocking stuffers

DELECTABLE DELIGHTS BY DEBORAH, Deborah Lavalle
- hand-dipped apples and pretzels
- spice rubs and hot drink mixes
- mini-cupcakes and other sweet treats

MAY DECEMBER VINTAGE, Valerie Agos
- vintage designer and better name fashions
- jeans, skirts, jackets
- scarves, belts and handbags
- jewelry

DESIGNS BY KATIA, Katia Pechonis
- colorful, unique necklaces, earrings and bracelets
- handmade art tiles
- hand-knitted scarves and other wearables

FINBELLA, Diane Lyons
- hand-sewn children's clothing and accessories
- women's bags and wallets

ACORN INSPIRATIONS, Cathy Trahan
- hand-sewn cloth napkins
- kids' aprons
- neck pillows

MONKEYS ON A MISSION, Melanie Meadors
-Unique sock monkeys
-Handmade sock monkey-inspired gifts (stationery, statues, ornaments,
wearables, etc)
-Part of our proceeds go toward our monthly Monkey Missions, local and worldwide charitable gifts.

As always, it will be the perfect one-stop shopping day -- stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, hostess gifts, gift sets, treats for you and everyone on your gift list. And the homemade refreshments and good company round out a lovely afternoon. Bring a friend ... or two ... or three ... and enjoy!

This year, there will be door prizes. For every friend you bring, you get a ticket. For every donation you bring to the Northboro Food Pantry or Worcester Animal Rescue League, you'll also get a ticket. It's about friendship and giving -- and you get rewarded -- what could be better?

Food pantry needs: healthy snacks like granola bars, crackers, personal care items like toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo, boxed meals (like taco kits, Hamburger Helper).

Worcester Animal Rescue League needs: cat toys, dog toys, copy paper. You can see their full wish list at http://www.warl.org/help/wish-list/.

Also, please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who may be interested. Supporting your local handcrafting moms -- I can't think of a better way to get some Christmas shopping done!

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, December 4!

I would love to see you all there! To give you an idea of what I will be selling, here is a peek of my Monkey Minions of the Week:

All of these monkeys (and more!) will be available at the Open House on December 4th, but there is only one of each kind. After the open house I will put whatever I haven't sold up on Etsy, but obviously, if you see one you really like here, get thee to the open house for first dibs!

Monkeys in the Mail

2011-11-17T05:25:00.000-08:00

Ten little monkeys are on their way to Texas. Hopefully they make it by the Thanksgiving deadline. It seems that a file box is too large to be sent via priority mail without it costing a fortune (and of course, ten monkey would not fit in the prepaid box), so I had to ship them parcel.

The Chief helped address the box. He was sure to include the "Lone Star." And for those of you who might still want to make a monkey, it's not too late! Here is the address:

The woman at the post office saw the stickers on the box and told my husband that she loves sock monkeys, and never had one when she was growing up. She recently bought a pair of sock monkey slippers because she felt silly having a monkey toy. He informed her that I made them, and that the box was, indeed, full of sock monkeys. For some reason I hadn't thought of giving my husband business cards to carry, but maybe I should!

I will be posting an announcement about Monkey Mission #2 soon!

Our first Monkey Mission!

2011-11-12T09:24:00.001-08:00

Hello! I'm so happy to get this website off the ground (FINALLY!). I'm just going to jump straight into Monkey Business, and please feel free to browse around the site some more to find out what we are all about. More content and info will be coming soon, but this is a very busy time of year for us, so please be patient while we get everything up and running.

I've had the idea for Monkeys on a Mission for a while now. Sock monkeys have made me happy since two of my good friends (and roommates) introduced me to them in college. I couldn't think of a better way to make other people happy, too. Since I'm the busy homeschooling mom of an extremely energetic boy, however, ideas often take some time to come to fruition.

Then, I heard about what Jade Sims was doing over at Craft Hope. She is collecting sock monkeys to give to children who lost their homes to the wildfires in Texas this year. There were something like 1600 homes destroyed, families lost everything. What an awesome first project for Monkeys on a Mission!

I made ten monkeys for this project, and my son, the Chief, helped me pick out eyes and "scarves" for them.

Here are ten little monkeys, getting ready for their trip to Texas.

Here's one big monkey, testing the others out for huggability. He approves!

Check back for details on our next Monkey Mission, coming soon!