I’ve had a thing for sock monkeys ever since my mother-in-law gave me the one she’d made for my husband when he was a baby. They’re some kind of magical combination of goofy, cheerful cuddliness and retro-chic all in one. I always figured I’d try to make one for my own children when I had them.
But then I had them. And there wasn’t quite as much sock-monkey-making-time as I’d initially expected. Go figure. So my kids have made do with their dad’s old one (which, in retrospect, is kind of nice).
For people without sock monkey heirlooms (yet), there are the adorable handmade sock monkeys from Pink Olive. Each little monkey is made with love by volunteers from NYC-based non-profit organization, Fresh Art. It’s an organization that’s committed to helping artists with special needs by giving them entrepreneurial opportunities like, say, making sock monkeys. And 80% of the sale from each sock monkey sold at Pink Olive is going straight back to Fresh Art.
I kind of like the mystery of it, too. Since each monkey is handmade, you know that your little monkey will be a one-of-a-kind creation, but you don’t know what it will look like until it lands on your doorstep.
So, just to recap: Sock monkey for you. Employment for artists with special needs. Funding right back to the organization that started it all in the first place. –Stephanie
Visit Pink Olive Boutique for one-of-a-kind handmade sock monkeys, and don’t forget to check out the cool arts organization, Fresh Art.
