We make things that are soft.
Representing the softer side of life, we handcraft cloth toys and other goodies designed to expand the imagination of things or experiences in our day-to-day.
Consciously crafting in our home in Brooklyn, we are committed to using environmentally sustainable practices and reclaimed materials. We also donate a portion of our sales to the reforestation of farms and cities in the US.
Hope you enjoy!
s o f t e l b o w
Tori Sparks + Darren Kucera
c o n t a c t
softelbow.store_gmail.com
December 2010
Battle of the Champions
Watch out! The battle is on! Softelbow versus the Deli Grocery at this year's Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market. We are partnering up with our clever pals at the Deli Grocery to fully conquer all your holiday needs. We'll have something nifty for everyone on your list!
bkcraftcentral
softelbow vs. deli grocery
Sat/Sun December 18 + 19, 11am
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Littlefield Performance Space +
Textile Arts Center
FREE ADMISSION
September 2010 - December 2010
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
We are proud to announce one of our Baby Ranchu cloth toys is on exhibit at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, WI. The show is "Menagerie of the Mind" and features works that create images of animals (real or fantastic)- similar to what one sees in a children's book or video. Our Baby Ranchu was a natural fit!
jmkac
September 2010
Child Life Specialist Project
Our dearest friend, Nadia, premiered our new line of plush organs in her recent graduate project at Bank Street College. As a Child Life Specialist in training, Nadia used our plush heart and lungs to demonstrate the respiratory system to children. Amazing!
May 2010
Published in "1000 Artisan Textiles"
Softelbow is extremely honored to have been selected for the "1000 Artisan Textiles" book published this May by Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books.
Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books is an international publisher of high-quality visual and idea books for design professionals and creative enthusiasts-crafters, artists, and designers.
This stunning gallery-style volume by Sandra Salamony (author of 1000 Jewelry Inspirations) and Gina M. Brown features some of the finest examples of contemporary textiles and fiber art being made today. The collection includes wearable art and couture, fashion accessories, soft furnishings and vessels, tapestries, display art, quilts and Softelbow!!! See the book on Amazon. We are on page 110.
Seed Bombs on LOUMMS
Our Seed Bombs were discovered by Loumms! Check out the blog and our mention. Many thanks!
loumms
New HangTags!
See our products sportin' a new look, complete with the latest QR Code and item number!
April 2010
Announcing our partnership with Plant a Tree USA™!
Softelbow is proud to announce our partnership with Plant a Tree USA™, helping reforest America one tree at a time! Plant a Tree USA™ is an ecologically friendly reforestation company. Through a well-structured education plan, responsible planting, and corporate alliances, they are planting over 18 billion trees.
Plant a Tree USA™'s program specifically helps and encourages farmers who are dedicated to reforestation. Lands across the country are used for farming, but their Plant a Tree USA™ farmers see the value in reforesting. Their plantings go to encouraging more farmers to plant trees on their lands.
Now, every time a Softelbow item is sold, a portion of our proceeds go to help this reforestation effort. Look for our new hang-tags and product packaging soon! Help Softelbow grow a forest!!!!
plant a tree
October 2009
Soft™ Clothing Look Book
Softebow was delighted to be asked by Soft™ Clothing to model our colorful Ranchus. Two of our Ranchus will be featured with models for Soft™ Clothing's Look Book.
Soft™ is the first line of inclusive clothing designed with the needs of all children in mind, including those with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD and tactile defensiveness. Its our pleasure to support such an honorable cause. Thanks Jessica for thinking of us!
softclothing
May 2009
The Anti-Depression Session
Softelbow will have a table at this extraordinary event. All items under $30 in spirit of the economy.
Sat/Sun May 2 + 3, 11am
Park Slope, Brookyn
Brooklyn Lyceum
April 2009
Matterful
Our first public display of affection. Thanks Autumn for the mention! xo
matterful
r a n c h u 13.5" x 7"
The loveable Ranchu cloth toys are endearing for all ages (even an "adult-child") and have been modeled after the highly regarded fancy goldfish breed, Ranchu.
Softelbow Ranchus are one-of-a-kind and hand stitched from vibrant, upcycled materials and organic wool.
b a b y r a n c h u 7.5" x 5"
Just like their big friends, Baby Ranchus are one-of-a-kind and crafted from the same great materials. Smaller in scale, each contain a handcrafted walnut rattle (a hollowed walnut shell filled with dried peas).
The Baby Ranchu is designed especially for sensory development in infants and can fit perfectly in little hands!
o r g a n s
Softelbow cloth organs (hearts & lungs) were recently premiered by a future Child Life Specialist to demonstrate the respiratory system for hospitalized children. Now upon demand our new Softelbow organ-line is expanding!
All cloth organs are hand stitched using colorful, upcycled materials and organic wool. Designs by Tori.
g r o w l e r m a n
Ever want to hug a beer growler? Growler man is the mascott for Brooklyn's celebrated craft beer store, Bierkraft. He's hand stitched from upcycled materials and designed by Darren.
s e e d b o m b s 3 per bag
Seed bombing is a guerrilla-gardening technique of introducing vegetation into empty lots or anywhere deemed as inhospitable terrain. Softelbow seed bombs are compressed clods of soil containing organic Russian Mammoth sunflower seeds. They do not need to be buried, and will self-germinate when the right conditions occur.
Simply chuck these babies into the unsightly landscape irritating your life...then coyly walk away!
Great for weddings and party favors!
p r i n t
1000 Artisan Textiles
Soft Clothing
e x h i b i t s
b l o g s
Loumms
s t o r e s
Etsy
Enchanted
Ranchus are clever, eco-friendly toys endearing to all ages, even the "adult-child" in your life!These original creations are hand stitched from vibrant, upcycled materials and stuffed with organic wool. Every Ranchu is a one of a kind. That's right, no two are alike! And they are so lovable, they make anyone smile!
Just like their big friends, Baby Ranchus are one of a kind and hand stitched from the same materials. However, these bright 'lil critters contain an inventive handmade walnut baby rattle: a hollowed walnut shell filled with dried peas. The Baby Ranchu is designed especially for sensory development in infants and fit perfectly in small little hands!
l u n g s
As with all Softelbow designs, these soft lungs were hand stitched from upcycled materials and organic wool. Crafted for someone special and designed by Tori.
