HandMade by Foster Pride

Foster Pride is a non-profit organization, established in 1993, that is dedicated to helping youth in foster care develop their talents and build self-esteem through mentoring relationships and the arts. The HandMade program was born out of a simple request from a social worker: could Foster Pride teach the teenage girls living in their group home how to crochet? It turned out that crocheting wasn't just calming and creative - it spun into an opportunity for the girls to become entrepreneurs. Our Etsy shop, 'HandMade by Foster Pride', is full of items that are designed, created, and marketed by the young women who run this small business. All proceeds from sales go directly to these talented teens and for operating expenses of the program. This blog was started so our customers and fans could see all the exciting things that we're up to! You can find out more at www.fosterpride.org.

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We've got some awesome new items up in our Etsy Shop - check them out!

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Wow! We are totally overwhelmed with the response after our TODAY Show appearance. Thank you to everyone who reached out to us on Facebook and Etsy - your kind messages and purchases mean so much to us! We've had a record number of sales in our Etsy shop and are working hard to make sure they all get fulfilled. Thank you again!

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Our TODAY Show segment has been rescheduled to tomorrow, Wednesday December 19, at 10:53am! Tune in to see our teens speak about the HandMade program and teach correspondent Sara Haines how to crochet!

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In light of the terrible events out of Connecticut, the TODAY Show segment featuring Foster Pride will be postponed until later in the week. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of this horrible tragedy. We will keep you posted about the rescheduled date.

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Big news! HandMade by Foster Pride will be featured on the Today Show on Tuesday, December 18!  Here's a photo of some of us taping the segment for TODAY with correspondent Sarah Haines.  More updates and photos to come!

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HandMade is getting in on the Black Friday fun, too!  Check out our Etsy store and use the code HANDMADEFREESHIP for free shipping on your whole order. You have until Monday to save - happy shopping!

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Our new fall items are in our Etsy shop, HandMade by Foster Pride!  Check them out and treat yourself to something warm and cozy :)

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Foster Pride in Ladies Home Journal (second row, first picture) - we're SO EXCITED LHJ chose to show our work!  Similar hats are available in our Etsy shop now! (Taken with Instagram)

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We had such an amazing time at our Treasure & Bond opening last month.  We're still totally overwhelmed by the turn out - it was so exciting to see our items being sold!  Here are a few photos from the event.  Thanks to all who came out!

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We're prepping for our sale at Treasure & Bond by tagging and labeling all of our finished items.  Check out those piles of purses and headbands!  After a few hours and lots of help from some Project Sunshine volunteers, we've got them all ready to go!

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June 19th is the annual Foster Pride Benefit, and this year it'll be celebrating OUR work!  We're so excited to be selling our items in a real store - Treasure & Bond in Soho, NYC!  For more info or to buy tickets, email [email protected].  Hope to see you there!

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Summer Headbands!

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We love this video from Lion Brand Yarn, titled How Knitting and Crocheting Make Us Better.  They asked their customers that question, and got some amazing responses! We totally agree.

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Bubble Necklace Tutorial

One of our favorite items to make are bubble necklaces!  The quick to make, super pretty, and the pattern is really flexible - you can customize the size of the yarn, the length of the necklace, and/or the number of bubbles.  We love to wear them all layered up!   

We love them so much we decided to share our basic pattern, which is based off the Red Heart Sparkle and Shine Necklace pattern.  Have fun!

HandMade Bubble Necklace Pattern

You can use any size yarn or hook, and just adjust for length.

Ch = Chain   hdc = Half Double Crochet

Ch 30

*5 hdc in second ch from hook, slip stitch in first hdc, skip next hdc, slip stitch in next hdc, ch 6.*  Repeat 15 times

Ch 30

Connect ends with a slip stitch, knot, and fasten off.  Remember to tuck in your ends!

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This week we went purse crazy!  Here's some of our latest handmade pieces.

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New yarn!  These are a few of our favorite colors from the new stash that was brought over from the warehouse.  Aren't they pretty?!  Perfect for spring :)

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Some projects we're working on!  Lots of purses, necklaces, and one very awesome backpack!