From the Archives: Buy Indie!

aMuse is a family owned, independent retailer. 

When Tom and I first entertained the idea of going into business we were driven by the prospect of being a part of something in our community; something that people would feel connected to, not simply a storefront.   After many years of indentured servitude I can say happily that we have accomplished just that.  aMuse is not only an award winning retail store, it is a place where conversations about education, early childhood development, and all things family and Baltimore take place every day.  We strive to provide our customers with peace of mind and serve as a resource for purposeful play.  We take great care in the products and vendors we stock; all are thoroughly researched and carried with purpose. 

Over the years we have expanded and have grown our team to over 8 individuals.  We provide health benefits, pay wages that allow for quality of life and professional growth, contribute thousands of dollars to our local community and have dedicated thousands of hours and dollars to non-profits working on a wide range of initiatives in the Baltimore area.

All of this would never be possible without the support of so many loyal customers.  Our success is a testament to your values and your choice to support an indie retailer like aMuse, for this, Tom, Sebastian and I thank you. 

Continuing to share birthdays and so many other milestones will always be a privilege Tom and I treasure.  Do you remember the first time you came to aMuse?  We'd love to hear about some of your families' aMuse stories.

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Knitimals, Part 2

My favorite part of my job is watching the immediate bonds that form between children & the Knitimal they choose to adopt. They come into my booth at shows, with wide eyes and make a beeline toward a particular doll. In minutes they've already started developing a narrative about this new friend. The kids get it. They may not realize that the yarn I use is an ecologically responsible blend of soy, bamboo & wool blends or that whenever possible, I buy it directly from the spinner or the farm that harvested it, but they know the yarn is soft and the colors are fun. They might not realize that each one was hand knit without a pattern or that a single Knitimal can take any where from 8- 30 hours to make, but they know they are special and don't look like anything they've ever seen come out of a box from a chain store. I love talking about my process and watching a young person try to make sense of the fact that the thing they are holding in their hands was made by the person sitting right in front of them.

The last twelve years have been an amazing creative journey. I've met so many incredible families and have watched the retail landscape change in wonderful ways. I know 12 year olds who got their first Knitimal as a baby, and teens who are taking their old friends to college with them. I get the most wonderful emails from happy families & young fans from all over the world and I'm reminded that being a part of the indie movement is more than just a decision to keep money local or to support small business; its a way to support actual people. I'm kept motivated by the knowledge that my work is getting into young hands and fostering creativity... which is all I've ever wanted. 

 aMuse Toys is the biggest retailer of Kinitmals. Pay us a visit and adopt your own!

Knitimals

The first Knitimal I ever made, I made for myself. I was a junior in college and missing home. His creation was spur of the moment. I didn't use a pattern or even have much of a plan; I just picked up my knitting needles & ran through ball after random ball of yarn until he was done. I stitched up his seams and stuffed him with the insides of an old pillow & shredded t-shirts I had been planning on getting rid of. The end result was a large, cuddly cat with crooked eyes and mismatched arms and I loved him.

Twelve years later, BeeCat still holds a special place in my life, as the mascot of my studio and as the reminder that things that are made with love, are the most special things of all.

It wasn't long before my classmates were ordering Knitimals, and not long after that that the demand had gotten significant enough for me to start seeking out shows and shops to help share my work. From the very beginning, it was important to me that the Knitimals be one of a kind, each time--- that a child could hold their Knitimal and know that there's not a single kid in the world that has a doll like theirs. In the climate of "stuff", its been a constant goal of my company to make art objects that can be loved and lived with. To date, I've made over 1,000 Knitimals, and have yet to repeat a pattern, design or color scheme. Each one is named & comes with a hand drawn name tag. Possibly most important, though--- each one comes with the potential for its own personality & story, the things a child brings to it.

What dreams are made of: Yarn

Allow us to introduce you to Knitimals.

Danamarie Holser of greenstarstudio, right here in Baltimore, spends her time dreaming up these fun little friends. Each knitimal is hand-knitted with love, care and the utmost attention to detail. Because each one is unique--with their own names, stories, likes and dislikes--they make the perfect gift for the kid who "has everything."

As their biggest retailer, we'd love for you to stop by so we can introduce you in person! That's the only way to get the full impact of their cute, quirky personalities!

Show Knitimals some love by voting for greenstarstudios to receive the much coveted "Poppy Award," which is a virtual awards ceremony celebrating the handmade community. Anyone can vote for greenstarstudios--no registration is required! You can visit and vote once a day, everyday up until 11:59 pm on January 26, 2010.

aMuse only carries the best and Knitimals exemplify the quality and creativity we value so greatly.