about the creator
Elaine Olson has always loved creating. Whether it was baked goods, music or friendships, creating something unique and fun has always been vitally important. The same is now true of her latest passion - creating adorable winter mittens out of recycled woolen sweaters. Each pair of mittens are comfortably warm and artfully one-of-a-kind, (no two mittens are alike!) Now in her 17th year, Elaine has added new items to her creative arsenal.
Homeschool mother of 8, Elaine keeps very busy. When she's not teaching her children, she supervises a detasseling team for the company NATS (Not Afraid To Sweat). Always active, she also enjoys baking pies, making wine, swing-dancing and participating in Bible study.
Elaine resides in Nebraska with her missions husband of over 34 years. Moving from Florida to Nebraska in January of 2000, the need for warm winter clothes was realized immediately!
Homeschool mother of 8, Elaine keeps very busy. When she's not teaching her children, she supervises a detasseling team for the company NATS (Not Afraid To Sweat). Always active, she also enjoys baking pies, making wine, swing-dancing and participating in Bible study.
Elaine resides in Nebraska with her missions husband of over 34 years. Moving from Florida to Nebraska in January of 2000, the need for warm winter clothes was realized immediately!
a husband's endorsement
When I was young, I remember selling all kinds of items to raise money for our marching band. We sold boxes of Grapefruit, chocolates, raffle tickets and pizza kits to name a few. I remember how deflated I felt when I went out into my neighborhood to sell these items AGAIN and AGAIN. (I hated when folks told me "No thanks!") I was no salesman, that's for sure; but I always did well in selling, because of something my wise mother once told me. She asked me 2 questions:
1) Is what you're selling quality merchandise?
2) Do the proceeds of your sales go towards a good cause? I honestly could answer "YES" to both these questions. And so mom inspired me to go out and sell that Grapefruit.
Well, I can honestly answer "YES" to these same 2 questions today concerning our first and only family business: Upcycled! Sweater Mittens. A few years ago, my wife Elaine learned how to recycle wool sweaters to create stylish, toasty-warm mittens. After using the pair Elaine made for me, I KNOW it is quality merchandise. As for the second question, for 3 years now, all the proceeds of the sale of these mittens have gone towards one of the best causes I know of - the adoption of a child.
Karis was born in the Summer of 2011. She is the apple of our family's eye. God has blessed our family abundantly by gifting her to us. This is why we named her Karis. Karis means 'grace' in Greek, and God has certainly "graced" us with this beautiful little baby girl. As many of you will know, the costs for adoption are not cheap, and so all the finances raised for our first 3 years through the sale of these warm, comfy mittens have gone directly to our adoption fund. (Mom would be proud!) Now as we enter our 9th year, the proceeds will help us continue to raise our sweetheart Karis, along with her adopted brother Isaac.
Give them a try!
- Eric Olson, husband of Upcycled! founder, Elaine Olson
1) Is what you're selling quality merchandise?
2) Do the proceeds of your sales go towards a good cause? I honestly could answer "YES" to both these questions. And so mom inspired me to go out and sell that Grapefruit.
Well, I can honestly answer "YES" to these same 2 questions today concerning our first and only family business: Upcycled! Sweater Mittens. A few years ago, my wife Elaine learned how to recycle wool sweaters to create stylish, toasty-warm mittens. After using the pair Elaine made for me, I KNOW it is quality merchandise. As for the second question, for 3 years now, all the proceeds of the sale of these mittens have gone towards one of the best causes I know of - the adoption of a child.
Karis was born in the Summer of 2011. She is the apple of our family's eye. God has blessed our family abundantly by gifting her to us. This is why we named her Karis. Karis means 'grace' in Greek, and God has certainly "graced" us with this beautiful little baby girl. As many of you will know, the costs for adoption are not cheap, and so all the finances raised for our first 3 years through the sale of these warm, comfy mittens have gone directly to our adoption fund. (Mom would be proud!) Now as we enter our 9th year, the proceeds will help us continue to raise our sweetheart Karis, along with her adopted brother Isaac.
Give them a try!
- Eric Olson, husband of Upcycled! founder, Elaine Olson