We're so excited to announce that on June 1st, we'll be hosting the first of a series of craft parties in our new space. These events will be intimate, informative, and most importantly, fun!

For our first event, we are thrilled to be partnering with Janet and Katie of For the Makers. These two are serious crafting experts and will lead the group through three complete craft projects over the course of the afternoon. You'll learn new techniques in a supportive environment and will come away feeling inspired to do more. We'll have all the supplies, music, drinks, and snacks for all, and at the end of the day, you will leave with a serious goodie bag. We're teaming up with For the Makers to send everyone home with crafting kits and fun supplies, valued at more than $50. 

This is a going to be a serious party - but space is very limited. Get your tickets here - we can't wait to start crafting with you! 

1 botanical rose iphone case / 2 best mom ribbon card / 3 ruched pom pom scarf  / 4 massaman peanut butter sandwich cookies* / 5 mother's little helper tea + the perfect tea mug**

Mother's Day is around the corner, but it's not too late to do something special for mom. Here are a few of our favorites for the top moms in your life. We had a lot of fun making these crepe paper peonies - a perfect gift topper! It's a simple addition that makes a big impact for Mom.

* We LOVE these cookies and gobble them up whenever they are in sight. You can still visit Whimsy & Spice before Mother's Day - they will be at the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene on Saturday, May 11!

**This mug has changed my life. It really is perfect, and comes in lots of colors. 

Nearly five years ago, at the age of 27, I was diagnosed with melanoma. Over the previous years, I had watched a small freckle slowly grow to the size of a pencil eraser on the back of my leg. I ignored it for a while because I was an under-insured graduate student. I remember knowing that a biopsy was going to cost about $100 and it seemed like a lot. 

When I got a new job with better insurance, I scheduled a skin check. I was told that I was 'too young' to be worrying about skin cancer and the doctor refused to perform a biopsy. Still, something didn't feel right — although this mole didn't look bad on it's own, I knew it had grown in size over time.

I got on a wait list to see a different doctor, and after that visit, was dealt the striking blow of a melanoma diagnosis. By that time I was pregnant and we were literally headed out of town to spend Christmas with our families. Our travel plans were put on hold and I underwent surgery to remove several inches of flesh from the back of my leg. It was an intensely scary time to say the least. Although I was lucky — my margins were clear and the cancer had not spread beyond the mole — there is always a fear that a few cells got away. I have skin checks every few months. 

Melanoma is a mysterious, ugly form of cancer and one that is tricky to beat once it takes hold. Although it has a cure rate of over 90% when caught early, it is one of the deadliest forms of cancer once it spreads. It is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer, with increasingly high rates of diagnosis among young people. There is no cure, and much work needs to be done in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. 

I'm excited to announce that during the entire month of May, 10% of sales from the Knot & Bow shop will go directly to the Melanoma Research Foundation, a four star charity (by Charity Navigator) with a mission that encompasses research, education, and advocacy. 

(photo by Chris Ozer)

We made an update to our party confetti mix and have fallen in love all over again. Now available with a pop of hot pink here.

p.s. don't forget! every shop order over $5 ships with a free set of parcel tags through April 5!

After packaging approximately 20,000 individual products in our small studio, we decided it was time to reach out for help, and to help others in the process. We're excited to announce a new partnership with Foundation for the Handicapped, Inc. on our packaging for parcel tag sets. Here's a little bit about the Foundation from their website:

The purpose of the Foundation [is] to provide meaningful work for handicapped persons who are unable to work in the marketplace for remuneration based on their abilities. The Foundation also contributes to their well-being by providing a facility where they can increase their self-worth and self-esteem, have the opportunity to work with others, and to participate in organized activities as they take their place as useful members of society.

We couldn't be more excited about this win-win partnership! To celebrate, every shop order of $5 or more will receive a free set of tags with their order, now through Friday, April 5.

After 2½ years in the home studio, we are saying goodbye and moving in to Knot & Bow's very own studio space. Being in Brooklyn where real estate is steep, and having had a new baby last year, it has been best for me to work out of my home for as long as possible. The studio has grown from a small desk in a corner to what I consider to be a pretty amazing feat of space-saving magic: an IKEA kitchen set up in a bumped-out wall of our living room. A combination of wall cabinets along the floor, a butcher block counter, garage shelving above, a 7-foot tall pantry cabinet, and, now, an off-site storage unit, smartly stores just about everything I have needed to run this growing business. 

Each day, our apartment is transformed into Knot & Bow headquarters, and I cannot thank my family enough for putting up with these shenanigans. I am confident, though, that it has been the right choice for us. I feel like the luckiest mother on the planet, having been able to stay so close to my two beautiful boys (not every workplace lets you hold your newborn while you answer emails). And despite the madness that an in-home office can bring, it has allowed me to slowly grow the business to the point that I am confident and excited about our move into the new studio. 

I can't wait to share more with you soon about the new space and it's transformation! 

xo

(photo by Chris Ozer)

The holidays are coming quickly, and we're asking that you get your holiday orders in by Friday, December 14 to arrive in time for the holidays. We're adding some fun discounts this week to help with those last orders! First up -- FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING in the shop with code MISTLETOEMONDAY, today only! Enjoy!

photo by Chris Ozer

What a week. It's been quite surreal in New York. Our robust city took a crippling punch to the gut, but kept running like nothing had happened in so many ways. Many of our friends spent their weeks in darkness, while we (like most in Brooklyn) maintained power, heat, and hot water throughout the storm. Images of complete destruction have flooded our media while bars and restaurants in our neighborhood have been running as normal since the storm arrived. I read stories of people losing their children in floodwaters while snuggling at home with my own; my husband home from work for the week. 

There are so many incredible organizations and people stepping up to bring help and restoration to the hardest hit areas in New Jersey, Red Hook, and the Rockaways. We've collected household items to donate to those in need, but it seems that right now, the most important kind of help is financial. 

From 8 AM on Monday, November 5 through 5 PM on Friday, November 9, $5 from the sale of each spool of Glitter Twine will go directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. If you purchase a set of 2 spools, $10 will be donated. We look forward to adding the funds raised to our own donation, which we will make at the end of the week. 

A little note on the shop: Major transportation issues and school closures this week meant that we were running on about one quarter of our usual manpower. Some orders were delayed a bit, but we've tried to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. We look forward to getting back on track this week, and thank you for your patience and support! 

an update: We raised enough this week to donate $500 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund! Thank you all SO much for your support. 

I learned about brigadeiros last year when I saw this mention of a new bakery in town. I finally got around to trying them this week when I attended a third birthday party for one of my son's classmates. This sticky sweet confection is a Brazilian chocolate bonbon — a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder — that is traditionally served at birthday parties. Have you tried them?
 
The image above are the flavor options from My Sweet Brigadeiro, which can be found at Battery Place market or online. Aren't they incredible? You don't have to ask the ooey gooey toddlers twice: it doesn't get much better than the rainbow sprinkle variety for a child's birthday party. 

xo

It's been kind of a whirlwind week, hasn't it? It was odd to have the Fourth of July in the middle of the week, and despite working a half-day on the holiday, I feel like I'm behind on everything. We headed into the city for the afternoon on Wednesday to bounce around a bit before attempting to view the fireworks. We window shopped at the closed stores, finally tried Burger Joint, found out I need to buy a new iPhone, snacked on heavily-fruited Pinkberry, drank lots of water, and had a complete and total fail in the fireworks viewing department. It was some really nice family time so I'm excited that the weekend is here already so we can hang out with each other more. It should be a good one, with a visit to Ample Hills Creamery and a Mets game on the agenda!

Here are some things I've been up to:
 - choosing a winner in Knot & Bow's Second Birthday Giveaway - congrats Sandra N.!
 - working out plans for my son's third birthday party
 - shipping our first wholesale order to Liberty of London (pinch me!)
 - cooking up toddler-friendly fritters
 - making plans for a party at Pink Olive 

Hope you are having a great weekend!
xo

p.s. image above (deciding what to wish for) by Chris Ozer

It's been so busy around here, we almost forgot it's our birthday! It's been two amazing years and we have lots in store for the future. To celebrate, we're giving away a box of YOUR favorite things.

*Update: Giveaway Closed*
To enter:
Post your favorite Knot & Bow product to Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook, tagging @knotandbow along the way. Then, be sure to leave a comment in the comments section letting us know where you mentioned us! (One entry per person per social media outlet.)

What you'll win: 
A custom birthday box made just for YOU! We'll send you the item you posted about, plus a nice collection of our favorite Knot & Bow goodies that pairs well with it. Fun, huh?

Can't wait to see what you are loving right now! We'll draw a winner on Friday morning.
Congrats Sandra N.! 

I'm obsessed with big, circular, tissue confetti. But when I went looking to buy some, I couldn't find it anywhere. The solution? Make it for Knot & Bow!

This project involved an intense confetti brainstorm (hard work, right?), and we decided to start with a seriously fun party mix of bright colors & pastel hues in a large classic circle shape. You can find it here - hope you love it as much as we do!

xo

I can't stop thinking about these amazing lamps I came across the other day, perfect for lighting up the rainy weather here in New York. I want to sprinkle them around my apartment, especially Mr. Kitty up there (who would make an excellent addition to this). I'm excited to be heading to the National Stationery Show today, so I'll be in touch again soon with paper finds that I love!

xo  

On Mother's Day we headed to Prospect Park for a picnic and I couldn't have been happier, just laying in the grass with my boys.

I'm so very fortunate to be able to spend time with these guys not just on the weekends, but everyday (I have a two-month old in my lap as I write this now). The best part? I'm doing something I love at the same time. I've never been happier in the workplace, and I'm so excited to watch Knot & Bow grow and evolve over time with my family. It's not always an easy balance (and I will fully admit it wouldn't be possible without the tremendous help that I have) but it's one that I love. Thank YOU for making it possible for me to hold my baby when he is young and for allowing me to have some hang-out time with my toddler in the afternoons.

As a thank you, please take 15% off all purchases in the shop through Friday [11:59 pm EST] with the code MOMS15.

xo
p.s. I know - matching shirts? I couldn't help it. And it might be addictive.

photos by Chris Ozer

Don't you know at least one new mama or mama-to-be who loves cats? I do. Here are some ideas for what to get their babies. I couldn't resist this two-part cat box as a wrapping idea - it's a cat and her kitten! I'll have to save my brilliant DIY cat face box concept for another day. 

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

xo

With so many pencils in my life, it's no surprise that they are my favorite writing utensil these days (I used to be such a pen person). I picked up a German Küm sharpener at this amazing museum shop over the weekend - and now look! That same incredible blade on a sterling silver ring. You can pick it up as a gift for your favorite pencil sharpener here.