.: Natural Earth Farm Giveaway! :.

.: Six little rainbow gnomes, sweetly knit by Tonya of Natural Earth Farm :.

I am excited to introduce one of my sponsors Tonya from the online shop Natural Earth Farm! Tonya will be sharing some of her family story today as well as sharing a wonderful giveaway!

Gardenmama: "Thank you Tonya for sharing a bit more about your lovely shop, Natural Earth Farm!  I have been so very happy with the beautifully handcrafted gifts my family has purchased from you! The care and craftsmanship you pour into each item is truly palpable. I look forward to your interview and this generous giveaway!"

Natural Earth Farm: "Thank you Nicole.  It is heartwarming to hear how others enjoy our products.  You have such a beautiful blog that it is truly an honor to share this space."

.: Natural Earth Farm takes special care in each detail. Each gift has a beautiful tag attached made of a small circle of wood with their shop name hand stamped on it :.

Gardenmama: "Tonya, would you share what inspires you and your family to create what goes into your shop and some of what that process entails?"

Natural Earth Farm:  "Our family looks at the natural world for inspiration.  As my husband hikes through the forest he observes which trees might be made into toys.  He also looks carefully at the surroundings and which trees would be ok to cut – for example promoting growth of the larger trees by providing a clearing or cutting down saplings through a power line or clearing small trees along a roadside.  All of our branch toys are made of trees that come from our land or friend’s and neighbor’s land.  Many neighbors have offered us the opportunity to take from their land as it also benefits them.  For example, a neighbor’s sugar bush may need to be thinned out or another neighbor is growing a pine forest for wood and needs the small trees cut.

I get my inspiration for knitting toys from magazines and the creations of others.  I keep an inspiration journal to cut and paste pictures, sayings, and ideas that come to me."

 

.: My daughter found so much joy in these little gnomes, we purchased one from Tonya and it has not left her side.  Her green gnome is lovingly called "Leaf" :.

Gardenmama: "What are some of the things we can expect to find while visiting Natural Earth Farm online?"

Natural Earth Farm:  "We offer our handmade branch toys – branch blocks, a matching/memory game, threading sets, pencil holders, walking blocks to name a few.  My husband also makes some home décor items from branches such as coasters and hangers.  We also offer hand knit gnome dolls, hand crocheted draw string bags, organic beeswax and honey, and some yarn from Peace Fleece.  All of our products are free of plastic packaging and we used recycled items whenever possible for packaging and  shipping."

.: The bright rainbow colors and beautiful wool make for a happy combination! :.

Gardenmama: "What is the philosophy behind Natural Earth Farm?"

Natural Earth Farm:  "Our philosophy is to keep it simple.  None of our products are complex but there is so much beauty that can be found in simplicity.  Our toys inspire open-ended creative play.  A branch block building set can be used not only for building but for little dolls and knit animals to frolic among the branches or to set up a table and chairs; a flat piece can become a ramp for a car.

 

.:This entire family of six gnomes as well as the rainbow carrying bag are all part of today's giveaway!:.

Our family is committed to only offering products that can be returned to the earth without harm.  We use a natural beeswax finish that we make ourselves.

 We also keep our products simple because with six children there are always products in various stages of finishing throughout and even if our 22 month old picks something up we don’t have to worry about anything being broken, for example.  Our family is able work together as well.  We sometimes hold sanding parties after supper while listening to music.  Everyone gets a sanding board (even the little one) and the work gets done with joy.

 

.: This hand knit gnome is made with so much love--a beautiful heirloom friend for ages to come :.

Our family has opted out of the consumer society for the most part.  To this end, we don’t need a large income to sustain us.  We grow some of our own food, have chickens for eggs, bake and cook from scratch, and we are very careful about what we buy.  When we do buy we choose to purchase locally or from family businesses both near and far.  The internet has helped to make it possible to reach a wider audience and for that we are thankful."

Gardenmama: "Tonya, would you share the inspiration behind your gnome set and let everyone know what this beautifully handcrafted, generous giveaway will include?"

Natural Earth Farm:  "This giveaway is for the heirloom quality rainbow set of six knit gnomes that come in a hand crocheted bag with a hand appliquéd rainbow on the front.  Each gnome is lovingly knit of wool yarn and stuffed with roving.  This set can surely  be passed on to future generations.

The gnome was my very first toy that began our business eight years ago.  The gnome baby appeals to nearly everyone of all ages.   I created the pattern and started selling the finished gnomes on ebay.  Encouraged by the positive feedback, our family decided to start an online store offering a wider selection of natural toys and products."

Gardenmama: "It is a pleasure to know you Tonya! I have enjoyed each conversation with you and thank you for the beauty you are sharing with you family and with all of us! I enjoyed hearing more of your story today!"

Natural Earth Farm: "Thank you Nicole so very much for what you are doing at GardenMama and through the Wellness Tree."

Please leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of Natural Earth Farm's heirloom-quality rainbow set of six knit gnomes that come in a hand crocheted bag with a hand appliquéd rainbow on the front.

For three additional entries, please post a link back to this giveaway on your next post!
Comments will close Tuesday evening December 15, at 8:30 est
The winner will be announced the very same evening at 9:00 est

Shop: Natural Earth Farm