WARMGOODS™ was
born of a simple need . . .
A few years ago I fulfilled my dream of learning
to ice-skate. With my desire to fly uninhibited on the ice came the
inevitable falls, bruises, and strain on muscles that I didn’t
even know existed. I refused to let that deter my dream but I knew
I needed help with those setbacks to carry on.
Like most entrepreneuers, my products were conceived
and driven by an unmet personal need --one I believed many others might
also share. And as an artist, I thrive on creating uniquely designed
products that combine form and function. In this case, I needed something
I could wear on the ice to comfort the aches and pains that would not
only fit, but also look good.
That
was the genesis for the CozyNeck™ --a wrap that
I could wear on the ice and off, that would look like a nice scarf.
To be functional in this context, it needed to be long with extra coverage
for the back of the neck, and flexible so it could be used on other
areas like the lower back.
I chose flax seeds for the filling because of their versatility. For starters,
they are flat (as opposed to the more commonly used rice, husks, or cherry
pits), and they have a high percentage of oil which generates good moist
heat. At the same time, they can also hold the cold when placed in a freezer,
should the need arise for a cold compress.
Fabric quality and feel were key. The wrap needed to be soft and cozy, durable,
and stay warm for an extended period of time. To achieve that objective
I chose a fleece fabric made of a blend of hemp (for its insulating properties),
and organic cotton. The design is based on narrow finger-shaped continuous
channels that interlock to ensure
that the seeds remain evenly distributed throughout the garment without
shifting or clumping.
In addition to providing deep lasting warmth, I also wanted something that would
make me feel good and relieve both stress and pain. I started adding
dried Lavender buds, and later on, other soothing herbs to encourage relaxation
and needed rest. Today I add essential oils to the garments when the scent
of the herbs wanes.
Care, protection, and versatility of the wrap led to the idea for replaceable
covers and the ability to tie the wrap around different parts of the body
(for example, the waist, elbow or knee joints), gave birth to the idea
for the Wrap–Tie
covers. Once the Wrap-Tie covers were created enabling the wraps
to be worn outside of the home or a practitioner's office, the ability
to accesorize them quickly became clear.
As I shared the CozyNeck™ wraps with my friends,
their encouragement and ideas gave life to new products such as the WarmestBlanket™,
WarmHeart™ and all the rest of the products that
collectively make up WarmGoods™.
I am so grateful to be able to make products that bring real comfort and
relief to others. Experience the healing power of these remarkable herbal
wraps, hand-crafted with care and love.
In Health,
Marlene Sanchez
Owner & Designer |
