1 out of 2
FILE – In this January 20, 2021 file photo, Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Wears Mittens as he attends President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony at the Capitol Building in Washington. Sanders says the woolly mitts he wore to the ceremony that sparked endless quirky social media memes helped raise $ 1.8 million for charities in his home state of Vermont over the past five days through the sale of T-shirts. sweatshirts and stickers featuring the iconic image of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed in his brown parka and recycled wool mittens (Jonathan Ernst / Pool Photo via AP)
1 out of 2
FILE – In this January 20, 2021 file photo, Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Wears Mittens as he attends President Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony at the Capitol Building in Washington. Sanders says the woolly mitts he wore to the ceremony that sparked endless quirky social media memes helped raise $ 1.8 million for charities in his home state of Vermont over the past five days through the sale of T-shirts. sweatshirts and stickers featuring the iconic image of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed in his brown parka and recycled wool mittens (Jonathan Ernst / Pool Photo via AP)
The teacher who created the recycled wool mittens that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders wore during the presidential inauguration – which spawned countless memes – is working with the Vermont Teddy Bear Company to create an entire mittens line to meet rising demand, some of which to Make-A-Wish Vermont.
“I couldn’t be happier because I personally can’t make 18,000 pairs of mittens,” Jen Ellis said Saturday, estimating how many people contacted her. “Everyone gets their mittens – everyone.”
Ellis, a Vermont elementary school teacher who has an afterthought making mittens from recycled wool, gave Sanders a few as gifts and wore them to President Joe Biden’s inauguration. His fashionable look, also with a winter jacket made by Burton Snowboards, led to countless memes following the photo taken by Agence France-Presse: the former presidential candidate could be found on social media timelines taking place in the metro, the moon and the couch with the cast of “Friends”, among other creative locations.
Sanders raised at least $ 1.8 million in charity merchandise that grew out of the January 20 image of him sitting with his arms and legs crossed, dressed in his brown parka and the recycled wool mittens. Sanders posted on his campaign website so-called ‘Chairman Sanders’ merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts and stickers.
Vermont Teddy Bear, who makes handmade bears for all occasions, including a Bernie bear, reached out to Ellis to see if she would be interested in a partnership.
“Jen goes hand-in-hand – want-in-hand – working with each of our designers” to ensure that the ‘Bernie-want’ design is produced in multiple patterns in a way that meets her quality standards, said Hayes McCarthy , vice president of product innovation, brand creativity and consumer experience. “We are delighted to be in the mittens category.”
It is not clear when the first mittens would be for sale. Those interested in getting a pair can leave an email on the company’s website.
In the past, Vermont Teddy Bear has created special bears to raise money for Make-A-Wish Vermont, and recently gave office space to the organization for $ 1 a year, said James Hathaway, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish. Vermont. Hathaway said the charity lost $ 250,000 in revenue during the pandemic.
“We are so grateful to the Vermont Teddy Bear, Jen, and of course Bernie for being Bernie,” Hathaway said in a statement.