Bernie’s Mitten Maker [Stuck in Vermont 688]

Bernie’s Mitten Maker [Stuck in Vermont 688]
Jen Ellis was a second-grade teacher and part-time mitten maker back in 2021 when her life changed on Inauguration Day. A photo of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) sitting cross-armed and cross-legged in a folding chair, wearing a pair of mittens made by Ellis, became a viral meme on the internet. The one-of-a-kind mittens were made of recycled wool sweaters and lined with fleece, and they had been gifted to Sanders in 2016. As the meme spread around the world, Ellis became in demand on multiple media platforms, requests for the mittens increased, and her email overflowed.
Two years later, Ellis chronicled this unique time in her life in a book called Bernie’s Mitten Maker. She wrote about the role crafting has played in her life, the stress of becoming an internet sensation and her efforts to do something positive with the newfound attention. Ellis auctioned off mittens to raise money for Outright Vermont and Passion 4 Paws. Vermont Teddy Bear launched a line of Ellis’ mittens, and a portion of the proceeds go to local nonprofits. Darn Tough Vermont made a limited run of JENerosity socks, which raised funds for the Vermont Foodbank.
After 17 years of teaching, Ellis left her job and is now in graduate school for counseling. She lives in Essex Junction with her family and their dog. Ellis only makes mittens for charitable causes or friends these days. Senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger met up with Ellis at her home to watch her cut up some vintage sweaters and to hear about the process of writing her book.
Ellis’ book launches on May 2 at Phoenix Books in Burlington.
Filming date: 4/8/23
Music: Zachariah Hickman, “Future King of Heaven”
/ @drzachariah
berniesmittenm...
www.vermontted...
This episode of Stuck in Vermont was supported by New England Federal Credit Union.
bit.ly/nefcusiv
Home: sevendaysvt.co...
Email Alerts: sevendaysvt.co...
Facebook: StuckinVermont/
Instagram: stuckinvermont
Twitter: / stuckinvermont
Vimeo: vimeo.com/seve...
TikTok: www.tiktok.com...

[@RWPeninsula]

This is so touching

[@perrybelcourt5441]

I'm a Canadian and like Vermont and Vermont are educated and respected people in most Canadian provinces and we are from the West coast and senator Bernie Sanders is our most favorite politician in America and our family across Canada like the senator and Vermont

[@cauthoncrazy]

I loved learning about Jen!

[@perrybelcourt5441]

I'm a Canadian and like Sanders and Vermont is one of the most educated people in America and all of our family and friends and family like Vermont and senator Bernie Sanders

[@perrybelcourt5441]

I'm a Canadian and Vermont is one of the best states in America thanks to all the vermonters the smartest people in America

[@perrybelcourt5441]

This memes went all over the world Russia China Australia Britain Canada India Iran Africa Taiwan and red states made alot of money and the bobblehead gave to meals on wheels and a Sanders supporter in Texas made a doll made 40 thousand dollars for meal on wheels America