Handmade with Love: Plush Chickens, Dragons, and Homestead Crafts from Our Daughters’ Hands
Hello, friends! From our cozy 9-acre homestead in White Cloud, Michigan, we’re always finding new ways to turn creativity into something tangible. While we tend to chickens, pigs, mealworms, and gardens, our daughters have quietly added their own little corner of the family business: a growing collection of handmade crafts that bring smiles to everyone who sees them. At the heart of it all are the plush chickens—soft, huggable, and full of personality. Each one is sewn by hand, stuffed with care, and finished with little details that make them one-of-a-kind. Some wear tiny bandanas, others have floppy combs or embroidered wings. They started as a fun project to match our real flock roaming the property, but they quickly became a favorite item in our Squarespace shop.
A Children’s Book in the Works: “This is What Happens When a Dragon…”
Our Bridgette, has taken things a step further with her very first children’s book, titled This is What Happens When a Dragon…. It’s a sweet, funny story about a friendly dragon and his princess best friend as they tackle everyday adventures together—opening stubborn pickle jars, setting up a campsite, attending school, and more. What makes the book extra special are Bridgette’s original colored-pencil illustrations. The dragon is big, scaly, and a little clumsy, while the princess is along for the ride. Together, they turn ordinary moments into something magical. Bridgette is still putting the finishing touches on the story and artwork, but we’re already excited to share it with the world when it’s ready.
Plush Dragons Join the Flock
Inspired by the book, our oldest daughter, Addi, has started sewing plush versions of the main characters—the dragon and the princess herself (in soft, cuddly form). These dragons are the perfect companions to our plush chickens: same careful hand-stitching, same high-quality materials, but with wings, tails, and expressive faces that match Bridgette’s drawings. Addi also continues to make the chickens that started it all, giving each one its own unique flair.
Beyond Plush: Canvas Bags, Pot Holders, and More
The girls aren’t stopping at stuffed animals. They’ve expanded into practical, everyday items that carry the same handmade charm:
Sturdy canvas tote bags, perfect for library books, farmers’ market hauls, or groceries
Quilted pot holders and oven mitts made from upcycled fabrics and insulated batting
Small drawstring pouches and other useful bits and pieces
Every item is designed to be used and loved for years. We purposely keep production small—no mass inventory here. Each piece is made in limited batches, often one at a time, so you’re getting something truly unique rather than something churned out on an assembly line.
Why Handmade Matters to Us
As a homeschooling family, these projects are more than just a way to earn a little income—they’re lessons in creativity, patience, math (measuring and patterning!), and entrepreneurship. The girls handle everything from choosing fabrics and sketching designs to stitching, stuffing, and photographing the finished pieces for the shop. When you buy one of their creations, you’re not just getting a plush chicken, dragon, or tote—you’re supporting young artists learning to turn their ideas into reality. You’re also getting an item made with care, attention, and a whole lot of homestead heart. We add new pieces to the shop as they’re finished, so inventory changes often. If you see something you love, it’s best to grab it before it finds its forever home!
Thank you for supporting our daughters’ handmade journey. We can’t wait to show you the finished children’s book and the plush dragons that go with it. In the meantime, stop by our Squarespace store and take a peek at what’s available today. Made with love (and a few late-night sewing sessions),
The 9 Pines Homestead Family
