earth playsilks / stone

Earth Playsilks feature beautifully blended colors designed for children to play in ways that reinforce a love for Mother Earth. Playsilks are 35 x 35-inch squares made from gorgeous, lightweight (5 momme) 100% pure mulberry silk. Made by Sarah's Silks, founded in 1994 by Sarah Lee in Sonoma County, California. Sarah started dyeing silk scarves in her sink to encourage open-ended play for her children. Shortly after she began to create scarves for children's friends and their Waldorf School, Sarah's Silks was born. This family-owned business, which specializes in sustainable silk and wood toys for children, has been operating for over 30 years.  ~~~~~~~~ + Size: 35" x 35" + 100% pure mulberry silk + Dyed with non-toxic, eco-friendly dyes and have been safety tested for children of all ages. + Hand wash with mild shampoo or dish soap and warm water. Hang dry and iron on medium to restore shine. + Do not leave babies alone with product. + Made in China, in fair trade, family-run businesses, and in cities renowned for their silk culture (Scroll to the end for more info on the production of Sarah's Silks.) ~~~~~~~~ Why Children LOVE Playsilks: Playsilks are inspiring, magical toys that children will be drawn to play with time and time again. The simplicity and open-ended nature of Playsilks tap directly into the child’s creative potential. Open-ended play with Playsilks allows children to express their imagination and supports their independence. Nourishing the senses with Playsilks gives the child an amazing tactile experience. Growing with the child sets our Playsilks apart from any other toy, allowing for a limitless range of play possibilities and years of lasting play value. Give your child a Playsilk and you’ll be amazed by all the ways they play! ~~~~~~~~ This silk is Habotai, an ancient product from China. Sarah's Silks supports the process of silk making because silk is biodegradable and, unlike most other fabrics, its production is actually healthy for the environment. Silk caterpillars eat mulberry leaves so farms have to grow lots of trees to produce silk, and the caterpillars are fed by hand on family farms. Pesticides or chemicals cannot be used while making silk, because the caterpillars are very sensitive, which means that the finished product is 100% natural. Silk making is an ancient tradition that is indigenous to China, and is still an important and celebrated process in Chinese culture today. Sarah's Silks has the pleasure of visiting the facilities where their silks are made, and meeting the skilled people who hand dye and hem their products in the village of Souzhou. Over the past twenty-five years Sarah's Silks has cultivated positive working relationships with silk manufacturers in China, continues to feel positively about working with them, and is confident that the individuals producing their products are being paid a fair and competitive wage.