huggers r coming

The Christmas season for the Cheer tree Company was grand! Many people are giving the hugger pillows as gifts to all. We had so many people use the cheer tree as a decoration inside the x-mas tree itself. People sent photos of the cheer tree in every color on the fire place mantel, and we even got some of the pillow already on the beds. Red and green top the selection charts, and white was a close third place. Purple, was a huge hit for gifts to kids, and the cream hugger did better then expected. Dora, found herself with several special orders, and even was asked to make some nap pillows with the healing circles. All in all, the cheer tree made it to many arms, and homes. Several office party gifts and a few overseas sales arrived before Christmas as well.

Here's whats coming!

• New spring colors of baby blues, purples and light pinks.
• The Valentines cheer tree, for breast cancer awareness.
• St. Patrick's cheer tree in several greens
• The cheer tree nylon bag, for keeping it new and fresh
• New labeled cheer trees

The colors are being ordered and cut, any special orders should be placed right after the new year.
From our family to your, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Special Order

hugging is a good thing

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth
—Virginia Satir, family therapist
http://www.lifepositive.com/Mind/personal-growth/hug/hug-therapy.asp

• Hugs certainly feel good, both on the giving and receiving end, and it turns out their effects are more than skin deep. A study by University of North Carolina researchers found that hugs increase the "bonding" hormone oxytocin and decrease the risk of heart disease.
• At the center of how our bodies respond to love and affection is a hormone called oxytocin. Most of our oxytocin is made in the area of the brain called the hypothalamus. Some is released into our bloodstream, but much of its effect is thought to reside in the brain.
  Oxytocin makes us feel good when we are close to family and other loved ones, including pets. It does this by acting through what scientists call the dopamine reward system. Dopamine is a brain chemical that plays a crucial part in how we perceive pleasure. Many drugs of abuse act through this system. Problems with the system can lead to serious depression and other mental illness.
  Oxytocin does more than make us feel good. It lowers the levels of stress hormones in the body, reducing blood pressure, improving mood, increasing tolerance for pain and perhaps even speeding how fast wounds heal. It also seems to play an important role in our relationships. It’s been linked, for example, to how much we trust others.

The cheer tree "hugger" pillow, is a hugging tool!
Crafted with pure inspirations from the positive, proven effects of hugging!
Hug at your convenience!

www.cheertreecompany.org

Cheer tree video debut

Thank You for your interest in the cheer tree company.
We are grateful to our customers, and hold them in high regard.

Dora, Mike, Jen

The cheer tree movement

The cheer tree movement is best summed up as an increase in hugging. A warm sensation, lacking in our world. Nearly everyone who has a cheer tree, agrees that there is an irresistible urge to hug it. How amazing, that this was part of the vision Dora had when she first set out to create the pillow.
It never was intended to border line any Zen, or new age movement theme. But I am learning that there may be nothing wrong with this at all. The craft is making people happy, and we are getting orders daily now. hat is so nice is that people are writing us, and expressing cheer, it's really amazing.
The pillow is 12" by 12", so it is hardly a grand sceptical. But as I am coming more educated in the world of crafts and crafting, I am learning that the true meaning of hand made, may really mean soul inspired. As I am looking at a world of amazing crafts, the creativity of the human spirit screams out and says's something about each and every product people are making with their hands. Never would i have imagined, that my interests, or hobbies would include crafting. i am sure my family feels the same. But hidden in all the excitement about Dora's cheer tree pillow, is the remarkable sense of family. We have all taken part and done something to increase the potential of her work. Best of all, we have teamed with some wonderful charity, and have much opportunity to make a difference. People often ask us what the secret to making crafts and having success in selling them is.
The truth is, I have no idea, and neither does Dora. I am sure our blog is different, our way of explaining things, and even the craft itself, is different. Maybe we beat to a different tune, by trying to inspire people with the cheer tree, because it's all new to me. I am sure that this grass roots approach has helped, because it keeps an honest and simple matter to it. But most of all, there is a divine intervention, and that is the love in our family, the love for trees, nature and the people who touch our lives daily. Maybe this is the secret.

Therapeutic Arts & Crafts for Veterans

National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
by HHV.org

The Festival is a culmination of two separate competitions – “Vet Arts” created in 1981 at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia and a performing arts competition held at the Waco, Texas VA Medical Center, later to be called the “National Music Competition.” The two finally merged in 1989 to create the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival of today which continues to evolve; in 2005 creative writing was added to the arts division.
Through the Festival, veterans are given the opportunity to participate in creative self-expression as part of the overall recovery. It also serves as a platform for recognition of their achievements in arts & crafts, music, dance and drama, while raising awareness that creative expression while receiving treatment for disease, disability or life crisis can be tremendously therapeutic. 
Many wounds, obscure or not, can be successfully treated through participation in the arts. There are hundreds of different kits supplied by Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), including leather items, suncatchers, paint-by-numbers, latch-hook rugs, poster art, plastic and wood models/crafts, and many more. The kits are rehabilitative devices designed to restore coordination and impaired motor skills, improve attention spans and concentration, and relax frayed nerves. They are also used as diversion therapy and entertainment outlet for those veterans who are facing extended hospitalization. HHV is the nation’s largest supplier of therapeutic arts and crafts kits used within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military hospitals, and furnishes products to homebound veterans as well. All products are provided free of charge.
More proof and positives, that crafts can inspire healing and well being.

holiday season

The Cheer tree, got plenty of attention this holiday season. Featured at several craft fairs in PA, and finding a home in Stroudsburg's weekend flea market. Dora, added many holiday pillows, that sold well. There where all kinds of sizes and prints. from the Grinch, to snowmen, and Santa himself.
These pillows where great as gifts, and as the living room center piece for the Christmas theme.
Being hand stuffed, makes a difference in comfort, cause Dora can hold the pillow, and imagine if it is comfortable enough for those who would use it for sleeping. We got ton's of great feed back, on the full size pillows. We are thankful to all whom had purchased them.
This spring, we will feature some of the hand crafted pillows on our ESTY Sight.
In the meantime, we are getting more busy by the day with the Cheer tree pillow. People are buying the cheer tree for New Years gifts, to help match the theme of the coming energy that we will embrace for 2013. We also think it could be a break out year for tree hugging!

The power of healing

The power of healing, energy of life and love are all around us.
What makes our company, and family so special, is this knowing of how these positive energies can keep us together and as one. We use nature, crafts, music and just plane being together, as therapy. The kind of therapy most of us lack in our lives. It is better describe as a reconnection.
How all this carries over to Dora's craft? well, the craft wasn't planed. It was created.
Dora, first made the cheer tree as an idea to spread cheer to friends and family on Christmas.
And so the story goes of how, everyone wanted a cheer tree, and the fact was true that it inspired smiles and hugs, and even taped the idea of some as fashion.
The tree was soon used as decorations in the tree, gifts for seniors, and best known for a get well soon. The colors where loved by everyone and had a groovy style to them. So collectors and likers of that style where fond of the tree. It moved from a gift to a novelty,
but it's still a cute pillow, or is it a tree to hug when indoors? The cheer tree is all of this. It was not planned, designed, drawn up or thought up.
It was Dora's true heart and creative sense, that wanted to capture her idea of how trees give off a light that looks like small circles of brilliant color. Theses colors, match yours, and filter out the negative to create a warming positive. These are the same colors on the tree, if we ever make to the level of seeing them.

Being a tree-hugger IS COOL!

Dora, has been hugging trees since she was a child.
Having grown-up in the lush mountainous area of Colombia, trees and green nature where abundant. This practice of connecting ones energy with that of nature, trees and natural resources, is much more common and embraced in countries such as Colombia.
But being a nature lover myself, hugging trees and embracing the positive energy that surrounds us, is not something weird to me. It is long proven scientifically that trees improve many health issues such as; mental illnesses, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity, and concentration levels,
Countless studies have shown that children show significant psychological and physiological effects in terms of their health and well-being when they interact with plants, trees and green settings.
Being a tree-hugger IS COOL!: When you hug a tree, you become connect, and become one with the tree. This natural linkage will allow the energy shift between you and the tree. The tree absorbs the negative energy that you have, and will balance it into a positive one.
Dora, having been a life-long tree hugger, and well schooled in the positive effects of nature can take the whole energy process one step further. According to this experienced hugger, she can see the wonderful colors that the energy of trees give off. They are a universal orchestra of love, faith and healing. She believe that these colors interact with yours and creates what she calls a circles of light. A bursting, steady steam of blessed energy. This is the same expression she puts into the circles, filled with color on the cheer tree. One small craft, that does so much and expresses so many things, each different for the people who see or hold them. She believes that her craft can give something of the same effect as hugging a tree, and this invokes cheer, warmth and a sense of healing. So hug your cheer tree!

The cheer tree company, donates $10 to the Arbor Day Foundation for every 10 trees sold.
For the planting of  10 trees in our nations national forests.

Creative Times Magazine.

Exciting news for the cheer tree family. Dora and her cheer trees, where selected by Creative Times Magazine , as a feature in the march/April issue.
Everyone is excited cause we love the magazine, and are so happy to get the exposer for the trees.

 Creative Times features a variety of crafting styles such as sewing, doll making, knitting, scrapbook, altered art, painting, primitive art , rug hooking, stitchery and more. Not only do they work hard to bring you inspiration in each issue but they have put together a wonderful interactive web site.

The interview questions where taken on December 12, and will be featured as well. So don't miss the magazine that runs bi-monthly, and check out the cheer tree company in the March issue.

Where were you born and raised?The Country of Colombia, now living in Stroudsburg, PA

Tell us about your family
 USA and Colombia.
Mom, husaband and daughter work together and the craft donates to charity from sales.

Describe your business and web site
The Cheer Tree Company, hand makers of the cheer tree. Inspired from the crafter's belief that trees help heal people, and that the craft provides a warm sense of cheer. Our web sight is up and running.

How did you get started in your business?
Started making the cheer tree pillow for Christmas gifts, veterans and as get well gifts. They became popular for kid's, holiday decorations as well.

How did you decide on a business name?
From the idea of wanting to make a craft that brings cheer.

Do you have future plans for your business?
yes, to expand and retail. We want to work with more charity as well.

What craft mediums do you work with and which are your favorites?
We use Eco-felt and non-alergenic poly.

What or who inspires you?
Nature, people who smile and working with charity.

Do you have a work room or studio?
Work from home, but planning on a studio.

Where do you sell your work or designs?
We are on Esty, Art Fire, and have an on-line store. We also sell at local craft shows.

Do you participate in any shows or special events?
Yes, in PA,.

Thank you for your time, we know our readers will be pleased to meet you.
Thank You!

Your First and Last Name
Dora Caicedo Long

Remembering the victims of the Newtown shooting

Remembering the victims of the Newtown shooting.

No words can describe,
but our prays and soul felt sorrows can be heard.

Valentines tree gets a bag

The Valentines cheer tree gets a nylon bag.
First to grab the pillow, was our daughter Jennifer. She loved the idea of having a protective bag for the tree, so it can stay clean and white. Our daughter is aware of the battle our world face's with breast cancer.

And she is proud to have a part of the plans we made for donating to The Pink Chose Me Foundation.

The new colors arrived today, and Dora began making the cuts and patterns for the coming Spring season. Vibrant purple and baby blues arrived, along with the new nylon protective bags.
She will be making the cheer tree with some split colors, and the new series will feature many differant colors in the purple and pink family. We are all lending a hand, and look forward showing all the new colors soon.We have some special orders that people have asked for and welcome them from all.
Just keep in mind, there is always a wait list.

 

Warm Cheer

The Cheer tree Company, is a family affair.
We never tire working around the cheer tree pillow.
We are all excited about how everything has turned out. Never in my life would I think we would be involved in a craft like this. But now, it is what the family is about. Being able to say we are a company, who has a product that people love and does so much work for peoples spirit, charity and gifts, is a really good feeling. What is most amazing is how the cheer tree captures all our family values in one small pillow.

When Dora, first began the craft, my daughter and me, had now idea it would lead us to the way we are today. We both new it was a cute pillow, but didn't know that mom, had a secret behind the why it was created. First was the circles, and how it captured Dora's vision of positive energy given off by trees. Second, we where shocked to know that this pattern was so applicable to so many things. People thought it was the color of multi-lights on a Christmas tree, and love it as a Christmas gift, and decoration. People began using it inside the x-mas tree itself as decor. Dora, always smiled and was fond of how everyone had their own idea of the tree. Young adults, love the groovy style, and the cheer tree is even used as a pillow for kids. But most of all, the cheer tree pillow is WARM CHEER. The same warm cheer you find when taking a stress relief walk and looking at the mountains, flowers or trees. The same cheer you feel when you hug a soft pillow, and the same colors of positive energy you find that occur in life. The cheer tree, has a story, and this is what makes it so special.
It has the ideas of charity, hope, color and the healing power of trees all in one small, comfortable pillow.


Cheer tree family

Breast Cancer Awareness

What a wonderful season for the cheer tree company. Not only did we spread some warm cheer with giving trees to toys for tots, we teamed up with the Arbor Day Foundation, for a great idea for donating to the planting of trees in our National Forests.
But one of our greatest ideas, came at the Thanksgiving dinner table, when Dora decided she wanted to do something for this years valentines tree. She wanted to do her share for breast cancer awareness, and started searching for her charity. She became very inspired by the video of Tiffany Jones, and her Pink Chose Me Foundation. Dora, began crafting the Valentines pillow, and decided to add the pink hearts inside the red ones, in honor of this foundation and for breast cancer awareness.

There is also going to be a limited addition pink pillow, that comes with a protective bag. This is going to be for those who wish to give the pillow specifically to a breast cancer survivor, and to help make a bigger donation.  The energetic pillow, under went a small change for this edition. The tips on the branches are cut in a heart shape, and will only be for the valentines cheer tree. It is still the 12' by 12', everyone loves, with the same Eco-felt and non-allergenic polyester.


The hearts are arranged for noticing the different angles and placements. This is in hope to invoke everyone's thought for a second on breast cancer and Americas on going battle.
Of course the valentines cheer tree can be given as a sweetheart gift, you can still give it as a show of love and friendship, but it's nice to know that we are still donating $5 for every 5 pillows we sell.

Dora, who is the mom,

Our family is composed of Veterans, from different parts of the world. Dora, who is the mom, is a veteran from Colombia. She was a nurse for the Army in her country. There she has tended to many wounded in civil unrest, and has retired with honor. I am her husband, and biggest supporter. I have my honorable discharge from the US Army, and our daughter Jennifer, is preparing to enter the Naval academy, where she wants to be on the swim team. Together we have a happy home in PA, and all lend a hand to Dora's Cheer Tree Company.
Dora, began making crafts for wounded solider's in Colombia. She always had a knack for choosing very original things that would inspire a sense of comfort, cheer or spirit.
When moving to NY, USA to finally be a family, Dora became instantly inspired by the 4 seasons. She had never seen leaves falling in the fall, or evergreen trees in the snow. In fact, she had never seen snow until she came here. Dora, began making holiday pillows and managed well, but felt something missing. She soon learned that it was always in her heart to inspire people, sick, wounded or sad during the holiday seasons. Dora, set out to create her favorite tree (Christmas tree) that turns out to be the American Pine tree. We all agreed that the cute style she created, gave a vibrant sense of cheerful energy, and also captures her inspirations to the Christmas tree. It was a great way to express everything about her and the family in one simple craft.
It wasn't long until the tree was being sold out everyday. We where giving the tree to our family and friends as gifts, and to Toys for Tots, sponsored by the US Marines Corp. It was a hit! Soldiers where asking for the tree as gifts, wives where sending the tree to their husbands, and families to their mom's in service. The tree soon was named the Cheer Tree, and began to do everything it set out to do. It inspires cheer, is great in gift bags, and just really cute. The colors are loved by everyone, and the design hits home in some subtle, yet fashioning way. The Cheer Tree Brings Cheer!

Never questioning Dora's vision of spreading a healing mood, myself and some friends where always curious to what significance the colors in her cheer tree had. We where always amazed to see the wonderful reaction people had when holding or seeing a cheer tree. I can remember the first time she made one, and told me it would make me smile, but never knew that she carried her own science behind the craft. She told me that her father always told her that trees, nature, plants etc., are the great healers of the earth. She had a firm believe in the things like tree hugging, talking to plants and feeling the soil with your bare feet. I could easily relate to her, because I happen to love watching Birds, and notice the sense of calm and wonder they provide me. If the science is true or not, I dont know. But I do know for a fact that her craft is intended to bring a warm healing sense, and it does. After asking many questions, she told me that the circles with all the amazing colors, where her same vision of how real trees radiate these same colors when interacting with humans and animals. Strange as it may sound...I like it