We can’t wait to introduce you to the newest member of the Yellow Leaf Hammock Family!

Here’s a sneak peek from our amateur shutterbug at the latest photo shoot… The professional photos are coming soon!

 Setting off for a shoot. Sunny and 70, Thank You San Francisco!

 Searching for the perfect hammock trees… Chief Relaxation Officer Joe has an eye for these things.

Caught! Setting up a few test shots with the Islamorada Hammock.  

Hammock season is definitely in full bloom! 

We can’t wait for you to meet Sedona!

“Vacation Inspiration” behind the newest design: The Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona.

(photo credit)

Toasting to a successful day of hammock photography!

It’s a wrap! Headed back to HQ… And back to work!!

Visit Yellow Leaf’s Partner Page on Kiva + View Individual Weaver Loan Profiles! >> Click Here!

Weaving offers an alternative to destructive slash & burn field labor (often the only other option for income). Our weavers can earn as much in a week as their whole family would earn in a month of back-breaking field work. This increased economic power has even helped the members of our weaving communities lobby for and obtain citizenship!

We are also empowering women within the family unit. Our policy is that the weaver is the only person who can collect payment for weaving- not her father, brothers or husband. It’s not a coincidence that our foundation of a stable microeconomy begins with putting money in the hands of women. “When you invest in women, they typically invest 90% back into the health, nutrition and education of their families, as opposed to 30-40% for men,” according to Karen Sherman, Executive Director for Global Programs at Women for Women, a non-profit that provides financial aid, job training, rights awareness and leadership education to women.

Here are some of the other beneficial changes a higher income through weaving has brought to our communities:

>Escaping toxic slash & burn protects the local environment and their long-term health

>Children (including girls) are able to go to school instead of working in the fields (opening up future opportunities) >Improved nutrition means children are physically outgrowing their parents at an unprecedented rate >Malaria has been eradicated (previously a 50% infection rate) through better health care >Infant mortality has been reduced nearly to 0 over the past ten years >Corollary jobs (like working in the new post office) are springing up, making it possible for young people to find work close to home instead of becoming vulnerable in distant cities All of this has been possible through the sale of our stylish, “insanely comfy” handwoven hammocks! We’re spreading our “Do Good. Relax.” philosophy and creating a global sales channel for these extraordinary hammocks. For our weavers, there is a special satisfaction and dignity that comes from seeing our customers fall in love with their beautiful, useful creations. Thank you all for your support and for sharing in our journey!  Please spread the word about International Women’s Day! Visit us on Facebook to share a post with friends, Tweet with the hashtag #IWD or e-mail a note to an inspiring woman in your life! Tweet This!! Empower women from the comfort of a hammock! Celebrate creating jobs for hill tribe women #IWD http://is.gd/IWD2013   Seeking more inspiration to spark conversation? Here are a few resources:

• Gates Foundation: 8 Reasons We (Still) Need International Women’s Day
• CEDAW in Action: Hill Tribe Women
• Women for Women
• OECD Interactive Gender Tool

BREAKING NEWS: YELLOW LEAF HAMMOCKS PARTNERS WITH KIVA TO CREATE ZERO INTEREST LOANS, EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY!

Woo hoo! Just in time to round out an earth-shatteringly awesome year for Yellow Leaf and our partner communities, we have finalized a partnership with Kiva (the micro-lending, empowering site that has changed millions of lives since 2005).

We are a part of the new pilot program for experimental partnerships, which is investigating the positive impact that a social enterprise can create when given a similar role to a local credit union or investment bank.

For most of Kiva’s history, its borrowers have been opening micro-businesses (like buying 2-3 goats in order to sell their milk). Our experimental partnership is meant to explore a new idea: can Kiva make an even bigger difference by opening up new doors for independent artisans to work within the framework of a social brand?

Down to the details—

> Not much will change! Yellow Leaf Hammocks still make a great gift, we are still committed to super-personalized customer service, and our hammocks will remain the comfiest you can get!

> We will have more designs in stock, so you can expect to receive your order even faster.

> You can log on to Kiva anytime and support the community with a (fully-repaid) microloan of as little as $25 (or spread the word to friends & family).

> Our primary motivation is to create more stability for families, enabling them to treat weaving as a year-round job instead of seasonal employment.

> This will remove more people from slash-and-burn (which families resort to when no weaving work is available).

> It will also enable kids to go to school year round, without being pulled out for field work in order to keep their families fed and sheltered.

> As our program grows, we may also be able to begin financing corollary businesses (couriers, food services, organic coffee, health, etc.)

We are incredibly excited to embrace this opportunity, speed the pace of change and bring even more hammockers into the fold through Kiva’s network!

What do you think? Leave us a comment or visit Yadi or Yalana’s Story in order to read more about the impact of weaving and micro-lending on our artisan weavers and their families.

With just a few days left before we ship out our first hammock stand, we’re already a little nostalgic about the incredible journey that’s taken the Yellow Leaf hammock stand from a spark of imagination to solid reality! None of this would have been possible without our incredibly supportive, wildly imaginative early adopters and Kickstarter Backers, so we couldn’t be more excited to ship this customized, first-run, “limited edition” hammock stand to each and every one of you!

The Yellow Leaf Hammock Stand: Photographs of the Work in Progress!

Here at Yellow Leaf HQ, we wanted to share some of our favorite pictures from the 8-month process that brought the hammock stand to life. (Can you believe it’s only been 8 months since our up-and-coming hammock company decided to create an innovative piece of furniture? We dreamed that the hammock stand would be the means for people to hammock indoors, hammock year round, and hammock more often!! It is! And you guys made it possible!)

The hammock stand went from a pen & ink drawing to a computer model, became a movie star when we shot our Kickstarter video, sparked the imagination of our wonderful Kickstarter backers, came to life in miniature and finally emerged from our woodworker’s shop with beautiful hand-finished beams, perfectly powder-coated metal hardware and a modern, fresh aesthetic we can’t wait to share with the world!

Lo and behold….

A rendition of one of the first hammock stand concepts.

Thanks to our good friend and videographer, Matt Harkins, for making our Kickstarter video happen!

On the set of our Kickstarter shoot (aka, park in San Francisco) . Joe Demin, climbing up to set up some hammocks.

One of the many all nighters pulled editing the video!

Day One!

You did it! We surpassed our goal! What an amazing day!

Shipping off our “Do Good. Relax.” tee shirts to our awesome (stylish) Kickstarter backers!

Look at all those Yellow Leaf Hammocks! Getting ready to ship custom hammocks off to some Kickstarter backers! 

Woody our hammock model testing out the first hammock prototype. He liked it some much we decided to actually build it!

Now the fun begins! Building the hammock stand!

Prototype One brought to life!  You can compare the detail on this one to the final version. Now all the bolts are hidden and the “footprint” has shrunk!

Here we are testing out the hammock stand! The lucky testers included the B Corp office, the HUB Soma, and some lucky friends down in Santa Barbara, Calif.

After much testing, we found ways to improve the hammock stand! Next and final version – smaller footprint, more comfort, beautiful finish!

Here it is! After testing several prototypes, we’ve nailed it!

Over in the wood shop, building the final version of the hammock stand!

Oops, doesn’t fit! Looks like it’s back to the drawing board! You can’t always get it right the first time!

These are the brackets before powder coating…

And after powder coating!

Joe Demin literally driving to the finish line! Car packed with hammock stand parts picked up from the wood shop!

National Hammock Day is July 22, 2012!

It’s the day we at Yellow Leaf Hammocks having being waiting for all year…our favorite holiday, right up there with Halloween and Thanksgiving!  Drum roll please…July 22!

That’s right, folks, July 22 is National Hammock Day and we are so excited to celebrate this special day that we are offering tons of specials and giveways for all of our favorite hammockers– that’s YOU!

[Note: For Journalists & Bloggers, high res images are available for download on our Media Page]

National Hammock Day? Are you sure that’s a holiday?

So, what’s this holiday all about, anyway?  Picture this:  it’s the middle of July, it’s scorching outside and well–what could be better than kicking back in an insanely comfy Yellow Leaf Hammock? Sounds like a reason to celebrate to us!

Hammock Heritage

But now for a quick lesson on the history of hammocks…

Hammocks have a rich and varied history.   Some anthropologists trace the history of hammocks back 1000 years to Central America, when indigenous people crafted these ‘hanging chairs’ to seek protection from pesky creatures or to keep warm as they slept above small fires.  Columbus is often thought to be the first European to experience the hammock craze when he saw the widespread use by the Taino people in Bahamas and decided to take examples of their chair swing back to Spain.  Hammocks were often used as portable beds, used as far back as sailors during the 16th century to members of the military more recently.   From the Civil War until Vietnam, members of the U.S. Navy were issued portable hammocks for sleeping “on the go.”

A 2011 study in an issue of “Current Biology” even offers a scientific explanation as to why hammocks rock!   According to Swiss researchers, rocking motion synchronizes brain waves, helping people to doze off more quickly and attain a deeper state of sleep. If that’s not even more of a reason to curl up in your favorite hammock!

Regardless of the facts, one thing’s for sure:  the hammocking revolution is a  timeless craze and it’s not slowing down anytime soon!  A hammock reminds us to slow down, relax and keep it simple. Just take it all in and enjoy the rare time for yourself, something that we could all use more of amongst the hectic workdays and jam-packed weekends.

Creating New Traditions for Hammock Day

So, this National Hammock Day, we challenge you to take the time and do something you have always wanted:  Read that book you “haven’t had time for,”  start a new workout regimen, volunteer for the first time, make that vision a reality….whatever it is, join us as we “Kick back, relax, & change the world!” all from the comfort of a Yellow Leaf Hammock!

And as our gift to you, loyal hammockers, we have some special offers for Hammock Day: Free Shipping on Every Hammock, the opportunity for media to download high res images on our media page and we will even throw in free eco-friendly hammock straps with every hammock purchase [Code: HAMMOCKDAY] through August 1.

Happy National Hammock Day!!!

Swing hammocks are great for anyone, anywhere!

Swing hammocks make a great alternative to full-size hammocks. Unlike traditional hammocks, swing hammocks don’t need two sturdy trees on which to hang. All you need is a single branch or strong beam and you’re ready to start swinging!

Swing by our shop to check out all of our great swing hammocks or keep reading to see why swing hammocks would be a great addition to your home!

Swing hammocks are versatile!

The real selling point of swing hammocks is that they can fit almost anywhere. Throw one up on your front porch for endless afternoons of relaxation or hang one in the back yard to create a private oasis. If you don’t have space outdoors though, swing hammocks make fantastic indoor furniture! Put one in your living room for a recliner that will be the envy of your friends or sling one up in the study for the ultimate man cave! Swing hammocks can make any space relaxing!

Swing hammocks are portable!

Another benefit of swing hammocks is that they are smaller and more portable than full size ones. Yellow Leaf swing hammocks are especially portable since they weigh only a little more than a pound. Plus they come with their own little tote for easy transportation. So throw a swinging chair into your picnic basket next time you go out or into your backpack when you go hiking through the wilderness. Imagine being able to kick back and relax in your chair swing wherever you go!

Swing hammocks should be stylish

Just because swing hammocks are smaller than traditional hammocks doesn’t mean they should be any less stylish! For something crisp and chic try our Vineyard Haven sitting hammock or if you’re looking for something a little more traditional check out the Big Sur. And if our selection of patterns aren’t to your taste you can always make your own! Just like our King and Queen sized hammocks, our swing hammocks can be fully customized and made in a color and pattern of your choosing!

Swing hammocks should be durable

You’ll want your swing hammocks to last whether they’re in your apartment or out in your backyard. Yellow Leaf Hammocks has you covered since all of our hammocks are made from a ultra-strong triple weave pattern that won’t mold and is color-fast, meaning the colors won’t fade from the sun. This makes a hammock from Yellow Leaf a great island hammock since you’ll be wanting to soak up plenty of sun while you relax on the beach!

And since our swing hammocks can hold 330 lbs they’re the perfect size for everyone! So go to the hammock shop and find your perfect fit among our swing hammocks!

Add a swinging chair to your porch!

A swinging chair is a favorite accessory for front porches and patios, but they are often very big and bulky making them a luxury available to only large homes. That’s why Yellow Leaf created its hammock swinging chair; so that even people with the smallest apartment balconies could rock the afternoon away.

We think our hammock swinging chair is even better than its bulkier cousin but don’t take our word for it. Check out the hammock shop or read on to see why!

A swinging chair needs to be comfy!

When picking out a swinging chair, comfort is key! You’ll want to be able to spend endless afternoon hours rocking back and forth in blissful relaxation. Every Yellow Leaf Hammock and hanging chair is engineered to be “insanely comfy.” Each swinging chair is hand woven with over 2 miles of super-soft yarn in a triple weave pattern to create a remarkable cradling sensation.

A swinging chair needs to last the seasons

Since your swinging chair will be outdoors it needs to be able to withstand rain, sun, snow, and everything in between! The cushions of a normal swinging chair will fade with time and the metal frame will likely rust with time. A hammock swinging chair from Yellow Leaf is made from color-fast yarn meaning the colors will be as vibrant a year from now as when you first unpacked your hammock. And since a Yellow Leaf swinging chair is made entirely from yarn there is nothing to rust! Some of our hammockers in Boston leave their hammocks out all year round and they are still as vibrant and comfy as ever!

A Yellow Leaf swinging chair is stylish

Every Yellow Leaf hammock and chair swing comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. If none of the existing options strike your fancy though, you can always design a custom swinging chair of your own! You can design everything from the color of the hammock “eyes” to the pattern and color of the bed. And with 16 different yarn colors to choose from, the combinations are almost endless! Support your favorite sports team or match the colors of your house perfectly!

A hammock swinging chair is easy to hang and lightweight!

Our swinging chair is easy to hang and portable. Just find a suitable tree branch or beam on your porch and use our easy hanging straps to secure your chair swing. And with the “how to hang a hammock” tutorial on our website you’ll be rocking in no time! No complicated instructions, numerous parts, or assembly required!

And because our hammocks weigh between one and three pounds, you can pack up and take your swinging chair wherever you go! Take into the wilderness and have a camping hammock swinging chair on your next outdoor adventure. It even comes with its own tote for easy transport.

Go to the hammock shop to turn your front porch into a relaxing oasis with a swinging chair.

With the 4th of July coming up, there is nothing better than the thought of kicking back with a loved one in your favorite beach hammocks.  Choose from the festive Red,White & Blue design or put your design skills to the test with a design-your-own hammock !

Yellow Leaf Hammocks make the perfect beach hammocks!  Insanely comfy, portable and weatherproof, these beach hammocks are the perfect accessory for a post-swim nap or a lazy afternoon on the beach.  And they make great gifts!

You can shop for your matching beach hammocks among our hammocks and hanging chairs, or read to learn more about why a Yellow Leaf Hammock should be in every beach bag!

Your Beach Hammocks Should be Fun for Everyone

Whether Dad wants to take a nap while the kids are building sandcastles or Mom wants some serious R&R, Yellow Leaf Beach Hammocks are perfect for the whole family!  Small children and parents alike can relax in their own swing hammocks or let everyone in on the fun in an extra-large King Hammock, which can fit 3 or more!

Your Beach Hammocks Should be Portable

With beach balls, surf boards and snacks to carry, the last thing you want to lug around is a heavy beach chair.  Lucky for you, every Yellow Leaf Hammock weighs between 1 – 3 lbs and  comes with its own signature tote — so even your smallest hammockers can lend a hand!

Your Beach Hammocks Should be Ready for Anything!

Yellow Leaf beach hammocks are weatherproof and colorfast, meaning that even the hottest days don’t stand a chance.  Yellow Leaf beach hammocks will look fresh and bright, year after year, so feel free to leave your beach hammocks outdoors for the whole season, regardless of the weather!

Your Beach Hammocks Should Suit Everyone’s Style

With tons of vibrant colors to choose from, Yellow Leaf beach hammocks are fun for the whole family!  Whether you are looking for a classic design or something more fun (Rainbow hammock, anyone?) the possibilities are endless!  And if you’re feeling especially creative, try our customizable hammocks!

Head on over to the hammock shop and check out all the options!