About Me
My name is Karen and I’m a singer-songwriter by trade, textile designer by passion, and have a deep love for art, crafting and fabric.
I created the Hugabop brand – home to Hugabops and Jammie Jeanz - as a way for people to feel love and comfort. What better way than by incorporating soft flannel, my love of denim and, of course, snuggling!
The design for Hugabops (pillow people, if you will) came about when my kids were young. Hugging them gave them such joy! And I’ll let you in on a little secret – I have one on my bed, too.
When my son left for college, I made him a new Hugabop to remind him that the love and comfort from home will always be with him.
If you’d like to learn more about the Hugabop Hugaverse, please visit www.hugabop.com.
Jammie Jeanz – the most comfortable pants on the planet - were created from an aha! Moment. My kids and their friends really enjoyed going to school in their pajamas. It got me thinking – was there a way to provide this level of comfort but with a more finished look?
Next thing I knew I had out my sewing tools, flannel fabric and a big idea. I traced out Pjs and added denim to the front and cuffs. Now these were a hybrid of jammies and jeans!!
Why I created Hugabops in the first place
Hugabops -- imagine a pillow that hugs you back! So cute and soft. A perfect way to send everyone you love a hug, too!
It was a crazy idea to homeschool—but it turned out to be a truly great experience. I went full homeschool mom, too: art, imagination, music, and stories. We lived the life. Holidays were especially devoted to creating something authentic and real.
Although I’m a musician, I wanted to make my kids something loving, something soft. So, I made what initially struck me as ‘a pillow hug,’ sort of a pillow, but in the shape of a hug.
Originally, I called them “Baby Mamas,” as they made getting into bed a little extra special. The pillow hugs were definitely loved. I ended up sleeping on a coveted pillow hug because the soft flannel with the mama arms nestled around my head lulled even me to sleep.
As my kids grew, many of their friends asked if they could have a Hugabop, too! When my son was leaving for college, I made a new one for him so he could feel all the love from home.
That’s when the decision to make Hugabops for everyone became a reality.
But why stop there? As an admitted flannel-addict, I noticed my kids and their friends loved wearing their jammies outside. So, I created Jammie Jeanz, a fun hack to wearing pjs all day long! PJs meet blue jeans—the two greatest things, ever!