(We hope you enjoy this article. It is the first of many we have lined up to showcase creative Etsy artists. Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling handmade and vintage goods. A large number of Etsy artists use upcycled and recycled materials.)

These sweet little slippers are made from upcycled sweaters and leather jackets and skirts.

What does a manufacturing engineer do when she can’t find the perfect slippers for her baby daughter? Design and make her own of course! Josie Marsh spent 12 years in the corporate world before staying home to be with her baby. When her daughter started walking, she wanted “wool slippers that covered ankles and that had leather bottoms.” Since she couldn’t find any she liked, she bought an old sweater and leather jacket at a thrift store and made her own. That was 2008 and she has been selling her adorable slippers on her Etsy site, Wooly Baby, ever since.

Josie uses lambs wool, merino and cashmere sweaters and suede and leather jackets and skirts that she finds at thrift stores. She likes the “challenge and the unavoidable creativity that comes with using recycled/upcycled materials.” In addition to minimizing environmental impact by upcycling materials, she also uses a natural soap for the felting process and cedar wood to naturally protect the wool from moth damage.

The slippers are the perfect gift for babies and toddlers. The leather soles are non-skid and the sewn in elastic keep the slippers from falling off of busy little feet. Since these slippers are not mass produced and are designed based on the sweaters available, they are unique and in limited supply. You can buy your little one a pair by visiting Wooly Baby’s Etsy shop. Wish you could get a pair for yourself? Wooly Baby now makes adult sizes too!

Josie continues to meet the challenge of growing a business based on recycled materials. “Having a challenge, a goal, and supportive husband keeps me going.” You can follow Josie’s upcycling adventures on Facebook.