Who’s Jan?
Jan is a monkey-makin’, picture-takin’, story-tellin’, God-lovin’, grandson-spoilin’, road-trippin’, not-quite-over-the-hill chic that’s havin’ more fun than any one person should be allowed to have!
Sock Monkey Ranch is an imaginary world that lives in the mind of sock monkey-maker, Jan Christiansen, who after creating her first sock monkey, fell in love with the whole process and quickly found the monkeys taking over.
She created the Sock Monkey Ranch Web Site to corral the monkeys and to give them a voice of their own. (The monkeys write most of the web site…no, really!)
Drop by the Ranch and see what the monkeys are up to, see who’s available for adoption, or pick up a Sock Monkey Ranch Greeting Card.
Jan also sells through the Sock Monkey Ranch Etsy Shop.
1.
Sourdoh | September 30, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Jan – I enjoyed working with Cletus this weekend at the Wild Western Festival, even though he stood in front of me for most of the Costume Contest. I’m sorry I didn’t pick him as the most authentic western character.
- Sourdoh
2.
Jan | September 30, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Sourdoh – Cletus says he had a great time hangin’ with the Cowboys and hopes he runs into you fellers again real soon!
3.
meredith | November 18, 2008 at 4:50 pm
my friend got me a sock monkey for the up comimg cristmas and i promised her the same! we fell in love with miss millie!!!! plaese get back asap!!!
4.
Jan | November 18, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Meredith – I would love to make you a sock monkey. Just drop me an email and let me know what kind you would like.
5.
Careese | November 21, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Jan, I left you a message on a forum in Etsy, which is how I found you! This website, your writing, and of course your monkies are wonderful! I’m going to bookmark this site and see if my five year old would like to read all about their adventures!
Hope you are having a great time with your work!
6.
Camp Sock Monkey | November 29, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Waving Hi to Jan and the favorite Sock Monkey Ranch.
We love your new Mini Monkeys.
We blogged about it today!
*Camp Sock Monkey*: Handmade Sock Monkeys by Sock Monkey Ranch
Sending our best wishes for a Very Merry Sock Monkey Holiday Season.
xoxo
Camp Sock Monkey
7.
Becky L | February 3, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Jan, thanks for your comment on my blog! I loooove Sock Monkey Ranch — keep up the great work!
8.
Rose_Haven | December 26, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Dear Jan, Just wonderin’ if Sock Monkey Ranch is in the fair state of Arizona or where? It sounds like they’re traveling far and wide, making new friends and finding new places to camp or make home! Likely some are even wearing high fashion wear in New York or sportin’ cowboy hats in Texas.
9.
Jan | December 27, 2009 at 7:40 am
Rose_Haven – yep, Sock Monkey Ranch is in Arizona, just west of Phoenix, but the monkeys that pass through here are from all over. Some are looking for a little rest and relaxation, some are looking for adventure and some just settle down and stay at the ranch. You never know where you might find a Sock Monkey Ranch monkey, but you can always recognize them by the SMR brand on their little behinds.
Thanks for stoppin’ by the ranch – come back soon.
10.
Gayle Childers | March 26, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Dear Jan,
I’ve gotten a lot of orders for sock monkeys in the last few weeks. I advertise in the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin, a GA publication. I’ll have an ad in the SC Market Bulletin soon, so I expect to be making even more. It’s a lot of fun, as you well know. I dress them up “countryfied” and the classic way. I usually feel sad, in a way, when I put them in their box to mail. ( I get “attached” to them.) I always hope that they will be a blessing to whom they are sent.
I love your website –we’re “kindred spirits.”
Love,
Gayle
11.
Dr. Buck Montgomeryt | July 27, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Jan,… Dr. Buck here from the Wild Western Festival… We were all wonderin’ if you and Cletus were gonna join us this year, October 14, 15 & 16th, for the Wild Western Festival, now held at the Beautiful & Historic Sahuaro Ranch Park in Glendale Arizona ? {9802 N’ 59th Ave} The new site is bigger and better than ever and, a real Cow-Monkey Paradise!… check out http://www.wildwesternfestival.com for details!
12.
Jan | July 27, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Dr. Buck! So good of you to drop by the Ranch. Cletus Dean is excited about going to the Wild Western Festival…especially since it’s only a couple of miles from Sock Monkey Ranch! He’s invited Miss Milly and Dusty Layne to come along, too. Can’t wait to see all our friends there!
For those who have never been to the Wild Western Festival – mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss it!
13.
gloria | January 7, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I love all of your sock monkeys. My question is..do you sell any of their clothes only? I just started back making sock monkeys and most doll clothes don’t fit that good. I don’t sew as well as I used to. Thoes small clothes are just too hard for me to do. I am 70yrs. and I don’t see as well.
thank you, gloria in Texas
14.
Jan | January 10, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Hi Gloria, Thanks for stopping by the Ranch. I’m retired from monkey-making for the present time, so I don’t have any clothes to sell. I think that’s the hardest part of making the monkeys because there aren’t very many patterns for them and like you said, sewing small clothing is not easy. Good luck finding monkey clothes.
15.
Jonah and Kelly | January 10, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Dear Granny Jan,
I know you are not my “real” grandma, but I don’t have a grandma so I was hoping you would be my foster grandma…..
Thank you for stopping by my blog and seeing how I’m doing after my surgery. It was so nice of you to leave me a message.
Mom and I were really thrilled to find Sock Monkey Ranch, we think you are the best! We are planning to drop in once in a while to read what’s going on at the ranch. It sounds like a wonderful place.
Your monkey friend,
Jonah
16.
Jan | January 10, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Dear Jonah,
Why, I’d be right proud to be your Granny! Every little monk needs a Grandma and every Grandma has enough room in her heart for lots of little monkeys. Drop by the ranch anytime you like.
Granny Jan
17.
Cindy Jencks | May 15, 2012 at 10:00 am
I am proud to be an adopted mom by Lizbeth sock monkey. I am sad about your injury to your thumb and not being able to continue. But I am super glad of having one. Is the sock monkey ranch a visitable ranch in Arizona? We plan to pack up and head out in our motorhome and would love to see her birth home.
18.
Jan | May 16, 2012 at 8:26 am
Hi Cindy! Hope both you and Lizbeth are doing well. I would love to meet you if you come through Arizona, however Sock Monkey Ranch exists only in this crazy grandma’s imagination. I do wish it were a real place that we could visit. Have fun on your trip and let me know if you come this way. Is Lizbeth traveling with you? If so, I would love to see some pics of her travels. I’ll post them on the web site.