Sewing Success: Stitching Together Sustainability, Community, and Cozy Bowls with Amy Tughan, Cool Hand Nukes
On this episode of The Wild Party Podcast, we sat down with Amy Tughan, the creator and founder of Cool Hand Nukes, a Nova Scotia-based business bringing comfort, safety, and handmade warmth to kitchens everywhere—one bowl cozy at a time. What started as a loving solution for her brother has evolved into a sustainable brand rooted in community, creativity, and care.
From One Family’s Need to a Global Idea
The journey began when Amy's brother, who lives with advanced diabetes and diminished sensation in his hands, moved into a home with a built-in microwave. Amy noticed the risk: hot Corelle bowls, no nerve sensitivity, and a high chance of serious burns. Her solution? A custom bowl cozy that could be microwaved with the dish, making it safe and easy to transport hot food.
It worked. And it turned out, it wasn’t just her brother who needed one. Amy, who also lives with a tremor disorder, found it helpful herself. Soon, she was making cozies for family, friends, and anyone with grip strength challenges or simply a love of bowl-based meals. The response was immediate and enthusiastic—and the idea for a business was born.
Crafting a Community of Sewists
At first, Amy did all the sewing herself, enlisting her partner to help during high-demand periods. When an order of over 700 cozies came in for a local expo, the pair burned the midnight oil (and many Netflix stand-up specials) to get the job done. But as wholesale orders picked up, it became clear she’d need help.
Amy put out a call for local sewists—and the response was overwhelming. Today, four women sew for Cool Hand Nukes from home, receiving fabric kits (exchanged in delightfully suspicious-looking Costco parking lot duffel bag swaps) and working on a flexible schedule that respects their time and energy.
This work-from-home model is personal for Amy, who remembers struggling as a single mom to find legitimate remote income. She’s committed to offering meaningful, accessible jobs to her local community. And if the business scales? She’ll hire more people—never a factory.
Zero Waste, Maximum Love
Sustainability is stitched into every product. Amy uses 100% cotton whenever possible, including organic fabrics and a fleece inner layer. But what’s truly impressive is how she minimizes waste: scraps are turned into eyeglass cases, jar grippers, bookmarks, and even stuffing for stuffed animals. Whatever isn’t reused gets donated to local quilters and sewing instructors, one child even made a patchwork dress out of cozy scraps!
Amy’s love for fabric and design also shines through in her collaborations with local artists. One of her most popular fabrics, “Canada’s Ocean Playground,” was custom-designed to celebrate Nova Scotia, complete with lighthouses, seals, and Mod Lewis cats. Every cozy is intentional, beautiful, and built to last.
Challenges, Successes, and the Coolest Name in Business
Of course, running a handmade business isn’t all sunshine and stitching. When a key inner material ran out due to a supplier delay, Amy had to cancel a major Christmas show and pause production. But she powered through, securing alternative suppliers and staying transparent with her wholesale partners.
On the flip side, one of Amy’s proudest moments came when two iconic Halifax gift shops, Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia and Made in the Maritimes, agreed to carry her products. Those partnerships validated years of hard work and built lasting relationships with retailers who truly get the mission.
And if you’re wondering about the name Cool Hand Nukes, it’s a brilliant nod to the film Cool Hand Luke, by way of the rom-com Serendipity. Amy thought of it on the back of her partner’s motorcycle—and immediately claimed the domain. It’s quirky, clever, and completely perfect.
Looking Ahead: Growth with Intention
Amy continues to grow Cool Hand Nukes thoughtfully. She’s exploring social media help to expand awareness, taking business courses to strengthen her marketing skills, and collaborating with organizations like Enactus for custom fundraising cozies. Each cozy is not just a product,it’s a piece of community care.
Whether you’re protecting vulnerable hands, looking for a unique gift, or simply tired of burning your fingers on soup bowls, Cool Hand Nukes offers a solution sewn with heart.
Let’s Get Cozy
You can explore Amy’s full collection of handmade cozies at www.coolhandnukes.com or the shorter URL:www.coolhands.ca
