PITTSTON — Playing with snow can be fun, but it comes with the price of cold, wet hands.

Kellie Cookus, 39, has developed a product called Glubbers, to assist in the fun.

Glubbers are a special glove made of silicon rubber on the outside to prevent hands from getting wet and a polyester inside to offer comfort to the glove wearer.

They come in colors of blue, pink, black, red, purple mix and camouflage and in three different sizes.

Related Video

The polyester part of the glove is made first with a rubber mold fitted around it. Glubbers are also kept together by a slap bracelet to prevent them from getting separated when not in use.

Cookus said the inspiration from the product came from her three children — twin 8-year-old daughters, Morgan and Abbey, and 3-year-old son, Nico.

“When (Nico) was almost 2 year old, we went out to play in the snow and every glove we put on at the time was falling apart and getting wet,” Cookus said. “I thought to myself there had to be something and I had some connections to be able to make this.”

In addition to being the owner and creator of Glubbers, which she operates out of the basement of the old St. Rocco’s Church Rectory on West Oak Street in Pittston, Cookus works for Poor Richards Promos, a production promotional company in Dickson City.

It is through Poor Richards Promos she gained connections to get the Glubbers developed in China.

The product officially launched in July of last year and Cookus began selling to stores right away.

“A lot of stores buy early for winter merchandise,” she said. “There was a show we were attending that August in New York and we launched then to be able to get out. We had sales online even before the show and it just exploded from there. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Glubbers are available online and in stores in 47 states. Local businesses that carry them include Baby Vogue in Kingston, Humphrey’s Apparel & Toys in Shavertown, JK Holly in Pittston and Lisman Holdings, Inc. in Wilkes-Barre.

Joseph Emma, co-owner of JK Holly, said Cookus contacted him about holding the product in stock. After seeing the Glubbers himself, he was impressed.

“I like them,” he said. “They’re neat and they’re different colors. There are unique styles for boys with the camouflage, the pink for the girls and the purple.”

Emma said his store has only sold one pair of Glubbers due to the lack of snow, but knows that, when hard weather makes its way back to the area, more will sell.

“When we get the snow and ice, that’s when I’m hoping that we’ll sell more,” he said. “We’ll start pushing it.”

Janet Lozo, owner of Humphrey’s Apparel & Toys, was anxious to sell Cookus’s product, saying she loves supporting local people and felt Glubbers was a fresh idea.

“I bought them initially because we didn’t have anything like it and I wanted to support her,” she said. “We’re kind of at a standstill until we get snow.”

Lozo is anxious to hear feedback from locals who purchase Glubbers.

“Nobody’s used them yet and this is our first year with them,” she said. “People liked them and they sold well, but I haven’t gotten feedback, but I’ve told people who purchased them these products are made locally and that (Cookus) is a local person. I feel that everyone enjoys supporting local businesses.”

Cookus said the product sells around the world to countries experiencing winter.

“The product just keeps getting better and it’s a seasonal product,” she said. “We’re trying to get ourselves going and keep going to try and get to different countries where they have snow. We are also perfecting different items, such as mittens, headwear and other ideas. Once we get this perfected and we keep going from there, we’ll get more ideas and grow the brand.”

Kellie Cookusm of Laflinm demonstrates the waterproof nature of Glubbers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012516Glubbers-cp-jf_2.jpg.optimal.jpgKellie Cookusm of Laflinm demonstrates the waterproof nature of Glubbers. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Kellie Cookus, of Laflin, describes Glubbers, a polyester-lined waterproof glove made from silicone, at her office in Pittston.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012516Glubbers-cp-jf_4.jpg.optimal.jpgKellie Cookus, of Laflin, describes Glubbers, a polyester-lined waterproof glove made from silicone, at her office in Pittston. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Glubbers, made from polyester-lined silicone, come in a variety of colors as mittens and gloves.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL012516Glubbers-cp-jf_5.jpg.optimal.jpgGlubbers, made from polyester-lined silicone, come in a variety of colors as mittens and gloves. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Nico Cookus-Gnoinski 3, throws a snowball at his big sister Abbey , 8, while wearing Glubbers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01XX16Glubbers1ad.jpg.optimal.jpgNico Cookus-Gnoinski 3, throws a snowball at his big sister Abbey , 8, while wearing Glubbers. Aimee Dilger | Sunday Dispatch

Morgan,8, Nico, 3, and Abbey Cookus-Gnoinski, 8, make snow angels while wearing Glubbers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01XX16Glubbers2ad.jpg.optimal.jpgMorgan,8, Nico, 3, and Abbey Cookus-Gnoinski, 8, make snow angels while wearing Glubbers. Aimee Dilger | Sunday Dispatch

Abbey Cookus-Gnoinski, 8, makes a snowball while wearing Glubbers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01XX16Glubbers3ad.jpg.optimal.jpgAbbey Cookus-Gnoinski, 8, makes a snowball while wearing Glubbers. Aimee Dilger | Sunday Dispatch

Morgan,8, and Abbey Cookus-Gnoinski play in the snow while their mom Kellie Cookus helps brother Nico with his Glubbers.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/web1_TTL01XX16Glubbers4ad.jpg.optimal.jpgMorgan,8, and Abbey Cookus-Gnoinski play in the snow while their mom Kellie Cookus helps brother Nico with his Glubbers. Aimee Dilger | Sunday Dispatch
Laflin resident invents Glubbers to keep hands warm and dry during the winter

By Jimmy Fisher

jfisher@timesleader.com

Where to purchase Glubbers:

Glubbers can be purchased online at http://www.glubbers.com

Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher