Hey everyone, Ashley here. I am so excited to introduce you to Kelly, the woman behind Tadpole Togs. She does really adorable crochet toys and baby clothes, and today she is giving away a $20 credit to her Etsy Shop! Her items are super affordable, so you can get lots of cool stuff! All you need to do to enter is visit Tadpole Togs Facebook page, like the page, then leave a comment on the blog post saying that you did so! A winner will be chosen randomly on Friday. Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you to let you know you've won!!
Now, I'll let Kelly take it from here!
When I was about 3, I was on the phone with my Nanny (my mother’s mother). I was trying to tell her a story and getting very frustrated. Finally, I gave up. “I can’t tell it right,” I said, “you can’t see my hands.”
Nan understood completely. After all, her hands were never still, either. She was always crocheting, knitting, or sewing; making stained glass, or decoupage; tending the forest of plants that filled her window, or cooking, or cleaning. And yes, as the daughter of Italian immigrants, talking with her hands!
Along with the hand gestures, I inherited a little bit of Nan’s creativity and craftiness. Knitting requires too much coordination, and stained glass too much health insurance (at least the way I would do it.) I have my own forest of plants, and I’m not a bad cook. We won’t get into my cleaning skills, such as they aren’t. And although I learned how to crochet a long time ago, it wasn’t until recently that I became passionate about it.
See, there was no need to be while Nan was around. If you told her someone was having a baby, she’d have a layette set ready for them the next time you saw her. Your bedspread looking a little shabby? There would be a new one in your favorite color under the tree next Christmas. The tree that was decorated with the most beautiful, delicate crochet angels that she, of course, had made. Honestly, it was intimidating.
After Nan passed away, I felt sad that the new mothers in our family wouldn’t be able to bring their babies home in an outfit Nan had made. Those babies wouldn’t play outside in one of her snowsuits, or snuggle under her homemade afghans. It didn’t occur to me that I could take over the task.
Until it did.
Several years ago,I bought some crochet hooks and an economy sized skein of light blue yarn. I made yards of chains and row after row of single and double crochet, trying to make my hands remember what to do. I remembered how much I loved it and how connected it made me feel to the women in my family in general, and Nan in particular. Even now, it’s her voice I hear telling me what to do when I’m not sure of the next step.
Eventually I graduated to actual projects. Layettes for new babies; hats and sweaters, toys. I bought a chalkboard to keep track of all the things I wanted to make next. And then I ran out of family. Everyone had something I made, but I wanted to make more.
That’s when I decided to open an Etsy store. I envision it as a place for people with children in their lives whom they love very much. I want someone to look through my shop and say, “Yes, my favorite little one (or their parent) would love this. It’s exactly what I would make for them if I had the time or the inclination.” Each of my items is made from hypoallergenic yarns. All embellishments are fastened securely and all eyes are safety eyes. I want people to feel confident gifting my creations to the most important little people in their lives.
This is my way of staying connected to Nan. I want, like she once did, to know that somewhere in the world, someone is happy because of something I created.
And it gives me something to do with my hands.
Come by and check me out!
Isn't she wonderful? I totally am with her on the talking with your hands... we Italians tend to be a little animated :) Go take a look at her shop, and don't forget to comment below after you like her Facebook page, to be entered for the $20 store credit giveaway!!
