Guelph Kids Guide is happy to feature three more creative, local small shop mums. Chew-a-Bling Teething Accessories, Cindy Dochstader portraits, and Dr. Mom’s Crochet Basket all offer very different, beautiful works of art.
Andrea McCrohan owns Chew-a-Bling Teething Accessories
Where can we find you online?
Intagram @chewabling
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chewabling/?ref=bookmarks
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
I started when my son was 9 months old after he had chewed my shoulder and not-so baby safe necklaces. I realized that most necklaces out there (at least the ones in stores) were quite dated in terms of what is considered trendy or fashionable. I wanted something that didn’t feel like a teething necklace when I wore it. Any mom knows its hard to feel put together and beautiful all the time, and accessorizing with something fashionable AND functional was key! Then everything else (rattles, clips, zipper pulls etc) was something I had fun creating, and experimenting with what worked best.
How would you describe your products in 5 words or less?
Fashionable, functional teething accessories for all!!! (Dads too).
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
I absolutely love my elephant rattles, they’re like nothing I have seen on the market. They were a life saver when I would attach to my sons stroller for walks because he couldn’t throw them “over board”!!! I also love the “opi” style necklaces I make.
Cindy Dochstader is a Portrait Artist
Where can we find you online?
Website: http://cindydochstader.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CindyDochstaderArt
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting, particularly realistic portraiture and figure drawing. After my second son was born, I took several art classes instructed by talented, local artists and my passion for art, along with my skill level, grew. More and more, I found myself drawn to capturing the candid and poignant moments found within everyday family life, which illustrate the bond shared within families, and the simple joys of childhood. My art seemed to resonate with people, and after I was asked to do my first commission I decided that I could make a business out of selling prints and painting commissioned portraits. These are a personal and unique way to capture a special person or moment, to memorialize a loved one, or to give as a gift for special occasions, and they often become a cherished family heirloom. It’s satisfying for me to create something that’s meaningful to someone, and I always strive to work together with my clients to create a portrait that we both love.
How would you describe your products?
Unique, memories, meaningful, heirloom, love
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
Currently, I would say it’s “The Catch”. This painting speaks to the joys of childhood and depicts a boy sitting on the dock, examining his catch after a day of fishing. The dirt under his nails and the fresh scab on his knee tell the story of adventures past, and the possibility of more to come.
Why do you love living in Guelph?
Guelph has a great artistic community and has a really nice vibe to it. It’s a growing city with a small city feel, and it’s progressive while still steeped in history. There are lots of unique shops and plenty of great places to grab a bite to eat and watch some live music.
Renée Paradis owns Dr. Mom’s Crochet Basket
Where can we find you online?
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DrMomsCrochetBasket
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMomsCrochetBasket/
Why did you start your small shop? What inspired you?
I am a Naturopathic Doctor, a mother, a ‘wanna-be’ Chef and a passionate crocheter. I love medicine and am blown away by the powers of naturopathic medicine daily. I love being a mommy to our beautiful 4-1/2 year old daughter Olivia and our 21 month old daughter Lily. I love to be in the kitchen, I love to cook and I love to eat and serve nutritiously delicious food. And I love to crochet. At the end of the day when all of my patients have gone home, dinner has been made and the dishes done, and the girls are tucked snuggly in bed, I curl up on the couch pull out my crochet bag and have a little ‘me’ time. Nothing grounds me more than crocheting, it is my daily meditation ritual. It is a time when I get loss in my crochet creation, forget about the stresses of daily life, and take the time to refuel and rejuvenate my soul all the while creating beautiful homemade items for little ones.
Now, let’s rewind to how it all began. Three years ago, I had no idea how to crochet. It was our daughter Olivia’s first Christmas and my husband and I were getting the house ready and decorated for Christmas. We were so excited and we wanted the house to be perfect, and that’s when I realized that we didn’t have a Christmas stocking for her. When I was a baby, my mom had crocheted stockings for me and my siblings and to this day when I go home for Christmas my stocking is hung. Naturally, I wanted to make our daughter a handmade crochet Christmas stocking just like mine and so … my mom taught me how to crochet.
Pattern after pattern, stitch after stitch, hook after hook, yarn after yarn …. My love for crochet was born! And so were the many many hats, blankets, purses and other crocheted items for my little girls. But there are only so many crocheted items a girl can have, and once we ran out of storage space for my girls collection, a friend of mine suggested that I begin selling my crocheted items … and so here I am! I am so excited about my little shop and am excited to share my love for crochet and to be able to create handmade crocheted items for your littles ones.
How would you describe your products?
Crocheted items handmade with LOTS of love.
What is your favourite product that you’ve created?
I love them all. Each and every item is made with a whole lot of heart. When I see little ones wearing a piece that I crocheted, it fills my heart with excitement and fuels my creativity to continue creating more.
Why do you love living in Guelph?
I am a small town girl at heart, growing up in a small community in Northern Ontario. I feel that Guelph offers many of the wonderful things of a city but with a small town feel and a great sense of community. It’s quaint, clean, and environmentally conscious and … I simply love it here! I couldn’t ask for a better place to call home and raise my two little girls.
If you enjoyed discovering some new local, talented mums then please check out the first 5 blogs in this series.