Hi, my name is Kelley Nayo and I am a new participant in the Oakland Artisan Marketplace as of May 2007. The name of my company is Kelley Designs: A Crochet Boutique. I specialize in crocheted hats, scarves and bags. The company was founded in 2006.

I spent a lot of time with my grandmother when I was growing up, and when I was a child, we used to sit in her bed in the evenings crocheting.  We had a very close relationship and the rhythmic flow of crocheting, combined with the creative outlet kept us both centered.   She passed away in 2004: Kelley Designs is one of the many ways her spirit lives on.

Crochet is therapeutic and I have turned to it repeatedly as an adult to get me through some of lifes biggest challenges.  Until I started this business, I was making things and giving them away.  As I handed two hats to a good friend for his sons, he said, “You can make stuff like this?  Why don’t you sell it?”  

This beauty of this business is that it gives me the opportunity to earn a living doing what I love, to be actively engaged in my children’s lives (ages 4, 6 and 9), and to take good care of myself.  Those benefits alone make it all worthwhile!

The best way to reach me is by e-mail because I am a moving target, but I can be reached by phone at 510-708-4407. The majority of what I do can be found on my business web site www.kelleydesignscrochet.com.

Thanks in advance!

Kelley