CRAFTING 4 TURTLES

CRAFTING 4 TURTLES 2023

Think Turtle launched the ‘CRAFTING 4 TURTLES’ initiative in 2018 to encourage adults and youth to use their crafts skills and hobbies to help turtles. Each year the funds raised through the sale of ‘turtle’ and nature themed handcrafted items go towards the treatment and care of injured turtles admitted to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC), home of Ontario’s turtle hospital. In 2022, over ‘1,800’ injured turtles were admitted to the OTCC, 90% were the result of being struck by a motor vehicle. Each year with the help others we try to help the OTCC as much as we can.

Turtle Season 2023

Use your crafts skills and hobbies to help the turtles. It is our hope that during the winter month’s adults and youths in North Hastings and neighboring communities will consider being a part of this year’s initiative. It is a great way to volunteer for a good cause from the comfort of your own home in a way that will contribute to helping turtles. Fibre arts such as knitting, crochet, felting, and quilting are always popular but any type of handcrafted item is welcome. All funds raised from the sale of handcrafted items made this year will go to the OTCC turtle hospital this turtle season.

Crocheters and knitters we have a few ‘turtle’ inspired patterns we can sent to go via Facebook or e-mail most of the projects are small and a great way to use up odd balls and scrap yarn. Some of the projects we have patterns for include; turtle potholders, mug rugs, coasters, appliqués, etc. We will supply the patterns via Facebook or e-mail. You are welcome to use your own pattern. For more details please contact Think Turtle. 

Turtle inspired handcrafted items sell well. If you would instead like to use other animal or nature themed designs please do that would be great as well.

Completion Date

If making handcrafted items for the 'Crafting 4 Turtles' initiative it would be great if your projects could be completed before the end of June. Note: This is an ongoing initiative meaning we accept handcrafted items year round if you are not able to meet the specified completion date. 

The success of this initiative is based on how many people participate. July through to December Think Turtle will look to selling the donated handcrafted items via online sources, through retail outlets, scheduled community public events and markets. Curbside drop off and/or pick-up for completed handcrafted items can be discussed by contacting us. 

Note: No matter where you are located in Ontario if you would like to participate please get in touch we can see about getting your completed items to the Think Turtle office.

We look forward to hearing from you and are excited to see your wonderful creations!

Crafting 4 Turtles 2018 – 2022

2018 – Through the sale of an eclectic mix of handcrafted items such as, turtle themed soap, dream catchers, slime, crochet/knit turtles, etc. and some donations received '$2,182' was raised for the OTCC to purchase a much needed ‘NEW’ electrocardiogram machine (ECG).

2019 – The year of painted rocks! We hosted several rock painting events. Through the sale of painted rocks, other turtle themed handcrafted items and some cash donations the 2019 Crafting 4 Turtles initiative raised '$1,342.75' for the OTCC turtle hospital. 

2020 – With the pandemic unexpectedly setting in we approached the ‘Crafting 4 Turtles’ initiative differently by taking an online approach hosting rock painting/collage events and a donation campaign. This made it possible to purchase much needed supplies for the turtle hospital such as reptile lights, extension cords. adaptors, timers as well as some cash donations and gift cards.

2021 – The Crafting 4 Turtles initiative focused on ‘fibre arts’. We received a wonderful assortment of handcrafted crocheted turtle potholders, crocheted turtle cat toys, crochet turtle scrubbies, knitted washcloths, cross stitch keepsakes, a turtle quilt, knitted turtle hats, turtle inspired crochet afghans and crocheted turtles. In addition to this our friends at 'The Carriagehouse' in Maynooth helped raise funds as part of the Crafting 4 Turtles initiative through the sale of handcrafted knitted/crocheted/felted turtles. The 2021 Crafting 4 Turtles initiative raised '$807.55' for the OTCC turtle hospital. 

2022 – We received a charming and fun assortment of handcrafted crocheted/knitted turtles, quilted mug rugs, resin turtle key chains/necklaces, felted pins, crochet turtle potholders, paintings, crochet/knit afghans, crochet cat toys, crochet bees, crochet frogs, crochet, turtle potholders, crocheted/knitted afghans and other items. In addition to this our friends at 'The Carriagehouse' in Maynooth helped raise funds as part of the Crafting 4 Turtles initiative through the sale of handcrafted knitted/crocheted/felted turtles turtles and turtle themed knick-knacks from the 'Everything Turtle' display set-up in the shop. The 2022 Crafting 4 Turtles initiative raised '$1,500.70' for the OTCC turtle hospital. 

It would be greatly appreciated if you could share news of the ‘Crafting 4 Turtles’ initiative for 2023 with anyone you think may be interested.

Should you have any questions regarding this subject or other turtle related matters please do not hesitate to contact Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 (phone/text) or e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com or message. Thank you for looking out for species at risk!