CRAFTING 4 TURTLES

CRAFTING 4 TURTLES 2025

Hello from Kelly at Think Turtle Conservation Initiative, a non-profit group dedicated to protecting and conserving Ontario's turtle population.

Join Us for the 2025 "Crafting 4 Turtles" Initiative!

Since 2018, Think Turtle has inspired adults and youth to use their creative skills to help our shelled friends through the "Crafting 4 Turtles" initiative. This year marks the 8th anniversary of this heartfelt project, and we couldn't be more thrilled to continue this tradition of kindness and creativity!

Every year, generous crafters from Bancroft, nearby communities, and across Ontario pour their talent and love into making turtle-and nature-themed handcrafted items using materials of their choice, any medium. These handmade treasures are entrusted to Think Turtle to sell at public events, online, and during holiday sales. 100% of the funds raised are donated to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre (OTCC)—home to Ontario's only turtle hospital, where injured turtles are rehabilitated and released back into the wild—to support the care and treatment of injured turtles. We ensure all proceeds go directly to the OTCC.

In 2024, the OTCC admitted over 2,300 turtles, 90% of whom were injured in vehicle collisions. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our crafting community, we raised a remarkable $3,000.75 last year! Every dollar helps save turtles and makes a difference in their recovery.

Get Involved in 2025!

This winter, we're extending a warm invitation to people of all ages and skill levels to join us in making 2025 another successful year for Crafting 4 Turtles.  Whether you're a seasoned crafter, artist or just starting out, your contributions could help Ontario's turtles when they need it most. Your unique skills and creativity are what makes this initiative so special. 

Popular Crafts Include:

Knitted or crocheted turtles and animal stuffies are a favorite and best-selling item!

Nature-inspired items in any medium.

Small items priced around $5 sell particularly well!

Knitting and Crochet

We're happy to share a crochet or knit pattern for turtle stuffies—reach out via Facebook or email. Have other patterns or ideas? Go for it! The sky's the limit (just no dishcloths, washcloths, or crochet-top tea towels, as we want to support local crafters who sell these items).

Key Dates & Details

Completion Date: Finish your items by the end of June. Can't make the deadline? No problem! We accept handcrafted donations year-round.

How to Contribute: Once your items are ready, contact us to arrange drop-off, pick-up, or delivery to our Bancroft office. We're happy to work with you, no matter where you're located in Ontario. If you're unable to deliver the items yourself, we can discuss alternative arrangements to ensure your contributions reach us safely and promptly.

For inspiration scroll down to see photos of past handcrafted items and get ideas for your creations.

Help Spread the Word!

Please share news of this initiative with friends, family, and anyone who loves crafting and turtles. Together, we can make a significant impact!

Thank you for your care and creativity—we sincerely appreciate your efforts and can't wait to see what you make this year! Your dedication to this cause is truly inspiring. Please stay safe this winter: watch for black ice and drive carefully.

Let's make 2025 another fantastic year for helping turtles!

Crafting 4 Turtles 2018 – 2024

We extend our deepest gratitude to each talented crafter and artist who poured their skills and passion into making Crafting 4 Turtles an ongoing success. We also want to thank each kind-hearted individual who purchased these items, knowing their contributions would help Ontario’s turtles. Your ongoing support and dedication are integral to this cause and have not gone unnoticed. Together, you’ve made a meaningful difference. Thank you!

2024—Thanks to the incredible talents and compassion of crafters and artists from Bancroft and the surrounding communities, this was a very successful year. It featured an array of delightful items, such as crocheted and knit turtles, hatchlings in eggs, flamingos, yip-yips, bees, ladybugs, cozy hats, bookmarks, headbands, beaded keychains, turtle mops, greeting cards, potholders, paintings, and so much more—each piece brimming with love and creativity. Our combined efforts raised an impressive $3,000.75 through the sale of handmade items and donations. 

2023 – Thanks to extraordinary talents and caring Crafters/Artists in Bancroft and neighboring communities, we received a vast array of fabulous handcrafted items that included crochet/knit turtles, hatchlings in their eggs, quilted mug rugs, resin turtle key chains/necklaces, felted pins, crochet tea cozies, crochet Christmas ornaments, rag rugs, crochet plant holders, beaded bracelets, wreaths, paintings, crochet animals and so much more. These handmade items were sold at public events/markets Think Turtle participated in during May, July – September, and Christmas Sales. Our combined efforts raised “$2,144” selling handcrafted items and some donation box contributions for the turtle hospital this turtle season. Note: In July, an additional “$308” was raised through Crafting 4 Turtles items donated to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for their Art Auction.

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 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.

2021 – The Crafting 4 Turtles initiative focused on “fiber 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, our friends at ‘The Carriagehouse’ in Maynooth helped raise funds as part of the Crafting 4 Turtles initiative by selling handcrafted knitted/crocheted/felted turtles. The 2021 Crafting 4 Turtles initiative raised $807.55 for the OTCC turtle hospital.

2020—With the unexpected onset of the pandemic, we had to rethink our approach to the ‘Crafting 4 Turtles’ initiative. We took an online approach, hosting rock painting/collage events and a donation campaign. This innovative approach made it possible to purchase much-needed supplies for the turtle hospital, such as reptile lights, extension cords, adaptors, and timers, as well as some cash donations and gift cards.

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.

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, $2,182 was raised for the OTCC to purchase a much-needed “NEW” electrocardiogram machine (ECG).

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!