My shop
sign says Karleen’s Ideas ‘Gift Shop’ but Karleen’s Ideas is so much more than
a gift shop. I have combined my love for
children & my love for creating to help Special Needs families and to make
unique gifts for everyone.
My
parents told me that even when I was sick in the hospital I always wanted to
play & help the other children in the hospital, I am happy to say that I
never outgrew wanting to help others. Now 43 years later God has blessed me
with 4 amazing children even though Doctors thought that would be impossible.
My daughter is typical, well as typical as any child can be, LOL and our 3 sons
have Autism. From the moment Dr. Singer said that Donald should be tested for
Autism, I have been eager to learn the best ways to help him and then his
brothers. About 8 years ago Donald’s OT asked me if I could try to make a
weighted blanket at reasonable prices as she knew I could sew. I looked at some
examples of weighted blankets and did a lot of research before I designed my
weighted blankets. Over the years I have tweaked my technique but one thing
that has not changed is that they are made with love. While there are many
companies that are making millions selling weighted blankets, I am not making
those millions as I am not making them to get rich, I am making them to help
children. Shortly after I started making weighted blankets, I created pressure
tubes, weighted lap pads, weighted shawls, sensory bags, sensory blankets and
fidget strips. I will not have a large number of items in stock as most items
are custom made for the child/adult that needs them. I believe it is more
important to make a weighted blanket to what a person likes and what their
interests are instead of them just getting what is in stock. I work with parents to create the perfect
weighted blanket or sensory item for each child.
Years
later to help bring awareness to Autism and other diseases, I started to make
awareness bracelets. I found making jewelry relaxing so I started to created
theme jewelry, then I found myself just looking for unique beads to make other
styles of jewelry, lots of jewelry so much jewelry I opened Karleen’s Ideas at
our house on December 11, 2011. Wanting to fill the porch with more items, I
started creating items with the fabric scraps from the weighted blankets. I
started making fabric gift bags, hats, neck warmers, Christmas Stockings, etc….
Now almost 4 ½ years later Karleen’s Ideas outgrew my porch so we have moved the
shop to a retail space in Kennebunkport. Over the past few weeks I have painted
walls, built cube organizers, arranged displays and setup all the merchandise.
I am so happy to have the shop out of the house as I can now carry more Sensory
Items & carry Therapy Toys to help more children and parents. As I said Karleen’s Ideas is more than a Gift Shop, at Karleen’s Ideas you will find many Shell Crafts, Jewelry, Christmas Stockings, Hats, Neck Warmers, Dream Catchers, Wind Chimes, Awareness Items, Sensory items and Therapy Toys. You will also find me ready to help you find or design the perfect gift for your loved one, help you find the perfect sensory item, help you create a sensory diet for your child or yourself and to help you understand your sensory based child. In the near future I will be having workshops to help parents. It was always a dream of mine to have my own store, Karleen’s Ideas is not only my dream come true, it is a future for my sons. Adults with Autism have a difficult time keeping a typical job so there will be times you will see the boys working at the shop so they can learn how to run a business. Working at the shop will also help them with social situations, they will learn to be independent, learn to work together and learn how to help others.
So when you need a special gift, a weighted blanket, sensory item or therapy toys, I hope you stop by Karleen’s Ideas.
Grand Opening is April 1st as it is the perfect way to start Autism Awareness Month.
Karleen's Ideas
24 Ocean Ave.
Kennebunkport
