Tanya Arial is from Cole Harbour, and she creates crochet Deployment Dolls to help family members find comfort when someone has gone away on deployment.
The whole thing started when one of her friends, Norm, went on deployment, and she decided to make his wife a “tiny Norm” doll. Her friend encouraged her to start making more of these for families, and TJ’s Crochet Trinkets was born.
She starts with a picture of the person she is making, and customizes the doll to match their likeness. And, unlike a picture, these dolls can be snuggled with, AND they can be washed in the washing machine!
However, Tanya doesn’t ONLY make Deployment Dolls.
She has created crochet dolls in the likeness of family members who have passed away, she crochets clothes for the entire family, she even creates items for 4 legged friends!
Have you ever heard of re-usable water balloons??? She crochets those too!! You name it, she can make it.
If you’re a Military Family, and you would like to reach out to Tanya about creating your own Deployment Doll (or, if you would like ANYTHING under the sun crocheted for you), the best way to reach her is through Facebook.
And if you would like to hear our conversation with Tanya, you can find it at 7:15 on the Melody & Forman podcast: