tina rodriguez

I learned to embroider from my Nonna (grandmother), who was an accomplished crocheter, knitter, lace-maker and stitcher, whose lovingly handmade clothes, afghans and gifts I still treasure. I have fond memories of walking to the five and dime store for embroidery patterns that I worked on under her watchful eye: lazy daisy, stem stitch, French knot.
pennycandy began as an idea after the birth of my daughter. She needed me near to nap soundly. I needed something to work on, relatively small and easy to hold, a craft that would be enjoyable and hopefully help our family’s income. And I had a little girl now for whom I wanted to make sweet things.  Although I enjoy the purely decorative, I most like to make items that are useful and have a sense of humor.  Recently, a ten-year-old girl chose two of my journals -- one for herself, one for her best friend.  “We’re going to write and do art,” she told me. This has been my greatest
compliment and inspiration to continue, stitch by hand stitch, to make these little treats.