Madeleine & Co. is a sort of Phoenix story, something beautiful rising out of the ashes of something very sad.

My Granny used to be the crafting queen- she instilled in me a love for creating beautiful things at a young age. She began teaching me to sew at age 10. We dabbled in a little bit of everything artsy- we once even made a Civil War day gown.

A dear sweet lady (who is now deceased) taught me how to crochet when I was expecting my third child (first girl!). She showed me how to read a pattern and make the various stitches. I made a few hats for friends and family as gifts, and everyone kept saying: "You could totally sell these." I didn't really listen, as I had just recently closed my bakery business, and wasn't ready to chase another dream.

On November 30, 2011, my second baby girl was born sleeping. Even though my heart was shattered, I at least had the presence of mind to dress her with a hat I had crocheted for her- a little pink hat with a big flower. The days that followed seemed so dark, I sometimes wondered if crying could be fatal.

Eventually crocheting became a sort of therapy, so having a natural entrepreneurial spirit, I decided to give the business idea a go. I named my shop and the first hat I listed (a little pink hat with a big flower) after my baby who was here for so short a time, yet made such a profound impact on my life- Madeleine Marie.

Almost 2 years later, I am continually trying to improve my methods and materials. The more natural, rustic, and "woodsy" something looks, the more I love it. My favorite yarns to work with are organic fibers. You have not felt real yarn until you get your mitts on handspun merino wool- soft as a cloud. I love not only the feel of it, but also the texture the thick and thin yarn creates when crocheted together. Besides that, I think it's terribly romantic to think of a young mother in her little cabin in New England spinning away on her spinning wheel and then dying the yarn just for me in her claw foot bathtub.

Currently my "studio" is set up in our loft, next to the kids' rooms so I can hear them play while I work. My dream is to have a tiny cottage to work in filled to the rafters with handspun yarn and organic fabric.

For peeks into my life and work, follow me on Instagram @jennrcampbell