Longboat boutique features crafts by sister trio

Patricia Collado remembers first dabbling in crochet when her mother had a spare bit of yarn with which to practice, at about 5 years old. 

"That was my entertainment. We didn't have a TV at the time," she said with a laugh.

Now, the artist is responsible for crafting many of the plush pieces at Three Island Monkeys, along with two of her sisters who live nearby.

The high-end, local artist-centered gift shop opened on the north end of Longboat Key in January. Since then, owner Brigette Kubin said she has enjoyed sharing the works of talented local crafters with residents and visitors.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Kubin said she appreciates being able to offer goods that will remind tourists of their travels to Florida in a manner more unique than the same souvenirs found in other destinations, just with different logos.

She said she especially appreciated working with the Collados, who create everything from sweaters with the namesake three monkeys — along with plenty of other cuddly critters — crocheted onto the knitwear.

Kubin first heard about the sisters' talents when she worked at The Lazy Lobster with Fernanda Collado.

"She was hand-knitting and crocheting gifts, and when I saw them a year ago, I told her, 'This is beautiful. You need to sell this.' At first, she said she never, ever sells them because she's a grandma and always did it for fun, just for friends," Kubin said. "Eventually, when everything started getting under way with the store and we knew we were ready to open, I asked her, please, to share her and her sisters' work."

Fernanda, Patricia and Angelica started collaborating to create pieces for the store.

Photo by Dana Kampa

Patricia also makes everything from wine bottle covers to Barbie doll clothing, along with larger pieces like her table runners.

The three originally hail from Chile.

Patricia said she still finds it validating every single time someone pays for one of her works, often as a present for youngsters in the family.

Crafting children's clothes is especially meaningful, knowing that her mother made clothes for everyone.

Besides being a pleasant way to pass the time, knitting became a lucrative skill as well. She put the proceeds from commissions for fellow students toward tuition and textbook costs while she was in college.

"Everybody was ordering sweaters," Patricia said. "But I enjoyed it. I really loved doing it."

Photo by Dana Kampa

Over the years, she worked in childcare and as an art teacher in New York. But she eventually moved to Florida after having her second child, joining her older sister. 

Now, with a little more time on her hands in retirement, she's returning to her longtime hobby.

One advantage of working with a small business boutique is she has the freedom to create whatever patterns and projects she likes, depending on what materials she has in stock. She enjoys setting new challenges for herself, recently teaching herself how to make pants for her doll clothes.

Kubin added the shop is happy to consider commissions.

Also, the shop will take a brief hiatus from July 31 to Aug. 12 for vacations.

For information about some of the other artists featured at Three Island Monkeys, visit ThreeIslandMonkeys.com.