How Annita Pompom Began

Annita Pompom began during a season of unexpected learning and inspiration.

While caring for a newborn named Piper, I watched her older brother come home from school with a small felt monster he had made by hand. That simple creation sparked an idea that would eventually change my life.

At the time, I had never learned to sew and was actually intimidated by the sewing machine. Although sewing runs through my family—my mother, aunt, and grandmother all sewed—I didn’t learn until much later in life. During the pandemic, I taught myself through YouTube tutorials, learning one stitch at a time through patience, mistakes, and practice.

Many of my earliest creations were made for Piper. As she grew, so did my confidence and creativity. Later, when my granddaughter Pia was born, she became another source of inspiration, reminding me of the comfort, imagination, and joy a beloved doll can bring to childhood.

The name Annita Pompom comes from my daughter Anna, who adored stuffed animals when she was little. While the name honors her, the inspiration behind the dolls comes from the children who have touched my life and encouraged me to create.

There is another person who played an important role in this journey: Piper’s mother, Kimber. She was the first person who encouraged me to share my creations beyond family and friends. She often told me my dolls belonged in boutiques and department stores, and she gave me the confidence to begin selling at craft markets and eventually online. Her belief in my work helped transform a hobby into a small business.

Today, every Annita Pompom doll is handmade in Colorado using carefully selected fabrics, thoughtful details, and a great deal of love. My hope is that each doll becomes a treasured companion, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.