Shari Salazar has five children. Her days are filled with dirty diapers, preparing meals, scraped knees and elbows, baths and bedtime stories — the work of raising five small children goes on and on. But through every memory and lesson associated with motherhood, she finds time for something else; something that is special and unique in its own right, and most importantly, something she can pass on to her children — the art of crocheting.

While Salazar says many stay-at-home mothers feel alone and isolated in their tough task of raising a child or multiple children, she has found a niche in which she can contribute to her family’s income while spending valuable time and sharing priceless memories with her little ones. Thus, Stitching Between 5, her small business in the online marketplace Etsy has allowed her to share her products with the world and the art of crocheting with her children, she said.

“I think it’s been incredibly empowering, honestly,” Salazar said. “I think you have a tendency to lose touch with friends and family and the community because you’re so busy. (Stitching Between 5) has provided an opportunity for a social outlet, and it’s been empowering to be able to contribute to my family’s income. And I still get the benefit of not missing a single moment with my kids.”

Salazar learned the art of crocheting from her aunt when she was 7 years old while visiting relatives in Oklahoma, she said. She continued to crochet, and once she began having children of her own, she began to do it frequently, until at one point, friends, family and others began to encourage her to sell some of her products. That’s when she opened her Etsy shop in September, having moved back to the area from Raleigh last June, and began selling crocheted blankets, bonnets, booties, ear warmers and other clothing, all of which is handcrafted in Salazar’s craft room at home, she said.

She features a wide array of stitched items, some of which are themed, based on animals like foxes, owls, puppies, ladybugs and even sharks. Her craft has not only allowed her to make crocheted apparel for her own children, but also share her craft with them in another way. Three of her children have already begun stitching items themselves. And the thought of passing down handcrafted items from generation to generation is something in which Salazar finds great value, she said.

“It’s a bonding experience — something that we share together whenever possible. It felt good to teach them something that they can carry with them,” Salazar said. “When I had my first kid, I always thought having a handcrafted thing passed down from generation to generation is the sweetest thing and from the heart. With each of my kids, I’ve made a little stuffed animal and baby blanket. I try to hand it down and explain to them that when something handcrafted is made for you, it is something to value and something special.”

Salazar said she has featured some of her items in the Coffee Caboose on MacNair Street, courtesy of owner Mary Anne Nunnally Foy and has recently appeared as a merchant at Washington Harbor District Alliance’s Saturday Market, two opportunities that have allowed her business to gain local exposure. From participating in the market alone, she has met a lot of people that have expressed interest in purchasing some of her unique products, she said.

“I think (Saturday Market) is great,” Salazar said. “It’s definitely helped me branch out and meet some local folks. And the Coffee Caboose has been incredibly welcoming, and they’ve been really nice in offering that to me. I’m grateful that those are options that are convenient and local and welcoming.”

For more information or to view the products of Stitching Between 5, visit www.Stitchingbetween5.etsy.com.