CKL Keepsakes: About Us

Born from a Mother's Gift:

The soul of CKL Keepsakes begins in 1990 with the birth of a little girl. Founder and President Ryan Lawler, was a mere 14 years old at the time of his niece's birth, and needless to say not well versed in babies, baby gifts, or baby bibs. However, his mother, Charlene Kay Lawler, inspired by her adorable granddaughter and her love of sewing, set out to create a uniquely inspired keepsake. From this joyous occasion she created a personalized baby bib for her 1st granddaughter, Kassi. Over the next 17 years she continued to make personalized baby bibs for children of family and friends that is when she had time between raising her family and working full-time.

Ryan's Inspiration:

Ryan went on to graduate from the University of Madison-Wisconsin majoring in Marketing, Spanish & Portuguese, and then working in the insurance industry. After six years in the corporate world he yearned for something more personally meaningful. After considering a number of opportunities, he kept coming back to his mother's personalized baby bibs. With his mother's blessing he dove head first into creating CKL Keepsakes (after Charlene Kay Lawler). He quit his job despite never having made a baby bib, in fact never having sewed a stitch in his life. And when he asked his mom about her many bib designs, so he thought, his heart dropped when she informed him she had only a few different designs. Even his mother was skeptical, when he asked if she could give him a sewing lesson, she paused and politely replied 'I don’t think you would pick up sewing very easily'...well it was too late! Ryan purchased two sewing machines, yards and yards of fabric, a cornucopia of thread, and much more. Finally his mother relented knowing that he was going to learn to sew one way or another. After a few short lessons and loving advice he was off and sewing.

Thank you,

Every bib is a celebration of a child's uniqueness and is a memento from a loved one for a loved one. I hope that the unique designs and personalization help strengthen the bonds of family, friends, mother and father with a child. All baby bibs featured are my own designs often inspired by the children of my own friends and family. You will find everything from a bottle of wine to a little monster brain design for my neuroscientist friends, and everything in between. The bibs are made in the USA in sweatshop free environment; each bib is pre-washed to help prevent discoloring and shrinking. All bibs and patterns are hand cut, and sewn specifically for the lovable baby who receives them.

Transforming my home into a personalized baby bib making studio wasn't the first thought I had when starting CKL Keepsakes! It certainly wasn't glamorous having to move the cutting board and sewing machine on the kitchen table to eat, or the bib towels strewn on my couches and chairs, the fabric throughout every room seeming more like psychadelic carpet. But from humble beginnings I hope to create a family friendly, community oriented personalized baby bib boutique. I encourage you to visit our community friends who are helping build better communities, we are passionate about our affiliates. I enjoy creating lovable keepsakes and I hope the bibs are treasured as the child grows. I eagerly await the first customer who they themselves had a CKL bib as a child and then buy one for their own child…I only need to stay in business about 20+ more years.

I would like to acknowledge the amazing friends and family that have supported me in life including this endeavor. And, a very special thanks to my mother and father who have instilled in me the ethics and values that guide my life and the belief that anything I imagine is possible. I would also like to thank you the customer and welcome you into CKL Keepsakes family, we would love to hear from you.

Best wishes,

Ryan Lawler

Founder and President