Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?
My name is Tina and I crochet. I am originally from Oregon, have spent many years in Nevada and Ohio, drove truck out of Utah and Idaho, and am now settling down in Indiana. I have 5 children and 1 grandchild with a second on the way! I make hats, scarves, hats, shawls, afghans, hat, baby clothes, kitchen items, hats, slippers, mittens, wrist warmers, and hats among other things. I am always looking for new things to try! :)
I also teach crocheting to many different people. Some are in person, some I help over the phone, and others I explain things through email. I learn a lot while I am teaching too. You never know where a new idea or inspiration might come from.
Info on the picture: Ken is my son and he is the one that actually got me going as far as the business aspect of things. Redd is my husband and he is the MOST supportive person in my life! He also models just about everything I have ever made for me. He is AWESOME!!!
What is the story behind your shop name?
The name was fairly simple......my hubby said I was some-what crafty and one of my kids said that they LOVED my creations, so......Tina's Crafty Creations was born. My oldest son got me to put a facebook page together and the very first hat I made was an Angry Bird for him.Who is your target market?
Everyone is my target market. The things I make can go for infants, children, teens, and adults. Many of my items become gifts for people I will never see.Which part of creation process that you enjoy the most?
My favorite part of crocheting is when I see someone that loves it as much as I do. Someone that I can pass info along to or that passes it along to me. I really enjoy it when I KNOW that someone like what I have done.What is your best seller?
Owl hats and wacky faced hats are my best sellers. Oh, and diaper wrap sets. Those are very popular!!!How does your day go in general?
I wake up in the morning, have a cup (or 2) of coffee, pick up my crochet hook and crochet while talking on the phone, looking around on the computer or visiting on facebook. If I have errands to run I have a bag ready to take with me (in case I have to wait on things). Hooks are ALWAYS in my purse, car, crochet bag.......I just NEVER leave home without them.How do you balance your personal and work life?
Since I quit truck driving, I am a stay at home crocheter, so it just kind of falls in place. If I do not crochet for a day I feel totally lost!What inspires you?
People, tv shows, articles, other crocheters.......everyone and everything has the potential to be my next inspiration.What is your goal for 2014? And are you on the right track?
My goal is to get a store front and be public all the time. I do a bunch of craft fairs, farmers markets, festivals, etc and I would like to have just one location where I can always be. I have not found the right place yet, but I think I am getting close!!!What is the key to success?
Patience and persistence.Any advice for others running their on-line shop?
Don't get discouraged. Building a business (online or in a store front) take time, patience, and hard work. Many people think that things either work fast or not at all, but that is NOT true. Just keep hanging in there!!!!What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade means that everything is put together by hand and that it is not perfect. No two items will ever be the same.
I love the creativity in coming up with stuff like the steering wheel cover. Where do you get your ideas?
ReplyDeleteSometimes I see things in the store and think.....I can make that!!! Other times I see a picture or someone gives me an idea. You never know where an inspiration can come from!
DeleteHow to you get around copyrights to use cartoons such as minions for your hats?
ReplyDeleteI have not tried to get around the copyrights. I try to pay close attention as to what is and is not acceptable.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing a peek into your items and your biz - LOVE the "thing 1&2 set" and I'm sure my girl would be crazy for a minion hat!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking an interest in my items and in my business in general. I am always willing to help pass along ideas and techniques, so if you have any questions, please feel free to message me. :)
DeleteThat steering wheel cover is a great idea! I crochet, but nothing big or hard! I do cancer caps & baby hats for the hospital.
ReplyDeleteI liked the steering wheel cover too. It took me a few tries to get it to fit correctly.
DeleteMaking hats for the hospital is a WONDERFUL act! Keep making those hats....I KNOW that are very happy to get them!
Last year I donated over 90 hats to the Salvation Army for them to distribute. After they gave them out I saw one of my hats on a young girl and her brother did not have one. Mom said they had run out. So, I took them out to my car (I ALWAYS have somethings in my car) and let him pick out one.
I am always looking for new ideas to crochet. Do you create your own patterns or find others?
ReplyDeleteSome things I have my own patterns for.....like hats. I have figured out how I like to make them and how to adjust them....it works for me. Faces.....I experiment. Sometimes I make something and it does not look at all like I thought it would, so I frog it and start again. I have a lot of trial and error. When it comes to dresses, ornaments, afghan stitches, and things like that, I have to start out with a pattern to see how it all goes together. Then I change it up, add or subtract items, and work from there. If I do start with a pattern I always try to change it up and make it "my own" design, but I give credit to the designers that inspire me by posting a link to their page, listing them as where I got the idea, or posting a link to the pattern location.
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