Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Watson.
Nicole, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story begins like most, I’m sure – talents and passions passed down through the generations. My mom shared her love of painting with me from a very young age. My dad shared his love of woodwork. My grandma taught me how to embroider and hand sew when I was five years ago, and she taught me to knit when I was eight. As a teenager, I started making friendship bracelets and I taught myself to crochet in my early 20’s through YouTube and trial and error. Just last year I added sculpting crochet hook handles into my repertoire. It is easy to say that I have been crafty all my life.
When I first began knitting and crocheting consistently, back in 2010, it was for fun. I would use my talents to create gifts for my friends and family. It wasn’t until I started receiving requests for items that I even considered turning my hobby into a career. I started a crafting profile as a way to showcase my makes. In 2015 I released Nik-Naks & Knots, the blog. It was on that very blog I released my first knitting pattern, “Kids Wrist Warmers”. Life happened and the traction with my blog and creating fizzled out. With two toddlers to chase after it was hard for me to find time to dedicate to my crafts. I ended up giving away much of my yarn stash and stored away the rest of it. I decided that those days were behind me.
Fast forward 2018 a dear friend of my gifted me some of her old unused yarn that had been living in her storage since the 90’s! I decided to use the yarn to crochet a blanket. I released a new design, The Granny Star Blanket. It took me five months to finish. I received so much positive feedback for it! All of a sudden I was receiving orders for crochet blankets! It was awesome! This jump-started not only my creative spark but a new lease on the life of my creative business!
In the summer of 2019 Darn Good Yarn reach out to me to create a crochet pattern for them, and have it finished within a month. Now, I had always dreamed of designing and writing my own patterns, but I did not have much of any professional experience designing crochet patterns. I made a promise to myself to never turn down an opportunity, so I took on the challenge and dove in full force. I used all my brainpower and all the extra time in the world and finished the pattern. The “New Year’s Eve Bottle Cover” pattern and kit were released. It is available to purchase at DarnGoodYarn.com. I have my name on it and everything.
I can now officially say I am a professional pattern designer. It is an amazing feeling. Working with this company was such a life-changing event. I continue to work with Darn Good Yarn and was able to design and release one more pattern through their website. The “Freeform Gauntlets”, which is also available as a pattern or kit. I have been working hard on perfecting my pattern writing abilities and started releasing more free patterns on my blog and my Ravelry page.
In September of 2019, I opened my Etsy store, NikNaksandKnots, where I sell Ergonomic Crochet Hooks and other handmade items. I continued to create and sell crocheted and knitting items as well as create custom orders.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I made a promise to myself once. I would never do anything I did not enjoy or that did not bring happiness into my life. When I started crocheting that was the first step to bringing pure creative happiness into my life. That being said, it’s not always easy finding time to do the things I enjoy for myself. My children are the greatest gifts of the world I could ever ask for, but it’s hard pouring from an empty cup.
Being a mother of three daughters, aging ten months to eight years old, I definitely struggle finding the work/family life balance. I want to be there for my children, especially when they are so young and impressionable. I also need to be able to provide for my family. As well as provide for my family I do have my passion. Unfortunately, my passion is not the main source of my income. Right now it is still in the “start-up” status. I am not yet at a point where I can rely on this for our sole source of income. Until then I have to work where I can sustain our lives. As much as I would love to live in a small village where everyone works as a community and nothing costs dollars and cents, it is just not possible.
Aside from making an income and spending quality time with my family, it is hard finding time to dedicate to my passion. I have to stay up late, get up early, work in the car, on the bed, at the breakfast table, and squeeze in work any time I can find. There have definitely been some ups and downs. Building a creative business is a big learning process. I really wouldn’t give any of it up for the world. In the end, even if I don’t make all the money and gain all the followers, I really LOVE what I do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Nik-Naks & Knots are small creative businesses where the crafts don’t stop! From knitting and crocheting to embroidery, sculpting, and crafts for kids. There really is no crafty stone unturned. I have loved creating all my life. Building a business around my passions is a dream come true. My goal is to share my love with the world.
The most popular items I sell are my Ergonomic Crochet Hooks, the Marble Wonders are my best sellers. I also receive a lot of orders for blankets and hand-knit baby bows. I have a very eccentric style and that is what I want to show through my work. I love colors, and I love freeform styles. I find inspiration in the strange and unusual styles and try to venture down those wacky avenues as much as possible. I have such a great love for all fibers and all-fiber art and I want to share that love with the world!
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Making and selling crochet hooks was really a turning point in my niche market. In the years to come, I will dedicate more of my time creating tools for other makers and try my hand with yarn as well.
One exciting avenue I am venturing down this next year is becoming a Certified Crochet Instructor. I am taking the course through the Craft Yarn Council. I hope to start holding classes and creating instructional videos early this year. I really plan to make this company more than just a retail store. I want to create a community where I can share my love for crafts and hope to find others that can share their love with me.
I dream of a large studio where one can rent out a space to create, teach, learn, and grow. I dream of a cafe where one could purchase yarn, sit down and stitch away while also enjoy a nice cuppa. My plans are big, the future is bright, and anything is possible. As long as you believe!
Pricing:
- Ergonomic Crochet Hooks: $15 – $35
- Crochet Blanket: $50 (Baby), $80 (Throw), $100 (Twin), $200 (Queen), $300 (King)
- Baby Bow/Headband: $10 – $20 each
Contact Info:
- Website: niknaksandknots.com
- Email: niknaksandknots@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/niknaksandknots
- Facebook: facebook.com/niknaksandknots
- Other: etsy.com/shop/niknaksandknots
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