Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa West
Hi Melissa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was pregnant with my Daughter in 2012, I was gifted a beautiful, handmade crocheted baby blanket. I had never received such a beautiful gift before and the fact that someone took their time to make me and my baby not only just a blanket but a beautiful piece of artwork, moved me beyond words.
Something changed in me that day and before I knew it I was on a mission to create pieces of art myself!
When I first picked up a crochet hook, it was a tangled mess of knots and frustration. My stitches were uneven, my tension was all over the place and I often found myself unraveling (or frogging for those of us in the crochet community) more than I was creating. I set the hook down and set my sights on other crafts I could learn.
I made beaded foot jewelry and dreamcatchers and for a while. I took them to a couple of markets and even sold a few on Etsy. They were fun and they were beautiful but crochet was still always on my mind.
Every so often I would pick up a hook and some yarn, determined to to turn my clumsy attempts into something beautiful. Then something happened- I made my first piece! A small “cozy” for my coffee cup. It was far from “perfect”. The stitches were uneven and it didn’t fit my coffee cup as snug as I’d hoped but I was proud of it! That little cozy represented all the effort and persistence I’d put into learning crochet.
That year for Mother’s Day I made a “not so perfect” crochet cozy for all the Moms in my life and they loved them! Knowing they appreciated the effort and the heart I put into each piece, made those imperfect little cozies feel like a true success.
Over the years life happened and took some unexpected turns, and as things got harder, I had to put my hook down. there were other priorities-new job, big life changes- that demanded my full attention. My passion for crochet and creating had to take a backseat while I focused on navigating these challenges.
Fast forward to 2022. Having overcome those hardships, emerged with a deeper understanding of myself, I’m now living my best life – one filled with joy, purpose and a renewed sense of peace. However, I found myself still yearning to create, to crochet. I realized I missed it more than I knew. I decided to pick up my hook again, dove into the crochet world head first and retaught myself from the ground up. I read books, I watched all the tutorials , tips and tricks. Before I knew it I was reading patterns, writing patterns and creating fun and whimsical creations.
What started as a hobby evolved into something much more – a career that I am truly passionate about. Each plushie or crochet piece I make is a symbol of resilience and creativity, and knowing that they bring so much joy to others has made this journey that much more rewarding.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Turning crochet into a small business involves a lot of hard work, learning and perseverance. There are challenges all the time, from perfecting my crochet technique to managing the business side of things, and don’t even get me started on the social media part of it-Ha! However, each obstacle is an opportunity to grow and improve, and the rewards of seeing others enjoy my creations make it all worthwhile.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I hand make crochet plushies and crochet accessories. Some of my best sellers are Axolotls, my No Fuss Pets and Mystery Monsters and earrings. My target audience is definitely the kiddos as I have the most fun creating for them!
I am most proud of my determination and seeing how far I’ve come. Not only in my small business but also life in general.
I think what sets me apart is my unique blend of creativity and resilience. From struggling to learn Crochet to turning it into a fulfilling small business demonstrates a deep commitment and passion for my craft and also having a genuine desire to spread happiness through my work.
What are your plans for the future?
I am currently in the process of rebranding! I am working with an incredible marketing and branding designer to help launch my new and improved website. We are on track to have everything flowing by November, just in time for the Holidays!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.missymaecreates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missy_mae_crochet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissyMaeCreates
Image Credits
Sarah Rosie Studios
