Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerissa Poss.
Hi Kerissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, my name is Kerissa Poss, and my small business is called CrochazyKerissa. My journey to this business has been shaped by both challenges and unexpected little joys.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived with chronic pain and invisible illnesses. I wake up every day with pain from any variety of my six invisible illnesses, and alongside that I’ve battled anxiety and depression and also struggled with infertility. For many years, I pushed through without listening to what my body truly needed, which often left me exhausted, discouraged, and questioning my worth.
In 2018, I met my husband, Dan, who has been a constant source of love and encouragement. He has always seen me exactly as I am, even when I’ve struggled to see my own value. It was with his support that I began to lean into crocheting—something I had picked up on and off through the years but never fully embraced.
When I discovered amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting plushies, everything clicked. Dan bought me my first amigurumi kit, and while it was intimidating at first, I quickly fell in love. The plushies were soft, comforting, and joyfully whimsical, and making them gave me a sense of accomplishment that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I began gifting them, often to my biggest cheerleaders, my husband and my family — first to my sister’s students, then to my mom’s classroom, kids in our church choir, neighbors, friends, and Dan. Seeing the joy on other people’s faces when they received something handmade made me realize this craft was about more than just yarn and stitches; it was about connection.
At the same time, I was wrestling with feelings of inadequacy, particularly about not being able to contribute financially in the way I wished. With particular encouragement from Dan and my older sister Moriah, I started to think about sharing my work more broadly—not just as gifts, but as something I could sell. The idea of building an Etsy shop felt overwhelming, especially when my health could keep me down for weeks at a time. But even on my hardest days, when the migraines hit or the pain was relentless, crocheting was something I could still do. It became a source of peace in the midst of struggle and heartache.
Eventually, I took my creations to a local event here in Forney, and the experience was transformative. People loved the plushies, placed custom orders, and even more, they responded to me personally—telling me I had a positive energy and warm presence, even though that day I was battling a severe migraine and GI issues. That encouragement meant everything to me.
Now, with CrochazyKerissa, my hope is to share the same joy, comfort, and love that crocheting has given me. I see my plushies as more than just cute creations—they’re reminders that joy can exist even alongside pain. The two are not mutually exclusive. My hope is that everyone who holds one of my plushies feels a little more comfort, a little more love, and a little more hope. And if you, like me, struggle with unseen (but very real) pain—whether physical, emotional, or mental—I want to encourage you to find something that brings you even a glimmer of joy, and to do it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, the road has definitely not been smooth. My biggest challenges have always been pain and my health. I live with several chronic pain conditions, all of which are invisible illnesses. When I’m in the midst of a migraine that lasts for months at a time, there are days I can’t even open my eyes or breathe without feeling like my head might literally split open. Alongside that, I manage fibromyalgia, arthritis, gastroparesis, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. I’ve also struggled with infertility for the past four years, along with the many shots, treatments, procedures, and surgeries that come with it.
Just last week, while preparing for the event where I had my first booth, I lost three full days simply unable to function because of an eight-week-long migraine. But what I’ve learned is that those struggles push me to work harder on the days when I can function. Sometimes that means 12–15 hours of crocheting in one stretch. I love this craft, and I want to excel in my little business.
The beauty of it, though, is that this work allows me to set my own pace. I can pour myself into it when I’m able and also give myself grace to rest when I need to. For me, that balance has been empowering and motivating.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I crochet—most often amigurumi, which are handmade plushies. That’s really where my heart is, though I’m also learning Tunisian crochet and hope to add more items made with that technique.
I think I’m known most for my plushies, but what I’m most proud of isn’t just the creations themselves—it’s the connections they open up. As someone living with chronic illness and as a Black woman, I know firsthand what it feels like to be unseen, unheard, unvalued, and unloved. That has happened in many spaces in my life, including within the medical system. Because of that, I carry a deep awareness of how powerful it is to experience the opposite—to be seen, heard, valued, and loved.
What sets me apart is that this isn’t just about selling something or making money for me, even though I’m grateful I get to do what I love and also earn from it. My hope is that when someone picks up one of my pieces—or even just chats with me for a couple of minutes at a booth—they walk away feeling cared for and noticed. If I can bring someone that moment of joy or help them feel seen, that’s what matters most to me.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about the city of Dallas is its incredible diversity. You can find so many pockets of deep and rich culture throughout the city. My personal favorite way to experience that is through food. Whether it’s a classic burger and fries, delightfully communal tibs on injera, perfectly spiced pudina gobi, refreshingly bright sushi, nostalgic jerk chicken or escovitch fish, slow-roasted meat on tortillas, or comforting pho—the cultural food landscape here feels endless.
What I like least about our city? Definitely the traffic… and maybe even more than that, the drivers. I probably shouldn’t say too much on that one 😂.
Pricing:
- $5-50 for plushies
- $100+ for large custom projects
- $10-40 for home goods
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crochazykerissa/
- Other: crochazykerissa@gmail.com
