Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Torres.
Hi Melissa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story started when my father gave me boxes of yarn and a few crochet hooks. These were supplies he kept for an infrequent hobby but eventually had no use for them when arthritis set in. Instead of collecting dust in a forgotten corner of his house, he gave them to me. I had no idea what to do with supplies, but I was excited for a distraction from the most isolated time of the pandemic before the first vaccine was available and it was considered socially acceptable to mingle freely. I vaguely remembered the double crochet stitch, the only one I was taught when I was much younger. So, with more spare time than I was used to, I decided to learn everything I could about crochet to pass the time. It wasn’t until I discovered amigurumi, which is a Japanese word describing the art of knitting or crocheting stuffed creatures, that everything clicked. I got good at it very quickly. Hungry for more knowledge and experience, I made free creatures for friends and family based on patterns published by designers. Proud of my new hobby, I would publish pictures on my social media page. Soon enough, people started offering to pay me to create a doll that looks like their child, pets, coworkers, etc. I knew I had to open my own business.
In mid-2022, Meltor’s Menagerie was born. I planned to launch my Etsy shop for made-to-order and finished creatures on November 2022. In the interim, I launched my Facebook and Instagram pages to share pictures of my commissions, which resulted in additional commissions from followers. Since launching meltorsmenagerie.etsy.com, I have sold 21 unique listings and earned nine 5-star reviews. The numbers may seem low, but when one considers that each creature comes with a name, a personality, a story, and a quality (e.g., unique hand-painted eyes) that cannot be completely replicated, it is clear that my shop is achieving momentum.
My mission is to continue making creatures that others find special and unique. Nothing is more fulfilling than experiencing the joy of the person receiving something made just for them. I intend to continue working these hands until my joints age and I am no longer able to create. At that time, I’ll pass down my supplies to a young person who needs it but doesn’t know it yet.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My biggest challenge this year was ensuring I was prepared to launch my business from a legal and compliance perspective. There was much to learn when it came to business acumen, proper registrations, intellectual property laws, managing inventory, and bookkeeping. My next biggest challenge was getting a handle on my pricing formula with the drastic changes in material costs. I wanted to make sure I accounted for inflation, but also kept my prices reasonably affordable.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Feedback I’ve received from customers and members of my community is of my neat stitch definition and attention to detail. Amigurumi is a very broad art. My creature history includes dragons, gnomes, people, etc. The unifying factor is that my work may fall under the description of “cute, but not juvenile.” My creatures are made for display, not play. Some of them are based on published patterns, but I am able to add some of my own design to meet specifications. Some creatures I designed myself. For example, an office manager wanted to make dolls of his employees but as superheroes. Supplied with their headshots and their favorite colors, I designed unique superhero looks to each of them. In another example, a customer wanted a unicorn gnome or gnomi-corn. I was not satisfied with any available pattern, so I made my own. I believe that I can offer something for everyone, and all things are possible with yarn. What sets me the most apart from the rest of amigurumi creators is that every creature comes with a story in my menagerie universe. The pictures I post on Facebook and Instagram include these stories. I even include easter eggs for creatures that will be featured later and have recurring themes.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned the power of saying “no,” which is difficult for a person who gets pleasure from making others happy. However, without knowing how to do this, it is very easy to run a business into the ground. I’ve learned to refuse commissions on creatures that violate intellectual property laws or are too different from my aesthetic. Additionally, I’ve learned how to negotiate pricing in a way that is fair for my business and the customer.
Contact Info:
- Website: meltorsmenagerie.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meltorsmenagerieusa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083060857762
Image Credits
Jo Handmade
Imagined Yarn
Mufficorn
Lemon Yarn Creations
Green Frog Crochet
Bibibonbon
Crafty Intentions
