Who is a Black Brown Indigenous Melanated Person (BBIMP) who has inspired you or your work?
GG Made it and Diane of Lady Dye Yarns
How do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration by playing with fabric. Trying different color combinations and patterns until I find one I like.
Share your maker journey. How did it all begin for you?
My first love is crochet, it’s always been a huge stress reliever for me. I started to suffer from repetitive strain/ overuse of my wrists. Working all day in front of a computer already had my wrists tired and crochet was becoming painful to my joints. So I decided to try sewing to give my joint a break. I learned the sewing basics on youtube and never looked back.
What is your favorite design?
Anything rainbow- rainbow pouches/rainbow crochet blankets. My favorite thing to crochet is granny squares or the neat ripple pattern.
Who taught you, encouraged you in your craft?
My grandmother was a seamstress. I never got the opportunity to learn from her because of Alzheimer’s. When I began sewing I felt such a connection to her and I knew she would have been proud that I was able to pick up as fast as I did.
As a BBIMP, in your line of crafting, what steps do you find you need to take, to promote and share your creativity if any?
I relatively new to the crafting space but my primary platform is Instagram. I do my best to stay engaged with people who follow my Instagram.
Do you feel being a BBIMP has an impact on how your creativity is viewed/received?
Honestly, I’m not whether it has had an impact- People have been very receptive to my work. I just focus on providing quality items and the rest has seemed to work itself out.
What suggestions, other than your tools, would you suggest another maker to learn or pick up?
As crafters we should always be looking for ways to expand our craft- whether through workshops, learning new patterns, techniques, etc. Don’t be afraid to try new things and be sure to invest in yourself and back into your business.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on several collaborations, and hopefully another shop update the first week of June.
How does your creative work| craft help you?
Sewing is a huge stress reliever for me.
Tell us a little bit about your practice or the steps you take to create your work.
After I decide what style of bag I will be making, I layout out my fabric choices to decide on the exterior and interior fabric. Then I have to iron, cut, and interface all pieces prior to ever sitting down at my sewing machine.
What’s the overall message you want your audience to take away from your work?
I would love to encourage other BBIMP to try sewing and quilting.
What is the most helpful resource for your business that you can share with us?
My semi-industrial sewing machine and Instagram.
What is a personal habit that has helped you significantly in your business?
I would have to say my determination. I really had no idea how to sew and in the beginning, I was making so many mistakes but I didn’t give up.
Where do you see your business|Crafting in 5 years?
I would love to design bag patterns and fabric.
What is a lesson learned, from being a designer, that you wish someone had told you when you first started?
Start your own website- don’t start with an Etsy. I had to learn that the hard way. I have had way more success than when I was on Etsy.
What is something that you’re passionate about and why?
I am passionate about advocating for and protecting the rights of black people and other marginalized groups. I want my son to be able to grow up and not have to fear being killed because of his brown skin.
