I always love reading the sweet little messages that are left for me in the ‘odds and ends’ section of the crafter interviews. All I can say to you, Amy, is that you are most welcome – I can think of no better way to spend my time other than to give back to my fellow handmade crafters who put their time, energy and love into each and every stitch, snap and sparkle!
Amy DeLong
Random Facts About You?I'm the oldest of 4 girls.
Love reading Jane Austen novels.
Enjoy watching silent movies.
I've lived in South Dakota my whole life.
What got you started crafting?
I took a home ec class in high school where I learned the basic crochet stitches. Our final project was to make a large afghan. I liked how it turned out and when I got an A on it that helped build my confidence in my work. I then started crocheting other afghans for family members. After that I wanted to see what other things I could crochet so I got crochet books & pattern books and from them I learned the more advanced crochet techniques. I also learned that there was many things I could make for myself and others by crocheting & it was something that I really enjoyed doing.
What is your source of inspiration?
I think I get my inspiration from a lot of different things. Sometimes I'll see a picture or painting that I like the colors used and that makes me think about making something that color. Sometimes I'll be at a store and see something I like and it will inspire me to make my own version for myself. I can go outside and see a flower & decide that I want to make something with flowers on it. There are things that are around me everyday that inspire me.
What have you made recently?
About a month ago my aunt Anita asked me to make her some dishcloths. My aunt Sue had made her some dishcloths years ago. Sue had promised to make her some more but was too sick to do it from her cancer treatments & had recently passed away. Anita asked me if I could make some based on how Sue did hers. I was given one that Sue had knitted and I written my own crochet pattern using the one Sue had done as my inspiration. Sue had done a very basic design so I kept my design basic but wrote my pattern the way I wanted things to look. For example I did rectangles instead of squares. I did each one in different sizes and in different colors to add a different variety. I used different crochet hooks so I could get different sized stitches. I wanted to make something that looked good but was also functional and I think I did that. This project was important to me because I was doing it for someone special in my life. This wasn't something that I was doing to make money off or to try to sell. This was something I was doing only for my aunt.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I started out making things as gifts for people. People liked the things that I made them & pretty soon they started requesting other things from me. Word got out that I could crochet and I'd get phone calls, emails, even strangers would come up to me & ask me if I'd make things for them. People kept on telling me that I did really beautiful work and that I should try selling my stuff. When I found out about Etsy I decided to give selling my items a try. My main focus nowadays is selling on Etsy but I still also sell directly from my house.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Because handmade gives it that special touch. This isn't something that's mass produced in a factory. Handmade is something that each item is carefully made with a lot of time & effort going into the work. Even if someone hand makes more then 1 item no 2 items are exactly alike. Each handmade item is going to have it's own individuality.
Find Me
LocationMilbank,SD
Email Address
Amy DeLong
Personal Website
http://www.amydscrochet.etsy.com
Store Website
http://www.amydscrochet.etsy.com
CROCHET10
@amydscrochet
