Page 2 what’s new? Page 3 Unforgettable patterns! Page 4-15 meet our challengers! Page 16 Happily Hooked chat! Page 17-19 the Furls Business Academy Page 20-22 goods I love! Page 23 free patterns & tutorials! Page 24 what’s next?
13 MAY
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Say hello to Alessandra Hayden! I was born in Marilia, a small town in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Crochet has been my passion for most of my life: I learned to crochet from my grandma Dirce, my dad’s mom. She taught me how to crochet using silk thread and a very small crochet hook; my first project was a clothes hanger cozy. Let me tell you, silk is tricky! But I didn’t give up crocheting with that slippery thread and tiny hook, and have never stopped crocheting since – I have been doing it for over 20 years, some times more often than others, but have never stopped. I left Brazil when I got married and moved to US. After I had my son Lucas, and became a stay at home mom and wife, I started crocheting more and selling my work online. Being used to working and making my own money, it was the perfect solution: crocheting was a great way of making a little spending money of my own and I was thrilled to be able to do something from home and raise my son and daughter too!
Watch her video!
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Say hello to Tricia Dodge! Hiya! I’m Tricia, and I am a stay at home mom to 4 boys ages 9, 7, 5 and 3. My hubster and I have been making fun memories for 10 years now. Having such a large houseful of males keeps me very busy, but when I'm not taking care of them I love to crochet, knit (shhhhh!) and design! Crochet is my creative outlet and stress reliever. I’m OBSESSED with pretty yarns so I took up dying yarns too! I’ve been known to be found “hiding” with a good book and my giant mug of tea.
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Say hello to Sarah Lora!
Hi, I'm Sarah, and I love to crochet! In each design I'm looking for modern texture, beautiful drape, and effortless style, with simple, frustration free patterns. I'm so excited to participate in another round of DW7 and feel honored and lucky to compete against some of my favorite designers. I live in Portlandia with my 2 kiddos, my hubby and my dog.
Watch her video! 7
Say hello to Tanya Naser! HodgePodge Crochet is my passion—and I mean that quite literally. I’m eager to find new ideas, to explore stitches and designs that are new to me, and put them together in ways that excite others! My blog embodies that journey, and the response from those who read it, or come in to find something new, is what inspires me to write the next amazing pattern.
Watch her video! 8
Say hello to Viktoria Gogolak!
I was born in Hungary, Europe and grew up in a crafty family. My mom loved knitting, my grandmother loved embroidering, and I loved drawing. I went to a seamstress/designer school (following my sister) in Hungary, where I learned all about fabrics, materials and how to make my own sewing patterns. I can use a lot of this knowledge when I am designing crocheted wearables. Although I am 35, I like to design fresh, modern wearables for the young. Currently I live in Foxboro, MA with my husband and our 2.5 year old daughter. I started designing in 2009, since then I always learn something new. I feel honored to be part of this challenge! My dream is to publish a "real" book and see my work on the shelves of a bookstore!
Watch her video!
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Say hello to Crystal Bucholz!
I'm a wife and mother of two amazing boys, all of whom I love to be with! But in my spare time, I love to crochet! I started out making photography props while I was on bed rest with my youngest child. I haven't looked back since! Now, not only do I love working off of patterns made by others', I love creating my own! I also have a passion for photography, which makes it even more fun when getting photos for my items! I also enjoy reading and spending as much time outdoors!
Watch her video! 10
Say hello to Vita Apala! I was born and grew up in Riga, Latvia. After getting married with a French man I moved to Italy, where we currently live and raise our two adorable kids. I crochet since I was a little girl and for past 5 years I am officially a crochet designer. I love photography, I love to travel, and I absolutely enjoy our life here in Italy!
Watch her video! 11
Say hello to Lisa van Klaveren! I'm the youngest daughter in a family of 7 kids. My mom and grown sister, Laurie, taught me the basics of crochet when I was about 3. I used to crochet on the school bus or on the playground at recess and once got in trouble for crocheting in class while in grade school! (If only Mr. Klippel could see me now!) I'm a very blessed stay-athome mom to 3 little girls - Holland, Madison and Adelaide. They often inspire and model my designs. I am a huge Anne of Green Gables fan. My husband, Gilbert, is "everything a Gilbert should be" and helps me with all things techy He also inspires and encourages me to follow all my creative dreams.
Watch her video! 12
Say hello to Tara Murray! I've been a wife since 2004 and a mama since 2006 (to four amazing little people now). I have two little businesses; I have the crochet business (Mamachee) that I started back in 2008 and a small photography business that I started in 2012. If I have "me" time, I like to go to the gym and sweat or peruse second hand/antique shops with a coffee.
Watch her video! 13
Say hello to Theresa Grant! It doesn't take a lot to make me smile. I'm pretty simple really; I enjoy my family, my friends, and crocheting and knitting. I am constantly amazed that I've been able to make my passion into a business, and never take that for granted.
Watch her video!
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Say hello to Charissa Ragsdale
I am the proud mother of three creative children and married to an adorable man who loves me more than coffee. My life is filled with the Madness of our home, our hands, and our Love for each other. All of my endeavors are dedicated to my family, whom I love more than chocolate.
Watch her video! 15
Happily Hooked Crochet Magazine | Chat & Giveaway! I’m a huge supporter of those who are genuinely passionate about crochet, so when Happily Hooked Crochet Magazine reached out to collaborate, I sat down for a chat to see what they’re all about! Read my 16 interview with founders Alison and Matt Lutz, and find out why I’m so very Happily Hooked!
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What is the Furls Business Academy? The Furls Business Academy is a learning course whose sole purpose is to empower creatives, designers, makers, and doers to take their artistic skills and use them to create the life and business they want.
Why did you begin this opportunity?
The Furls Business Academy
Furls founder Harrison Richards is adding to his brand of world-class quality and luxury by offering a brand new course for business owners. And, it’s free!
Furls began when a simple skill, woodturning, was applied to solve a very specific problem for a very specific group of people. Since then, we've gone to build a beautiful business with sales and happy crocheters in every corner of the earth. The same is possible for every crafter out there, if they know the steps to take. We want to see a world where more crafters impact the world in huge ways, and we had all the skills and information necessary to do so. It only seemed natural that, if no one else was, we help jumpstart the craft business revolution ourselves. Furls had great success with one of our early students, nicknamed Sara (whose story can be read here), and are completely confident that any crafter can achieve the same thing now.
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What is the cost of this program? Will this price change? The 8 week program is currently provided at no cost. That being said, we've already received requests for intense and specific lessons to be released, which we plan on releasing for around $14-50 depending on the material. We'll always do our best to make sure crocheters, designers, and crafters of all backgrounds can get access to the information they need.
What can a person hope to achieve by joining? Direction. Success in art and business can be a winding path with a lot of dead ends, so we're laying out a complete roadmap that covers everything from how to get your first 5 customers to building a business that can manage your 10,000th customer with ease. We've tested these methods in our own businesses, and we're completely confident that if you want to let your craft build a new life and business for yourself, we can show you how to do it.
Get your free newsletter on building craft business success! How to find and make the products people really want! 3 ways to get customers as soon as you start, or double your existing business! Remove the 7 most common obstacles in customers’ minds!
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May 30 2014 > > >
Design Wars 7 – Final reveals! Voting – Multiple categories, all our DW7 designs, and you vote for your favorites! Interviews – Stay tuned for my chat with Jo Packham of Where Women Create!
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