Meet Twinkie Chan
When I did the craft show series of posts I came across Twinkie Chan’s Renegade craft booth and was quite impressed. I used it as an example of a well branded and diverse booth to present to your target market. That gave me the idea of interviewing her and I’m so glad she said yes.
(c)TwinkieChan on Etsy
Did you set out to make money with crochet or was it an afterthought? How did you get started?
I always crocheted for fun and to make presents for my friends and family. I never had a business plan, and I never expected to turn my hobby into a business. I simply had a yarn addiction, a funny concept, and the desire to share my sense of humor and my craft.
What is the main income stream from your crochet?
Selling finished goods (scarves, mitts, hair accessories) has always been my main income stream. However, living off hand-made crochet is very difficult (at least for me, living in San Francisco), so I have started to focus a little more on selling crochet patterns to see how that helps the financial side of things. I am also exploring the world of licensed apparel and crocheted accessories with my brand “Yummy You! by Twinkie Chan.”
(c) TwinkieChan
How do you market your crochet business and/or crochet blog?
Frankly, I don’t do a lot of intentional marketing, but I’ve always had a love for blogging and social media. I just enjoy it naturally, and it’s a nice side-effect that it’s also very good for business! It also connects you to your people: other crafters and creatives. I think embracing the community is an important part of having a small business. You find great, like-minded people, and you can all help each other out.
How long was it until you really saw your financial goals being met?
I started my handmade business in 2005, and I’m still not really at my financial goal yet! The first year that Yummy You! hit the stores was really a dream come true, and I had definitely met my goal in 2010. However, things with my manufacturer didn’t go as I’d hoped, and I had to re-group and start all over again with a different business model. It’s a lot of ups and downs, and victories and setbacks. I still have my fingers crossed, though :).
Any Advice you’d give someone new to starting a crochet business?
Hm, I would say, do a lot of research and look into how to properly price your handmade items, wholesale vs. retail, all that kind of stuff. I think a lot of crocheters price their work too low for the amount of time I know that crochet can take. I also always underline the importance of finding your own voice and your own angle to aid in your branding, rather than copying other successful items or trends that you see. Being unique will definitely help you stand out and get the power of word-of-mouth going!
About Twinkie Chan:
My name is Twinkie Chan, and I design and crochet unique, food-themed accessories to keep you and your stuff cozy! I published my first book of crochet patterns, “Twinkie Chan’s Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies,” in 2010, and I recently re-launched my licensed brand, “Yummy You! by Twinkie Chan” to make my crocheted work more affordable and more accessible.
Connect with Twinkie Chan online via her Website, Shop, Twitter and Facebook.
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