That is why, after a few months’ rest I am reviving the all-time favorite interview series featuring amazing artists from the virtual indie handmade world.
So today, I’d like you to meet Alycia of Habitual Homebody. I met her virtually in the very beginning of my blogging life and I kept on following her musings, travels and crafting in the years that followed. I love her creativity and the strength with which she copes with life’s challenges. There is much to learn from this young lady and her determination. Read on.
Give us some background about yourself. Describe yourself and what you do.
Hi! I’m Alycia and I’m currently living in Pennsylvania with my husband and our two dogs Monty and Mabel. We are about to move to Colorado this summer though (where there are SO many yarn shops!). I do office work, but in my free time, I’m a crocheter and blogger. I’ve been crocheting for 2 years and blogging for 5 years.
How did you start crafting? Do you stick to only one craft?
I’ve always been into crafts since I was a kid. My mom is a seamstress, quilter, and crocheter so I was always around creativity as a kid growing up and encouraged to create. And her mother, my grandmother, enjoyed sewing and crocheting too. I like to play around with different types of crafts and keep my eyes open for pretty projects or DIYs that catch my eye, but right now I’m big into crochet.
Why are you passionate about handmade?
I love making something out of nothing. And the process of planning a project, finding the supplies I need, and working on it from start to finish is so entirely satisfying. It also gives my mind a rest from all the everyday worries when I have something fun to focus on. Handmade items are so personal and lovely. I especially love the online handmade community too.
How and where do you sell your products?
Currently I do not sell any of my products as I don’t have the time to commit, but I used to sell on Etsy. I’d love to reopen my Etsy shop once things settle down (we are in the process of a big move) and sell some of my crochet wares!
How much influence do you get by the Internet in your creativity?
I get SO much inspiration from the Internet it’s crazy and I love it! My main sources of inspiration are Pinterest and Ravelry. I find all the patterns for my crochet projects online, mostly for free through Ravelry, but I’ll also peruse Etsy. I follow a lot of crafty blogs so I’ll find patterns and project ideas that way too. I’m finally starting to feel confident enough in my crochet work to make a few of my own patterns too.
Why do you blog? What does blogging give you that crafting doesn’t?
Blogging gives me the platform to share my projects and inspire others to create. I love interacting with like minded people and sharing about life with others who have similar interests as me.
What does “being creative” mean to you?
To me, being creative means expressing yourself in a way that gives you fulfillment and satisfaction while not being afraid to try something new. Finding inspiration in the smallest of things is all it takes to make creativity happen.
What advice do you have for people wanting to start crocheting?
What worked for me was watching video tutorials on YouTube. For whatever reason, I just couldn’t grasp how to crochet when my mom tried to teach me (go figure!), but when I had access to video tutorials it was as easy as pressing pause or rewind to really understand what I needed to do. I have also made a few of my own video tutorials for beginners.
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote? Share it with us.
I found this quote on Pinterest and it’s always made me smile because it’s so true!
“The creative adult is the child who survived.”
Which then reminded me of this quote:
“Stop pinning and make things.”
Here is where you can find Alycia:
Blog – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Ravelry
