By Emily Von Butlar
Executive Features Editor
Senior Nena Crow has turned her COVID hobby into a small business. Crow started to crochet in February 2021 when she wanted to pick up a new hobby. She started her business through Instagram, @nenacrowcrochets, soon after selling her first piece, a multicolor top for $35 on May 5, 2021.
“I don’t make much money, although with the money I do make, I keep it and put it toward more supplies so I can create more pieces in the future,” Crow said.
The price for Crow’s pieces ranges from $25 to $65. To determine prices, Crow has to take in a number of expenses; like yarn, hooks, needles, scissors, glue, stitch markers and more, while also considering the difficulty of the pattern and the amount of time it takes her to make.
“My prices for some items might be viewed as expensive or too much, but it’s hard to understand for others that there is no mass production for crochet,” Crow said. “No machines can replicate it. It is a skill that takes time and patience to complete.”
Crow’s main goal is to expand her small business through her Instagram account, beyond her friends. She hopes to grow and improve through gaining more followers on her Instagram page, @nenacrowcrochets and selling to more people. Although, she previously thought about expanding her crochet business through Depop.
“I want to step outside of my comfort zone, try new stitches, patterns and projects,” Crow said. “I would love for myInstagram account to grow and expand to more people than just my friends.”
Crow’s first attempt at crochet was to make a basic square, but instead turned into a triangle, after the rows started to decrease. After realizing her mistake, she made another triangle and then made a bikini top out of what was originally going to be a square.
“I love this project because I wasn’t aware of what I was capable of doing,” Crow said. “This sparked my interest further and really started my love to crochet. I look back at the project now and it looks horrible, compared to what I make now, but I think it’s a perfect reminder of how far I have come.
According to Crow, the greatest challenge she has faced has been finding a balance between her business, school and her sport. Crochet is a lengthy process that can take Crow hours to complete, depending on the project.
“I don’t like making people wait, and I try to make my products as perfect as I can get them,” Crow said. “WhenI don’t have any inspiration or a project turns out bad after working on it for hours and hours, that’s when it gets a little discouraging.”
Most of her orders are custom orders that let her customers choose what they want. Although she doesn’t create her own designs, she finds most of her inspiration from Pinterest.
According to Crow, sometimes she has bursts of inspiration where ideas of her own pop into her head, determining what she will make next.
“I’m working on finding my own style,” Crow said. “I’m Just exploring and having fun.”
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